Problems · by component

2016 Jeep Cherokee steering problems

54 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2016 Jeep Cherokee cite steering, 4% of all 1,413 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
54
4% of all complaints
Crashes
3
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the steering

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“1. Start/stop light always comes on since I purchased the vehicle in 2024 2. Svc 4wd light is always on within the past several months 3. Vehicle System Report indicates 10 items needs attention including the DTCM 4. Receiving error code C1494 for PTU Symptoms: A. Vibrating floor bed at left drivers side foot B. Slipping and sliding in the rear tires. The VIN has been excluded from all safety recalls, but I am experiencing a severe failure of the AWD/4WD. The dealership that I bought it from will not assist me in paying because my car was excluded. I have all the signs of a failed PTU.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 20, 2026Steering, Power train, Electrical systemODI 11772310
“The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the message “4WD/Pull Over” was displayed, and the Low Oil warning light was intermittently illuminated. The contact became aware of the warning lights after receiving an oil change. Additionally, the oil level needed to be topped off after driving approximately 3,000 miles. While driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost power steering functionality, and it decelerated and stalled. The contact pulled over, turned off the vehicle, waited for several minutes, then made several attempts to restart the vehicle until the power steering functionality returned and was able to drive as intended. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and it was confirmed that the engine was consuming an excessive amount of oil, and that the oil level sensor was inoperable. The dealer reprogrammed the ECM, but failures persisted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 2, 2026Steering, Engine and engine cooling, Power trainODI 11728808
“UNKNOWN: Not had problems since I got it. 66000 miles on it and now it’s losing electrical power at random. I’ll be driving normally, but my dash will go black, all lights go out and the engine will go into neutral. When I let off the throttle and coast, it will come back to life and go back to normal.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 11, 2026Steering, Electrical system, EngineODI 11710202
“My vehicle continues to sporadically lose power steering, power and braking. “4wd temporarily disabled” light keeps coming on but then goes off. I have taken to dealer and they say it doesn’t throw a code and there is nothing they can do. It’s a safety issue. Other Jeep Cherokee years and models keep getting recalled but not mine. Mine needs to be recalled. Very dangerous.has been happening increasingly more often in last two months.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 23, 2025Steering, Electrical system, Service brakesODI 11637846
“The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated while operating the vehicle, the vehicle lost power steering functionality, causing the steering wheel to become very difficult to turn in either direction. During the failure the check engine warning light, PCM warning light, and traction control warning were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the power steering pump and rack and pinion assembly were faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was later taken to the local mechanic and repaired. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 96,000. The VIN was not available.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 3, 2024SteeringODI 11617830
“The car is constantly overheating because a failure from the computer to start up the fan causing other issues with the coolant. Like bursting all the hoses and causing coolant leaks. Additionally a service shifter message came up on my screen and all the gears (p,r,n,d,l) light up with a red dot. This happens while I’m driving. I never know when the car is just going to stop or over heat in traffic because sometimes the fan starts and sometimes it doesn’t.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 6, 2024Steering, Power train, Electrical systemODI 11599513

Showing 6 of 54 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.