U.S. Probes 1.1 Million Ram 1500 Trucks Over Loss Of Power Steering That May Have Led To Three Crashes

It’s over four weeks since our last new Ram recall story, and that’s almost an eternity in Ram-recall time, but the Stellantis truck brand could be about to more than make amends. It might have to haul 1.1 million pickups back to dealerships to correct a fault with the power steering system.

Ram hasn’t announced a recall yet, but the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has confirmed that it’s investigating 1500-series trucks built between 2013-16 over a loss of power steering assistance. The NHTSA says it has received 380 reports alleging either intermittent or total loss of steering assistance, and is aware of three crashes that could be attributed to a loss of power-assist.

In one case, a Florida driver said his 2023 Ram 1500’s steering locked solid and could not be turned in either direction. He was quoted more than $2,000 for parts to fix the problem, Reuters reports. In another case, a driver of a 2014 Ram 1500 suffered a loss of steering control while traveling at 55 mph (89 km/h) on a busy road but managed to wrestle the truck through traffic and to the side of the road with great effort. However, a third driver wasn’t so lucky and crashed their 2013 1500 into a ditch when the steering assistance dropped out.

The NHTSA says the alleged failures occurred at various speeds with “limited detectability” to the driver. If any Ram owners are getting a sense of déjà vu here, it’s because the brand recalled 440 vehicles in 2016 due to a problem with the power steering system. And the NHTSA is now investigating to see if that original recall should have cast the net wider.

“Consumer complaints indicate a similar failure may be occurring in vehicles that are out of scope of the recall,” the NHTSA said this week. “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.”

This potential recall could have significant implications for Ram and its parent company, Stellantis. With 1.1 million trucks potentially affected, the cost of the recall and associated repairs could be substantial. Additionally, the negative publicity surrounding the recall could damage the brand’s reputation and erode consumer trust.

If a recall is issued, Ram will need to act swiftly to address the issue and minimize the impact on affected customers. This will involve coordinating with dealerships to schedule repairs and ensuring an adequate supply of replacement parts. Clear communication with customers will also be crucial to keep them informed and address any concerns they may have.

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In conclusion, Ram is facing a potential recall of 1.1 million trucks due to a power steering system fault. The NHTSA is investigating reports of steering assistance loss and crashes attributed to this issue. If a recall is issued, Ram will need to address the problem promptly and effectively to mitigate the impact on customers and the brand’s reputation. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.