RoadVitals

2017 Jeep Cherokee Steering Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the steering system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Steering reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
45
Latest Aug 12, 2025
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
3%
of 1,325 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
1
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
1

What this page shows

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2017 Jeep Cherokee submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 45 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming steering

The 25 most recent of 45, in the owner's own words

Driver assistanceSteering
Filed Aug 12, 2025

Vehicle has a known safety Bulletin out from Stellantis for the PTU but this model does not fall under it. I am having issues with the PtU and concerns with safety of driving and others. Will need repaired. Frustration that my certain subsection of this model is not covered under the safety bulletin despite known problems and significant safety risk.

NHTSA ID
11680180
Incident
Aug 10, 2025
Driver assistancePowertrain (other)Steering
Filed Jun 17, 2025

I believe the PTU is malfunctioning and causing the transmission to slip or jerk. I am experiencing uncontrolled movement while driving. The vehicle is available at any time for inspection upon request. This puts myself and 2 small children at risk while driving, therefore my ability to use this vehicle is extremely limited and high risk. I have taken it to a jeep dealership in porterville ca who stated my transmission needed replacement. they verbally stated my ptu was ok but never confirmed it with documentation. i have taken it to private mechanics who could not find any issues saying that the problem is internal. the mechanics i have taken it to in the past year have not come to a solution other than to suggest i wait for a resolution to the recall. The service all wheel drive light came on/off about a year ago and was consistant for several months but has turned off for awhile now.

NHTSA ID
11667416
Incident
Oct 30, 2023
Powertrain (other)Steering
Filed Jul 5, 2024

The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact's husband struck a curb. The contact's husband depressed the brake pedal and attempted to make a turn, but the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The "Service Shifter" message was displayed, and the vehicle made an abnormal sound and stalled while driving. The steering wheel was firm while making the turn. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle, and the failure was self-corrected. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic; however, the failure was unable to be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the independent mechanic that the gear shifter needed to be replaced. The failure mileage was approximately 127,000.

NHTSA ID
11599265
Incident
May 27, 2024
Mileage
127,000 mi
BrakesEngineSteering
Filed Apr 16, 2024

I was driving my 2017 Jeep Cherokee Latitude 2.4L, car won't start, I have oil pressure sensor to warn me when low doesn't alert me at all, only time is when I realized a beep when I made turns and would indicate oil pressure low! I can't get my car to stop and it stalled on me while driving with no indication of low oil, and I have two kids and could have been very bad, since no power no breaks no steering!

NHTSA ID
11583381
Incident
Apr 12, 2024
SteeringSuspension
Filed Apr 14, 2024

My Jeep Cherokee(vin [XXX] ) was being flat towed behind a class a motorhome. On 4 separate occasions the front wheels of the jeep started bucking right to left and back to opposite side causing the whole motorhome to violently vibrate. 1) The first time it happened was at about 15 mph while turning left onto a connecting road. It started vibrating so I pulled to side of street and stopped. After getting out and discovering nothing of note I started off and the wobble was gone. 2) Second time was while driving at around 50 mph. There was a bump and grade change in the road and the wobble started. Much more violent than the first. I had to stop while in the traffic lane, with no place to pull over. This time I could see the wobble in the rear camera of the motorhome. Jeep was violently bucking back and forth as before but much stronger. 3) Slower speed at about 20 mph it happended again. Had to come to a stop before it corrected. 4) 40 mph and a very subtle road surface change caused wobble. I disconnected Jeep and drove it by itself to home. Never had an incident other than while being towed. This has happened 4 times in the past 5 trips of around 300 miles each. Since then I have discovered articles about "Jeep Death Wobbles" and have not found any evidence where Jeep has even acknowledged there is an issue. Until I see user manual that mentions a "Mopar Wiring Kit" that needs to be installed. I do not know if this is considered a recall or if is an after thought mentioned in the manual. At any rate the Jeep was sold as a flat towable vehicle and Jeep should stand behind it and install the Mopar fix as a safety fix at no charge to customers who bought it as a flat tow vehicle. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
11582840
Incident
Apr 10, 2024
ElectricalPowertrain (other)Steering
Filed Jan 29, 2024

Today while driving, my vehicle’s power steering went out causing me to pull over to the side of the road. My car was running, but I was unable to move it. When I put it in drive, the lights on the shifter would flash, but the car would not change gears. The problem appears to be electrical as the battery is brand new, and the engine was running.

NHTSA ID
11568427
Incident
Jan 29, 2024
BrakesElectricalSteering
Filed Oct 31, 2023

After the weekend rain, I went to start the 2017 Jeep Cherokee it did not start. I had the battery car jumped and it started up when driving it the steering wheel locked up. The dashboard started to display antilock brake assist off system, power steering assist off system, service transmission restart in Park with vehicle 0 speed, and so many red lights started flashing afterwards. I was in the car with my children a car that was coming behind me had to swerve around me as my car instantly stopped. This could’ve been a horrific or fatal car accident. I just hit my car check to renew my plates the emissions pass and everything safety was good. With this current situation, I would now have to get my car back to the dealership for further inspection, and will be without a car.

NHTSA ID
11552797
Incident
Oct 30, 2023
EngineSteering
Filed Oct 12, 2023

The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at 70 MPH, the contact had heard an abnormal noise. The vehicle had started overheating. The vehicle was hesitant to accelerate and the steering had become firm. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the failure was due to a faulty shifter vessel and ECU jumper harness. The vehicle had been repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 69,808.

NHTSA ID
11549565
Incident
Oct 3, 2023
Mileage
69,808 mi
Steering
Filed Oct 10, 2023

my 2017 jeep cherokee (vin [XXX] ) has two recalls that are affecting the vhicle. the first is the shifter and harness recall that causes the vehicle to display "service shifter" messages randomly, and all of the shifter lights turn on. the second is the recall effecting how the vehicle shifts. please send me information on how to get these recalls fixed without having to pay a fortune. [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
11549118
Incident
Oct 10, 2023
Powertrain (other)SteeringSuspension
Filed Jul 19, 2023

I brought car in for oil change and was told the R front axle was leaking. Brought it to dealer for repair and told Both that both front and rear axles needed to be replaced along with PTU. Was informed that the that was ordered was cancelled b/c 800 people across the country were looking for the same part. There were no safety warnings. I was told very unsafe to drive b/c front axle came out of PTU.

NHTSA ID
11533162
Incident
Jul 6, 2023
ElectricalPowertrain (other)Steering
Filed Jul 17, 2023

Service shifter message has been appearing and at times, all lights on PRND lighting up. The vehicle transmission may still engage or may not. Recent occurrence on 07/13/2013, vehicle took 20 minutes before transmission engaged. Fortunately, I was parked at work, going home. If this occurred on the road, has potential of wreck happening. Jeep dealership leaning towards voltage error, cleaned battery terminals, test drove, could not replicate error. Did not drive until 07/17/2023, service shifter message came back without all PRND lights coming on.

NHTSA ID
11532843
Incident
Jun 28, 2023
Powertrain (other)Steering
Filed May 2, 2023

Service shifter keeps going on but no dealer ship know what the problem is and I have been stuck because of it.

NHTSA ID
11520146
Incident
May 1, 2023
ElectricalSteering
Filed Jan 13, 2022

While driving at approximately 50 mph, the vehicles steering wheel locked, all lights on the dash came on and the car shut completely off. My daughter was able to slowly pump the breaks to stop because there was no traffic but had there been she could have been in a serious accident since the car completely shut down. This is a huge safety concern.

NHTSA ID
11447304
Incident
Jan 2, 2022
ElectricalPowertrain (other)Steering
Filed Oct 4, 2021

I was driving like normal about 15 mph after just pulling out of the gas station onto the main road and have no issues with my car as of late and all of a sudden it just stopped. All the lights lite up on the shift, every light lite up on the dash saying everything needed to be serviced, I was unable to move or do anything with the car, not even turn it off and i was in the middle of the road! Luckily no one was behind me and I was still able to engage my hazards. After about 10 min's my car turned off on it's own. I sat for another 10 before finally being able to turn it back on and move it to the side of the road and eventually get it back to my house 2 miles away. Clearly this is a serious safety issue and is not ok, especially the fact that my car was bought brand new and is not even 5 years old!

NHTSA ID
11435430
Incident
Oct 3, 2021
ElectricalPowertrain (other)Steering
Filed Sep 12, 2021

Car stalls without warning or indicator lights and will not restart in a safe manner. There are dozens of reports concerning this situation online and it is a SERIOUS safety issue that has received no attention. There is apparently and “incomplete” notice from JEEP that has failed to reach all customers. This has now happened to me three times — 2 of which were in situations that created significant safety risk.

NHTSA ID
11432682
Incident
Sep 11, 2021
ElectricalEngineSteering
Filed Jul 18, 2021

Service shifter warning. Car stalled twice. It has 45 k miles only. Won't start on first try.

NHTSA ID
11425369
Incident
Jul 18, 2021
Steering
Filed Jun 28, 2021

While driving the Service Shifter prompt came on and all the lights on the gear box turned red. The safety risk when this prompt came on is huge as you are driving and trying not to panic as you don't know if the car will stall or stop suddenly. MANY other people with Jeeps have experienced this problem. There should be a recall for this issue. This vehicle has under 25,000 miles. I went to the dealership and was informed the parts are not covered under warranty. It was confirmed the Bezel and Wire Harness will have to be replaced which the dealership did on 6/24/2021. The vehicle was only inspected by the dealership. No other warnings or dashboard messages prior to 6/23/2021.

NHTSA ID
11422623
Incident
Jun 28, 2021
ElectricalEngineSteering
Filed Apr 23, 2021

JEEP WILL STALL WHILE DRIVING. ENGINE WILL SHUT OFF, LOSE POWER STEERING, CANNOT ACCELERATE TO TRY TO GET OUT OF HARMS WAY, BATTERY, OIL AND ENGINE LIGHT WILL COME ON AND RECEIVE A MESSAGE SAYING TO "SHIFT TO PARK OR NEUTRAL TO START THE VEHICLE". IF YOU WANT A COUPLE MINUTES THE JEEP STRUGGLE TO TURNOVER BUT EVENTUALLY WILL. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND THIS VEHICLE NEEDS TO BE RECALLED IMMEDIATELY!!!! THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE!!! IT HAS HAPPENED TO ME 6 TIMES IN THE PAST 3 WEEKS. IT HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING AND OCCURS WITHOUT WARNING ON ANY STREET OR HIGHWAY, TURNING OR BRAKING.

NHTSA ID
11413493
Incident
Apr 5, 2021
Mileage
60,000 mi
Powertrain (other)Steering
Filed Apr 4, 2021

DOESN'T SEEM TO BE TURNING RIGHT. A LOT OF CLICKING MAKING NOISE WHEN I BACK UP. AND TURN WHEEL.

NHTSA ID
11406341
Incident
Mar 18, 2021
Mileage
4,346 mi
BrakesPowertrain (other)Steering
Filed Mar 14, 2021

I WAS AT AN INTERSECTION STOPPED YESTERDAY AND MY 2017 JEEP CHEROKEE LIMITED LOST ALL POWER STEERING, AND BRAKES. DASHBOARD FLASHED 'CAR MUST BE IN NEUTRAL OR PARK TO SHIFT GEARS' AND WOULDN'T GO FORWARD, STARTED ROLLING BACKWARDS UNTIL I PULLED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. TURNED OFF THE CAR TO TRY TO RESET IT AND TOOK A LONG TIME TO TURN OVER. WENT OUT WITH IT AGAIN THIS MORNING AND SAME THING BUT GOING ABOUT 20MPH. THIS IS COMPLETELY UNSAFE AS I HAVE NO CONTROL OVER THE CAR!!!!

NHTSA ID
11402905
Incident
Mar 13, 2021
Mileage
65,000 mi
Steering
Filed Feb 6, 2021

JEEP SAYS 'SERVICE SHIFTER' AND SHOWS UP ON THE DASH AND ALL THE LIGHTS TURN RED ON THE SHIFTER ITSELF. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES IN MY JEEP. THE FREQUENCY HAS GOTTEN WORSE. I HAD TO RESTART MY JEEP IN THE MIDDLE OF A ROAD TO GET THE LIGHTS TO GO AWAY, AND WITHIN MINUTES NOW IT IS BACK ON. IT HAS GONE AWAY IN THE PAST BUT FOR AN UNKNOWN TIME (SOMETIMES A DAY SOMETIMES WEEKS.) IT HAS HAPPENED WHILE SHIFTING, DRIVING, AND WHILE PARKED. THE LIGHT IS NOT ONLY DANGEROUS BECAUSE YOU CANNOT SEE ANYTHING ELSE ON THE DASH BUT ALSO CONCERNING SINCE IT IS A KNOWN SHIFTER ISSUE.

NHTSA ID
11394976
Incident
Feb 6, 2021
Mileage
85,000 mi
Driver assistanceOther / unspecifiedSteering
Filed Dec 5, 2020

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: WIRING DETAILS ISSUED JUNE 4, 2018 RECALL ID 299936 NHTSA CAMPAIGN #18V332000 VEHICLES AFFECTED 4,815,661 COMPONENT AFFECTED ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: WIRING POWER TRAIN: DRIVELINE: DIFFERENTIAL UNIT DETAILS ISSUED JULY 14, 2020 RECALL ID 314017 NHTSA CAMPAIGN # 20V343000 VEHICLES AFFECTED 67,248 COMPONENT AFFECTED POWER TRAIN: DRIVELINE: DIFFERENTIAL UNIT WHEELS: RIM DETAILS ISSUED OCTOBER 13, 2017 RECALL ID 269528 NHTSA CAMPAIGN # 17V543000 VEHICLES AFFECTED 22,242 COMPONENT AFFECTED WHEELS: RIM

NHTSA ID
11377991
Incident
Jun 4, 2018
Mileage
50 mi
Driver assistanceSteering
Filed Sep 10, 2020

WHILE DRIVING DOWN D RTHE HIGHWAY MY JEEP SHUT OFF MID MOTION, MY DAUGHTER AND I WERE IN THE MIDDLE OF A 4 WAY. WE COSTED TO SIDE OF ROAD I CRANKED IT 5-6 TIMES THEN IT STARTED . WHEN MY CHEROKEE STOPED THE DASH READ SHIFT TO PARK THEN SELECT A GEAR. THE NEXT TIME IT DIED AGAIN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD I WAS RUNNING 55 MPH, THE OIL LIGHT FLICKERED FOR A SPLIT SECOND AND THE CAR DIED. THE CAR LOT I BOUGHT FROM SAID THEY FOUND NO ISSUE THIS IS AN ISSUE IT IS GOING TO GET ME OR MY KIDS HURT. I HAVE NO WARNING WHEN IT WILL SHUT DOWN. THE ONLY LIGHTS THAT COME ON IS THE SHIFT INTO PARK PRESS BRAKE SELECT GEAR. IT IS TERRIFYING I USE THIS JEEP CHEROKEE TO TRANSPORT MY KIDS. IT IS HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY.

NHTSA ID
11354322
Incident
Sep 6, 2020
Mileage
64,000 mi
EngineSteering
Filed Jul 22, 2020

WHEN COMING TO A STOP ON A CITY STREET MY VEHICLE DINGED, TURNED OFF AND A MESSAGE DISPLAYED ON THE DASH 'SHIFT TO PARK OR NEUTRAL, PRESS BRAKE, SELECT GEAR'. I COULD NOT USE MY STEERING WHEEL OR BREAKS DURING THIS TIME. I PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK, TURNED THE IGNITION OFF AND FULL TOOK MY KEY OUT. THEN ATTEMPTED TO START IT. I ONLY HEARD A SLIGHT SOUND BUT NO TURN OVER. I REPEATED THIS STEP AND THIS TIME, AFTER MOMENTARILY SPUTTERING, I WAS ABLE TO GIVE THE CAR GAS AND IT STAYED ON. I COULD SMELL OIL AT THIS POINT. IT SEEMS THIS IS RELATED TO EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION, WHICH TRIGGERS THE CAR TO SHUT OFF TO PROTECT THE ENGINE. EXCEPT THE OIL LEVEL IN THE VEHICLE IS FINE AND THERE ARE NO PRIOR WARNINGS BEFORE THIS HAPPENS.

NHTSA ID
11340834
Incident
Jul 22, 2020
Mileage
67,000 mi
Steering
Filed Jul 6, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 JEEP CHEROKEE LATITUDE 4X4. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE SERVICE SHIFTER WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE GEARS LIGHT UP. THE CONTACT VEERED TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD, TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND BACK ON WHICH FAILED TO RESUME BACK TO NORMAL. THE VEHICLE THEN WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED BUT THE PART REPAIRED WAS UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS TAKEN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,600.

NHTSA ID
11337767
Incident
Jul 5, 2020
Mileage
30,600 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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