MODULE - STEERING CONTROL & COLUMN
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee steering problems
severe Owners of the 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee have filed 14 NHTSA complaints about the steering at roughly $700 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See steering across all vehicles →
Complaints
14
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
| Model year | steering complaints |
|---|---|
| 2015 Grand Cherokee | 40 |
| 2016 Grand Cherokee | 16 |
| 2017 Grand Cherokee | 18 |
| 2018 Grand Cherokee | 14 |
| 2019 Grand Cherokee (this page) | 14 |
| 2020 Grand Cherokee | 13 |
| 2021 Grand Cherokee | 102 |
| 2022 Grand Cherokee | 45 |
| 2023 Grand Cherokee | 40 |
2crashes
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.
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 ↗Volume Uncontrollable Or Stuck On High
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2019 Grand Cherokee steering system shows a pattern of sudden lockup and loss of control. Owners describe the steering wheel becoming stuck mid-turn or while driving straight, often requiring excessive force to overcome resistance. These episodes occur at various speeds (20–60 mph) and sometimes resolve after a restart; in other cases they escalate from occasional to multiple times daily. One owner reported the wheel stuck in right-turn position while merging at highway speed; another lost all steering control downhill.
Power steering failure has also occurred with no warning lights—the system simply goes dead, making low-speed steering nearly impossible. In one incident under 15,000 miles, a dealership diagnosed integrated electric power steering pump failure requiring full rack-and-pinion replacement.
One critical incident combined ABS brake lockup with simultaneous steering wheel lock, causing a crash that totaled the vehicle. The owner had brought the car to the dealership multiple times within the prior year citing brake problems; technicians could not identify the fault despite multiple repair attempts.
Dealers point to steering rack and pinion assembly failure as the root cause. NHTSA Campaign 19V637000 addresses steering issues in this generation; owners reference recalls 22V426000 and 24V838000 for brakes. However, one owner reported recall parts remain unavailable, and another's specific VIN did not match the available recall campaign.
Same Jeep Grand Cherokee steering reports on nearby years: 2017 · 2018 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022
Failure modes owners describe
Steering Wheel Lock/Seizure During Driving
Steering wheel becomes stuck or locks up mid-curve or while driving straight, sometimes requiring excessive force to overcome. Occurs at varying speeds (20–60 mph) and sometimes resolves after vehicle restart. Multiple owners report this as intermittent initially, then becoming frequent.
When: Between 62,000–89,000 miles; incidents ranging from 2019 to 2024. One incident at ~70,000 miles downhill at 20 mph; another during highway merge at 35+ mph; one at 74,000 miles at 40 mph.
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel stuck and unable to turn left or right; Steering wheel pulls or locks during lane changes and curves; Requires excessive force to return wheel to center; Wheel stuck in right-turn position; Intermittent initially, then recurring daily (2–3 times per day in one case); No warning lights in most cases
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers diagnosed steering rack gear failure and replacement of entire steering rack/pinion assembly required. One owner reported replacement of ABS module; another noted integrated electric power steering pump failure requiring full rack-and-pinion replacement under 15,000 miles.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign Numbers 19V637000 (Steering) and 22V426000 and 24V838000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) referenced by owners. One owner reported parts for recall repairs not yet available; another stated recall applied to similar Jeeps but not their specific VIN.
Complete Power Steering Failure
Electric power steering system loses all function, rendering the vehicle extremely difficult to steer at low speeds. Occurs suddenly with no prior warning. One case involved complete electrical system shutdown alongside steering failure.
When: Under 15,000 miles (one case); highway incident June 2021; one incident September 2019 at 60 mph.
Symptoms owners cite: Power steering fails abruptly with no warning indicator; Vehicle becomes very difficult to steer at low speeds; Complete loss of electrical systems (brake lights, dash lights, speedometer, power locks) in one case; Engine and transmission barely functioning alongside steering failure
Repairs/costs cited: Diagnosed as failed electric power steering pump; requires complete steering rack and pinion assembly replacement because the pump is integrated. One case involved towing to dealership with no root cause diagnosis provided.
ABS and Brake System Failure with Steering Lockup
ABS brakes fail and lock up; steering wheel also locks simultaneously, preventing vehicle control. Results in crash and total vehicle loss in one documented case. Multiple prior service visits at dealership did not identify or resolve issue.
When: December 31, 2024; vehicle taken to dealership multiple times within one year prior to failure.
Symptoms owners cite: ABS brakes lock up while braking; Steering wheel locks up at same time; Vehicle unable to be controlled; No airbag deployment during collision; No warning signs—failure occurred suddenly
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership performed multiple brake system repairs (front and rear) over multiple visits without success. Vehicle was totaled in crash. No repair completed because vehicle was declared total loss.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner contacted Mopar; informed of recall availability but stated no fix available to date. Lifetime Max Care Warranty through Mopar did not cover incident.
Dashboard Malfunction and Instrument Cluster Failure Concurrent with Steering Stiffness
Dashboard malfunctions, speedometer displays only horizontal lines, brake light activates, and steering wheel becomes very stiff. Occurs alongside warning messages. ABS module internal failure determined to be cause.
When: June 2021 at approximately 30 mph on highway; event repeated multiple times; last incident deemed critical by owner.
Symptoms owners cite: Dashboard blinking and malfunctioning; Speedometer showing only horizontal lines; Red brake light illuminated; Steering wheel very stiff, loss of appropriate steering control; Engine warning light on (non-blinking)
Repairs/costs cited: ABS module reported to have internal failure and was replaced.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership advised owner that engine light on (non-blinking) allows safe driving; blinking light means vehicle not drivable. System sometimes reset on its own, with advisors stating no action needed.
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 2019 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 2019 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?
Based on the 14 complaints filed, steering issues most often appear around 41,649 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
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/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.