Problems · by component
2018 Chrysler Pacifica steering problems
189 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2018 Chrysler Pacifica cite steering, 21% of all 895 complaints for this model year.
Complaints
189
21% of all complaints
Crashes
8
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
2
Reported by owners
What owners say about the steering
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“When turning the wheel slightly (ie. 10 or 1 position), the wheel will lock up and stick requiring additional effort/overcompensation to get turn the wheel back. The issue has become increasingly worse over the past few months, but there was no distinct onset or issue that prompted the first problem.”
“While driving, the vehicle experiences a sudden and intermittent "catching" or sticking sensation in the steering wheel. This issue happens exclusively when initiating a slight turn to the left, specifically around the 11 o'clock steering wheel position. There is no noise (no clunking, clicking, or grinding) associated with the failure. When the steering wheel "catches," it requires additional physical force to pull the wheel past the sticking point. Once it breaks free, the electric power steering suddenly engages with a sharp jolt, which causes the vehicle to momentarily jerk or oversteer.”
“Makes a clicking popping noise when turning the wheel. The sound is highly noticeable when stationary or moving very slowly, and occurs specifically when the steering wheel is forced almost all the way to the bump stop either way. Dealership quoted over $4000 for electric rack and pinion. I had just paid $17000 for it without an extended warranty.”
“Experiencing steering lockup around the 2 o clock position when cornering to the right. Doesn’t lock up to the left, only to the right.steering will Lock up and won’t release unless a slight tug on the steering wheel. We experience this every time you remotely hold in the 2 o clock position for the slightest bit of time. I have kids in this car and when we’re going 65+ down interstates, this is a serious safety issue and concerns me greatly for the safety of my family. Van only has 95k miles on it. Spent a considerable about of money on this can van and we can’t even drive it and have to pay a shop a few more thousand to fix this. It wouldn’t be a big deal if I was one of a few people but reports say 287k people are experiencing this. Unacceptable.”
“The contact owns a 2018 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and steering left or right, the steering wheelbecame difficult to turn. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Investigation: PE25009 (Steering). The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.”
“An Electric Power Steering System (EPS) code came up on the dash and then it locked up the steering going down the road with my wife and children in the car on 10-13-2026. Bought the car from a dealer on 10-12-2026. Replaced main and auxiliary batteries on behalf of dealerships expense on 10-14-2026. 10-16-2026 the code came back up and locked the steering up again going down the highway with my wife and children in the car. The dealer is taking action as we speak, we will see what they do.”
Showing 6 of 189 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.