2020 Ram 1500 · symptom sheet

Power steering cuts out or goes heavy

41owner reports
51,000median miles
$4,500median quote
2involved a crash

Newest report Aug 12, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026

59 of the 622 complaints on this car are about the steering system. 41 of those describe power steering loss.

Tick what matches of 41 reports

steering suddenly went heavy

a power steering warning came on

it came back after restarting

happened at low speed or parking

happened while driving

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the steering rack (14 reports) and the EPS motor or module (4 reports).

Recalls and investigations

No recall on the steering system covers the 2020 model year as of Sep 9, 2026.

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 2020 model year.

What owners paid

6 of the 41 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $3,800 to $5,000.

$3,800$4,500$5,000

$0k$2k$4k$6k$8k

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 48,877 and 93,000 miles, from the 12 reports that gave a mileage.

120

322

423

1124

1225

1026

What owners wrote

“Just picked up vehicle Thursday, 26 Sept 2024 about Noon from Dealership after replacement of Rack and Pinion Gear, driving on straight road and "power steering Unavailable - Service required" information came on briefly for about 2 to 5 secs every 5-10 minutes during drive home.”
Filed Sep 29, 2024

“Just driving on the highway doing about 45 miles per hour and the message "power steering unavailable - service required" came on several times for about 2-5 seconds at least 3 times during the short drive. The power steering was definitely inoperative during the times the message was displayed.”
Filed Sep 29, 2024

“Driving on local road in Abilene Tx and got the message âPower Steering Unavailable Service Requiredâ and the electric steering was inop for about 3-5 seconds. The message came on several times during their minute drive.”
Filed Sep 15, 2024

“Just got on the local road and âpower steering unavailable service requiredâ message displayed twice for about 5 - 10 secs with the corresponding difficulty in turning steering wheel. Snapped a photo of message”
Filed Sep 14, 2024

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 2 of 41 reports involved a crash and 3 people were hurt. 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.