- The problem
- Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Ram 1500 trucks manufactured January 22, 2015, to September 13, 2015. Contamination on the Electric Power Steering (EPS) control circuit board may cause a short and result in the loss of power steering assist.
- The risk
- If the vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist, extra steering effort will be required, especially at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
- The fix
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the EPS unit, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on May 16, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S19.
Steering
2016 Ram 1500 Steering problems
Owners have filed 317 complaints about the 2016 Ram 1500's steering with NHTSA - 20% of all its complaints, most recently on November 11, 2026. They describe 6 crashes, 1 fire and 3 injuries. Loss of power steering, stiff or loose steering, wandering, column and rack problems.
- Complaints
- 317
- Recalls
- 1
- Crashes
- 6
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 3
- Deaths
- 0
Steering recalls for the 2016 Ram 1500
Steering complaints
The brake light, stability control, and abs light have been on for almost 2 years. The garage says the abs module is bad ots on interstellar back order. None of those systems have functioned for almost two years and I can't even sell it at this point for a fair price. Now the ignition seems to have an issue in that after starting the MPH will not display and the power steering doesn't function properly.
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH, the electronic power steering became inoperable, and the steering wheel was difficult to turn and was almost impossible to turn. The contact stated that on the previous day, the power steering warning light was illuminated momentarily. The contact stated that an independent mechanic diagnosed the vehicle and retrieved DTC: C2217-00 (internal electronic power steering module failure). The contact associated the failure with NHTSA investigation RQ23-033. The dealer was contacted by phone. The failure mileage was approximately 138,210.
ELECTRIC STEERING RACK FAILURE. The truck requires tremendous strength to steer manually, risking accident and injury to passengers and other vehicles. Emmett's Auto in Klamath Falls, OR has ordered a new steering rack. RAM Corporate advised the truck is not on recall. Other trucks manufactured the same year have the recall for the same defect. A "service steering soon" message appears in the message center of the truck. Local dealer, Lithia Auto received 18 new steering racks which were already promised to other repairs. This indicates to me that this is a widespread problem and the recall should have involved my vehicle.
The electronic power steering has failed. The system failed on 10/19/26. Also, the truck has stalled while driving on three different occasions in the last two years. It has never shown a code for the stalls.
On my son's 2016 Dodge Ram 1500, he was driving and as he was turning into a gas station, his Electronic Power Steering (EPS) stopped working and he had to use much force to turn the wheel into the gas station. The steering wheel warning light came up on his dash and after several attempts of turning off/turning on the engine and removing the battery cables and putting them back, the EPS would not come back on. We did check the fuse from the positive battery terminal with a multimeter and the cable to the EPS still had power, to include fuse 78 in the fuse box. We check the wire under the engine to the EPS and found no issues with the wires.
Electric power steering failure
Driving down residential street and steering got stiff . Not safe at all . Message on screen power steering service. 2 mechanics said to would need to replace complete electric power steering gear assembly.
Rack and pinion has failed after 10 years. Luckily it went out a my wife was getting home. I've had a mechanic verify that it has failed completely and I am in the process of getting a new one.
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while pulling out of the garage and onto the driveway, the steering wheel seized, and the message "Power Steering Needs to Be Serviced" was displayed. The contact turned off the vehicle. Upon restarting the vehicle the following day, the steering wheel operated as intended, and the contact slowly drove to the dealer. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the steering rack and pinion had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact associated...
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the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V167000 (Steering); however, the repair was not covered because the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was scheduled to be repaired at the owner's expense. The manufacturer, RAM, was notified of the failure via website and by phone, and a case was filed. The contact was informed that no assistance would be provided and was referred to the dealer for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 13,800.
Power steering failing intermittently while driving, usually at low speeds.
ABS module failed causing ABS, traction control, and cruise control to stop functioning along with intermittent loss of power steering. Contacted multiple dealers which all stated the part is no longer available and no replacement part. This was a nuisance for two years until I towed a trailer and was merging onto an interstate when I lost traction due to wet roads and no traction control. Vehicle and trailer fishtailed and I was barely able to gain control without contacting any other vehicles on the very busy...
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interstate. I was able to find a rebuilt abs module on eBay for $1100 that I installed and corrected the issue. This year model needs to be added to the existing recall that has been posted for many other years for this exact issue
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at speeds under 25 MPH and turning, the steering wheel locked up. The contact stated that the brake pedal was depressed, and the steering wheel was held firmly until the steering wheel released. The contact stated that on another occasion while the vehicle was parked, the power-steering warning light illuminated. The contact attempted to drive the vehicle, but the steering wheel was stiff, and the contact was unable to...
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drive any further. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the steering rack and pinion, steering gear, and linkage, AUX coolant pump, and driver's seat airbag needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact believed that the failure was associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V812000 (Steering). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 154,000.
Loss of power assistance in steering
I suddenly lost the power steering when I spoke to my mechanic he said the problem was intermittent and he has to replace a computer part that's associated with it and had to replace the entire unit I saw there was an open recall regarding this matter
While driving, the vehicle suddenly lost power steering assist without warning. The steering wheel warning light illuminated on the instrument panel, and the steering immediately became extremely difficult to turn. The condition created a significant safety hazard because the vehicle was much harder to control while in motion. The steering remains difficult to turn after the incident. This appears to be an electric power steering (EPS) failure. I am concerned that this defect could lead to a crash or serious injury. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate this issue because similar power steering failures have been reported by other Ram 1500 owners.
The contact's wife owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at various speeds, the steering wheel became firm, and the steering wheel was difficult to turn to the left or the right. No warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 148,000
Service Power Steering alerted. Power steering is out. Took truck to shop, shop recommended I take to dealership for a recall that was issued for EPS recall. Believe my truck just so happens to have been built some months outside the window the manufacturer claims were impacted vehicles. Awfully suspicious. I have not yet taken vehicle to dealership but wanted to document this consumer report as soon as I could.
Electronic power steering failure. Not complete shut down, but intermittent. Heavy steering feel when cornering at very low or highway speeds. No return to center. Notchy/sticky steering feel. No eps warning light. No electronic failure ie fuse, relay, control. Works fine today, cuts out tomorrow.
While driving the electric steering modular let go, making it difficult to steer. It's currently at my mechanics not drivable. Just strange that this lets go on my vehicle as the recall happens and I was told it doesn't effect my vehicle!
Intermittent abs brake light on return trip in June 2025 diagnosed as a bad abs module. Dealer did not have any stated on back order, now almost a year later as of 5/20/26 Jim Browne Chrysler still states module on back order. And as you know there are no aftermarket parts for replacement. With this issue it keeps other functions of the truck from working. This has been way too long for the government to allow this company to treat us this way.
The contact owns a 2015 Dodge Ram. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 mph the power steering. The dealer was contacted but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 79,800.
The complaint was filed on behalf of the customer. The contact stated while the customer was driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel failed to turn in the intended direction. The vehicle was uncontrollable. The customer's vehicle drove on a sidewalk. The vehicle was towed to the independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a failed electronic power steering module. In addition, the contact stated that the electronic steering module was filled with water. The contact stated that the electronic power...
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steering module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was in the process of being repaired. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The contact was informed that the recall, NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V167000 (Steering) was performed on the VIN two years ago. In addition, the contact was informed that the repair was not covered under warranty. The contact, who is the independent mechanic, stated that the recall repair was not performed properly. In addition, the contact stated that the electronic power steering module seal was partially sealed during the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,667.
The contact owns a 2016 RAM 1500. The contact stated while driving the vehicle at an undisclosed speed, the Electric Power Steering (EPS) system is leaking fluid, which is causing the vehicle to be inoperable by losing power of steering. The vehicle was seen by a mechanic where it was diagnosed to having a failing rack and pinion. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 67,000.
Has electric steering that becomes hard to steer. Dodge claims my particular vehicle has no recall.
The Eps light keeps randomly coming on. And goes off. The steering gets stiff and heavy randomly. When a mechanic looks at it everything is working fine like it should but once I get the truck back it will act up again randomly. Also Alpha warranty will not help fixing the issue.
Ram 1500 steering complaints by year
1500 steering problems, every yearSource: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data