NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation
Preliminary Evaluation PE26-002: Loss of Power Steering Assist
- Open
NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened Preliminary Evaluation PE26-002 on March 2, 2026; NHTSA's investigations file listed it as open on October 23, 2026. NHTSA's investigations file lists 3 models from 2 makes for it and links recalls 26V-621 and 26E-067 to it.
Updated daily from NHTSA's investigations file
Key facts
- NHTSA number
- PE26-002 (also written PE26002)
- Investigation type
- Preliminary Evaluation The first stage of most defect investigations: NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation gathers basic information about a possible safety defect, including from the manufacturer.
- Status
- Open since March 2, 2026
- Opened
- Vehicle or equipment manufacturers
- Chrysler (FCA US, LLC); Braun Corporation
- Components
- Electrical System — Wiring — Connectors/Plugs/Receptacles; Steering; Steering — Electric Power Assist System; Steering — Rack and Pinion — Rack
- Recalls linked by NHTSA
- 26V-621: Loss of Power Steering Assist, reported
- 26E-067 (NHTSA record)
- Vehicles and equipment
- 3 models from 2 makes, including the Ram Promaster and Braun Ram Promaster
NHTSA's summary
As NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation wrote it for Preliminary Evaluation PE26-002.
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. 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. 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. ODI is opening this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) to assess the scope and root cause of potential defects in 2022-2023 RAM ProMaster steering systems. To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
Vehicles and equipment listed for this investigation
NHTSA's investigations file lists these vehicles and equipment for Preliminary Evaluation PE26-002. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. Model years with a try.vin recall page link to that page's NHTSA investigations section.
Braun
Braun Ram Promaster
Ram
All Ram recallsWhat an NHTSA investigation is
NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) looks into possible safety defects in vehicles and equipment, often after owner complaints. An investigation usually starts as a Preliminary Evaluation, or as a Recall Query when it concerns whether an existing recall covers the right vehicles or fixes the problem, and ODI can upgrade it to a more detailed Engineering Analysis. A Defect Petition asks NHTSA to open an investigation, and Audit and Equipment Queries are administrative investigations into whether companies complied with federal vehicle safety requirements, such as reporting, recall and certification rules.
An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.
To see whether a specific vehicle has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Free VIN check: decode a VIN to see its year, make and model.
Sources
NHTSA's investigation record for PE26-002
Investigation details come from NHTSA's investigations file, which try.vin imports once a day. The investigation types are described from the U.S. Department of Transportation Inspector General's May 2023 report on NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation, NHTSA's petition rules (49 CFR Parts 552 and 557) and NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation procedures. How try.vin reads NHTSA investigations.