My Ram 1500 is the worst vehicle Ive purchased. (Power steering)

Nicholas Cove said:

I'm guessing the axle was replaced due to the design flaw it and the stub shaft in the diff have. Something that should have been addressed along time ago by RAM. Just like the manifolds. Just like the cams lifters and followers. Just like the fuel sensors. Just like the internal fuel pump relay in the TIPM. The worst part about Ram is they never do anything to address production flaws. My trucks model and year have 7 recalls but not a single TSB.

As a tech I can 100 percent emphasize with OP. We have a couple trucks that come thru our shop and the owners say the same thing: most money I've ever spent maintaining a vehicle.

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Apparently the OP has, as the French call it, A Le'mon.

Without the history before you, there is no idea about how it might have been abused before you bought it. For example, with your problems in the front end somebody could have put a way too heavy truck camper on it for a couple years and screwed the front axle area. It is too bad that you have such a bad experience, hope you get to a place where you can just enjoy it.

DM1204 said:

I have owned the truck since 2018 and have performed regular maintenance. Are you saying I should let it be someone elses problem?

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Nope not saying get rid of it, but you bought a used truck and that's a risk of buying used. You don't know if hill Billy Bob did some back woods mechanics on it. This same thing could happen with any vehicle regardless of how you maintained it. You have seen that whistlen diesel kid right? He makes all sorts of new truck come up with all sorts of problems.

Easiest way I have found to make ball joints/tie rods etc. last for a long time if not forever - I pump the boot full of a high quality grease using a needle. Has worked for me for years.

The rack replacement is relatively easy. Just had mine done. But you'll need a scan tool to reset some stuff. You can pick up a reman'd rack off rockauto for less than $600, there's a core charge, but you'll get that back after you send the old one back. It cost me less than $900 for rack replacement and alignment. I bought the rack, had a local shop I trust do the work. Took longer to do the alignment. Dealers are backordered on the racks, last I checked, 45+ days. Rockauto may or may not have one in stock, but check back daily/every few hours, since the inventory is adjusted as they get them in. Fyi, oem part is only warranted for a year 12k miles, cardone rebuilt is 5 years.

I see way to many people with E steering issues and its not just Rams either I have never had a regular power steering pump system fail on me. I have over 200k on my 2011 never a problem they fixed something that wasn't broken. I wonder if its possible to take a rack/ps pump from a older 4th gen and make it fit? I have been looking for a newer ram myself but this issue alone is making me want to run my 2011 til the wheels fall off ahaha.

PoMansRam said:

There must be some changes to the EPS unit between 2013 and current Ram 1500 classics.

Rockauto doesn't have any replacements in stock for a 2015. They only offer a you a service, where send your inop unit to them, then cardone rebuilds it and ships it back to you.

But if you search a 2018 Ram 1500, aftermarket EPS units are available for $800.

Either which way, nothing is cheap these days when your vehicle needs fixing. $2-3K isn't out of the ordinary for a somewhat routine repair.

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There's no difference. They are the same from 2013-current. The one in my 2019 that I just replaced came out of a 2013 based on the vin that was coded to it. In fact, i had to drop to a 2018 to even get a part number since they don't list the rack for 2019 yet. I've searched for 2013 and it's the same part number from cardone. Their inventory changes as they don't have a ton in stock. The rebuild service is a great way to at least get yours sent out and repaired instead of waiting days or weeks for one to come in.

Fwiw, it pays to research compatible oem part numbers. Not sure why the following rack isn't listed for earlier models, but is for a 2018. But if you compare and cross reference part numbers, it should fit.

Hmmm, my Son is just now selling his Ram 2015 1500 and never had problems. I have a 2019 Ram 1500 with 30,000 miles and have no problems. Perhaps it's a driving thing.

My 2019 5th gen with 80,000kms just got diagnosed with bad stabilizer links up front. The knocking was driving me nuts.

My truck has 109k miles now and the only issue I had was the brake master cylinder, $130.00 plus $100.00 labor.
By the way, your dealer want $3k for the part and labor or just for the rack and pinion?

I have a 14 sport, mind you low mileage compared to yours, but I have not had any problems, though I am going to check the brakes as they are starting to feel a bit soft 75000Km , I Swift Current Sk. Ca. Those prices listed will be US prices? Canada is usually quite a bit higher prices.

I don't get it. I've had my 2010 Ram 1500 since 2011 and I have had zero problems with it. I have 80k miles. I mean zero problems. I've read about issues with later models. Two reasons I'm keeping mine: 1. No problems. 2. The best color Ram ever made. Tango Mango Orange. Only made on 2010s.

glengarryGR said:

I don't get it. I've had my 2010 Ram 1500 since 2011 and I have had zero problems with it. I have 80k miles. I mean zero problems.

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My 2016 has 73,000 miles.

Zero issues.

Hi. I've collected that you have 131,000 kilometers or approximately 81,400 miles on your truck, you bought it in 2018, and it is a 2015 model year. I'd be disappointed too, having these issues just 3 years after buying, but if I'm understanding correctly, you bought it used - I didn't catch how many miles were on it when you acquired in 2018. It's certainly not a new truck. In my opinion (and could probably be verified with some data), I'd say the RAM trucks (certainly 2015 and newer) have been above average in terms of reliability (compared to other trucks) - and most (the vast majority) of RAM owners really seem to LOVE-LOVE-LOVE their trucks. Is it possible that this was a work truck for someone before you acquired?? Maybe used at construction sites - repeatedly driving over very rough terrain? Maybe doing a lot of hauling? Something happened that prematurely wore the axles, steering, etc. Or maybe someone just beat the crap out of it - and thought that they'd get rid of it before problems start popping up. I always consider the history of a used vehicle before I buy one (was it leased, a rental, any accidents, how many owners, etc.) You still should be able to get that info, but you also might consider a full vehicle inspection by a trusted mechanic or shop, to determine if there are other signs pointing to additional significant components needing repair and/or replacing in the near future. Based on that outcome decide whether or not it's worth it to keep the truck. (Yes, unfortunately bad things do happen) The one thing you didn't mention (which is great) is the hemi tick. Make sure someone listens closely to your engine - which if tick is present, COULD be but NOT NECESSARILY be exhaust manifold bolts and/or (much worse) cam/lifters. Based on oil change frequency, type of oil, filter, idling hours, etc., anything that is less than ideal care, could cause that hemi tick issue. On the other hand, if you made it to 81.4k miles and no tick, that *could* be a good sign. It's kind of a crap shoot, but that diagnosis will further upset you if you spend money to fix current problems and then have to deal with that. You may also make a list all of the good things about the truck, things that you like, things that make you happy. If it's a short list, well then maybe it is time to chalk this one up to experience, sell it, and not have to spend too much time/effort/worry. One of these years the CyberTruck will be out - maybe that's your ticket !! I personally have driven RAM 1500's for years as rentals through my job, and finally bought a 2020. I'm one of the folks who really just LOVES my vehicle. I'm sorry for your troubles and hope you find a great solution. Keep in mind, it's just a vehicle, and yes, they cost a lot of money, but it's not a person - keep things in perspective and enjoy what you can in life. Oh, and if you do keep it, read the oil/filter threads and DON'T take the approach of saving money by buying the cheapest oil and filter. Buy the BEST oil and filter that you can afford and change your oil every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. Who cares if you can go 8,000 or more? Change the frickin oil - like your engine depends on it - BECAUSE IT DOES.
Best Regards.
John

Plain and simple. Owning any vehicle is a money losing proposition.

I know that service plans/extended warranties are a debated topic, but this is the reason I have always purchased them… and I’ve come out ahead a majority of the time. I purchased my 2016 5.7 HEMI Big Horn Crew Cab 3 months ago with 38,200 miles on it. I purchased a 5-year/100k (gets me to about 140k on odometer) comprehensive plan from Endurance a week after I brought it home. A/C was working at the time. Last week it failed because of a couple bad lines. $1,200 dealer repair and it cost me $100 deductible. It’s peace of mind for me.

I love it when dealers can’t pinpoint but always shotgun the most expensive item. I’m not saying the rack won’t fix it but…

I'd love to see inside one of these EPS units to get a feel for how the circuit board is mounted and laid out. Plus how the motor in it works. There's nothing on the u-toob in terms of the internals on them at this point. Given they've been out there for ~10yrs now, we're probably going to see more issues crop up.

Like said though, for the most part, EPS issues have been far and few between.

As @hunterdan said, the lowest cost way to go about replacing them is buy one aftermarket and have a shop you like do the swap for you because advanced scan tools and a subscription service are going to be needed to make it work with your truck after the swap.

Alberta Ram FB Group is full of guys that had the POS electric steering rack fail when its -40 to -50 out for weeks on end along with the garbage air ride.

So all you guys that live in warm US states please stop saying how good your trucks are when you've never experienced -50