2012 Chrysler 200 steering problems
severe 45 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Owners have filed 45 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.
Among the 6 model years of Chrysler 200 in our records for steering problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2012 Chrysler 200 has serious documented steering and control failures: the steering wheel can lock up without warning, the engine can stall suddenly causing loss of power steering and brakes simultaneously, and the vehicle exhibits dangerous handling loss on wet roads and at highway speeds. These are not minor issues—owners report injuries, multiple dealer visits that fail to diagnose problems, and inadequate manufacturer support.
Owners report multiple critical steering failures in 2012 Chrysler 200s. The most severe is sudden engine stall combined with immediate loss of power steering and brakes—this has happened at speeds ranging from 10 mph to 60+ mph, with no warning lights or prior symptoms. One owner lost steering and brakes at night on a busy street and barely avoided a crash. A rental car customer suffered serious injuries (back fractures, rib fractures, sternum fracture) after the vehicle veered off a curve.
Steering wheel lockup is another recurring complaint. The wheel locks up mid-turn or immediately after turning, sometimes accompanied by the engine dying simultaneously. Dealerships say they cannot find or reproduce the problem.
Handling and stability failures appear on wet, snowy, or icy roads. Multiple owners report the vehicle sways violently side-to-side above 40 mph in wet conditions, or loses traction coming off small bridge transitions. Inner tie rods wear completely at 37,000 miles—far short of normal service life—contributing to these control issues.
Steering column noises are widespread: clunking, popping, grinding, and rattling sounds appear during low-speed turns or after 15–20 minutes of driving. Owners found online that this part was recalled on other Chrysler models but apparently not on the 2012 Chrysler 200. Dealerships under warranty could not diagnose the noise.
Power steering hose failure and fluid loss also occur. One owner's hose burst at 6,000 miles, and another experienced recurring fluid disappearance despite refills.
Same Chrysler 200 steering reports on nearby years: 2011 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015
Failure modes owners describe
Steering wheel and column seizure/lockup
Steering wheel locks up without warning, sometimes during or immediately after turning the wheel. Loss of steering control combined with engine stall creates critical safety hazard. Owners report steering becoming difficult or impossible to turn, occasionally accompanied by abnormal ticking or popping noises from the column.
When: 2,000–114,000 miles; incidents range from early ownership through extended service life
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel locks up abruptly; Steering becomes difficult or impossible to turn; Popping, clunking, squeaky, or clicking noises from steering column; Steering wheel vibration; Column feels loose or rattles; Abnormal ticking noise when attempting to restart after lockup
Codes mentioned: None found
Repairs/costs cited: Dealerships unable to diagnose or reproduce the problem in many cases; owners report steering column clunking was found to be a known issue on YouTube (apparent loose part). One owner cited recall #11V315000 (steering column) on 2011 model.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall #11V315000 exists for steering column on other Chrysler models but was reportedly not issued for 2012 Chrysler 200. Chrysler stated there were no recalls.
Engine stalling with loss of power steering and brakes
Engine shuts down suddenly during normal driving without warning lights or apparent mechanical issues. When engine dies, power steering and power brakes are lost simultaneously, creating an immediate safety-critical situation. Restart typically requires putting vehicle in Park, turning ignition off, and restarting. Occurs at any speed from 10 mph to 60+ mph.
When: Throughout ownership; reported from 2,000 miles to 114,000 miles. Incidents may occur after 2–3 miles of driving or randomly without pattern.
Symptoms owners cite: Engine shuts off suddenly without warning; Immediate loss of power steering when engine dies; Immediate loss of power brakes when engine dies; No warning lights or check engine light before shutdown; Vehicle must be restarted (often requiring shifting to Park first); Restart may require waiting or battery terminal disconnection; Occurs at any speed, in any driving condition
Codes mentioned: No codes present in some cases, Unrelated codes found in other cases
Repairs/costs cited: PCM replacement attempted in at least one case without resolving issue. Dealerships unable to diagnose root cause. One owner with 2.4L engine believes the problem exists in that engine despite recalls only addressing 3.6L.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall #11V487000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) exists and was published before some service dates, but remedy was not followed in at least one documented case.
Handling loss and sway on wet/slick surfaces
Vehicle loses control and sways side-to-side when driving on wet, snowy, or icy roads or when crossing bridge transitions. Owners report vehicle becomes unstable at speeds over 40–45 mph in adverse conditions or when encountering road imperfections such as bridge drop-offs. One incident resulted in serious injury (back fractures, rib fractures, sternum fracture).
When: Throughout ownership; incidents reported from 37,050 miles onward. One major crash occurred on rental unit.
Symptoms owners cite: Rapid side-to-side sway in wet, snow, or ice; Loss of handling when accelerating above ~40–45 mph in wet conditions; Vehicle loses control after crossing small bridges or encountering drop-offs; Front end lifts/takes air before transitioning down, then loses contact; Rear end skids on wet surfaces regardless of speed; Vehicle veers or pulls to one side (typically right)
Repairs/costs cited: Inner tie rods found completely worn out at 37,050 miles (well before typical wear life). Rear wheel alignment and toe adjustment performed without resolving persistent sway. Both rear tires replaced without resolving failure.
Power steering hose failure and fluid loss
Power steering hose ruptures or bursts, causing sudden loss of steering fluid and inability to turn the wheel. Owners report power steering fluid mysteriously disappearing after top-up, indicating ongoing leak. Difficult steering at low speeds (20 mph) is the primary warning sign.
When: 6,047 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Power steering becomes difficult or impossible at low speeds (20 mph); Power steering fluid level drops dramatically; Power steering hose bursts or explodes; Recurring fluid loss despite refill attempts; Abnormal grinding noise from power steering system
Repairs/costs cited: Power steering hose replaced. Dealership inspection found zero power steering fluid in vehicle on first diagnosis.
Steering column and front-end clunking/popping noises
Loud clunking, popping, grinding, or rattling noises emanate from steering column or front end, particularly during low-speed turning, backing, or after AC is turned on. Noise occurs with no consistent pattern and sounds like loose parts. Multiple owners report finding little dealer support despite warranty status and discovering the problem affects many 2012 Chrysler 200s online.
When: Throughout ownership, from early years (warranty) to extended mileage; appears to worsen over time
Symptoms owners cite: Loud clunking or popping from steering column; Grinding sound from power steering system during turns; Rattling or clanging metal noises during turning, backing, or stopping; Noise intensifies when AC is turned on before noise starts; Noise heard after 15–20 minutes of driving; Noise occurs at any speed or on straight roads; Steering wheel vibration accompanying noise; Sensation that parts are loose or about to fall off
Repairs/costs cited: Dealerships unable to diagnose or find problem during multiple visits. Owners discovered via YouTube that steering column part was recalled on other Chrysler products but not on 2012 Chrysler 200. No confirmed repairs documented.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler stated that the recalled part was applied to other vehicles but not to 2012 Chrysler 200.
Front-end alignment and tie rod wear
Vehicle pulls severely to one side (typically left or right), requiring alignment even with very low mileage (couple hundred miles on new car). Inner tie rods wear excessively or fail prematurely, causing wandering steering and poor handling.
When: Early ownership (even at 200 miles on new car); inner tie rods completely worn by 37,050 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle pulls strongly to one side; Poor steering response or wandering; Inner tie rods completely worn out; Requires alignment despite low mileage
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership recommended alignment but was unable to resolve pulling sensation at low mileage. Inner tie rods replaced at 37,050 miles.
Synthesized from 45 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Common questions
How serious is the steering problem on the 2012 Chrysler 200?
It's a meaningful issue. 45 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 39 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 10,000 and 60,000 miles, with the median around 30,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 10,000; a quarter make it past 60,000. 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.