Steering complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 17% | — |
| 2025 | 3 | 4% | — |
| 2024 | 71 | 10% | 8,000 miles |
| 2023 | 57 | 15% | 14,000 miles |
| 2022 | 84 | 21% | 23,000 miles |
| 2021 | 254 | 27% | 19,000 miles |
| 2020 | 239 | 39% | 0 miles |
| 2019 | 446 | 60% | 2,000 miles |
| 2018 | 1,117 | 61% | 5,000 miles |
| 2017 | 19 | 6% | 22,000 miles |
| 2016 | 28 | 6% | 30,000 miles |
| 2015 | 29 | 6% | 15,000 miles |
| 2014 | 26 | 4% | 58,000 miles |
| 2013 | 167 | 26% | 25,000 miles |
| 2012 | 204 | 24% | 32,000 miles |
| 2011 | 58 | 12% | 46,000 miles |
| 2010 | 66 | 10% | 50,000 miles |
| 2009 | 106 | 17% | 41,000 miles |
| 2008 | 293 | 16% | 46,000 miles |
| 2007 | 301 | 18% | 49,000 miles |
| 2006 | 86 | 12% | 25,000 miles |
| 2005 | 58 | 9% | 39,000 miles |
| 2004 | 67 | 35% | 49,000 miles |
| 2003 | 14 | 14% | 50,000 miles |
| 2002 | 10 | 9% | 55,000 miles |
| 2001 | 10 | 6% | 55,000 miles |
| 2000 | 11 | 4% | 100,000 miles |
| 1999 | 3 | 1% | — |
| 1998 | 16 | 6% | 104,000 miles |
| 1997 | 31 | 8% | 74,000 miles |
| 1995 | 6 | 3% | 110,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
I am writing to formally notify you of a serious issue I am experiencing with my recently purchased 2025 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon X , purchased on 17 June 2025 from your dealership. Just two weeks after taking delivery of the vehicle, I encountered a major electrical malfunction that rendered the car unsafe and undrivable. While driving, I received an alarming safety message on the dashboard stating: "For safety reasons, please park the vehicle. It will shut off automatically." Shortly after, multiple critical warnings appeared, including: Check Engine light illuminated Gear indicator began blinking Transmission failed to shift properly Loss of acceleration control and other electronic functions This sudden failure occurred without any prior warning and has caused significant inconvenience, as well as concern regarding the vehicle's reliability and safety-especially considering it is a …
My Jeep is in limp mode and won't go further than a mile before the power steering shuts down and the vehicle won't move. I bought the vehicle used in March 2026 and took it to a local dealership to have the blind spot monitor system looked at and I was never made aware of any recalls. & now I will probably have to tow my vehicle out of pocket to the dealership to have it fixed.
The contact owned a 2024 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 MPH, black smoke was coming from the exhaust, and the husband smelled an abnormal burning odor entering the cabin of the vehicle. The contact pulled over to the shoulder of the road, and a fire started coming from under the hood. The contact stated that while her husband was attempting to unlatch the hood, after unlatching the front driver's and passenger's side hood latches and attempting to unlatch the 3rd hood latch, the fire rose and burned both hands. The local Fire Department arrived on the scene to extinguish the fire. The source of the fire was not yet determined. A Police report was not filed. …
We've experienced multiple ongoing issues with this vehicle, and the dealership's only suggestion so far has been to file a lemon law claim. Last month, the car began jerking excessively while driving typically at speeds between 35-45 mph. The best way to describe it is that it feels as though all the wheels lock up at once, causing a loud tire-screeching noise. It was a frightening experience. The dealership claimed to have resolved the issue with a "software update." However, just last night, my wife was stranded on the highway when the car suddenly started shutting down mid-drive, similar to what happens when a vehicle runs out of gas. The maximum speed she could reach was about 20 mph, and the check engine light came on. She switched from hybrid mode to eSave (gas-only mode), which allowed her to get home safely. This morning, she tested it again. …
The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel locked, causing him to momentarily lose control of the vehicle. Upon attempting to bring the vehicle to a stop, the contact stated that the brake pedal was stuck in its resting position, prompting him to pull the parking brake, which also failed to bring the vehicle to a stop. As a result, the contact stated that he collided with the vehicle ahead. An unknown warning light was illuminated on the instrument panel prior to the failure being experienced. The air bags did deploy. A police report was filed, and no injuries were reported. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence and later towed to the dealer, who declined to diagnose the vehicle due to the body damage. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. …
The contact owns a 2023 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that while driving at highway speeds, the vehicle started shaking violently and the vehicle was difficult to steer. The contact was able to bring the vehicle to a stop. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and the contact was informed that the vehicle had experienced the death wobble. The dealer removed the steering damper and completed the purge process and checked the torque of the lug nuts, and the tire pressure. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. …
The contact owns a 2022 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle drove over a bump in the roadway, and the body of the vehicle was shaking and vibrating as if the body was going to be detached from the subframe. In addition, the contact stated that due to the failure, the contact was concerned that the wheels were going to detach from the vehicle. The contact decelerated and the vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the roadway. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer however, the failure was not duplicated. The contact stated that the vehicle had previously experienced the failure, and the vehicle was diagnosed with steering damper failure, front and rear shocks, and struts, and an alignment needed to be performed. The failure reoccurred after driving approximately 10,000 miles. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. …
The contact owns a 2022 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle experienced the "Death Wobble". The contact stated that the front end and the steering wheel of the vehicle were shuddering violently. The contact stated that the failure had recurred several times while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where an unknown steering part was replaced. The vehicle was repaired. Additionally, the contact stated that upon opening the trunk of the vehicle, the contact noticed that there were some screws in the trunk. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the soft top frame screws had fallen out. The dealer replaced the screws. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
Related recalls (4)
Steering › Hydraulic power assist › Pump
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Jeep Wrangler, Wrangler 4XE, and Jeep Gladiator vehicles. The electric hydraulic power steering pump wiring may overheat and cause a vehicle fire, even when the vehicle is parked with the ignition in the "Off" position.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures, until their vehicle is repaired. Dealers will inspect and replace the wiring and electric hydraulic power steering pump, as necessary, free of charge.
Steering
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019 Jeep Wrangler and 2019 Ram 1500 vehicles. These vehicles have improperly machined steering column stub shafts that may break, possibly causing the steering wheel to detach from the steering column.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the steering column, replacing it, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 5, 2019. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-1403.
Steering
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. The intermediate steering shaft may not have been properly welded causing a split where the external spline is formed.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, replace the intermediate steering shaft, free of charge. The recall began June 21, 2018.
Steering › Column
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2011dodge journey, Jeep wrangler, Chrysler 200, Chrysler 200 convertible, Dodge avenger, Dodge nitro, Jeep liberty, Dodge caliber, Jeep compass, Jeep patriot, Dodge grand caravan and Chrysler town & country vehicles.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect for rivet presence and alignment and repair the steering column pivot as required, free of charge. The safety recall began on July 4, 2011. Owners May contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
NHTSA investigations
Frame weld deficiencies
On September 16, 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) granted Defect Petition DP18-004 and opened Preliminary Evaluation PE19-012 to investigate allegations of deficient frame welds and their potential safety related effects on 2018-2019 Jeep Wranglers. Due to a previous steering related recall that was caused by a misaligned weld on the front track bar (NHTSA Recall No.
Frame Weld Deficiencies
In a letter received on October 24, 2018, a citizen petitioned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to initiate a safety defect investigation into frame weld deficiencies on model year (MY) 2018 'JL' Jeep Wrangler vehicles.
Underhood fires
On September 6, 2024, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE24024 to investigate allegations of engine compartment fires in model year 2021-2023 Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator vehicles. Most reports described fires starting on the front passenger side of the engine compartment while the vehicle was turned off, with several originating specifically at the electrohydraulic power…
Frequently asked questions
Which Jeep Wrangler years have steering problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2018 (1,117), 2019 (446), 2007 (301), 2008 (293) and 2021 (254) model years. Steering complaints make up 61% of all complaints for the 2018.
Is there a recall for Jeep Wrangler steering problems?
Yes — 4 recalls, including 26V-363 (pump, Jun 4, 2026); 19V-201 (steering, Mar 14, 2019); 18V-343 (steering, May 25, 2018). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Jeep Wrangler steering problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 23,000 miles; 79% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the steering wheel/handle bar (17 mentions), followed by the linkages (11).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.