2018 Jeep Wrangler · symptom sheet
Power steering cuts out or goes heavy
- 117owner reports
- 11,000median miles
- $1,418median quote
- 2involved a crash
Newest report Sep 25, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
1116 of the 1,823 complaints on this car are about the steering system. 117 of those describe power steering loss.
Tick what matches of 117 reports
Power steering loss on other Wrangler 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: 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 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 EPS motor or module (12 reports) and the steering rack (5 reports).
Recalls and investigations
One recall on the steering system covers the 2018 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
The intermediate steering shaft may not have been properly welded causing a split where the external spline is formed.
All 14 recalls on the 2018 Jeep Wrangler, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into the steering system on the Wrangler
Underhood fires. Closed sep 24, 2026, led to recall 26V-363.
Frame weld deficiencies. Closed oct 29, 2023.
Frame weld deficiencies. Closed sep 17, 2019.
What owners paid
5 of the 117 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $1,200 to $2,000.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 4,850 and 38,000 miles, from the 51 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 5 service bulletins or notices for the 2018 Jeep Wrangler 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.
U0131-00-LOST COMMUNICATION WITH POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE ?A?. Service Electric Power Steering Message On Cluster.
ELECTRIC HYDRAULIC POWER STEERING PUMP Prior to replacing this component for damage at the pump electrical connection, please contact FCA redacted content. If no response in 15 minutes, proceed with repair.
U0131 Lost Communication With Power Steering Control Module A DTC Active Or Stored. EPS Light On.
U0131 Lost Communication With Power Steering Control Module A DTC Active. EPS Light On.
1 more on the 2018 Jeep Wrangler page.
What owners wrote
“After several warning lights appeared, the power steering stopped working while I was driving the car on the highway.”
Filed Jul 25, 2023
“Service start stop warning light comes on then service traction control then all dash warning lights come on then you lose power steering This all happens in seconds”
Filed Mar 24, 2023
“Driving on highway at 75MPH, chime followed by all warning lights. Speedometer falls to zero and a series of system failures scrolls through on message board. While taking the exit ramp, power steering fails halfway through the loop. Speedometer returns to normal momentarily, then jumps back and forth until destination. Power steering does not return.”
Filed Feb 20, 2023
“As I was driving, the ABS failed then multiple warning lights displayed and the power steering failed completely. Initially, I could not get the car to turn off.”
Filed Jan 17, 2023
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 2 of 117 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 Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works
Other problems on this car
- Steering wheel shakes or the "death wobble" 517 reports
- Suspension noise, struts or alignment 342 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 104 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 96 reports
- Multiple warning lights come on at once 68 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 67 reports
- Wheel bearing, tires or wheels 63 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 49 reports
- Traction control or StabiliTrak light comes on 47 reports
- Battery dies or the car will not start 46 reports
- Steering sticks, feels notchy or jerks 42 reports
- Paint peels or body rusts 40 reports
- Windshield cracks or distorts 27 reports