Hands On Steering Wheel Message In EVIC
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2017 Jeep Wrangler steering problems
severe Owners of the 2017 Jeep Wrangler have filed 19 NHTSA complaints about the steering, typically surfacing around 27,000 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
19
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
| Model year | steering complaints |
|---|---|
| 2013 Wrangler | 166 |
| 2014 Wrangler | 26 |
| 2015 Wrangler | 28 |
| 2016 Wrangler | 27 |
| 2017 Wrangler (this page) | 19 |
| 2018 Wrangler | 1,111 |
| 2019 Wrangler | 441 |
| 2020 Wrangler | 236 |
| 2021 Wrangler | 245 |
3crashes
1injury
What stands out
Of the 19 model years of Jeep Wrangler we track for steering problems, this one has the fewest owner complaints on file (19).
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 SKU is a Tie Rod Center Stud. The Customer commnunication requested return of unsold inventory to inpsect for possible incorrect direction threads (right hand rather than left hand). Incorrect direction threads will prevent it from being installed.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Customer Satisfaction Notification T09 Interior Trim Level About 2,900 of the above vehicles may not have had the correct interior trim feature installed during the manufacturing process. The components such as the front door panels arm rest, center console arm rest, and steering wheel may not have the accent stitching, also the steering wheel spoke bezel may not be satin chrome which is unique to the Rubicon Hard Rock Package edition. Replace the interior trim components that do not have the accent stitching, also the steering wheel spoke bezel that may not be satin chrome.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Stabilizer bar actuator water intrusion Customer comes in with flashing sway bar light and it stays flashing after button reset. If water intrusion or contact pin corrosion is observed on stabilizer bar actuator connector, please call Bing Guo at cell (248) 500-7355 prior to replacing any components. If there is no answer, please verify whether the 50 Way Wiring Kit (P/N 68210289AA) connector has water damage. The Wiring Kit with water damage or contact pin corrosion should be replaced in the same time. Send both stabilizer bar actuator and wiring kit to QEC. If you do not get a response within 15 minutes continue with the repair.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report steering problems that fall into several distinct categories. The most serious involves trackbar bracket welds that separate from the frame—sometimes while driving normally at low speeds. Multiple owners describe sudden loss of steering control, violent shaking, and swerving, with damage inspections revealing incomplete welds that appear defective from the factory. Some owners hit bumps on highways and experienced violent wobbling (nicknamed "death wobble" by owners) severe enough to force them into oncoming traffic; in one case, a 2017 Rubicon's frame was so weak the steering bar could bend by hand.
Dealers consistently fail to diagnose these problems. Multiple owners report dealers inspecting vehicles, declaring "all is fine," then watching wobbling happen again immediately after leaving the lot. One Toyota dealer confirmed "too much play within the steering," but when Jeep dealers inspected the same vehicle, they found "nothing wrong." Traction control systems engage unpredictably at highway speeds on dry pavement, pulling the vehicle hard to one side. One owner had to disable traction control entirely to drive safely, but the system reactivates at each engine start.
Owners found online that this is a widespread problem in 2017 Wranglers, yet Jeep issued recalls for 2018 and 2019 models but not the 2017. Warranty claims are denied once vehicles exceed 36 months or mileage thresholds.
Same Jeep Wrangler steering reports on nearby years: 2015 · 2016 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020
Failure modes owners describe
Trackbar Bracket Weld Failure
Factory weld between trackbar bracket and frame breaks or cracks under normal driving. Inspections reveal incomplete welds with poor penetration into the frame, appearing defective from the factory.
When: Low to moderate mileage (15,538 miles reported); under normal driving conditions or light off-road use
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden loss of steering control or severe steering difficulty; Violent wobbling or shaking of steering wheel and front end; Vehicle swerves or drifts unexpectedly; Front end feels loose or unstable; Audible snap or cracking sound when steering
Repairs/costs cited: Jeep has welded bracket back onto frame as a field repair. Owners question overall weld quality and structural integrity of frame.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall issued for 2017 JK Wranglers; warranty denied after 36 months. Jeep forum users report this is a known issue. Dealers reportedly claim nothing is wrong despite visible weld failure.
Death Wobble / Front-End Shimmy
Violent shaking or vibration of steering wheel and front end triggered by hitting bumps or road irregularities, particularly at highway speeds. Described as vehicle becoming difficult or impossible to control until speed is reduced significantly.
When: Highway speeds 40–80 mph; occurs 8–15 times per day for some owners; increases in frequency over time
Symptoms owners cite: Violent, uncontrollable shaking of steering wheel and front end; Vehicle swerves or drifts to one side; Shaking continues until vehicle slows to near-stop; Triggered by bumps, grooves, or bridge crossings; Steering wheel may flip or rotate during wobble episodes; Vehicles pushed into oncoming traffic in two reported cases
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs documented. Owners report this issue is not covered under recall for 2017 models, though 2018–2019 Wranglers had recalls issued.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall issued for 2018 and 2019 models but not for 2017. No recall for 2017 model year despite similar complaints.
Steering Pull or Veer
Vehicle pulls or veers to one side (usually right) at both low and high speeds without driver input. Persists after wheel alignment performed multiple times.
When: Occurs at various speeds; present from early mileage (22 miles reported in one case)
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle pulls or veers to the right consistently; Occurs at low and high speeds; Recurs after wheel alignment service
Repairs/costs cited: Wheel alignment performed twice at dealer; issue recurred both times. No repair completed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer claims 'all Wranglers pull to the right,' suggesting Jeep acknowledges this as characteristic behavior rather than defect.
Excessive Steering Play / Loose Steering
Steering feels excessively loose or sloppy, with too much play in the steering column or components. Vehicle feels like it will 'come apart' at highway speeds above 55 mph.
When: Above 55 mph highway speeds
Symptoms owners cite: Steering feels very loose with excessive play; Vehicle vibrates or feels unstable above 55 mph; Feels like entire vehicle will separate at higher speeds
Repairs/costs cited: Toyota dealer diagnosed 'too much play within the steering.' Jeep dealers inspected and claimed 'all is fine.' Jeep forum users report aftermarket sway bars needed as owner-paid solution.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Multiple Jeep dealer inspections found 'nothing wrong' despite visible play. Recommended repair under warranty but refused to perform work. Forum users cite this as known problem requiring out-of-pocket sway bar replacement.
Traction Control / Stability Control Malfunction
Traction control and anti-skid braking system engage intermittently and unevenly at highway speeds on dry pavement without cause, causing vehicle to pull to one side. System engages even when accelerating on dry roads.
When: Highway speeds under dry road conditions; approximately 5 incidents reported by multiple drivers
Symptoms owners cite: Traction control or stability system engages unexpectedly; Vehicle pulls sharply to one side; Audible vibration or pulsing sound from brakes; Pulsing felt in brake pedal; Startles driver and causes swerving; Occurs while accelerating on dry pavement
Repairs/costs cited: Owners disabled traction control system to drive safely but must re-disengage at each vehicle start.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer diagnostic systems show no problems. Dealers described as 'nonresponsive' to correction. Vehicle remains under warranty with no repairs completed.
Steering Lock-Up During Off-Road Driving
Steering wheel becomes frozen or completely immobile during low-speed off-road driving with front and rear differentials locked, making it impossible to turn steering wheel even with significant force.
When: During off-road obstacle navigation with axles locked; reported in multiple incidents
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel becomes completely frozen or locked; Cannot turn steering wheel despite applying significant force; Occurs when rolling or backing with differentials locked; Vehicle may roll over as result of inability to steer
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs documented. Reported incident resulted in vehicle rolling to passenger side.
Sudden Steering Loss / Uncontrolled Drift
Front end drifts unexpectedly and steering becomes inoperable, causing loss of vehicle control and crash. Occurs without apparent cause during normal driving.
When: At moderate speeds (40 mph reported)
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden uncontrolled drift of front end; Complete loss of steering control; Vehicle crashes as result
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle towed to dealer; cause of failure could not be determined by dealer diagnostic.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified of failure. No diagnosis or repair completed.
Synthesized from 19 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 2017 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 2017 Jeep Wrangler?
It's a meaningful issue. 19 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 14 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 15,000 and 39,000 miles, with the median around 27,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 15,000; a quarter make it past 39,000. 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/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.