Chrysler Minivans Investigated for Steering Issues

Federal regulators are looking into potential safety defects in nearly 300,000 Chrysler vehicles after reports of steering malfunctions that could raise the risk of crashes.

On Sept. 8, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced it had opened an investigation following nearly 100 consumer complaints. The reports describe issues with the vehicles’ electric power steering systems, including a noticeable “sticking sensation” during turns.

Models Under Investigation

The probe affects an estimated 287,000 Chrysler Pacifica minivans, including:

• Chrysler Pacifica (2017–2018)

• Chrysler Pacifica Plug-in Hybrid (2017)

According to NHTSA, drivers have reported that the steering issue occurs most often when the wheel is positioned around the 11 o’clock or 1 o’clock position. In some cases, this can cause oversteering—when a vehicle turns more sharply than intended—which regulators say may heighten the risk of a crash, particularly at higher speeds.

Safety Concerns

While no crashes or injuries have been publicly linked to the defect so far, the complaints raise concern because steering reliability is a critical factor in safe driving. NHTSA noted that even a “sticking sensation” could cause drivers to make sudden, unintentional adjustments behind the wheel.

The agency is now gathering data to determine how widespread the problem may be and whether Chrysler’s parent company, Stellantis, will need to issue a recall.

What Drivers Should Know

Owners of the affected models are encouraged to pay close attention to how their steering responds, particularly during gradual turns. Anyone experiencing steering issues can file a complaint with NHTSA and should avoid driving the vehicle until a service technician can inspect it.

For more details on the investigation, drivers can contact NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 or visit the agency’s website at www.nhtsa.gov.

Next Steps

The investigation is in its early stages, meaning no recall has been issued yet. However, if NHTSA determines that the defect poses a significant safety risk, Stellantis could be required to recall the impacted vehicles.

Until then, federal regulators will continue to analyze consumer complaints, field data, and manufacturer records to assess whether corrective action is needed.