2016 Ram 1500 · symptom sheet
Power steering cuts out or goes heavy
- 235owner reports
- 70,000median miles
- $3,000median quote
- 2involved a crash
Newest report Sep 28, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
311 of the 1,544 complaints on this car are about the steering system. 235 of those describe power steering loss. Only brake wear is reported more often on this car.
Tick what matches of 235 reports
Power steering loss on other 1500 years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2021, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026.
What this problem usually is
Power steering loss is the steering wheel suddenly going heavy, usually with a warning on the dash. Nearly six in ten complaints in this group mention a warning light or message, and almost two thirds mention driving or highway speed rather than parking.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the steering rack (37 reports) and the EPS motor or module (26 reports).
Recalls and investigations
One recall on the steering system covers the 2016 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
Contamination on the Electric Power Steering (EPS) control circuit board may cause a short and result in the loss of power steering assist.
All 17 recalls on the 2016 Ram 1500, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into the steering system on the 1500
Intermittent/comp loss of power steering. Open.
What owners paid
16 of the 235 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $2,300 to $3,800.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 50,000 and 92,000 miles, from the 87 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 1 service bulletin or notice for the 2016 Ram 1500 that deal with this problem. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Electric Power Steering Gear With Low Assist This bulletin involves replacing the electric power steering gear assembly. The customer may notice a low assist or excessive steering effort at lower speeds or parking lot maneuvers.
What owners wrote
“I believe my electronic power steering is malfunctioning. There are no indicator lights on the dash but the power steering is difficult to steer. It began intermittently but now is difficult to turn the wheel at all times. My 2016 ram now has approximately 102,000 miles on it. At this point I am unable to use the vehicle because of the loss of power steering.”
Filed Nov 28, 2023 · 102,000 miles
“Power steering system failed with 108500 miles. Unable to turn wheel back to center without fighting it. Almost caused me to crash twice.”
Filed Aug 12, 2023 · 108,500 miles
“Loss steering while Driving making turn on Freeway. No light indication on Dash ,of failure. Or engine light. No indication of any problem. But no steering. To hard to turn the wheel.”
Filed Jun 10, 2022
“Intermittent half steering power loss, ( I figured it was a weather related) followed by complete loss of power steering over time.”
Filed Sep 5, 2021
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 2 of 235 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works
Other problems on this car
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 278 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 138 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 97 reports
- Diesel fuel system or injector problems 80 reports
- Suspension noise, struts or alignment 68 reports
- Fuel pump failure 50 reports
- Airbag warning light or recall 48 reports
- Adaptive cruise or lane keeping misbehaves 44 reports
- Rolls away in Park or will not shift out of Park 37 reports
- Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 36 reports
- Vehicle fire 35 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 31 reports
- Engine overheats or leaks coolant 29 reports
- Delay or no response when I press the gas 27 reports
- A/C blows warm or the compressor fails 26 reports
- Fuel smells, leaks, or the gauge reads wrong 25 reports