NHTSA Complaint #11656068 — 2022 RAM 1500

The contact owns a 2022 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while his son was driving at 40 MPH, the steering wheel seized with no warning light illuminated. The vehicle slid off the road, crashed into several trees, and sideswiped a telephone pole when it came to a stop. There was no damage to the telephone pole. The air bag did deploy during the crash. No injuries were sustained, and no medical attention was provided. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the steering module had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure recurred when the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was taken back to the same independent mechanic, where it was confirmed that the failure was a manufacturer's defect with the steering rack. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering rack and the power steering module. The vehicle was repaired under warranty. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 20,0000.