2014 Jeep Cherokee steering problems

Violent side-to-side oscillation of the front axle/wheels while the vehicle is being flat towed behind an RV, triggered by rough road surfaces, expansion joints, railroad crossings, or uneven pavement. The wobble is severe enough to shake the entire RV and requires the vehicle to come to a complete stop to resolve. Owners report the vehicle was specifically sold as flat-towable per the manual.

When: First occurrence reported July 2014; multiple incidents reported through 2017. Occurs at any speed but most commonly 25-65 MPH.

Symptoms owners cite: Violent front-wheel oscillation side-to-side; RV shaking violently in rear; Vehicle swerving uncontrollably; Requires complete stop to cease wobbling; Check engine light and electronic stability control light may illuminate

Repairs/costs cited: Mopar issued wiring harness kit (part 683214AB or similar) to supply power to steering system during flat tow. Some owners report cost $500+. Dealers often unaware of repair; owners located fix via internet research and motorhome magazines. Repair kit was originally presented as optional/supplemental, not covered under recall.

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Jeep acknowledged issue via social media and magazine articles; issued repair kits but charged owners $100+ deductible; some owners report being told it may void extended warranty. Family Motor Coach Association magazine (Jan/Feb 2016, Nov 2016) covered the problem. Owners report Jeep initially denied awareness or downplayed urgency.

Electric power steering fails suddenly with no warning while vehicle is in motion at highway or low speeds. Power steering warning light or 'Service Power Steering' message appears on dash. Steering wheel becomes extremely difficult or impossible to turn, requiring tremendous physical force. Failure typically resolves after vehicle is shut off and restarted.

When: Reported at various speeds and locations: highway at 70 MPH (I-95), city streets, parking lots, low-speed turns. Some repeat occurrences within same trip or days apart.

Symptoms owners cite: Complete loss of power steering assistance; Steering wheel becomes very stiff/hard to turn; Service power steering warning light or message on dash; Vehicle may jolt or shake when power steering fails; Steering wheel extremely difficult to control without power assistance; Requires tremendous force with both hands to steer; Failure occurs without warning

Repairs/costs cited: Dealerships diagnosed defective electric power steering rack at approximately 37,000 miles ($3,700 out of pocket). One owner had replacement part on backorder for several weeks. Replacement failed again 4 days after repair; second failure suggests recurring defect or defective replacement part.

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler and Jeep dealership declined responsibility and required out-of-pocket repair. One owner reported Jeep advised returning to service for potentially defective part installation after second failure.

Steering wheel suddenly becomes locked or seized, preventing the driver from turning the wheel at low or high speeds. Occurs while parking, turning, or during normal driving. Typically resolves after vehicle is shut off and restarted.

When: Reported at various driving conditions: parking lot exit, low-speed turns at intersections, highway driving, reversing into driveway.

Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel suddenly locks/seizes; Unable to turn wheel or extreme difficulty turning; Can occur at low speeds (parking) or high speeds (highway); Vehicle may stall or lose power steering simultaneously; Failure resolves after vehicle shutdown and restart; Check engine light or service transmission light may illuminate

Repairs/costs cited: Dealership speculated software reset needed; attempted repair unsuccessful and failure persisted. One dealer identified power steering module needing replacement but did not repair. Another case involved battery charge attempt with no diagnosis.

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified but offered no assistance. Dealerships unable to diagnose or replicate the issue. Software updates attempted without resolution.

Wheel shimmy or vibration in the front end, particularly during acceleration from a stop or turning, feels like a loose CV joint. Vibration can be felt in steering wheel and frame. Most noticeable during right-hand turns with acceleration.

When: Noticed shortly after purchase; occurs during acceleration from complete stop and when turning right, even without accelerating. Intermittent at other speeds.

Symptoms owners cite: Wheel shimmy sensation in front end; Vibration felt in steering wheel; Sensation like loose CV joint; Occurs during right-hand turns at acceleration; Can occur from complete stop without turning; Feels like vibration in frame

Repairs/costs cited: Dealer test drove new Cherokee model and confirmed same sensation; stated 'that's the way they are.' Components checked tight with no visible wear at 2,500 miles. Owner advised to continue driving and dealer would repair only after complete failure occurs.

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer instructed owner to return to dealer. Dealer unable to replicate during test drive despite obvious issue during owner operation. No warranty repair offered.

Power steering becomes very stiff or hard to turn at low speeds, particularly during parking, low-speed turns, or deceleration. Owner must apply excessive force to turn wheel. Condition may worsen with brake application.

When: Reported at low speeds: parking lot turns, intersection turns, reversing, low-speed deceleration.

Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel very hard/stiff to turn; Excessive force required to steer at low speed; Hardness during parking and turning; May worsen when brakes applied and speed decreases; Check engine light may illuminate

Repairs/costs cited: One case involved software reset attempted; another case (post-recall) recurred immediately after S-55 recall software update, suggesting the update may have introduced new steering issue.

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealerships unable to replicate issue or provide diagnosis. One technician could not replicate after owner turned off vehicle in service lane.

Grinding and dragging noise when turning steering wheel in cooler or cold temperatures, occurring both right and left turns. Noise present both stationary and moving until vehicle warms up after 4-5 minutes of driving. Problem recurs with each cold spell.

When: Occurs in cooler and cold temperatures from when vehicle was brand new. Repeats every cold spell. Resolves after 4-5 minutes of driving once engine warms up.

Symptoms owners cite: Grinding noise when turning steering wheel left and right; Dragging noise when turning; Noise occurs stationary and while driving; Noise present until vehicle warms up after 4-5 minutes of driving; Recurs every cold spell

Repairs/costs cited: Chrysler dealers have TSB on this problem; strut lubrication performed but problem reappears within a week or never fully resolves. Owners speculate strut mounting bushings or struts themselves may need replacement.

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Technical Service Bulletin exists for this issue. Lubrication temporary fix (if it works at all). No permanent recall remedy offered.

Steering column produces loud grinding noise, louder than a 40-year-old truck despite being a new $40,000+ vehicle. Persistent problem that dealership claims is normal.

When: Ongoing issue since purchase.

Symptoms owners cite: Loud grinding noise from steering column

Repairs/costs cited: Owner expressed concern about severity of noise for price of vehicle.

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership stated this is a normal sound.

Vehicle stalls and simultaneously loses power steering, or experiences difficult steering when transmission malfunctions. Transmission failure (hard shifts, inability to shift) occurs with steering system problems.

When: At various speeds: parking, intersections, highways, reversing.

Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle stalls while driving; Power steering lost simultaneously with stall; Steering wheel becomes difficult to turn during transmission failure; Service transmission light appears with steering issues; Vehicle difficult to steer when stalled

Codes mentioned: Service transmission, Shift to park, Shift to desired gear

Repairs/costs cited: Transmission replacement and software updates attempted. Multiple repairs did not resolve steering issues accompanying transmission failure.

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Multiple software updates and transmission replacement performed but did not resolve issues. Dealer stated transmission control software update (NHTSA Campaign 19V447000) performed but did not fix problem.

Steering system failure appears linked to broader electrical or computer system malfunction. Screen freezes, multiple warning lights appear (parking brake, transmission, brakes, 4WD), and steering becomes stiff or locks. Symptoms resolve after vehicle shutdown and restart.

When: Intermittent, occurring at various times: red lights, during braking, after activating infotainment systems.

Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel becomes stiff or locks; Dashboard screen freezes; Multiple warning lights illuminate (parking brake, transmission, brake, traction control, 4WD); Phone charging port loses power when screen freezes; Service light flashes then disappears; Brakes may lock simultaneously with steering issues; Issues resolve after shutdown and restart

Repairs/costs cited: One owner reported dealership unaware of issue; another noted technician diagnosed 3 software upgrades needed but upgrades did not resolve problem. Technician stated vehicle unsafe to drive and called for Chrysler engineer consultation.

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Software upgrades attempted multiple times without resolution. Dealership technician noted vehicle 'not safe to drive' and failed three test runs. Owner was told 'you may be ahead of a recall issue.'