2017 Chrysler Pacifica · symptom sheet
Power steering cuts out or goes heavy
- 93owner reports
- 44,000median miles
- 2involved a crash
Newest report Sep 27, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
278 of the 1,522 complaints on this car are about the steering system. 93 of those describe power steering loss.
Tick what matches of 93 reports
Power steering loss on other Pacifica years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2026.
What this problem usually is
Power steering loss is the steering wheel suddenly going heavy, usually with a warning on the dash. Nearly six in ten complaints in this group mention a warning light or message, and almost two thirds mention driving or highway speed rather than parking.
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 Oct 2, 2026.
NHTSA investigations into the steering system on the Pacifica
Intermittent loss of electric power steering. Open.
Engine compartment fire. Closed feb 21, 2008.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 11,000 and 72,000 miles, from the 41 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 1 service bulletin or notice for the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica that deal with this problem. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Electric Power Steering Gear If any of the following DTCs exist, it is okay to replace the steering gear: C2217-00, C15C1-00 (EPS Mechanical Performance) or C15DB-00 (Latch Active) otherwise perform the following;
What owners wrote
“I have been had intermittent loss of power steering during gradual turns and then suddenly it returns. Very dangerous situation!!”
Filed Aug 13, 2026
“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
“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 93 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. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Taking it to a shop? How to describe this problem so it gets found
Other problems on this car
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 384 reports
- Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 213 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 187 reports
- Steering sticks, feels notchy or jerks 142 reports
- Engine overheats or leaks coolant 132 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 115 reports
- Battery dies or the car will not start 106 reports
- Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 86 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 85 reports
- Multiple warning lights come on at once 54 reports
- Sliding door won't open, close or latch 44 reports
- "Shift to Park" or "Service Shifter" warning comes on 34 reports
- Adaptive cruise or lane keeping misbehaves 30 reports
- Traction control or StabiliTrak light comes on 27 reports
- Auto start-stop will not restart the engine 27 reports
- Suspension noise, struts or alignment 25 reports