This Jeep is a right hand drive wrangler. Airbag light, traction control light came on, and my horn quit working. Cruise control quit working, and then my antilock brake system was malfunctioning. I couldn't figure out why. So I went to both the Jeep dealership, and the local autozone where they scanned my Jeep for codes, and it's saying a bad clockspring. They said there is a known recall for…
2016 Jeep Wrangler steering problems
moderate 26 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
26
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
When does it fail?
Of the 26 steering complaints filed for the 2016 Jeep Wrangler, 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 26 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 3 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2016 Wrangler has widespread, serious steering and control failures—death wobble at highway speeds, ABS/traction control lockups, clockspring defects, and power steering loss—that can strike with little warning and leave you unable to control the vehicle. Even with dealer repairs, many owners report issues persist; parts like ABS modules are on year-long backorders.
The 2016 Wrangler steering and control systems are plagued by multiple, often unresolved failures. The most common complaint is "death wobble"—violent front-end oscillation triggered by hitting bumps or potholes at highway speeds (30–70 mph), causing the steering wheel to shake uncontrollably and the vehicle to veer without driver input. Owners report this happens repeatedly throughout ownership despite replacing track bars, getting alignments, and having mechanics inspect for loose components; many now avoid highways entirely.
Clockspring and steering column module failures are widespread, causing horn malfunction, steering wheel control loss, airbag light illumination, and turn-signal problems. A major safety concern: airbags may not deploy in a crash. Multiple owners report their vehicles are excluded from existing recalls despite having matching symptoms to recalled 2016 models.
ABS module failures occur suddenly, causing brake lockup and violent shaking that prevents steering control. Replacement parts are on backorder for months to a year, leaving vehicles undrivable. Power steering loss, traction control malfunctions, and intermittent engine shutdown with simultaneous power steering failure have also been reported. Dealership repairs often don't hold; the Jeep dealer in one case admitted they cannot guarantee fixing the problem.
Same Jeep Wrangler steering reports on nearby years: 2014 · 2015 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019
Failure modes owners describe
Death Wobble / Front-End Violent Shaking
Sudden, violent oscillation and shaking of the front end and steering wheel, typically triggered by hitting bumps or potholes at highway speeds (30–70 mph). Owners report the steering wheel shaking uncontrollably, loss of directional control, veering without input, and difficulty maintaining lane position. Episode subsides when vehicle slows significantly.
When: Various speeds; happens on rough road spots, potholes, or highway driving; reported from early ownership through 78,000+ miles
Symptoms owners cite: Front end shakes violently; Steering wheel oscillates back and forth (reported ~6 inches); Vehicle veers left or right without steering input; Loss of vehicle control and difficulty maintaining lane; Triggered by bumps or potholes; Subsides at low speeds
Repairs/costs cited: Owners report replacing track bar, getting front-end alignment, and having mechanics inspect for loose components—multiple repairs have not resolved the issue. One owner spent ~$300 on alignment; another replaced track bar out of pocket without success.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealerships claim no looseness found on front end. Reference to NHTSA Campaign 19V201000 (Steering) noted in one complaint. No official recall or technical service bulletin cited by manufacturers for death wobble itself.
Steering Damper Failure
Loss of steering control and abnormal shaking while driving, resolved by replacing the steering damper. Occurs at low speeds (40 mph) and triggered by minor road bumps.
When: 84,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle shakes abnormally; Difficult to steer; Recurs after going over minor bumps
Repairs/costs cited: Steering damper replaced by dealership (Videon Chrysler Dodge Jeep, Newtown Square, PA).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Referenced as similar to NHTSA Campaign 19V201000 (Steering).
Clockspring / Steering Column Module Defect
Clockspring or steering column module malfunction causing horn inoperability, steering wheel control loss, airbag light illumination, cruise control failure, ABS malfunction, and turn-signal nonresponsiveness. Failure creates safety risk because airbags may not deploy in a crash. Multiple owners report being excluded from existing recalls despite having the same vehicle year.
When: 13,000–31,000+ miles; some complaints filed in 2024–2025
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag light illuminated continuously; Horn non-functional; Steering wheel controls inoperable (cruise control, audio controls, etc.); Turn signal will not disengage or becomes stuck; ABS and traction control light illumination; Difficult steering
Codes mentioned: 0198 (DECA code reported by one owner)
Repairs/costs cited: Steering column and clockspring replacement required (not completed in some cases). One owner noted ABS module on backorder since March 2025.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Jeep dealers state vehicles are not under recall despite known recall (19V201000 / Safety Recall 27B / RC-27B-24) existing for 2016 models. Owners report Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram opened cases and advised submission of VIN for inclusion in recall.
ABS Module and Traction Control System Failure
ABS and traction control system malfunction causing brake lockup, violent shaking, inability to steer, and dashboard warning lights. Triggered during normal driving and continues regardless of speed. ABS parts on extended backorder (months to year-long delays), rendering vehicles undrivable.
When: Reported in 2024–2025; one case at 50 mph during normal conditions
Symptoms owners cite: ABS light illuminated; Traction control light illuminated; Brakes lock down and jerk vehicle to a stop; Vehicle shakes violently; Loss of steering control; All dashboard warning lights blinking; Cannot maintain vehicle in lane
Repairs/costs cited: ABS module replacement needed; parts on backorder for extended periods (reported March 2025 backorder status). Vehicle immobilized pending repair.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership initially stated vehicle was safe to drive despite module failure report; later unable to provide parts.
Power Steering Loss
Complete loss of power steering function, sometimes intermittent, occurring after relatively low mileage. Power steering pump replacement has not resolved the issue, suggesting possible power steering box failure.
When: 41,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Power steering no longer functional; Steering becomes difficult or impossible
Repairs/costs cited: Power steering pump replaced; mechanic suspects power steering box failure.
Intermittent Engine Misfire with Power Steering Loss and Engine Shutdown
Vehicle intermittently misfires, loses power, and shuts down while driving; simultaneously loses power steering. No warning lights illuminate. Restarting engine restarts vehicle normally until issue recurs randomly. Creates serious safety hazard, particularly at highway speeds.
When: 104,500–107,500 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Intermittent engine misfire; Sudden loss of engine power and shutdown; Loss of power steering at time of failure; Random occurrence at various speeds (25–50 mph); No dashboard warning lights
Repairs/costs cited: PCM software updated at first dealership visit; spark plugs and coil pack replaced at second visit. Problem persists.
Traction Control Malfunction with Veering and Loss of Control
Traction control system engages inappropriately, causing vehicle to veer uncontrollably and lose steering response on dry, smooth highway surfaces. Traction light illuminates. Combined with steering wheel shaking and rear-end slippage, creates immediate loss of vehicle control shortly after purchase.
When: 188 miles (very early in ownership); recurred at 185–188 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle veers sharply to the right without steering input; Extreme steering wheel shaking; Rear traction slippage; Traction light illuminated on dash; Occurs on dry, smooth, straight highway at 65–70 mph
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership performed factory reset based on traction light; did not resolve issue. Water accumulation on driver's side floor noted; dead battery at time of tow.
Track Bar Mount Weld Failure
Track bar mount welds sheared from the axle housing at highway speed after hitting a pothole, causing sudden, violent steering input to the right and nearly causing collision with guardrail.
When: 70 mph highway driving
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle shot violently to the right; Nearly caused collision with guardrail; No warning lights or indicators
Sway Bar Lock / Engagement Issue
Sway bar engages improperly, causing sudden loss of steering ability and loss of vehicle control on expressway driving.
When: Reported multiple times during expressway driving
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of ability to steer; Sway bar engages inappropriately
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner notes class action lawsuit regarding this issue did not succeed.
Turn Signal Sticking and Jerking Behavior
Turn signal does not disengage automatically or becomes stuck. Also reported: steering sticks slightly when turning, then jerks in the direction of wheel input.
When: 16,000 miles; also reported during normal highway driving
Symptoms owners cite: Turn signal does not disengage after turning; Steering sticks briefly then jerks in turn direction; Turn signal becomes stuck
Repairs/costs cited: Steering column module replacement required.
Synthesized from 26 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the contact attempted to blow the horn and no sound came from the horn. The contact stated that the steering wheel became difficult to steer and the controls on the steering wheel were inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the steering column and the clockspring needed to be…
Had steering trouble with your 2016 Jeep Wrangler?
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 Wrangler?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 26 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $700 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 12 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 16,000 and 84,000 miles, with the median around 49,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 16,000; a quarter make it past 84,000. 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/Wrangler.
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.