This Problem Across All Years
Without any warning my steering wheel locked up and started jerking resulting in lack of steering and drivability. I was backing out of my driveway and started to turn onto the street when this happened. This could have been very dangerous if I had been driving on regular roads. The van is currently parked on the street and available for inspection as I was able to gently maneuver it to a safe spot. This has been looked at by a mobile mechanic who put an OBD2 scanner on it and couldn't bring up any codes. It has not been taken to a shop at this point. The dealer said over the phone that this is not a powertrain warranty because it is not engine or transmission. It has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance. There were warning lights on the panel when this happened but they didn't stay on. Checking the internet for answers I discovered that a power connection to the rack for power steering was getting corroded from not being sealed properly and water was entering the connection. Today I removed the black battery cable and checked on the connector to the rack myself and discovered the same issue many people are having. below is a photo from today January 9, 2026. The connector looks corroded and burnt. Why is this not a recall? This is not safe.
Without any warning my steering wheel locked up and started jerking resulting in lack of steering and drivability. I was backing out of my driveway and started to turn onto the street when this happened. This could have been very dangerous if I had been driving on regular roads. The van is currently parked on the street and available for inspection as I was able to gently maneuver it to a safe spot. This has been looked at by a mobile mechanic who put an OBD2 scanner on it and couldn't bring up any codes. It has not been taken to a shop at this point. The dealer said over the phone that this is not a powertrain warranty because it is not engine or transmission. It has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance. There were warning lights on the panel when this happened but they didn't stay on. Checking the internet for answers I discovered that a power connection to the rack for power steering was getting corroded from not being sealed properly and water was entering the connection. Today I removed the black battery cable and checked on the connector to the rack myself and discovered the same issue many people are having. below is a photo from today January 9, 2026. The connector looks corroded and burnt. Why is this not a recall? This is not safe.
Power steering failure and tech said it was corrosion of wire harness and not considered a mechanical failure. Water had entered the power steering rack and harness. Pump and rack need to be replaced as well. Driving on highway and power steering gave out without warning. Had to pull to the side of the road. Safety at risk.
Power steering failure and tech said it was corrosion of wire harness and not considered a mechanical failure. Water had entered the power steering rack and harness. Pump and rack need to be replaced as well. Driving on highway and power steering gave out without warning. Had to pull to the side of the road. Safety at risk.
The contact owns a 2023 Ram Promaster 3500. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, while attempting to start the vehicle, the power steering and several other unknown warning lights illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that the steering wheel failed to turn in the intended direction. The contact stated that the day prior, the contact was aware of some unusual steering issues; however, the power steering feature was operational. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with water intrusion in the wiring harness. The contact was informed that the two wiring harnesses needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.
The contact owns a 2023 Ram Promaster 3500. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, while attempting to start the vehicle, the power steering and several other unknown warning lights illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that the steering wheel failed to turn in the intended direction. The contact stated that the day prior, the contact was aware of some unusual steering issues; however, the power steering feature was operational. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with water intrusion in the wiring harness. The contact was informed that the two wiring harnesses needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.
Initial Diagnosis: We had the vehicle towed to a dealership for repair after losing steering while driving. The dealer's service department informed us that the issue was caused by water and corrosion in the electric power steering rack. They also indicated that this is a known issue, suggesting that the wiring harness seals are failing and allowing water to damage the system. Video the dealership sent us of the issue can be seen at [XXX] Repair Timeline: On July 30, 2025 I was informed that the replacement part for the steering rack was on backorder for approximately 45 days. After waiting 56 days, I contacted the dealer again on September 25. They informed me that they were unable to get the part. The dealer stated they could not locate the part even after contacting other dealerships, suggesting a widespread shortage. The reason given was a high volume of similar repairs. Requested Action: I am reporting this to the NHTSA because the sudden loss of steering is a severe safety defect. The widespread parts shortage suggests this is a common failure. The manufacturer needs to address this issue and provide a remedy to prevent accidents. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Initial Diagnosis: We had the vehicle towed to a dealership for repair after losing steering while driving. The dealer's service department informed us that the issue was caused by water and corrosion in the electric power steering rack. They also indicated that this is a known issue, suggesting that the wiring harness seals are failing and allowing water to damage the system. Video the dealership sent us of the issue can be seen at [XXX] Repair Timeline: On July 30, 2025 I was informed that the replacement part for the steering rack was on backorder for approximately 45 days. After waiting 56 days, I contacted the dealer again on September 25. They informed me that they were unable to get the part. The dealer stated they could not locate the part even after contacting other dealerships, suggesting a widespread shortage. The reason given was a high volume of similar repairs. Requested Action: I am reporting this to the NHTSA because the sudden loss of steering is a severe safety defect. The widespread parts shortage suggests this is a common failure. The manufacturer needs to address this issue and provide a remedy to prevent accidents. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The contact owns a 2023 Ram ProMaster 1500 used as a company vehicle. The contact stated that on various occasions, employees reported that while driving at various speeds, the power steering remained intermittently disabled. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the failure was not duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.
The contact owns a 2023 Ram ProMaster 1500 used as a company vehicle. The contact stated that on various occasions, employees reported that while driving at various speeds, the power steering remained intermittently disabled. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the failure was not duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.
while turning a corner the power steering module shorted out the power steering rack gear assembly causing the vehicle to have control of the steering and unable to turn the wheel almost colliding with other vehicles. the power steering module light comes on along with the hill start assist, the forward collision warning, the ESM lights all come on. The steering wheel does not turn and had to tow to the dealership , the dealership informs me that there are two others in the shop for the exact same issue. The power steering module wiring harness gets moisture on the connections and causes the power steering rack gear to short out . this could lead to horrible accidents if the driver of the vehicle can not turn and control the vehicle
while turning a corner the power steering module shorted out the power steering rack gear assembly causing the vehicle to have control of the steering and unable to turn the wheel almost colliding with other vehicles. the power steering module light comes on along with the hill start assist, the forward collision warning, the ESM lights all come on. The steering wheel does not turn and had to tow to the dealership , the dealership informs me that there are two others in the shop for the exact same issue. The power steering module wiring harness gets moisture on the connections and causes the power steering rack gear to short out . this could lead to horrible accidents if the driver of the vehicle can not turn and control the vehicle