Diagsheet

2019 Ram 1500 · symptom sheet

Power steering cuts out or goes heavy

  • 216owner reports
  • 35,000median miles
  • $3,500median quote
  • 7involved a crash

Newest report Aug 24, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026

335 of the 1,466 complaints on this car are about the steering system. 216 of those describe power steering loss, which makes it the most reported problem on the 2019 1500.

Tick what matches of 216 reports

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124
34
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150

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the steering rack (35 reports), the EPS motor or module (23 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.

19V-812Nov 14, 2019
Steering:Electric Power Assist System

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019 Ram 1500 trucks. 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.

Risk and remedy
Risk: An intermittent loss of power steering assist may cause an inconsistent steering effort, especially during lower speed maneuvers, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the EPS gear assembly, free of charge. The recall began December 12, 2019. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is VB8.
19V-201Mar 14, 2019
Steering

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019 Jeep Wrangler and 2019 Ram 1500 vehicles. These vehicles have improperly machined steering column stub shafts that may break, possibly causing the steering wheel to detach from the steering column.

Risk and remedy
Risk: If the steering wheel detaches from the steering column, the driver may lose control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the steering column, replacing it, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 5, 2019. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is V29.
19V-020Jan 24, 2019
Steering:Electric Power Assist System

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019 Ram 1500 vehicles. The battery ground fastener on the driver-side front fender may have been improperly secured, possibly resulting in a loss of power steering assist.

Risk and remedy
Risk: A loss of power steering could vary the steering effort required, possibly causing vehicle oversteer or understeer, increasing the risk of crash.
Remedy: Chrysler has notified owners, and dealers will properly secure the ground fastener, free of charge. The recall began on February 11, 2019. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is V04.

NHTSA investigations into the steering system on the 1500

RQ23-003opened Aug 4, 2023
Steering · model years 2013 to 2016

Intermittent/comp loss of power steering. Open.

NHTSA summary
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received 380 reports from consumers alleging an intermittent or complete loss of power steering assistance in certain 2013-2016 Ram 1500.The failure allegations occur at various speeds with limited detectability to the driver.On March 23, 2016 Fiat Chrysler Automotive (FCA) conducted recall campaign 16V-167 to address a possible contamination of the electrical power steering unit in certain model year 2015-2016 RAM 1500. The recall involved 440 vehicles and potentially resulted in loss of power steering assist.Consumer complaints indicate a similar failure may be occurring in vehicles that are out of scope of the recall.A Recall Query has been opened to determine if the scope of the recall mentioned above is correct or if another defect might exist that causes the alleged steering concerns.The reports cited above are listed in the attached document.

None of these investigations covers the 2019 model year.

What owners paid

17 of the 216 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $3,000 to $4,000.

$3,000$3,500$4,000
$0k$2k$4k$6k$8k

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 10,023 and 59,000 miles, from the 111 reports that gave a mileage.

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What owners wrote

“While driving service power steering light came on and lost power steering. Parked car restarted light when out. Later tried to go in drive and same thing happened and won’t go out at this time. Truck is virtually underivable without power steering.”

Filed Apr 6, 2023

“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 216 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.

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