Electric Power Steering (EPS) Will Not Calibrate, Negative Response Error Code 0X10
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2019 Jeep Cherokee steering problems
severe Owners of the 2019 Jeep Cherokee have filed 120 NHTSA complaints about the steering, typically surfacing around 13,600 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
120
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
| Model year | steering complaints |
|---|---|
| 2015 Cherokee | 59 |
| 2016 Cherokee | 53 |
| 2017 Cherokee | 45 |
| 2018 Cherokee | 30 |
| 2019 Cherokee (this page) | 120 |
| 2020 Cherokee | 21 |
| 2021 Cherokee | 3 |
| 2022 Cherokee | 3 |
6crashes
1fire
4injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 120 steering complaints filed for the 2019 Jeep Cherokee, 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
Of the 9 model years of Jeep Cherokee we track for steering problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 120.
Owners have filed 120 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.
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 ↗Volume Uncontrollable Or Stuck On High
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Hands On Steering Wheel Message In EVIC
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Flash: Electric Power Steering (EPS) Module Enhancements This bulletin involves updating the EPS module with the latest available software. Customers may experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination. Upon further investigation the technician may find that the following DTCs have been set:C1592-01 - Electronic Power Steering Motor Circuit - General Electrical Failure. C2217-00 - Electric Power Steering Module Internal.If C2217-00 is active and there is no steering assist with the engine running, this Bulletin does not apply. Normal diagnosis should be performed. In addition, customers may experience one or more of the following concerns:Vehicle may have a slight pull during heav
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2019 Jeep Cherokee steering cluster centers on sudden power loss, complete electrical shutdown, and loss of steering control while driving. Owners report their vehicles losing all power—engine, lights, steering, brakes—sometimes lasting only seconds, other times multiple times per trip. These events occur at various speeds and driving conditions with little warning. Battery warning lights flash before shutdown, but diagnostics often show no codes and batteries test fine.
Power steering specifically fails intermittently: steering locks up completely, becomes unresponsive, or jerks violently left and right, especially at highway speeds. Some owners describe grinding and thumping from the steering column, progressing over time. The Power Transfer Unit also fails under recall 01C, producing grinding noise and total loss of propulsion at stops, but the manufacturer had no remedy available for extended periods.
Steering feel issues include dead spots requiring extra force to overcome, jerking during small corrections, and uncontrolled pulling left or right at highway speeds. One owner's vehicle lost all control on a wet road after hitting a puddle, and another experienced front-end shimmy and wobble at freeway speeds lasting until components seized.
Multiple owners report these same failures are occurring on vehicles whose VINs fall outside issued recalls. Dealers often cannot replicate intermittent issues during test drives and cite "known problems" without fixes. One owner was denied warranty coverage 800 miles out of warranty for an issue they reported while covered.
Same Jeep Cherokee steering reports on nearby years: 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2020
Failure modes owners describe
Engine stall / complete power loss while driving
Vehicle loses all electrical power, engine shuts down mid-drive. Steering locks and becomes immovable. Brake assist lost. Occurs at various speeds, from city streets to highways. Battery warning light and engine light illuminate before shutdown. Vehicle restarts after multiple attempts.
When: Varies: 342 miles to 104,000 miles; some within weeks of purchase, others after months of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Complete engine shutdown while driving; All lights on dash illuminate before shutdown; Battery warning light flashes; Steering wheel locks up; Loss of power brakes; Loss of power steering; Radio and controls go dark or unresponsive; Vehicle requires multiple restart attempts; Doors lock unexpectedly; Engine stalls on turns and during straight driving
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers have attempted PCM replacement, alternator replacement, wire repairs where chafe found near starter/ground wire. Independent shops have performed diagnostics with no error codes found. One owner cited dealership statement it's a 'known issue without a fix for all 2014-2019 Jeep Cherokees.'
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler has told owners it's a known issue with no remedy. Some owners report open recalls (01C for PTU) with no remedy available for extended periods. Some VINs excluded from recalls despite having identical symptoms.
Power steering loss / steering lock-up
Power steering assistance fails suddenly, rendering steering wheel difficult or impossible to turn. Occurs with or without warning lights. Steering wheel may lock completely solid mid-turn or on straightaways. Loss of steering control forces owners to use extreme physical force or coast to shoulder. Some incidents involve intermittent jerking and loss of feel.
When: Under 1,000 miles to 104,000 miles; early production vehicles and long-owned vehicles both affected
Symptoms owners cite: Power steering assist fails without warning; Steering wheel locks and becomes immobile; Excessive effort needed to turn wheel; Steering feels slack or loose at highway speeds; Jerking or sudden pulling left/right; Steering wheel unresponsive to input; Power steering warning light illuminates; 'Service Power Steering' or 'Power Steering Assist Failure' message; Grinding or thumping noise from steering column while turning; Steering locks during lane changes
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement of steering column reported after 3+ weeks waiting. Rack and pinion replacement in multiple cases. Steering gear replacement per recall. One owner cited $2,195.55 for out-of-warranty repair. Dealers often state problem cannot be replicated on test drives despite owner experiencing it repeatedly.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 19V637000 (Steering Gear) issued for limited VINs. Many owners report their VIN excluded despite having identical symptoms. Dealers unable to complete repairs due to parts unavailability or lack of service procedures. Some recalled but remedy not released for over a year.
Power Transfer Unit (PTU) failure
PTU system fails causing loss of propulsion, grinding/shaking noises, and complete inability to move vehicle. Occurs under safety recall 01C with no remedy available. Related to front CV joint seizure and output shaft damage. Vehicle loses motive power abruptly, especially at stops and starts.
When: Varies from under 1,000 miles to 39,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Loud grinding or shaking noise from PTU; Complete loss of acceleration; Vehicle shudders violently at stops and starts; Propulsion lost; vehicle barely moves; Metallic rattling from PTU/propeller shaft interface; Grinding at low speeds during acceleration and coasting; Vehicle locked in all-wheel drive, hard to turn; Loss of 'Park' function; CV joint seizure with driveshaft separation
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reports independent shop confirmed PTU failure when dealer could not. PTU replacement performed in at least one case. One dealership quoted ~$6,800 for PTU and rear differential repair (out of warranty). Dealers cite inability to repair due to no available parts or service procedures from manufacturer.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Open safety recall 01C with no remedy released for extended periods (owner reported nearly a year). Dealers unable to repair without parts/procedures. Manufacturer denied reimbursement when owner used independent shop due to warranty and MOPAR parts requirement.
Intermittent electrical/battery system failures causing power interruption
Vehicle experiences intermittent complete power loss or electrical system failures while driving. Characterized by battery light activation, radio shutdown, instrument cluster dimming/going dark, followed by engine stall or loss of steering/brake power. May occur multiple times in short driving windows (e.g., 4 times in 50 feet) or sporadically over months.
When: Early production (under 2,000 miles) to higher mileage (40,000+ miles); some vehicles within weeks of purchase
Symptoms owners cite: Ding warning sound (like seatbelt reminder); Battery light flashes on dashboard; Engine and all dash lights shut off mid-drive; Complete power loss lasting 3-5 seconds; Radio and control panel malfunction or go dark; A/C and other powered components unresponsive; Battery voltage drops to 12.2V during events; Engine restarts with gas pump assistance needed; Steering wheel and pedals become unusable during events; Multiple recurrences within short trips
Repairs/costs cited: Diagnostic machine testing returned no error codes. Battery tested fine, wires confirmed secure. Dealership found chafed wire near starter ground connection in at least one case. Software updates attempted but issue persists in some vehicles.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership stated vehicle is outside warranty (by 800 miles) so owner responsible for repair cost. Some owners report it's a known issue among multiple 2019 Cherokees but Jeep giving 'runaround.' No recall applied to owner's specific VIN despite seeing related recalls online.
Steering feels tight, jerky, or unresponsive (including lane-keep assist interference)
Steering response becomes unpredictable with occasional tightness, jerking, or dead spots. Especially noticeable at highway speeds or during small steering adjustments. Vehicle may feel like tires are breaking loose on dry pavement, steering jerks back and forth, or lane-keep system activates despite being disengaged. Burning smell sometimes reported.
When: Starting around 5,500 miles; reported at 27,000 and 40,000+ miles
Symptoms owners cite: Dead spot in steering requiring 1/4 inch movement before response; Steering catches or sticks during small corrections; Steering jerks back and forth after catching; Feels like tires breaking loose on dry pavement; Steering wheel jerks in hands at idle (every minute or so); Lane-keep feature seems to activate despite being off; Steering becomes stiff when making slight adjustments; Vehicle pulls left/right randomly at highway speeds; Burning smell from steering components; Wobbling and shimmy of entire front end
Codes mentioned: Software module recoding mentioned in one case
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer recode and software update attempted. One dealer test-drove for 1.5 hours to reproduce issue; engineers sent from Jeep. Multiple steering system components inspected but underlying cause not clearly documented in narratives.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers claim electronic speed-sensitive steering is 'normal.' One technician said problem couldn't be recreated during dealer test (intermittent issue). Software updates ordered but issue continues in some cases.
Excessive oil consumption without warning indicator
Engine oil level drops rapidly below safe levels without oil pressure warning light activating. Dealer states it is a known issue affecting all 2014-2019 Cherokees with no fix available. Engine shutdown occurs when oil depletes despite no low-oil warning.
When: Early in ownership; one owner needed oil change every 3,000 miles vs normal 5,000; events starting Christmas of first ownership year
Symptoms owners cite: Oil level drops rapidly between services; No oil pressure warning light illuminates; Engine shuts down while driving due to low oil; Vehicle dies mid-motion without warning; Oil light does not activate before engine failure
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reports dealer said 'it's empty on oil but oil light indicator doesn't come on' and acknowledged it's a known issue without a fix. Oil consumption test offered (check every 1,000 miles).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Jeep acknowledged it is a 'known issue without a fix' but stated it is not addressed. No recall issued despite being a safety hazard per owner claim.
Grinding, thumping, or clunking from suspension / steering column (rack and pinion related)
Loud grinding, thumping, or clunking noises originate from front end, steering column, or suspension during parking, pulling out of spaces, or while driving. Noise becomes progressively louder. Associated with steering control loss and steering lockup in some cases. One case involved noisy and defective rack and pinion diagnosed after multiple complaints ignored.
When: Starting around 12,000-15,000 miles; progressing to 28,000+ miles
Symptoms owners cite: Clunking noise in front suspension/steering; Loud grinding and thumping while parking and pulling out; Grinding noise lasting 10-20+ seconds during turns; Whole front end feels like it's falling off; Noise worsens in wet conditions (after puddles/rain); Vehicle pulls hard to right after hitting water; Loses steering control temporarily; Steering locks during slight turns at low speed; Broken engine mounts identified
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer diagnosed noisy and defective rack and pinion at 32,000 miles after two previous complaints for same noise were ignored. Second independent dealer also diagnosed bad rack and pinion system, tie ends, and broken engine mounts.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall V99 for defective rack and pinion exists but VIN not covered. Jeep Customer Service promised callback within 24 hours but never called. Vehicle out of warranty when issue finally diagnosed.
Synthesized from 120 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
I purchased a new 2019 Jeep cherokee on 6/29/19 with less than 5 miles on odometer. On 9/7/19 (less than 1k miles), I started car, drove halfway down block and the steering completely locked. Power steering light went on and car was not drivable. Called dealership, who was very accommodating, and they towed the car and gave us a loaner. After several days, the dealer was unable to come up with a…
Around 2:30 am on december 30, 2020 I was driving home on the freeway. It was raining a little bit but nothing to what I have driven in before. I set my car to cruise at 65 MPH when all of a sudden my steering wheel started locking up. I found that my steering wheel would not turn the way I wanted it to and was veering left. I had to use some force to keep it straight and not get into other…
Our brand new 2019 Jeep limited 4 x 4 with v6 engine (285 miles) was started up in our driveway I noticed the battery light was on. The dashboard stated the start/stop function was no longer working. The seat would not move for driver 2. We needed to get to an event and attempted to pull out of the driveway when we noticed the power steering was not working. We returned the car to its spot…
Had steering trouble with your 2019 Jeep 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 2019 Jeep Cherokee?
It's a meaningful issue. 120 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 61 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 6,000 and 35,785 miles, with the median around 13,600. A quarter of owners report trouble before 6,000; a quarter make it past 35,785. 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/2019/Jeep/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.