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Major steering issue problem with JL Wrangler. Please watch

Jeepsterfreak

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Is this maybe part of the ESP? Today while driving into work, I saw something last minute in the road, I tried to swerve, the wheel moved slightly and it was like I hit a steering stop. I just barely missed the object in the road (looked like a small sledge hammer). I tried moving the wheel afterwards and it seemed fine. I noticed the other day when it was really, really windy, it seemed like the steering was trying to resist the wind changing input from blowing the Jeep.
If you read the ownerā€™s manual it explains electronic stability control (esc) and electronic roll mitigation (erm). It applies brake. Is this enough to lock the steering wheel?

It also states that when esc is activated, the esc indicator light in the cluster will flash.

The esc and erm can be turned off completely by pressing the esc button for 5 seconds if you want to do some testing.
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practicaltact

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If you read the ownerā€™s manual it explains electronic stability control (esc) and electronic roll mitigation (erm). It applies brake. Is this enough to lock the steering wheel?

It also states that when esc is activated, the esc indicator light in the cluster will flash.

The esc and erm can be turned off completely by pressing the esc button for 5 seconds if you want to do some testing.
This is definitely not a function of any normal system like ESC and/or ERM. The OP of this thread indicated (in his youtube video, comments section) that Jeep has done a full tear down of his vehicle to investigate. He said he plans to update with a new video soon. On another JL forum, a poster there with the same problem said Jeep offered to do a full repurchase and replace of his Jeep because they want to tear his down in Michigan as well. This is some type of intermittent cutting out of the power steering assist system it seems. This is a danger not just to the people driving/passengers of the JL, it's also a danger to everyone else around them on the road.
 

Jeepsterfreak

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This is definitely not a function of any normal system like ESC and/or ERM. The OP of this thread indicated (in his youtube video, comments section) that Jeep has done a full tear down of his vehicle to investigate. He said he plans to update with a new video soon. On another JL forum, a poster there with the same problem said Jeep offered to do a full repurchase and replace of his Jeep because they want to tear his down in Michigan as well. This is some type of intermittent cutting out of the power steering assist system it seems. This is a danger not just to the people driving/passengers of the JL, it's also a danger to everyone else around them on the road.
If the steering is truly locking up then it seems more serious than a lack of power assist. Itā€™s seems like something mechanical within the steering box almost as if the hydraulic fluid valves are fighting each other causing hydraulic pressure on both sides of the piston. The power assist has a fail safe if over heated according to the manual. It just stops supplying power until the system cools.

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GARRIGA

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Donā€™t care why. Jeep should get all affected vehicles off the road. Canā€™t believe this didnā€™t come up during their so called billion dollar testing. Do the right thing. Death by profit margin is not an option.
 

knick33

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After intermittent problems with this, I'm finally going to take it into the dealership next week. Surprisingly, the service consultant claims he's never heard of this happening, I told him to do a google and there are plenty of folks who are experiencing it. I did notice that everytime the steering would act up, the temps outside were in high 80s/low 90s. It was also after an hour commute. It's only happen in warm weather for me, so I thought I would share that clue.
 

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HiJinx69

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After intermittent problems with this, I'm finally going to take it into the dealership next week. Surprisingly, the service consultant claims he's never heard of this happening, I told him to do a google and there are plenty of folks who are experiencing it. I did notice that everytime the steering would act up, the temps outside were in high 80s/low 90s. It was also after an hour commute. It's only happen in warm weather for me, so I thought I would share that clue.
Same here. Never happens when engine is cold. Make sure you tell the dealer that. They may just drive it around the block or something after it has been sitting around for awhile, when engine has a chance to cool down, and tell you they can't replicate it. I'm surprised JEEP hasn't sent out a service bulletin to dealers about this issue.
 

kre62

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Same here. Never happens when engine is cold. Make sure you tell the dealer that. They may just drive it around the block or something after it has been sitting around for awhile, when engine has a chance to cool down, and tell you they can't replicate it. I'm surprised JEEP hasn't sent out a service bulletin to dealers about this issue.
Interesting, and speaks to the snippets posted above about the power steering deactivating if it gets too hot. It could be a faulty or over sensitive sensor, or it could be that there is not enough airflow or something like that.

Someone should put some computer fans blowing on the module to see if it goes away.
 

SixteenPaws

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So based on what I can come up with and what others have posted (especially the snippet that @Jeepsterfreak added from the manual) I have a theory on this issue. Let me know what you all think.

I think it is a flaw in the power steering and the module that controls it. I think that the PS is overheating leading to it disabling power steering intermittently as it initiates a cool down period. Further, for whatever reason there is also a software glitch in Uconnect that is either not recognizing the overheat or is not relaying the information to the cluster so no message is displayed. Maybe the primary PS issue is a design flaw based on the placement of the PS in relation how the new airflow system (vents) is designed to move air through the engine bay? Maybe it is just a crappy component?

Anyway, just a theory.
 

GARRIGA

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May be it just needs to be fixed by Jeep. Why are the owners trying to figure this out? Why hasnā€™t a notification been sent to dealers? Why hasnā€™t a recall been issued? Why must we wait for a fatal accident to get this crap settled?

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kre62

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May be it just needs to be fixed by Jeep. Why are the owners trying to figure this out? Why hasnā€™t a notification been sent to dealers? Why hasnā€™t a recall been issued? Why must we wait for a fatal accident to get this crap settled?

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Because corporations are run by people who care about profits, and only do the least possible to avoid major recalls or PR disasters. It''s not that they actually care about customers, they just do whatever the bare minimum is to avoid legal headaches. All companies are like this, especially car companies.

If the issue is power steering fails, the car can still be steered its just harder. It's not likely fatalities will come from this and even if they do it would be impossible to prove as warnings and codes arent being thrown. So it's up to us to help find the solution.
 

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SixteenPaws

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I would suggest 2 things for anyone and everyone that has the issue:

1 (most important) file a complaint with the NHTSA. https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/VehicleComplaint/
2. Post it on their social media. That means facebook and twitter.

We need to make a fuss on social media about serious concerns. That along with the NHTSA complain will get them to do something.
 

GARRIGA

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Because corporations are run by people who care about profits, and only do the least possible to avoid major recalls or PR disasters. It''s not that they actually care about customers, they just do whatever the bare minimum is to avoid legal headaches. All companies are like this, especially car companies.

If the issue is power steering fails, the car can still be steered its just harder. It's not likely fatalities will come from this and even if they do it would be impossible to prove as warnings and codes arent being thrown. So it's up to us to help find the solution.
I donā€™t think this is power steering failure where you can still control the steering with more effort. What Iā€™m reading is steering wheel lockup. Limited motion. Limited ability to control the vehicle if needed.

I saw Fight Club, too. Lol
 

That One Guy

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I would suggest 2 things for anyone and everyone that has the issue:

1 (most important) file a complaint with the NHTSA. https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/VehicleComplaint/
2. Post it on their social media. That means facebook and twitter.

We need to make a fuss on social media about serious concerns. That along with the NHTSA complain will get them to do something.
Post your JL Steering story in a comment when the Jeep facebook page posts a picture of a JL. A few of those gets word out quick.

The 2 doors have finally been getting delivered to members (see thread), and they look amazing, but I'm gonna need to see resolution on this before I feel comfortable placing my safety in the hands of this Jeep. I'll be staying tuned, because I'd rather have this over a new Miata.
 

JeepCares

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I had this happen a few times when I was wheeling but I assumed it was just overheating and temporarily lost power steering power. It felt like a car without power steering. I was able to turn but I had to put a TON of force into it

EDIT: and now that I think about it, it happened on right turns
Hello rubydoo,

Are you planning on taking it in for inspection? As mentioned to other forum members, we can get a case created for this and escalate to a Case Specialist. Our team is available via direct message if this is of interest.

Jasmine
Jeep Social Care Specialist
 

GARRIGA

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Hello rubydoo,

Are you planning on taking it in for inspection? As mentioned to other forum members, we can get a case created for this and escalate to a Case Specialist. Our team is available via direct message if this is of interest.

Jasmine
Jeep Social Care Specialist
With all do respect. What good is inspection if dealer canā€™t duplicate? Thank you for your attention to this matter but the service department is the bottleneck.
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