Jeep Cherokee power steering loss problems

Filed Aug 6, 2026 · Electrical, Steering · SC

Sudden total loss of power steering assist while driving over a small pothole on Pearman Dairy Road. Full details, diagnostic trouble codes (U0420-00, U0010-00, U1428-00, B2309-64), and Jeep case reference 97368807 are fully documented in the attached formal PDF letter

Filed Jul 20, 2026 · Steering · MI

Pulling into gas station and power steering went out when pulling in, almost hit pump. Not only did it now need a new power steering rack but the clock spring had to be replaced to program it

Filed Jun 11, 2026 · Acceleration, Electrical · PA

On 05/30/2026 approximately 12:15. My Jeep radio screen prompted "service needed, no phone connected" and a few other words I did not have an opportunity to memorize. The check engine light came on and he oil light appeared. This all happened within a minute. It was very quick and scared both of us. As my mother was driving, she smelled heat, then the radio quit working, the air conditioning shut off and heat turned on without assistance, my mother attempted to open the electronic windows without success, the power steering stopped worked and locked up, then the entire vehicle shut off. She struggled to maintain control of the vehicle in order to guide us to a safe place off the side of the road. We were in imamate danger due to NOT having any control of the vehicle. The hood, driver and passenger doors, front and back were able to be accessed, however we could not open the hatch. And the interior lights would not remain shut off until the battery ceased to have amps. No the vehicle was not inspected by the manufacturer, police or insurance representatives. We were on a major highway. She had NO CONTROL of the vehicle. I bought this vehicle used from Blue Knob and have never received any recall notices however I researched and found 13 recalls I have never been informed of. This is unsettling and a dangerous form of noncommunication.

Filed May 20, 2026 · Transmission · MI

I've had my 2021 Jeep Cherokee Limited 4X4 since July 2023 with zero issues until my service 4WD light came on in December 2025. It went off immediately, but I let my mechanic look at it & he couldn't find anything. It continued this way until early April 2026, the light came on but always went off right away. I was driving home from my grandsons' house (about 1.5 miles) & half way home, there was suddenly an awful, LOUD noise coming from under the Jeep & the steering was difficult at best. I was afraid for my life driving less than 4 blocks from my house. The next day, it started fine & the 4WD light was not on. I attempted to drive back to the grandsons'; immediately after accelerating after the stop sign by my house, the 4WD light came on & a new, louder, scarier noise came from under the car. I couldn't pull over safely (nowhere to pull over except someone's yard) & became very frightened that I would hit the people on the sidewalk, the cars in the other lane, etc. I had some helpful people stop & push my car back to my house (I'm disabled). The next morning I had it towed to Surefire (my mechanic) & after a few days, he called & reported it was the PTU, I'd have to replace it immediately. I had to pay a deposit of $600 cash & after several weeks, my Jeep was fixed. I paid the other $1454 via credit card to get the Jeep back. This is NOT safe!! I see recall 40D last week & was relieved- until I spoke with FCA today. Evidently, all other 2019-2023 Jeep Cherokee Limited 4X4 are recalled except mine. What if I'd hit the pedestrians? What if I'd crashed into the oncoming cars? I'm almost too scared to drive due to this PTU failure. It's an awful thing to experience. I have a beautiful Jeep I'm afraid to drive. This is not right.

Filed May 19, 2026 · Electrical, Steering · NY

2020 Jeep Cherokee Limited AWD, VIN [XXX] , approx. 111,355 miles. Reporting serious safety concern: repeated/worsening electrical system failure with intermittent loss of power steering assist. For nearly a year, Auto Start/Stop warning and battery warning lights have appeared. During episodes, power steering assist can stop working, especially at complete stops, making steering extremely difficult when stopped, parking, or pulling out. Battery, alternator, battery cables/connections, and belt have been replaced, but issue continues and is worsening. Recently while driving, radio shut off, dash/instrument cluster began shutting down, blower motor cycled on/off repeatedly, and windshield wipers slowed while raining. Warnings included battery/charging, Auto Start/Stop, Service Electronic Stability Control, Service Park Brake, ABS, traction control, check engine, and Blind Spot Alerts Unavailable. Vehicle vibrated/ran rough, sounded like it might stall, then revved back up. Burning smell noted after failure and possible smoke near rear after shutdown. Vehicle was towed home due to safety risk. After tow, vehicle restarted but same warnings returned within minutes and radio/dash failures repeated. Concerned this is system-wide electrical, charging, power distribution, ground, or steering assist failure that could cause loss of steering assist, visibility systems, or safety systems while driving INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Apr 2, 2026 · Engine, Steering · 65,000 miles · PA

The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the message “4WD/Pull Over” was displayed, and the Low Oil warning light was intermittently illuminated. The contact became aware of the warning lights after receiving an oil change. Additionally, the oil level needed to be topped off after driving approximately 3,000 miles. While driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost power steering functionality, and it decelerated and stalled. The contact pulled over, turned off the vehicle, waited for several minutes, then made several attempts to restart the vehicle until the power steering functionality returned and was able to drive as intended. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and it was confirmed that the engine was consuming an excessive amount of oil, and that the oil level sensor was inoperable. The dealer reprogrammed the ECM, but failures persisted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.

Filed Dec 29, 2025 · Transmission · PA

While driving in northwestern Pennsylvania during a snowstorm, the driver engaged the vehicle’s factory “Snow Mode.” Immediately thereafter, the vehicle experienced a sudden loss of power and loss of steering control. The driver was forced to pull off the I79 interstate in severe winter conditions and exit the vehicle to avoid being struck by a snowplow. This created a dangerous roadside exposure and a significant risk of collision or injury. The vehicle was towed to a Jeep dealership and diagnosed with a failed rear differential requiring replacement. The dealership stated the part has been on national backorder since 2024, with no estimated availability. The failure occurred without warning and rendered the vehicle completely inoperable. The dealership further advised that this rear differential failure is a known issue, and recommended against installing a used replacement due to reliability and safety concerns. Safety Concern: This failure resulted in: •Sudden loss of vehicle control in hazardous weather •Loss of motive power •Forced roadside exposure in active traffic conditions The inability to obtain replacement parts compounds the safety risk by leaving the vehicle unusable and preventing timely repair. Request: I am submitting this complaint so the federal safety agency can evaluate whether this represents a systemic safety defect related to the rear differential in this vehicle platform, including failure mode, warning adequacy, and parts availability affecting safe remediation.

Filed Oct 27, 2025 · Electrical · 61,738 miles · TN

The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving up an incline, the vehicle lost power with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact restarted the vehicle before the vehicle was reset and resumed normal operation. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the electrical system was rebooted because of a loosened wire inside the vehicle. Despite the reboot, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and was diagnosed with a defective alternator. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the alternator was replaced. Approximately a month after the repair, the failure returned, and the power steering assist, battery, 4WD, and other unknown warning lights flashed on the instrument panel. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 61,738

Filed Sep 28, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · OR

The vehicle suddenly started showing parking brake, traction, ABS, and check engine lights after being started. Earlier in the day, I had also started the vehicle but cancelled the errands and returned to start it later when the dashboard and warning lights came on. Putting it in reverse, the steering was stiff as if in neutral. Never left the driveway as I wasn't taking a chance in steering or braking. The battery is less than a year old. This is the second time this has happened.

Filed May 5, 2025 · Electrical, Steering · 87,846 miles · TN

The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated while reversing out of a parking space at approximately 5 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact used an excessive amount of effort to maneuver the steering wheel. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic who failed to diagnose and remove the steering gear rack and pinion. The mechanic determined there was a short circuit in the electrical system for the power steering. The contact stated that the short circuit had caused the rack and pinion to burn out and fail. The mechanic then replaced the wire and the rack and pinion again. Approximately 3 days later, while driving approximately 30 MPH the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was returned to the mechanic who then brought the vehicle to the dealer who would be better equipped to repair the vehicle. The dealer diagnosed that the Exhaust Particulate Filter (EPF) connecter from the steering wheel to the battery had failed. The connector's wiring harness was replaced. The contact searched online and found related recalls under the federal safety agency Campaign Numbers: 18V524000 (Electrical System) and 19V637000 (Steering). The manufacturer was informed of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recalls. The failure mileage was 87,846.