Check a VIN

Chrysler 200 power steering loss problems

59 of the 4,191 owner complaints about the Chrysler 200 describe loss of power steering, most of them for the 2012 model year.

owner complaints
59
worst model year
2012
typical mileage
69,856
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall for this area of the car. See below

By model year

Often reported together

Stalling 23Loss of power 22Check engine light 12Engine failure 6Jerking 5Warning lights 4Won't start 3Brake failure 3

Trouble codes mentioned

U1403 1U0401 1P2311 1P2308 1P2305 1P2302 1P061C 1

What owners say

Filed Dec 30, 2025 · Electrical · TX

While driving, my 2016 Chrysler 200 (3.6L V6) experienced a sudden and complete electrical failure. All systems shut down simultaneously, including the dashboard, engine, power steering assist, and electrical accessories. The vehicle coasted to a stop and would not restart—no crank, no dash lights, no response. After allowing the vehicle to cool for approximately 30–45 minutes, electrical power returned and the vehicle restarted normally. This failure mode is identical to the Power Distribution Center (PDC) connector defect that resulted in a recall for the 2015 Chrysler 200. My vehicle is the same platform with the same component architecture, yet no recall exists for the 2016 model year. This is a serious safety defect that creates a risk of crash, loss of steering assist, and loss of vehicle control while driving.

Filed Sep 6, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · VA

2011 Chrysler 200, 156k miles, Original owner. At Highway Speeds engine will shut off! Extremely dangerous as you lose power steering and brakes on a busy interstate. No warning lights. No check engine. Issue just started happening and has happened multiple times in last 3 weeks. Car is unsafe to drive. After occurrence car will restart after about 30 minutes. I do not know why the federal safety agency or Chrysler hasn't done anything to initiate an investigation and recall. This issue is widely reported on many forums. After second instance, a repair shop reproduced issue and saw U1403 so they updated PCM/ECU as they couldn't find anything else. It has happened since then and my scanner showed DTC codes P061C status code 30 and U0401 status code 20.

Filed Mar 10, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · OH

the automobile will shut down when driving uncommanded, when it does this you lose power steering and braking and sometimes locks the steering wheel. the horn sounds uncommanded randomly. the windshield wipers will intermittently not work. have researched the problem and have found this issue is common, with this year and make of vehicle. i have contacted the manufacturer and they have been no help. they state they know there is an issue but they do not have parts to fix the issue. when it shuts down you do not get any lights or notice on the dashboard. this puts the driver and passengers at risk and other drivers. the manufacturer stated on the phone its basically my problem and since they do not have parts to repair it i'm on my own, on finding the part, most likely refurbished

Filed Dec 14, 2023 · Electrical · CT

One day without warning (about 8/20/2023), the vehicle would not start. After too many attempts the vehicle went into a security lock out. Had a mobile locksmith come and issue 2 new key fobs, and he was able to get the car unlocked and started. Car ran fine for about 4 days and then once again would not start. Car was towed to dealership where I was advised it was a bad battery. Battery was replaced 9/6/23. No issues for just over 1.5 months. Then, without any warning, all of the lights on the dashboard lit up on 10/30/23 (everything from the battery light, to the check engine, to even the "service parking break" alert). The car even lost power steering. Luckily, I had enough time to pull into a parking lot and get the car parked in a spot. The car then lost its ability to start. Car was then towed to same repair center where they then advised me it was a bad alternator, and everything wrong was because of a Non-OEM sound system placed in the car (this was installed in June of 2020 and has run with zero issues) - they stated the alternator needed to be replaced. No mention of a bad alternator was reported in the first inspection of the same issue. Alternator was then replaced at a different repair facility. Somewhere between the two facilities, the additional sound system was disconnected from power from the car and is no longer active. It is also important to note the system is hooked up to secondary battery, not the main battery in the front of car. In all, the car went back into the first repair facility from 10/30/23, was towed to the second on 11/6/23, and was finally returned 12/12/23. Even though it was at the first repair facility for a week, no repairs were done until it was towed to the second. However, today (12/14/23) just two days after getting the car back with NO Non-OEM sound system active, I am having the exact same issues for which I initially brought it to the first repair center. All of the lights on the dash went on and I lost power steering.

Filed Nov 12, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · CA

The first time this incident occured I was driving in a residential neighborhood and my horn started randomly honking. Over the past few months the horn will randomly start honking and will continously honk for long periods of time. The horn will blast for miles and there is nothing that I can do to make it stop. I have been pulled over because of this and it's terrible driving at night with the horn blaring. The horn does not work regularly anymore. Then my car started shutting off while driving with no warning lights and total loss of anything that is powered (steering, brakes, etc). I have had to pull over on the freeway in unsafe areas, stuck in the middle of intersections with kids in the car also. After shutting off sometimes I am able to start it right away and it will be fine and other times it wont start and after some period of time it will finally start. I replaced the battery and got a new key fob but neither one has fixed these issues. On top of the random horn blaring and car completely shutting off while driving I now have begun having issues with my transmission. It started randomly not shifting while driving causing me to have to pull over and restart the car after about 5 mins. I have had to pull off the freeway to restart my car. The transmission issue was random at first but I haven't been able to drive my car at all because it will NOT shift after 10 MPH. It is automatic with manual option (which I never use) but it will not shift gears in auto mode or manual. The horn blaring is not only embarrassing but the loudness of it is detrimental to a persons hearing. I have read many reports of this particular car having these same issues and the fact that it completey shuts off without warning and loss of power steering,brakes is extremely dangerous especially when traveling on freeways/highways at 70MPH not only for me and my children but the other drivers around me. I have not had it diagnosed or repaired by a mechanic due to the transmission issue.

Filed Jul 7, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · FL

I was driving down the road and my car stalled and completely shut off power steering went out as well come to find out it had a recall for the issue but cannot seem to see if it was ever fixed and can not see that it fixed or not or if it would be covered under the recall as it was recalled in 2015

Filed Nov 21, 2022 · Transmission · KY

On 4 occasion my vehicle stopped running on the road with no warning. Was unaware anything even happened until i stepped in the gas. Light still on, radio still on, no power steering. Difficult to get off road. Unable to start again for about 45 minutes. Had serviced every time this happened, no codes noted for anything wrong. Had multiple things replaced without resolution. Started investigating my self and see that 6/2012 investigation opened due to faulty PCM and closed on 9/2012 by the federal safety agency after an update and customer service satisfaction program for 2011-2013 models with 3.6L. I have never received any recall. I am afraid to put my children in my car anymore because you have no control of your vehicle when this happens. Why is this recall not available when I search for it? Thank you.

Filed Oct 5, 2022 · Engine · GA

The contact owns a 2012 Chrysler 200. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, numerous warning lights illuminated and the vehicle stalled. The contact lost power steering and power brakes and was unable to pull the vehicle off to side of the roadway. The contact had the vehicle towed to her residence and had an independent mechanic diagnose the vehicle and he determined that the engine seized and needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact had researched online and related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 11V487000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Dec 3, 2021 · Electrical, Steering · TX · crash

I tried talking to Chrysler but they were no help. They have had a power failure recall but I was told that based on my vin number, didnt affect my vehicle. Intermittent power steering failure. I replaced the battery, I replace the rack and pinion and it’s still doing the same thing. $2300 down the drain. You can be driving and loose the ability to steer the vehicle. There are tons of complaints about this and they all say the same. They have replaced major parts and the issue persist. When speaking to crysler over the phone, they said that the replacement of the rack and pinion would fix the issue. Thats not true. https://www.200forums.com/threads/power-steering-failure.30529/ https://www.carproblemzoo.com/chrysler/200/power-steering-failed-problems.php https://www.carproblemzoo.com/chrysler/200/steering-rack-and-pinion-problems.phphttps://www.aboutautomobile.com/Consumer-Complaint/2015/Chrysler/200/Steering There is alot more. I have been dealing with this since August. I dont know what else to do or where to turn but this is a major safety issue and it needs to be made public and addressed .

Filed Nov 18, 2021 · Acceleration, Electrical · 15,000 miles · TX · crash

The contact owns a 2013 Chrysler 200. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH and making a turn, the vehicle inadvertently lost power steering and another vehicle slightly crashed into the rear end of the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The air bags did not deploy. There were no injuries sustained. A police report was not filed. The contact stated that he forcefully steered the steering wheel and veered to the side of the road. The contact stated that he was unable to drive the vehicle after several attempts. The lightning bolt warning light illuminated. The vehicle was pushed to his residence with assistance. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 15,000.

Related recalls

Steering: columnReported June 8, 2011 · 11,096 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2011dodge journey, jeep wrangler, chrysler 200, chrysler 200 convertible, dodge avenger, dodge nitro, jeep liberty, dodge caliber, jeep compass, jeep patriot, dodge grand caravan and chrysler town & country vehicles. Some of these vehicles may have been built with a missing or incorrectly installed steering column pivot rivet.
Risk
A missing or incorrectly installed rivet could compromise the ability of the steering column to support the occupant loads in the event of a frontal crash, decreasing the effectiveness of the frontal impact safety system. As a result, the condition may increase the potential for injury in a frontal crash.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect for rivet presence and alignment and repair the steering column pivot as required, free of charge. The safety recall began on july 4, 2011. Owners may contact chrysler at 1‑800‑853‑1403.

Recall number 11V315000 · Recall details

Questions about the Chrysler 200 power steering loss

Which Chrysler 200 years have loss of power steering problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2012 (21 complaints), 2015 (18 complaints) and 2013 (8 complaints).

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used Chrysler 200?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history