9.4

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
1,301 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #137

Nov 152023

Wrangler

  • miles
While driving on the Interstate at 65 mph I experienced a severe side-to-side shaking of the steering wheel. This included the entire front-end of the vehicle shimmying and visibly vibrating. If I didn't have a good grip on the steering wheel at the time, we would likely have crashed. This appears to be the "death wobble" described in numerous online forums and subject of a previous recall on 2018 and 2019 Jeep Wrangler models. Obviously, this problem still exists on 2021 models. The event seems to be precipitated by any small bump or change in pavement such as passing over a bridge on the Interstate. There was no prior warning of this event. Total vehicle mileage is 45000 and temperature was 45 degrees. There are no modifications to the vehicle and it remains completely stock. The wobble occurred repeatedly until I could get off the Interstate.

- Cornelius, NC, USA

problem #136

Oct 312023

Wrangler

  • miles
When driving at highway speeds and hit a slight dip in the road, or a gap in the roadway, or a hole, the front end wobbles violently as well as the steering wheel. The only way to stop the wobbling and make the vehicle controllable again is to slow way down. This is dangerous on the highway and may cause an accident.

- Pleasant Prairie, WI, USA

problem #135

Nov 012023

Wrangler

  • miles
Death wobble at speeds over 60mph when hitting a bump or pothole

- Woodbine , GA, USA

problem #134

Nov 102023

Wrangler

  • miles
While driving on the Interstate at 70 mph I experienced a severe side-to-side shaking of the steering wheel. This included the entire front-end of the vehicle shimmying and visibly vibrating. If I didn't have a good grip on the steering wheel at the time, we would likely have crashed. This appears to be the "death wobble" described in numerous online forums and subject of a previous recall on 2018 and 2019 Jeep Wrangler models. Obviously, this problem still exists on 2021 models. The event seems to be precipitated by any small bump or change in pavement such as passing over a bridge on the Interstate. There was no prior warning of this event. Total vehicle mileage is 8,700 miles and temperature was 39 degrees. There are no modifications to the vehicle and it remains completely stock. The wobble occurred repeatedly until I could get off the Interstate.

- Winchester, VA, USA

problem #133

Oct 192023

Wrangler

  • miles
When driving on the highway, the vehicle would shake uncontrollably when i hit a bump. Also know as the death wobble. I took my Jeep to the dealer for evaluation. The dealer recommended that the steering damper be replaced along with some additional parts. I have mechanical breakdown coverage with Geico and a service plan with Autonation. I also contacted Jeep Cares as the death wobble is a know problem with Jeeps. Jeep Cares would not assist with the repair because I had mechanical breakdown coverage with my auto insurance policy. My mechanical breakdown coverage thru Geico has a $250 deductible which I am responsible for with any repair. Jeep told me that steering damper was on backorder with an ETA of 30-45 days or longer. They then told me that I could pick up my car and drive it as long as I stayed under 50 miles. I told them this option would not work for me because I drive 30 miles to and from work each day. Jeep then told me that they would look for an OEM replacment. The OEM replacment was successful but I had to pay an additional $90 for the part as my mechanical breakdown coverage only covered the cost for the part from Jeep. At the end of the day I am out of $340 plus dollars for a known Jeep issue. Jeep needs to stand behind their problem regardless of mileage. This is a serious problem.

- Grapevine, TX, USA

problem #132

Oct 012023

Wrangler

  • 19,000 miles
The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that while driving at various highway speeds, the steering wheel and front end of the vehicle would shake and vibrate after driving over a bump in the roadway. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer. No further information was available. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 19,000.

- Springfield, LA, USA

problem #131

Oct 282023

Wrangler

  • miles
Death wobble occurs almost daily and multiple times a day when going over bump. Seems to happen when going over 40mph. Steering doesn-??t stabilize until almost completely stopping. A few times, needed to pull over and stop vehicle to get the wobble to stop.

- Upland , CA, USA

problem #130

Oct 222023

Wrangler

  • miles
At 27,000 miles, bought brand new the -??death wobble-?? started. I plan to take to dealership next week. I have no known if this issue but from research it-??s a major issue in wranglers. This is a safety hazard. No one should be driving this vehicle with this issue. I bought brand new so I wouldn-??t have to deal with issues such as this. I-??ve never taken it off roading. Only highway.

- Bel Air, MD, USA

problem #129

Oct 162023

Wrangler

  • miles
Death wobble started last week, took in for warranty service today and technician replicated issue. Conflicting info received that replacement part is backorder yet Mopar site says part is in stock and ready to ship. Dealership said to pick the vehicle up and wait for part to be received for repair.

- Tucker, GA, USA

problem #128

Oct 182023

Wrangler

  • miles
My vehicle shook violently while in operation, no indicator or warning lights came on. I called the dealership for an appt and did some research on the issue. Service department found the steering dampner to be weak and replaced it. Jeep has 13,088 miles, out of warranty 5 days prior to service call. Incident happened 3 days after warranty expiration. Jeep has never been off-road. I have the dampner that was removed, no one has looked at it except the service department. The problem was confirmed by the dealer rep as calling it the "Death Wobble". My safety and others were put at risk by my having to divert my attention from the road to my jeep, turn on Emergency flashers and ease my jeep out of traffic. Then I had to slowly and cautiously ease back into traffic to get to the right side of the highway. This happened 2 more times before I was able to get home.

- Harker Heights, TX, USA

problem #127

Oct 012021

Wrangler

  • miles
I purchased the jeep brand new. At 14,000 miles it started to death wobble. Wheel, and entire front of jeep was shaking violently after hitting the slightest bump or dip in road (nothing outside of normal highway bumps). To stop the shaking I have to pull over and stop. The dealership keeps doing bandaids with dampner, , other stuff but keeps saying that's all corporate says to do. It was brought in multiple times with the fix maybe lasting several months. I am past my 36,000 warranty so now I have to pay for something that wasn't fixed when it was on warranty multiple times. Sime times they said they couldn't make it happen. Ridiculous that I had to stop multiple times driving home 30 mins on the turnpike. I have to keep it under 55mph now on a car bought new and and a problem that started early on. Really angry, completely unfair.

- Yardley, PA, USA

problem #126

Oct 172023

Wrangler

  • miles
When driving above 50mph, when I drive over a road seam, the car shakes almost uncontrollably. I have to slow down to make the car stop shaking. I have brought the car to Jeep service THREE TIMES in a period of 12 months. Still having the same issue. It is very dangerous. I cannot rely on this car (only 3 years old) to drive on a highway. Very dangerous!!

- Waterville, VT, USA

problem #125

Oct 132023

Wrangler

  • miles
Front end shakes violently at moderately high speeds.

- College Station, TX, USA

problem #124

Oct 102023

Wrangler

  • miles
While driving down highway at 65 mph the front end and steering wheel began shaking violently after driving over a bump. This happened multiple times and every time is initiated by a road bump. Unable to properly steer Jeep when this happens. Only way to stop vibrations/wobble is to reduce speed to almost a complete stop. As there were vehicles around me, this put me in a precarious position as I tried to slow down and get over to road shoulder to avoid a collision.

- Clinton , IL, USA

problem #123

Oct 072023

Wrangler

  • miles
While driving down Highway at 70MPH hit bridge connector gap while in Slight Left turn and front end on my 2021 Jeep Wrangler Sport started to Shimmy wildly. Was controllable and as I slowed below 55 and it stopped. Happened several times during 70 mile trip and each time I was able to slow the vehicle and recover. Researched complaint on Internet and saw similar complaints of death wobble with Wranglers since 2008. Just wanted to confirm the issue still remains and has not been corrected. This could cause inexperienced drivers to panic and wreck or worse yet cause an real accident while they try to asses the situation. Since the problem has been around so long I'd ask why nothing has been done to correct the issue permanently. If its due to solid axel, then maybe that needs to be replaced. There is no reason to have such a huge safety issue remain open for such an extended period of time unchanged.

- Stokesdale, NC, USA

problem #122

May 302023

Wrangler

  • miles
Known Jeep Wrangler issue "Death Wobble". When hit a bump at 60-70 MPH, Jeep shakes violently. Reducing speed and the shake stops. Steering damper replaced on 5/31/23 and 8/31/23. Occurred again and now the Power Steering Gear Box is being replaced. Disappointing for this on a known problem on a 2 year old Jeep.

- Venice, FL, USA

problem #121

Sep 192023

Wrangler

  • miles
Driving on I-91 at 60-65 mph and steering wheel locked up making vehicle control impossible. I could have collided with multiple vehicles, was lucky enough that vehicle swerved off exit ramp and jumped a curb into a nearby gas station. Cautiously drove vehicle to nearby dealership and currently onsite under evaluation by Chrysler corporate. There was an intermittent warning light to service the " gear shifter" a few months before but dealer could not find code when vehicle examined so dismissed until happening again. This incident affected me emotionally and I'm now hesitant to drive this vehicle post repair on the highway.

- Northford, CT, USA

problem #120

Jun 092023

Wrangler

  • miles
Vehicle has known steering/suspension issue knows as the Jeep "death wobble". It has now been in the shop for this twice with no fix. The first attempt took place approximately June 17, 2023. The car is now back in the service center addressing the same issue and had to be towed to the dealership. Owner does not feel safe driving the vehicle. I am attaching service report from first visit.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

problem #119

Aug 162023

Wrangler

  • miles
Serious steering wobble while driving on highway in Denver at approx. 65 mph yesterday plus same serious wobble at lower speed (~60 mph) while passing car on country road. Took nearly a mile to stop the wobble and speed reduction to around 35 mph to stop! Very dangerous situations in both cases.

- Crested Butte, CO, USA

problem #118

Dec 242022

Wrangler

  • miles
As I review events in chronological order, I see that a possible disconnect might be caused by clumping the symptoms together and treating as the -??death wobble, -?? when in fact I may be experiencing two separate issues, the first being a failed steering damper and the second being caused by possible bad ball joint[s]. I first started to experience an issue around 7,000 miles in where the Jeep would pull to the right. It was a strong pull because my steering wheel would be turned to the left at about 15-25 degrees to the left in order to keep straight. had them check the alignment. The invoice said the alignment was checked and it was -??ok, -?? December 24 -?" Florida gets a cold front and we experienced temperatures in the low 20-??s with the high temperature peaking at 32 or 33 degrees for a couple days. I drive my normal route on the highway and as I am approaching 65 mph, I go over a transition from asphalt to concrete bridge and the car starts to do the death wobble, where a strong vibration from the front end shook the car until I let off the gas and slowed down to about 40mph. my sister-in-law also experienced in her 2020 Jeep, the same day the freeze set in. Ive had steering gearbox changed and two stabilizers replaced already, JEEP TSB once stated: JL JT have unique torque values for ball joints as compared to prior JK models due to material (aluminum knuckles) and design changes. I guarantee its the crappy ball joints and they REFUSE to admit it. Jeep still claims they cant duplicate the issue or i need to replace tires (that are wearing unevenly bc of ball joint issues) befor they can continue diagnosis. 4 different dealerships. 4 different outcomes. even Mike Macdonald from their corporate office stopped responding to me.

- Orlando, FL, USA

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