2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee Steering Problems

I am reporting repeated safety-critical failures with my 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee that have rendered the vehicle unreliable, dangerous, and now inoperable. I believe this vehicle suffers from a systemic electrical defect related to the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM)—a well-documented issue across Jeep models that causes starting failures, loss of power, and unpredictable behavior of vehicle systems. On [XXX], my vehicle failed to start. The starter clicks but does not engage. These symptoms align with known TIPM-related failures. Despite this, the authorized dealership (Madison Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM) has refused to test the TIPM, insisting on replacing the starter without confirming the root electrical issue. This places consumers at risk of breakdowns without warning and reflects a pattern of ignoring known defects. My vehicle also has a history of major mechanical failures: Water pump, thermostat, and oil pressure unit replaced (Feb 2024) Rack and pinion, control arm, wheel hub replaced (Jul 2024) Rear brake caliper seized (Aug 2024) Radiator failure (Apr 2025) The vehicle remains with the dealership since 4/30/25. As of 5/14/25, I have received no update or repair. My case with Stellantis (Case [XXX]) has been met with repeated communication failures. I missed one call from the case manager on 5/8 and immediately returned it—leaving three voicemails over two business days and receiving no response. I was promised a callback by 5/13 and still have not heard back. These issues raise serious concerns regarding the safety and reliability of this vehicle. I am requesting the NHTSA investigate potential TIPM-related electrical defects and non-compliance with manufacturer responsibility to address safety defects. I do not believe it is safe for my vehicle to be returned to me in its current state, and I urge your agency to consider further action regarding this recurring and widespread defect. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

While driving off an exit ramp power steering warning came on wheel was very tight to control

MY JEEP STALL OUT OF SUDDEN IN THE MIDDLE OF ME DRIVING ON HIGHWAY 20 ELGIN,IL IT WAS VERY VERY SCARY MOMENT, THE JEEP JUST DIED!!

ON SEPTEMBER 1, 2020 SHORTLY AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE AND WHILE IN MOTION, THE ENGINE STOPPED CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. I WAS ABLE TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO STOP IN ROADWAY WITH HARD PRESSURE ON BRAKES. FORTUNATELY, NO CONTACT WAS MADE WITH PERSON OR PROPERTY. I ATTEMPTED TO RE-START THE VEHICLE BUT IT WOULD ONLY CRANK AND NOT START. SEVERAL MINUTES LATER WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS HAD TROUBLE STARTING ON MANY OCCASIONS PRIOR BUT THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME IT STOPPED WHILE DRIVING. THE ONLY INDICATION THE VEHICLE HAD LOST POWER WAS WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO SLOW THE VEHICLE AND TURN THE WHEEL. PRIOR TO THIS THE DEALERSHIP HAS EXAMINED THE ISSUE ON AT LEAST FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS SPANNING YEARS. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THE FUEL PUMP RELAY HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE ON THIS VEHICLE. AFTER BOTH OF THESE ALLEGED REPAIRS THE VEHICLE HAS EXHIBITED THE SAME SYMPTOMS AND RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP. IN THE LAST VISIT WITH THE DEALERSHIP ON JUNE 23, 2020 AND PHONE CALL WITH FCA US LLC'S CUSTOMER SERVICE ON SEPTEMBER 1, 2020 I WAS DIRECTLY INFORMED THAT NO SOLUTION EXISTS. THERE IS NO ADVANCED NOTICE TO THE DRIVER AS THIS DOES NOT OCCUR EACH TIME THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN. WHEN THE VEHICLE DOES LOSE POWER WHILE DRIVING, NO NOTICEABLE INDICATION OF THIS DANGER CAN BE QUICKLY OBSERVED BY THE DRIVER. IT WAS ONLY NOTICED WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO MANEUVER THE BRAKES OR STEERING WHEEL. THIS IS A KNOWN AND HAZARDOUS CONDITION CREATED BY FCA US LLC. WHICH THEY HAVE NOT ADEQUATELY ADDRESSED.

THERE IS A LONG STANDING RECALL ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLE FUEL PUMP RELAY. HOWEVER, JEEP IS UNABLE TO SUPPLY A SUITABLE REPLACEMENT PART. UNANTICIPATED FAILURE OF THIS PART CAN LEAD TO IMMEDIATE ENGINE STOPPAGE. FCA IS UNABLE TO GIVE A DATE WHEN THE REPLACEMENT MAY BE AVAILABLE. *TR THE CONSUMER STATED THE STEERING COLUMN, WINDSHIELD WIPERS, AIR SUSPENSION COMPRESSOR, TURN SIGNALS, AND BLIND SPOT WARNING ALL FAILED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT WERE ILLUMINATED. THE INFORMATION SCREEN BETWEEN TACH AND SPEEDOMETER WERE LOCKED INTO ONLY ONE MODE. *JS

MY JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE OVERLAND WITH QUADRA LIFT SUSPENSION , HAS HAD A FRONT STEERING SHIMMY EVER SINCE I HAVE OWNED IT.IT HAS HAD FOUR ,FOUR WHEEL ALIGNMENTS IN SIX MONTHS, AND IS ON THIRD SET OF TIRES.THERE ARE NO LOOSE PARTS , I HAVE BEEN INFORMED,THAT THE FIVE STAR ALIGNMENT SHOP CANNOT FIND THE PROBLEM.IT STARTS AT JUST OVER 60 MPH.AND GETS WORSE AS THE TIRES WEAR INTO THE SHIMMY.WHICH DOESNT TAKE LONG, EVEN WITH CONSTANT TIRE ROTATIONS.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE CONTACT POWERED OFF THE ENGINE. ONCE RESTARTED, THE VEHICLE DROVE NORMALLY. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO RIVER OAKS CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE RAM (4807 KIRBY DR, HOUSTON, TX 77098) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS NOT HOLDING PRESSURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO THE REPAIR FEES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

LEAKING POWER STEERING FLUID, ONCE REPLACED INSTANTLY DRAINED RESULTING IN NEEDING FULL RACK AND PION REPLACEMENT PER DEALER

WHILE DRIVING MY CAR IN THE CITY, I EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN ENGINE SHUTDOWN, AND ENTIRELY LOST CONTROL OVER THE CAR (STEERING, BREAKS ETC.) THE CAR WAS TOWED TO CHRYSLER'S CERTIFIED GARAGE, WHERE THE MALFUNCTION WAS IDENTIFIED AS A FAILURE OF THE FUEL PUMP RELAY (THE SAME RELAY WHICH WAS ALREADY BEEN REPLACED, AS PART OF RECALL R09). THE GARAGE ALSO RE-CONFIRMED THAT THIS RELAY HAS BEEN REPLACED UNDER THE RECALL, IN 2015. THE MEANING OF THIS FAILURE DEMONSTRATES THAT PRACTICALLY, REPLACING THE UNIT UNDER RECALL R09 HAS NOT SOLVED THE PROBLEM AND THE RISK IS STILL THERE! I HAVE REPORTED THIS INCIDENT TO FCA IN EUROPE, AND WAS RESPONDED THAT THIS FAILURE "COULD HAPPEN IN 5 YEARS OLD CAR" AND THEREFORE, THERE IS NO SAFETY ISSUE THAT REQUIRES THEM TO WARN OTHER OWNERS. HOWEVER, I HAVE FOUND ON-LINE LOTS OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS, MOST OF THEM IN THE US, INDICATING THAT THE FAILURE OF THE REPLACED FUEL RELAY IS COMMON, AND THAT FCA DO NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. SEE THE LINK BELOW: HTTP://WWW.CARPROBLEMZOO.COM/JEEP/GRANDCHEROKEE/OTHER-FUEL-SYSTEM-PUMP-PROBLEMS.PHP I WOULD LIKE TO EMPHASIZE THAT R09 (NHTSA SAFETY ISSUED ID #15V115 HTTPS://WWW.NHTSA.GOV/RECALLS?NHTSAID=15V115#RECALLS360) REFERS TO 5 YEARS OLD CARS, AND THE FAILURE THAT I HAVE EXPERIENCE WITH THE SAME REPLACED FUEL RELAY, HAD OCCURRED ONLY 3 YEARS LATER, AND THEREFORE, FCA RESPONSE IS IRRATIONAL AND WRONG. SINCE THE EVENT I AVOID DRIVING THIS CAR WITH MY FAMILY NOR DO I LET MY CHILDREN DRIVE IT. I SIMPLY DON'T TRUST THE CAR ANYMORE. PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT I LIVE IN ISRAEL AND HAVE AN OFFICE IN FLORIDA. I HAD TO ENTER MY FL ADDRESS AS THERE IS NO POSSIBILITY FOR AN INTERNATIONAL ADDRESS. MY INTERNATIONAL PHONE NUMBER IS: +972544888755

LEAKING POWER STEERING FLUID FROM UNKNOWN AREA CAUSED SMOKE FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND LOSS OF STEERING CAPABILITIES WHILE IN MOTION. ALSO OCCASIONAL IGNITION SWITCH ISSUES THAT OCCUR WHEN PRESSING THE START BUTTON. STARTER KEEPS TURNING THE ENGINE OVER HOWEVER THE VEHICLE NEVER COMPLETES THE CRANKNG CYCLE. DRIVER HAS TO OPEN THE DOOR THEN HIT THE START BUTTON AGAIN BEFORE STARTER WILL STOP. PUSH CAP START MUST THEN BE REMOVED AND THE KEY INSERTED IN ORDER TO TURN THE ENGINE OVER AND CRANK PROPERLY

MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, SO I TOOK MY JEEP INTO THE DEALER, MY JEEP HAS APPROX. 61K MILES, VERY GOOD CARE TAKEN, OIL CHANGES, ETC., HAS NOT EVEN NEEDED NEW BRAKES YET. DEALERSHIP SAYS THER IS SMALL EVAP LEAK IN EXHAUST SYSTEM - $285 LATER, THE LIGHT IS OFF. THEY ALSO TELL ME MY POWER STEERING IS LEAKING AND WILL GO OUT SOON, IT NEEDS A STEERING GEAR REPLACEMENT THAT WILL COST $1,955. I DID SOME INTERNET RESEARCH AND THIS APPEARS TO BE AN ONGOING PROBLEM. SERVICE MANAGER THOUGHT IT SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER POWERTRAIN WARRANTY, BUT NO. I BELIEVE THIS IS A DANGEROUS CONDITION SHOULD MY STEERING GO OUT AND SHOULD BE A RECALL AS MANY MANY OTHERS HAVE HAD THIS SAME ISSUE.

BOUGHT MY CAR FROM PARKS FORD OF WESLEY CHAPEL ON 7/16/17. 2 DAYS LATER, THE CAR HAD TROUBLE STARTING.MY MECHANIC LOOKED IT OVER. IT HAD A POWER STEERING RACK LEAK AND EMBEDDED DIRT UNDERNEATH ITS CARRIER. BROUGHT CAR BACK TO FORD. THEY FOUND NOTHING. CALLED AGAIN BECAUSE OF SAME PROBLEM. WAS TOLD BY MANAGER DUBER TO TRY LOCKING AND UNLOCKING CAR TO ENGAGE STARTER. DID NOT WORK. BROUGHT TO JEEP. THEY FOUND THAT A RECALL ON THE RELAY TO THE FUEL PUMP WAS NEVER FIXED. THEY ALSO SAID THE FRONT SHOCKS WERE BLOWN AND LEAKING AND NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. WARRANTY COMPANY SAID THAT CAR HAD PREEXISTING CONDITIONS AND SHOULD HAVE NEVER LEFT THE DEALERSHIP. THEY REFUSED TO FIX IT. THIS GREAT PRICE WAS FALSE REPRESENTATION AND MISLEADING. I NEVER WOULD HAVE BOUGHT THE CAR KNOWING IT NEEDED ALL OF THIS WORK.

I BEGAN HAVING DIFFICULTY STEERING AND TURNING MY VEHICLE AT LOW SPEEDS. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE SHOP FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND MENTIONED THE ISSUE TO THE MECHANIC. THEY FOUND THAT MY 2013 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE LIMITED WITH 39K MILAGE, THAT I HAVE ONLY BEEN DRIVING FOR 9MONTHS, HAD BEEN LEAKING POWER STEERING FLUID AND THE LINE WAS DRY. AFTER DISCOVERY THIS ISSUE, I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER WHO TOLD ME THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND RESERVOIR HAD FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AFTER THIS REPAIR MY CAR DROVE FINE FOR ABOUT 100 MILES, BUT NOW THE STEERING HAS FAILED COMPLETELY WHILE DRIVING 30MPH IN CITY TRAFFIC ON THE WAY TO WORK.

LOW BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, AND TWO MILES LATER THE MAJORITY OF DASHBOARD LIGHTS CAME ON. SIMULTANEOUSLY, A CONSTANT BEEPING BEGAN AND WIPERS TURNED ON. THE SCARY PART IS THAT WITHIN SECONDS, I LOST POWER STEERING AND BRAKES DID NOT WORK CORRECTLY. THE ROAD I WAS DRIVING WAS PRECARIOUS, WINDY, AND DID NOT HAVE A SHOULDER. I CONTINUED AT MINIMAL SPEED AROUND THE CURVES FOR LESS THAN A MILE, LOOKING FOR A SAFE PLACE TO PULL OVER. VERY SOON, THE CAR ACCELERATOR STOPPED AND THE CAR DIED. I MANAGED TO PULL THE CAR ONTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD (TOOK EFFORT WITHOUT POWER STEERING). TERRIBLE AND SUDDEN EXPERIENCE. NOT ENOUGH WARNING TO GET THE CAR SERVICED BEFORE COMPLETE ELECTRONIC AND VEHICLE SHUTDOWN OCCURRED. THANKFUL THAT NO OTHER VEHICLES WERE AROUND DURING THE INCIDENT, AS I AM CONFIDENT I DID NOT HAVE SAFE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE DURING THIS TIME. TOWED VEHICLE TO SAFETY. MECHANIC TESTED AND DISCOVERED THAT ALTERNATOR FULLY SHORTED AND BATTERY WAS COMPLETELY DEAD (UNABLE TO RECHARGE).

POWER STEERING MAKING NOISE LOUD , HAD IT CHECKED OUT AND DEALERSHIP TELLS ME ALL 2013 DOES THIS. WELL A WEEK LATER AFTER THEY LOOKED AT I LOST POWER STEERING WITH A BABY IN CAR.

2013 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO METALLIC NOISE IN REAR OF VEHICLE AND TWO BROKEN SHOCKS/STRUTS. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT AND THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED. THERE WAS A METAL TO METAL NOISE COMING FROM THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE AND A SLIP IN THE TRANSMISSION. THE VIBRATIONS WERE REPAIRED. THE BACK 2 TIRES WERE WARN. THE DEALER STATED THEY PASSED INSPECTION. *JS

MY JEEP HAS STALLED TWICE WHILE I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN. BOTH TIMES IT STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND I LOST ALL POWER STEERING + POWER BRAKES. BOTH TIMES I HAD ABOUT 1/4 TANK OF GAS. THE FIRST TIME I WAS ABLE TO RESTART MY CAR RIGHT AWAY. THE 2ND TIME IT TOOK ME A FEW TRIES TO GET IT RESTARTED. THE DEALERSHIP CLAIMS THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. I'VE OPENED A CASE WITH JEEP.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND DISCOVERED THAT THE POWER STEERING BELT WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE POWER STEERING BELT WAS REPLACED. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. AFTER BEING SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V115000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START INTERMITTENTLY AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 13V234000 (POWER TRAIN , STEERING) HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE TIME FOR REPAIR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTIFICATION IN JUNE OF 2013. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE AND COULD TAKE SEVERAL MONTHS BEFORE BECOMING AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 4,000.

I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM A SKI WEEKEND IN UPSTATE NY IN JANUARY AND TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE AT APPROXIMATELY 65MPH, THE TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE WAS BELOW FREEZING AND I WENT TO APPLY THE BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN FOR UPCOMING TRAFFIC AND THE PEDAL WAS HARD AND THE BRAKES DID NOT ENGAGE, I PUMPED THE PEDAL AND REMAINED CALM AND HOPED THAT THE POWER WOULD COME BACK TO THE PEDAL AND LUCKILY IT DID AFTER A 3 PUMPS TO THE PEDAL AND TOOK ABOUT 5 SECONDS. WE AVOIDED A NEAR FATAL COLLISION IF IT WASN'T FOR MY QUICK THINKING AND REMAINING CALM. I BROUGHT THE CAR INTO WESTBURY JEEP WHO TOLD ME NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE BRAKES AND RETURNED THE CAR TO ME, I THEN CONTINUED TO HAVE THE PROBLEM REOCCUR ON COLD DAYS WHEN THE TEMPERATURE WAS BELOW FREEZING. THE DEALERSHIP DID NOTHING AND NOW A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR THE EXACT ISSUE I DESCRIBED AND THE DEALERSHIP STILL REFUSES TO REPAIR IT BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE THE PART. I WANT THE REPAIR DONE ASAP! *TR