Improper Up Shift With Paddle Shift This bulletin involves replacing both steering wheel paddle shifter. Customers may experience the following:When trying to upshift using the paddle shifter on the steering, the transmission will downshift instead.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee steering problems
severe Owners of the 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee have filed 40 NHTSA complaints about the steering, typically surfacing around 38,500 miles at roughly $700 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
40
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
| Model year | steering complaints |
|---|---|
| 2011 Grand Cherokee | 86 |
| 2012 Grand Cherokee | 99 |
| 2013 Grand Cherokee | 26 |
| 2014 Grand Cherokee | 81 |
| 2015 Grand Cherokee (this page) | 40 |
| 2016 Grand Cherokee | 16 |
| 2017 Grand Cherokee | 18 |
| 2018 Grand Cherokee | 14 |
| 2019 Grand Cherokee | 14 |
3crashes
2injuries
What stands out
Owners have filed 40 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.
Improper Up Shift With Paddle Shift This bulletin involves replacing both steering wheel paddle shifter. Customers may experience the following:When trying to upshift using the paddle shifter on the steering, the transmission will downshift instead.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Hands On Steering Wheel Message In EVIC
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Flash: Heated Steering Wheel Temperature Enhancement Depending on vehicle architecture: This bulletin involves updating the Comfort Seat and Wheel Module (CSWM) software for the KL/UF vehicles or the Heated Seat Module (HSM) software for the W3/WK/WD/LD/LA & LX vehicles. A customer may describe that the heated steering wheel shuts off to soon, usually after 30 seconds and does not achieve satisfactory temperature. This is an intermittent condition and more noticeable at temps below 19.5°C (67.1°F).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Flash: Heated Steering Wheel Temperature Enhancement Depending on vehicle architecture: This bulletin involves updating the Comfort Seat and Wheel Module (CSWM) software for the KL/UF vehicles or the Heated Seat Module (HSM) software for the **W3**/WK/WD/LD/LA & LX vehicles. A customer may describe that the heated steering wheel shuts off to soon, usually after 30 seconds and does not achieve satisfactory temperature. This is an intermittent condition and more noticeable at temps below 19.5°C (67.1°F).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Power steering failures dominate these 40 complaints, ranging from sudden complete loss to slow leaks that wreck the steering rack. Multiple owners lost all steering control without warning—one hit a guardrail after losing steering and brakes simultaneously at highway speed; another's rental flipped three times after the wheel locked up at 10 mph.
Leaking steering racks emerge as the most common issue, with owners discovering fluid pooling in garages or engine bays at mileages as low as 13,000 miles. Replacement costs run $2,000–$2,600, and one owner needed a third rack in four years at 40,000 miles. Several dealerships initially deny leaks exist or claim the fluid merely evaporates—a claim owners contest because the fluid drops predictably every 500 miles.
Power steering pump and electronic module failures strike without pattern. One owner waited seven weeks for a replacement pump in winter, then faced another three-month delay. Another spent months chasing a steering wheel wobble between 70–80 mph, exhausting tire replacements, alignments, rack replacement, and bearing work with no resolution.
Parts scarcity plagues repairs. One owner reported faulty wiring in a harness that Jeep no longer manufactures. Long backorders leave vehicles undrivable for weeks.
High-pitched whistling noises, complete electrical power loss combined with steering failure, and steering column module problems also appear in complaints. Some owners note this mirrors recalled issues on earlier Jeep models.
Same Jeep Grand Cherokee steering reports on nearby years: 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2016 · 2017
Failure modes owners describe
Power steering pump failure
Complete loss of power steering functionality without warning, requiring pump replacement. Long lead times and parts scarcity reported.
When: As early as 10 months of ownership; across various mileages
Symptoms owners cite: Complete loss of power steering; Extremely difficult to steer; Sudden onset while driving or stationary
Repairs/costs cited: Power steering pump replacement; extended parts backorder (weeks to months reported)
Power steering hose and clamp failure
Power steering hose detachment or leakage due to defective compression couplings and clamps. Hose becomes loose or disconnected, causing fluid loss and loss of steering.
When: As early as 443 miles, 500 miles, and within first few years
Symptoms owners cite: Complete loss of power steering while driving at highway and city speeds; Difficult to maneuver steering wheel; Oil smell in engine compartment; Power steering fluid all over engine compartment
Repairs/costs cited: Power steering hose replacement; in some cases simple re-attachment with same compression coupling performed
Steering rack and pinion leaks
Power steering fluid leaks from the steering rack and pinion assembly, including from boots and both ends of the steering box. Owners report this as a widespread problem across multiple model years with history of prior recalls.
When: Reported at 13,000 miles, 45,000 miles, 57,000 miles, 80,000 miles; some discovered on routine service
Symptoms owners cite: Low power steering fluid; Leak discovered under vehicle; Fluid pooling in garage or engine compartment; Steering difficulty when fluid level drops
Repairs/costs cited: Full steering rack replacement required; costs cited at $2,000–$2,600. One owner on third replacement in 4 years at 40K miles.
Electronic power steering module failure
Electronic steering control module failure resulting in loss of power steering capability. Multiple dealership visits often required to diagnose.
When: As early as 24,169 miles; also reported at various mileages with intermittent failure
Symptoms owners cite: Complete loss of power steering without warning; Loss of steering while driving or stationary; Intermittent power steering loss; Low voltage fluctuation to electronic power steering
Repairs/costs cited: Steering control module replacement; extended parts backorder reported; one owner reported faulty wiring in harness that cannot be replaced because part no longer manufactured
Steering wheel wobble and vibration at highway speeds
Steering wheel wobbles or shakes at speeds above 60–70 mph. Persists after extensive dealer diagnostics including tire replacement, wheel balancing, alignment, rack and pinion replacement, wheel bearing replacement, and shock replacement.
When: Starting around 26K miles and continuing throughout ownership; one case reported after routine road driving
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel wobbles between 70–80 mph; Shaking at speeds over 60 mph; Trembling while driving; Continues despite tire, alignment, and suspension work
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple repair attempts: tire replacements (twice), road force balances, high-speed balances, alignments (several), rack and pinion replacement, front wheel bearing assemblies replacement, new shocks. Unresolved after all repairs.
Power steering fluid evaporation or unexplained loss
Power steering fluid level drops below minimum repeatedly, with dealerships attributing it to normal evaporation. Owners dispute this claim and suspect slow leaks not visible during stationary inspection.
When: As early as 6,000 miles; ongoing throughout ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Low power steering fluid without visible leak at dealership; Fluid drops approximately every 500 miles; Reservoir left low from factory; Requires repeated topping off
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers recommend topping off fluid when necessary; no permanent repair offered. Owner concerns: behaves like brake fluid loss rather than true evaporation.
Steering wheel seizure
Steering wheel locked or seized suddenly without warning, causing loss of all steering control. One incident resulted in vehicle flipping three times.
When: Reported at 10 mph; at 16,890 miles on rental vehicle
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel suddenly seized or locked; Complete loss of steering control; No warning before failure
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle destroyed; not repaired or diagnosed. Resulted in crash with flipping.
Complete power loss with steering, brakes, and engine simultaneous failure
Vehicle loses all electrical power including steering, brakes, and engine simultaneously while driving. Engine stalls and vehicle shifts into neutral. Related to electrical system voltage fluctuations and potential wiring harness issues.
When: Reported while driving; one incident at 15 mph, others at highway speeds
Symptoms owners cite: Complete loss of power to steering, brakes, and engine at same time; Engine stalls without warning; Vehicle shifts into neutral; Engine and steering fail together; Collision warning activates
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle towed to dealership; one case noted faulty wiring in harness that cannot be replaced (part no longer manufactured)
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified; voltage fluctuation issues noted but not resolved in some cases
Steering column module failure
Steering column module malfunction causing loss of rear camera proximity lines and rear camera functions. Also affects airbag systems if not repaired.
When: At 70,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Rear camera proximity lines failed; No warning indicators illuminated; Would affect airbags if not repaired
Repairs/costs cited: Steering column module replacement needed; vehicle not repaired at time of report
Power steering noise and performance concerns
High-pitched whistling noise from power steering system when turning. Dealership claims normal operation but manufacturer involvement sought.
When: At 24,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: High-pitched whistling noise when turning left or right; Noise occurs at stationary and low speeds
Repairs/costs cited: No repair performed; dealership stated condition is normal
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer made aware; referred contact to NHTSA
Synthesized from 40 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
While driving my vehicle on the highway, the steering wheel locked up and it put itself into neutral. The abs system notification and another light was active and my jeep stated my vehicle was going too fast for the gear it was in. The abs breaking system bypassed the nss safety feature in my jeep causing me to go off the road as a I lost all control of the steering in my vehicle. Upon a check by…
Had steering trouble with your 2015 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 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
It's a meaningful issue. 40 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 28 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 16,890 and 58,500 miles, with the median around 38,500. A quarter of owners report trouble before 16,890; a quarter make it past 58,500. 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/2015/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.