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What steering problems are Ram trucks and vans recalled for?
Steering here splits three ways. Heavy-duty linkage: on 2013-2018 Ram 2500 and 3500 the outboard jam nut can loosen and let one end of the drag link separate, and an AEV 3-inch Dualsport lift kit sold for those same trucks was improperly installed and machined at the steering knuckle. The 2019 Ram 1500 accounts for three of the seven — a stub shaft that can break and let the steering wheel detach (shared with the 2019 Jeep Wrangler), a loose driver-side battery ground fastener, and a contaminated electric power steering gear, the last two both killing power assist. The outliers are a cracking hydraulic steering rack on the 2018 ProMaster City and 2023-2024 Ram column-module software that mixes up turn signals and high beams.
Warning signs to watch for
- Steering that suddenly becomes much heavier or loses power assist, intermittently or for good
- Power steering fluid leaking from a cracked rack-and-pinion housing on the ProMaster City
- High beams coming on when you use the turn signal, or the turn signal activating when you flash the high beams
- No warning at all in the worst ones — the stub shaft, drag link and AEV knuckle recalls describe failures that arrive without symptoms
Is it safe to keep driving?
None of these seven tells owners to stop driving or park outside. That said, three are rated critical and give no advance warning: the 2019 Ram 1500 and Jeep Wrangler stub shaft that can let the steering wheel detach, the 2013-2018 2500/3500 drag link that can separate, and the AEV lift kit knuckle. Treat those as drive-to-the-dealer-only. The two power steering recalls and the ProMaster City rack should be booked promptly. The turn signal and high beam software recall is explicitly safe to keep driving.
What the free repair involves
All dealer work, free of charge, and all hands-on — no over-the-air fixes here. Dealers check the steering linkage jam nut and either replace the drag link assembly or weld the nut to the adjuster sleeve, inspect and replace the steering column, replace the rack-and-pinion or EPS gear assembly, install a new steering knuckle, secure the battery ground fastener, or update and if necessary replace the steering column control module.
Severity at a glance
| Severity | Recalls |
|---|---|
| critical | 3 |
| high | 3 |
| medium | 1 |
Models affected most
Every recall in this group
| Date | Recall | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| 2023-11-28 | Ram trucks may confuse turn signals and high beams | medium |
| 2019-11-14 | Ram 1500 can lose power steering assist suddenly | high |
| 2019-03-14 | Jeep Wrangler and Ram 1500 steering wheel may detach | critical |
| 2019-01-25 | Ram 2500 and 3500 Steering Link Can Come Apart | critical |
| 2019-01-24 | RAM 1500 loose battery ground can kill power steering | high |
| 2018-10-16 | AEV lift kit on Ram trucks can break steering link | critical |
| 2018-03-06 | RAM ProMaster City steering gear may crack and leak | high |
Common questions
My steering suddenly went heavy — which recall is that?
On the 2019 Ram 1500, two recalls can cut power assist: an improperly secured driver-side battery ground fastener, and a contaminated electric power steering gear that can short circuit. On the 2018 ProMaster City, a cracked steering gear housing can leak hydraulic fluid instead.
Does the AEV lift kit recall apply if I bought the truck used?
It follows the kit, not the owner. The recall covers AEV 3-inch Dualsport suspension kits, part numbers N0436000 and N0436001, sold for 2013-2018 Ram 2500 and 3500HD trucks. Contact AEV customer service at 1-248-926-0256, extension 500.
Is the turn signal and high beam recall really a steering issue?
It is filed under steering because the fault sits in the steering column control module. The truck steers normally, but lights can behave unexpectedly toward other drivers. Dealers update the module software and inspect and replace the module if necessary, free.
A recall applies only to specific vehicles. Check your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.