2019 Ram 1500 · symptom sheet
Steering sticks, feels notchy or jerks
- 45owner reports
- 10,400median miles
- 2involved a crash
Newest report Aug 24, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
337 of the 1,481 complaints on this car are about the steering system. 45 of those describe sticky steering.
Tick what matches of 45 reports
Sticky steering on other 1500 years
No other 1500 model year has enough reports of sticky steering for a sheet of its own. See every 1500 year.
What this problem usually is
Sticky steering is a wheel that catches or hangs for a moment before it turns, then moves in a small jerk. It's different from a wheel that's simply heavy: owners here describe a notch, and many say it's worst when making small corrections at highway speed.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the steering rack (8 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.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 2,600 and 32,000 miles, from the 28 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“When driving in wet road conditions the truck will jerk the steering wheel to the left into oncoming traffic. When the condition happens itâs impossible to hold the steering wheel straight to keep in the proper lane. During dry road conditions the steering works and will remain in the proper lane with no issues”
Filed Jan 5, 2025
“Cruising at highway speeds while turning left the steering wheel sticks and does not go back to center. The driver has to turn it right an inch or two before releasing and goes back towards center.”
Filed Jul 16, 2024
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 2 of 45 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
- Power steering cuts out or goes heavy 218 reports
- 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
- 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