Should I buy a 2016 Chrysler 200 with documented steering problems?

Depends on the price and the specific vehicle. Documented steering issues should be priced into the purchase — if the seller is asking full retail, negotiate down by the expected repair cost. A pre-purchase inspection from an independent shop tells you whether THIS specific vehicle has already shown the symptoms or not.

2016 Chrysler 200 steering problems

severe 23 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →

Failure mileage

Complaints

Recalls

Avg fix

$700

2crashes

1injury

When does it fail?

Of the 23 steering complaints filed for the 2016 Chrysler 200, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 mi.

0-25k

0 (0%)

25-50k

0 (0%)

50-75k

0 (0%)

75-100k

1 (100%)

100-125k

0 (0%)

125-150k

0 (0%)

150k+

0 (0%)

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 6 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.

Related recalls

severe NHTSA 16V589000 August 10, 2016

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chrysler 200 vehicles manufactured May 24, 2016, to May 25, 2016

If the chassis fastener joints are improperly torqued they may loosen and fail or fall out, reducing steering and handling capability and increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Chrysler has notified owners, and dealers will inspect the joints and tighten or replace the fasteners, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on September 2, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S59.

The failure pattern owners describe

Buyer takeaway: The 2016 Chrysler 200 has a serious pattern of undiagnosed electrical and steering failures—especially power steering shutdowns and engine stalls at highway speeds—that strike without warning and can strand you in traffic or intersections with locked steering and no brakes. Even at low mileage (under 20K) these issues can cause crashes, and dealers often cannot diagnose them because no trouble codes appear.

The 2016 Chrysler 200 steering system is subject to a cascade of failures that center on loss of power steering and engine shutdown during active driving. Owners report the engine cuts out completely at any speed—20 mph in town, 40–70 mph on the highway—triggered by turns, acceleration, or hard braking, sometimes with no warning at all. When it happens, the steering wheel locks instantly, brakes become rock-hard, and the car displays a "SHIFT TO P TO START" message. Restart often requires battery disconnection or three to five separate attempts.

The pattern repeats around 45K–96K miles but strikes as early as 19,000 miles in some cars. Many owners report the steering wheel seizes or becomes extraordinarily stiff during turns, pulling the vehicle hard to one side; one crash at 40 mph resulted in a tree strike and axle detachment. The dashboard lighting cascade is common: battery, transmission, parking brake, ABS, and traction control lights fire simultaneously, yet dealers cannot find diagnostic codes. Tie rod fractures have caused collisions. Some owners describe the transmission slipping into neutral or refusing to shift smoothly, accompanied by hard jerking or stalling on acceleration.

Notably, the 2015 model year was recalled for identical steering issues; the 2016 was not, despite owners reporting the same problems. Dealers consistently state they cannot diagnose these failures and have no repair procedures. A recall (Campaign 16V589000) was issued but parts remain unavailable.

Same Chrysler 200 steering reports on nearby years: 2013 · 2014 · 2015

Failure modes owners describe

Electronic Power Steering Shutdown During Driving

Complete loss of power steering and vehicle engine shutdown while driving at various speeds, often triggered by turning or braking. The vehicle loses all electrical control, steering locks, and requires battery disconnect or restart to recover. This occurs unpredictably and affects driver safety in active traffic.

When: Typically at 45K–96K miles; occurs within a few years of ownership. Triggered by sharp turns, hard braking, or normal driving conditions.

Symptoms owners cite: Power steering warning light illuminates; Steering wheel seizes or becomes extremely stiff; Engine shuts off completely while driving; Service transmission warning message appears; Loss of brake power (hard pedal); brakes lock; Vehicle displayed 'SHIFT TO P TO START' message; Traction control light illuminates; Battery warning light comes on; No restart without battery disconnect or multiple attempts; Electrical system flickers uncontrollably on startup

Codes mentioned: U0001, U1504

Repairs/costs cited: Dealers unable to diagnose without codes. Some owners report replacement of entire steering systems, transmission, airbag wiring harness, headlight harness, and ignition module. One owner reported $2,989 in repairs for electrical and suspension issues; another was quoted $600 diagnostic fee with no resolution. No parts availability for recall repair (Campaign 16V589000).

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 16V589000 issued for steering/structure/suspension on 2016 Chrysler 200; parts were unavailable at time of complaint. 2015 model year was recalled for the same issue. Manufacturer directed one owner to track oil changes rather than repair. Manufacturer acknowledged 'safety feature' of power steering failure kills engine but offered no alternative solution.

Steering Wheel Hardness and Control Loss During Turns

Steering wheel becomes extremely stiff or difficult to turn during normal operation, particularly during turns or acceleration. The hardness is intermittent and unpredictable, sometimes resolving on its own. In severe cases, the steering locks completely, causing vehicle to pull hard to one side.

When: Occurs sporadically during ownership; one crash reported at 19,000 miles; another at early ownership stages.

Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel suddenly becomes stiff and hard to turn; Steering wheel locks up while driving; Vehicle pulls hard to one side (right or left) without driver input; Intermittent hardness—not present every drive; Steering locks during right turns; wheel erroneously turns left during left turns (ESC malfunction); Requires excessive force to turn wheel

Repairs/costs cited: One vehicle crashed into a tree at 40 mph when steering seized and pulled right, causing axle detachment; vehicle not repaired by dealer. Steering angle sensor replacement mentioned in one complaint (code U1504).

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer investigated one crash and stated it was simply a tree collision with no further assistance. 2015 models were recalled for this steering issue; 2016 model not initially recalled despite identical symptoms.

Tie Rod Fracture and Suspension Failure

Tie rod fractures during normal driving, causing vehicle to shake violently and lose steering control. This structural failure has caused crashes and injuries.

When: Occurred at 40 mph during normal driving conditions.

Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle shakes violently; Tie rod fractures; Loss of steering control; Vehicle crashes into other vehicles

Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle totaled and destroyed; not repaired.

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer was notified but no recall or repair assistance documented.

Engine Stalling and Loss of Power on Acceleration or During Turns

Engine stalls or loses power while driving, especially during acceleration from a stop, hard turns, or merging on freeways. Engine revs high but vehicle does not move, or engine cuts out completely. Vehicle must be restarted multiple times (up to 3–5 attempts) before responding.

When: Occurs across multiple driving scenarios; at 20–70 mph; during acceleration, turning, and braking for lights. One owner reported occurring since purchase in March 2016.

Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls at stops or during acceleration; Engine shuts off while driving with no warning; Engine revs high but vehicle won't pick up speed; Engine hesitates and dies with no check engine light; Transmission slips or appears to shift to neutral unexpectedly; Service transmission warning message displays; Vehicle requires 2–5 restart attempts to run properly; Difficulty accelerating; delayed throttle response

Repairs/costs cited: No codes thrown when failure occurs, making diagnosis difficult. One owner had transmission replaced due to internal hole; another had ignition replaced due to wiring/program issues.

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers unable to determine root cause or provide lasting repairs. One dealer only recommended oil change tracking.

Parking Brake and Transmission Shift Issues

Parking brake activates on its own without driver input during normal driving transitions (shifting between R and D). Transmission shift selector flashes or locks, preventing normal gear selection or causing erratic shifting.

When: Occurs during gear changes and normal driving transitions; one owner reported event a few months before main steering failure episode.

Symptoms owners cite: Parking brake engages on its own; Gear selector flashes on and off; Difficulty changing gears or selector locks; Erratic transmission behavior

Electronic Stability Control Malfunction

Electronic stability control (ESC) warning light illuminates unexpectedly and system appears to interfere with normal steering, causing the steering wheel to turn erratically during turns in the opposite direction of driver input.

When: At low speeds during right and left turns; one incident at 29,530 miles.

Symptoms owners cite: Electronic stability control warning light illuminates; Steering wheel turns opposite to driver input (e.g., pulls left during right turn); Vehicle stability indicator turns out; Vehicle becomes unstable or difficult to control

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Not diagnosed or repaired by dealer.

Dashboard Electrical Failures and Warning Light Cascades

Multiple dashboard warning lights illuminate simultaneously or in rapid succession—including battery, transmission, parking brake, ABS, traction control, and service engine lights—without clear corresponding failures. This often occurs during restart sequences and suggests deeper electrical or PCM issues.

When: Occurs intermittently during driving and on startup; one event documented in April 2021.

Symptoms owners cite: Multiple dashboard lights come on simultaneously (transmission, parking brake, ABS, traction control, battery lights); Lights flicker during startup and driving; Dashboard flashes unknown warning messages; All electrical systems appear to malfunction at once

Repairs/costs cited: No repairs completed in most cases; dealers unable to find codes explaining cascading lights.

Synthesized from 23 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.

What owners are reporting 2 most recent

steering · 95,000 mi · filed 12/27/2019

Car has shut off while driving last few weeks. It happened. As soon as I turned onto a road, going 20-30 MPH, it has happened while trying to merge onto the freeway. The car just stalls, says "place in p to start" and then dies. The gearshift and wheel lock up and you have to turn the car off and attempt to restart. Each time I had to try at least 3 times to get the car restarted. All lights come…

steering · filed 12/27/2019

The car has to much torque that the vehicle slides and loses control and almost caused an accident. The steering is to lose when I turn it moves to quick and the movement of the vehicle can't catch up.

Had steering trouble with your 2016 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 2016 Chrysler 200?

It's a meaningful issue. 23 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 16 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 29,530 and 59,346 miles, with the median around 47,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 29,530; a quarter make it past 59,346. 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?

Yes — 1 active recall(s) cover steering issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.

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/2016/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.