2013 RAM 1500 Complaints

While driving home from work one day last week (10/12/23) I unexpectedly heard a tone and the message “Check Power Steering System “ appeared on my dash along with a light that is a steering wheel and an exclamation mark. My steering was VERY stiff. So stiff that I almost couldn’t turn the wheel enough to pull over into a parking lot. I had absolutely no warning or previous problems with my steering before this. The steering is still this way and I am unable to drive the truck. This is very dangerous! If for some reason you had to turn the wheel suddenly you would not be able to. As I previously stated I could barely turn the wheel enough to get off the road.

I purchased the truck used June 2023. Odometer currently 47,700 miles. The service power steering light flashes on the evic screen. The steering will be extremely difficult because it is electrical power steering. The problem started October 9th 2023 and has been intermittent. A mechanic did hook up the scan tool and there were no codes. So, it has gotten to where I will do 3 start cycles, idle foe a few minutes and after the 3rd cycle, no codes and the steering works as it should. Thankfully, it happens before I drive out onto the road. I will drive up and down my street before I venture out onto major highways and expressways. However, what's not to say it will have this issue while I'm driving, especially winter around the corner. I researched 2013 Ram 1500, and apparently other owners have had the same problem or worse. This is my daily driver and only vehicle I have. Quite frankly, I get scared driving my truck now. I stay in the lane closest to the shoulder just in case. Ram/Stellantis need to do a recall on these 2013 Ram 1500. I have owned early model rams and a 2016 challenger, not one problem.

The contact owns a 2013 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving 8 MPH and making a right turn, the contact heard a loud snapping sound coming from the passenger’s side of the vehicle. The contact steered the vehicle into a parking lot and became aware that the passenger’s side tire was flat. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 48,000.

Power steering warning light came on on dash and the vehicle lost power steering. This happened while driving and nearly caused an accident. I can sometimes play with the keys and get it to function again.

THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT INTERMITENTLY. SOMETIMES IT COMES BACK, OTHER TIMES IT WILL STAY OUT FOR A PROLONGED TIME. WARNING LAMP ONLY COMES ON ONCE THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT.

Driving down a city street going 30mph. The service power steering warning light came and and I lost the ability to steer the pickup. Was barely able to get the vehicle off the road to a safe location.

I believe the problem is with the electronic steering component. This issue started about a month ago. When I'm backing out of my driveway it seems the power steering is failing, making it hard to steer. Secondly when I'm at a red light making a right or left hand turn, the power steering fails making it hard to make the turn, and once the turn is completed, I must manually straighten the vehicle out. I looked for recalls and saw there has been 200 plus complaints about this year vehicle and the steering problem. The repair cost is very expensive what I read on line. I have not taken the vehicle to an Dodge dealer yet, trying to do some research first to see if this problem was recalled Please help and thank you in advance. Respectfully, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The contact owns a 2013 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, and at other speeds, the vehicle started making an abnormal ticking sound and decelerated independently. The contact stated that upon depressing the accelerator pedal, the engine failed to rev and the vehicle slowly accelerated. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the abnormal ticking sound had become louder and more frequent, causing her to stop driving the vehicle. The local dealer was notified of the failure, but declined to set up an appointment for diagnostic testing. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

I bought it in 2018 & 1 month later no radio, gps, backup any of the stereo system worked. The only thing that worked was volume. I took it in & they charged me $125 diagnosis & was gonna be over $600 for new system. I never got it fixed. In 2022 with only 122000 miles it had to go in the shop for an engine overhaul because of the problem with missing on 5th cylinder. I have never owned a Dodge Ram before & never will again. I have had nothing but problems with it. I made phone calls & wrote emails & the closest I got to a recall is 2014 was the cutoff year & mine is 2013. I did back into a dumpster because the backup camera doesn’t work in January of 2020. I had insurance with White’s Insurance out of Purdy but I don’t have the paperwork anymore.

Electronic power steering unit failure. EPS Unit. Loss of power assist. Warning light came on Friday Sept 29, 2023 at approximately 1:30pm est. when I entered the vehicle and started the engine. Vehicle had been driven and parked for approximately 10 min before I went back to vehicle and leave that location. Warning light was a large icon of a red steering wheel with a red exclamation mark ?? then the screen said, “service power steering “ with the red indicator still remaining on. No other warning lights or symptoms prior to the above information. Vehicle taken to Signature Automotive 2725 Northgate Court Cumming, GA 30041 (770) 889-5959 at 8:00 am 10/4/23 for diagnosis. Service advisor stated that there was internal circuit failure. Throwing all “sorts” of internal codes in the electronic unit. Was unable to have system Reestablish communication. Entire rack and pinion unit needs replacement. Called Dodge dealership at 5855 Ga Highway 400 Cumming, GA 30028-4194 I spoke with parts dept. regarding OEM replacement , etc. Advised me that it would be a week to 10 business days before they could get the part. Even then didn’t guarantee that because of the latest strike happening. Informed me it could take much longer. I was also advised not to drive the vehicle. Due to the fact of steering could lock-up while driving and cause a crash. Putting myself and others at risk! At this time the indicator light is still on. Remains on when vehicle is running. No power assist. Extremely difficult to turn.