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Jeep Wrangler power steering loss problems

254 of the 15,954 owner complaints about the Jeep Wrangler describe loss of power steering, most of them for the 2018 model year.

owner complaints
254
worst model year
2018
typical repair cost reported
$1,000
typical mileage
25,000
Is there a fix? There are 4 recalls for this area of the car. See below

By model year

Often reported together

Loss of power 107Warning lights 36Check engine light 34ABS 30Stalling 26Wipers 17Won't shift 13Engine failure 9

Trouble codes mentioned

U1464 1U1442 1U0418 1U017E 1U0155 1U0151 1U0001 1C2129 1B11C1 1

What owners say

Filed Nov 1, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · FL

My 2015 Jeep Wrangler has experienced multiple incidents of sudden, unexpected engine shutdown while driving. Without warning, the engine completely loses power, causing the vehicle to lose propulsion and power steering assistance. The dashboard lights and radio remain operational during these incidents. I must turn the ignition off and restart the vehicle, after which the engine starts immediately and operates normally. The vehicle previously experienced similar problems involving additional electrical malfunctions. The fuel pump was subsequently replaced, and the camshafts and rocker arms have also been replaced. Despite these repairs, the engine has unexpectedly shut off approximately two or three additional times. These incidents occur intermittently and without warning, making them difficult to reproduce during dealership inspections. I am concerned that the vehicle could suddenly lose power in heavy traffic or at highway speeds (as it’s done previously even in the pouring rain), potentially resulting in a serious collision. The underlying cause remains undiagnosed and unresolved.

Filed Oct 30, 2026 · Fuel system, Steering · CA

To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to formally report a server, recurring vehicle safety defect regarding my 2024 Jeep Wrangler 4-Door Rubicon 4ex (Plug-in-Hybrid). This vehicle exhibits a dangerous, unpredictable, and violent side to side steering wheel vibration and front-axle shaking at highway speeds, commonly referred to as the “Death Wobble”. This condition causes a terrifying and immediate loss of steering control, posing an extreme safety hazard to myself, my passengers, and others drivers on the road. Vehicle information: Year: 2024 Make: Jeep Model: Wrangler 4-Door Rubicon 4xe Vin: [XXX] Current Mileage: 29,150 Description of Safety Defect and Incidents: The vehicle is equipped with premium factory Rubicon mechanical components, including a 3rd generation heavy-duty Dana 44 front axle, a Dana wide full-floating rear axle, Tru-lok front/rear electric locking differentials, 17-inch by 7.5 inch machined wheels, a 4:1 Rock-Trac heavy-duty full-time four-wheel-drive system, Off-Road Plus Mode, and a factory performance suspension. As a 4ex hybrid model, this vehicle also carries the added weight and specific chassis engineering of the high-voltage hybrid battery system. The violent steering wobble typically triggers at highway speeds (between 40-70 mph) immediately after the front tires encounter a bump, joint, or uneven surface on the pavement. Because of the substantial mass and unsprung weight of this heavy-duty, solid front axle setup combined with the factory performance suspension dynamics and specific 4ex vehicle weight distribution, the warranty replacements utilized by the dealership are structurally inadequate to control the harmonic forces once an oscillation begins. When triggered, the steering wheel shakes so violently that it is nearly impossible to maintain a firm grip, and the vehicle pulls unpredictably side to side. The only way to stop the shaking is to slam on the brakes and decelerate rapidly to a dangerous INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION AC

Filed Oct 25, 2026 · Brakes, Fuel system · NJ

On 8/16/2026 the vehicle seized completely while driving. No power. No steering. No brakes. Obv my safety and the safety of the passengers in the vehicles and trucks that had to avoid me was serious. My vehicle was towed to the closest dealership for repair. I picked the 'repaired' vehicle up on 9/23/26. Within a few miles of leaving the dealership with said repair, the vehicle once again lost all power while driving. No power. No brakes. No steering. This was on a 55mph highway and the safety risk for me and others was severe! As of today (10/25/2026) the vehicle is still in the dealership with multiple but unsuccessful repair attempts.

Filed Oct 13, 2026 · Electrical · OH

It keeps having the dashboard light up. It is ridiculous, and it is a known issue with Jeep, especially my year, but they do nothing. It is dangerous because I lose power steering, and it says many things aren't working. Jeep needs to recall their electrical system so we don't have to pay more then the vehicle is worth to fix it, just because we're out of warrenty.

Filed Oct 12, 2026 · Brakes, Steering · OH

FCA US sent me a written warranty extension (15 years/150,000 miles) for the instrument panel cluster on my vehicle, covering a blank EVIC display with no digital speedometer, fuel level, temperature, odometer, or PRNDL. My vehicle has this condition intermittently. As I was traveling approximately 55 mph my power steering, antilock brakes, speedometer, fuel gauge, traction control, all-wheel drive, and emergency brake warning lights came on/off. I actually lost power steering and was unable to turn the vehicle off. I reached out to Jeep and advised them of this and that I received the letter for the instrument panel cluster XZ1 and I thought this was related. I read the letter to them word for word, and they had the dealership perform the recall on my clutch. I didn't know until all of the same things happened again and I checked the receipt to confirm the work performed. I reached out to Jeep the same day and that was more than a week ago. I now have a new service transmission light. My vehicle is not safe to drive and they still don't even know why I called. My case number with Jeep is 98166358.

Filed Oct 7, 2026 · Steering, Suspension · PA

Violent, uncontrollable front-end steering oscillation (commonly known as 'Death Wobble') occurred while driving on the highway at approximately [Insert Speed, e.g., 55–65 mph] after hitting a [pothole / expansion joint / bump]. The steering wheel shook violently back and forth, causing a severe loss of steering control. The forceful vibration did not subside until slowing down significantly to a speed of [Insert Speed, e.g., 20 mph] on the shoulder of the road. The vehicle is completely stock, has 44,000 miles, and the factory bumper-to-bumper warranty has expired. This rapid shaking creates a severe and sudden highway safety hazard.

Filed Sep 25, 2026 · Steering · 60,000 miles · NJ · 1 injury

The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist, causing a more difficult steering effort. The vehicle was restarted to correct the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who replaced the CAN bus connector, but the failure persisted. While driving 70 MPH, the steering wheel seized and the vehicle almost crashed into a guardrail. The contact sustained body soreness. The contact later received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 26V363000 (Steering). The vehicle was towed to the second dealer, Nielsen Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram of East Hanover (175 NJ-10, East Hanover, NJ 07936), who informed the contact that the electric hydraulic power steering pump needed to be replaced; however, the dealer refused to perform the recall repair and stated that the failure was not related to the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure by phone. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

Filed Sep 24, 2026 · Electrical · NJ

I had Recall issue occur on my 2018 Jeep Wrangler JLU #19A Clutch Assembly. The issue also damaged the Transmission as stated possible in the recall. Additionally the dealership reported that recall required replacement of the cluster (Instrument cluster with all gauges). This was all done. However, upon picking up the jeep and driving home, I realized that the cluster was no longer showing what gear the car is in. I called and reported to the dealer. They asked me to bring in as they though might be a software update or something, they would hook to machine. In the meantime the jeep started experiencing issues where every emergency light on cluster would go off. I would lose power steering, and I could not even turn the car off. I had to stall the car to get engine to stop. I took back to dealer (Cherry Hill Jeep) the reported the "star connector" or Can C-Bus Connector needed to be replaced. I explained that this never occurred prior to recall issue so it must be covered. they said they did not know. They replaced. I went to pick up and still the car did not show the proper gear. after further review by the dealer, they believe they received and installed the wrong cluster. This cluster now caused a problem with the Can C-Bus connector, and the car still does not show what gear it is in. All cars show what gear the car is in. this jeep currently does not. the dealer claims that the software update does not include the gear. This is not how i purchased the car or how i dropped it off prior to recall issue. Dealer is trying to charge me for labor of Can C-Bus connector and install for over $1000 and the car still does not show the gear. I have claim with Stallantis #98090202 they keep pointing to dealer. Dealer keeps pointing to Stallantis. A car must show the gear. This is safety concern to drive the car.

Filed Sep 3, 2026 · Body, Steering · FL

At highway speed, vehicle repeatedly started shaking and vibrating violently after hitting any bump or uneven portion of the roadway. Steering became extremely difficult to control and was completely useless for a period of time. A vehicle that loses the ability to steer at highway speeds puts everyone at risk of accident/death. In looking online, this has been experienced by many people and is referred to as the "death wobble". There were no warnings that this was going to occur. Vehicle has been brought to the dealership. It appears unlikely that the dealership and/or manufacturer is going to fix this problem without payment.

Filed Aug 27, 2026 · Electrical · MD

Suspected CAN bus failure causing multiple dash lights intermittently to include loss of power steering while driving causing an immediate safety concern.

Related recalls

Steering: hydraulic power assist: pumpReported June 4, 2026 · 1,076,999 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Jeep Wrangler, Wrangler 4XE, and Jeep Gladiator vehicles. The electric hydraulic power steering pump wiring may overheat and cause a vehicle fire, even when the vehicle is parked with the ignition in the "Off" position.
Risk
A vehicle fire increases the risk of injury.
Remedy
Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures, until their vehicle is repaired. Dealers will inspect and replace the wiring and electric hydraulic power steering pump, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 9, 2026. Owners may contact FCA US LLC customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. FCA US LLC's number for this recall is 21D. The Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on on June 11, 2026.

Recall number 26V363000 · Recall details

SteeringReported March 14, 2019 · 52 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019 Jeep Wrangler and 2019 Ram 1500 vehicles. These vehicles have improperly machined steering column stub shafts that may break, possibly causing the steering wheel to detach from the steering column.
Risk
If the steering wheel detaches from the steering column, the driver may lose control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of crash.
Remedy
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the steering column, replacing it, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 5, 2019. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is V29.

Recall number 19V201000 · Recall details

SteeringReported May 25, 2018 · 539 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. The intermediate steering shaft may not have been properly welded causing a split where the external spline is formed.
Risk
If the weld seam splits, the steering wheel may lose center positioning causing a loss of steering responsiveness and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, replace the intermediate steering shaft, free of charge. The recall began June 21, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U48.

Recall number 18V343000 · Recall details

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 Jeep Wrangler power steering loss

Which Jeep Wrangler years have loss of power steering problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2018 (76 complaints), 2019 (44 complaints) and 2021 (21 complaints).

How much does it cost to fix loss of power steering on the Jeep Wrangler?

Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $1,000 (median of 7 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.

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