STEERING ANGLE SENSOR (SAS) WHICH MAY CAUSE ONE OR MORE DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES - U0429, C1219, C123F, C1241 - REPAID RESPONSE TRANSMITTAL.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee steering problems
severe 36 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
36
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
8crashes
3injuries
What stands out
Owners have filed 36 steering complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering steering on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
COLD TEMPERATURE INITIAL STARTUP - POWER STEERING WHINE-LIKE SOUND.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗REVISED POWER STEERING SYSTEM BLEEDING PROCEDURES.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners consistently describe the engine shutting off unexpectedly while driving—at parking-lot speeds, during turns, and at highway speeds between 35 and 75 mph. When it happens, power steering and power brakes disappear simultaneously. The vehicle becomes uncontrollable. Shifting to neutral and restarting is the only workaround, but it fails without notice.
Dashboard lights flicker or strobe on and off. Gauges go haywire. Radio, heater, and headlights cycle. One owner reports the electrical system "having seizures."
Steering locks up at least once per vehicle—during low-speed maneuvers and highway driving. One owner documents a stripped ball joint inside the power steering unit; another reports a tie rod failure at 30 mph that caused a side-swipe accident.
A recall notice (Campaign 14V438000) went out for an ignition switch defect. Jeep states the part needed to fix it has been unavailable for extended periods—months to years in some cases—leaving owners unable to get repairs done. Dealers tell owners not to drive the vehicles but offer no loaner or rental assistance. Owners report spending thousands on diagnostics, starter replacements, and other repairs while the real problem sits unfixed. One owner says Chrysler will only reimburse the recall repair itself, not the prior diagnostic costs incurred while searching for the cause.
Same Jeep Grand Cherokee steering reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009
Failure modes owners describe
Ignition switch failure with loss of power and control
Engine shuts off unexpectedly while driving or stopped, disabling power steering, power brakes, and electrical systems. Loss of control reported at speeds from 5 to 75 mph, including during turns and highway operation. Complaint #1 notes a recall was issued for a defective ignition switch part (P41) that remained unavailable for extended periods.
When: Across mileage range from 5,558 to 149,000 miles; failures reported from ownership start through later years
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls or shuts off without warning; Loss of power steering; Loss of power brakes or brake failure; Loss of acceleration; Vehicle becomes uncontrollable; Requires shifting to neutral and restarting to restart engine
Repairs/costs cited: Ignition switch replacement; PRNDL bezel (gear selector module) replacement mentioned in complaint #14; starter replacement attempted but did not resolve issue in complaint #1
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Recall Campaign 14V438000 (Electrical System) issued; parts unavailable for extended periods; manufacturer stated unable to diagnose without replicating problem; complaint #1 states reimbursement only covers specific recall repair, not prior diagnostic costs; complaint #9 states Chrysler investigation determined no component failure despite owner evidence
Electrical system spasming and flickering
Dashboard lights, gauges, radio, air conditioning, and headlights flicker, spasm, or turn off intermittently. Vehicle lights appear to flash on and off to other drivers. Associated with engine stalls and loss of control. Some owners report gauges going 'bizerk' and all indicator lights cycling on and off.
When: Failures reported across vehicle lifespans; complaint #5 notes sensitivity of ignition switch even during normal starting
Symptoms owners cite: Dash lights flicker or strobe; Radio and HVAC shut off; Headlights flicker or turn off; Gauge needles behave erratically; All indicator lights cycle on and off; Electrical system appears to 'seize' or 'have seizures'
Repairs/costs cited: No specific repairs mentioned; dealers unable to pinpoint cause in most cases; complaint #14 notes connector replacement attempted
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No specific response documented in narratives
Steering wheel lockup and loss of power steering
Power steering suddenly becomes unavailable or steering wheel seizes while driving. Occurs at low speeds (parking lots, turns) and highway speeds. Multiple owners report loss of steering control nearly causing or causing accidents, particularly during left turns.
When: Failures noted from 5,558 miles through 100,000+ miles
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel locks or becomes immovable; Loss of power steering while driving; Steering becomes difficult to turn; Vehicle loses directional control during turns
Repairs/costs cited: Steering gear replaced (complaint #23 on 2007 at 5,558 miles failure); steering rack replaced (complaint #9); complaint #9 documents ball joint threads stripped in power steering unit
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Complaint #9 states Chrysler investigation determined manufacturer not responsible and no component failure; dealer diagnostic unable to replicate in complaint #7
Brake system failure and lockup
Brakes lock up, fail to engage, or lose power braking assistance. Some narratives describe brakes locking while steering is compromised, creating loss of vehicle control. Complaint #4 notes brake lockup occurred once and reporter feared second occurrence.
When: Failures reported across mileage ranges; complaint #6 noted recall P41 on ignition switch can cause brake failure
Symptoms owners cite: Brakes lock up while driving; Loss of power assist to brakes; Brake pedal becomes hard to depress; Brakes fail when engine shuts off
Repairs/costs cited: Complaint #6 mechanic verified no actual brake system problem; failures attributed to loss of engine power via ignition switch defect
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall P41/Campaign 14V438000 noted as addressing ignition switch defect causing brake failure
Inner tie rod ball joint failure
Ball joint connecting tie rod to power steering unit breaks free and threads strip inside steering unit. Causes front wheel to lose connection and vehicle to lose steering control. Single documented failure at 30 mph resulted in accident with side-swipe.
When: Complaint #9 at 30,000 miles; complaint #28 at 30 mph (mileage not stated)
Symptoms owners cite: Steering gave out while driving; Front right wheel disconnected; Loss of steering control
Repairs/costs cited: Steering rack replaced; old parts available for inspection per complaint #9; complaint #28 documents left front tie rod failed causing accident at 30 mph
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Complaint #9: Chrysler investigation determined manufacturer not responsible and no component failure despite stripped threads in power steering unit and broken ball joint
Power steering shutter and vibration
Power steering system exhibits shuddering or stuttering vibration during operation. One complaint notes concern that shutter can cause airbag to deploy at any time.
When: Complaint #23 began at 5,558 miles; service calls made by 11,785 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Power steering shudders or stutters; Vibration in steering system
Repairs/costs cited: Steering gear replaced on 7/20/2007; failure not corrected after four dealer service attempts
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No response documented
Door handle failures
All four door handles break simultaneously or in rapid succession during normal use. Complaint #4 notes owner had to open door from outside to let passengers out of rear seat.
When: Timing not specified; mentioned in complaint #4
Symptoms owners cite: Door handles break or become non-functional
Repairs/costs cited: No repair information provided
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner reported issue to Jeep customer service rep; no documented response
Transmission slip and erratic shift behavior
Vehicle feels like it is slipping between gears or fishtailing while driving. Complaint #1 notes sensation resembled fishtailing and was accompanied by ABS and auto-steering lights. Complaint #14 notes vehicle would not accelerate but would jump into gear after minutes. Complaint #19 notes transmission problems developed after recall work was performed.
When: Complaint #1 after approximately one year of ignition switch workaround; complaint #19 following June 2015 recall repair
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle feels like it is slipping between gears; Fishtailing sensation; Vehicle will not accelerate; Vehicle jumps into gear unexpectedly; Transmission problems develop after recall repairs
Repairs/costs cited: Complaint #14 notes PRNDL BEZ (gear selector module) replaced but failure recurred; connector replacement attempted
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No specific response documented
Synthesized from 36 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had steering trouble with your 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the steering problem on the 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
It's a meaningful issue. 36 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $700.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 29 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 60,000 and 131,674 miles, with the median around 85,597. A quarter of owners report trouble before 60,000; a quarter make it past 131,674. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $700 for steering repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2006/Jeep/Grand Cherokee.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.