10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
28,489 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2016 Ram 1500 steering problems

steering problem

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2016 Ram 1500 Owner Comments (Page 4 of 9)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #115

Aug 192022

1500

  • miles

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

Complete loss of power steering. Occasional steering lock and takes a forceful pressure on the steering wheel to allow movement. Service power steering light is flashing on the dash with DTC's indicating module is bad. Loud grinding can be heard when turning left.

- Franklin, IN, USA

problem #114

Aug 102023

1500

  • miles
The power steering intermittently goes out. It may work for a few seconds then stop working. Even turning the steering wheel you can feel it come and go. Dodge dealer informed me there are no recalls and I would be charged ??

- Port Jervis , NY, USA

problem #113

Jul 062023

1500

  • miles
The power steering in my 2016 ram pick up truck has started to go intermittently on and off. Sometimes it feels like it-??s catching on some thing when it goes out and then it comes right back on. Other times it is completely inoperable. This occurs for a couple days at a time and then the power steering will work for a period of 1 to 2 weeks before acting up again. I have also noticed a squeaking sound when turning the wheel to the right every now and then. I did take the truck in to the dealership however, on the day that I did, the power steering was working correctly, therefore, they were unable to diagnose anything. They stated that the power steering was working as it should. because of how random the power steering goes out, it is near impossible for me to get it to the dealership in time for them to properly diagnose. I did notice that your organization has opened an investigation into an issue at sounds very similar to the one that I-??m having. because of how random the power steering goes out, it is near impossible for me to get it to the dealership in time for them to properly diagnose. I did notice that your organization has opened an investigation on August 5, into a issue at sounds very similar to the one that I-??m having. Please let me know if you need any more information. Thank you.

- Shawnee, KS, USA

problem #112

Jul 182023

1500

  • miles

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

Power steering system failed with 108500 miles. Unable to turn wheel back to center without fighting it. Almost caused me to crash twice.

- Westminster, MD, USA

problem #111

Mar 152023

1500

  • miles
The electric power steering failed on my 2016 Ram 1500. There was no warning the system had a problem. I had to have the entire power steering unit replaced at a cost of $2200.

- Rigby, ID, USA

problem #110

Jun 292023

1500

  • 85,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the message "Service Power Steering" was displayed. The contact stated that the steering wheel was very difficult to turn. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed and determined that the power steering control module (PSCM) had failed. The contact was informed that the PSCM and the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.

- Denver, CO, USA

problem #109

Aug 102023

1500

  • 76,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the steering wheel became stiff. The vehicle was driven to the residence and parked. The power steering warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 76,000.

- El Paso, TX, USA

problem #108

Jul 192023

1500

  • miles
Power steering failed intermittently several times while driving. I've been told the electronic steering rack failed and needs replaced but the garage is still trying to find the proper rack so repairs haven't been made yet.

- Finleyville, PA, USA

problem #107

Jul 102023

1500

  • 62,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 RAM 1500. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, it was difficult to maneuver, with the steering becoming progressively more difficult. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related it to NHTSA Campaign Number?16V167000 (Steering), but the VIN was not included. Upon further investigation, the contact became aware of NHTSA Action Number?RQ23003 (Steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure but was unable to assist. The failure mileage was 62,000.

- Trivoli, IL, USA

problem #106

Dec 032022

1500

  • miles
The electronic steering in this truck seemed to have malfunctioned in December 2022. The truck had approximately 60,000 miles on the odometer. It seems that the power steering is failing to assist with steering efforts, making it more difficult to safely steer the truck. The steering wheel does not return to center on its own, takes more effort to move the wheel, and at some degrees of the steering wheel, seems to not work at all. Sometimes the steering wheel seems to "skip" as well, depending on the position. It happened randomly but the only difference was after a big snow storm. The truck did not travel through deep snow but the roads were wet from clean up/salt. The only things that seem to maybe help are wiggling the plug on the ESC or getting a car wash - but then it still does not go back to normal, just seems like its getting a tad bit more power. But then it goes back to failing to assist. It is described just like the recall that is out there for these trucks, but my VIN does not fall under the recall, even though the symptoms are the exact same. The dealership and Ram Cares have been no help in this either. I have tried a few things including replacing the battery, fuses, steering components - everything rather than replacing the whole rack and ESC. Nothing seems to help.

- Jackson, NH, USA

problem #105

Aug 012022

1500

  • miles

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

I lost my power steering 8/22. I drove a while without it. The steering did not freeze up. I had to wait several months for the part to come in. A non-dealer mechanic repaired the steering. I am reporting this after reading about others who had the same problem.

- Gates Mills, OH, USA

problem #104

Dec 162020

1500

  • miles
The Traction control flashed immediately before the wreck so my assumption is there was a traction lock malfunction. The road was wet due to rain. My husband was driving 55 mph when the truck's steering locked and we ended up in the right side ditch where we hit an electric power pole. My husband had several fractured ribs. My right lower arm was broken, required surgery and a week long stay in the hospital. They put a rod with screws into my arm. The truck was totally destroyed according to our insurance company.

- Bell, Fl, FL, USA

problem #103

Mar 082023

1500

  • 80,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH out of the driveway, the steering wheel become firm. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated the steering wheel coupler needed to be replaced. The dealer was contacted and stated that there was no recall for the failure. The vehicle was not repaired due to parts not being available. The manufacturer was contacted but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 80,000.

- Leitchfield, KY, USA

problem #102

Jul 252023

1500

  • 100,300 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact stated while reversing, the steering wheel became firm with the "Steering Failure" message displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who informed the contact that the electric power steering module needed to be replaced. The dealer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V167000 (Steering). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 100,300.

- Millington, TN, USA

problem #101

Jul 152023

1500

  • miles
A recall was made for manufacture dates ending in 9-2015. My truck is 10-15 and exhibits the same loss of power steering at low speed as this recall. Chrysler advises me to take it to the dealer and pay out of my pocket for their, obvious, defective build.I have seen numeroys complaints regarding vehicles outside the stated MD of this recall

- Saint Clair, PA, USA

problem #100

Jun 152023

1500

  • miles
The vehicle is starting to lose power steering function. The vehicle is at 102,000 miles. This is happening any time I turn my wheel. This is a very hazardous safety issue. This issue has not been seen by any other professionals. It just started happening a couple weeks ago. I called the dealership and they said my Vin was not part of the Dodge Ram 1500 year 2015 -2016 recall. I called the manufacturer and they told me it could be a recall soon. But until then I'm to get it looked at and get it fixed. If the recall is a thing soon they will reimburse me my money.

- Cherry Tree, PA, USA

problem #99

Jul 052023

1500

  • miles
Steering stopped working while driving. Previous year had a recall for this issue and my truck was not included. This is an ongoing problem and the part needed to fix it is unavailable.

- Londonderry , NH, USA

problem #98

May 282023

1500

  • miles
Loss of power steering

- Waltham, MA, USA

problem #97

Apr 302023

1500

  • 147,112 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the steering wheel started shaking abnormally. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the vehicle was aligned; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the upper control arms were replaced; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that the tires were replaced but the failure reoccurred. The dealer was contacted and stated that the vehicle needed to be diagnosed. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 147,112.

- Milan, NM, USA

problem #96

May 022023

1500

  • miles
Steering stiffens up and makes it hard to turn at lower speeds. There is a recall on rams from 2015-2019 for this exact problem that being a failure in the EPS system.

- Valley City, OH, USA

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