9.3
really awful- Typical Repair Cost:
- $880
- Average Mileage:
- 72,900 miles
- Total Complaints:
- 104 complaints
Most common solutions:
- not sure (92 reports)
- change the steering shock (2 reports)
- new ball joints and new steering stabilizer (2 reports)
- replace all tie rods and steering stabilizer (2 reports)
- replace track arm bushings (2 reports)
- ball joints (1 reports)
This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Jeep dealer.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
Seems this should be a recall issue. Has continued to occur.
- Jennifer R., Boise, ID, US
Not a great ad for Jeep when we're shaking like mad on the interstate:-) People back off our rear bumper very quickly!!!
- Jennifer R., Boise, ID, US
You know there is a real problem when it happens so often they have a name for it, such as "Death Wobble". It shakes the steering wheel so bad it is impossible to hold onto. Everyone in the car is scared to death when this happens.. I have had it checked out by several mechanics and all say the same thing, "all Jeeps do it". You just live with it. I will not live with it. I am filing suit against the manufacturer immediately..
- waynerd49, Hanging Rock, OH, US
Almost crashed at 70 mph on the Belt this morning.
Then was stranded in St. Albans, NY.
Having the mechanic look at the problem now.
- brnxeyed, Bay Shore, NY, US
So this is the second round of death wobble fix attempts. I've experienced the death wobble several times in recent months when hitting a railroad crossing or pothole. This is after having spent $1,200 to have the whole front end practically replaced.
This time I did some more research and found some folks online claiming the biggest cause is the fact that Chrysler uses 14mm bolts in the 9/16" track bar bushings and frame mount holes. So there's too much play in the bolt/bolt-hole area.
So I bought a new track bar and got some 9/16" "death wobble cure kit" bolts (grade 8) and nuts and washers.
My mechanic replaced all of this, and I guess we'll see if this fixes the problem for good, though I have my doubt - based on everything that's online. It seems like no one can truly find the one solution to fix it for good.
Jeep/Chrysler needs to come out and take responsibility for this bullshit and make it right with all the Jeep owners out there having this problem. It's damn dangerous, scary, and not one bit ok.
- Josh M., Zebulon, US
Had the dreaded death wobble pop up the first time around Labor Day 2014. Wife was driving us back from a camping trip, and the violent shaking began - and didn't stop until she pulled over. Death wobble. If you've had it you'll know.
So I took it in to my mechanic, who said the tie rod ends were all shot and the steering stabilizer was leaking.
$1,200 and all new tie-rods and a brand new steering stabilizer later, I thought I was fine.
Only to have it come back later.
- Josh M., Zebulon, US
Never had a problem like this. Just want it fixed. Is this a factory defect or is the owner responsible for repairs
- roulette00096, Selma, AL, US
Have had the "death wobble" since I purchased the Jeep. This happened on both stock suspension and modified suspension and so far, it has happened well over 160 times over the course of this last year (I lost count as it happens frequently. I've dished out well over $1,000 to fix (so far), have had two accidents as a direct result of this, countless near misses, many a drink on the floor board or myself then the floor thanks to either the gut-wrenching wobble itself, or having to slam on the breaks.
Even more unsafe is that EVERY TIME it happens, the only way to regain control of the vehicle is to stop immediately or risk further damage or losing control. This means having to slam on the breaks many times at highway speeds and hope that 1.) I'm actually driving as my fiancé wouldn't have the strength to keep control 2.) I maintain enough control to guide the Jeep to an emergency lane so I can safely stop. 3.) Other drivers are paying attention and don't hit me.
youtube/B_lmKnw9NHQ
- sandman02, St. Augustine, FL, US
I experienced the same problem and the same frustration about a year ago with my 2007 Jeep Wrangler JK. I took it to a buddies shop and he said that the problem was the Track Arm Bushings. I got the part just about the time I got rid of the Jeep so I never saw the issue through to the end. I came across the part last week while cleaning out the garage and decided to try to sell the parts. In an effort to provide detailed information on the part as well as the price of the part new ($13.99 - $16.99) I found the following advertisement and thorough explanation of why the death wobble occurs, how it affects other parts and what is required to fix it. I also found your comment and remembering feeling the same way as you do now I wanted to pass along this information. Also, I have highlighted the recognizable symptoms as well as underlined the chief complaints I had as I remember it. I hope this helps and good luck!
home / all brands / energy suspension / part number 2.7105r
Energy Suspension® 2.7105R - Front or Rear Track Arm Bushings
Energy Suspension Performance Suspension Parts
Brand: Energy Suspension Part Number: 2.7105R UPC: 703639953296
- demri, Murray, UT, US
I bought this Jeep used, so I understand there may be some problems. I wasn't expecting to have my life flash in front of me several times due to this "death wobble". I took it in for an alignment and balance. $130 later it is still having the same issues. This is occurring daily at this point so I am afraid to drive, yet it is my only mode of transportation. I am frustrated and hoping there is someone who is able to help so I don't go broke fixing this problem. Also, I am not sure why Chrysler isn't being held accountable. This is an extremely dangerous situation and they should be required to fix or recall every vehicle that has this issue!!!
- gcortell, Evergreen, CO, US
I was driving on highway when hitting 65mph and jeep started to shake uncontrollably. I would have to stop and pull over to a lower speed for it to stop. But if I was in left lane and it started I couldn't swing to breakdown lane so would have to stop immediately in traffic. Very unsafe but better than causing accident. I replaced the steering stabilizer last summer with no relief. Why is jeep not handling this ? Why are people like us spending thousands of dollars on a vehicle just to have cause life threatening issues I have many things and read up on this death wobble of jeep. Is it something I can get lawyers involved ?
- James A., Hudson, NH, US
Second time taking vehicle in for death wobble. Jeep started to shake approx a year ago especially when driving at 55-60 mph. Have had this repaired in December 2014 which cost me about $1,000 and now its back in the shop for the same problem.
- virginiawill, Pensacola, FL, US
The local jeep dealer refuses to acknowledge that there is a problem with the vehicle and - when I tell him that I want to ride along for his test drive - they never are able to accommodate me.
I'm really sick of this
- Nina H., Phoenixville, PA, US
Problem occurred at 60 MPH, dry straight freeway at rush hour. Should be easier to fix than just trial and error.
- Glenn M., San Antonio, TX, US
Annoyed that Jeep seems to know that the death wobble is a problem but does not have solutions to fix it. I will never buy another Jeep in my life!
- Michael S., Larkspur, CO, US
An uneven curved road started the front end to shake violently. It would not stop until I hit the brakes. I don't know that I have fixed the problem yet but the mechanic could find nothing else that looked broken.
- Jeffrey E., Austin, TX, US
3rd solution, change out track bar bolts. Didn't work !
- richardva, Boston, VA, US
2nd solution, change the ball joints. Didn't work !
- richardva, Boston, VA, US
1st solution, change shocks and steering stabilizer. Didn't work !
- richardva, Boston, VA, US
We're going to try some of the suggested fixes, but I can't spend thousands of dollars for something that is a manufacturer defect. Our Jeep is not lifted. Nothing but stock on it, and we do regular, routine maintenance.
- Jennifer R., Boise, ID, US