Owners report two major steering and brake defects that have not been properly resolved despite safety recalls. The first is drag link jam nut loosening (recall V06), where fasteners on the steering linkage come loose, causing the vehicle to pull hard left or right without warning, complete steering loss, or crash risk. The official "fix" is to weld the jam nuts in place, but owners say this prevents future wheel alignments and the welds themselves fail within months, sometimes snapping the drag link arm completely.
The second defect is brake hydraulic control unit (HCU) failure (recall C4B), causing loss of ABS, traction control, and electronic stability control—especially dangerous in snow or ice. The HCU replacement part has been unavailable for years despite recall notice. Dealerships told owners to keep driving unsafe vehicles with no loaner alternatives. One owner reported a collision with $10,000 damage caused by failed ABS on snow; another nearly hit a sheriff's patrol car and house when the front wheel locked up.
A third complaint involves power steering fluid loss without visible leaks, causing aeration noise, pump failure, and complete power steering loss. Dealerships found no leaks and denied warranty coverage. Owners also report steering wheel misalignment and play in the steering after recall repairs, creating vibrations and unsafe handling. Multiple class-action lawsuits have been filed over these unresolved defects.
Failure modes owners describe
Steering drag link jam nut loosening / separation
Outboard steering linkage jam nuts loosen or separate from the drag link adjuster sleeve, causing loss of steering control, vehicle pulling, or steering wheel misalignment.
When: Across model year; reported at 6,000 to 157,000 miles; some failures occur shortly after recall V06 welding repair
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel veers or pulls without warning; Complete loss of steering control; Steering wheel becomes loose or wobbly; Vehicle pulls hard to left or right at various speeds; Steering wheel off-center after alignment work
Repairs/costs cited: Recall V06 remedy calls for either tightening and welding the jam nuts to adjuster sleeve, or replacing drag link assembly. Welding creates serviceability problems; replacement parts were unavailable for extended periods.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 19V-021000 / Recall V06 (welding or replacement); some dealers refused to cover drag link replacements under recall; no loaner vehicles offered; parts unavailability delayed repairs
Brake Hydraulic Control Unit (HCU) failure with ABS/ESC/traction control loss
Brake HCU malfunction causing loss of ABS, electronic stability control, and traction control, with warning lights and chiming. Vehicle has reduced braking ability and loss of stability, especially in winter or on slippery surfaces.
When: Reported at 3,000 to 125,000 miles; HCU parts unavailable for years despite recall notice (C4B / 24V896000)
Symptoms owners cite: ABS warning light illuminated; Traction control warning light illuminated; ESC/stability control disabled; Cruise control disengages; Constant audible chimes or dinging; Soft or mushy brake pedal feel; Reduced braking distance; Vehicle slides or loses stability on snow/ice; Vehicle behaves unpredictably in adverse weather
Repairs/costs cited: HCU replacement required; parts on backorder indefinitely. Dealers advised owners to continue driving unsafe vehicles. One owner reported $10,000 in damage from collision caused by failed ABS/traction control in snow. No repairs completed due to parts unavailability.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 24V896000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); repair remedy issued but no parts available; dealerships told to advise continued driving; no loaner vehicles; two class-action lawsuits filed in different states
Power steering fluid loss and pump/hydroboost failure
Power steering system loses fluid below minimum level repeatedly; pump and hydroboost fail prematurely with aeration noise and potential complete power steering loss while driving.
When: Began around 15,000 miles; reported at 27,000 miles; issue recurs across ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Power steering fluid falls below minimum (multiple times); Complete loss of power steering while driving; Aeration noise when turning steering wheel; Power steering pump makes audible whirling or burning noise; Bubbles in power steering reservoir; Vehicle harder to maneuver, tight turns very difficult; Lack of braking power when power steering fails; Pump smells like burning
Repairs/costs cited: Pump and hydroboost replacement may be necessary; dealerships inspected only for visible leaks, found none, and declined warranty service. Owner pursued lemon law; FCA won case and NCDS denied buyback despite 15+ days out of service.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Lemon law case pursued; FCA won case; NCDS denied buyback; warranty coverage denied; dealerships claimed noise is normal for model and air in system is expected
Steering wheel misalignment and serviceability issues after recall V06 welding repair
Recall V06 welding of jam nuts to adjuster sleeve renders drag link non-adjustable, preventing proper wheel alignment and creating steering wheel centering problems. Future alignment work requires grinding off and re-welding, compromising part integrity.
When: Occurs after recall V06 repair; affects all vehicles receiving welding remedy
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel off-center by 30+ degrees; Vehicle pulls to left or right requiring constant steering correction; Hard to drive on highway; Alignment shops refuse to work on vehicle due to weld; Steering wheel does not recenter after alignment attempt; Uneven tire wear; Vehicle vibrations and instability
Repairs/costs cited: Welding remedy prevents future alignment adjustments. Grinding and re-welding required for each alignment, weakening component. Replacement drag link available from 2019+ redesign but not covered by recall for 2018 models. Owners purchasing replacement parts out of pocket; reimbursement requests denied.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall V06 specifies welding as permanent fix; dealerships confirm welding prevents alignment; 2019+ models come with proper adjustable replacement parts; manufacturer refuses to replace drag links or reimburse owners for replacement parts; TSB 19-001-19 issued with workaround for alignments
Steering linkage loosening and failure after recall V06 welding repair
Welds applied during recall V06 loosen or fail, allowing jam nuts and adjuster sleeves to separate again. Drag link steering arms snap or fail completely, causing loss of steering control.
When: Failures occur within weeks to months after welding repair; reported at 6,000 to 45,000 miles post-repair
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel becomes loose and wobbly; Steering wheel moves back and forth on its own while turning; Weld visible as cracked or broken; Steering arm snaps in half; Jam nut spins freely by hand; Drag link separates again; Loss of steering control while driving
Repairs/costs cited: Welding is substandard repair; dissimilar materials, non-certified welders, insufficient amperage/filler material cited as causes. Welds fail when adjusted for future alignments. Proper fix is drag link replacement, not welding.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall V06 specifies welding remedy; dealerships perform welds but acknowledge poor quality; manufacturer refuses to replace drag links when welds fail; some owners claim unsafe weld practices; recall repair work sometimes re-done multiple times with same poor results
Steering control module and loose steering linkage bolts
Steering linkage bolts loosen and separate, causing complete loss of steering wheel connection to front tires. No locking pins or retaining hardware prevent separation.
When: Occurs after hitting potholes or rough roads; reported at 27,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel 180 degrees out of sync with tires; Steering wheel free-spins with no connection to tires; Loud clunking noise when steering linkage separates; Steering wheel completely disconnects from steering linkage
Repairs/costs cited: Bolts/retaining nuts fall off or loosen completely. No locking hardware in design to prevent separation. Dealer estimated two retaining nuts loosened and fell off.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer diagnosed but claimed not warranty issue; owner requested warranty coverage; no manufacturer response documented
Steering wheel looseness and wobbling
Steering wheel exhibits excessive play or wobbles during normal driving, especially over bumps or while turning. Related to weld fractures in recall V06 repair or loose steering linkage components.
When: Reported across various mileages; occurs after recall V06 welding repair
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel loose and wobbly over bumpy road; Steering wheel has 10% play without moving tires; Steering wheel moves back and forth on its own during turns; Vibration when making turns or going over bumps
Repairs/costs cited: Welds on adjuster sleeve fracture; jam nuts separate. Independent mechanics find welds loosened. Replacement or re-welding attempted.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall V06 repair covered; however, welds fracture and need re-work; dealer re-welds but problem recurs
Synthesized from 82 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer
allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.