10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
58,453 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2004 Jeep Wrangler steering problems

steering problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2004 Jeep Wrangler:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2004 Jeep Wrangler Owner Comments (Page 3 of 4)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #26

Apr 182011

Wrangler 4WD 6-cyl

  • 98,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have a 2004 Jeep Wrangler. It has what I found, listed on the internet forums, described as a "death wobble". this is an extreme shaking of the steering at speeds between 55 and 65. It is so severe that I had to pull off of the freeway and stop before the shaking would stop. No one seems to know how to permanently solve the problem. It is very dangerous.

- Livermore, CA, USA

problem #25

Dec 092010

Wrangler

  • 21,500 miles
When traveling West bound on I-10 through phoenix, after hitting slight bump in the highway, my steering wheel began to shake violently for approximately 5 to 10 seconds. I immediately began to slow down and the powerful wobble subsided. I had an additional incident with powerful shaking in my steering wheel about a month later, again traveling at approximately 50 mph on an interstate highway. This sudden and unexpected shaking of the Jeep's front end is scary.

- Surprise, AZ, USA

problem #24

Apr 102011

Wrangler

  • 86,000 miles
I have a 2004 Wrangler rubicon - all stock, and have been experiencing what I've just come to realize is the death wobble for the past 8+ months. I've replaced all 4 tires, had alignment and balancing, just today had steering stabilizer replaced to no avail. The wobbling continued on the way home from the shop. Anytime I hit a bump, the front end starts to shake violently and I have to slow down to a near stop before I can proceed. This is very unsafe and should be addressed by Jeep. This is my daily ride to work and it is not safe!

- Riverview, FL, USA

problem #23

Dec 202010

Wrangler

  • 28,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Front tire shimmy so bad that it can cause the car to go out of control. When a bump, pothole or railroad track is driven over that front tires wobble and shimmy so bad that it is difficult to maintain control of the car. There have been new tires, wheels, alignments and steering stabilizers installed but that has not stopped the shimmy. The car has 30,000 miles on it.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #22

Oct 202010

Wrangler

  • 46,400 miles
2004 Jeep Wrangler sport has an extreme violent shake causing entire front of vehicle to bounce off the ground at speeds between 45 - 60 mph.

- Troy, TX, USA

problem #21

Jul 042010

Wrangler

  • 20,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that while driving 60 mph, the front end of the vehicle began to shake violently. The contact pulled over and the shaking stopped, but when she continued on, the shaking began again. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who stated that the front steering box, bushings, and control arms needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000 and the current mileage was approximately 22,000.

- Clinton , MA, USA

problem #20

Sep 282010

Wrangler

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have a 2004 Jeep Wrangler columbia edition. I experience the "death wobble" phenomena that others in the complaint section have posted about. I can not drive my vehicle between 51-60 mph without it occurring. When it occurs I must either quickly accelerate above this range or slow down below it (depending on speed limit in area of course). Jeep did replace the steering stabilizer, which fixed the problem, but only for about 2-3 weeks. Jeep really needs to recall this and apply a permanent fix. This is extremely dangerous, when it happens the vehicle feels like the front tires will fly off at any moment. I am entering today's date as the incident date as this is ongoing, but has been going on for a long time now.

- Hermitage, TN, USA

problem #19

Sep 042010

Wrangler

  • 46,192 miles
I have what is called death wobble in my 2004 Jeep Wrangler. After reading about this problem in various forums, I believe it needs to be adressed. I have done everything that has been suggested by experts but still have the problem. The Jeep has around 30,000 miles, and it has been off road, but some people have not been offroad at all and have the same problem. With mileage I don't think this Jeep should be considered warnout. The problem is still ongoing.

- Vista, CA, USA

problem #18

Jan 102008

Wrangler

  • 30,000 miles
My 2004 Jeep Wrangler has "the death wobble". at approx. 45-50 mph the steering wheel just about shakes out of my hands. The dealership will not even check it out without charging me by the hour with an estimated 2 hr. Inspection. It's all over the internet yet Jeep refuses to acknowledge it exists. I love my Jeep, it's the 3rd one I've owned, but I will never buy another one. The only fix seems to be to pour money in my vehicle until I get the right part taken care of. I can't even trade it in while it's doing this. I'm stuck and I want some action taken by Jeep!

- Marietta, GA, USA

problem #17

Jun 192005

Wrangler

  • 7,000 miles
I own a 2004 Jeep "Wrangler X" since it was new and have experience the "death wobble " almost from the beginning. The steering stabilizer was replaced while on warranty and I have replaced that one myself. The vehicle has @ 41,000 mi. And the problem is getting worse.

- Port Saint Lucie , FL, USA

problem #16

Jul 152010

Wrangler

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have a 2004 Jeep Wrangler unlimited. I have been the only owner of this vehicle and I have personally be dealing with the intense shaking of the steering wheel. I have recently taken it to the shop to be worked on because I could not put up the "death wobble" that everyone else has been talking about, and shop that worked on my vehicle recommended a steering stabilizer that it was what would fix the problem. Well it worked for about a week and now the Jeep is doing the exact same thing. Nothing seems to make it go away. These Jeep that are having problems such as this one needs to have a recall and fix the true problem. This is not giving Jeep a good reputation.

- Galax, VA, USA

problem #15

Jul 212010

Wrangler

  • 60,000 miles
2004 Jeep Wrangler death wobble. Front end shakes violently after hitting potholes at 45 to 70 miles and hour. Will not stop unless you come to almost a stop. This happens daily. Key in Jeep death wobble into any search engine or youtube video for a lenghty list of discussion on this subject. I myself have not been able to correct it permanently with stabilizers, new tires, alignment, wheel balancing and steering component tightening. This is very dangerous and needs to be looked at. This is a stock Jeep, no lift, standard size tires. This is not one incident, but an on-going problem for several years. New tires have fixed it temporarily once, new steering stabilzer fixed it temporarily once, new sway bar also did a short temp fix. I need a permanent fix as do many many other Jeep owners out there.

- Fruitport, MI, USA

problem #14

Jul 182010

Wrangler

  • 49,000 miles
Three years ago I bought a 2004 Jeep rubicon with just under 49,000 miles on it in mint condition from a local dealer with an extended warranty, soon after the Jeep started the death wobble, I have taken it back to the dealer numerous times only to be told they cant find a single problem, I took it to big O tires and they put new steering stabilizer and drag link, only fixed it for about three months, the Jeep just sits now with brand new tires, new stabilizer, and new drag link, I have just over 50,000 miles on it, still making payments on it and I can only trust to drive it to the mail box and back. The only way to get it under control is to brake to a dead stop before the Jeep stops shaking. I don't know what to do to get this fixed, I have been thinking to just stop making the payments and letting it get repoed" what should or what can be done"

- Kingman, AZ, USA

problem #13

May 252010

Wrangler

  • 74,500 miles
What seems to be a very common problem with the Jeep Wrangler model line is a problem known throughout the community as the "death wobble." I purchased a used Jeep Wrangler rubicon almost two years ago, and have been experiencing this problem ever since. My Jeep, along with many others like it, has absolutely no aftermarket modifications, yet has a very dangerous symptom which makes me scared to drive it over 40 mph. The "death wobble" can only be described as an incredibly violent shake of the steering wheel from left to right after going over a bump or imperfection in the road. It will usually start off slowly, but within half a second the entire front end of the car is shaking out of control, and only stops when the vehicle is brought to a stop. With the steering wheel shaking violently, it is very difficult to maintain directional control of the vehicle, which at highway speeds can be very dangerous. Also, since the only way to stop this problem is to slow down rapidly, this creates a very hazardous traffic situation. This problem has been well documented throughout the history of the Jeep Wrangler, and Chrysler has only issued a temporary solution to replace the steering stabilizer. I have done this twice now, and it is only a band-aid to mask the underlying problem, which Jeep refuses to issue a recall or pay the bill to fix. I am literally scared to drive my vehicle on any highway, and I am sure thousands of other Jeep Wrangler owners out there are in the exact same position I am in.

- Leawood, KS, USA

problem #12

Apr 222009

Wrangler

  • 60,000 miles
I bought a 2004 Jeep Wrangler about 6 months ago and 3 of the months that I have owned this vehicle its has a shake in the front end known as the death wobble (google death wobble)my Jeep has 63,000 miles on it and no warranty, bought it used. When I drive this Jeep 40-55 miles a hour and if I hit a bump the whole front end of the Jeep shakes out of control, very dangerous. My Jeep Wrangler has had nothing done to it (no lifts or added parts all stock) I have brought this Jeep to a mechanic 1 month ago and this Friday it will be going back to another mechanic. When my Jeep first did this death wobble I did some research and I was very surprised how many people have received the same problem as I did. Is there anything I can do" this Jeep sat at the dealers lot for 1 year before he sold it, did he know" maybe nothing will come out of this but I feel Jeep need to recall this problem and fix it correct before someone get hurt bad. I have two daughters and I will not let them ride in my Jeep until I find the correct way to fix it. My Jeep has this problem at least 1 time a day.

- Highgate Center, VT, USA

problem #11

Oct 192006

Wrangler

  • 6,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that there was a major "shimmy" in the front end of the vehicle. While driving 50 mph, the contact experienced a lot of movement in the front end that caused him to lose control of the vehicle. He took the vehicle to the dealer and suggested an alignment. The vehicle was aligned and the tires were balanced, but this did not remedy the failure. The vehicle was out of warranty; therefore, the dealer would not repair the vehicle. The VIN was unknown. The current mileage was 31,150 and failure mileage was approximately 6,000.

- Martinsville, VA, USA

problem #10

Apr 062008

Wrangler 4WD 6-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 30,000 miles
2004 Jeep Wrangler experiences severe violent front end shimmy/wobble at highway speeds. Shimmy occurs when hitting bumps on highway when traveling straight at 40 to 70 mph. Shimmy is uncontrollable and only ceases with slowing down.

- Palm Beach Gardens, FL, USA

problem #9

Oct 312007

(reported on)

Wrangler

  • miles
2004 Jeep Wrangler with a violent vibration. Customer states that the vibration and shaking began when she went over some uneven pavement on the highway. Mechanic determined that the track bar and steering damper need to be replaced.

- Minneapolis, MN, USA

problem #8

Apr 152007

Wrangler 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 42,000 miles
2004 Jeep Wrangler sport goes into a violent shake when driving approximately 55 mph. I've read about the death wobble on more than one web site or blog. I took it to the dealer, and they said it was the steering stablizer, but I believed this only mask, the real problem. I spoke to a local 4X4 shop and they said Jeep made the lower contol arm too short and this pushed the front end down and the angles were off. Also, said the aftermaket replacements were approx 3/4" longer than the oem. My Jeep was stock, not lifted. This problem has caused the tires to cup, brakes, and steering stabilizer to wear out earlier than normal. It was only a matter of time before someone got killed or injured.

- Mt Washington, KY, USA

problem #7

Sep 012006

Wrangler

  • miles
Vehicle goes into a violent shake (shimmy, vibe, wobble) when there is any change in roadway condition (bump, lip, hole, uneven roadway). My Jeep has not been altered in anyway. I have had the tires rotated and balanced. In addition my seat belt on the drivers side and front passenger belt both catch in the door - they do not retract. This has been an ongoing problem for 5 months.

- Gladstone, IL, USA

Read the next 6 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?