2013–2019 Ram 1500: Electric power steering loss or heavy steering
Likely causes, ranked
- Failed electric power steering gear (rack replaced)$1,700–$5,000Shop
- Contaminated EPS gear covered by a recall$0–$0Shop
- Loose battery ground or low voltageDIY
Real-owner fix counts will appear here as reports come in.
Rough cost: $1,700–$5,000DIY or shop: See DIY or shop section
Parts to check
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Symptom: The steering suddenly gets heavy, often with a power steering warning, then may come back after a restart.
Likely causes
- The EPS gear. The motor and electronics are part of the steering gear. FCA has recalled several batches for contamination that can short the electronics. RamForum owners who weren't covered report repair bills from about $1,700 to $5,000.
- Recall-covered gears. The VB9 equipment recall (NHTSA 19E077) includes service replacement gears, so even a truck that already had a rack swap can qualify.
- Battery ground or voltage. On some 2019 trucks, a loose fender ground is enough to cut assist.
Rough cost range
| Repair | Reported |
|---|---|
| EPS gear replacement (not recalled) | About $1,700–$5,000 |
DIY or shop?
Start with a DIY check of the battery terminals and ground. The rack itself goes to a shop.
Useful steps
- Check your VIN for all four recalls listed.
- Have the dealer read the EPS gear's serial number for VB9.
- Ask for Chrysler goodwill if it's just out of warranty.
Vehicle focus: 2013–2019 Ram 1500.
Safety / mechanic note
Losing steering assist mid-turn is dangerous. Verify with a mechanic before driving far.
Recalls & service bulletins
Recalls
- 16V167000 2015–2016 Ram 1500s built Jan–Sept 2015: contamination on the EPS circuit board can short and cause loss of assist. Details
- 19E077000 Mopar EPS gear assemblies (used on 2013–2019 Ram 1500s, including service parts) may be contaminated and short, causing intermittent loss of assist. Details
- 19V812000 2019 Ram 1500s built Aug–Sept 2019 with a contaminated EPS gear. Details
- 19V020000 2019 Ram 1500: a loose battery ground on the fender can cause loss of power steering assist. Details
NHTSA complaints: 2,003 keyword-matched complaints for Ram 1500 2013–2019 (of 9,059 unique complaints queried, NHTSA complaints API by model year, queried 2026-10-15).
Always check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Sources
What actually fixed it?
Had this problem? Tell other owners what the real fix was. Reports are counted above; we never show made-up numbers.