9.2

really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
$3,640
Average Mileage:
90,850 miles
Total Complaints:
21 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (11 reports)
  2. replace electric steering rack assembly (7 reports)
  3. repaired power steering (3 reports)
2013 Ram 1500 steering problems

steering problem

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2013 Ram 1500 Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #21

Jul 142024

1500 SLT V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Had the EPS failure happen this morning driving to work. Checked fuses(good) and scanned the trucked(C221700). Deleted the code and it went away, but for how long. Lots of articles out there talking about 13-16 Ram EPS rack issues and No recall yet.

- forumeddie2, Bristol, US

problem #20

Mar 222024

1500 Bighorn 5.7L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 140,000 miles

I was driving my truck on the way to Church. The power steering completely went out and stopped working. Almost had an accident as it was raining and trying to drive in the rain with no power steering is murder.

- Jeff G., Spring, TX, US

problem #19

Jan 082024

1500 EXR CAB 5.7L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 125,000 miles

Tried to back out of driveway and there was no power steering. It was a very cold day (-20) and I hoped warming it up would help. It did not and I carefully drove it a block or 2 and it was very difficult to turn. I had it towed to a RAM dealer who diagnosed it as needing a new rack and pinion system for $2700. A day later he called to say he couldn't find the part and could not give me any idea of when he could get the part. I called another Ram dealer and he couldn't find it either. Sounds like it could be months and no guarantee that it would be that soon. Meanwhile, I can't drive it and am without a vehicle.

Somebody has to care.

- Phil W., Sioux City, US

problem #18

Dec 312023

1500 Longhorn 5.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 126,500 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Lost the power steering a warning light came on I need to take it in not sure what to expect.

- Harry P., Selden, US

problem #17

Mar 182023

1500 5.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 178,000 miles

My steering went out and thought this would not be a big deal until I find out it is a electric rack and pinion. I go and start researching EPS and find out that this part is outrageous in price. Then I start to Google problem and find out that there is a recall on 2013-2019 Dodge Ram 1500 EPS. Call dealer and they say that my vehicle is not covered for recall. Dodge needs to repair all problems.

- Rito P., Victoria, TX, US

problem #16

Sep 302023

1500 SLT 5.7L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 90,000 miles

Power steering went out yesterday have looked at every parts sight I can find including mopar and no one has one available, the price to fix this problem is very costly. I am just glad that this did not happen with my wife and kids in the truck. It could have been a very bad situation especially if this had been a day where my wife decided to drive the truck to work.

- Danley M., McRae Helena, US

problem #15

Jul 052023

1500 Sport 5.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 97,500 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

3 days before a road trip I go to pull out of my driveway and my steering wheel locks up and "Service Power Steering" comes on the screen. After much searing online I realize this problem is very serious and after checking all the initial things (fuses, etc) I have it towed to my local dealer. He had my truck nearly 2 weeks total and at a total cost above $3800 they had to replace the entire electric rack and pinion. I guess I should be lucky that it happened in my driveway after hearing that it happened to other people while driving. This is a serious issue that needs to be fixed by Dodge.

- Steve S., Lewisville, TX, US

problem #14

Jul 242023

1500

  • Automatic transmission
  • 69,000 miles

Went to leave the store, started the truck and the power steering service light came on. We decided to try to trouble shoot the problem thinking maybe a fuse went out. Couldn’t get it working again so took it back home to park and find a mechanic. Brought the truck to the shop with the power steering not working. Went in to talk to the mechanic and he comes out to the power steering working. He checks a few things and comes to the conclusion that the alternator was going out. Replace the alternator and drive the truck home. Go to leave for an appointment the next morning and it’s out again. No choice but to drive it with no power steering an hour to my appointment. Turning the truck off then back on sometimes resets it and it works for a little bit. Take the truck back to the shop to have it checked again. They just called to say the same thing everyone else has posted about the pin, module, etc. which RAM would get their crap together and recall it since we are all having the same problem!

- Alisha J., Gulf Breeze, US

problem #13

Jun 302023

1500 Sport 5.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 71,000 miles

This 2013 was purchased new and myself being its only driver. At 71000 miles I was on a trip in town, making a turn and steering wheel locked up. Had to struggle to keep from going into another lane and having a collision. I manual steered it to side of road and shut it off and restarted with no immediate problem. I continued on at speeds of 40 to 50mph and as I made a right turn onto a major highway, same thing happened again. Steering locked up and "Service Steering System" warning came on. This time it was manual steering all way back home (18miles) driving like a truck!!

I see there was some recalls for later 1500 rams but nothing on a 2013. Called one of my Ram dealership techs who advised me this happens all the time, needs a rack parts and labor of about $2800 and the rack is currently on back order. So now I have no transportation or the money to get it fixed!!!!!!!!!!!! One owner.....Me! WTF???

- Pete M., Pompano Beach, FL, US

problem #12

Jan 232020

1500 Big Horn 4.7L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 65,683 miles

The steering just quits, and it takes a gorilla on the wheel to turn. It's a highly dangerous situation, it backed me into ditch before realizing truck would not turn. Also you can turn ignition off and on a couple times and steering comes back to normal, BUT beware this electric steering that will just stop while under speed, and leave you with very difficult to control steering. I repeat, it's highly dangerous to turn, takes too much arm strength.

Overall I have been very happy with the truck until now. I have been a Chevy guy most of my existence and if this issue keeps happening, I'll be going back to GMC. Now my truck is stuck in driveway and I need to troubleshoot to get it to the dealer. I am highly mechanical, but would appreciate where to start looking on this truck.

- Mark O., Richmond, OH, US

problem #11

May 082022

1500

  • Automatic transmission
  • 102,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I drove an hour and a half to my parents house for Mothers Day. The truck drove fine. When I went to leave after a 5 hour stay the truck started but the steering wheel would not turn. I am very thankful that I and my 4 children were not driving down the interstate when this happened. I had a mechanic run a diagnostic on it and he stated it was the electrical power steering. I had to have the truck towed to the dealership.

- Anna R., Lakeland, US

problem #10

Sep 062021

1500 Tradesman 5.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 83,270 miles

This a very dangerous failure as it could have caused a serious accident or death if it were to fail under different circumstances. It is unconscionable that so many people are reporting this year vehicle failure all over the internet, of course that is probably just the tip of the iceberg, and RAM has not offered to replace the defective components and continue to leave peoples lives in jeopardy. Dealerships want over $3000 to replace the complete rack assembly which is a joke. With fair mechanical knowledge and good practices this unit can be easily replaced in a shop in under an hour or in your garage in under 2 hours.

2 bolts hold the unit, 2 tie rod ends disconnected one steering coupling bolt and 2 electrical plugs unplugged. A complete new OEM rack assembly can be purchased online for under $1500 (which I think is outrageous) at a dealership run MOPAR Parts Webstore and more than likely your dealership will want over $2000 alone for the part. If for some reason you can't measure the tie rod adjustment correctly you will need a toe in alignment but you will definitely need to have someone capable to flash the vehicle information with the new unit after installed.

RAM really RAMMED us with this one. My truck has had no abuse, the tires wear perfect and the undercarriage looks like new and so does the steering rack assembly. Totally an unreliable electrical component problem. Good luck as I will never be RAMMED again.

- damnram, Cocoa, US

problem #9

Mar 022022

1500 ST 3.6L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 85,600 miles

Power steering suddenly stopped working while on the interstate out of town. Red picture of steering wheel with exclamation mark on dash. Electric power steering requires minimum $1400 rebuilt part. Labor cost unknown. Some rack and pinion units recalled, not mine. Difficult to steer in tight locations, but manageable with plenty of room.

- Brent W., San Antonio, US

problem #8

Sep 252019

1500 Long Horn 5.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 71,000 miles

Where is the NTSB?! I almost crashed because of this safety issue and RAM gets away with making money off it charging me $2500! Class action anyone?

- Jake V., Jacksonville, US

problem #7

Feb 212020

1500 SLT 5.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 68,491 miles

I have a 2013 SLT 1500 that we purchased used about 2 years ago - it currently has 68491 in miles. The power steering has ceased working. I get a service power steering warning on the dash when it first happened I turned the truck on and off a couple of times and it worked to get me to town then on my return I had to repeat the process.

Yesterday that did not work and no power steering. I did find a loose negative cable on the battery removed and tightened but still no joy, I tried removing the positive cable to see if maybe the loose negative cable caused an issue and to clear out anything in the system still no joy. I checked the EPS fuse and it appears to be in good working order

To replace the Rack is a little over 2k - it is a dealer item only. It was $1800 or close to that for the rack and then I think $250 in labor. Replacing this myself is not an option as the new rack has to be scanned or the problem will persist.

My wife drove this truck the day before this occurred had this happened, and while she was driving... well, we live in the country and there are lots of curves in our roads - this could have been serious. There needs to be something done if EPS is going to continue to be used some type of pre-warning or safety assist in addition to EPS. We just sold our 1996 Dodge SLT Laramie with 100k miles, and the only issues I ever had from that truck was a water pump replacement and a valve cover gasket leak.

I am not sure if we will buy another Dodge product after this.

- Rick S., Keystone Heights, FL, US

problem #6

Feb 202021

1500 Tradesmen 4.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 140,000 miles

Driving down the road and the steering wheel locked up, no warning no nothing

- Kim M., Proctor, US

problem #5

May 302020

1500 SLT 5.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 72,079 miles

Driving down a straight empty road (thank god) and coming to an intersection, tried turning but the steering went stiff and Service Power Steering warning came on the screen. The dealership told me I had to replace the entire rack and pinion as the EPS was faulty (no reason given why is it faulty).

If this has happened a minute later it would have definitely caused a serious accident. I will not have my family drive or ride in this car again.

This is not acceptable and very dangerous from FCA to ignore this issue. I will not let this go, I think this is more serious than a faulty tailgate.

This would probably be my last car bought from them.

- Samer G., Doha, AK, Qatar

problem #4

May 202019

1500 Laramie Longhorn 5.7L V7

  • Automatic transmission
  • 49,500 miles

NO POWER STEERING ON STARTUP. SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED OK. DROVE A FEW BLOCKS. STOPPED FOR 3 HOURS. STARTED AND RESTARTED 3 TIMES BEFORE IT STARTED WORKING. DROVE A FEW MILES STOPPED FOR 10 MINUTES. NEVER DID START WORKING AFTER MULTIPLE RESTARTS. HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO DEALER. REPLACED ENTIRE MOTOR AND RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY. LUCKY IT DID NOT FAIL WHILE DRIVING. HAD EXTENDED WARRANTY OR COST WOULD HAVE BEEN $2,300.

- Buddy M., Slidell, LA, US

problem #3

Oct 252018

1500 3.6L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 125,000 miles

Was making to turn onto a freeway when the steering stopped working I slammed on the brakes just avoiding an accident. Sounds like this is starting to happen alot with the 1500 rams with WPS. Someone is going to receive an injury or killed due to an accident if this issue is not fixed with these trucks. This will be the last ram I buy if they do not fix the issue. I am so glad my wife was not driving when this happened could have been a different story Have read in other posts the dealers are saying there is no issues this is not true. Buyer beware!!

I have read the cost to repair is over $2000 so right now i'm am not the truck till I can get the cash to repair. Should have kept my CHEVY.

- William B., Cave Creek, AZ, US

problem #2

Aug 242018

1500 Express 5.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 26,100 miles

Got in truck and power steering quit and the light came on. Really, only 26000 miles! This should be a recall, dangerous! Looking at opinions.

- Mickey C., Irvington, AL, US

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