2017 Steering Problems

22459 Views 74 Replies 37 Participants Last post by shawnee, 21 h ago

SteveA

Discussion Starter · Dec 27, 2020

Hi, all. First time poster here. We have a 2017 Pacifica Touring L Plus that we bought used in March 2020. Over the summer we noticed the steering frequently sticking when driving around curves, and long story short the problem happens at various speeds 30-80mph. Ay first it seemed to only stick slightly off center, but on a longer road trip it stuck even closer to center repeatedly. When the weather got colder here in Iowa it seems to have be happening as frequently...

And now, we started getting a stuttering on the steering when making tighter turns at low parking lot speeds.

This van has been inspected at a local independent shop and two different Chrysler dealership service shops this year! All three places say they cannot find anything wrong with the vehicle. One replaced the passenger side CV joint and axle after finding the CV boot was leaking, but that did not fix the steering problem.

We're very frustrated with this and at a loss of what to do. A web search shows that many people have experienced both of these issues, but there is no recall issued for vans without the electonic start/stop feature. Any advice?

Thanks!!
-Steve

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CANADAHYBRIDGUY

· #2 · Dec 27, 2020

When turning does it get stuck both ways ? Do you feel anything in wheel where you turn it ? . If you were driving it and turned all way do you notice harder to turn one way or the other way ? Curious , what tires are on the vehicle and what size are they ?

freddief73

· #3 · Dec 28, 2020 (Edited)

SteveA said:
Hi, all. First time poster here. We have a 2017 Pacifica Touring L Plus that we bought used in March 2020. Over the summer we noticed the steering frequently sticking when driving around curves, and long story short the problem happens at various speeds 30-80mph. Ay first it seemed to only stick slightly off center, but on a longer road trip it stuck even closer to center repeatedly. When the weather got colder here in Iowa it seems to have be happening as frequently...

And now, we started getting a stuttering on the steering when making tighter turns at low parking lot speeds.

This van has been inspected at a local independent shop and two different Chrysler dealership service shops this year! All three places say they cannot find anything wrong with the vehicle. One replaced the passenger side CV joint and axle after finding the CV boot was leaking, but that did not fix the steering problem.

We're very frustrated with this and at a loss of what to do. A web search shows that many people have experienced both of these issues, but there is no recall issued for vans without the electonic start/stop feature. Any advice?

Thanks!!
-Steve

I've heard of a few front CV axle failures (recall U80 for this issue is applicable to many 2018 models), but I couldn't find anyone with same steering issues that you're experiencing. The owners with steering issues aren't complaining about the "steering frequently sticking" or "stuttering" like you say. They're complaining about full-on failures with steering-related warnings/lights and the power steering not working altogether. Many of the complaints were addressed by recall V53.

Are you sure you're not just feeling the front wheels following the grooves/abnormalities in the road? We live in Iowa as well, and what your describing sounds/feels like exactly that. Our Pacifica and our second, much older vehicle (which also has electric power steering) both do this on the same crappy roads. The only things you can do that might help are get the wheel alignment checked and make sure the tires are properly inflated and evenly worn.

As for the stuttering when making tighter turns at low speeds, I have an explanation for that too. Electric power steering draws a lot of power, especially when stopped or driving very slowly - like during parking lot maneuvers. You're often just letting the engine idle and using the brakes in those situations. Unfortunately, the alternator is working in it's least efficient state when the engine is idling. The combination of the two, plus the use of an electric vacuum pump for the brakes will sometimes cause a short-term voltage drop that may cause a variation of electric assist to be felt in the steering wheel. You can confirm this by monitoring system voltage in the cluster while parking. I've observed the voltage dropping from 14.5 to 13.2 volts numerous times when coming to a stop, even without turning the steering wheel. The voltmeter in the cluster has a relatively low refresh rate, so it's very plausible that the voltage is actually dropping much lower for a brief moment.

I'm not there to see/feel it for myself, but I get the feeling you may be seeking a solution to a problem that doesn't exist in the first place. I'm reluctant to believe that two dealerships and an independent shop would have all overlooked the problem if they all took the van for a test drive. That would take some serious bad luck IMO.

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SteveA

Discussion Starter · #4 · Dec 28, 2020 (Edited)

Hey, if I'm curving off to either direction, usually just before the 1-o'clock or 11-o'clock positions, then let go of the wheel assuming it will return to center (like any normal vehicle) it stays stuck and needs a noticeable force to jerk it loose. It doesn't get stuck during sharper curves or turns...

Tires are 235/60 R18.

CANADAHYBRIDGUY

· #5 · Dec 28, 2020

Has it always been like this and are these original tires or ?

SteveA

Discussion Starter · #6 · Dec 28, 2020 (Edited)

Hey, Freddie. Good points on the low speed stuttering, maybe that's the explanation for that part. But for the sticking, it did it while driving all the way across South Dakota on a straight interstate.... hours of sticking, jerking to correct.

SteveA

Discussion Starter · #7 · Dec 28, 2020

CANADAHYBRIDGUY said:
Has it always been like this and are these original tires or ?

We got the van used this past March. They are Goodyear Assurance tires. I just looked and the front tires have strange wear gouges in them.... the rear tires don't show the same patterns. Any thoughts on this? The tires are not down to the wear bars, so I have a hard time believing they are the original tires on this 2017 vehicle at 82K miles, but maybe!

See attached photos.

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CANADAHYBRIDGUY

· #8 · Dec 28, 2020

Look at the sidewalls and you’ll find a date code of 4 numbers in a rectangle . That will tell you when they were made ( 0120) week 1 of year 20 as a example ...

freddief73

· #9 · Dec 28, 2020

SteveA said:
We got the van used this past March. They are Goodyear Assurance tires. I just looked and the front tires have strange wear gouges in them.... the rear tires don't show the same patterns. Any thoughts on this? The tires are not down to the wear bars, so I have a hard time believing they are the original tires on this 2017 vehicle at 82K miles, but maybe!

See attached photos. View attachment 45013 View attachment 45014 View attachment 45015

Yikes, those tires look terrible. I have no idea what could've caused that. I'd replace those ASAP if it were my van. You could just rotate the tires and see if the problem goes away. If it does, then obviously the tires were cause of the problem. I can't believe one of those three shops didn't at least point that out. That's crazy.

The Pacifica never came with Goodyear tires so they've definitely been replaced before.

Reactions: 1

SteveA

Discussion Starter · #10 · Dec 28, 2020

Looks like they were manufactured in mid-2018 by the date code (pic below). Also check out the additional pic of the interior tread wear. What could be causing such severe wear patterns on the front when the rear look fine? If these were installed in mid-2018, that seems like a lot for only 2.5 years of use.

Does anyone think steering could stick due to tire wear like this? 🤔

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CANADAHYBRIDGUY

· #11 · Dec 28, 2020

Just curious besides the tire size what’s the load index on them and speed rating ?

SteveA

Discussion Starter · #12 · Dec 28, 2020

CANADAHYBRIDGUY said:
Just curious besides the tire size what’s the load index on them and speed rating ?

They are marked 103V. I've read that V-rated tires can wear faster than H; maybe that's a consideration?

CANADAHYBRIDGUY

· #13 · Dec 28, 2020

Load rating is good , v speed rating would indicate speed rating you’d never use . So if these tires have been on for 4 years I’d say purchase 4 new tires and that probably eliminate your problem . Just remember to look for a tire that represents your van usage . Are you looking for mpg , load rating , longevity , handling ,etc . I’d also rotate the tires every 5000 miles and ensure proper inflation. There’s some good threads on here for tires . Happy motoring

freddief73

· #14 · Dec 28, 2020

SteveA said:
Looks like they were manufactured in mid-2018 by the date code (pic below). Also check out the additional pic of the interior tread wear. What could be causing such severe wear patterns on the front when the rear look fine? If these were installed in mid-2018, that seems like a lot for only 2.5 years of use.

Does anyone think steering could stick due to tire wear like this? 🤔

View attachment 45016

View attachment 45017

I'm very confident those tires are the cause of your problem. You said the rear tires look fine, so I would rotate the tires (front to back & back to front) and see if the problem goes away. I'm thinking they may have been chewed up from gravel roads, or the previous owner frequently spinning the tires on a coarse road surface. The V-rated tires aren't necessarily a softer compound, but I can understand why one might think that. It's certainly not the reason why the tires look the way they do. We've had V-rated tires on our van for well over a year and have put just under 20k miles on them. They perform great and certainly don't look like that.

CANADAHYBRIDGUY

· #15 · Dec 28, 2020

This tire seems to be outfitted more for sedans than this vehicle and check out tire

Yellow Colorfulness Text White Line

racks rating on it

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SteveA

Discussion Starter · #16 · Dec 28, 2020

Thanks for the input thus far, all. I'm getting new tires installed this morning and we'll see if it eliminates the sticky steering issue! Here's hoping for warm weather and conditions where it previously happened.

freddief73

· #17 · Dec 28, 2020

SteveA said:
Thanks for the input thus far, all. I'm getting new tires installed this morning and we'll see if it eliminates the sticky steering issue! Here's hoping for warm weather and conditions where it previously happened.

I'd also have the shop check your wheel alignment while you're there if possible. If you drive on light snow and don't use dedicated winter tires, you owe it to yourself to research your all-season tires before buying a set. Don't rely on the tire salesman to make this decision for you. They don't have to live with them for thousands of miles. Tires are definitely not all created equal!

If you can afford them, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 is arguably the best all-season tire you can get. The Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady and Continental CrossContact LX25 also really good options.

Reactions: 2

SteveA

Discussion Starter · #18 · Dec 28, 2020

freddief73 said:
I'd also have the shop check your wheel alignment while you're there if possible. If you drive on light snow and don't use dedicated winter tires, you owe it to yourself to research your all-season tires before buying a set.

Thanks, I got the same tires that I put on two prior vehicles. They work great in Iowa winters (General Altimax RT43). I over-researched for sure.

A 4-wheel alignment was perfomed about 9 months ago, but I do plan on having that and my suspension checked when I'm in for my next service.

Reactions: 1

CANADAHYBRIDGUY

· #19 · Dec 28, 2020

If you have winter snow climate I would get myself a set of dedicated snow tires and rims and would also just get a set of summer tires and rims . If your a ev guy a set of Bridgestone ecopias summer and Michelin xice for winter is way to go . Happy motoring , and unfortunately you can’t get a tire that is great in all seasons . Dedicated tires are your best bet to get the best out of your vehicle in summer and winter . Have a great end of year and happy holidays into 2021 ...

freddief73

· #20 · Dec 28, 2020

SteveA said:
Thanks, I got the same tires that I put on two prior vehicles. They work great in Iowa winters (General Altimax RT43). I over-researched for sure.

A 4-wheel alignment was perfomed about 9 months ago, but I do plan on having that and my suspension checked when I'm in for my next service.

I can't speak for the H-rated RT43s, but I had two sets of the T-rated variants on different vehicles at the same time. They were both great until the tread got below 7/32". At that point the wet/snow traction diminished a lot. I've stopped recommending them, and didn't put them on our van because of this. I naturally expect the traction to degrade as the tread wears down, but the RT43s are totally different tires when worn compared to when they're new.

I installed a set of Continental CrossContact LX25 (V-rated) tires on our van last fall. We have about 20k miles on them so far and they've been great.

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