2017 Ram 1500 · symptom sheet
Power steering cuts out or goes heavy
- 171owner reports
- 66,000median miles
- $3,600median quote
- 3involved a crash
Newest report Sep 23, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
227 of the 880 complaints on this car are about the steering system. 171 of those describe power steering loss, which makes it the most reported problem on the 2017 1500.
Tick what matches of 171 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 (44 reports), the EPS motor or module (16 reports) and the column (4 reports).
Recalls and investigations
No recall on the steering system covers the 2017 model year as of Oct 2, 2026.
NHTSA investigations into the steering system on the 1500
Intermittent/comp loss of power steering. Open.
None of these investigations covers the 2017 model year.
What owners paid
22 of the 171 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $2,300 to $4,000.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 47,999 and 119,000 miles, from the 52 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“Power steering loss EPS unit, steering rack and pinion needs replaced, entire rack and pinion, only driven 107,000 miles. Bought off dealership almost 3 years ago with only 83,956 had purchased extended warranty that has expired in March.”
Filed Sep 2, 2026 · 107,000 miles
“Power steering failed on two seperate occasions. Both times i was moving at a slow rate of speed and was able to safely exit the roadway. Both times check power steering warning light came on after the fact. I feel this is a real safety issue. This vehicle only has 27000 miles on it”
Filed Jan 21, 2026 · 27,000 miles
“Electric assist steering failure, truck is getting hard to steer either direction. Air ride system is bouncing like having no suspension at all, went into dealer and they report that the compressor, control board and manifold all need to be replaced. Vehicle only has 68,000 miles.”
Filed Jan 9, 2023 · 68,000 miles
“Electronic power steering stopped working while traveling at highway speeds. No warnings, no issues with steering previously. Manual steering when eps fails is still possibly, but extremely difficult. Vehicle will operate normally after turning off and back on.”
Filed Mar 4, 2022
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 3 of 171 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 Taking it to a shop? How to describe this problem so it gets found
Other problems on this car
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 100 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 74 reports
- Airbag warning light or recall 53 reports
- Suspension noise, struts or alignment 50 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 48 reports
- Diesel fuel system or injector problems 31 reports
- Engine rattles or ticks 29 reports
- Adaptive cruise or lane keeping misbehaves 28 reports