2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee: steering wheel locks up

Filed Jun 16, 2026 · Brakes, Engine · NJ

The engine power cuts of randomly while driving with no warning at all. When it happens the steering locks up veering the vehicle to the left so you have no control and at the same time the power brakes lock up and you are unable to stop the vehicle. Everything else works when this happens lights, radio, heater, air conditioning. No warning lights display. I had the vehicle with a mechanic that kept it for over 4 months to test drive and see if it would occur. It happened while he drove it but no codes show up to determine the cause. I had it towed back to my home and contacted Jeep Chrysler and they gave me a claim number to bring to my local Jeep dealer. They had it for over a week and unfortunately the jeep ran fine so once again no resolution to be able to fix. I bought the Jeep from Carvana 9/7/24 and am still paying it off but yet haven't been able to drive it for the past 15 months because it is unsafe for myself and anyone else on the roadway.

Filed Dec 14, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · IA

The cuts off in the Middle of the street in front of a school .The vehicle will not start up.I try to Crank it on vehicle make a loud screeching sound like metal to metal .Dash lights 4wd pop on then a lightning symbol came on.The vehicle wont change gears steering wheel lock ,wheels lock ,The front left turning signal does not work all the other lights do.My wife and I avoided a collision when the vehicle shut off while driving .Thank God no one were hurt.Bought this vehicle in October 2025.

Filed Feb 17, 2021 · Fuel system · 145,000 miles · FL · crash · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owned a 2012 jeep grand cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at 35-40 MPH, the vehicle stalled and the steering wheel seized while going over a speed bump and hit a tree. The front driver's and passenger air bags deployed. The contact suffered injuries to his lower back and head. Medical attention was received as the contact was transported by ambulance. A police report was filed. The contact was unaware if the vehicle was towed or not. The dealer hill kelly dodge (6171 pensacola blvd, pensacola, fl 32505) was notified a day prior to the collision about several warning lights that illuminated (check engine, service 4-wheel drive, traction control) and scheduled an upcoming appointment to get the vehicle diagnosed as well as the recall repair for the federal safety agency campaign number: 19v813000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 145,000.

Filed Jan 25, 2019 · Engine, Fuel system · 70,759 miles · PA

Engine stalls while driving without warning. This started in november 2018 and has happened 5 times since. Have taken it to 3 different repair shops and still no resolution. There was a recall back in 2015 #15v‑115 to fix the fuel pump relay which could cause this to happen. Service was done per the recall. Have an active case with jeep (fiat) but they have been no help and keep sending us the jeep dealer. Diagnostics have been done 3 times to no avail. This is a significant safety issue as the vehicle dies while driving and the steering locks up as well as the brakes. Each time this happens the vehicle is in motion going about 40mph. Has happened while going straight and while turning. The radio stays on and no warning lights appear on the dashboard.

Filed Mar 11, 2018 · Brakes, Electrical · 27,500 miles · NY

I was driving down an off ramp towards a right turn at about 20-30 MPH . I attempted to make the right turn and brake pedal was very hard , gas pedal wasn't responding and steering wheel locked up(no turning) . The jeep slowed and nearly hit parked cars since brakes and steering were not working . When jeep finally stopped , I shifted into park and pushed ignition off button . I waited a few moments then pushed start button and it started up with no check engine light or service message . I believe altinator or tipm failed while I was driving . I don't believe my vehicle qualified for t37 altinator recall or tipm recall that was issued . I don't wanna put my 2 year old son in this jeep anymore , he deserves better than that . 2012 grand cherokee 5.7 altitude with only 28000 miles . I don't feel safe driving this jeep anymore until issue is resolved .

Filed Sep 28, 2017 · Electrical · 115,000 miles · WV

While driving maybe 30mph, I attempted to make a left turn when my jeep immediately went dead (no lights sound or anything else) and the steering wheel locked up. I was able to move the steering wheel just enough to coast to the side of the road but couldn't straighten it due to the steering wheel not turning and car completely dying. I attended to jump it , but it wouldn't start even after being connected for 20+ minutes. When taken off the jumper cables, it would immediately die again. During this time, the windshield wipers would start without moving without me touching them. I had to have it towed to my house and the tow truck was also unable to start it or put it in neutral to get it on the truck . After a couple hours, I was able to jump start it with my portable jumper but it died completely after it was sitting for a couple minutes. Now being told it's electrical problems that caused this . I noticed another recall with similar problems but apparently mine has yet to be included in this recall of the alternator/electrical

Filed Jun 7, 2017 · Electrical, Transmission · 113,002 miles · SC

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 jeep grand cherokee. While the vehicle was parked with the air conditioner and radio still operable, the contact exited the vehicle. Upon returning to the vehicle, he noticed that the air conditioner and radio stopped working, but the windshield wiper blades were moving at slow speed. The contact shifted into drive, but the vehicle was moving slowly and the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was stopped, shifted into park, turned off, and failed to restart. The voltage warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a faulty alternator and battery that needed replacement. The parts were replaced, but the mechanic noticed that the computer was damaged and could not be repaired. The vehicle was towed to another independent mechanic who diagnosed that the PCM needed replacement and there was an alternator recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact had the vehicle towed to jt chrysler dodge ram of lexington (located at 4838 sunset blvd, lexington, sc 29072 (803) 957-2010) for repairs. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v674000 (electrical system). The failure mileage was 113,002.

Filed Jan 10, 2017 · Steering · 78,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 jeep grand cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at 5 MPH, the steering wheel seized as the power steering warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer and was diagnosed that the power steering component failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 78,000.

Filed Sep 10, 2015 · Electrical, Engine · VT · crash

1-after quickly stopping on the side of the road to collect mail, I tried to go back into the road to continue driving but the steering wheel locked and I could not straighten the vehicle. I ended up crossing into the other side, going into the ditch and hitting a snow bank. Due to the very slow speed (I was speeding from the parked position) and to the luck that there were no other cars coming on the opposite direction, no harm was done. Dealership never found anything wrong with it. 2- I have had two safety recalls on this vehicle that have not been addressed on a reasonable time frame. For one of them, my car is at risk of fire under the hood, and for the other one, there could be engine stall and crash. Jeep has informed of both, but has not been able to provide my dealership with the appropriate parts for fixing the problems. So I have been driving around with small children in the back seat, risking myself and my family's lives and all they can do is tell me nothing can be done and good luck? Because it's monetarily cheaper to pay for lost lives than to avoid the loss? Something needs to be done, this vehicle was not a cheap one, however we have been treated like they are doing us a favor just for letting us a know we are at risk of dying from car crash due to it's malfunctions.