The car accelerates and if I hit a bump or anything in the road my car will start to sway back and forth and has actually spun me around in a 360 motion on more than one occasion. Sometimes you dont even have to go over a bump or anything it just shakes and sways. It does it on any roadway, any condition. Its a death trap. I have almost been in very bad accidents 3 times because I lost comtrol…
2011 Chrysler 200 steering problems
severe 24 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
24
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
3crashes
2injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 24 steering complaints filed for the 2011 Chrysler 200, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA steering complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 7 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2011 Chrysler 200 has significant and recurring steering system failures—from power steering pump failures that resist repair, to sudden steering lockup while driving, to complete engine stall accompanied by loss of power steering. Multiple owners report unresolved issues even after dealer visits and component replacements; driving safety is compromised, and repairs often exceed warranty coverage.
The steering problems cluster into several serious categories. Power steering failures are common and stubborn: one owner had the pump replaced three times by Pep Boys within a week (each replacement lasted 1–3 days) before the rack-and-pinion was diagnosed as the real culprit—but the owner couldn't afford the fix. A Pep Boys mechanic told this owner they'd serviced over 100 Chrysler 200s from Enterprise rental with steering issues and simply stopped attempting repairs.
Steering lockup while driving is frightening and recurrent. Multiple owners describe the wheel seizing solid at 15–30 mph without warning, in one case in an intersection. One owner's vehicle lost all control (steering, brakes, lights, gauges) on an interstate at 65 mph while slowing for an exit; the car restarted and ran fine afterward.
Engine stalls with simultaneous loss of power steering happen unpredictably—during acceleration, deceleration, or while parked. One owner's son had to push a 2011 model without power steering after stalling on a busy road; another stalled eight times in one week at low speed. Check engine lights illuminate but dealer scans reveal no codes. Dealers consistently report they cannot replicate the problem or find nothing wrong.
Steering instability on snow and ice is severe. Owners describe violent swerves and 360-degree spins when hitting bumps or uneven surfaces. One car swerved into a frozen embankment at 30 mph, totaling the vehicle and injuring the occupant. Tire rods fail early (15,000 miles in one case), and steering components (racks, shafts, struts) produce loud clunking that worsens over time and persists after replacement attempts.
Same Chrysler 200 steering reports on nearby years: 2012 · 2013 · 2014
Failure modes owners describe
Power Steering Pump Failure / Steering Difficulty
Steering wheel becomes hard to turn, requiring repeated pump replacements that provide only temporary relief. Owners report multiple pump replacements failing within days; one owner states Pep Boys mechanics indicated they'd worked on over 100 Chrysler 200s from Enterprise rental with steering issues and stopped servicing them. Eventually traced to rack-and-pinion failure.
When: Varies; one owner at under 2 years old and warranty expiration
Symptoms owners cite: Hard steering wheel; Manual-like steering effort; Loss of power steering assist
Repairs/costs cited: Pep Boys replaced power steering pump multiple times (lasted 1–3 days each); rack-and-pinion replacement quoted but owner could not afford it
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Warranty had expired despite vehicle being under 2 years old; Chrysler told owner to pay out of pocket
Steering Wheel Locking / Seized During Driving
Steering wheel locks or seizes while vehicle is in motion, sometimes accompanied by brake lock. Occurs at various speeds (15–30 mph) without warning. One owner reported steering locked in an intersection during stall event. In one case, owner required two restarts to regain steering control; another involved fuse failure with recurrence after repair.
When: 20,000 miles (one documented case); varies for others
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel suddenly locked or seized; Brakes locked simultaneously in some cases; Loss of steering control without warning; Steering felt 'weird' before failure in one case
Repairs/costs cited: One case diagnosed as failed fuse; recurred after fuse replacement
Engine Stall with Simultaneous Loss of Power Steering
Engine shuts off unexpectedly during acceleration, deceleration, or while stopped, eliminating power steering and brakes simultaneously. Multiple owners report the vehicle becomes difficult or impossible to steer after stall. In one case, owner had to push the car without power steering; another owner stalled on interstate at 65 mph. Check engine lights may illuminate but no diagnostic codes appear on dealer scans. Vehicle typically restarts after 15–20 minutes or immediate restart depending on scenario.
When: Varies; one incident at highway speed after driving 65 mph; some during stop-and-go driving; events range from single incidents to 8 times in one week
Symptoms owners cite: Engine completely shuts off; Loss of power steering and brakes; Vehicle requires manual pushing or coast to safe location; Check engine light comes on but no codes retrieved; Slight vibration before some episodes; Vehicle restarts after 15–20 minutes or immediately depending on case
Codes mentioned: Check engine light (no codes retrieved on scan)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer diagnostic yields 'cannot replicate problem' or 'system ok'; one owner had vehicle towed; multiple episodes in one week required towing
Steering Instability / Unintended Swerve on Uneven Surfaces
Vehicle veers or sways violently to left or right when crossing uneven road patches (ice, snow, potholes). One owner reported 360-degree spin after hitting bumps at highway speed; another swerved to frozen embankment at 30 mph. Multiple owners note the car is unsafe in winter driving conditions. One forum shows many owners with same complaint; suspected design flaw related to rear wheelbase wider than front.
When: Occurs on uneven surfaces, ice, or snow patches; one incident at 30 mph on frozen embankment; another on highway after crossing irregular patches
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden violent veering left or right; 360-degree spin after hitting bumps; Vehicle sways uncontrollably when encountering ice or snow; Instability occurs on any roadway condition; Rear wheels will not track straight on uneven patches
Repairs/costs cited: One case: dealer suggested changing from mismatched snow tires to matched set; no improvement. Alignment performed in another case
Defective Inner Tie Rod Ends
Inner tie rod ends fail prematurely, causing clunking or rattling in front end. One owner at 15 months ownership and 22,000 miles; dealer noted it is not the only car with this problem but no recall issued. Service manager verbally noted the prevalence of this issue. Parts were on backorder.
When: 15 months ownership, under 22,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Front end clunking sounds when accelerating from stop; Clunking when slowing to stop; Slight pull on steering
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer advised inner tie rod ends must be replaced; parts on backorder
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Service manager noted multiple cars have this problem but no recall issued at that time
Steering Rack / Steering Shaft Clunking Noise
Loud clunking or rattling noise originates from steering area, especially at highway speeds or during turns. Intermittent at first but progressively worsens and occurs sooner with repeated driving. Multiple mechanics and dealer visits could not pinpoint source; attributed to steering shaft or steering rack. One owner quoted $1,000–$2,000 repair cost. Replacement of struts, tie rods, and sway bars did not resolve issue.
When: Intermittent initially (after 40 miles at 65 mph highway); progresses to 10 miles at 30 mph; 113,000 miles in one case
Symptoms owners cite: Loud clunking or rattling noise from steering area; Noise comes and goes; Noise worsens over time and occurs sooner with driving; Noise at highway speeds and during turns; Persistent after strut, tie rod, and sway bar replacement
Repairs/costs cited: Estimated $1,000–$2,000 repair; strut replacement did not resolve; steering rack replacement attempted in one case
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler call yielded no results; recall mentioned online (rivet-related) did not apply to owner's vehicle
Rack-and-Pinion Damage / Steering Play
Rack-and-pinion sustains damage, causing vibration and noise near front wheels. One owner at 15 months and 22,000 miles had transmission fail first, then steering issues diagnosed as defective tie rod ends; another experienced vibration in steering and noise near front wheels, with dealer reporting damaged rack-and-pinion but no parts in stock. Owner expressed concern about safety of driving with damaged steering.
When: One case: 15 months ownership; another: reported on dealer visit for vibration
Symptoms owners cite: Vibration in steering; Noise near or connected to front wheels; Loose sensation near front wheels
Repairs/costs cited: Rack-and-pinion replacement advised; dealer had no parts in stock, required 2-week wait; one case referenced $3,000 motor work
Electrical System Shutdown / Loss of All Power
Entire electrical system shuts down while driving, eliminating steering, braking, lights, gauges, and wipers. Vehicle becomes impossible to steer or brake. Occurs without warning at various speeds. Vehicle coasts to shoulder and restarts after ignition is turned off and back on. No diagnostic codes appear on scanner.
When: One case at 65 mph on interstate during slow-down for exit ramp; another while at stop light
Symptoms owners cite: Complete electrical system shutdown; Loss of power steering; Loss of braking; All gauges off; Lights off; Wipers off; Vehicle restarts normally after key cycle
Codes mentioned: No codes retrieved on scanner
Steering Wheel Vibration at 50–55 MPH
Steering wheel vibrates persistently within 50–55 mph speed range; vibration ceases when speed is changed above or below this band. Intermittent and speed-dependent.
When: Occurs between 50–55 mph; not present outside this speed range
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel vibration at 50–55 mph; Vibration stops when speed changes
Synthesized from 24 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Chrysler 200. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 30 MPH, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. In addition, the brake pedal was depressed and failed to respond. The vehicle stalled and the contact crashed into another vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed and there were no injuries reported. The vehicle was…
I have a 2011 Chrysler 200 2.4l engine that over this passed week has stalled at least 8 times. Every time the vehicle will start to show signs of "lagging" and while at low speeds just shut off. I am currently a college student and rely on having a vehicle to drive, since I live 6 hours from home. Tonight I was on my way home and it stalled on me 4 times every time I would get about 100 yards…
Unsafe for winter driving. 1st. Time driven on patchy ice on state highway car was erratic. Every time the car crossed an irregular uneven patch in the road (I.e. Patch of ice or hard pack snow) car veers suddenly, violently left or right. Dealer suggested taking snow tires off and putting matched set of tires back on thinking the mismatched set affected the stability control. Result was same…
Had steering trouble with your 2011 Chrysler 200?
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 2011 Chrysler 200?
It's a meaningful issue. 24 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 21 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 20,960 and 71,000 miles, with the median around 48,313. A quarter of owners report trouble before 20,960; a quarter make it past 71,000. 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/2011/Chrysler/200.
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.