2017 Chrysler Pacifica · symptom sheet

Power steering cuts out or goes heavy

92owner reports
44,000median miles
2involved a crash

Newest report Aug 24, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026

271 of the 1,513 complaints on this car are about the steering system. 92 of those describe power steering loss.

Tick what matches of 92 reports

steering suddenly went heavy

a power steering warning came on

it came back after restarting

happened at low speed or parking

happened while driving

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the steering rack (8 reports) and the EPS motor or module (8 reports).

Recalls and investigations

No recall on the steering system covers the 2017 model year as of Sep 9, 2026.

NHTSA investigations into the steering system on the Pacifica

PE25-009opened Sep 5, 2025

Steering · model years 2017 to 2018

Intermittent loss of electric power steering. Open.

NHTSA summary

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) is opening this Preliminary Evaluation to assess the scope, frequency, and potential safety consequences of alleged defects related to the electric power steering (EPS) system in model year (MY) 2017â2018 Chrysler Pacifica vehicles. ODI has received 94 Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) reporting a condition in which the steering system exhibits a sticking sensation during gradual turns, particularly when the steering wheel is positioned near the 11 o'clock or 1 o'clock position. Complainants allege that during these events, increased steering effort is required to return the wheel to center. In many cases, this is followed by a sudden reactivation of EPS assistance, which may result in an oversteer condition. This behavior could increase the risk of a crash, especially at higher speeds. ODI has identified multiple VOQs describing similar symptoms. This investigation will assess the frequency, root cause, and potential safety-related consequences of the alleged EPS malfunction. To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

PE07-052opened Oct 19, 2007

Steering · model years 2007

Engine compartment fire. Closed feb 21, 2008.

NHTSA summary

COMPLAINANTS ALLEGE THAT A FIRE ERUPTED UNDER THE HOOD, NEAR THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE.IN CHRYSLER'S RESPONSE TO ODI'S NOVEMBER 2, 2007 INFORMATION REQUEST, CHRYSLER ASSERTS THAT THE ALLEGED DEFECT OCCURS ONLY IN THE 4.0L ENGINES AND THE CONSUMER WILL EXPERIENCE A LOSS OF POWER STEERING FLUID OR A NOISY POWER STEERING PUMP BEFORE SEEING ANY EVIDENCE OF SMOKE OR FIRE.CHRYSLER ALSO STATES THAT A TUBE NUT ON THE HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING LINE WAS DISCOVERED TO BE CROSS THREADED DURING THE ASSEMBLY PROCESS AND DID NOT ALLOW PROPER SEALING OF THE O-RING.THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM IN THE 4.0L ENGINE IS ASSEMBLED AT THE CHRYSLER PLANT.THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM FOR THE 3.8L ENGINES ARRIVES AT THE CHRYSLER PLANT PRE-ASSEMBLED.CHRYSLER FOUND THAT IN THE 4.0L ENGINE, IT WAS POSSIBLE TO CROSS-THREAD THE TUBE NUT ON THE HIGH PRESSURE LINE DURING ITS ATTACHMENT TO THE STEERING GEAR, THUS CREATING AN IMPROPER SEAL.CHRYSLER IMPLEMENTED ASSEMBLY PLANT PROCESS CHANGES TO ELIMINATE THE POSSIBILITY OF CROSS-THREADING, AND APPLIED ADDITIONAL QUALITY CONTROL MEASURES TO DETECT POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKS.CHRYSLER STATED THAT WARRANTY AND FIELD DATA SUGGESTS THAT THESE PROCESS CHANGES HAVE MINIMIZED THE POSSIBILITY OF CROSS-THREADING.WITH REGARD TO THE VEHICLES PRODUCED PRIOR TO THE PRODUCTION CHANGE, A REVIEW OF THE WARRANTY CLAIMS INDICATES THAT THE ALLEGED DEFECT HAS NOT DECLINED IN THE 4.0L POPULATION.ODI IS UPGRADING THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS, EA08-006, TO FURTHER

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 11,000 and 72,000 miles, from the 41 reports that gave a mileage.

116

717

918

719

820

1021

622

423

324

1525

2226

What owners wrote

“As many others have reported, the power steering is "sticking" and requires effort to come back to center. The dealer claims they "cannot replicate the problem." I am left to wonder if the problem from the 2019 recall is coming back to haunt us.”
Filed Aug 10, 2023

“The vehicles steering wheel is binding intermittently, the power steering seems to come on and off. It can happen at any speed.”
Filed Jul 12, 2023

“My vehicle stalled without warning while driving. I lost power steering and everything shut down. I had to put it in park which wasnât registering and shut off my vehicle and restart it for it to correct itself.”
Filed Oct 11, 2022

“Power steering sticks intermittently causing the vehicle to remain in a state of turn, locks up. The steering wheel must be forced back out of the turn, causing an unpredictable situation when moving back to straight. This is a very dangerous situation to the point where I will not allow my younger drivers to operate the vehicle.”
Filed Sep 3, 2022

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 2 of 92 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.

File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation.