Jeep Cherokee Steering Problems
Owners have filed 598 complaints with NHTSA about steering problems on the Jeep Cherokee across 16 model years. The 2019 model year has the most (120).
- 598steering complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 35mention a crash
- 17mention an injury
- 3related recalls
- $580typical repair cost reported by owners
- 40%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical steering repair on the Jeep Cherokee at $580, and half of them between $300 and $2,750.
Based on 8 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2003–2026), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do steering problems happen?
Based on 346 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 598 complaints, 35 mention a crash, 6 a fire, 17 an injury.
Jeep Cherokee steering complaints by model year
| Model year | Steering complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 Cherokee | 3 | 6% | — |
| 2021 Cherokee | 3 | 2% | — |
| 2020 Cherokee | 22 | 7% | 17,500 |
| 2019 Cherokee | 120 | 7% | 11,691 |
| 2018 Cherokee | 30 | 4% | 23,264 |
| 2017 Cherokee | 45 | 3% | 38,500 |
| 2016 Cherokee | 53 | 4% | 49,000 |
| 2015 Cherokee | 59 | 3% | 21,000 |
| 2014 Cherokee | 119 | 4% | 25,500 |
| 2001 Cherokee | 16 | 7% | 107,000 |
| 2000 Cherokee | 22 | 6% | 84,500 |
| 1999 Cherokee | 24 | 7% | 125,000 |
| 1998 Cherokee | 12 | 3% | 56,403 |
| 1997 Cherokee | 11 | 3% | 91,000 |
| 1996 Cherokee | 37 | 8% | 145,000 |
| 1995 Cherokee | 22 | 4% | 145,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (3)
Exterior lighting:turn signal; steering:column
Model years: 2022
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2022 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The turn signal self-canceling feature may not function properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk: Turn signals that do not function properly may fail to indicate the driver's intention to change vehicle direction, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the steering column control module as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 8, 2024. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is 24B.
Steering:rack and pinion:rack; steering:rack and pinion:pinion shaft
Model years: 2019, 2020
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The steering rack gear may break, possibly causing a loss of steering control.
Risk: A loss of steering control increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering gear, free of charge. The recall began October 24, 2019. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is V99.
Steering:gear box (other than rack and pinion)
Model years: 1995, 1996
Problem: During assembly of the frame, a fillet weld that joins the inner steering gear attachment reinforcement to the frame rail, was omitted.
Risk: Due to high steering load events, vehicles can exhibit broken steering gear attaching bolts or frame rail cracking at the steering gear attaching point increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the vehicles for cracks in the frame rail. Vehicles that show cracks will be equipped with reinforcement plates. Vehicles that are found to be free of cracks will have a slot cut in the cross member and the fillet weld will be added.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
Sudden total loss of power steering assist while driving over a small pothole on Pearman Dairy Road. Full details, diagnostic trouble codes (U0420-00, U0010-00, U1428-00, B2309-64), and Jeep case reference 97368807 are fully documented in the attached formal PDF letter
Pulling into gas station and power steering went out when pulling in, almost hit pump. Not only did it now need a new power steering rack but the clock spring had to be replaced to program it
I went to this dealership today to get my steering column control module reprogrammed. Which includes What the Dealerâs Reprogramming Usually Covers (Standard & Expected) ⢠SCCM (Steering Column Module)programming/configuration â Loads the correct software and vehicle-specific data into the…
On 05/30/2026 approximately 12:15. My Jeep radio screen prompted "service needed, no phone connected" and a few other words I did not have an opportunity to memorize. The check engine light came on and he oil light appeared. This all happened within a minute. It was very quick and scared both of…
âNHTSA ODI Case Update â Supplement to Complaint #XXX âVehicle: 2019 Jeep Cherokee Latitude Plus (VIN: [XXX] ) Subject: Dealership Deflection Tactics and Denial of Recall Repair Verification âThis statement is submitted to update my ongoing federal safety complaint regarding the…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Jeep Cherokees have steering problems?
No. NHTSA has 598 owner complaints about steering for the Jeep Cherokee. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Jeep Cherokee steering?
Yes: 3 safety recalls list steering. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix steering problems on the Jeep Cherokee?
Owners report a typical cost of $580 (half paid between $300 and $2,750), from 8 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
Other Jeep Cherokee problems
- Power Train problems (5,516)
- Electrical System problems (2,257)
- Engine problems (2,186)
- Vehicle Speed Control problems (691)
- Service Brakes problems (647)
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic problems (574)
- Structure problems (522)
- Air Bags problems (457)
See all Jeep Cherokee problems.