MODULE - STEERING CONTROL & COLUMN
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee steering problems
severe Owners of the 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee have filed 14 NHTSA complaints about the steering, typically surfacing around 14,000 miles at roughly $700 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
14
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
| Model year | steering complaints |
|---|---|
| 2014 Grand Cherokee | 81 |
| 2015 Grand Cherokee | 40 |
| 2016 Grand Cherokee | 16 |
| 2017 Grand Cherokee | 18 |
| 2018 Grand Cherokee (this page) | 14 |
| 2019 Grand Cherokee | 14 |
| 2020 Grand Cherokee | 13 |
| 2021 Grand Cherokee | 102 |
| 2022 Grand Cherokee | 45 |
1crash
1injury
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.
UAQ and UCQ Radio Enhancements Customers may experience one or more of the following: ? **Wi-Fi hotspot connection failure. ? Speaker popping, crackle noise during Voice Recognition (VR) response and navigation guidance. ? Mobile Station Integrated Services Digital Network (MSISDN) missing from radio, no connected services working.** ? Intermittent, black radio display screen (Rear View Camera (RVC) not affected). ? Intermittent, radio freezes (RVC not affected). ? Wireless connectivity pairing and/or connection issues. ? Lost radio presets. ? Radio channels change by itself. ? SXMT icon inoperative. ? SXMT favorite song not displaying/playing. ? Incorrect navigation address/location/directi
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗UGQ, UGV, UJV and UJQ Radio Enhancements This bulletin involves inspecting the software level to see if the radio needs oneor two USB flash drive(s) to update the radio software level to 39.2. Customers may experience one or more of the following: Voice recognition (VR) fails while road names are written in Catalan. After the update to software level MR-28.31, the Amperometer inside Jeepskills shows values too high. The radio may lose some or all programmed presets. Volume blocked/uncontrollable. Heating Steering wheel and seat SK greyed out. Eco Drive trips saved issue. Radio may reset, turn itself off and then back on again. Radio display screen lock up. Park assist chime will continue to
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗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 ↗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 ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners describe two broad steering failure categories. First, loss of electric power steering without warning—the steering wheel suddenly becomes unresponsive or rock-stiff, leaving drivers unable to turn. One owner reported this happened at 60 mph on an expressway while trying to cancel a phone notification; another lost steering control while merging. A third found the dealership diagnosed a bad rack-and-pinion but couldn't source the $2,000 part.
Second, a violent "death wobble" afflicts flat-towed vehicles. Multiple RV owners report their Grand Cherokees suddenly oscillate side-to-side during or after turns while being towed at low speed, with enough force to shake a 40,000-lb motorhome. This occurs even on vehicles with alignment within factory spec and does not happen when the vehicle is driven. One towing enthusiast reviewed YouTube videos matching his experience and cites an FMCA assistant editor claiming FCA refuses to address the issue in 2016-and-newer models with electric steering.
Additional reports include steering column leaks, a stiffening sensation over speed bumps that dealers cannot reproduce, steering lock-up every time the vehicle turns (paired with check-engine and throttle warnings), and intermittent electrical gremlins (random warning lights, failed auto-start on the fob). Dealerships frequently cannot diagnose root causes or duplicate problems during inspection.
Same Jeep Grand Cherokee steering reports on nearby years: 2016 · 2017 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021
Failure modes owners describe
Towing-Related Steering Wobble (Death Wobble)
Vehicle exhibits violent, uncontrolled side-to-side oscillation of the steering and suspension when being flat-towed behind an RV, typically occurring during or immediately after turns at low speed. The wobble can shake a 40,000–46,000 lb motorhome with significant lateral G-forces. Problem emerges even on vehicles with alignment within OEM specification and does not occur when the vehicle is driven independently.
When: Between 3,000–16,000 miles of flat towing; occurs at speeds of 5–25 mph during or after turns, sometimes after road dips
Symptoms owners cite: Violent side-to-side track movement while being towed; Wobbling triggered by turns or road dips; Significant lateral G-forces transmitted to towing vehicle; Condition absent when vehicle is self-driven
Repairs/costs cited: No repair identified in narratives; dealer reported no recalls or TSBs available; alignment checked and found within OEM spec; issue also reported on earlier Cherokee models after electric steering conversion
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: FCA reportedly refused to address the issue in 2016 and newer Grand Cherokees with electric steering (per FMCA assistant editor source in narrative #1); no recall or TSB issued
Loss of Power Steering (Electric Steering Failure)
Electric power steering system fails without warning during normal driving, rendering the steering wheel unresponsive or extremely stiff, leaving the driver unable to turn the vehicle. One documented case required the driver to force the wheel left and right manually while traveling at highway speed to avoid crashing.
When: At various mileage points; one incident reported at 60 mph on expressway
Symptoms owners cite: No power steering / complete loss of steering assist; Steering wheel becomes extremely stiff and unresponsive; Wheels oscillate left and right uncontrollably; Loss of vehicle control during highway driving
Repairs/costs cited: One narrative mentions rack-and-pinion failure confirmed by dealership; part reportedly on back order at $2,000 plus labor cost; other cases resulted in dealership inability to diagnose or reproduce
Steering/Suspension Looseness Over Road Imperfections
When driving over speed bumps or road dips, owners report the sensation of loose components banging or moving within the steering and suspension assembly. Dealers cannot identify or duplicate the problem during inspection.
When: Throughout vehicle ownership; triggered by speed bumps or dips
Symptoms owners cite: Loose or banging sensation in steering and suspension over bumps; Noise from steering/suspension area; Concern about potential component failure
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs completed; dealers unable to find or duplicate issue
Steering Column Leak
Coolant or fluid leaking from the front steering column area.
When: Timing not specified in narrative
Symptoms owners cite: Fluid leaking from front steering column
Repairs/costs cited: Identified during emergency repair inspection along with driveshaft and engine coolant leaks
Steering Lock-Up During Turning (Engine/Throttle Related)
When making turns, the steering wheel becomes stiff and unresponsive (seizes); the vehicle simultaneously loses power and decelerates. Engine warning lights illuminate. Problem recurs despite multiple dealer repairs.
When: At 39,680 miles; happens every time vehicle makes a turn
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel seizes and stiffens during turns; Vehicle deceleration and loss of power during turning; Electronic throttle warning light illuminates; Check engine light illuminates; Stability control warning light illuminates; Oil leak from engine
Codes mentioned: Check Engine, Electronic Throttle Warning, Stability Control Warning
Repairs/costs cited: Initial diagnosis: oil change needed; multiple repairs performed but failures recurred; exact repair actions not detailed
Loss of Steering Control at Highway Speed
During highway driving at 70 mph with cruise control engaged, the vehicle suddenly veers to the left with loss of steering control, requiring the driver to manually regain control.
When: Before July 18, 2018 (recall date)
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden loss of steering control at highway speed; Vehicle veers to the left uncontrollably
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 18U65183 (July 18, 2018): PCM software reprogramming performed
Intermittent Auto Start/Electrical Warning Lights
The auto start feature on the key fob works intermittently. Multiple dashboard warning lights illuminate randomly and without clear cause, including engine, start/stop, check air suspension, and check ABS indicators. Dealership unable to diagnose root cause.
When: Within 18 months of ownership; occurs with no warning
Symptoms owners cite: Auto start feature on key fob works intermittently; Check engine light comes on randomly; Start/stop warning appears randomly; Check air suspension warning appears randomly; Check ABS warning appears randomly
Codes mentioned: Check Engine, Start/Stop, Check Air Suspension, Check ABS
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership unable to diagnose; owner paid multiple out-of-pocket diagnostic fees
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler customer service directed owner back to dealer for paid diagnostic; no acknowledgment of safety concerns or supervisor contact offered
Electrical System Voltage Instability
Onboard diagnostics show voltage of 13.8 V or below instead of the expected 14.2 V; when voltage drops, the vehicle drives with a choppy feeling and braking causes jolting. Adaptive cruise control and auto stop-start feature become intermittently unavailable. Air hoses produce intermittent whirring noise. Problem persists after replacement of radiator, hoses, brakes, and serpentine belt.
When: Timing not specified; ongoing despite multiple component replacements
Symptoms owners cite: Low electrical system voltage (13.8 V or less instead of 14.2 V); Choppy driving feel; Jolting during braking; Adaptive cruise control unavailable intermittently; Auto stop-start unavailable intermittently; Intermittent whirring noise from air hoses
Repairs/costs cited: Radiator replaced, hoses replaced, brakes replaced, serpentine belt replaced; issue not resolved; owner suspects voltage regulator and corrosion from faulty dealer radiator repair (coolant not fully cleaned from vehicle interior)
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner notes recalls have been issued for other Grand Cherokees with similar issues but no manufacturer action detailed
Synthesized from 14 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 2018 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 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
It's a meaningful issue. 14 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 9 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 5,835 and 22,000 miles, with the median around 14,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 5,835; a quarter make it past 22,000. 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/2018/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.