YearToAvoid

2018 Ram 1500 Steering Problems

NHTSA lists 86 steering complaints for the 2018 Ram 1500, 13% of all complaints filed for the year, tied to 4 crashes and 1 injury. Median mileage at failure was 74,912. No related recall is listed for this steering issue.

Steering complaints
86
13% of 661
Crashes reported
4
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
1
Median mileage
74,913 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical steering symptoms owners report

  • Steering locks up suddenly and completely while driving, sometimes making the wheel impossible to turn in either direction.
  • Power steering fails intermittently, often triggered when making a left turn or at low speeds like 20-25 mph.
  • A 'Service Power Steering' warning appears on the dash right before or during a loss of steering assist.
  • Steering feels tight or hard to turn at first, then progresses to full failure, sometimes traced to a failing steering shaft or rack and pinion.
  • Some owners describe steering going out at highway speeds, forcing them off the road to avoid a crash.
  • Intermittent clicking noises precede electric power steering (EPS) failure in some cases.

When 2018 Ram 1500 steering complaints were filed

First complaint Aug 17, 2018, latest Sep 11, 2026.

2018 Ram 1500 steering complaints: complaints filed per month6Aug 2018Aug 2021May 2023Feb 2024Oct 2024Jun 2025Dec 2025Aug 2026
86 complaints filed with NHTSA from Aug 2018 to Sep 2026; peak Aug 2026 (6).

Steering recalls for the 2018 Ram 1500

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Steering complaints by 1500 model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 2013637 (50%)
  2. 2014503 (28%)
  3. 2015341 (24%)
  4. 2016310 (20%)
  5. 2017226 (26%)
  6. 201886 (13%)
  7. 2019337 (23%)
  8. 202061 (10%)
  9. 202150 (7%)
  10. 202240 (7%)
  11. 202318 (9%)
  12. 20246 (8%)
  13. 202522 (6%)

Frequently asked questions

How many steering complaints does the 2018 Ram 1500 have?
NHTSA lists 86 steering complaints for the 2018 Ram 1500, which is 13% of the 661 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2018 Ram 1500 steering problem?
No related recalls are listed in NHTSA data for the steering complaints on this model year.
At what mileage do 2018 Ram 1500 steering problems typically occur?
The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA is 74,912 miles.
Did the steering problems cause any crashes or injuries?
NHTSA data links 4 crashes and 1 injury to steering complaints filed for the 2018 Ram 1500.
How does the 2018 Ram 1500 compare to other years for steering complaints?
The 2018 model's 13% share of complaints tied to steering is lower than years like 2013 (50%), 2014 (28%), and 2019 (23%), based on NHTSA data.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.