Have you experienced the message “Dynamic Steering Torque Service Required” on the cluster? If that’s correct, you are at the right place because we are going to learn what dynamic steering torque service means and how to fix it in this article.
So, what could be the possible reason behind this problem? Well, there could be many causes, but primarily this issue is triggered by the battery, a fault in the ABS, problems with speed sensors, a bad steering angle sensor, a bad airbag sensor, or a simple software glitch.
This is why you need to perform deep research on this topic and investigate every bit of information. Since there are a ton of mechanics out there that would be very happy to rip you off and not fix the problem. That’s why we are here to help you out.
Let’s start with the basics. We’ll explore the concept of dynamic steering control and break down what exactly “Dynamic Steering Torque Service Required” means for your Jeep.
Once we’ve covered that ground, we’ll shift gears and uncover the reasons why your Jeep is signaling the need for this service.
So, without further ado, let’s dive in.
What Is Dynamic Steering Torque?
Now before we elaborate more on the problem, let’s first learn what Dynamic Steering Torque is in the first place.
This is a safety system that is used in many FCA (Stellantis) products including Jeeps. This system is also known as DST.
This Dynamic Steering Torque is a feature that is a part of the ESC and EPS systems and works together with these two systems. For those who don’t know, the ESC is the Electronic Stability Control, while the EPS is the electronic power steering.
This DST feature provides torque at the steering wheel in some driving conditions where the ESC is detecting instability. The torque that the steering receives has the purpose of helping the driver realize the optimal steering behavior and maintain vehicle stability.
When this DST system is active, the driver only gets the torque that is applied to the steering wheel. There should be no messages.
If there is a message like “Dynamic Steering Torque Service Required” it means that you need to service the ESC System. But more on the details we are going to elaborate on next.
What Does Dynamic Steering Torque Service Required Mean?
Whenever this message appears, it means that your DST system is not working. It does not provide torque to the steering wheel anymore. So, you are entering a potentially dangerous situation here.
That’s why whenever you notice the Jeep Compass this message, it is important to react quickly and solve the problem.
What is interesting to note, is that whenever this dynamic steering torque service required jeep renegade message appears, there can be some other symptoms besides this message.
This is the case because the DST system is deeply intertwined with other safety systems. These symptoms are the following:
- Vehicle Pulls To One Side
- Steering Wheel Feedback Feels Weird
- Steering Wheel Produces Vibrations
- ABS Light
- ESC Light
- 4WD Is Not Working
- Hill Assist Light Turns On
Here’s the deal—when your Jeep Compass starts throwing out symptoms like these, it’s waving a red flag about potential Dynamic Steering Torque (DST) issues. Ignoring these alerts might not be the best move.
Why Does Dynamic Steering Torque Service Required Appear?
Now let’s take a look at why the DST Service Required Jeep Renegade to appear and elaborate more on the causes.
Everything happens for a reason and so is the case with the DST-required message. This is why we are going to elaborate on each one of these symptoms in detail and learn more about the root causes.
1. Bad ABS Pump/Control Module
A bad ABS control module and a bad ABS pump can also cause this problem. So, what are these components?
The ABS control module and the ABS pump are integral parts of the ABS and they are closely connected to the DST system.
The ABS pump is the hydraulic pump that is integral to the ABS and ESC systems. And the ESC is very much connected to the DST. So, you get an idea of why this component matters.
The second component is the ABS control module. The control module is a component that is attached to the pump and this component controls everything.
So, if they go bad, you will start to experience problems like the DST service required, ABS light, and ESC light.
Replacement for these components is pretty expensive and can cost you hundreds of dollars even for used units.
2. Faulty Power Steering Pump
The power steering pump is a critical component that ensures the Jeep’s steering remains smooth and responsive.
When this component malfunctions, it can lead to a compromised supply of hydraulic fluid, which is essential for the power steering system to assist steering maneuvers.
Common issues associated with a faulty power steering pump include fluid leaks, pump wear, or a reduction in hydraulic pressure.
These issues collectively contribute to irregularities in dynamic steering torque, impacting the vehicle’s ability to navigate smoothly.
Identifying and addressing problems with the power steering pump promptly is crucial for maintaining optimal steering performance and ensuring overall driving safety.
3. Impact of Moisture on Components
Flood damage can also cause these issues to appear. Sometimes a vehicle can end up flooded with important wiring and sensors soaked in water.
And when this happens, there will be constant malfunctions in the software. This is why if your car is in a flood, you should take these things very seriously and fix the problems.
An experienced car electrician should be able to fix these problems in no time.
4. Defective Battery or Alternator
The first thing that you want to check whenever you are having problems with the DST is the car battery and the alternator.
This is the case because these components have the purpose of delivering power and if they are not in good working order, the car’s software might malfunction and show different lights and messages like in our case with the DST service required.
So, it is a good idea to check the battery terminals and see if there is rust on them or if they are loose.
If everything looks good, you need to test the battery and alternator with a multimeter. A multimeter is a tool that will allow you to measure voltage.
A good battery should produce about 12.6 volts. If you have 11 or 10 volts, it means that the battery is probably bad.
You can also test the alternator while the engine is working. When the engine is working, the battery should have more than 13.5 volts and less than 14.5 volts.
If the voltage is lower, the alternator is probably bad and does not produce sufficient power. And if the voltage is higher, the voltage regulator is broken.
5. Electronic Control Unit (ECU) Glitch
The Electronic Control Unit, or ECU, is responsible for managing various vehicle systems, including steering.
A glitch or error in the ECU can cause unexpected fluctuations in dynamic steering torque requirements for the Jeep. This could be due to software issues, sensor misinterpretations, or communication errors within the ECU system.
Addressing ECU glitches is vital to maintaining accurate and responsive steering control.
6. Malfunctioning Wheel Speed Sensor
Another very important component that is closely connected to the DST system is the wheel speed sensor. So, what is a wheel speed sensor?
A wheel speed sensor is a component that measures wheel rotation. There are four of these sensors. One per wheel.
This sensor gets its reading from a ring that is known as a tone ring. This special ring allows the sensor to get the information.
Sometimes both the ring, as well as the sensor can malfunction and cause problems like this. Whenever this component fails, you will often get an ABS light, as well as an ESC light on the cluster and the DST service required message.
7. Malfunctioning Steering Angle Sensor
A steering angle sensor can also cause a problem such as this. So, what is a steering angle sensor?
Well, a steering angle sensor is a special sensor that is mounted on the steering column. This sensor monitors the movement of the steering wheel.
So, whenever the sensor notices movement, it will activate the DST system and get you some torque input.
If this sensor is malfunctioning, you will very likely have a malfunctioning DST system in your car. Luckily, replacing this sensor is not extremely expensive and can be done pretty easily.
8. Dysfunctional Airbag Sensor
A bad airbag sensor can also trigger a problem like in our case. So, what is an airbag sensor?
Well, every modern car has an airbag system. This system is a safety system that deploys the airbags.
Multiple airbag sensors are scattered on the vehicle that are designed to react when there is an impact.
Once they get impacted, the airbags will activate. Sometimes they fail and the airbag system will malfunction.
Whenever there are malfunctions, there can also be problems like in our case with the DST service required message.
9. Software Malfunction
A software glitch can also cause this problem to appear in your Jeep. So, why is this the case?
Well, Jeep’s software and overall, FCA software is not one of the best out there. Many problems were later solved with updates.
Specifically with the Jeep Renegade. On this model, there are multiple reports when customers purchased the model new and got a ton of lights and messages including the DST service required.
The problem was reportedly solved with a software update. More on this problem, you can read in the following link.
How To Fix Dynamic Steering Torque Service Required?
This guide is your roadmap to understand and tackle the issue. We’ll take you through practical steps—whether it’s a battery hiccup, sensor glitches, or a possible software tweak—to ensure your ride remains smooth and worry-free. Let’s dive in and get your steering back on track!
1. Battery Health Check
Fixing this problem depends on what is causing it. In this situation, the first thing you want to do is to check the health of the battery and see if it holds power.
Sometimes a weak battery can trigger these warnings. A good battery should produce about 12.6 volts of power. You can do this testing by using a multimeter.
2. OBD2 Scanner for Diagnostics
For other diagnostics, you will need an OBD2 scanner. With this tool, you will be able to access the codes that the vehicle produces. And if there are codes that are concerning the ABS, ESC, speed sensors, and column sensors. These are good leads for the root cause.
3. Consider Software Update
As a last resort, consider performing a software update at the dealership. Many instances of dynamic steering torque issues can be resolved through software updates, ensuring the vehicle’s control unit operates with the latest firmware.
Dynamic Steering Torque Service Cost
Fixing this issue depends on the root cause. If your car is under warranty, this fix would be completely free.
But if the car is not warranted, you will have to pay anywhere between $100 and $1,000 to get the problem sorted out.
Conclusion
In this article, we covered quite a bit when it comes to the Dynamic Steering Torque Service Required problem.
But is it fixable?
Well, everything is fixable, this problem is often caused by a software glitch. So, make sure that you go to the dealership to get it sorted out.
Last update on 2025-09-12 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
