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Intermittent Power Steering Unavailable

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tjparthun

Member
I've had the same issue with two brand new Ls now. First one I purchased in November 2021. Aside from the power steering failure, the CarPlay wasn't functioning properly, the Active Lane Management wasn't working, the rear park sensors weren't working, the steering wheel had to be replaced because the heated feature and some control buttons stopped working...the list goes on! The dealer finally replaced that vehicle with another brand new L that was only 4 days old. I had no issues until today (about 4 weeks after getting it) when the power steering went out on this new new vehicle.

They couldn't repair the power steering on the last vehicle because it was a software issue and FCA doesn't have the patch required to address the issue yet. I was told 1st quarter of 2022, but that could mean anytime between New Year and end of March. The last vehicle was at the dealer for repairs every week. This car had no issues until today when the power steering went out. I'm not sure what to do. I've lost faith in the Jeep Brand and FCA. But I know I can't keep driving a car that loses power steering constantly! Any suggestions?
 
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Rsuwanski

Member
i just took delivery on 1/14 and started getting the message 3 days later. Took it in and was given the info about the fix in the first quarter. Yes I have to start the car and drive with out power steering for 20-30 minutes.
 
bzjeep

bzjeep

Active member
aceofbase said:
Yes, it's been an ongoing issue. It appears to happen on cold morning starts. Dealer saying software update. Frustrating. Only 2500 miles. Has your issue been resolved?
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Luckily for us, we haven't seen the message return; however, I will definitely mention it when we take it in for the first oil change along with a laundry list of other small items. I know there is at least 1 recall that needs to be addressed on our vehicle.
 
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tjparthun

Member
I reported the loss of power steering and other safety features like the adaptive cruise control and active lane management to the NHTSA. And I’m speaking to an attorney now about my options. I highly suggest folks with similar issues submit a complaint with the NHTSA. It’s clear this isn’t a one-off issue from the number of complaints I’ve seen on the WLJeep forum. If enough folks are having these issues and are receiving little to no resolution or transparency from FCA or their dealership, the NHTSA will open an investigation if they see a stream of complaints being filed.
 
Sarge

Sarge

Well-known member
Please also indicate what drivetrain you have, everyone. It might be V6 only? Would be helpful to people searching for solutions at some point.
 
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tjparthun

Member
Hi all. I finally heard back from the service manager at my local dealer. They’ve had my car for a week with no solution. After getting in touch with the engineers and Chrysler, they determined it is another software glitch affecting any Grand Cherokee L with the most current electric power steering update, regardless of drive train, trim level, or manufacture date. Even the loaner GCL they gave me could lose power steering at any moment…how comforting.

Estimated time for a software patch is 2 weeks. Then lord knows how long it would take to actually schedule folks for the update. And they didn’t give me any indication they’d run it as a recall for the update. They’re just waiting til the issue happens or someone brings their car in for routine maintenance.

Needless to say, I’m absolutely done with Jeep and FCA. If you’re still actively having issues with your power steering, please please please submit a safety complaint to the NHTSA. Without those complains, the NHTSA doesn’t know to investigate an issue and order a recall.
 
Sarge

Sarge

Well-known member
These cars are so full of bugs it's insane. I haven't had the power steering issues yet, but the bottom line is anything drivetrain/control related needs to be as reliable as any system on any Airbus or Boeing jet. All of my dozens of electrical defects pale in comparison to basic drivetrain/controlability issues. The fact that they can't be bothered to launch a reliable vehicle is morally reprehensible. They just keep pumping them out.

Good luck with your attorney, and document every instance with video, as that is the most incontrovertible form of evidence. The number of problems these vehicles are having is astounding.
 
J

JenniR18

New member
I have an appointment today for the same issue started at 1400 miles, now have 1700 and 7 instances of no power steering. Sounds like today will be a wasted trip, but at least the dealership can document the problem.
 
Sarge

Sarge

Well-known member
Documenting everything is the best thing you can do, one way or another. If it comes down to brass tacks via a buyback situation, if you haven't taken it to them for repair, they haven't 'had their chance'. If you have incontrovertible evidence of the defect when it happens (video), they have to try to fix it, even if it's not doing it when you're at the dealer.
 
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Therealfern_

New member
This started happening to me september. PS would come and go randomly. I took it to the dealer and though they held the car for a week and a half, they couldn’t get it to act up and guessed the only thing could be the rack and pinion system, somehow not covered under warranty.

I was gonna take it in, and then the issue stoped for 4 months. Today, the light comes on and stays on. I think I’ll have to buy the bullet. I would take it to my mechanic, but he says dealerships have not been selling him these parts. Son of a gun. 45k miles on the thing.
 
Sarge

Sarge

Well-known member
The first time the problem occured, was it under 36k miles? Did you document it (video?). Either way, I would fight them hard on it. Even though you're driving the wheels off it (45k in less than a year? Wow!)

Jeep should at least offer to cover the part, and you cover the labor, or *something*. But if it started doing this while still under warranty, they should cover it all, period. The complete lack of good will alone is shameful.
 
G

GT67

New member
First time my power steering went out on the 2021 GC L, also received a message the 4x4 system was unavailable. It appears to my untrained eye related to cold temps. I started via remote starter and sometimes the warning light does not come on. Typically turns off once I have run car for about 20 minutes. Today will be a test as the temperature is in single digits.
 
Sarge

Sarge

Well-known member
GT67 said:
First time my power steering went out on the 2021 GC L, also received a message the 4x4 system was unavailable. It appears to my untrained eye related to cold temps. I started via remote starter and sometimes the warning light does not come on. Typically turns off once I have run car for about 20 minutes. Today will be a test as the temperature is in single digits.
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How many miles did you have on it then, and did you document it with photo or video, and did you tell the dealer? Because if so, they have to do the repair under warranty. "We couldn't figure it out before you drove 36k miles" does not excuse them from their contractual obligation to repair it.
 
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tjparthun

Member
When the first car I purchased in November had the PS issue I was initially told it was a parts issue and they'd have to replace the whole EPS module. Then when the service folks actually reached out to the engineers for clearance to do the repairs they told them this issue is related to a bad software glitch. Same exact thing on the replacement GCL they gave me right after Christmas.

Even if your service light comes on and goes away, it remains as a stored error code in the car's computer so they have record of the fault. I know my case has already been reported to the engineering and executive teams at Jeep and FCA because I wouldn't back down on the issue. It's pretty clear from this forum that lots of folks are still having the same issues and it's not an isolated case like I was initially told with the first car.

I can't stress it enough - even if you've only lost power steering once and it returned on its own, please submit a safety complaint to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. They haven't even posted my complaint, likely because they're waiting for more to come in so they can batch the report and open an investigation. It doesn't take long to fill out the complaint form and it's one of the only ways to hold Stellantis, FCA, and Jeep accountable aside from retaining your own attorney to fight for you.

Between everyone's accounts of their issues on this forum and the fatally honest service manager at my local dealership, it's clear this is a widespread safety issue and it needs to be reported, investigated, and addressed!
 
2

21GCL

Member
I unfortunately ended up having to turn mine in because of this. Despite many attempts, there was no way to fix the power steering issue.
 
Sarge

Sarge

Well-known member
21GCL said:
I unfortunately ended up having to turn mine in because of this. Despite many attempts, there was no way to fix the power steering issue.
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Is this happening only on V6 models? V6 4x4 or 4x2? Just curious. My V8 has had a ridiculous number of electrical problems, but nothing mechanical at all. It would be nice for others to know if this power steering issue is limited to certain drivetrains. What do all of you in this thread have?
 
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