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 ↗2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee steering problems
severe Owners of the 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee have filed 16 NHTSA complaints about the steering, typically surfacing around 20,000 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
16
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
| Model year | steering complaints |
|---|---|
| 2012 Grand Cherokee | 99 |
| 2013 Grand Cherokee | 26 |
| 2014 Grand Cherokee | 81 |
| 2015 Grand Cherokee | 40 |
| 2016 Grand Cherokee (this page) | 16 |
| 2017 Grand Cherokee | 18 |
| 2018 Grand Cherokee | 14 |
| 2019 Grand Cherokee | 14 |
| 2020 Grand Cherokee | 13 |
2crashes
When does it fail?
Of the 16 steering complaints filed for the 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 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
No new NHTSA steering complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 7 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
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 ↗Electric Power Steering Gear If any of the following DTCs exist, it is okay to replace the steering gear: C2217-00, C15C1-00 (EPS Mechanical Performance) or C15DB-00 (Latch Active) otherwise perform the following; 1) Electrical, Communication or DTC (other then above) issue please contact: Terry Gavit @ cell (248) 882-6108 terry.gavit@fcagroup.com Engineering is requesting a copy of Vehicle Scan Report (VSR) to be emailed to the above address. 2) Noise or Mechanical issue please contact: Ruth Delong @ cell (810) 569-0354.~ If you do not receive a return call within 15 minutes, proceed with the repair.~ Please be sure to attach a copy of the Vehicle Scan Report on the repair order
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Electric Power Steering Gear If any of the following DTCs exist, it is okay to replace the steering gear: C2217-00, C15C1-00 (EPS Mechanical Performance) or C15DB-00 (Latch Active) otherwise perform the following; 1) Electrical, Communication or DTC (other then above) issue please contact: Terry Gavit @ cell (248) 882-6108 terry.gavit@fcagroup.com Engineering is requesting a copy of Vehicle Scan Report (VSR) to be emailed to the above address. 2) Noise or Mechanical issue please contact: Ruth Delong @ cell (810) 569-0354.~ If you do not receive a return call within 15 minutes, proceed with the repair.~ Please be sure to attach a copy of the Vehicle Scan Report on the repair order
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners describe six distinct steering failures. The most common is power-steering loss—the assist simply quits, usually between 36K and 55K miles but reported as early as 5K miles, making the wheel hard or impossible to turn. A warning light typically appears. Turning the vehicle off and on temporarily fixes it in some cases, but it recurs.
Steering rack and pinion lockup is a second failure mode. The assembly freezes and cannot move; it cannot be repaired and requires full replacement (documented at $5,020).
Vehicle veering—pulling hard left or right, especially at highway speeds—is reported across multiple complaints. One owner hydroplaned after the vehicle shifted left and lost acceleration. Dealerships have told owners this behavior is by design.
Death wobble during towing is distinct: when the 2016 Grand Cherokee is towed and hits a bump while turning, uncontrolled side-to-side oscillation makes the tow vehicle unsafe. Jeep has a fix (harness adapter) for 2014–2015 Cherokee models but no service bulletin for the 2016 Grand Cherokee as of these complaints.
An EPS short caused complete electrical failure while driving 30 MPH. Electronic Stability Control, Cruise Control, and Traction Control going offline is also reported, with one owner unable to maintain a straight line over bumps.
Several owners have visited dealerships multiple times without resolution.
Same Jeep Grand Cherokee steering reports on nearby years: 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2017 · 2018
Failure modes owners describe
Death wobble during towing
When the vehicle is being towed and encounters a bump while turning, uncontrolled side-to-side steering oscillation occurs that makes the towing vehicle difficult to control. The wobbling stops once towing is halted and driving resumes.
When: Occurs during recreational towing when hitting bumps while turning
Symptoms owners cite: Uncontrolled steering of front wheels; Side-to-side wobbling motion when towed over bumps; Loss of steering control; Violent movement of vehicle during tow
Repairs/costs cited: Jeep has issued a service bulletin and harness adapter fix for 2014–2015 Cherokee models with similar electronic steering issue; no bulletin or fix offered for 2016 Grand Cherokee as of complaint date
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Jeep stated they will develop a fix once enough owners complain; currently advising owners to use four-wheel-down trailer towing instead of flat towing
Power steering failure—loss of assist
Electric power steering system loses assist, making the steering wheel difficult or impossible to turn. Symptoms often resolve temporarily after powering the vehicle off and on again, or may persist until repair.
When: Failures reported between 36K and 55K miles; one incident at 5 MPH turning, others at highway speeds (40–73 MPH)
Symptoms owners cite: Hard-to-turn steering wheel; Power steering warning light illuminated; Loss of power steering assist; Power steering unavailable message on dashboard; Steering becomes difficult to control in either direction
Codes mentioned: C2217
Repairs/costs cited: Steering rack and pinion replacement required ($5,020 in one case); EPS module reset has provided temporary relief (6 months in one case) before failure recurs; dealership repair or independent mechanic replacement
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified in multiple cases; no assistance offered; dealership unable to reproduce issue in some cases
Steering rack and pinion lockup
Steering rack and pinion assembly becomes frozen in position and cannot be moved. The component cannot be repaired and must be replaced.
When: Reported at 33,040 miles; one case during low-speed left turn (5 MPH)
Symptoms owners cite: Front wheels frozen in turning position; Unable to move steering wheels; Steering locked up
Repairs/costs cited: Steering rack and pinion assembly replacement required; cannot be disassembled or repaired; one documented cost of $5,020
Vehicle veering left or right—inability to maintain straight line
Vehicle pulls strongly to one side (typically left) or veers across lanes at highway speeds, requiring constant steering wheel correction. Vehicle may veer uncontrollably during precipitation or over road imperfections. In one case, hydroplaning and 180-degree spin occurred after vehicle shifted left and lost acceleration.
When: Reported as early as 5,000 miles; failures at 40–73 MPH highway speeds
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle pulls to left or right; Veering across two-lane road; Inability to drive in straight line; Shifting to left while driving; Hydroplaning and loss of control; Loud pop from front driver tire area; Does not stay in straight line when hitting potholes or bumps
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership initially claimed vehicle was designed to perform that way (not repaired); no repair notes in other cases; independent mechanics unable to diagnose noise in some cases
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified but no remedy described
Electronic power steering system short—complete electrical shutdown
Electric power steering system short causes complete electrical failure of the vehicle while driving at low speed (30 MPH). Vehicle stalls, warning lights illuminate, unrelated systems malfunction (horn sounds, lift-gate opens), and dashboard displays false warning that vehicle is not in park despite being in park.
When: Occurred at approximately 30 MPH
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle jolts and engine stalls; Complete electrical shutdown; Multiple stall attempts; All lights illuminated; False 'not in park' warning message; Horn sounds multiple times; Lift-gate opens on its own
Repairs/costs cited: EPS system repaired by dealership
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Covered under extended warranty
Electronic stability control, cruise control, and traction control offline
Electronic Stability Control, Cruise Control, and Traction Control systems go offline without warning. Vehicle is unable to maintain straight line when hitting potholes or bumps.
When: Timing not specified
Symptoms owners cite: ESC offline; Cruise control offline; Traction control offline; Vehicle does not stay in straight line over bumps or potholes
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership unable to diagnose or resolve
Synthesized from 16 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
2016 Jeep grand cherrokee was making left 90 degree turn at approx 5 MPH on an a non-public city airport access road, hit a small golf cart and stopped. Damage to the golf cart was minor and consisted of broken plastic parts. Visible damage to the Jeep was a dented license plate. The front wheel were frozen in the left turn position and could not be moved. The vehicle was towed to a Jeep dealer,…
While driving to nashville, tn we were driving between 65 - 73 MPH with speed control and hit slower traffic it felt like the vehicle lost power steering. The steering was hard to handle on the Jeep. It would pull either left or right and wouldn't seem to go straight. We could stop the vehicle and turn it off and the steering would be fine again for a while. I took my Jeep back to the dealer…
My 2016 Jeep grand cherokee pulls to left extremely hard on highway speeds to the point my vehicle will turn on its own on the highway and I have to adjust the steering wheel constantly to the right to avoid hitting into a wall or other object turning my car into a death trap. It has been into Jeep 5 times and the problem has still not been fixed.
Had steering trouble with your 2016 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 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
It's a meaningful issue. 16 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 13 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 6,200 and 44,000 miles, with the median around 20,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 6,200; a quarter make it past 44,000. 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/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.