MODULE - STEERING CONTROL & COLUMN
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee steering problems
severe Owners of the 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee have filed 13 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
13
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
| Model year | steering complaints |
|---|---|
| 2016 Grand Cherokee | 16 |
| 2017 Grand Cherokee | 18 |
| 2018 Grand Cherokee | 14 |
| 2019 Grand Cherokee | 14 |
| 2020 Grand Cherokee (this page) | 13 |
| 2021 Grand Cherokee | 102 |
| 2022 Grand Cherokee | 45 |
| 2023 Grand Cherokee | 40 |
| 2024 Grand Cherokee | 7 |
1crash
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.
Steering Column Power Tilt Inoperative
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Steering Column Power Tilt Inoperative
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 ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Power steering failure dominates these complaints. Owners describe the system cutting in and out without warning—EPS light or "Power Steering Unavailable" message sometimes appears—leaving them fighting a steering wheel with no assist in traffic or at highway speeds. One owner at 28k miles was quoted $5,800 for a complete steering gear replacement (module not repairable). Multiple dealerships have been unable to reproduce the issue despite multiple visits and no diagnostic codes turn up.
One owner reports violent wobbling when flat towing per the owner manual, claiming Jeep is aware of the defect and has bought back other vehicles. Another describes the opposite problem: steering so heavy it causes exhaustion and produces internal rubbing friction. A third owner spent two years battling constant rightward pull, requiring 4–5 alignments in one year before a mechanic identified a steering gear problem. One complaint details a front-end separation during steering loss, with the left front tire ending up on its side.
Suspension noise, vibration at certain speeds, and one instance of complete electrical shutdown (engine, lights, steering all cutting out before restarting) round out the safety concerns. Owners express frustration that known issues appear to fall outside current recall boundaries.
Same Jeep Grand Cherokee steering reports on nearby years: 2018 · 2019 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023
Failure modes owners describe
Electrical Power Steering (EPS) Loss or Intermittent Failure
Power steering cuts in and out unpredictably during driving, or shuts off completely with warning light or 'Power Steering Unavailable' message. Owners report loss of steering assist making the vehicle difficult or impossible to control, sometimes while in traffic or at highway speeds.
When: Occurs while driving; one owner at ~28k miles after purchasing used vehicle with 25,640 miles; another ongoing for about one year; one instance first occurrence 'in traffic'
Symptoms owners cite: Power steering cuts in and out intermittently; Complete power steering failure while driving; 'Power Steering Unavailable Service Required' warning message; EPS warning light appears; Red power steering warning icon flashes; Steering becomes very difficult or impossible to control; Unable to complete turns or maintain control
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reports Koons Chevrolet diagnostic revealed steering gear rack and pinion replacement needed; estimated repair cost $5,800 parts and labor. Module is internal and not serviceable; entire steering gear must be replaced.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Original dealership in one case is closed. Jeep/Stellantis Customer Care contacted by one owner but no resolution stated. Multiple dealerships unable to duplicate issue despite multiple visits; no diagnostic codes appear. One recall mentioned by owner for steering gear affecting 2019–2020 Grand Cherokees, but owner states their 2020 vehicle was not included in recall despite having same symptoms.
Death Wobble on Towing
Vehicle violently wobbles when flat towed behind a motor home after hitting a bump, creating risk of the vehicle breaking loose or flipping. Owner followed manufacturer's owner manual instructions for flat towing with all four wheels on ground.
When: Occurred while flat towing on I-475 after hitting a bump in the road
Symptoms owners cite: Violent wobbling while flat towed; Risk of vehicle breaking loose from tow rig; Risk of vehicle flipping
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle was being analyzed by Newnan Peachtree Jeep dealership in Newnan, Georgia at time of complaint
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner states 'It appears that this defect is already known to the manufacturer' and that 'Jeep has bought back some vehicles with the DEATH WOBBLE defect.' No buyback offered to this owner.
Heavy, Difficult Steering with Internal Friction
Steering wheel requires excessive effort to turn, creating fatigue and safety hazard. Turning the wheel produces a muffled, strained rubbing sound indicating internal friction within the steering column or system.
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel overly heavy and requires excessive effort to turn; Dangerous amount of effort required for steering; Fatigue and exhaustion from steering; Muffled, strained rubbing sound when turning; Internal friction detectable during turns
Steering Pull to One Side
Steering constantly pulls to the right, requiring multiple wheel alignments to temporarily correct. Issue recurs frequently despite alignment work, suggesting underlying mechanical or wear problem.
When: Ongoing for two years; required 4 or 5 wheel alignments in one year
Symptoms owners cite: Steering pulls to the right; Constant pull requiring frequent realignment; Recurrent misalignment despite multiple corrections
Repairs/costs cited: Owner obtained 4–5 wheel alignments in one year with receipts; mechanic upon inspection identified this as steering gear issue
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner researched known issues and found 2019–2020 Grand Cherokee steering gear recall, but states their 2020 vehicle does not fall within the recall despite matching the year and symptoms.
Suspension Noise and Vibration
Front right suspension produces odd noises when going over bumps and turning, described as something loose moving in the suspension. Vehicle also vibrates at certain speeds, possibly related to the suspension issue.
Symptoms owners cite: Weird noises from front right suspension over bumps; Noises when turning; Sound of something loose moving in suspension; Vehicle vibration at certain speeds
Front End Separation / Suspension Failure
Front end fell off vehicle during loss of steering control, with left front tire ended up on its side. This appears to be catastrophic suspension/steering component failure resulting in loss of structural integrity.
When: Occurred during loss of steering control on interstate
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of steering control pushing vehicle left; Vehicle struck retaining wall then right side of interstate; Front end fell off vehicle; Left front tire sitting on its side; No warning lights prior to failure
Synthesized from 13 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Power Steering As I was making a right hand turn the red warning power steering icon flashed on the dash and I was unable to complete the right hand turn and proceeded to drift in to the oncoming traffic lane and ended up on the sidewalk facing the on coming traffic lane. The problem has not been reproduced or confirmed at this time The vehicle or component has not been inspected at this time…
Had steering trouble with your 2020 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 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
It's a meaningful issue. 13 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 13 complaints filed, steering issues most often appear around 13,100 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/2020/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.