Hands On Steering Wheel Message In EVIC
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2015 Jeep Patriot steering problems
severe 29 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
29
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
1crash
2fires
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 29 steering complaints filed for the 2015 Jeep Patriot, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 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
Owners have filed 29 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 11 model years of Jeep Patriot in our records for steering problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
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.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2015 Patriot's steering system shows a pattern of critical failures. Most common: sudden loss of power steering accompanied by engine stalling at various speeds, including highway driving. Owners report the steering wheel locks or becomes immovable when this occurs, creating dangerous situations with limited control to pull off the road. Several owners mention the anti-skid light illuminating during these events. Some experience persistent pulling to the right, even after alignment attempts; a few report jerking hard right without warning. Low-mileage vehicles (under 5,000 miles) show steering issues early. One owner reported fractured tie rods at 4,000 miles. One vehicle caught fire related to a steering recall (15V878000 for power steering hose clamp). A separate fire incident occurred five hours after an oil change with wheels locking and smoke under the hood. Multiple owners note 2016 Patriots were recalled for stalling/loss of power steering, but 2015 models remain unrecalled despite identical complaints dating back years. Dealers often cannot diagnose the problem or find nothing wrong during test drives, yet failures recur after repairs. Some owners mention error codes like P0335 (crankshaft sensor) and limp mode activation. Water entry has also been reported in association with the steering recall.
Same Jeep Patriot steering reports on nearby years: 2012 · 2014 · 2016
Failure modes owners describe
Engine stalling with power steering loss
Engine completely shuts off while driving at various speeds, causing loss of power steering. Steering wheel locks or becomes impossible to turn. Vehicle must be restarted to resume operation. Occurs without warning lights or with only anti-skid light illuminating. Happens on highways, city streets, and even at stop lights.
When: Various speeds and road conditions; early complaints around 35,000-40,000 miles, but reported as early as 1,500 miles and as late as 124,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Engine shuts off completely while driving; Power steering fails simultaneously; Steering wheel locks or cannot turn; Vehicle loses all propulsion; RPMs drop to zero; Anti-skid light may illuminate; No warning lights before event in many cases; Check engine light may come on after event
Codes mentioned: P0335 (Crankshaft Position Sensor A Circuit), Error messages indicating gas and brake engaged simultaneously
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership diagnostics often fail to recreate or identify the problem. Some owners report PCM and TCM updates performed without success. Sensor chip replacement attempted. No effective repair found in multiple cases.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: 2016 Patriot recall (16-V-907) addresses crankshaft/camshaft sensor wire harness. Owners cite years of complaints in forums without resolution. Customer Care unable to help until problem is documented at dealership.
Steering pulling or jerking right
Vehicle pulls hard to the right consistently, even after alignment attempts. Some owners report sudden jerking motions to the right without warning, nearly causing crashes into barriers or other vehicles.
When: Reported as early as new (within days of purchase at 22 miles). Persistent across various mileages and speeds, particularly noticeable over 60 mph.
Symptoms owners cite: Hard pulling to the right; Sudden jerking motions to the right; Difficult steering wheel maneuver; Pulling gets worse over time; Occurs during highway driving over 60 mph
Repairs/costs cited: Alignment performed without resolving the issue. Dealership reassurance that vehicle is aligned does not fix the problem.
Fractured tie rods
Both tie rods diagnosed as fractured, requiring replacement. Steering wheel becomes difficult to maneuver during turns.
When: At 4,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Difficulty maneuvering steering wheel during turns; Right turn steering resistance
Repairs/costs cited: Diagnosed as fractured tie rods needing replacement. Vehicle was not repaired per complaint.
Uncontrolled acceleration and brake failure
Vehicle accelerates out of control with unresponsive brakes. Cruise control continues to accelerate beyond set point. Vehicle behaves as if in neutral when attempting to accelerate. Error code indicates gas and brake engaged simultaneously.
When: Less than 1,500 miles on vehicle
Symptoms owners cite: Uncontrolled acceleration; Brakes unresponsive to normal pressure; Cruise control continues accelerating; Vehicle behaves like it's in neutral during acceleration; Multiple instances in short timeframe
Codes mentioned: Error code indicating gas and brake engaged simultaneously
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple dealerships unable to diagnose or repair despite extended service time. Dealers state nothing wrong with vehicle.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Jeep Customer Care contacted but unable to provide resolution. Lack of dealer response.
Electronic throttle body failure
Throttle body fails, causing engine stalling, limp mode, and loss of drivability. Check engine light and throttle system notification come on before stalling. Issue recurs even after throttle body replacement.
When: Early in vehicle life; recurrence at later mileage (124,000 miles noted)
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls while driving; Vehicle enters limp mode; Check engine and throttle system lights illuminate; Vehicle becomes non-driveable; Sputtering during startup; Red lightning bolt flashing warning light
Repairs/costs cited: Throttle body replaced. Failure recurred. Replaced a second time; issue recurred again with second replacement also ineffective.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership initially misdiagnosed as battery and oil change issue.
Fire under hood
Two separate fire incidents reported: one explicitly linked to steering recall 15V878000 (power steering hose clamp), another occurring five hours after oil change with wheels locking.
When: One at 68,261 miles; another timing unclear but associated with recent oil change
Symptoms owners cite: Smoke under hood; Flames visible from under hood; Wheels locked (second incident)
Repairs/costs cited: First fire case: independent mechanic identified failure caused by NHTSA campaign 15V878000 (steering). Dealer deemed it a difficult case. Second fire: extinguished with water bottles by owner; no repairs documented.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Case 34002244 opened; manufacturer promised third-party fire investigator by May 4, 2018, but investigator never inspected vehicle and no repairs made. Power steering hose clamp recall 15V878000 applies; parts unavailable for extended periods.
Power steering hose clamp defect
Low-pressure power steering return hose may detach due to incorrectly installed hose clamp during manufacturing. Can cause large-volume power steering fluid leak and potential fire hazard.
When: Relates to NHTSA Campaign 15V878000
Symptoms owners cite: Power steering fluid leak; Hose detachment; Fire hazard
Repairs/costs cited: Recall parts frequently unavailable; owners placed on callback lists with no timeline for repair.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 15V878000 (steering). Repair parts in short supply, causing delays beyond reasonable timeframes per owners.
Steering knuckle cracking
Aftermarket Dorman loaded steering knuckles cracked during proper installation with torque wrench. Indicates possible design or manufacturing defect in the part or incompatibility with the vehicle.
When: During installation
Symptoms owners cite: Parts crack under proper torque application during installation
Repairs/costs cited: Cracking occurred when properly torqued; cause not determined.
Brakes seizing
Brake pedal depressed and brakes seized while attempting to avoid a collision. Steering wheel also difficult to maneuver. Resulted in crash and air bag non-deployment.
When: At 10,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Brakes seize during emergency braking; Steering wheel difficult to maneuver; Air bags failed to deploy
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle deemed destroyed; no repair data available.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified.
Vehicle jerking and acceleration loss
Vehicle suddenly jerks and loses acceleration capability. Occurs intermittently starting in May and continuing through June.
When: Starting May 2020
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden jerking; Loss of acceleration ability
Synthesized from 29 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
The contact owns a 2015 Jeep Patriot. The contact stated while driving at various speeds with the accelerator pedal depressed, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the vehicle was shifted to park and turned off. After waiting for several minutes, the vehicle was restarted and regained power; however, the vehicle was sputtering while starting. The check engine warning light illuminated…
Tl* the contact owns a 2015 Jeep patriot. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH and making a right turn, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that both tie rods were fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the…
Air bag cover rattles over 45 MPH has been doing this since mileage of about 1000 check engine light comes on with code p0128 faulty thermostat 2 times in the last month pulls to left over 60 MPH has been doing this since june has been back to dealership 2x
Had steering trouble with your 2015 Jeep Patriot?
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 Patriot?
It's a meaningful issue. 29 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 19 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 10,111 and 55,000 miles, with the median around 38,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 10,111; a quarter make it past 55,000. 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/2015/Jeep/Patriot.
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.