2017 Chrysler Pacifica: lane keeping assist jerks the wheel

Filed Sep 8, 2026 · Steering · KS

This is in regards to the potentially death-inducing the federal safety agency Campaign # PE25009. Within the past two weeks, I have experienced an intermittent and concerning steering problem with my 2017 Chrysler Pacifica. When traveling approximately 20–60 MPH and making a gradual turn, particularly when the steering wheel is positioned around the 11 o'clock or 1 o'clock position, the steering appears to "stick" or bind rather than naturally returning toward center. I must apply additional force to the steering wheel to overcome the resistance and bring the vehicle back toward a straight driving path. This behavior is extremely concerning because the steering does not respond normally and unexpectedly requires additional steering force to correct the vehicle's path. When this occurs during normal highway or city driving, there is a significant risk of unintentionally applying too much steering input while attempting to overcome the binding. This could cause the vehicle to suddenly move outside its intended path, potentially resulting in a lane departure, collision with another vehicle, or loss of vehicle control. There are no warning lights or dashboard alerts associated with this behavior. This makes the issue particularly concerning because a driver may have no indication that a potentially serious steering problem is occurring until the steering resistance is encountered while the vehicle is in motion. I have not yet had the vehicle inspected by a Chrysler dealer, so I cannot identify the specific component causing the problem. However, I have since found numerous reports and discussions describing similar steering behavior involving 2017 Chrysler Pacifica vehicles. Given the potential consequences of unexpected steering resistance or binding, I believe this issue warrants investigation.

Filed Sep 10, 2025 · Steering · TN · crash

On December 28, 2024 my family and I were in a crash with our Pacifica van. In a gradual left turn at approximately 40 mph, the van slowly drifted to the right. I slowly corrected to the left with no affect. After slightly more left correct, the van cut hard left and crashed head into a concrete wall on the opposite side of the roadway. The steering correction inputs should not have resulted in such a hard left turn. The drift to the right should not have occurred and I was not able to correct for some reason. The vehicle was inspected by insurance and totaled. No other inspections were completed to my knowledge. There were no issues or warnings of a potential problem. We did suspect the lane keep assist system could have caused an over correction but have no way to confirm that.

Filed Sep 19, 2024 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 67,950 miles · IL

The contact owns a 2017 Chrysler Pacifica. While the contact's wife was driving at an undisclosed speed through an intersection, the automatic braking system engaged independently, and the engine shut off. Despite the sudden failure, the contact's wife was able to restart the vehicle and resume normal driving. The contact then stated that while driving at slow speeds, the failure reoccurred with the Lane Departure Assist message flashing on the instrument panel. The manufacturer was notified after each failure had occurred; however, the contact was not offered any assistance. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 67,950.

Filed Jun 21, 2023 · Driver assistance, Steering · TX

This happens every single time we drive our Pacifica: Per many other complaints available online, the current gen Pacifica (2017-present), when equipped with ADAS such as lane keep assist, has a steering issue as follows: -under varying conditions, the vehicle's steering wheel will "stick." This issue typically follows a small steering input of 10-25 degrees in either direction. -When the steering wheel sticks, it presents 2 major safety issues: 1) the vehicle maintains its course and could collide with objects or veer off the road and 2) the sticking of the wheel is so severe at times that the counter-steering required to correct the "stick" presents a danger of driving into oncoming traffic. -Yes, Dodge of Boerne, TX, and it was "fixed" by securing a ground wire on the vehicle, but the problem continues to persist -Just dealership listed above -No Here are selections of other reports on this issue: https://www.pacificaforums.com/threads/2017-steering-problems.48061/ https://www.pacificaforums.com/threads/2017-steering-issue.50528/ https://www.pacificaforums.com/threads/the-steering-wheel-tries-to-turn-by-itself-when-driving-on-uneven-roads.23538/ https://www.carproblemzoo.com/chrysler/pacifica/2017/steering-problems.php I am guessing this issue is what was addressed at our service appointment, but it did not solve our specific issue: https://www.mlive.com/news/2019/05/fca-recalls-198k-pacifica-minivans-due-to-potential-issue-with-power-steering.html

Filed Jun 22, 2021 · Driver assistance, Electrical · TX

Lane assist and Forward Collision Warning would intermittently turn off along with the passenger window automatically going down. Vehicle would also seems to glitch and restart at the same time. After this taking place for a couple of weeks, now the vehicle has twice completely shut off while driving. The engine, screens, dash, etc. all turned off and the it was automatically put into PARK. Vehicle will restart and everything seems back to normal once it is restarted.

Filed Aug 3, 2018 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 9,181 miles · IL

On tuesday 7/31/18, as I was slowing down to turn onto a neighborhood street, the electronic stability control active warning light came on, a warning that lane assist was unavailable flashed on the dashboard, and the blind spot sensors on both side mirrors turned on with a warning message that the blind spot assistance was unavailable. After about an 1/8th of a mile, I slowed to a stop sign and the brakes started to feel tight as if they were locking. The screen on the dashboard went blank and the gauge speedometer was not registering. I was able to make a slow left turn and then an immediate right turn into a driveway, but as I came to a stop the brakes were completely locked up and nothing was working as if the engine had turned off. I had to restart the vehicle twice for the dashboard to come back to normal. Had u64 - reprogram powertrain control module and u50 manual park release recalls performed 7/25/18.

Filed May 4, 2018 · Electrical, Steering · 16,000 miles · AL

The lane keep assistant (lanesense) system went offline and stated it needed service. Took to the dealer and they stated the lower front camera needed to be replaced. When the dealer was asked if the problem is common, they could not answer. This is the same part on every fiat chrysler of america vehicle with this feature. This system has the ability to take the control of the vehicle from the driver and direct the vehicle in the appropriate direction. If this item is functioning incorrectly, it has the potential to steer the vehicle into other vehicles and on coming traffic. This feature failed while the vehicle was in motion at near highway speeds (55 MPH) in heavy traffic.

Filed May 13, 2016 · Driver assistance, Steering · IA

My local dealer (confirmed by fca llc) has told me that we cannot get the autonomous braking and lane assist on the pacifica touring trim level; only on the more expensive touring l-plus! These should be options on all trim levels so a family who wants safety more than fancy can spend their hard earned money on safety options and not be forced to pay $7000 more for fancy to be able to get more safety!!!! Can you put pressure on them to offer the alp advanced safety option on lower trim levels?