*PSA: Most, if not all 2021-22 WK Grand Cherokees have this issue and need steering rack and pinion replaced.
This replacement was listed as a "customer courtesy/satisfaction" replacement on the invoice, but it is a known TSB. Get it replaced under warranty. 2020 and prior Grand Cherokees do not seem to suffer from this issue. I've tested 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021, and x2 2022 models while trying to determine what was wrong with the steering. The difference was stark --- the 2021 and 22 models ALL had overly heavy steering that is corrected by having the rack & pinion replaced.
I reported this problem to FCA immediately after having purchased the vehicle new. Friends & family have owned several of this WK2 gen GC, so I was very familiar with driving dynamics. Compared to their '17 and '19 models, my '21 drove TERRIBLY. The steering was almost always incredibly heavy, requiring a ton of effort to turn. Occasionally there would be moments (when hot outside or driven for an hour+) that the steering would lighten up and feel normal for a WK2 GC. There was also a brushing/ticking sound in the steering column.
First dealership I took it to claimed they didn't detect any issue and so did nothing to the vehicle. Since it was obvious that something was wrong (this did not drive like previous GCs I'd driven) I persisted with FCA support and took it to another dealership. This other dealership finally did the right thing and informed me of the TSB and told me the rack and pinion needed replacement. Car now drives just like it should - just like all previous (previous to '21) model GCs drive. Steering effort is FAR lighter and driving the car is infinitely better.
FCA seems to have completed dropped quality control on all GCs following the 2020 model year. Very disappointing.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
*PSA: Most, if not all 2021-22 WK Grand Cherokees have this issue and need steering rack and pinion replaced.
This replacement was listed as a "customer courtesy/satisfaction" replacement on the invoice, but it is a known TSB. Get it replaced under warranty. 2020 and prior Grand Cherokees do not seem to suffer from this issue. I've tested 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021, and x2 2022 models while trying to determine what was wrong with the steering. The difference was stark --- the 2021 and 22 models ALL had overly heavy steering that is corrected by having the rack & pinion replaced.
I reported this problem to FCA immediately after having purchased the vehicle new. Friends & family have owned several of this WK2 gen GC, so I was very familiar with driving dynamics. Compared to their '17 and '19 models, my '21 drove TERRIBLY. The steering was almost always incredibly heavy, requiring a ton of effort to turn. Occasionally there would be moments (when hot outside or driven for an hour+) that the steering would lighten up and feel normal for a WK2 GC. There was also a brushing/ticking sound in the steering column.
First dealership I took it to claimed they didn't detect any issue and so did nothing to the vehicle. Since it was obvious that something was wrong (this did not drive like previous GCs I'd driven) I persisted with FCA support and took it to another dealership. This other dealership finally did the right thing and informed me of the TSB and told me the rack and pinion needed replacement. Car now drives just like it should - just like all previous (previous to '21) model GCs drive. Steering effort is FAR lighter and driving the car is infinitely better.
FCA seems to have completed dropped quality control on all GCs following the 2020 model year. Very disappointing.
- cwin7842, Billings, US