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moderate Owners of the 2019 RAM 1500 have filed 334 NHTSA complaints about the steering, typically surfacing around 24,129 miles at roughly $700 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See steering across all vehicles →
| Model year | steering complaints |
|---|---|
| 2015 1500 | 336 |
| 2016 1500 | 302 |
| 2017 1500 | 220 |
| 2018 1500 | 78 |
| 2019 1500 (this page) | 334 |
| 2020 1500 | 58 |
| 2021 1500 | 46 |
Of the 334 steering complaints filed for the 2019 RAM 1500, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
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.
All 2 active steering recalls on this vehicle land at critical or severe — none classified moderate.
Steering accounts for 23% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 12 categories tracked.
A loss of power steering could vary the steering effort required, possibly causing vehicle oversteer or understeer, increasing the risk of crash.
An intermittent loss of power steering assist may cause an inconsistent steering effort, especially during lower speed maneuvers, increasing the risk of a crash.
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering steering on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Steering Repair Information Involving Toe Angle. Tie Rod And Or Electric Power Steering (EPS) Units.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Clicking Noise From Steering Column While Turning Steering Wheel.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Clicking Noise From Steering Column While Turning Steering Wheel.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗EPS And Other CAN C Modules Offline, U0001-00, U0002-00, and U0131-00 Can C Bus Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗UAS and UCS Radio Enhancements Customers may experience one or more of the following: **Wi-Fi hotspot connection failure. Speaker popping, crackle noise during Voice Recognition (VR) response and navigation guidance. Mobile Station Integrated Services Digital Network (MSISDN) missing from radio, no connected services working.** Wireless connectivity pairing and/or connection issues. Lost radio presets. Radio channels change by itself. SXMT icon inoperative. SXMT favorite song not displaying/playing. High pitch squeal, pop or hum noise from speakers. Anti-theft code request message. Lines appear across screen. Radio will not switch modes between AM, FM, SAT or Media. Performance control home
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The 2019 Ram 1500 steering system failure complaints cluster into two primary categories: power steering loss and steering stickiness during left turns.
Power Steering Losses range from brief intermittent losses (power returns after restart) to complete failures requiring extreme force to steer. Owners report failures at highway speeds and at startup, with some involving melted connectors and corrosion at the EPS module terminals. Dealers diagnose steering rack, pinion, or EPS module faults and quote $2,500–$5,000+ for replacement. A recall (VB8 / NHTSA 19V812000) exists for some 2019 models, but many affected VINs fall outside the recall window despite identical symptoms.
Steering Stickiness on Left Turns describes a catch or detent around the 10–11 o'clock position that resists return to center at highway speeds. Owners report having to apply deliberate force to break through the sticky spot; right turns are unaffected. This pattern persists and sometimes appears after extended highway driving, then becomes intermittent at lower speeds. Multiple owners note dealer test drives cannot replicate the issue, leading to warranty denials for mileage under 50k.
Secondary Issues include constant rightward pull despite multiple alignment confirmations, steering column rattle between 45–60 mph paired with front-end grinding during turns, and sway bar link separation at low mileage (30k–40k miles).
Owners consistently report dealers unable or unwilling to replicate intermittent failures on short test drives, and VINs excluded from applicable recalls despite matching symptom descriptions.
Same RAM 1500 steering reports on nearby years: 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2020 · 2021
Electronic power steering system loses assist or becomes completely inoperative without warning, requiring extreme physical force to steer. Some owners report brief failures that resolve after engine restart; others experience persistent issues. Failures occur at highway speeds, low speeds, during turns, and at startup. Dealers diagnose steering rack, pinion, or EPS module faults.
When: Highway speeds (60-80 mph) and low speeds; some at startup. Occurs after 1 hour of driving in some cases; others experience it intermittently. Mileage range 10k–136k; some failure intervals unknown.
Symptoms owners cite: Power steering unavailable warning message on dash; Steering wheel locks or becomes extremely hard to turn; Sudden loss of power assist mid-drive; Warning light illuminates (usually red, sometimes intermittent); Issue resolves temporarily after engine restart; Difficulty turning at any speed when failure occurs
Codes mentioned: U0131-00 - Lost Communication With Power Steering Control Module A, Service Power Steering message
Repairs/costs cited: Steering rack and pinion replacement (quoted $2,500–$5,000+); wiring harness replacement; EPS module replacement; connector replacement due to internal corrosion or short.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall VB8 / NHTSA 19V812000 issued for some 2019 Ram 1500 models, but many affected VINs excluded from recall despite identical symptoms. Software updates attempted by dealers with limited success. FCA and RAM customer service often refer owners to NHTSA Hotline or claim inability to replicate.
Steering wheel sticks or catches at around 10–11 o'clock position (left turn angle) at highway speeds and above 45 mph, requiring excessive force to return to center. Wheel does not self-center; owner must apply deliberate force to break through a detent or sticky spot. Right turns unaffected. Can occur after extended highway driving, then appears intermittently at lower speeds. Some dealers confirm internal rack fault; others cannot replicate on short test drives.
When: After 1 hour of highway driving or when vehicle warmed up; reproduced at highway speeds (50+ mph) during left turns. Some owners report issue from vehicle delivery onward.
Symptoms owners cite: Steering feels stuck or caught at 10–11 o'clock angle during left turns; Wheel requires manual force (pounds of pressure) to return to center; Rough spot or detent felt in steering path when turning left; Wheel may jerk or pop out of sticky position when force applied; Right-hand turns unaffected; Steering may eventually fail completely if driven longer
Repairs/costs cited: Steering rack replacement (cost ~$4,200 quoted); dealers cite internal rack fault or electrical short in rack assembly.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers often cannot replicate on short test drives and deny warranty coverage if outside 36-month window, despite short mileage (e.g., 32k–43k miles). No specific recall cited by dealers for this symptom pattern.
Vehicle pulls or drifts to the right while driving, requiring constant left-hand pressure on steering wheel to maintain straight course. Occurs on all road surfaces but worsened by rightward road grade. Owner reports four alignment checks at dealer all within spec, but pull persists. Service manager claims rightward pull is characteristic of new vehicles, but owner disputes this.
When: Speeds 10–80 mph, all driving conditions. Persistent from purchase or early ownership.
Symptoms owners cite: Constant rightward pull requiring left steering pressure to maintain straight; Pull exaggerated on roads with rightward grade; Vehicle drifts right if steering released; Risk of unintended lane change if driver distracted
Repairs/costs cited: Alignment checked four times by dealer and confirmed within specification. No repairs attempted or recommended.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer states rightward pull is normal for new vehicles; no further action offered.
Steering column rattles loudly between 45–60 mph and below 10 mph. Front end grinds during slow-speed right turns. Truck lurches, grinds, and rattles entire front end when slowing or backing at low speeds (without brake applied). Steering wheel sometimes stays off-center to the right and pulls hard. Owner notes visible marks where knuckle and lower control arm are striking, indicating structural parts hitting each other instead of at intended steering stops. Issue found on both sides of loaner truck as well.
When: Between 45–60 mph, below 10 mph, during slow-speed right turns, and when decelerating or reversing. Progressive deterioration over time.
Symptoms owners cite: Loud rattle in steering column at specific speeds; Grinding noise at front end during slow right turns; Lurching and grinding when backing or slowing (brakes not applied); Steering wheel stays off-center to the right; Hard rightward pull; Visible wear marks on knuckle and lower control arm
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer mentioned possible replacement of hitting parts, but noted parts are identical and issue would recur. Air suspension truck model; loaner non-air-suspension truck exhibits same issue.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer visited 4+ times with no resolution. Chrysler states possible cause is electronic power steering rack but has no fix. Issue deemed design flaw affecting multiple vehicles.
Multiple reports of complete electrical system failure resulting in loss of power steering, loss of power overall, and inability to steer. One case involved battery failure in eTorque system causing 12V battery not to charge; when 12V depleted, EPS failed. Another case: all dashboard warning lights shut off, wipers cycled on/off, RPM/MPH gauges fluctuated, brakes failed, requiring emergency brake to stop. Cases involve corrosion in power connectors, internal shorts in EPS module, and battery failures.
When: At startup or during highway driving. One case: first startup after vehicle sat 5 days; another: 10/28/2023; another: 1/2/2023 in snow.
Symptoms owners cite: Complete loss of power steering; Loss of engine power mid-drive; All or multiple dashboard warning lights illuminate or flicker; Windshield wipers activate on their own; RPM and speedometer gauges malfunction; Brakes unresponsive (brake pedal rock-solid or non-functional); Vehicle stalls completely; Power does not return until engine restart and sit time; Melted connectors and corrosion at EPS power/ground terminals
Codes mentioned: U0131-00 - Lost Communication With Power Steering Control Module A, Check engine light
Repairs/costs cited: EPS rack replacement; connector and harness replacement (connectors not serviceable); 48V eTorque battery replacement ($3,700 quoted, out of warranty); voltage regulation diagnosis.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall V87 mentioned for charging and battery issues but not applied to all affected vehicles. Dealer incorrectly attributed one case to 48V battery failure rather than charging system. Campaign 24V653000 (Service Brakes, ESC) completed but update not performed correctly.
Radio display flickers and jumps to different screens as if remotely controlled. Intermittent power steering warning messages appear without actual steering loss. Vehicle does not sync with key on startup (requires key removal, door cycle, or key flip to crank). These issues appear and disappear without pattern, making dealer replication difficult.
When: Sporadic; startup issues and random during driving.
Symptoms owners cite: Radio display flickering and jumping to random screens; Power steering warning messages without actual loss of function; Key sync failures requiring multiple attempts to start; Electrical noise and unpredictable behavior
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers clear codes and cannot replicate; no permanent fix offered. Software updates attempted.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers unable to determine root cause. No recalls or TSBs cited for electrical gremlins cluster.
Front sway bar links (both passenger and driver side) show excessive wear and separation at low mileage (under 60k miles, some under 40k). Owner reports popping noise and minimal jolt in steering when turning at extremely low speed. Dealer recommends replacement; owner researches and finds multiple forum posts describing same issue as known problem. Mechanic states this is not normal wear for vehicle with under 60k miles.
When: At low speeds during parking lot turns; discovered at 31k–50k miles; one case at 34k miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Popping noise in front end during slow-speed turns; Minimal jolt felt in steering wheel; Both sides showing signs of failure
Repairs/costs cited: Sway bar link replacement on both sides; wheel alignment ($1,300 quoted). Parts on backorder.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Not covered by 5-year/60k-mile warranty. No recall issued despite known issue in forums. Dealer states this is not a recalled item.
Synthesized from 334 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
The vehicle initially had a reported steering failure twice on december 19th. This was reported to NHTSA under file 1162423. The vehicle was taken to the dealer the same day. The dealer was unable to determine why this occurred. Then, again on december 30th this occurred again at highway speed, almost causing a collision. Immediately contacted the dealer again and the dealer was concerned over…
Started truck in a parking lot and started to pull away, went to turn and truck went straight till it indicated to 'service power steering.' once I realized it had lost all power steering I was able to limp it home with much effort to make turns. Traffic was light so was able to use multiple lanes to make turns. While driving home however, about 65 MPH the power steering came back on pulled the…
Complete loss of power steering assist while driving on local street / in light traffic. Power steering unavailable / service required warning appeared on dash. Was able to control truck and get to nearest dealership.
I was driving down interstate i95, when I got an alarm on my dashboard saying my power steering was unavailable, and I had no power steering, I took my truck to the dealer and they checked for loose wires and changed the PCM module and the battery sensor, my truck has been there 3 times as this last from anywhere from 10 seconds to 10 minutes, and has been doing this 6-10 times a day
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 334 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $700 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
Across the 148 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 8,000 and 54,000 miles, with the median around 24,129. A quarter of owners report trouble before 8,000; a quarter make it past 54,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
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.
Yes — 2 active recall(s) cover steering issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.