2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee steering problems

Power steering system fails without warning, leaving drivers with a hard steering wheel that is difficult or impossible to turn. Failures occur at low speed (parking lots, driveways) and at highway speeds (55-75 mph). Dashboard warning displays 'Power Steering Unavailable, Service Required' or steering warning symbol. Some owners report the system restores itself after engine restart; others experience prolonged loss of function.

When: As early as 173 miles; 380 miles; 2,497 miles; 2,700 miles; intermittently throughout ownership. Failures happen without warning—no prior diagnostic codes or symptoms.

Symptoms owners cite: Dashboard warning 'Power Steering Unavailable, Service Required'; Steering wheel becomes very hard to turn in either direction; Unable to steer vehicle safely out of parking space or driveway; Intermittent restoration of steering function after ignition restart; Steering wheel locks completely in at least one reported case

Codes mentioned: Power steering warning light, EPS (Electric Power Steering) fault codes (unspecified by owners), No readable diagnostic codes retrieved at auto parts stores in some cases

Repairs/costs cited: Steering rack and pinion replacement attempted in at least one case, but failure recurred at 2,700 miles after repair. Dealers unable to reproduce problem in multiple cases. One owner cited water intrusion into electronic steering control unit area. One dealership reset computer with no permanent fix. Multiple repeat visits to dealers (up to 6 times) with no resolution reported.

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Multiple recalls issued: NHTSA 22V-154 (upper control arm pinch bolt); 24V-132 (Suspension, Steering—parts distribution ongoing with delayed remedy availability); 95B (hybrid battery fire risk, performed in January, after which steering issues escalated in some vehicles). Some owners noted their VINs do not appear in recall listings despite matching recall descriptions.

Widespread simultaneous failure of power steering, braking, engine power, and electronics control systems triggered by software or electrical issues. All dashboard warning lights illuminate at once (described as 'every symbol on the screen'). Failures occur without prior warning. In one case at 25 mph in village traffic, driver lost complete vehicle control and had to force steering into a handicap space while attempting to brake. In another case at highway speeds, vehicle shut down completely with loss of steering and braking response, then restored after 10–15 seconds.

When: Reported as early as 6,300 miles (temporary loss); 173 miles (multiple system failure); various mileages. Cascading failures typically occur at startup or during low-speed maneuvers, though one case involves loss at 65–75 mph highway speeds.

Symptoms owners cite: All or multiple dashboard warning lights illuminate simultaneously without prior warning; Red triangle safety symbol and multiple service symbols appear together; Complete loss of power steering control; Brakes become hard to depress or unresponsive; Engine power loss or complete vehicle shutdown; Loss of electronic stability control, blind spot monitoring, lane assist; Vehicle does not respond to steering or braking inputs

Codes mentioned: ABS brake symbol, Hybrid electric vehicle failure symbol, Hybrid service light, Engine service symbol, Red battery light symbol (battery power unavailable), Service electronic stability control, Blind spot alert unavailable, Lane departure/lane keeping assistance unavailable, Rear braking assist unavailable, Check engine light (non-readable codes in some instances), 'Digital crash' codes reported by dealer (unable to reproduce)

Repairs/costs cited: One owner reported dealer downloaded computer data, inspected vehicle, and confirmed multiple problems with detailed repair description (parts and costs not specified by owner). Another reported dealership deemed vehicle 'unsafe to drive' and provided loaner while unable to correct problem. Owners report multiple recall repairs (up to four recalls on single vehicle) without resolution.

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recalls issued: 95B (hybrid battery fire prevention software update); 24V-132 (Suspension, Steering with delayed parts availability). Owner reports show that after 95B recall work, hybrid system warning light and loss of propulsion began recurring every 150 miles with no fix available at time of complaint. FCA arbitration determinations noted these are not safety concerns, contrary to owner safety concerns.

Recurring warning light indicating 'Hybrid System Service Required' or 'Maintenance Hybrid System' appears intermittently without advance warning, accompanied by momentary loss of engine power or propulsion. Failures clear themselves without driver intervention. Owners report video evidence of warning lamp appearing and clearing. Issue began after 95B recall (hybrid battery fire prevention software update) in some cases.

When: Starting at 6,300 miles in one case; recurring approximately every 150 miles in another. Frequency and triggering conditions unclear.

Symptoms owners cite: Warning light for hybrid system service; Momentary loss of propulsion or engine power; Warning clears itself without restart; No advance warning lamps before event occurs; Concurrent power steering loss reported in one case

Codes mentioned: Hybrid system warning light, 'Digital crash' code (cannot be reproduced by dealer)

Repairs/costs cited: Dealership unable to reproduce issue despite video evidence. No permanent repair identified. Multiple owners reporting same issue.

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Safety recall issued for this exact problem with no fix available at time of owner complaints. 95B software update performed to address hybrid battery fire risk, but subsequent steering and propulsion issues linked to this update by some owners.

Loud rattle, clunk, or banging noise from front suspension that starts at light intensity and worsens with heat soak. Noise develops early in ownership (7,000 miles reported) and persists or recurs despite repair attempts. Owners report noise described as 'loud banging' and 'rattle trap' that creates significant distraction during driving. Noise associated with full steering lock turns in some cases. Owners note noise was not present when vehicle was new, ruling out it as normal operational characteristic.

When: Starting around 7,000 miles in one case; present from early ownership; worsens over time especially in hot weather.

Symptoms owners cite: Loud rattle, clunk, or banging noise from front end; Noise increases with heat soak (ambient temperature); Noise worsens or is pronounced during full steering lock turns; Noise is intermittent but recurring; Significant distraction while driving

Repairs/costs cited: Dealership reports 'normal operational noise' in some cases. Replacement of entire sway bar disconnect actuator assembly under warranty reported in some cases but no standardized repair procedure. Some owners note replacement resolves noise temporarily or permanently; others report continued issues.

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall specifically cited for this noise issue by owners. Dealership characterizes as 'normal' and inconsistent in repair approach.

Vehicle pulls intermittently to one side (left in reported case) while driver attempts to steer in opposite direction, particularly when driving over uneven terrain or bumps at highway speeds. Intermittent nature makes problem difficult to diagnose and reproduce. One recall (upper control arm pinch bolt) cited by dealer as likely cause, but issue could not be duplicated during service appointment despite recurring intermittently before appointment.

When: Intermittent and inconsistent; triggered by uneven road surfaces or bumps at high speeds.

Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle pulls to left (or one side) intermittently; Driver unable to steer right (opposite direction) effectively; Pulling occurs over uneven pavement or bumpy road sections; Intermittent nature makes reproduction difficult

Repairs/costs cited: Dealer unable to duplicate issue despite recall appointment scheduled for upper control arm pinch bolt repair. Vehicle returned without service; owner expressed concern about driving safety with unresolved intermittent issue.

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall cited for upper control arm pinch bolt (NHTSA number redacted in narrative). Dealer appointment scheduled but issue not reproducible during service.

Rack and pinion unit fails or sustains damage resulting in steering system malfunction. Water intrusion into electronic control unit area noted in one case, possibly from nearby water pump leak. One owner reported $7,000 out-of-pocket cost for replacement. Another experienced complete steering lockup at low speed (5 mph) during left turn, with front wheels pushed outside wheel well and collision resulting.

When: Diagnosed after early ownership or following unrelated repair (water pump leak). One lockup event occurred at 5 mph.

Symptoms owners cite: Power steering malfunction after rack and pinion failure; Steering wheel becomes very hard to turn; Complete steering lockup with wheels turned inward; Steering unresponsive to driver input

Repairs/costs cited: Rack and pinion replacement performed in one case at cost reportedly $7,000 out of pocket for used vehicle owner. Water intrusion into electronic steering control terminals noted in one case, suspected source being water pump leak from nearby component. Replacement attempted but in at least one case steering malfunction recurred post-repair.

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One owner reported vehicle was subject to NHTSA recall 22V-154 (Suspension, Steering) but VIN did not appear in recall listing despite matching recall description and year/make/model. Dealer advised VIN not eligible.

Steering wheel locks or becomes very difficult to turn while vehicle is in drive or during operation. One case involved steering wheel locking mechanism becoming undone while driving, requiring multiple dealer contacts without resolution.

When: During operation; one case notes mechanism issue during driving.

Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel locks and does not turn; Steering wheel locking mechanism becomes undone while driving; Extremely difficult steering wheel movement

Repairs/costs cited: One owner reports multiple dealer contacts with no resolution of locking mechanism issue.

Vehicle experiences complete electrical shutdown or power loss while in motion at highway speeds, resulting in simultaneous loss of steering and braking control. System restores itself after 10–15 seconds. Transmission warning lights appear. Fourth occurrence reported by one owner with dealership unable to identify cause.

When: Reported at highway speeds (65–75 mph); mileage 20,000+ miles in one case.

Symptoms owners cite: Complete vehicle shutdown while driving; Service engine light and transmission warning lights; Loss of steering response during shutdown; Loss of braking response during shutdown; Vehicle will not start for 10–15 minutes post-shutdown; Recurring pattern (fourth occurrence reported by one owner)

Codes mentioned: Service engine light, Transmission warning light

Repairs/costs cited: Dealership clears codes but cannot identify or replicate problem. No fix provided.

Multiple owners received NHTSA Campaign 24V-132 notification (Suspension, Steering) but parts to perform recall repair were not available. Parts distribution appears disconnected—dealers allowed to order only one bolt every 7 days. Owners report manufacturer has exceeded reasonable timeframe for recall repair and vehicle remains unsafe to drive pending repair.

When: Recall issued January/February 2024; parts unavailable at time of complaints (February–March 2024). One owner cited earliest repair availability as April 8, 2024.

Symptoms owners cite: No actual failure experienced (precautionary recall)

Repairs/costs cited: Parts not available. Dealers unable to order parts in reasonable quantity or timeframe.

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 24V-132 issued (Suspension, Steering) but remedy not available. Manufacturer confirmed parts unavailability. One owner reported earliest repair date April 8, 2024, despite early 2024 recall notice. Parts distribution constrained to one bolt per dealer per week.