136,000 Ram ProMaster Vans Under Investigation For Steering Failure

Ram’s practical ProMaster van is under investigation for a loss of power steering assistance. According to information from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 19 complaints have been received for intermittent or total failure of the power steering system in certain examples of the van. Considering the sheer size and weight of these vans—especially when fully loaded—a sudden loss of power steering assistance could be a major hazard. The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has opened a preliminary evaluation to find the root cause and assess the scope of the problem.

What Ram ProMaster Models Are Affected?

Affected models are from the 2022 and 2023 model years, and include all variants of the Ram ProMaster: 1500, 2500, and 3500. Those numbers represent the light-, medium-, and heavy-duty derivatives of the ProMaster, with the 3500 offering the best payload capacity of the three. Overall, the estimated population of affected vans is 136,666. The ProMaster EV is not mentioned in the investigation.

According to the complaints, the increase in steering effort can lead to a loss of vehicle control, which is a scary prospect in a vehicle that can weigh over 5,000 lbs. When fully loaded with cargo or passengers, these vans have a maximum Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of over 9,000 lbs. Several reports indicate that water intrusion into the electric connectors of the electric power steering control module could be to blame.

One ProMaster driver from Connecticut said a corrosion of the wire harness due to water entering the power steering rack caused his power steering to fail. “Driving on highway and power steering gave out without warning. Had to pull to the side of the road. Safety at risk,” said the driver.

Another customer reported waiting for 56 days for a part to replace their steering, due to the number of other ProMaster drivers needing the same part.

Interestingly, there’s another open investigation for a loss of power steering on a Ram. This older investigation affects 2013-2016 Ram 1500 pickups, but it’s not known if that issue is linked to the ProMaster’s problem in any way.

What Owners Should Do Now

While recalls or Do Not Drive alerts have not been issued for the steering issue, it’s possible that the investigation will end with one or the other. In the meantime, anyone driving a 2022 or 2023 Ram ProMaster should exercise caution. If a detected loss of power steering occurs, especially at high speeds, it’s advisable to slow down and pull the vehicle over.

Drivers should also look out for the following warning lights/messages on the dashboard, which accompany a loss of power steering assistance in some cases:

ECS needs service
Hill assist needs service
Engine needs service
FWC system needs service

The ProMaster should be immediately checked by a technician if any of these warning messages appear.

There’s no timeline on exactly when the investigation will be completed, but ProMaster owners are advised to check the NHTSA site regularly for any further updates.