Jeep Cherokee steering problems, 2016–2026
271 of the 5,606 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Jeep Cherokee 2016–2026 name the steering (NHTSA’s “Steering” heading — the steering column, rack, pump and power assist). The loudest years: 2019 (120), 2016 (53), 2017 (46). Filed under the same heading across these years: 2 recall campaigns. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.
Jeep Cherokee steering problems by model year
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsOne row per model year on file, newest first. A year marked in depth has its own page: the complaints, the owners’ words and every document under this heading for that year.
| Model year | Complaints naming the steering | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2023 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2022 | 0 | — | — | 1 recall | the year → |
| 2021 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2020 | 22 | 7% | — | 1 recall | the year → |
| 2019 in depth | 120 | 7% | 12k | 1 recall | the record → |
| 2018 | 30 | 4% | 25k | — | the year → |
| 2017 | 46 | 3% | 45k | — | the year → |
| 2016 | 53 | 4% | 49k | — | the year → |
Two things the counts carry that are not the car: how many of each year were sold, and how long each has been on the road — an older year out-counts a newer one before anything is wrong with it. The share column is the honest comparison across years: what part of that year’s complaints named the steering. Nothing here is a rate.
When the steering complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2016: 6 · 2017: 6 · 2018: 23 · 2019: 52 · 2020: 54 · 2021: 26 · 2022: 16 · 2023: 26 · 2024: 18 · 2025: 27 · 2026: 17
Across the model years, half of the 155 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the steering problem between 8,000 and 52,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the steering, from the model years with the most to say. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
I got a important safety recall for steering gear on 10/29/2019 I called the Jeep, chrysler company on 10/30/2019 and advised me to take it to the dealer to change the part.
As I was traveling about 30mph my power steering locked up. I wasn't able to turn the wheel at all. A service power steering light came upon my dash. When I called the dealership they refused to let me tow it there or fix it even though it was less than 6 months old and under warranty.
My Jeep has been and looked at for shaking in the front end when getting to a certain speed. I have found out after going to get a wheel alignment and being told it may be my tires and having them changed and then told it may be the balance of the tires and having that checked the issue is still present.
Jeep wobble. I was towing my vehicle behind my motor home. I had traveled approximately 300 miles without problems. Near the end of my trip I made a right turn. Just after making the turn I felt a violent shaking. The incident occurred at low speed estimated to be 20 to 25 mile per hour.
My Jeep Cherokee(vin ) 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.
What is on file about the steering, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall campaigns filed under this heading, any model year
- 24V239000 ModerateMar 28, 2024 · 12,221 vehicles
- 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."
- 19V637000 CriticalAug 29, 2019 · 5,294 vehicles
- 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.
Other systems with a record on the Jeep Cherokee
Source: the same filesEvery system, every model year: Jeep Cherokee problems by year →
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsWhich Jeep Cherokee years have the most steering complaints?
2019, 120; 2016, 53; 2017, 46. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2020 (7%).
Is there a recall for the steering on the Jeep Cherokee?
Yes — 2 campaigns are filed under this heading across these model years: 24V239000 (2022), 19V637000 (2020). A recall is matched by VIN, and applies to specific years; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do steering problems show up on the Jeep Cherokee?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 24,528 miles across the model years; half of them between 8,000 and 52,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Steering" heading cover?
The steering column, rack, pump and power assist. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.