This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Jeep dealer.
10.0
really awfulTypical Repair Cost:
no data
Average Mileage:
34,188 miles
Total Complaints:
6 complaints
Most common solutions:
- not sure (5 reports)
- replace damper and steering linkage (1 reports)
steering problem
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2011Nov 04
Wrangler X 3.2L V6
- Manual transmission
- 42,800 miles
Oh...My...God! Why is it that when you try to explain this kind of thing to people whose job it is to fix cars that they look at you like you just stepped off an inter-galactic transport? But in 15 minutes on the internet, I can find records of the identical problem other people have had?
This is the scariest thing that's ever happened to me while driving. Going between 55 and 60mph - not breaking, not shifting, not turning - on flat, smooth road. And then - aaaaggghhhh! like the front half of the vehicle is being shaken by a huge invisible hand, front wheels feel like they're separating from the vehicle and going to fly off in different directions! Vehicle is literally bucking on the road for several seconds. Took it to a tire place and they said the "tires might be out of balance," which I strongly disagreed with and asked them to look around for another problem. What I got was balanced tires ... and more Death Wobble!! Next step, the dealership, with copies of these complaints!
2011Oct 24
Wrangler Unlimited X 3.8L
- Automatic transmission
- 60,000 miles
My 2008 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited X has the dreaded DEATH WOBBLE......I have had numerous steering stabilizers put on by the dealer to fix this problem but it is only a band aid. I was almost in a major accident while driving down the highway at 70 MPH. My wife and children were in the Jeep when it started shaking violently after hitting a small patch in the road. It scared them to death. I was able to gain control after slowing down to 30 MPH. There is enough people with this problem to warrant a recall or a class action lawsuit. I am only raving because I do not know what to do. I have called Chrysler and they will not do anything.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2009Jan 24
Wrangler Unlimited X 3.8L
- Automatic transmission
- 1,500 miles
After purchasing my jeep I experienced DEATH WOBBLE. I only had 1500 miles on it. I took it to the dealer and they said they have heard of this problem with other jeeps. Their fix was to put a larger steering stabilizer on it. This fix only lasted 5000 miles. After I took it in for a second time they could not figure it out and blamed it on the road I was driving on. I told them it was the highway! They put another steering stabilizer on and it seemed to go away but it came back after 5000 more miles. This issue must be addressed by someone. Please help.
2011Feb 18
Wrangler X 3.8L V6
- Manual transmission
- 17,200 miles
My jeep ran fine until 17,200 miles . while driving at about 62 mph I hit a very short section of patched blacktop and that was when all hell broke loose. the front end, steering wheel & transmission shifter ( 6 speed ) shook violently. I could not steer it @ it went to the right. This has happened 6 times now in less than 600 miles ( would be higher if I did not slow to less than 50 mph) Took it to a jeep dealer & told them what was happening ( they never heard of death wobble or shaking in the front) . Asked for the mechanic that was to work on it to talk to me; they did not tell him! I went back (in the shop) to see if they had started on it @ he had already taken a test drive & could not duplicate my problem ( on 35 & 50 mph roads) . They tried to say it was low tire pressure (32psi instead of 35psi ) they were wrong, I carry a good pressure gauge in all my vehicles & I check pressures before I drive them ( had a bad experience 45 years ago with under inflated rear tires) . they changed out the steering gear box under warranty & I paid for tire balancing & alignment & bought A heavy duty steering stablizer. Nothing helped. I asked what was next & the service manager said unless I found something loose there was nothing they could do but suggested I buy 4 new tires & get a road force balance ( around 1000 dollars ) . A friend suggested I go to a jeep dealer in the next town that he retired from & tell the service manager that he had sent me ( they were friends for years) That guy was outstanding!! He knew what death wobble was & had experienced it personally ( will not ride in one again). They replaced every thing that the factory would & then the dealership replaced things ( it was avery good customer) . The jeep zone rep. was of no help. They are big Jeep dealer & have had several death wobble cases. He said the problem starts around 18,000 miles & suggested to not get on interstate highways & stay below 55 mph on regular roads & wished me well on my fight that is coming with Chrysler . JEEP corporation. If you are having this problem I strongly suggest you register a complaint with the DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, NHTSA OFFICE of Defects investigation PHONE # 888-327 4236 or go to www.safercar.gov. ; also follow your complaint procedure in your owners manual. If all else fails get you a good trial lawyer or hope a class action suit is filed. My JEEP has never been wrecked , off road or lifted. I have around 3000 dollars of dress up accessory's on it do not want to get rid of it! I JUST WANT IT FIXED!! I am a retired auto truck, heavy equipment & industrial mechanic supervisor. Is this a design flaw or bad alignment specs? This Jeep is not safe to drive above 50 mph!
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2010Dec 10
Wrangler Sahara 2-door 3.8L
- Automatic transmission
- 33,625 miles
A two year old, high end 4x4, should not be having this kind of , potentially deadly problem, with the steering control. I was sort of shocked at all of the info. on this problem with the Jeep Wranglers. There is a multitude of complaints on the internet forums about this problem specifically. It is a well known problem, that Chrysler seems to not want to take action on. How many deaths will it take to get the correct mods or recalls going to remedy this problem. These vehicles are expensive, and supposed to be "TRAIL RATED"., but what about road rated, with or without bumps. Don't brag about safety, show us. People drive these vehicles, not crash test dummies! Give me the chairman of Chrysler, and let me take him down the road for a test drive!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2012Jan 03
Wrangler
This is my second online complaint regarding the "Death Wobble" I have experienced in my Jeep. I had the issue "fixed" in September, though it began to happen again in early December. I took my Jeep back in to the dealership and they replaced the steering damper with a "high performance" model. They did this at no charge because they said the original "fix" was still under warranty. I thought this took care of things. Two days ago, I was driving about 45 MPH on a busy service road and the vehicle began to shake violently again. I immediately had to slow down and almost come to a stop before it would stop. Nearby drivers had to swerve to miss me and the guy behind me almost rear-ended me. This has got to stop. I took my Jeep back to the dealership this morning and they said they would look into it and call me back. The saga continues.
Jim W.
McKinney, TX, USA
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