Dorman’s Complex Electronic Solutions Portfolio Expands With OE FIX® EPS Rack for Ram Trucks

Rhea-AI Summary

Dorman Products (NASDAQ:DORM) on October 22, 2025 introduced an all-new OE FIX EPS rack engineered to fit more than 2 million 2013–2024 Ram and Ram Classic pickup trucks. The unit is described as the aftermarket’s first all-new electronic power steering rack for these models and was developed after a multi-year program.

The EPS rack is validated to meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, includes surge protection, improved component layout, a UV40-rated polyurethane PCB coating for contamination resistance, and requires no dealer programming thanks to proprietary software compatible with common calibration tools.

Positive

• Fits >2,000,000 2013–2024 Ram pickup trucks
• Validated to meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards
• Proprietary software eliminates need for dealer programming
• UV40-rated polyurethane coating protects electronics
• Redesigned electronics include added surge protection

Negative

• None.

Insights

Automotive product strategy expert

Dorman launches the aftermarket's first all-new EPS rack for many Ram trucks, expanding its complex-electronics portfolio.

Dorman sells a newly engineered OE FIX® electronic power steering (EPS) rack validated to meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and designed to fit more than two million Ram pickup trucks across model years 2013-2024. The company highlights electronic redesigns (added surge protection, improved component layout) and a UV40-rated polyurethane coating on the PCB to resist moisture, salt, and dust; the part requires no dealer programming after installation because proprietary software provides full functionality and uses a calibration tool commonly available to independent shops.

The business mechanism is a lower-cost, first-to-aftermarket replacement for a common failure mode (moisture/debris intrusion) in original EPS racks. That positions the product as a revenue and aftermarket share opportunity by converting repairs that previously forced high-cost OEM replacements, salvage installs, or scarce remanufactured units into a parts-and-labor sale that independent shops can perform without dealer intervention. Key dependencies and risks stay within the disclosed facts: acceptance by repair shops of the calibration workflow, the claimed FMVSS validation, and whether the proprietary software fully replicates original functionality in the field.

Watch concrete, monitorable items over the next 6–18 months: uptake among independent repair shops (installation volume), any field reports on reliability versus salvage/remanufactured racks, and confirmation of FMVSS compliance in service bulletins or technical notices; the press release date is October 22, 2025. These items will indicate if the product generates measurable aftermarket revenue and reduces customer reliance on OEM or salvage alternatives.

COLMAR, Pa., Oct. 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Dorman Products, Inc. (NASDAQ:DORM) has released the aftermarket’s first-ever, all-new electronic power steering (EPS) rack engineered to fit more than two million Ram pickup trucks. The EPS rack is the culmination of a multi-year research, development, and commercialization effort executed by a cross-functional team across the enterprise.

“Dorman’s unique capabilities allow us to design, engineer, test, and bring to market highly complex assemblies,” said Eric Luftig, Dorman’s Senior Vice President of Product, Engineering, Quality, and Manufacturing. “Our newest Dorman^® OE FIX^® EPS rack is just the most recent example of our commitment to innovation and first-to-the-aftermarket repair solutions. Everything we do is focused on keeping our customers ahead—of repair challenges and evolving vehicle technology. This rack helps keep Ram trucks on the road longer, and—consistent with Dorman’s mission—empowers vehicle owners to choose who completes their repairs.” 

The original equipment EPS rack on many 2013-2024 Ram and Ram Classic pickup truck models typically fail over time because of moisture and debris intrusion in the control unit. Options for repairing a damaged or faulty EPS rack in these vehicles were previously limited to replacing the assembly with higher-cost original equipment components, finding and installing a typically high-mileage salvage yard EPS rack, or installing a remanufactured assembly—if a worthwhile one can be found at all.

Regarding the product’s superior level of quality, Luftig stated, “We find that the electronics and other critical assembly components in salvage and remanufactured racks typically see wear and usage that render them a short-term solution. The Dorman EPS rack is an OE FIX-designated part, with improvements to the design and function that can help generate greater performance compared to not only salvage and remanufactured options, but the original manufactured part as well,” Luftig explained. 

The new EPS rack has been validated to meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and features significant upgrades to help ensure long, reliable service life. Electronics have been redesigned with added surge protection and an improved component layout to reduce heat and electrical interference. A UV40-rated polyurethane protective coating on the printed circuit board has been applied to help resist contamination from water, salt, dust and other harmful contaminants. Installation is designed to be seamless: No dealer programming is needed after installation, thanks to proprietary software developed by Dorman that mimics all original equipment EPS rack functionality and only requires a calibration tool that many independent repair shops already have on hand.

To learn more about this new EPS rack or about Dorman Products, contact us or take the Dorman Virtual Tour.

Contacts

Marketing: Steve Gisondi, Vice President of Marketing, sgisondi@dormanproducts.com

Investor Relations: Alex Whitelam, Vice President, Investor Relations, awhitelam@dormanproducts.com

Visit our website at www.dormanproducts.com. The Investor Relations section of the website contains a significant amount of information about Dorman, including financial and other information for investors. Dorman encourages investors to visit its website periodically to view new and updated information.

About Dorman

Dorman gives professionals, enthusiasts, and owners greater freedom to fix motor vehicles. For over 100 years, we have been driving new solutions, releasing tens of thousands of aftermarket replacement products engineered to save time and money and increase convenience and reliability.

Founded and headquartered in the United States, we are a pioneering global organization offering an always-evolving catalog of products, covering cars, trucks, and specialty vehicles, from chassis to body, from underhood to undercarriage, and from hardware to complex electronics.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “likely,” “probably,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “projects,” “believes,” “views,” “estimates,” and similar expressions are used to identify these forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations that involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors (many of which are outside of our control) that may cause actual events to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. For additional information concerning factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the information contained in this press release, please see Dorman’s prior press releases and filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including Dorman’s most recent annual report on Form 10-K and its subsequent SEC filings. Dorman is under no obligation to (and expressly disclaims any such obligation to) update any of the information in this press release if any forward-looking statement later turns out to be inaccurate whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

FAQ

What Ram models and years does Dorman's OE FIX EPS rack (DORM) cover?

The EPS rack is engineered to fit many 2013–2024 Ram and Ram Classic pickup truck models, covering more than 2 million vehicles.

Does Dorman's new EPS rack require dealer programming after installation?

No; Dorman says its proprietary software mimics original EPS functionality and only a common calibration tool is required, so no dealer programming is needed.

Has Dorman's EPS rack been safety-validated for road use (DORM)?

Yes; the EPS rack has been validated to meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.

What protections do electronics in the Dorman EPS rack include?

The design adds surge protection, improved component layout to reduce heat/interference, and a UV40-rated polyurethane coating on the PCB to resist water, salt, and dust.

How does Dorman position its EPS rack versus salvage or remanufactured options?

Dorman states salvage/remanufactured racks often show wear; the OE FIX rack includes design and functional improvements intended to outperform salvage, remanufactured, and original parts.

Who can I contact for more information about Dorman's EPS rack (DORM)?

Marketing contact: Steve Gisondi at sgisondi@dormanproducts.com; Investor Relations: Alex Whitelam at awhitelam@dormanproducts.com.