general problems of the 2018 Chrysler Pacifica - part 1

I have a 2018 Chrysler Pacifica with approximately 125,000 miles. At around 110,000 I started to notice that the steering would randomly stick when driving at speeds between 25-45 mph. Now, the steering wheel is beginning to stick almost everytime I drive the van, but seems to get worse after about 20-30 minutes of driving. This now seems like a severe safety hazard at both neighborhood and highway speeds. As I turn the wheel when driving down the road, the steering wheel becomes physically stuck when passing through the 11 o'clock and 1 o'clock positions. In order to return the wheel to 12 o'clcok, I have to extert extra force, can feel the power steering kick back in, and the van will sharply react as the steering wheel straightens risking an over-correction accident. This is now a recurring issue and makes it very difficult and dangerous to drive my vehicle. These symptoms seem to exactly match what my research has uncovered online regarding a failing steering rack and column. I believe a NHTSA invesigation has already been opened into this safety issue (seems to match the description for NHTSA pe25009).

While driving my vehicle at approximately 75 mph on the interstate the steering wheel froze/stuck while executing a long sweeping curve. The steering wheel would not turn and my wife whom was drivng was applying excessive pressure to the steering wheel to keep the vehile from running off the shoulder of the road almost lost control of the van when the steeringwheel broke loose and over corrected and the van made a sudden, sharp turn. This occured during an essentual 2 hor drive to a medical appointment. This vehicle matches the exact failure criteria currenly under active investigation by the NHTSA under pe25009 for steering binding. The manufacturer (Chrysler) refuses to honor or repair this known defect under warranty creating a sever and immediate hazaard for families operating these vans at highway speeds.

Steering sticks on occasion when turning at highway speeds both left and right around the 1 and 10 o'clock position.

Reference: NHTSA campaign number: pe25009 in the last month, I've noticed steering problem with my Mini van. I have to use both hands to steer in a curve and it jerks when coming out of the curve. It feels as if I am loosing control of the van. It also happens when I am changing lanes and steer the wheel past 11 and 1 oclock. It feels as if the car is fighting me to steer.

The steering wheel of my 2018 Chrysler Pacifica sticks when I turn to the left (around 10-11 o'clock) and to the right (around 1-2 o'clock). Going about 40 miles per hour I can take my hands off the wheel and the steering will continue to stay locked in that position until I push it out of that locked position. I still own this vehicle as it is our family vehicle. If you are a driver that allows the steering wheel to turn itself back straight and not realize that it sticks, this could cause an accident. Even forcefully turning back causes an over correction and it is getting worse. Have not gotten it inspected yet. This issue just started within the last 2 weeks, August/September 2026. There are no warning lights. Main battery has no corrosion. Vehicle has 96,966 miles on it. Seems related to -- NHTSA campaign number: pe25009.

Another incidence of a 2018 Chrysler Pacifica with "sticky" or intermittent loss of power steering while driving. This is not chronic at this point in time but is a problem that can catch one out if not paying attention. I ran my VIN # and it shows no outstanding unfixed recalls but obviously this is a recurring safety problem that needs to be addressed. Recall v53 / NHTSA 19v-348 are the numbers that pop up from numerous complaints describing this very same issue.

The wheel suddenly became difficult to turn while driving due to a loss of power steering, but it soon regained normal function. However, not many trips after that, the power steering completely failed. It has not regained function.

While driving my 2018 Chrysler Pacifica fwd with approximately 86,000 miles, I have noticed abnormal steering behavior when going around gradual curves. The steering does not feel smooth and natural through the turn, and I feel like I have to pull/force the steering wheel to continue through the curve. The steering can feel like it is sticking or resisting rather than smoothly following the turn. This is concerning because it affects the vehicle’s steering response while driving. I brought the vehicle to a mechanic, who inspected it and diagnosed a problem with the steering rack assembly. I was quoted approximately $3,400 to replace the steering rack assembly. I am reporting this because I understand NHTSA is investigating steering problems involving 2017–2018 Chrysler Pacifica vehicles, including reports of steering sticking during gradual turns. The steering wheel does not simply pull to one side; rather, it feels as though the steering itself is resisting or sticking while I am making the turn.

Nhtsa campaign number: pe25009 the steering now appears to stick while going into and out of corners on the highway. The problem gets worse as speed increases.

The steering is sticky at highway speeds. While making slight curves, the steering feels momentarily unresponsive and then suddenly catches up to create a high potential for loss of control.

Driving down the road at medium speeds, steering seems to bind or catch at about "1-3pm" when turning to the right - had two near misses and several others that would have been if I had not been on alert. This issue developed in the last 200 miles. Current mileage is 99,995.

Driving at speeds above 50 mph the steering wheel sticks or catches when I’m trying to turn. If you check subreddits and other places online, this is a very well known issue that needs to be addressed. It could be very dangerous if you couldn’t correct it while in a curve. I’m surprised this isn’t a recall already being that it happens at high speeds and deal with the steering rack.

Intermittent loss of power steering, giving the sensation of "sticking" when the wheel is turned about 30 degrees clockwise. Generally happens at highway speeds, but can happen at lower speeds too. Steering feels locked me momentarily, needing extra force to either continue the turn past 30 degrees or to bring it back to center.

Nhtsa action number pe25009 steering wheel exhibits a sticking sensation during gradual turns near the 11 o'clock or 1 o'clock position.

Over the last couple of months, while driving around curves, the steering wheel sticks in the 1 or 11 o'clock position. It will not recenter on its own. It is unnerving and dangerous, potentially causing an accident. All suspension components have been inspected and found to be in proper working order. The steering rack seems to be the culprit. No warning lamps, the vehicle seems to be operating normally otherwise.

When driving at higher speeds, around 50 mph +, the steering wheel gets stuck into position. You have to over correct it out of the stuck position to stay in the lane. When in a turn, it get stuck around 1 or 11 o'clock and you have to pull hard to the left or right to get it out of the stuck position, which makes you drift into the wrong lane in the stuck position, then swerve towards the wrong lane to fix it. It seems to be getting worse over time. When driving at low speeds, 5mp +, when in a turn, the whole steering wheel column shudders when going back to the straight position. It happens when turning into driveways and parking lots, and can be very startling. The vehicle has been taken to Chrysler service centers multiple times but they always say they can't recreate the problems.

While driving the vehicle, the steering wheel is sticking between the 11 o’clock and 1 o’clock position.

The electric power steering (eps) is the affected system. While driving around curves in the road, the steering wheel intermittently sticks. This puts the safety of those in the vehicle as well as others on the roadway at risk. The problem has been reproduced and confirmed by a dealer to be an electric steering rack failure. There have not been any warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms.

Our 2018 Pacifica has had problems similar to what many others have described in the ongoing NHTSA investigation (pe25009), but recently while driving highway speeds around a curve the steering failed to respond briefly which caused us to drift towards the oncoming lane before the steering started to respond. We stopped at a pep boys repair shop and had them to inspect the steering components but they were uncertain of the cause. I was a certified mechanic many years ago as a young man, and this is the most serious safety problem I've ever experienced. Even when this steering problem is brief it can be enough to cause a driver to oversteer and lose control as the steering delay catches up to a driver's input. The possibility of crossing into oncoming traffic is frightening to say the least, so yes it put my family and others safety at risk! there haven't been any warning lights. I suspect it is the rack & pinion system since it has an electric motor rather than a power steering pump. If it's due to the electric motor there should be a warning lamp that lets the driver know if it's failing.

Vibration at low speed when turning. Hangs in position during turning creating safety issue because the steering wheel needs to be yanked in the opposite direction. Steering wheel locks in position at speed unable to turn at all. Entire front end has been preplaced except for rack and pinion / electronic steering box happens every time the vehicle is driven.

Intermittently, but increasingly, when turning the wheel it feels almost like it gets temporarily stuck or like I no longer am controlling the steering. I notice it more often to the right, but have felt similar to the left. Its a bit disconcerting, a bit like when your car starts to slide on ice. I haven't lost control yet but it does not inspire confidence.

The steering sticks when making gradual turns on the highway almost like it gets stuck.

Intermittent loss of electric power steering. Steering sticks at 11:00 and 1:00 and has to be pulled back to prevent running of the road. Nhtsa action number- pe25009.

2018 Chrysler Pacifica, when driving on 45 mph and 70 mph curvy roads, the steering wheel “sticks” in the turn position and requires extra force to re-center it. Mainly during right curves, and occasionally on left curves. Chrysler dealer service department suggested replacing entire rack and pinion steering assembly for $6,200.

We purchased this 2018 Chrysler Pacifica hybrid about a year ago from a dealership in florida, and the vehicle is now located in [xxx]. The issues involve a malfunctioning high?voltage hybrid charging system/battery and a possible steering or suspension component failure. For now, the vehicle has been under dealer inspection since xxx. Our family’s safety is at risk due to a charging failure in which the vehicle consistently stops charging after reaching 2–3 bars when plugged. I must unplug and reconnect the charger multiple times to resume charging, and this behavior occurs every time the vehicle is charged now. Last week, when the vehicle was fully or nearly fully charged, a “rotten egg” odor entered the cabin, especially in the middle and rear seat area. The smell consistently appeared only after charging and was concentrated near the area where the high?voltage battery is located. Prior to these failures, the only warning was an intermittent check engine light. Another issue, we also experience a metallic spring?like noise during hard turns in both forward while parking. As of the dealer’s initial observation on xxx, their notes state: “electrical system – replace battery. Repair – found battery is the incorrect one installed in the vehicle for an ev system. On the van not charging fully. Chrysler corporation is aware of the issue and is working on a technical service bulletin/possible recall by the end of the year. That needs to be complete first before tech would advise that the customer’s charging cable is not working properly. ” as I understand, we need to change other small battery with right specifications. Although there are currently no open recalls on our specific vehicle, the electrical burning odor has left us extremely concerned for our safety. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

The steering wheel gets stuck when doing gentle turns at moderate speeds (30-50mph). This is a safety issue because you have to fight hard to return the steering to neutral, leading to the possible to overcorrect. The problem seems to get worse when the vehicle is hotter, or after driving for several minutes. The problem has happened for several years and is getting worse and more frequent. Changing brakes and tires has not fixed it. The dealer has been unable to diagnose and fix it and I have paid for several diagnoses out of pocket now.

Sticking steering during gradual turning from 30-70mph.

Sudden, intermittent steering loss. The vehicle can be inspected any time. My safety and others are at risk. Dealer has not been able to repair problem "service steering system" warning light comes on.

While driving my 2018 Chrysler Pacifica limited, the steering intermittently sticks or binds slightly when traveling through gradual curves. When exiting the curve, the steering wheel does not naturally return to center and requires additional manual input to straighten the vehicle. The issue is most noticeable during gradual turns and creates concern about potentially overcorrecting when returning the vehicle to a straight path. The vehicle has approximately 102,000 miles. The symptoms appear consistent with those described in NHTSA investigation pe25009 involving 2017–2018 Chrysler Pacificas.

Positions during small steering corrections, especially at highway speeds and during straight-line driving. Condition feels like temporary increased steering effort or intermittent reduction of electric power steering assist. Additional force is required to move the steering wheel past the sticking point 11 o'clock or 1 o'clock. Once resistance releases, steering may suddenly move farther than intended, causing brief overcorrection or oversteer. Issue occurs repeatedly during lane correction maneuvers and creates a safety concern because steering input is not smooth, consistent, or predictable. Problem appears to be worsening over time. No warning lights were present when symptom occurred. Vehicle mileage at onset: 80,000. Current mileage: 82,500. This complaint appears related to NHTSA investigation pe25009 involving sticky steering and increased steering effort in 2017–2018 Chrysler Pacifica vehicles.

I am experiencing the exact issues identified in nhts campaign number: pe25009. The steering system on my 2018 Chrysler Pacifica exhibits a sticking sensation during gradual turns, particularly when the steering wheel is positioned near the 11 o'clock or 1 o'clock position. It is most prevalent at speeds over 60mph. The safety of everyone in the van has been put at risk by requiring increased steering force in the opposite direction that could easily be overcompensated for by the driver. The first time it occurred, I overcompensated which easily could have caused a crash into a guardrail or vehicle. Fortunately, it did not and I was aware of the issue and how to react when it continued during the drive. There were no warning lamps, messages, or other indicators that there's a problem with the van. After parking the vehicle, I saw online that it could be possible to reset the steering sensors by turning the wheel all the way in each direction several times. Not sure if it was a coincidence, but I did not experience the same sticking for the remainder of the drive even with reaching the same speed and taking similar, gradual turns. A service center inspection will come next.

When in a turn the steering wheel can feel stuck and you have to jerk the wheel to get it unstuck. Which could cause issues if there are cars driving next to you. This seems to be happening more and more often.

My 2018 Pacifica hybrid suffered a catastrophic suspension separation while driving—the exact failure described in safety recall v15. The driver fortunately arrived at home safely only seeing smoke coming out form the tire rubbing against the wheel hood. Although my VIN isn't showing as 'active,' this is clearly a safety defect. I would like to open a case for a goodwill repair or a 'special policy' adjustment because this is a known dangerous failure.

When turning slightly right or left, the lower steering column makes a clicking sound while staying stuck and you have to forcefully move the steering wheel in the opposite direction to get the steering unstuck. A safety hazard of possible over correction could send someone into oncoming traffic.

As I am driving a warning pops up on the dash and says “ power steering unavailable service required “ while that shows up the steering wheel locks up. It goes away abruptly but it causes me to over turn.