Hands On Steering Wheel Message In EVIC
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2016 Jeep Renegade steering problems
severe 15 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
15
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
1crash
6injuries
What stands out
Among the 5 model years of Jeep Renegade in our records for steering problems, this one ranks #2 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.
The customer may describe what appears to be a gap between the Jeep emblem and the liftgate of the vehicle. The Jeep emblem may separate from the liftgate using a high pressure water jet due to insufficient adhesive bond strength.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗The customer may describe what appears to be a gap between the Jeep emblem and the liftgate of the vehicle. The Jeep emblem may separate from the liftgate using a high pressure water jet due to insufficient adhesive bond strength.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2016 Jeep Renegades describe a pattern of sudden, complete loss of power steering, brakes, and engine power while driving, sometimes at just 400 miles. One owner at 40 mph and another at 65 mph lost all controls and steering locked solid; both had to wait for the engine to restart before regaining control. A third owner lost steering and brakes at highway speed and was hit by another vehicle; the shop still couldn't restart it afterward.
Power steering failures happen intermittently too. Owners report the steering wheel becoming rock-hard to turn, accompanied by "power steering assist failure" or "power steering system check" messages on the dash. These have occurred at 31,000 and 55,601 miles while driving.
When the car won't start, it's all system failures at once: steering wheel locked, brakes dead, engine cranking but not turning over, with warning lights screaming for ESC service, airbag service, steering service, and throttle work simultaneously.
Dealers have tried computer updates and power control module flashes, sometimes without determining the root cause. One owner reported a water pump as the culprit. Separately, four lug bolts all became swollen by 49,800 miles—far earlier than typical wear—preventing routine tire service. These are Chrysler/Jeep proprietary parts requiring dealer replacement.
Same Jeep Renegade steering reports on nearby years: 2015 · 2017 · 2018
Failure modes owners describe
Complete power loss and steering/brake lockup during driving
Engine, steering, and brakes all fail simultaneously while vehicle is in motion at highway speeds. Multiple dashboard warning lights illuminate. Vehicle becomes uncontrollable and must be shut off and restarted manually.
When: Various speeds: 40 mph, 60 mph, 65 mph, 50 mph; as early as 400 miles; early in vehicle ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Engine shuts off without warning; Power steering locks up; Brakes become unresponsive; Accelerator becomes unresponsive; Multiple dashboard warning lights (engine, parking brake, ESC, airbag, throttle, fuel shutoff); Vehicle drifts without driver control; Vehicle cannot be shifted into gear
Codes mentioned: Engine warning light, Power steering system check message, Power steering assist failure message, ESC (Electronic Stability Control) warning, Airbag service warning, Traction control warning, Fuel shutoff indicator
Repairs/costs cited: Computer updates performed at dealership; one case involved power control module flash; water pump replacement mentioned in one case; body shop unable to restart vehicle in another case
Intermittent power steering assist loss
Power steering assist fails or becomes extremely difficult, usually accompanied by dashboard warning messages. Loss can be intermittent or temporary, sometimes resolving after restart.
When: At 31,000 miles; at 55,601 miles; while driving at varying speeds including 75 mph
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel becomes very difficult to turn; Power steering assist failure message displayed; Power steering system check message displayed; Warning lights illuminate on dashboard; Steering difficulty while approaching red light; Steering difficulty while turning
Codes mentioned: Power steering system check, Power steering assist failure, Airbag system warning light
Repairs/costs cited: Power control module flashed at dealership; one case could not be diagnosed or repaired by dealer
Vehicle will not start or turn over with multiple system failures
Vehicle cranks but refuses to start, with multiple system warning messages appearing. Steering wheel locks in place, brakes inoperable, and various service warnings displayed simultaneously. Vehicle requires towing.
When: After breakfast at restaurant (no mileage specified); early in vehicle ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Engine cranks but will not start; Steering wheel cannot be turned; Brakes will not engage; Multiple dashboard service warnings (ESC, airbag, steering, throttle); Engine will not turn over
Codes mentioned: ESC service required, Airbag service required, Steering service required, Throttle service warning
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle required towing
Prematurely swollen lug bolts
All four lug bolts became swollen on vehicle with under 50,000 miles, preventing tire rotation and maintenance. Owner reports unusual for a vehicle at this mileage.
When: By 49,800 miles; first noted in November 2019
Symptoms owners cite: All four lug bolts swollen and unable to be removed; Prevents routine tire rotation
Repairs/costs cited: Lug bolts required replacement; replacement bolts are Chrysler/Jeep proprietary parts
Synthesized from 15 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had steering trouble with your 2016 Jeep Renegade?
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 Renegade?
It's a meaningful issue. 15 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 12 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 31,000 and 58,000 miles, with the median around 50,700. A quarter of owners report trouble before 31,000; a quarter make it past 58,000. 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/Renegade.
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.