NHTSA has opened an investigation into 2022-2023 Ram ProMaster vans after it was reported that the vehicles could lose their power steering without any warning. This comes after the Office of Defects Investigation received 19 Vehicle Owner Questionnaires linked to this issue.
The issue covers the ProMaster 1500, 2500 and 3500 variants across the 2022-2023 model years, of which there are over 136,000 on the roads. Right now, ODI is only currently working to define the scope of the issue and its cause before it can decide whether to seek further action, including a recall.
This is what the report states:
“The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received 19 Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) alleging an
intermittent or complete failure of the power steering assist system in certain Model Year (MY) 2022-2023 RAM
ProMaster 1500, 2500, and 3500 vehicles,” it says. “Failure of the power steering assist system can result in increased steering effort required to control the vehicle. An increase in steering effort can potentially lead to a loss of directional control of the vehicle.
Stellantis, © 2022 Stellantis
“Several received reports allege failures of the steering rack with specific reports citing water intrusion into the electrical connectors of the electric power steering control module.”
It adds: “ODI is opening this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) to assess the scope and root cause of potential defects in 2022-2023 RAM ProMaster steering systems.”
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Why Sudden Power Steering Loss Can Be Dangerous
According to complaints from owners, the issue stems from an “intermittent or complete failure of the power steering assist system”. This can be extremely dangerous, especially if it occurs randomly while driving. While driving without power steering isn’t inherently dangerous in itself, the changing of effort needed to steer randomly can be incredibly difficult to manage even for an experienced driver. It’s certainly a danger that could lead to a potential incident.
According to the ODI, the issue may stem from a failing steering rack due to water getting into a damaging the electrical connectors of the electric power steering control module.
An owner of a 2023 Ram ProMaster 2500 spoke out on a YouTube video.
“So check this out,” he said. “This is a 2023 Ram ProMaster 2500. This is what the electric steering rack is doing. Check this out — y’all see it jumping?
“Y’all can’t even… you barely can turn it. You see what I’m saying?” he asks as he struggles to turn the wheel and a juddering sound comes from the system. He later shows the damage done to the electrical part that’s causing the issue, proving that it is indeed that part that’s failing.
While there have so far been no incidents caused by this, owners of these vehicles should be aware of the danger.
