9.6

really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
$860
Average Mileage:
73,900 miles
Total Complaints:
40 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (30 reports)
  2. fixed track bar mount hole (2 reports)
  3. replace stabilizing shock absorber (2 reports)
  4. replace steering "damper" (2 reports)
  5. replacing the steering "damper" (2 reports)
  6. no wobble for now (1 reports)
2009 Jeep Wrangler suspension problems

suspension problem

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2009 Jeep Wrangler Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #40

Jun 102019

Wrangler

  • Automatic transmission
  • 68,500 miles

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

The Death Wobble will never go away!

Save yourself the headache and costs and by NOT purchasing a Wrangler. I have personally replaced the track bar, tie rod and tie rod ends, drag link, steering stabilizer, upper and lower control arm bushings, and adjusted the steering box. As well as had regular alignments and wheel balancing done on tires with 2k miles on them. ALL TO NO AVAIL!

Death Wobble is very deceiving. You think it’s gone but it just continues to rear it’s ugly head as soon as you let your guard down. Seriously, one day you’re driving and all is fine and the next you can’t get 2 miles down the road without death wobble happening. It shows no discrimination in regards to speed or road condition. Buying a Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, so far, has been the worst purchase I’ve ever made. I can’t understand how/why Jeep has the following it does. And if it’s not death wobble you're battling with, then it’s a check engine light and new code. No exaggeration, if you buy a Jeep, new or used, plan on working on it at least 2 weekends a month and only being able to drive it half the time.

- Amy F., Rio Rancho, US

problem #39

Sep 222017

Wrangler 3.7

  • Manual transmission
  • 64,000 miles

I still own a Wrangler 2009 model JK series 2-Door X. From day one had a strange shimmy on the steering. This inconsistent steering instability came from the wheels on the road surface in particular, tarmac and concrete highway with ruts or tire wear called grooving. It was a subtle enough tracking issue that was inconsistent as I am sensitive in those areas. My girlfriend did not report the same experience even though she drove 400 mile round trips with the X. I first experienced this phenomenon on I5 on the light ruts which in turn caused steering sway.

6 years later I added a beefier 4" suspension lift with a Rough Country upgrade in late October 2016 at 57958 miles.

On 14 November, I visited Chrysler dealership in Cornelius inquiring about the tilt sensor which was regulating wheel spin. ABS braking would engage on S-bends or sharp curves which was a minor nuisance. I asked about a fix which could be achieved by G-sensor removal. The center of gravity was altered from OEM by the lift, which would be expected to cause this result.

No other problems until about a year later with approximately 64 thousand miles driving with two occupants I hit a pothole on passenger side while on left-side roadway of a double lane highway on R26 driving at a speed of 57 miles an hour heading towards Mount Hood National Forest. An immediate radical and violent oscillation of the steering wheel occurred causing a violent shaking back and forth of the steering wheel. The experience was one like I have never experienced in my life, one which I would not wish on my enemies... similar to the three terrible experiences received from criminally corrupt state employed officials. A malevolent threat on my safety, welfare, freedom, my investments, my life!

The Wrangler felt as if a wheel had lost its tire, or that the entire front end was going to explode into bits and pieces! Life was on the line and I calmly keep the steering wheel in my grips, loose albeit not letting go. The only recourse was to brake moderately and change lanes and pull to the curbside or turn off the roadside in a safe manner although tough to do with traffic behind or on your side. Fortunately for me, a turnout was coming up. THE IMMINENT LOSS OF CONTROL AND DANGER WAS LESS THAN when police officers came to abduct me on a false warrant created by organized crime syndicate. My life was endangered however I was on top of the situation. With the State agents armed and dangerous, I was either going to surrender to injustice or fight it out to the death.

This is a similar parallel of my personal experience. The DEATH WOBBLE IS NOT YOUR FRIEND! and an FYI, neither are state officials of any title who target you as an innocent individual. Answer is too complex to report to my readers about a fix for the JEEP or the STATE of death wobble. There is more than many fixes and it requires a hella lot of doing to fix the chain of command or that of broken linkages, bushings, bearings, wheel alignment, tie rod ball joints, lower control arms, pitman arm, steering coulomb, sway bars, track bar connects, steering box and all are a problem, then no one is in particular blame as the transfer of power is rank and file all the way down to the lowest common culprit. They are all to blame! The judges, the prosecutors, the sheriffs, the police, the attorneys at law and the secret lies in the weakest link. Find that and fix it! Then move to fix the next contorted and distorted component to blame for the shimmy of the state of death wobble.

My name is Terence Carr -- AKA Victim Petsougali and I have made this statement of fact in order to educate the victims and future victims about the mechanical crime called death wobble. Death Wobble only targets victims who fit a certain criteria under a particular scenario. Not everyone will fall victim and suffer the terrible experience of the state of death wobble as I have. May the positive forces be on your side and please be easy about the potential risks involved that may harm you. Chrysler JEEP is not an honest character set and fail to be accountable for their own wrongdoing. This exact problem is what I intend to fix. May it be my Wrangler or that of State injustices of criminal wrongdoing. Stand up and fight for your rights!! Death Wobble is not an acceptable foe we must submit to. Join me know in fixing this problem that cause many thousands of people grief.

- victim petsougali, Portland, OR, US

problem #38

Feb 182017

Wrangler Unlimited X 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 87,000 miles

As many jeep owners experience this problem, jeep should step up and repair this issue before someone loses control and injures or kills someone.

- Ricky K., Dothan, US

problem #37

Nov 162016

Wrangler 3.8L

  • Manual transmission
  • 232,000 miles

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

This is a dangerous problem. I had a steering stabilizer installed for $100; it still has the death wobble, and drivers can be killed or severely hurt because of this problem.

I am also having trouble with a dealership Cortese in Rochester, New York. My check engine light was on and it wouldn't pass inspection. They said it was the catalytic converter. The light was still on after they replaced that, and they continued replacing parts to get the light to go off, saying I needed this part and that part. I ended up spending almost $5,000 and the light is still on.

- Wendee J., Springwater, NY, US

problem #36

Mar 022015

Wrangler Sahara Unlimited

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,000 miles

I purchased my jeep used with only a little over 50k miles. I love everything about the jeep and have always heard that they are very reliable and the Jeep brand also has a great reputation. I'm very surprised and disappointed by the fact that Jeep has not done a major recall on an issue that has widely effected so many Jeep Wrangler owners. The problem that I'm writing about is the "Death Wobble" which occurs mostly when you are driving the truck above 60 MPH. When the car hit a bump on the road it begins to tremble/shakes violently and will not stop until you slow down and come almost to a complete stop. I've owned close to 10 cars and never had any issues remotely similar to the "death wobble". It's really disappointing that a company that is making so much money with this particular car model does not want to take responsibility for a problem that has been so widely reported by so many drivers with the same specific car model.

- cisko830, Hackensack, NJ, US

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problem #35

Mar 292017

Wrangler Unlimited 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 69,594 miles

Extremely scary thing to experience on the Alberta winter highway! Took it to a mechanic who said the problem has to get worse in order to see what needs to be replaced...what a safe feeling. After googling this issue, I found it is extremely common and Jeep/Chrysler has done nothing to fix it, or even acknowledged that it is an issue. I love my Jeep but after the stress and expense of this, I will sell it and never buy another Wrangler. This only started to happen this week (5 times now) but I'm sure it's only to get worse.

- caitlint, Calgary, AB, Canada

problem #34

Jun 152016

Wrangler 3.8L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 130,000 miles

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

I have a SEVERE death wobble that occurs randomly when traveling between 45 and 55 MPH that is triggered with bumps in the road or turns. No way to stop the death wobble except to promptly come to a complete stop.

- rcmedic, Las Cruces, NM, US

problem #33

Sep 042016

Wrangler Unlimited

  • Automatic transmission
  • 81,000 miles

Steering wheel started shaking when doing about 60 mph. Then it started even worse when hitting 55 mph. Have changed the tie rod, got it aligned, checked the tire pressure and all that is correct. Seems to be a problem with jeeps and it should be a recall.

- Kaitlyn G., Hamilton, NJ, US

problem #32

Oct 232016

Wrangler Unlimited

  • Automatic transmission
  • 97,294 miles

Two death wobble situations in the past month after none in the past 6 years. Stock jeep, no lift. Rotated and balanced tires. Next step is to take into shop. Won't drive on interstate in current condition.

- Ezekiel P., Ponte Vedra, FL, US

problem #31

Feb 032015

Wrangler SU V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 62,400 miles

I just wished I could get it fixed. Not sure how to do that. I've spent $543.00 and its still not fixed. Very upsetting. Love the jeep but I don't feel safe in it on the highway. Would love to go out joy ridding but can't.

- svanoverky, Ashland, KY, US

problem #30

Mar 162016

Wrangler JK 3.8L

  • Manual transmission
  • 32,311 miles

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

Death wobble in the jeep wranglers has been ongoing for a few years since 2007. I had experienced it in March of this year with my 2009 wrangler.I went online to jeep forums and got some info and low and behold they were right. On a stock jeep such as mine you have to replace the steering stabilizer shock that you can only get through the jeep dealer. So i had to do that. When i went to the dealer to get the parts i noticed the shock came with a new mounting bracket.The original was no good they said. So i explained what death wobble was to them and asked why this wasnt a recall. They said chrysler did not warrent this as a recall.Well i had to bite the bullet and get the parts, which came to around $350.00 (cdn) and install them. No more wobble after that.A lot of people have experienced the wobble and i can tell you its not fun. I havent heard of any injuries as yet from this but im sure it will happen.but they will do a recall on airbags?Anyway this is my rant.Thank you.

- Terry E., Digby, NS, Canada

problem #29

Mar 242016

Wrangler Limited V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 62,233 miles

While driving on the highway, I went over a bump in the road. The steering wheel shook violently and I held on for dear life. I tapped a number of times on the brakes because I thought I was going to run off the road. I tried not to slam to hard for fear of going into another lane or flipping. This shaking continued until I was able to slow the car down and then come to a complete stop. Luckily the cars behind me were able to go over to the other lane and not hit me from behind as I was slowing down (on the highway!). This happens every time I am traveling at 45-50 miles per hour. The last time however, 6/25/16 was extra scary. All the hazard lights on my dash panel came on and are not coming off.

- Wendy G., Frederiksted, Virgin Islands (US)

problem #28

Jun 202016

Wrangler Unlimited V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles

This problem as been ongoing to 3 years and i have replaced all the mentioned parts and tires. still not resolved. running out of patience and money. own more then worth to sell it.

- Elizabeth R., Rolla, MO, US

problem #27

Oct 012015

Wrangler

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,000 miles

fixing busted shock, drag links, tire rods. I have only had this jeep since april 27 2015 I can't go over 50 miles and hour and it had to be that way when I bought it. going to cost over 1300.00. this is a crock. Jeep should have a recall and I shouldn;'t have to pay this out of pocket.

- katrinanc, Franklin, NC, US

problem #26

Aug 102015

Wrangler V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 75,000 miles

MY JEEP IS COMPLETELY STOCK. NO LIFT. The track bar mount on my jeep was what u would call wobbled out. The bolt wiggles around inside the hole mounts for the track bar. The holes are oval shaped so there is a lot of play in there. When im driving down the road and hit a small bump or start to press on the brakes my jeep goes into whats called a death wobble and shakes not just bad but severely bad. The steering wheel shakes back and forth at a 180 degree movement which then causes my jeep to swerve all over the road. This happened to me whiles driving on the free way with lines of cars behind me and no where to pull off to the side of the road. it would not stop until i went to a complete stop in the middle of the road which almost caused a accident. Its pulled me off the road many times also. Went to many mechanics which replaced the tire rod ends, steering stabilizer, track bar bushings, control arm bushings, inspected tires, rotated tires. and had tires aligned multiple times. went through two new steering stabilizers due to the ends being bent by the death wobble that would not fix. I now have put a new mount on my track bar to see if this would help but has only done so minimally. It only stopped the occurrence maybe half the time. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE FIXED WITH THIS CAUSE GOING 70 ON A FREE WAY WITH DEATH WOBBLE IS DANGEROUS AND PUTS NOT ONLY MY LIFE BUT OTHERS LIVES AT RISK. IF I COULD AFFORD TO NOT DRIVE MY JEEP I WOULD BUT AS WE ALL KNOW THEY ARE NOT CHEAP!

- yolo3003, Niles, MI, US

problem #25

Mar 192016

Wrangler Rubicon

  • Automatic transmission
  • 89,000 miles

I have a 2009 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon. I drove cross country in 2010 (military move) and got the tires rotated after the long drive. When I did, while driving over a bridge outside of Washington DC, my car started shaking uncontrollably and I thought I was going to fall off the side of the bridge and fall into the water 100 feet down. Luckily it stopped once I slowed down to under 10 miles per hour. I took it to the dealership, and they blamed the tires. They never said anything about the known death wobble, so while I didn't fully believe, I just replaced the tires and didn't have any issues for a while. I recently moved to Northern California this summer for work, and have to now drive over more bumpy windy mountain roads. Now, any time I am driving over 45mph on these windy roads, particularly when going downhill, the whole jeep shakes uncontrollably. I haven't gone off the side of a cliff yet - but I feel like I might at any point during one of these drives. And where I live now, I have to drive these roads, which is scary for my wife and I and our two young kids. The Jeep is almost paid off - but not yet, so I'd trade it in, but will lose alot of money to do that - and was hoping to have this Jeep for years after I paid off the Jeep - but am not so sure now. I also was a loyal Jeep customer, until now.

- Jeff G., McKinleyville, CA, US

problem #24

Nov 182015

Wrangler Unlimited V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 88,000 miles

death wobble, unfixable, extremely violent shake at 60mph

Death Wobble, unless you have experienced this you will never fully understand. VIOLENT shaking, not just a vibration, at 60 mph, curve or bump. The only way to stop the violent shaking is to slam on the brakes, even if you are in a lane of traffic moving 60 + mph. This translates into, inability to drive anywhere at a speed greater than 55 mph. Spent about $1800 so far and still not fixed. Given the many other complaints regarding the Death Wobble, why isn't Jeep stepping up to the plate? Someone is going to be hurt!

- Rebecca P., Lexington, KY, US

problem #23

Sep 122015

Wrangler V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 74,500 miles

Just now found out what is causing my issue. It is known as death wobble and I have been very afraid on the interstate once it happened. It has happened five times and I am now taking it in to be repaired now that I now what is causing the problem. VERY DANGEROUS and I am concerned for my son and my safety. Will not travel on interstate until I can get the problem fixed.

- Shannon W., Montgomery, AL, US

problem #22

Jan 052015

Wrangler Unlimited X 3.6L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 89,000 miles

This is a serious issue affecting numerous Jeep vehicles, because of the high number of reports there should be a recall for the vehicles affected and fixed for free. This issue could cause an accident, which could result in the loss of human life.

- Tim M., Highland, IL, US

problem #21

Nov 262015

Wrangler V6

  • Manual transmission
  • 109,000 miles

A few years ago I had read about the death wobble on the internet and was grateful not to have the problem. Well that was then and this is now. I have spent close to $2800.00 trying to fix the issue. What has been done includes brakes, rotors, wheel bearings, pads, u joint, tie rod, including the tie outer, drag link, alignment, shocks, and a gasket set which was broken from the wobble. In reading others complaints, I read that Chrysler has not had a recall on this issue since no one has died. Really is that their standard in the industry?????

- Linda I., Barneveld, NY, US

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