2017 Chrysler Pacifica · symptom sheet
Steering sticks, feels notchy or jerks
- 142owner reports
- 60,000median miles
- $2,800median quote
- 1involved 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. 142 of those describe sticky steering.
Tick what matches of 142 reports
Sticky steering 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
Sticky steering is a wheel that catches or hangs for a moment before it turns, then moves in a small jerk. It's different from a wheel that's simply heavy: owners here describe a notch, and many say it's worst when making small corrections at highway speed.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the steering rack (12 reports) and the column (3 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.
What owners paid
6 of the 142 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $755 to $3,500.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 35,950 and 91,000 miles, from the 28 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“Steering sticks consistently when going around curves, usually around the 10 and 2 areas. Vehicle steering has to be manually forced back to midline. Occurs more frequently the longer the drive and usually at speeds only over 30mph.”
Filed Jul 31, 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
“Steering wheel sticks in the middle of a turn. Also steering vibrates at slower speeds. The inconsistent steering makes it dangerous going around corners.”
Filed Nov 10, 2022
“Steering "sticks" going around long turns like ramps at or above around 30 miles per hour. Requires force to get it to return to center.”
Filed Oct 15, 2022
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 1 of 142 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
- 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
- Power steering cuts out or goes heavy 93 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