To whom it may concern, I'm currently experiencing an intermittent flashing red steering column and exclamation point on my dash as well as the power steering disengaging, forcing me to manually wrestle with the steering wheel while trying to control the truck without crashing and potentially killing myself as well as others. I googled this issue and came across the instructions on how reset…
2013 RAM 1500 steering problems
moderate 601 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
601
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
21crashes
3injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 601 steering complaints filed for the 2013 RAM 1500, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 11 model years of RAM 1500 we track for steering problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 601.
Steering accounts for 49% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 12 categories tracked.
What owners are reporting 10 most recent
Electronic power steering intermittent failure. Vehicles power steering ‘service now’ light comes on and abruptly shuts off power steering and will abruptly turn back on several miles/ days later. This causes a severe safety risk as the module will autocorrect steering mid turn or shutdown completely causing the vehicle to lose control. The problem has been reproduced by a third party mechanic…
Brought this vehicle and drove it for 1 month before power steering went out. I was driving on the interstate at a high speed when the power steering light came on. I was unable to steer the vehicle off the road so I had to stop on the interstate and call a tow truck.
Truck became undrivable when power steering failed without warning. I was lucky to not have been on the road, otherwise it would've likely been a serious accident.
Electric steering assist failure, no previous warnings. Alert on dash to have steering system checked when putting truck in drive. Restart of engine did not correct. Extreme difficulty steering the vehicle. Will take to dealer for initial diagnosis.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked in the driveway of the residence, the steering wheel seized without warning at start-up. The contact had to wait for approximately 24 hours for the vehicle to resume normal operation. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. Cumberland Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram (1550 interstate dr, cookeville, tn 38501,…
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Ram 1500. While operating the vehicle, the electric power steering became inoperable and the steering wheel became very difficult to turn. The failure was not diagnosed or repaired. The local dealer (arrigo Dodge, 5851 s. Us hwy 1, fort pierce, fl) and the manufacturer were notified, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 4,800. The VIN was unknown.
Was driving and steering just locked up. Power steering stopped working and it’s so hard to turn or parallel park. Drove right into this big hill. The dealership wants $4,500 for parts and labor to repair it.
Lost my eps while I'm driving on school zone and can't turn the wheels snd i end on crash it
Driving at 40MPH and 2013 Ram 1500 experienced total and complete loss of power steering with no warning. I was narrowly able to avoid getting into an accident and cannot drive the truck given the strength needed to turn the wheel. Cost from dealer is estimated to be around $4,500 after parts and labor / taxes and could take months since the part is on backorder. The dealer said there have been…
Had steering trouble with your 2013 RAM 1500?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the steering problem on the 2013 RAM 1500?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 601 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $700 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 171 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 52,990 and 132,000 miles, with the median around 90,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 52,990; a quarter make it past 132,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $700 for steering repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2013/RAM/1500.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.