Ram 1500 electric power steering class action overview:ย
- Who: Two Ram 1500 owners are suing FCA US.
- Why: They claim the automaker manufactured certain Ram 1500 pickup trucks with a dangerous defect.
- Where: The Ram 1500 electric power steering class action was filed in aย New Jersey federal court.
FCA fraudulently concealed a defect in the electric power steering unit of certain Ram 1500 pickup trucks, which causes sudden power steering failure and poses a serious safety risk, a new class action lawsuit alleges.
Plaintiffs Nancy Ludwig and Joseph Spillane filed the class action complaint against FCA US LLC on Aug. 30 in a New Jersey federal court, alleging violations of state and federal consumer laws.ย
The plaintiffs are looking to represent former owners and lessees of model year 2013-2024 Ram 1500 pickup trucks, and allege that the defect impacts driversโ ability to control their vehicles, potentially leading to accidents.
The lawsuit alleges FCA has known about the power steering defect for years but has failed to address the issue for most of the affected vehicles.ย
Despite thousands of complaints, the company has only issued recalls for a limited number of 2016 and 2019 Ram 1500 models, attributing the issue to isolated manufacturing errors, the plaintiffs say.ย
FCAโs refusal to acknowledge the widespread defect has left many owners with costly repair bills โ typically ranging from $3,000 to $4,000 โ to replace failed electric power steering units, they say.
Millions of drivers still donโt know about defect, lawsuit saysย
In August 2023, the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) initiated an investigation into the loss of power steering in 2013-2016 Ram 1500 models, the lawsuit says.ย
The investigation was prompted by nearly 400 consumer reports detailing intermittent or complete power steering failures.ย
โWhile NHTSAโs investigation is ongoing, millions of owners and lessees of the Class Vehicles remain ignorant of the Power Steering Defect, placing them at risk of serious injury by their continued use of their vehicles without adequate inspection or repairs,โ the lawsuit says.
For example, Ludwig says she experienced power steering failure firsthand in Jan. 2024, when her partner was driving while they were nearly involved in an accident after losing control of the Ram 1500 in a McDonaldโs drive-through, nearly hitting two pedestrians.ย
The vehicle was later towed to a mechanic, who confirmed the failure of the electrical power steering unit, requiring an expensive replacement.
As a result, the plaintiffs are suing on behalf of anyone who purchased or leased a 2013-2024 Ram 1500 vehicle in the United States from an authorized FCA dealership. Theyโre suing for breach of warranty laws and unjust enrichment, and are seeking certification of the class action, damages, fees, costs and an order forcing FCA to remedy the alleged problem.
Last year, Chrysler (FCA US) issued a recall on 131,700 Ram 1500 pickup trucks manufactured in 2021 due to a powertrain software issue.
Are you affected by this Ram 1500 electric power steering issues? Let us know in the comments.
The plaintiffs are represented by McCune Law Group, McCune Wright Arevalo Vercoski Kusel Weck Brandt, APC.
The Ram 1500 electric power steering class action is Nancy Ludwig et al., v. FCA US LLC, Case No, 3:24-cv-08906 in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey.
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96 thoughts onRam 1500 trucksโ electric power steering units fail, class action claims
I have a 2020 Ram 1500 Laramie. Have had it just shut down on me randomly on 3 different occasions. It pretty scary when it happens while making a turn!
I HAVE THIS PROBLEM, power steering went out. My truck is at the shop NOW and itโs a $3500 repair. Almost crashed when it happened:
I have a 2014 ram 1500 and went all last winter with no power steering. But had it this summer. Even when it went down to plus 10 I had no steering, but later that day it came back.
Have a 2024 Ram Rebelโฆ. no rack problem yet but the vehicle has always drifted to the right , not normal.
My 2017 ram tradesman power steering went out dropping wife off at airport last fall.
2021 Ram 1500
2014 Big horn no problem yet but I have faith. Sign me up.
I have a 2022 RAM 1500 TRX and havenโt experienced an issue yet, but Iโd like to be added to this just in case.
My 2013 ram 1500 rack and pinion was replaced in 2022.
I have a 2017 Ram and havenโt had this particular problem yet, but I have had other issues.