When driving my 2016 Jeep cherokee the vehicle has died out completely on me in the middle of driving. While driving there is a ding noise followed by a message on my dash board that says put car in park then switch into gear, when I am already in drive and driving then the car stops and the brakes and steering locks up completely the battery light flashes then the whole dash goes black. Then I…
2016 Jeep Cherokee steering problems
severe 53 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
53
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
3crashes
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 53 steering complaints filed for the 2016 Jeep Cherokee, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 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 53 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.
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.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Driving at night in the rain on the highway 60 MPH. Lost power steering, brakes, forward warning collision and other controls. Lost control of the vehicle crash into the embankment. Almost rolled the vehicle. Dealer stated steering modular failed and replaced steering rack and pinon system. Dealer stated 12 active computer codes shut down all of above functions. Dealer stated computer…
Had steering trouble with your 2016 Jeep 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 2016 Jeep Cherokee?
It's a meaningful issue. 53 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 42 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 20,673 and 60,000 miles, with the median around 50,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 20,673; 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.
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/2016/Jeep/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.