Steering locked up when going around a curve

[zyt]

To report back, dealer applied TSB (software update) and it seems to fix this issue. I am not 100% sure since it hasn't been quite as cold as a few weeks back.
However, I do feel the steering is a bit loose now. I am wondering if this is the give and take... either live with the loose steering issue or the steering resistant/lock up issue. Curious to know if anybody had BOTH or NEITHER of these two issues.

Sponsored

 

[Dynomite1371]

[2018 Ruby, stock tires, 34,000 miles This is my third winter (took delivery Jan, 2018) This is the first time having this issue].
Welp, time to take it to the dealer. I've been able to diagnose what the conditions are when the steering binds and sticks requiring the driver to forcefully counter steer:
*cold weather approx.
* 32 degrees Fahrenheit/freezing,
*within 10 minutes of driving,
*on slight lefts or right turns (it's both for me)
*only at hwy speeds,
*upwards of 60 mph's.
At slower speeds, I've tried to make happen, but can not replicate. The vehicle must be LEFT OUTSIDE in the cold. Mine IS in the garage at night, and regardless of temp outside, it doesn't do it on my morning drive. This issue could cause a very serious accident! A locked steering wheel for any length of time could be catastrophic. I can't imagine this being mechanical due to only happening in cold weather ........ I'm going to try to get to dealer over the Holiday break. I'll keep you all posted.

 

[JeepCares]

[2018 Ruby, stock tires, 34,000 miles This is my third winter (took delivery Jan, 2018) This is the first time having this issue].
Welp, time to take it to the dealer. I've been able to diagnose what the conditions are when the steering binds and sticks requiring the driver to forcefully counter steer:
*cold weather approx.
* 32 degrees Fahrenheit/freezing,
*within 10 minutes of driving,
*on slight lefts or right turns (it's both for me)
*only at hwy speeds,
*upwards of 60 mph's.
At slower speeds, I've tried to make happen, but can not replicate. The vehicle must be LEFT OUTSIDE in the cold. Mine IS in the garage at night, and regardless of temp outside, it doesn't do it on my morning drive. This issue could cause a very serious accident! A locked steering wheel for any length of time could be catastrophic. I can't imagine this being mechanical due to only happening in cold weather ........ I'm going to try to get to dealer over the Holiday break. I'll keep you all posted.

Hi Ed,
Please keep us updated on your dealer visit. If additional assistance is needed, we would be happy to connect you with a Case Specialist.
Alex
JeepCares

 

[Saejin]

Too dangerous to drive in winter weather now.

If you live in Denver/Colorado and have this issue it's probably occurring every time you drive now. It does for me and I will be taking it to the dealer next week. I'm sure I'll get the "can't replicate it" response, but hopefully I won't.

Right now it occurs on the highway at 65-70+ when turning in either direction. Also, first thing in the morning it will stick when I pull out of my parking spot when it's cold out. It doesn't occur at lower speeds though which is good but frustrating as it will be hard to get the dealer to replicate.

If anyone living in Colorado has had this and got a good fix from their dealer please PM me and let me know what dealer. Right now I'm planning on taking it to Larry Miller in Aurora off of Havana.

I'll keep everyone posted.

 

[jptamu1958]

I took mine Jeep into the dealer for this fix, my Jeep would lock momentarily for about 1/2 second and then it would go back to functioning normally. They had my for 25 days with very communication on their part, Hanlees dodge in Davis, CA. So after 25 days they finally called me and said they fixed it, the cleaned up a grounding strap see photos attached. They said they had a Pacifica with the same problem and another Jeep. This problem was irrespective to temperature but near Sacramento it really does not get too cold. So this fixed it as I have been driving and so far so good. They said it ships with a little bit of plastic wrap near the ground and it interfered with the electric power steering as it is sensitive. So I hope this helps anyone, see photo for details on the bulletin they showed me.

 

[Jcarrig3]

Too dangerous to drive in winter weather now.

If you live in Denver/Colorado and have this issue it's probably occurring every time you drive now. It does for me and I will be taking it to the dealer next week. I'm sure I'll get the "can't replicate it" response, but hopefully I won't.

Right now it occurs on the highway at 65-70+ when turning in either direction. Also, first thing in the morning it will stick when I pull out of my parking spot when it's cold out. It doesn't occur at lower speeds though which is good but frustrating as it will be hard to get the dealer to replicate.

If anyone living in Colorado has had this and got a good fix from their dealer please PM me and let me know what dealer. Right now I'm planning on taking it to Larry Miller in Aurora off of Havana.

I'll keep everyone posted.

I took mine to Autonation Jeep West in Golden. The first time in they couldn't replicate it. The second time I made sure that @JeepCares was involved and both the dealer and Jeep Cares knew how to replicate it. (Checking the steering immediately on start up after a cold night).

On the second time they replaced the gear box and so far I have not had the issue since.

 

[JeepCares]

Too dangerous to drive in winter weather now.

If you live in Denver/Colorado and have this issue it's probably occurring every time you drive now. It does for me and I will be taking it to the dealer next week. I'm sure I'll get the "can't replicate it" response, but hopefully I won't.

Right now it occurs on the highway at 65-70+ when turning in either direction. Also, first thing in the morning it will stick when I pull out of my parking spot when it's cold out. It doesn't occur at lower speeds though which is good but frustrating as it will be hard to get the dealer to replicate.

If anyone living in Colorado has had this and got a good fix from their dealer please PM me and let me know what dealer. Right now I'm planning on taking it to Larry Miller in Aurora off of Havana.

I'll keep everyone posted.

Hi Gene,
Should you need any assistance throughout your dealer visit, please send us a PM. We would be happy to connect you with a Case Specialist to assist.
Alex
JeepCares

 

[JMONEZ]

I took mine Jeep into the dealer for this fix, my Jeep would lock momentarily for about 1/2 second and then it would go back to functioning normally. They had my for 25 days with very communication on their part, Hanlees dodge in Davis, CA. So after 25 days they finally called me and said they fixed it, the cleaned up a grounding strap see photos attached. They said they had a Pacifica with the same problem and another Jeep. This problem was irrespective to temperature but near Sacramento it really does not get too cold. So this fixed it as I have been driving and so far so good. They said it ships with a little bit of plastic wrap near the ground and it interfered with the electric power steering as it is sensitive. So I hope this helps anyone, see photo for details on the bulletin they showed me.

I took mine Jeep into the dealer for this fix, my Jeep would lock momentarily for about 1/2 second and then it would go back to functioning normally. They had my for 25 days with very communication on their part, Hanlees dodge in Davis, CA. So after 25 days they finally called me and said they fixed it, the cleaned up a grounding strap see photos attached. They said they had a Pacifica with the same problem and another Jeep. This problem was irrespective to temperature but near Sacramento it really does not get too cold. So this fixed it as I have been driving and so far so good. They said it ships with a little bit of plastic wrap near the ground and it interfered with the electric power steering as it is sensitive. So I hope this helps anyone, see photo for details on the bulletin they showed me.

Interesting, thanks for sharing. I actually worked for Hanlees toyota next door for 16 years. Did you also have a problem with loose steering or play, if so did it solve that as well. When I get home this weekend I’ll check the ground strap. Thanks

 

[JCM32]

I purchased my 18 as a special order and have not had any of the steering issues that many have talked about from day 1. My steering has always been tight, however, during the cold I have been dealing with the "rough spot" in the steering. I am in Texas so that doesn't happen very often, but just returned from NM where it was a daily issue. Plus, I experienced my first Death Wobble and it happened twice, on the same spot in the road. It seems like the frequency of the bumps in that spot, sent the jeep into a continuous wobble. I had to almost stop in order to stop it, but then it was fine until I had to go over that spot in the road again. Very weird. I will be scheduling a visit to the dealership.

 

[JeepCares]

I purchased my 18 as a special order and have not had any of the steering issues that many have talked about from day 1. My steering has always been tight, however, during the cold I have been dealing with the "rough spot" in the steering. I am in Texas so that doesn't happen very often, but just returned from NM where it was a daily issue. Plus, I experienced my first Death Wobble and it happened twice, on the same spot in the road. It seems like the frequency of the bumps in that spot, sent the jeep into a continuous wobble. I had to almost stop in order to stop it, but then it was fine until I had to go over that spot in the road again. Very weird. I will be scheduling a visit to the dealership.

Hi Joe,
Please let us know if any additional assistance is needed throughout your dealer visit.
Alex
JeepCares

 

[Jwarnerrph]

I started experiencing this issue last week with my '19 JLUS (12,500 miles). Steering would "lock-up" at speeds above ~55mph and not unlock until reduced to under 25mph. Got in to dealer today and issue was the ground strap mentioned previously. Once the 48 volt battery ground was secured, issue was resolved!

 

[jptamu1958]

Interesting, thanks for sharing. I actually worked for Hanlees toyota next door for 16 years. Did you also have a problem with loose steering or play, if so did it solve that as well. When I get home this weekend I’ll check the ground strap. Thanks

I did not have that problem but I have a metalcloak 3.5 inch lift with adjustable steering stabilizer so those issues typically do not manifest because of the replacement of majority oem stock parts with that lift kit.

 

[Blues]

Good Luck! I have had mine in 3 times now and of course it never does it for them. I actually bought another car so I had a reliable vehicle to drive. Jeep could be testing this. All they have to do is let the jeeps sit out in the cold temps for a couple of days and then drive them. Do we have to wait for someone to get killed or seriously injured and an ensuing lawsuit against them for the problem to get the attention it needs?!? This is ridiculous!

No, they'll settle out of court with a non-disclosure agreement. End of problem.

 

[Spearmin]

This is really starting to look like the Boeing 737 max issue all over again. They would be wise to issues an immediate recall. Its only a matter of time that someone is going down one of those windy California roads in their new JL and heads straight off a cliff, because their power steering assist drops out in the middle of a curve.

 

[D60]

This is really looking the the Boeing 737 max issue all over again. They would be wise to issues an immediate recall. Its only a matter of time that someone is going down one of those windy California roads in their new JL and heads straight off a cliff, because their power steering assist drops out in the middle of a curve.

OR because the driver is tugging on the wheel after assist drops out and then it suddenly returns and they overcorrect right off the road.

Sponsored