According to the service manager at my local dealer, it is affecting all GCLs regardless of trim, drivetrain, manufacture date, etc. It all comes down to faulty software causing the glitch. The engineers keep telling me it’s just a software update and, poof, issue is gone. I don’t trust that one bit though since the first vehicle I had also had several other software/electrical problems.
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Intermittent Power Steering Unavailable
- Thread starter bzjeep
- Start date
joemclarke
Member
Just wanted to add that our Jeep Grand Cherokee L is also having power steering issues. It started a few weeks ago when the weather got colder and the dealership has no idea how to fix it other than waiting on a software update. Prior to this issue, the L was in the shop for almost 3 months to fix a check engine light issue. We bought the L back in September but have mostly been driving a loaner since it's been in the shop just about the entire time we have had it.
I think Jeep needs to stop selling these and pull them off the market and buy everyone's back at full price, they are obviously a pile of junk.
I think Jeep needs to stop selling these and pull them off the market and buy everyone's back at full price, they are obviously a pile of junk.
I completely agree with you. I’ve been in a loaner for 2 weeks, and this is just on the second car they gave me. The first car I bought was in the shop weekly and I was in a loaner car more than the GCL I purchased.
Put pressure on your dealership to buy it back. I haven’t let off after I had two cars with the exact same issues. And please please please file a safety complaint with the NHTSA. Every one on here is probably annoyed I keep saying that, but the fed gov’t needs to be aware of the issue so a mandatory recall and/or buy back can be ordered. NHTSA won’t investigate the concerns if enough people don’t report it.
I didn’t see a viable solution other than buying it back. Ultimately I never had it long enough to even make a payment. It’s a shame really, I wanted to love the car.
Edit: the dealer bought it back, I’m sure they will fight Chrysler to get any money lost on that transaction back. And rightfully so.
Edit: the dealer bought it back, I’m sure they will fight Chrysler to get any money lost on that transaction back. And rightfully so.
Sarge
Well-known member
My dealer offered to buy mine back and order me a new one, which probably saves Jeep about $30k or more in my case vs lemon law route, but Jeep is going to have to make some assurances re production schedule, no 'deletes' when it is produced and cut about $4k on the price (add a couple of options that weren't available previously, and I'm not paying the '22 price increase). I love the overall package, but not if it's a lemon, obviously.
I'd gladly be a voluntary brand ambassador for them and extoll all the virtues of this car (and I'm a professional photographer and enjoy auto photography), but they're going to be treated accordingly if they don't make things right (I've had an immense number of problems and a terribly disinterested response from them so far).
I'd gladly be a voluntary brand ambassador for them and extoll all the virtues of this car (and I'm a professional photographer and enjoy auto photography), but they're going to be treated accordingly if they don't make things right (I've had an immense number of problems and a terribly disinterested response from them so far).
I agree. I did not let the purchase of a new vehicle be a contingency of the buyback. At this point, I do not think I’ll buy another, but I left it with them as I would possibly consider it once new 2022 models were out and proven to not exhibit the same issues as my 2021 did.
Sarge
Well-known member
My next one will be Midnight Sky, which isn't in production yet and may not be until summer or fall for all I know. I'll keep driving my existing cars (manual Xterra and BMW wagon) and hope that waiting on the color I want will give them some time to clean up these production problems, of which there are apparently many.
They will have to solve all those problems, though, as it's clearly affecting a lot of people, so I feel like there's a good chance my next one will actually operate as promised by later this year.
They will have to solve all those problems, though, as it's clearly affecting a lot of people, so I feel like there's a good chance my next one will actually operate as promised by later this year.
joemclarke
Member
Thanks for the tip on NHTSA, filing a report now! The power steering issue is certainly a safety issue as it is so random.
The dealership is giving us a loaner pacifica minivan until the software update comes out. I'm not sure I want to keep this though because who knows what problem will surface next! We have been buying Jeeps for years, but I think I'm done after this experience.
This is the first time I've had to submit a complaint.. but I will gladly go and complete one. My power steering went out and the dealership won't look at it until there is a fix.. huge safety concerns here.
As I stated - this is my first day with the issue of the power steering. I've called my service department and he was not helpful. He just stated it's a known issue and he will let me know when there is a fix.. no alternative, no loaner.. nothing.
Should I push for more? I've only got 4000 miles
Should I push for more? I've only got 4000 miles
joemclarke
Member
You should demand they give you a loaner car until they have a fix available, it's not safe to have your power steering randomly turn off. That is what my dealership is doing for me. If service will not help you, ask to speak to the sales manager and they can put pressure on the service team.
You should also file a report here: https://www.nhtsa.gov/ if you haven't already done so. It only takes a few minutes, you just enter in your VIN number and then give them some details about the power steering randomly failing.
You should also file a report here: https://www.nhtsa.gov/ if you haven't already done so. It only takes a few minutes, you just enter in your VIN number and then give them some details about the power steering randomly failing.
Definitely push for a loaner in another model. If they were aware of the issue and refused to fix it or provide a loaner in the interim, they’d be liable god forbid you had an accident as a result of another power steering failure.
With the first car, there was no ETA on fix so I insisted on a replacement because it’s a clear safety issue. Now that I’m having the same issues in the new replacement vehicle, I am fighting for them to buy back the vehicle. Not taking my chances even if this software update slated for Feb. 7 does actually work. Who knows if there won’t be other electrical/software issues?
Definitely push for a loaner in another model. If they were aware of the issue and refused to fix it or provide a loaner in the interim, they’d be liable god forbid you had an accident as a result of another power steering failure.
With the first car, there was no ETA on fix so I insisted on a replacement because it’s a clear safety issue. Now that I’m having the same issues in the new replacement vehicle, I am fighting for them to buy back the vehicle.
As Sarge noted, make sure corporate is aware you’re having issues. If your service dept. followed protocol they should have already opened a Star case with Jeep/FCA tech and engineering support. If you’re not sure they did that or don’t trust that they did, don’t be afraid to ask the service manager for a copy of the Star case number so you can contact Jeep/FCA yourself.
Sarge
Well-known member
Also, I don't buy the notion that all of these myriad electrical system problems are software-based. Many vehicles apparently work fine, so if they're all getting the same hardware and software, there should be no variance. I have to believe that there are either defective modules or faulty wiring in the bus system that are triggering the issues (ie software can't complete/receive commands) and the result is the code can't run as designed. The problems seem too random and too widespread to be software alone, at least in my case (dozens of electrical problems).
Pure conjecture on my part, but I feel like they're trying to recode the software to contend with faulty modules or bad wiring because it's simply cheaper than trying to identify and repair the physical electrical problems.
Pure conjecture on my part, but I feel like they're trying to recode the software to contend with faulty modules or bad wiring because it's simply cheaper than trying to identify and repair the physical electrical problems.
Bobolikesjeeps
Well-known member
The dealer is under no obligation to give you a loaner. Call Jeep cares open a case and they will pay for a loaner.
eleceng1979
Well-known member
The dealer is obligated to either provide a loaner for warranty work or make arrangements for a rental. It is the dealerships problem to provide customer service, not just vehicle service. If doing non warranty/customer elected work, this is totally different. It’s called Jeep wave/MVP program. Each dealer can opt in or out for the “loaner same or better as yours” program, but cannot opt out of loaners. If your dealer denies any loaner of any kind they are wrong, report them to corporate. If you reject a lame vehicle like PT cruiser as a loaner, you are wrong. Any dealer presented with a vehicle, under warranty posing a safety risk to the owner is obligated to hold it and provide a loaner. It is called liability at that point, and that is one way the dealership/FCA becomes labeled the defendant.
I had multiple, brand new loaners from April 2021 until August 2021 when my L arrived. Also had a loaner for every service visit during warranty issues, totaling over 30 days. If their loaner was unavailable, they grab keys to a brand new vehicle and make it a loaner. My loaners were all kinds of FCA vehicles, not just jeeps. Ever wonder why brand new cars must have less than XXX miles to be considered new? Those are not test drive miles, they are loaner miles.
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Bobolikesjeeps
Well-known member
Ok so I’ll rephrase. If the dealer refuses to provide a loaner call Jeep cares.