2019 Ram 1500 · symptom sheet
Power steering cuts out or goes heavy
- 218owner reports
- 35,200median miles
- $3,500median quote
- 7involved a crash
Newest report Sep 16, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
337 of the 1,481 complaints on this car are about the steering system. 218 of those describe power steering loss, which makes it the most reported problem on the 2019 1500.
Tick what matches of 218 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 (36 reports), the EPS motor or module (24 reports) and the column (3 reports).
Recalls and investigations
3 recalls on the steering system cover the 2019 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
These vehicles may have been built with a contaminated electric power steering (EPS) gear that may short circuit, potentially resulting in an intermittent loss of power steering assist.
These vehicles have improperly machined steering column stub shafts that may break, possibly causing the steering wheel to detach from the steering column.
The battery ground fastener on the driver-side front fender may have been improperly secured, possibly resulting in a loss of power steering assist.
All 30 recalls on the 2019 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.
None of these investigations covers the 2019 model year.
What owners paid
17 of the 218 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $3,000 to $4,000.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 10,200 and 59,000 miles, from the 112 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 1 service bulletin or notice for the 2019 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.
Flash: Electric Power Steering (EPS) Module Updates This bulletin involves updating the EPS module with the latest available software. Customers may experience the following:Vibration felt or noise heard when turning right at low speeds.
What owners wrote
“Without any previous symptoms I lost power steering. A dash light came on with an exclamation point next to a steering wheel, and a message was displayed citing "Service Power Steering". Turning the car off and back on clears it, but it comes back at random. I do not always lose power steering, even when the light is on. This truck only has 70,000 miles on it.”
Filed Sep 16, 2026 · 70,000 miles
“The electric power steering seized while driving. No check engine light, no warning. A recall was issued for other VIN numbers regarding this, but per FCA and Ram no recall systemically is issued. The power steering cannot be manually manipulated when this happens giving you only an option to stop completely wherever you are.”
Filed Mar 28, 2023
“Radio blinks out, loss of power steering while driving and then it returns but then no power steering again.”
Filed Mar 21, 2023
“Electronic Power Steering Failed, Rack and Pinion was replaced and dealer kept the failed component , Was impossible to safely steer the vehicle and maintain control the vehicle, luckily it failed at a location that didn't result in a crash! Failure was confirmed by Dealer and Rack and Pinion had to be replaced. Happened without any prior warnings or symptoms”
Filed Oct 13, 2022
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 7 of 218 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
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 153 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 143 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 133 reports
- Airbag warning light or recall 92 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 77 reports
- Battery dies or the car will not start 74 reports
- Water leaks into the cabin 63 reports
- Steering sticks, feels notchy or jerks 45 reports
- Seat belt or seat problems 44 reports
- Windshield cracks or distorts 43 reports
- Multiple warning lights come on at once 39 reports
- Suspension noise, struts or alignment 33 reports
- Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 28 reports
- "Shift to Park" or "Service Shifter" warning comes on 27 reports
- Engine rattles or ticks 26 reports