NHTSA Complaint #11532433 — 2019 RAM 1500

The power steering on my 2019 Ram 1500 stopped working while driving on Interstate Hwy 94 in Wisconsin in heavy holiday traffic on Friday, June 30, 2023. The steering wheel vibrated, I heard a warning sound, and a warning message came up that indicated the power steering needed servicing; there was immediate loss of the power steering; this all happened in 2-3 seconds. It was only because I was strong enough that I was able to exit the Interstate and return to my home about 90 miles away. Had my wife or another person with not as much strength been driving, they would not have been able to manage the situation. It is a definite safety issue. 
The next time I entered the vehicle a day or two later to have it inspected, it was working again. But, again, on Saturday, July 8, 2023, the same issue occurred on Wisconsin State Hwy 29, after driving approximately 80 miles. My wife was with me this time so she witnessed the event. We pulled into a truck stop to eat. When we returned to the vehicle, it was working again. On Tuesday, July 11, 2023, we had the vehicle inspected by Chilson’s Corner Motors of Cadott, Wisconsin. They determined that the gear rack and pinion system needed to be replaced. The cost was estimated to be $2500. They indicated (and we verified) that the VIN# was not included in the 2019 Rams that were recalled for this issue. After checking other possibilities to correct the issue, we called Chilson’s to order the Gear rack and pinion for the vehicle. Interestingly enough, they did not know how long it would take to receive the part as there was a back order on these parts.