Chrysler Pacifica steering problems

STEERING

The steering is sticky at highway speeds. While making slight curves, the steering feels momentarily unresponsive and then suddenly catches up to create a high potential for loss of control.

NHTSA complaint #11758842 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING

When driving at higher speeds, around 50 mph +, the steering wheel gets stuck into position. You have to over correct it out of the stuck position to stay in the lane. When in a turn, it get stuck around 1 or 11 o'clock and you have to pull hard to the left or right to get it out of the stuck position, which makes you drift into the wrong lane in the stuck position, then swerve towards the wrong lane to fix it. It seems to be getting worse over time. When driving at low speeds, 5mp +, when in a turn, the whole steering wheel column shudders when going back to the straight position. It happens when turning into driveways and parking lots, and can be very startling. The vehicle has been taken to Chrysler service centers multiple times but they always say they can't recreate the problems.

NHTSA complaint #11758773 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING

NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: PE25009 The steering now appears to stick while going into and out of corners on the highway. The problem gets worse as speed increases.

NHTSA complaint #11758598 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING

Steering is sticking on curves, creating a hazardous condition. Condition comes and goes

NHTSA complaint #11758209 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING

The electric power steering intermittently sticks when the steering wheel is returned toward center after a turn. When this occurs, the wheel does not return to center on its own and requires noticeably increased effort to move. When the resistance releases, the wheel moves abruptly. Our local mechanic at Ashburn Auto Care reproduced the issue and he described it as “violently snapping back” The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. This regularly occurs at over 35 mph or so on highway curves and off-ramps all and has happened approximately 20 times since I first noticed it in July of this year. It seems to occur most often when coasting to the right and then pulling back towards center. Several times, it has caused me or my wife to oversteer and requires us to quickly react in order not to hit another car or leave the road. This is a family vehicle that regularly carries children. No warning lamps or messages appeared before or during these events. There are no diagnostic trouble codes stored. The problem has been reproduced by our independent mechanic but no solutions were provided. Our next step is to visit the dealer but I wanted to document the problem here before I do.

NHTSA complaint #11758104 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING

Driving down the road at medium speeds, steering seems to bind or catch at about "1-3pm" when turning to the right - had two near misses and several others that would have been if I had not been on alert. This issue developed in the last 200 miles. Current mileage is 99,995.

NHTSA complaint #11757949 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING

The contact owns a 2017 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that the steering wheel was sticking intermittently while turning, causing the steering wheel to overcorrect after being turned. The TPMS warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 127,000.

NHTSA complaint #11757458 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING

I am experiencing an intermittent steering problem with my 2019 Chrysler Pacifica Limited. While driving, particularly when making slight turns or small steering corrections, the steering wheel sometimes feels as though it sticks or binds in the turned position instead of smoothly returning toward center. When this occurs, I have to apply additional force to the steering wheel to correct the vehicle’s direction. Once enough force is applied, the steering releases and moves, which can cause the vehicle to correct more abruptly than intended. This occurs at both lower and higher driving speeds and is especially noticeable during gradual turns and small steering corrections near the center position. The problem creates a safety concern because the vehicle can continue traveling in the direction of the slight turn until I deliberately apply additional steering force. This makes maintaining the intended direction of travel less predictable. There are currently no power-steering or other steering-related warning lights displayed on the dashboard. When the vehicle is stationary with the engine running, the steering wheel turns smoothly and I have not been able to reproduce the sticking sensation. The problem occurs while the vehicle is being driven. I took the vehicle to an authorized Chrysler dealership and reported the steering concern. The dealership test-drove the vehicle but stated that they could not reproduce the problem and considered the steering behavior normal. However, the problem continues to occur during normal driving. I have also been able to record video demonstrating the steering behavior. The vehicle remains available for further inspection. The exact component causing the problem is UNKNOWN. I am reporting the issue because the intermittent resistance in the steering and the additional force required to correct the vehicle’s direction could create a loss-of-control risk if the condition worsens or occurs unexpectedly during a turn.

NHTSA complaint #11757375 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING

Driving at speeds above 50 mph the steering wheel sticks or catches when I’m trying to turn. If you check subreddits and other places online, this is a very well known issue that needs to be addressed. It could be very dangerous if you couldn’t correct it while in a curve. I’m surprised this isn’t a recall already being that it happens at high speeds and deal with the steering rack.

NHTSA complaint #11757297 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING

I have a 2018 Chrysler Pacifica. At approximately 110,000–115,000 miles, I began experiencing an intermittent sticking sensation in the steering while driving. When traveling straight and then making a gradual steering correction or beginning a turn, the steering wheel sometimes feels like it sticks in the straight-ahead position. It requires noticeably more effort, or an extra push, to get the wheel to turn rather than steering smoothly. This occurs while the vehicle is in motion and is especially concerning at higher speeds because it interferes with making small, smooth steering corrections. The vehicle also has a noticeable clunk or hard shift at approximately 35 mph while driving. I do not know whether this is related to the steering problem, but I am including it because it is another abnormal condition occurring while the vehicle is in motion. I learned that NHTSA has opened Preliminary Evaluation PE25009 involving 2017–2018 Chrysler Pacificas for intermittent loss of electric power steering. The symptoms described in that investigation, including a sticking sensation during gradual turns and increased steering effort, closely match the steering problem I am experiencing.

NHTSA complaint #11757303 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING

The car has developed an unsmooth turning sensation that I noticed at highway speeds causing over / understeering curve turning. It is gradually becoming worse over the last few months, but it is not a daily driven vehicle, maybe once a week or so.

NHTSA complaint #11757114 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING

While driving my 2018 Chrysler Pacifica Limited, the steering intermittently sticks or binds slightly when traveling through gradual curves. When exiting the curve, the steering wheel does not naturally return to center and requires additional manual input to straighten the vehicle. The issue is most noticeable during gradual turns and creates concern about potentially overcorrecting when returning the vehicle to a straight path. The vehicle has approximately 102,000 miles. The symptoms appear consistent with those described in NHTSA investigation PE25009 involving 2017–2018 Chrysler Pacificas.

NHTSA complaint #11757126 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING

Re: NHTSA Action Number PE25009 Steering wheel exhibits a sticking sensation during gradual turns near the 11 o'clock or 1 o'clock position.

NHTSA complaint #11757028 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING

The contact owns a 2021 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds on several occasions, the steering wheel started sticking, making it difficult to steer turn the steering wheel to the left or the right, and the steering wheel overcorrected after making a turn. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the electronic rack unit needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 95,507.

NHTSA complaint #11756891 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING

I have been had intermittent loss of power steering during gradual turns and then suddenly it returns. Very dangerous situation!!

NHTSA complaint #11756793 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING

At speeds between 20-80mph, the steering wheel sticks while turning to the right. I have to force it to come back to center after the turn. It does not do this all the time but has become more frequent lately. As yet, it does not do this while turning to the left.

NHTSA complaint #11756840 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING

2018 Chrysler Pacifica, when driving on 45 mph and 70 mph curvy roads, the steering wheel “sticks” in the turn position and requires extra force to re-center it. Mainly during right curves, and occasionally on left curves. Chrysler dealer service department suggested replacing entire rack and pinion steering assembly for $6,200.

NHTSA complaint #11756233 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING

Over the last couple of months, while driving around curves, the steering wheel sticks in the 1 or 11 o'clock position. It will not recenter on its own. It is unnerving and dangerous, potentially causing an accident. All suspension components have been inspected and found to be in proper working order. The steering rack seems to be the culprit. No warning lamps, the vehicle seems to be operating normally otherwise.

NHTSA complaint #11755855 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING

Engine fail with less than106000 miles. Replace brand new engine November 2025. Steering rack has intermittent power issues. It started having steering issue around July 2026. It makes the steering hard to turn during highway speeds.

NHTSA complaint #11755581 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING

The vehicle has had a suspension problem since purchasing the dealership has not been able to determine the issue after replacing the axle,struts, low arm control,motor mount now the state the steering wheel rack

NHTSA complaint #11754828 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.