10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
5 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
50,294 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2010 Jeep Wrangler:

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

problem #62

Aug 172023

Wrangler

  • miles
Track bar bracket broke off at 65 mph due to violent steering death wobble. I had no steering when track bar bracket welds broke off axle. No Sterring. Yes, independent. Had to have vehicle toed on flatbed. Yes, Insurance said they will not cover catastrophic failure of the steering or the damage. No warnings other than dramatic front-end vibration that broke off the metal bracket.

- Pacheco, CA, USA

problem #61

Jan 072023

Wrangler

  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated while driving at 5 MPH, the passenger's side steering column detached. No warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, the transmission had a fluid leak. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the drag link, control arm, and adjustment sleeve needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

- Cape Coral, FL, USA

problem #60

Sep 212022

Wrangler

  • miles
Hello, Recently my 2010 Jeep Wrangler has developed the infamous death wobble. It is one of the most terrifying things I've ever experienced. Being on the freeway, doing 75, having my vehicle suddenly start shaking and wobbling like it's coming apart at the seams, and having to come to a complete stop in the middle of rush hour traffic, 3 lanes away from the shoulder has given me extreme anxiety! I have read in depth about this issue, I have read that there have been lawsuits and tech bulletins, but never a recall because "nobody has died from this". Believe me, it's only a matter of time, whether it be a heart attack or an accident, it will happen.

- Afton, MN, USA

problem #59

Mar 032021

Wrangler

  • 136,001 miles
RPM fluctuating rapidly, loss of power, then it starts a death wobble that is almost uncontrollable that is side to side. Will be driving down the highway and it happens everytime.

- Aberdeen, WA, USA

problem #58

Dec 282020

Wrangler

  • 169,500 miles
Driving on the highway approx 70 mph (speed limit) when the battery light sensor notification came on. Moved over to the slow lane to get off the next exit. Within ~ 5 miles of driving, the car completely shut down. Total engine loss and loss of all electrical including power steering making it extremely difficult to safely exit the lane onto the shoulder.

- Mint Hill, NC, USA

problem #57

Jun 102020

Wrangler 6-cyl

  • 100,000 miles
Vehicle dies while driving all electrical lights on dash are lit up. Consumer stated after pulling the vehicle into a parking lot vehicle would not start. After 10 minutes vehicle starts, wipers go at full speed and deploy all washer fluid. Check engine light reveled low voltage to the tipm module. Horns sounds while backing up. Another time are windows will not roll down and after a few minutes they start working again. After disconnecting battery problem go aways.

- Farmington, NM, USA

problem #56

Feb 182018

Wrangler

  • 118,000 miles
Sporatic uncontrollable shaking while driving. Only stops when you slow down to around 20mph. I googled it and it's known as the "death wobble" and is very prevalent problem with Jeep. Dealership says it needs new steering stabilizer. It is very dangerous.

- Cleveland, GA, USA

problem #55

Jan 062018

Wrangler

  • 80,457 miles
I have what is known as a 'death wobble' at any time my Jeep goes into a severe wobble of the front axle and steering. I was in 3rd gear going 30 mph slowing down for a stop sign, when the Jeep went into the 'death wobble'. it is so severe it feels like the front end is going to break apart. The only way to stop this is to take your foot off the gas and put the manual transmission in neutral. My mechanic told me not to ever put your foot on the brake, because that can cause even more damage. My mechanic and I don't understand why Jeep doesn't want to address this issue of safety. Jeep just told me that yes they have heard of this complaint but they usually know how to fix it. But it will cost me a lot of money. I feel they should be addressing this issue as what it truly is "a safety issue"

- Richmond Hill, GA, USA

problem #54

Jul 032017

Wrangler

  • 135,000 miles
After researching the internet I cam across the acronym of the issue. What happened is exactly described in this article as the "death wobble." abc7news.com/archive/8547340/ this has happened multiple times while I'm driving at an average speed or high speed. If I hit a dip or turn at a average to high speed my Jeep shakes uncontrollably. Today I was driving to work on the 60 eastbound in the high speed lane going the speed limit (cruise control). My Jeep hit a dip and shook so uncontrollably I almost had to do a complete stop on the freeway. I tried the best I could to merge to the slow speed lane to possibly exit the freeway. A few vehicles were behind me when this happened and it almost caused a severe accident. It literally feels like the axel is going to snap in half or the vehicle may even flip if the shaking were to continue. When the vehicle is shaking like this the only way I've experienced for it to stop is quickly slowing down almost to a complete stop. If I slow down slowly it still shakes uncontrollably so much so that it puts me in the other lane. This issue needs to be fixed and can most definitely kill someone. This happened today at least 3 times. I then finally put my vehicle in four wheel drive at 2H while driving fearing if it happens again, my axel may break; or worse my life taken. Before this incident I'd say it's happened every now and then. Approx. Once every 3-6 months since I got the vehicle. I also have my tires rotated every time I get my oil changed at 3,000 miles. This should not be happening

- Menifee, CA, USA

problem #53

Jun 112017

Wrangler

  • 98,000 miles
See attached file

- Cutler Bay, FL, USA

problem #52

May 312017

Wrangler

  • 61,000 miles
The contact owned a 2010 Jeep Wrangler. While driving 68 mph, the vehicle shook uncontrollably. There were no warning indicators illuminated. A local dealer was notified (camacho auto sales Inc, 1358 E palmdale blvd, palmdale, ca 93550 (661) 449-8600). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact mentioned that the vehicle was surrendered to the dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that someone was investigating and would call the contact back. The approximate failure mileage was 61,000.

- Lancaster, CA, USA

problem #51

May 042017

Wrangler

  • 56,500 miles
I was returning home from the grocery store and was driving on a paved city street with no potholes, speed-bumps, or other obstructions. As I made a left turn into our driveway I heard a noise and then suddenly the Jeep turned hard right and I hit another care parked on the right side of our driveway. I had no control of the steering. Upon inspection, I noticed that the stud coming from the steering gear box had sheared in half between the steering gear box and the pitman arm. There was nothing that I did that would have caused this to happen. Also, this Jeep has never been off road. I contacted Chrysler and they said I need to contact my insurance company. They offered no assistance.

- Windcrest, TX, USA

problem #50

Aug 132016

Wrangler

  • 64,758 miles
Wasn't due for an oil change for 3000 miles I use synthetic rod blew while on freeway with my daughter in the car. No brakes no warning no steering we could have died! Chrysler turning their head! mechanic says it's a defect in engine and never seen an engine blow at 64,000 miles and still have all proper levels of fluids! I was going 65 miles an hour on a freeway thank god it was a straight stretch and I was in the right lane, had there been a turn or had we have been on a bridge we would have died or seriously injured someone else!

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #49

Jul 192016

Wrangler

  • 78,000 miles
On 7/9/16 and 7/19/16, I was driving on I95 and my car started the "death wobble" - uncontrollable intense shaking that I almost got into an accident. The only thing that stops, I discovered recently, it is to slow down to a stop, which is pretty difficult on a highway without getting rear ended or into an accident. This apparently is common among Jeep, especially Wrangler, but it should be fixed by Chrysler. This is really dangerous!!

- Salisbury, MA, USA

problem #48

Apr 232016

Wrangler

  • 119,000 miles
Yesterday while traveling with my 2 young grandchildren, I experienced something known as "death wobble", a violent vibration in the front end. It happened 3 times yesterday and twice today. All times I was traveling on a freeway at around 55 mph. It began to wobble as I entered a curve in the road. I was lucky enough to be able to slow and pull to the shoulder each time. The only way to make it stop is to stop the vehicle. I'm especially concerned because this also happened to my 2007 Wrangler. Why has Jeep not fixed this problem? it's both terrifying and expensive to fix. I will never purchase another Jeep.

- Chanhassen, MN, USA

problem #47

Feb 182015

Wrangler

  • 45,000 miles
When reaching speeds of 45mph and above the steering wheel starts to shake violently from left to right. When this started, a mechanic saw nothing wrong except for a worn out steering stabilizer, so he replaced it. The problem persists, but now it only happens when I hit a bump in road when traveling above 50mph. I took it to a second mechanic and he installed an aftermarket track bar and balanced the wheels. The problem is still there. A simple internet search shows that this is not an uncommon occurrence with Jeep, yet the manufacturer has done nothing to correct it. My vehicle is completely stock, except for the track bar, and currently has approximately 60,000 miles on it.

- Dallas, TX, USA

problem #46

Mar 242016

Wrangler 4WD 6-cyl

  • 20,000 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that while driving at 40 mph, the front of the vehicle violently wobbled making it difficult to maneuver the vehicle. The contact mentioned that he was able to avoid a crash due to the failure. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the vehicle needed a steering damper and a track bar. The vehicle was repaired. The vehicle also was taken to get a front end alignment and tires rotated. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000. Updated 06/29/16 updated 11/17/2017

- Phillipsburg, MT, USA

problem #45

Nov 102015

Wrangler

  • 98,000 miles
Jeep goes into a death wobble at 60/65 mph. Replaced steering stabilizer and still wobbles.

- Corpus Christi, TX, USA

problem #44

Jul 122015

Wrangler

  • miles
The contact owns a 2010 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was constantly illuminated. The contact also stated that the horn became inoperable. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the clock spring failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 13V176000 (air bags). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Aurora, CO, USA

problem #43

Oct 172015

Wrangler

  • 77,000 miles
There are recalls already for the issue below for right hand steering vehicles. This recall should be applied to all Jeep Wrangler vehicles 2007-2012. A broken electrical circuit in the airbag clockspring wiring assembly can lead to non-deployment of the driver frontal airbag and will not be able to properly protect the driver in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injuries. Anytime that the steering wheel is moved from neutral/straight position the airbag light will turn on and a chime is heard.

- Asheville, NC, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »