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severe Owners of the 2020 Jeep Cherokee have filed 21 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 →
| Model year | steering complaints |
|---|---|
| 2016 Cherokee | 53 |
| 2017 Cherokee | 45 |
| 2018 Cherokee | 30 |
| 2019 Cherokee | 120 |
| 2020 Cherokee (this page) | 21 |
| 2021 Cherokee | 3 |
| 2022 Cherokee | 3 |
A loss of steering control increases the risk of a crash.
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.
Electric Power Steering (EPS) Will Not Calibrate, Negative Response Error Code 0X10
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗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 ↗Rear Tires Rubbing On Splash Shields/Wheel Liners This bulletin involves inspecting for the wrong size tire and wheel assemblies and possibly replacing all five wheel assemblies, Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPM) sensors, flashing the Electronic Power Steering (EPS) and performing a Proxi alignment. Customers may experience the following condition: The rear 17 in. tires are rubbing on the wheel liners. This condition is due to an incorrect 17 in. tire and wheel size, for the North Edition packages that require 18 in. tires and wheels.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Rear Tires Rubbing On Splash Shields/Wheel Liners This bulletin involves inspecting for the wrong size tire and wheel assemblies and possibly replacing all five wheel assemblies, Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPM) sensors, flashing the Electronic Power Steering (EPS) and performing a Proxi alignment. Customers may experience the following condition: The rear 17 in. tires are rubbing on the wheel liners. This condition is due to an incorrect 17 in. tire and wheel size, for the North Edition packages that require 18 in. tires and wheels.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Rear Wheels Rubbing On Splash Shields/Wheel Liners This bulletin involves inspecting for the wrong size tire and wheel assemblies and possibly replacing all five wheel assemblies, Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPM) sensors, flashing the Electronic Power Steering (EPS) and performing a Proxi alignment. Customers may experience the following condition:The rear 17 in. tires are rubbing on the wheel liners. This condition is due to an incorrect 17 in. tire and wheel size, for the North Edition packages that require 18 in. tires and wheels.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
Owners of 2020 Jeep Cherokees describe steering failures spanning mechanical damage and electrical malfunction. Most severe are complete steering lockups while driving—one owner lost all steering control on the highway at high speed; another at 25 MPH hit a tree after the steering seized, sustaining chest, back, and head injuries. A third experienced sudden complete loss of steering on highway driving, confirmed by an independent service center.
Rack-and-pinion failures account for several reports: one fractured gear at 22,000 miles, another required full rack-and-pinion replacement after the steering locked up in February and displayed multiple warning lights (Service power steering, Service electric stability control, and others). An electronic steering power transfer unit failure caused the vehicle to jerk violently left and right at 13,000 miles.
Beyond catastrophic failure, owners report persistent stickiness and notchiness in the steering wheel—a binding or catching sensation when turning that forces constant correction to stay in lane. This occurs at all speeds and worsens over time. One shop duplicated the complaint and found electrical systems normal but concluded the steering gears were mechanically faulty.
A mobile mechanic could not retrieve fault codes using a handheld scanner in one case. Multiple owners note that while NHTSA Campaign 19V637000 addresses steering in 2019-2020 Cherokees, their specific VINs are excluded from the recall despite experiencing the same failures.
Same Jeep Cherokee steering reports on nearby years: 2017 · 2018 · 2019
Complete mechanical failure of the steering rack and pinion assembly, resulting in sudden loss of power steering and steering control while driving. One owner reported the steering rack gear fractured; another experienced complete steering lockup on the highway. The failure can occur without warning.
When: 13,000 to 35,088 miles; one unreported mileage at high speed on highway
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden complete loss of steering control; Steering wheel locked or seized; Steering wheel becomes firm or stiffens; Vehicle jerks or pulls sharply left or right; Power steering light and 'Steering Wheel with Exclamation Mark' warning displayed
Codes mentioned: P0A14 or similar power steering system fault (inferred from warning lights; no specific codes retrieved by mobile mechanic in some cases)
Repairs/costs cited: Steering rack and pinion assembly replacement required. One owner reported replacement at dealership (Autoland Springfield, New Jersey); costs not stated. In one case, steering rack gear was replaced.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign Number 19V637000 (Steering) exists; however, affected VINs in these complaints were not included in the recall. Manufacturer notified in some cases but no assistance offered. No TSBs or warranty programs mentioned.
The electronic steering power transfer unit failed, causing the vehicle to suddenly jerk left and right while driving. This is distinct from mechanical rack-and-pinion failure and involves the electrical/electronic steering assist system.
When: 13,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle suddenly jerks two feet to the right and two feet to the left while driving at various speeds
Repairs/costs cited: Electronic steering power transfer unit was replaced. Cost not stated.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer not notified.
Owners report a sticky, notchy, or bound feeling in the steering wheel when turning, occurring both while driving and at idle. The steering catches or hangs up when making slight adjustments, forcing the driver to constantly correct course. Shop diagnosis suggests mechanical failure in the steering gears.
When: 36,000 miles; present soon after purchase and worsening over time; occurs at all speeds
Symptoms owners cite: Sticking or notchy feel when turning the steering wheel; Steering wheel catches or hangs up when making slight left or right adjustments; Vehicle jerks or pulls to one side when steering adjustment is made; Constant need to chase the road or weave to stay in lane; Shaky or loose feel in the rack and pinion
Repairs/costs cited: Shop found all electrical functions passed inspection; concluded mechanical failure in steering gears. One owner reports the issue steadily worsened. No repair costs provided.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response reported. One owner notes that a steering gear recall exists for 2019-2020 Jeep Cherokee, but their vehicle is not included.
Owners report that steering becomes difficult to maneuver or stiffens intermittently, with some incidents resulting in complete steering seizure while driving. Warning lights illuminate before or during failure. One incident resulted in a crash.
When: Unknown mileage in one case; steering warning light appeared during loss of control
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel stiffens and becomes difficult to maneuver; Intermittent stiffening and loss of responsiveness; Steering wheel seizes while driving; Steering warning light illuminates
Repairs/costs cited: No repair performed in reported cases. One vehicle severely damaged; front end damage caused radiator leak.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer not made aware in crash case. Mobile mechanic unable to retrieve fault code with handheld scanner in another case.
The Power Steering Control Module ceased functioning properly, requiring replacement. This electronic component controls the electric power steering system.
When: Unknown mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Steering malfunction related to control module failure
Repairs/costs cited: Power Steering Control Module was replaced.
Synthesized from 21 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
It's a meaningful issue. 21 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $700.
Based on the 21 complaints filed, steering issues most often appear around 26,941 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.
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.
Yes — 1 active recall(s) cover steering issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.