2017 Chrysler Pacifica: ball joint or control arm failure

Filed Oct 9, 2026 · Steering · AR

Our 2017 Chrysler Pacifica has been experiencing a steering malfunction that appears to be identical to the condition currently under investigation by the federal safety agency under Action Number PE25009. For the past few months, the steering wheel has intermittently exhibited a sticking or binding sensation while driving through gradual curves. When this occurs, the steering wheel becomes temporarily resistant to movement, requiring the driver to apply additional force to overcome the resistance and continue steering through the curve. When the steering wheel releases from the sticking position, the sudden change in resistance can make it difficult to maintain smooth, controlled steering. The problem has become noticeably worse and more frequent over the past few weeks. We had the vehicle inspected by an independent mechanic, who advised that the power steering motor needs to be replaced and recommended that we take the vehicle to an authorized Chrysler dealership. The Chrysler dealership (Lewis Chrysler Dodge in Fayetteville, AR) inspected the vehicle and informed us the steering rack and pinion assembly and both tie rod ends need to be replaced and quoted us a cost of $4,450 for parts and labor. After researching the problem, we discovered the federal safety agency Preliminary Evaluation PE25009 involving 2017–2018 Chrysler Pacifica vehicles. The symptoms described in the investigation closely match what we have been experiencing, including intermittent steering resistance during gradual turns and the need to apply additional steering force to overcome the resistance. Because the condition has been getting worse, we are concerned about the possibility of a total loss of power steering while driving. We cannot afford the quoted repair cost, and because of our safety concerns, we have stopped driving the vehicle. We are submitting this complaint so that our experience can be documented and considered part of the federal safety agency's ongoing PE25009 investigation.

Filed Sep 2, 2026 · Steering · VA

The steering at times will “stick” and a bit of force has to be used to get it to release. Also, when turning slightly at low speeds (steering wheel in the 11 or 1 position at less than 20mph) the steering will “shudder” or “vibrate.” This affects the entire steering system. The entire vehicle vibrates and it feels as though you may lose control of the vehicle. This issue has been continuous since approximately 2022. In an attempt to fix the issue, we have replaced the shocks, coil springs, front axels, front hub assemblies, sway bar links, and tie rod ends. None of this fixes the issue. This seems to be similar to the complaints contained in the federal safety agency Campaign Number PE25009.

Filed Jan 29, 2026 · Driver assistance, Steering · OR

Right and left lower control arms are failing. Steering rack replacement is required for repair and imperative for safe vehicle driving. The safety of people in the car is greatly at risk. Since learning about the true problem, the van is parked and we're having to borrow another car for transportation. The issue is that when turning, the steering wheel gets stuck. This seems to occur at 11 o'clock and 1 o'clock positions during turns. The Chrysler dealer was able to reproduce the issues when taking the car on a test drive. The component has only been inspected by the dealer. This issue first appeared about 6 months prior to it seemed like a fluke at first. The occurred became more consistent and that's when we took it in for surface. We took it into a local auto shop a few times and they were unable to detect the issues. Then we took it into the dealership where they were able to identify the issues. I'm not sure if there were warning lamps prior to failure.

Filed Sep 10, 2025 · Steering · NY

Mine has a looseness feeling yet on inspection everything like tie rod ends are good. Definitely at the 11 o clock position I can get a shudder or shimmy even at low speeds. Despite it feeling loose it’s tracking excellent on the highway like everything is tight. I also get a rattle like the tie rods are loose at speeds below 30. There is no looseness anywhere on inspection. If the wheel is shaken on a drive on lift you can feel the noise in the rack mostly on the left side. Happens every day.

Filed Jan 27, 2025 · Driver assistance, Steering · VA

We experienced a failure of the entire steering rack assembly and tie rod ends and also the control module for the steering system. The repair cost was just under $5,000.00. I question why the entire rack and pinion steering system needed to be replaced. I ask what component failed on on the steering rack and what specifically fail on the steering control assembly. No logical answer was provided. I told the dealer I brought the Van in for a diagnosis of concerning steering corrections taking place even with the steering adaptive function turned off. I explained replacing everything involving the steering of the car should correct the issue but it did not feel like a diagnoses and more like a shotgun approach that I would be forced to pay for. I explained by wife drive this vehicle and she had a trip planned to travel across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and I believed the erratic behavior of the steering was to dangerous to change driving. I rented a replacement van to ensure her safety. The problem was recreated by the Dealership and the estimate to replace everything involving the steering system was provided as the fix. I have the steering assembly at my home but no one has opened or inspected what components failed. This failure appeared around 81,000 miles on our 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Limited. I have owned 5 Chrysler products and have never had a rack steering assembly fail even with most of our vehicles exceeding 200,000 miles.

Filed Jan 23, 2020 · Suspension · 36,000 miles · IN

Vehicle had approx 36000 and just out of warranty.. Creaking / flexing noise heard in front end when accelerating from a stop appeari g to be control arm bushing flexing or engine / transmission mount flex noise.

Filed Jan 1, 2020 · Electrical · 65,961 miles · AR

While vehicle is both stationary and moving the shift selector or dial turns off. You cannot see what gear you are in when this happens. The vehicle has turned off while in motion! The tie rods on this vehicle broke at less than 20k miles. The vehicle has had multiple recalls which have been fixed but continues to have intermittent electrical issues. All of these have been reported to chrysler.

Filed Jul 30, 2019 · Electrical, Suspension · 35,500 miles · IN

I have taken this vehicle in for repairs multiple times and it is schedule for repairs again this week. There have been multiple electrical issues including problems with the sliding doors, anti lock brake system had to be replaced, the battery system is grounding out, issues with the radio screen, and now the auto on off system is not working. In addition, I had to take the vehicle in for the ball joints bolts coming loose three time and they just used loctite to make them say on . They never realigned the vehicle and now I have to replace tires that are unsafe. Chrysler should own this and I am still convinced the ball joints could be damaged from this issue and they should replace them. However, the biggest issue is the transmission. It will be going in for the fifth time this week for the same issue that the dealer keep claiming is how I drive it. When taking off from a dead stop the transmission hesitates, which is a serious safety issue. Also, when driving and you let off the accelerator to brake it will hammer real hard. This a serious safety issue and chrysler and the dealer refuse to own it. I filed my second complaint with chrysler last week. This all needs to be resolved so I have a safe vehicle for my family. I feel they are stalling so my warranty will run out and I have no recourse.