Steering problem

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Phillip Perez

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24830 Manton Road Colton ca 92324
Ram Year
2017
Engine
5.7 gas hemi
While driving to Laughlin on July 1, 2022, my 2017 Dodge Ram, on cruise control at about 70mph, began to shake violently, the engine began to decrease speed rapidly, and my wife and I were throwing towards the windshield. I had no control of the vehicle at all. The steering was not engaging there was no hydraulic steering at all the brake system would not work at all the brakes just shuttered as I tried to apply them. I had no control of vehicle I was almost rear-ended. The truck was shaking so violently that is was moving itself towards a diesel truck on the right side of us. This is a safety issue not only puts my family of serious injury or death but also endangers the safety of the other drivers and or family/friends. We have filed a complaint with the Riverside Dodge and Jeep dealer. As of now, the service assistant states his technicians are unable to figure out what the problem is.
 

indept

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Sounds like the engine stalled, did it restart right after that? How many miles on your truck?
 
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Phillip Perez

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24830 Manton Road Colton ca 92324
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The Electric Power Steering (EPS) system went out
while turning. Making the turn hazardous as the
wheels were impossible to rotate. This has
happened multiple times and without warning.
Happens both turning left and turning right and will
occur when tires are straight as well. My safety and
the safety of others were put as risk and continue
to be at risk with this vehicle and others like it on
the roads. The problem has been stored in the
trucks PM and pulled by the dealer to verify the
accident occurred. I was informed nothing can be
done since no recalls pull up with my particular VIN
number. It has not yet been inspected by police or
insurance. The "EPS!" message occurred as the
steering was out.
- Fort Worth, TX, USA
*46 1500
MILES
2022
MAR 27
On Sunday March 27, 2022 my daughter and I were
in mv 2017 Ram 1500 Richorn 5 7 liter Hemi drivin&
Research a Vehicle BY VIN Number Bumpi>
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mtofell

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New member first post - this smells of something scam, lawsuit or otherwise disingenuous. Sorry if I'm misreading the intent.
 

Jeepwalker

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Have the dealer remove the square cover on the EPS unit. See if it's full of water or condensed moisture. There have been complaints about that which flakes-out the EPS.

But steering shouldn't be lost all together, only steering "assist". There's still a shaft that connects the steering wheel (column) to the EPS unit. It just takes a lot more muscle to steer the truck w/o assist. And brakes are still hydraulic so they wouldn't be lost either, only brake 'assist'.

Maybe a wheel bearing gave out which threw you into the windshield, and caused control issues and violent shaking, when you applied the brakes. (??)

Let us know what the dealer says.
 
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Phillip Perez

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Thank you for your reply sir:
Riverside dealer in California has had my truck for nearly two weeks. The dealer is not able to get a code I’m told by Cody in service. The dealer is installing a recording device to try to identify the problem because yes this is a liability issue no doubt not a scam.

Go to carcomplaints.com and type in 2017 Dodge Ram Steering issues and read there are others whom have experienced the same issues my wife and I did when it happened to us!
 
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huntergreen

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Thank you for your reply sir:
Riverside dealer in California has had my truck for nearly two weeks. The dealer is not able to get a code I’m told by Cody in service. The dealer is installing a recording device to try to identify the problem because yes this is a liability issue no doubt not a scam.

Go to carcomplaints.com and type in 2017 Dodge Ram Steering issues and read there are others whom have experienced the same issues my wife and I did when it happened to us!
I had my steering cut out one time on my 16. Didn’t affect any other systems.
 

hunterdan

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Have the dealer remove the square cover on the EPS unit. See if it's full of water or condensed moisture. There have been complaints about that which flakes-out the EPS.

But steering shouldn't be lost all together, only steering "assist". There's still a shaft that connects the steering wheel (column) to the EPS unit. It just takes a lot more muscle to steer the truck w/o assist. And brakes are still hydraulic so they wouldn't be lost either, only brake 'assist'.

Maybe a wheel bearing gave out which threw you into the windshield, and caused control issues and violent shaking, when you applied the brakes. (??)

Let us know what the dealer says.
I can absolutely confirm that when the eps system fails, depending on how it fails, the steering wheel will actually fight your input. Where if you try to turn right, it'll actually fight you and jerk left. It might not move the wheel a lot, but depending on speed, it could throw you out of the lane. When the eps fails, it's a nightmare to drive and normal turns are near impossible. I've also had it where when driving straight, it'll want to twitch and move the wheel one way or another.
 

Scuba2000

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I just took mine to the mechanic because the rack&pinion finally arrived after 3 months of backorder. When mine failed it sucked to drive. Felt like driving an old tractor with monster truck tires on it without any hydraulic assist. Need a workout? Drive without the EPS. I didn't have any other failures with it luckily.
 

Jeepwalker

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Hope you get your steering resolved. Let us know how it goes.
 
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