UAV and UCV 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 D
View on NHTSA →2019 RAM 2500 steering problems
severe 11 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Complaints
11
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
1crash
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
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.
UAV and UCV Radio Enhancements This bulletin involves inspecting and if required, updating the radio software level to: 39.6.The repair procedure must be followed step by step. If the radio is not updated with the correct software level at the correct time th
View on NHTSA →Transmission Column Shifter Lever Feels Loose
View on NHTSA →6.7L Cummins Engine High Pressure Fuel Injection Pump Identification Differences This bulletin provides information regarding the identification differences in the high pressure fuel injection pumps between the new style Symetrical Cam design pump and the ol
View on NHTSA →Click Or Pop From Drag Link
View on NHTSA →Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners describe a pattern of steering failures across 2019 RAM 2500s. The most common issue involves drag link loosening—one owner with 127,000 miles found a loose bolt on the steering gearbox; another was quoted $3,000 after a dealership found a stripped drag link and broken clockspring. This mirrors recalls issued for 2017–2018 models (NHTSA 19V-021 and 20E-043), yet one owner notes the 2019 built six months after the recall period ended still had the defect.
More alarming are acute failures: power steering and brakes failing simultaneously while driving 50 mph in traffic, and at 9,000 miles. One crash resulted; airbags did not deploy. Another owner reports the steering wheel jerks violently during cornering and cannot be held at factory alignment specs even after replacement of the gearbox, ball joints, and four separate alignments.
Steering geometry issues vary widely—one owner experienced temporary loss of right-turn radius that self-corrected; another found the steering wheel drifting left with no warning until an ESC light appeared. An owner reports engine stalling when steering is cranked hard right while backing up. One incident revealed a loose pulley and belt after steering/brake failure. A dealership technician confirmed hearing of this issue "before" and suggested new steering boxes as the likely fix.
Same RAM 2500 steering reports on nearby years: 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2020
Failure modes owners describe
Drag link loosening/stripping
Jam nut on drag link loosens and strips, causing steering wheel position to slip or drift. One owner found a loose bolt on the steering gearbox and evidence of hairline subframe fracture. Appears to be a manufacturing or assembly defect affecting multiple model years.
When: Early in vehicle life; owner #1 had issue after pre-delivery dealership inspection cleared it; owner #5 purchased with 127k miles and had the problem; owner #4 at 50k miles
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel position drifts or slips, typically to the left; Electronic stability control warning light; Abnormal pop sound from steering area; Loose bolt on driver's side steering gearbox
Codes mentioned: ESC/ESCM warning light
Repairs/costs cited: Owner #1: Chapman RAM quoted over $3,000 including steering gearbox replacement, clockspring replacement, and drag link repair. Owner #1 notes loose jam nut stripped drag link. Owner #5: steering gearbox replaced after 4+ weeks in shop; upper/lower ball joints, suspension system inspected repeatedly with no resolution.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall V06/NHTSA 19V-021 issued for 2017–2018 RAM 2500 drag link. Recall W49/NHTSA 20E-043 issued for drag link (owner #3 received notice). Owner #1 notes vehicle built June 2019, six months after recall period ended, yet issue persists. Owner #3 reports dealership said no recalls applied to 2019 model despite receiving recall notice in mail.
Engine stall with extreme steering input
Engine stalls without warning when steering wheel is turned to extreme right, especially in reverse. Issue is intermittent and specific to certain input combinations.
When: At approximately 4,730 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls without warning when steering turned clockwise to extreme right; Failure more prevalent when in reverse gear with extreme steering input
Repairs/costs cited: Owner #2 restarted vehicle; no diagnosis or repair performed.
Complete power steering and brake failure at speed
Power steering and hydraulic brakes fail simultaneously while driving at highway speed, with illumination of check engine and ESC lights. One incident occurred at 50 mph in traffic; another at approximately 9,000 miles. Both represent acute loss of control hazards.
When: Owner #6 at 9,000 miles; Owner #9 while driving 50 mph in traffic
Symptoms owners cite: Power steering becomes inoperable; Hydraulic brakes fail simultaneously; Check engine light and ESC light illuminate; Complete loss of vehicle control; In one case, awful noise from under hood—loose pulley and belt discovered post-incident
Codes mentioned: Check engine light, ESC/ESCM light
Repairs/costs cited: Owner #6: cause not yet determined at time of report; vehicle towed to dealer. Owner #9: loose pulley and belt found under hood after failure.
Steering wander and inability to hold alignment
Steering system wanders and drifts; vehicle will not track straight. Front-end alignment cannot be held—settings will not remain at factory specs even after multiple alignments. Indicates potential structural issue, wear in gearbox, or fundamental steering component failure.
When: Owner #5 purchased with 127k miles; issue ongoing over 4+ weeks in shop as of report date
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wanders and will not steer straight at all speeds; Front-end alignment will not hold after multiple corrections; Settings continuously drift from factory specifications
Repairs/costs cited: Upper and lower ball joints replaced; steering gearbox replaced; entire suspension system triple-checked with no worn or damaged parts found; front-end alignment performed 4 times with no lasting results; rear suspension triple-checked.
Steering radius limitation and jerking during cornering
Steering becomes restricted or unstable during turns. Some owners report reduced steering radius (cannot turn fully right), while others report jerking or snapping feedback when cornering at any speed.
When: Owner #7 after purchasing used truck; Owner #8 on freeway off-ramp; Owner #10 intermittent
Symptoms owners cite: Steering radius blocked or significantly diminished; Reduced ability to turn right; Wheel jerks back and forth or snaps during cornering; Unsafe jerking sensation when turning sharply or gradually; Steering returns to normal after straightening vehicle (intermittent)
Repairs/costs cited: Owner #7: local dealer and diesel mechanic confirmed new steering box would likely correct problem. Owner #10: dealership cannot figure it out.
Suspension clunking and vibration with brake application
Clunking noises from suspension area, particularly during turns or brake application. Vibration present on startup and throughout operation. May relate to loose hardware or subframe damage.
When: Owner #10 reports ongoing; Owner #4 at 50k miles showed hairline fracture on subframe due to rust
Symptoms owners cite: Clunking in suspension when turning at any speed; Constant vibration, more pronounced on startup; Vibration and sticking sensation during brake application
Repairs/costs cited: Owner #4: hairline fracture on subframe due to rust discovered; vehicle not repaired due to cost. Owner #10: dealership unable to diagnose; owner has video evidence.
Synthesized from 11 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
While driving 50 mph in traffic 2019 Ram 2500 Bighorn 6.7 Cummings Diesel lost power, steering failed and brakes failed. I had to use the emergency brake to avoid a crash. I had my daughter and 2 grandsons in the truck. ESC or ESCM light and engine light. Then the truck wouldn’t turn off. Then there was an awful noise from under the hood - it was a now loose pulley and belt.
Drag link assembly seperation
Had steering trouble with your 2019 RAM 2500?
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 2019 RAM 2500?
It's a meaningful issue. 11 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $700.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Based on the 11 complaints filed, steering issues most often appear around 16,333 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
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/2019/RAM/2500.
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.