NHTSA Complaint #11571190 — 2015 RAM 1500

COMPLAINT/INCIDENT.On February 9th 2024, I was making a right hand turn onto main Street. My speed was under 10mph, closer to 5mph. . Without any warning or MIL, my truck suddenly went from easy steering to unable to move the steering column and jerked/locked the wheel by 90 degrees to the left. In other words, the steering wheel went from the 3:00 position and locked into place at the 12:00 position at the apex of the right turn. This put me on a path to driving into a 2story brick building. I was unable to accelerate and I was unable brake momentarily. The engine sputtered a few times; and that is when the MIL lit up on my dashboard stating “electronic power steering service” and “low battery voltage”. After the lights came on, the steering was brought back to normal along with the acceleration and my brakes. After the MIL displayed, steering resumed enough to pull into a parking spot. All of this occurred within 80ft from the apex of the corner to where the truck finally locked up. Total distance traveled 195 ft from start of turn to parked. The steering column and wheel completely locked up once in parking spot. I weigh about 230 lb and I could literally hang off the wheel without the wheel moving an inch.. At home, the power to the truck did not turn off like it normally would after 30 secs. The manual neutral transmission switch was pulled, which normally does not interfere with shutdown. After disengaging the truck powered off. However, I was unable to restart and only a clicking noise was heard. A battery booster jumpstarted successfully. No MIL on dash on startup. Surprisingly, the steering came back to normal. PART NUMBERS. The EPS numbers on the outside casing are P68242957AD and TIC2794A8134. Neither of these numbers have been listed in any of the documentation provided by the NHTSA on the power steering recall nor the reopened investigation.