The contact owns a 2017 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while her son was driving at an undisclosed speed and turning the steering wheel to make a turn, the steering wheel became inoperable. The contact stated that the steering wheel failed to turn in either direction. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed electronic rack and pinion. The contact was informed…
2017 RAM 1500 steering problems
severe 217 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
217
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
9crashes
5injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 217 steering complaints filed for the 2017 RAM 1500, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 100,000-125,000 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
Owners have filed 217 steering complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Steering accounts for 26% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 12 categories tracked.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2017 Ram 1500 has a widespread electronic power steering system that fails intermittently or completely—sometimes with no warning—making the truck very difficult or impossible to steer at any speed; replacements cost $2,000–$4,300+, are on long backorder, and a recall issued for 2013–2016 models does not cover 2017 VINs despite identical failures. Buy only if you can afford an unplanned steering rack replacement and have a way to inspect the EPS system's serial number against known contaminated batches.
The 2017 Ram 1500's electronic power steering (EPS) fails suddenly and without warning, sometimes locking up the steering wheel completely or cutting power assist while driving at highway speeds. Owners report losing the ability to turn the wheel at all, or having to apply extreme force—dangerous when driving with passengers, on curves, or in traffic. The warning light, when it appears, comes *after* the failure has already occurred, offering no advance notice.
Failures are intermittent and unpredictable. Some owners find that restarting the vehicle temporarily restores steering; others hit a dead end when codes clear immediately after being retrieved. Cold weather (below 50°F) triggers or worsens failures in multiple reports; in extreme cold, water inside the EPS motor froze solid, locking the steering.
The root cause appears to be contamination—water and mud—inside the sealed EPS circuit board during assembly, causing electrical short circuits. One owner's inspection found the entire unit filled with water despite no external damage. FCA issued Recall S19 (NHTSA 16V-167) for 2013–2016 models but refuses to cover 2017 VINs, despite owners filing identical complaints about the same part number and failure mode.
Repair cost is steep: $2,000–$4,300 for a replacement rack and pinion. Parts are severely backordered nationwide, with wait times of 45 days to 6+ months. Multiple owners cannot afford the repair and have stopped driving their trucks; one rolled his vehicle when erratic steering threw it across lanes at 70 mph. Dealerships will not service the problem unless a code is present at inspection time and the VIN is listed in an active recall—a catch-22 when failures are intermittent.
Same RAM 1500 steering reports on nearby years: 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2018 · 2019
Failure modes owners describe
Electronic Power Steering (EPS) Loss of Assist / Complete Failure
The EPS system cuts out, locks up, or loses all power assist without warning, leaving drivers with an extremely stiff steering wheel that requires excessive force to turn. Failures occur at all speeds, often intermittently, and in some cases the steering becomes completely immobilized. Owners report the warning light appearing only after loss of assist or not at all during the event.
When: Failures start between 2,837 miles and 179,955 miles; many occur within first 2–3 years of ownership. Cold temperatures (below 50°F) appear to trigger or worsen failures in multiple reports.
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel becomes extremely stiff or hard to turn; Complete loss of power steering assist with no warning; Steering wheel locks up during turning or highway driving; Service Power Steering warning light illuminates (usually after failure onset); Steering wheel vibration or jerking in the hand; Intermittent failures that resolve after vehicle restart or 20-30 minute cooldown; Difficulty or inability to maneuver vehicle at low and high speeds
Codes mentioned: U0001, U0402, C2129-16 (Battery Voltage - circuit voltage below threshold), Short circuit or low voltage to power steering module, Power steering control module failure codes
Repairs/costs cited: Electronic power steering rack and pinion replacement; cost ranges $2,000–$4,300+ depending on dealer. Parts are on backorder nationwide with waits exceeding 45 days to 6 months. At least one owner reported the rack filled with water and mud despite no external damage, suggesting contamination during manufacturing. Multiple owners cite water intrusion into the EPS circuit board as the root cause.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall S19 (NHTSA 16V-167) issued for 2013–2016 models; 2017 model year not covered despite identical complaints and failure modes. Owners report dealerships telling them their VIN is not in the recall even though manufacturing dates and part numbers match recalled units. FCA refers owners to NHTSA hotline. No warranty coverage beyond five years or original mileage limits. Manufacturer did not acknowledge the widespread 2017 problem or offer an expansion recall or TSB covering the 2017 model year.
Contaminated EPS Circuit Board / Water Intrusion
Internal contamination of the electronic power steering control circuit card assembly with water, mud, or debris—found despite no visible external damage. Contamination causes electrical short circuits that disable power steering assist. One owner documented the EPS unit completely filled with water and mud, suggesting a manufacturing or sealing defect.
When: Discovered during repair inspection; can occur at any mileage once failure begins, though most documented around 60,000–119,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: EPS unit completely filled with water and mud despite sealed design; Recurring power steering failure after washing vehicle or exposure to moisture; Short-circuit fault codes in control module
Codes mentioned: Short circuit codes in EPS module, Open/short circuit codes for related modules
Repairs/costs cited: One owner thawed a frozen EPS motor/circuit panel and attempted re-sealing around the motor and cover; unit was damaged after thawing. Entire steering rack and pinion assembly must be replaced. No field repair possible once contamination occurs.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None documented. FCA did not issue a TSB or recall addressing the contamination issue specifically, despite evidence that the EPS assembly sealing is inadequate for a sealed electrical component on a 4WD truck.
Erratic or Unintended Steering Movement
Steering wheel moves or turns on its own without driver input, or steering response becomes unpredictable—twisting vehicle across lanes, jerking the wheel violently, or becoming extremely stiff then loose repeatedly. One owner rolled the vehicle twice on a highway after erratic steering threw them across multiple lanes at speed.
When: Occur at highway speeds (55–70 mph); onset varies from early ownership to later in vehicle life.
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel jerks or pulls hard to left or right without driver input; Vehicle twists or swerves across multiple lanes uncontrollably; Steering oscillates between stiff and loose, not returning to center smoothly; Steering response erratic or unpredictable during turns; Vehicle rolled or nearly left roadway due to uncontrolled steering movement
Codes mentioned: Steering control module or EPS unit codes
Repairs/costs cited: One severe case resulted in vehicle rollover and required extrication; vehicle was totaled. Cost to repair other cases includes complete steering rack and pinion replacement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None documented for this specific failure mode.
Stiff or Unresponsive Steering at Center / Notchy Feel
Steering wheel is stiff or notchy at center position, with steering feel alternating between stiff and loose, making vehicle difficult to drive straight. Steering does not return smoothly to center after turns. No warning lights illuminate in most cases. Vehicle pulls hard left or right depending on driving conditions.
When: Started in fall 2025 per one report; others report ongoing since purchase. Mileage varies widely.
Symptoms owners cite: Steering stiff at center, frees up at 1/4 turn, stiffens again; Steering does not return smoothly to center after turns; Steering wheel vibrates or shakes at 70 mph; Vehicle pulls hard left one day, hard right the next; No warning lights or check engine codes; Condition persists after strut and ball joint replacement
Codes mentioned: None retrieved in cases where no warning lights appear
Repairs/costs cited: One owner replaced ball joints and struts; condition persisted, suggesting EPS module involvement. Dealerships refuse to service if VIN is not in a recall batch, even when serial number on the EPS unit may match known bad batches.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers tell owners their VIN is not in a recall and will not service the vehicle without a diagnostic code present. No TSB addresses this specific symptom cluster in 2017 models.
Temperature-Dependent EPS Failure
Power steering assist fails intermittently when ambient temperature drops below 50°F or in cold weather conditions (freezing temperatures). System functions normally when temperature is warmer or in heated garage. In one case, water froze inside the EPS motor and circuit panel, locking steering solid.
When: Onset correlates with seasonal temperature drop or cold weather exposure (below 50°F or near 0°F).
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of power steering in cold weather (below 50°F); Normal power steering operation in warm weather or heated garage; Service Power Steering warning light illuminates only in cold; EPS motor and circuit panel freeze solid in extreme cold if water is present; System recovers when temperature warms
Codes mentioned: Service Power Steering warning codes in cold weather
Repairs/costs cited: One owner in extreme cold conditions (near 0°F for weeks) had water freeze inside EPS unit, locking steering. Attempted thaw and re-seal failed; component permanently damaged. Normal seasonal cold (below 50°F) causes intermittent loss of assist.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None documented. No TSB or recall addresses cold-weather EPS failure.
Bent or Damaged Frame / Pre-Existing Structural Defect
Vehicle sold with a bent frame that was not the result of recent impact. One used 2017 Ram purchased in November 2023 was found to have a bent frame and bent firewall after a minor pothole strike; collision center concluded frame was bent before purchase and called the truck a 'death trap,' stating it should not have been sold.
When: Discovered at approximately one month of ownership after a minor pothole impact.
Symptoms owners cite: Tie rod and axle broken after minor pothole strike; Vehicle does not align after minor impact; Frame is bent (confirmed by collision center inspection and photos); Firewall bent (redacted details in complaint)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership offered a swap-out with an excessive down payment instead of taking responsibility. Collision center provided documentation and photos of bent frame.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership (Rick Chevrolet, Virginia Beach) offered swap at customer's cost; no manufacturer recall or acknowledgment of the structural defect.
Electrical System Shutdown / Loss of All Power and Steering
Complete electrical system failure during driving, with loss of engine power, lights, dash displays, and steering control. Dashboard lights up intensely (described as 'Christmas tree'), then all power cuts out, then power surges back. Steering is unavailable during shutdown periods. Events happen at highway speeds with no warning.
When: Multiple documented instances; one report at 23,000 miles; another at undisclosed highway speed.
Symptoms owners cite: Entire dashboard goes black or 'lights up like Christmas tree'; Engine shuts off completely while driving; Windshield wipers, radio, lights, and all sensors malfunction simultaneously; Speedometer display goes black; Steering control lost during power loss; Gear shifter becomes unresponsive or stuck; Power surges back after seconds with all lights coming on at extreme brightness; Transmission warning lights and unknown warning codes appear; Key fob stuck in ACC position, cannot be turned off
Codes mentioned: U0001, U0402, Transmission warning codes (no engine codes generated), Multiple sensor and module fault codes
Repairs/costs cited: One vehicle described as 'completely bricked' with no power, stuck gear, and locked key fob; unable to be restarted by local mechanic. Another owner mentions a software update exists for some related issues, implying manufacturer awareness.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer (Chrysler) refuses to address complaints out of warranty. One owner notes that manufacturer has released software updates for some electrical issues, indicating awareness of the problem. No systematic recall issued for complete power loss.
Intermittent EPS Codes with No Steering Symptom at Time of Diagnosis
Diagnostic scan retrieves power steering control module codes or short-circuit codes, but the steering operates normally when the vehicle is tested by dealership or mechanic. Codes reappear immediately after being cleared, making it impossible for dealership to justify warranty repair under certain policies.
When: Codes appear intermittently; steering works normally during dealer test drive despite fault codes in system memory.
Symptoms owners cite: Diagnostic codes for EPS module failure, short circuits, or low voltage retrieved; Codes clear temporarily but reappear immediately when vehicle is restarted; Steering operates normally during dealer test drive despite codes present; Dealer unable or unwilling to diagnose without codes being present at time of inspection; Intermittent power steering loss occurs between diagnostic visits
Codes mentioned: EPS module failure codes, Short circuit or low voltage codes, U0001, U0402, C2129-16 (Battery Voltage below threshold)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers cite inability to replicate the issue as reason not to perform repair. One owner had professional scan performed with same results: codes present but steering works at time of scan. Owners cannot afford repair without insurance or warranty coverage.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealerships refuse to repair under warranty if failure is not occurring at time of inspection and VIN is not in an active recall. Manufacturer does not provide guidance on repairing intermittent EPS faults.
Synthesized from 217 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 6 most recent
Without warning, the power steering has started to fail. The wheel has become very hard to turn.
In my 2017 dodge ram 1500 big horn, the rack and pinioning computer system failed while driving it. Dealer ship stated it was a pretty common failure and the parts are normally in high demand. After doing research it appears that the years around 2017 have had recalls on the same part but the 2017 does not. If the system failed while someone unfamiliar with driving a car with no power steering it…
Steering goes in and out, stability control keeps acting up and light stays on, and service braking. Contacted RAM dealership, and was told that the recall was already completed before I owned it. It seems odd that the same symptoms are showing up again. I can’t drive the truck safely. The steering locks up and hard to turn. The anti-lock brakes are activated when using brakes.
The Electronic Power Steering system failed on my Ram 1500 and it became extremely difficult to steer the truck. It created a very unsafe condition to drive the vehicle and Stellantis doesn't cover this VIN in the existing safety recall for this steering system on other Ram trucks.
Power steering failed while driving. Replace the power steering rack (dealership replaced it). It still failing due to the torque sensor or the steering wheel, a steering wheel angle sensor being faulty,. Very dangerous if the vehicles power steering randomly stops doing its job while in motion.
Had steering trouble with your 2017 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 2017 RAM 1500?
It's a meaningful issue. 217 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $700.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 54 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 27,000 and 107,000 miles, with the median around 66,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 27,000; a quarter make it past 107,000. 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/2017/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.