Hands On Steering Wheel Message In EVIC
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2017 Dodge Journey 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
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 15 steering complaints filed for the 2017 Dodge Journey, 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
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.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2017 Dodge Journey steering complaints center on sudden lock-up events where the steering wheel seizes or becomes impossible to turn while driving 30–60 mph. In many cases, brake failure occurs at the same moment—the pedal goes hard and unresponsive. Owners have coasted off highways or through residential areas unable to steer or brake, only regaining control after restarting the vehicle.
Dealerships and the manufacturer acknowledge knowing about this problem, particularly when it occurs on turns in temperatures above 105°F, yet no recall has been issued. Repair attempts include computer recalibration, MAP sensor replacement, rack-and-pinion replacement, power steering pump replacement, and software updates—but failures recur repeatedly. One owner reports four separate steering lock-up incidents with a child in the vehicle; another describes being told "just wait and see if it does it again."
Metal debris has been found in the steering system during pump replacement, indicating internal component degradation. One owner reports the power steering cooler line hanging loose underneath the vehicle at 130,000 miles. A separate steering stiffness issue during sharp turns (accompanied by grinding noise) also appears in the complaint set, with dealers unable to diagnose it and owners told to await a recall.
Same Dodge Journey steering reports on nearby years: 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2018
Failure modes owners describe
Steering wheel lock/seizure at highway speeds
Steering wheel suddenly becomes impossible to turn or becomes extremely stiff/seized while driving at speed (30–60 mph), forcing driver to coast to safety. Loss of power steering assist reported. Occurs without warning and may recur after vehicle is restarted.
When: Various speeds: 30–60 mph; one incident at 26,485 miles; another at 44,000 miles; one at 41,000 miles. Multiple incidents reported across different ownership periods.
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel locked or extremely difficult to turn; Loss of power steering assist; No warning lights prior to failure; Recurrence after restart; Occurs on turns or during normal driving
Codes mentioned: P0420, P0340, P0197, P0117, P1D83, P2181
Repairs/costs cited: One dealership diagnosed computer recalibration needed, rack-and-pinion replacement, power steering hose flush, and wheel alignment (not completed). Another replaced MAP sensor but failure recurred. One independent mechanic could not diagnose or repair. Rack-and-pinion replacement cited in 2021 and 2024 incidents.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Case number 59297663 provided by manufacturer. One owner told dealership is aware of issue when car shuts down on turns in temperatures above 105°F; Dodge stated nothing further can be done beyond scheduling dealership appointments. No recall mentioned in narratives.
Simultaneous loss of power steering and braking
During highway driving or at low speeds, both steering and brake systems fail together, often coinciding with engine stall or loss of electrical power. Brake pedal becomes hard and unresponsive; steering cannot be turned. Vehicle may lose all electrical function temporarily.
When: Occurred between 30–60 mph; temperatures noted at 98–110°F in one case. One narrative mentions temperature above 105°F triggers known issue.
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel seized simultaneously with brake failure; Brake pedal hard and unresponsive; Engine stalling during failure event; Loss of power assist in both systems; Vehicle may lose electrical function (dash freezes, lights flicker); No warning lights in most cases
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs completed in reported narratives. One dealer estimated $1,600 for power steering pump replacement, line flushing, and steering gears inspection after metal debris was found.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dodge acknowledged awareness of shutdown issue on turns in temperatures above 105°F per one dealership communication. No formal recall or fix provided; customers advised to call dealership if issue recurs.
Intermittent computer/electrical fault causing steering and drivetrain shutdown
Vehicle experiences random electrical glitches—dash lights flashing, wipers activating, engine losing power—coinciding with loss of steering and brakes. Computer connection appears to drop temporarily. Vehicle stalls but can be restarted; problem may recur repeatedly.
When: Multiple occurrences reported over vehicle ownership; one incident at 41,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Dashboard lights flashing on and off; Windshield wipers turning on unexpectedly; All warning lights cycling; Engine fails; Brakes stop working; Turn signals and horn malfunction; Steering becomes inoperable; Vehicle can be restarted but failure recurs
Repairs/costs cited: MAP sensor replacement performed at one dealership; failure recurred several times afterward. Other cases had only software updates applied by dealers.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified in at least one case. No recall or comprehensive fix documented in narratives.
Power steering cooler/hose detachment and degradation
Power steering cooler line or hose detaches and hangs from underneath vehicle, producing scraping noise. May contribute to metal debris contamination in steering system. Separate from main steering lock/seizure events but indicates poor assembly or mounting durability.
When: Reported at approximately 130,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Abnormal scraping sound from underneath vehicle; Power steering cooler and hoses hanging down; Metal debris in steering lines (found during power steering pump replacement)
Repairs/costs cited: Repaired at independent mechanic. Metal debris subsequently found in steering gears when power steering pump was replaced in another vehicle.
Hard steering during turning (grinding noise on sharp turns)
During sharp turns, front tires produce loud grinding noise and steering becomes very stiff. Differs from complete lock-up but indicates underlying steering/suspension issue. Ongoing issue from new vehicle purchase; awaiting recall per one owner.
When: Reported from 2016 onward (one narrative mentions purchasing vehicle new in 2016); timing/mileage not specified for this particular symptom.
Symptoms owners cite: Very loud grinding noise from front tires during sharp turns; Steering becomes hard/stiff during turns; Noise present since new vehicle purchase
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer could not identify cause; told owner to wait for recall. No recall issued per narratives.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer acknowledged inability to diagnose; advised waiting for recall (none materialized per complaint).
Synthesized from 15 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
I have had 3 incidents, with the latest on 12/23 when during a rapid breaking to avoid collision as a vehicle did illegal lane change in front of me, my wallet, which I had on top of the middle compartment, pushed the clutch and changed the gear to reverse and my car went backwards almost colliding with a vehicle behind me. On other incident on thanksgiving day in 2017 I was making an u-turn…
The ETC warning light came on, then the car slowed down then stalled out and would not crank back up. Upon running a diagnostic, the following error codes displayed; P0420, P0340, P0197, P0117, P1D83, P2181(several codes showing up more than once showing permanent, pending). This also happened before but was taken to the dealership to be repaired but the problem is back again but worse. Me and…
The contact owns a 2017 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, there was an abnormal scraping sound coming from underneath the vehicle. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road. The contact became aware that the power steering cooler and hoses were hanging down underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the…
Had steering trouble with your 2017 Dodge Journey?
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 2017 Dodge Journey?
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 8 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 26,485 and 44,000 miles, with the median around 30,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 26,485; 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/2017/Dodge/Journey.
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.