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2008 Jeep Wrangler Steering Problems

200 owner-reported steering complaints from NHTSA data

200
Complaints
4
Crashes
Jan 2014Dec 2019
Date Range

Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

Owner Complaints (200)

criticalSTEERING,AIR BAGS
Filed: Jul 2024

Your clock spring (the component that allows your steering wheel controls and airbag to work properly) was recalled and you had it replaced, but it failed again after about a year. You've noticed other mail carriers with the same Jeep model are experiencing identical failures. If the clock spring fails, your airbag may not deploy in a crash, creating a serious safety risk. This likely requires replacing the clock spring with a new or improved part.

NHTSA #: 11600951
mediumSTEERING
Filed: Jan 2024

My 2008 jeep has the death wobble ,how to get fixed07

NHTSA #: 11566814
mediumSTEERING
Filed: Sep 2021

While driving at 65mph my vehicle began to violently shake, and I had to come to a complete stop. This violent shaking happened four times in a 25 mile stretch of bumpy highway, all four times I had to come to a complete stop in fast moving traffic, that traffic was going at speeds of 65 to 70mph.

NHTSA #: 11431373
mediumSTEERING,SUSPENSION,SERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Jul 2021

Steering wheel shaking at about 50 mph. Then warning lights on dash came on ABS- ESP and BAS. I slowed down drove home and parked it. Can’t get into shop until next week. Jeep has less than 48,000 miles.Not safe to drive!

NHTSA #: 11423587
mediumSTEERING,POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Filed: Sep 2020

ALRIGHT I HAVE A 2008 JEEP WRANGLER SAHARA JK. AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION 2DOOR SOFT TOP. AND I HAVE NOTICED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHEN THERE IS WET CONDITIONS ON ANY CURVY ROAD THAT WHEN SLOWING DOWN TO TAKE A CURVE TO THE RIGHT WITH THE TRACTION CONTROL ON THE TRANSMISSION WILL DOWN SHIFT AND CAUSE THE BACK TIRES TO SPIN AND LOSE TRACTION WHICH INTURN SENDS THE [XXX] END SIDEWAYS. AND IT DOES IT BOTH UP AND DOWN HILL AND PRETTY MUCH ONLY ON RIGHT TURNS THE PASSENGER SIDE WHICH PUTS THE DRIVER SIDE REAR END INTO THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC LANE A LITTLE. AND I TRULY BELIEVE IF IT WAS A YOUNG DRIVER OR ANYONE THAT HASN'T DROVE ANYTHING WILDLY BEFORE IN THERE LIFE IT COULD CAUSE A BAD ACCIDENT. BUT IF YOU TURN THE TRACTION CONTROL OFF IT DON'T DO IT IS BAD IF AT ALL. WHICH MAKES ME THINK IT'S WIRING OR THE COMPUTER AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. I'VE HAD IT HAPPEN ON BACK ROADS AND MT ROADS EVEN TURN ON THE INTERSTATE RAMP. ANY ROAD WHERE YOU REMAIN IN MOTION WITH A DECENT CURVE TO THE RIGHT. ALOT ON THIS WINDING MT ROAD OVER THE RIDGE TO THE NEXT TOWN. IT'S CALLED JOPPA MOUNTAIN. AND IT SIDESTEPS WITH YOU THERE LIKE IT HAS ME QUITE A FEW TIMES, AND YOU ARE NOT ON YOUR GAME IT COULD GET REAL BAD REAL FAST BECAUSE THAT ROAD WINDS BACK AND FORTH ALL THE WAY UP AND BACK DOWN WITH STRAP DROP OFFS THAT YOU WOULD BE PRAYING FOR A TREE TO STOP YOU. ALWAYS WHEN TURNING RIGHT AND SLOWING DOWN WITH THE TRACTION CONTROL ON. PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA #: 11359924
mediumSTEERING
Filed: Sep 2020

DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY AND OUT OF NOWHERE THE JEEP STARTED TO DEATH WOBBLE UNTIL I SLOWED TO A STOP THAN WAS ABLE TO DRIVE AGAIN

NHTSA #: 11355062
mediumSTEERING
Filed: Aug 2020

I'VE EXPERIENCED THE 'DEATH WOBBLE' AROUND SEVEN TIMES SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE IN FEBRUARY OF LAST YEAR, MAINLY ON SECONDARY ROADS. I TOOK IT TO TWO LOCAL MECHANICS WHO FOUND NO ISSUES. IT HAD YET TO HAVE HAPPENED AT HIGH SPEEDS UNTIL YESTERDAY WHEN I WAS ON INTERSTATE 81 (WHICH I DRIVE DAILY-SPEED LIMIT 70) AND HIT THE BEGINNING OF A BRIDGE AND THE JEEP SHOOK SO VIOLENTLY THAT I HAD TO PULL INTO THE EMERGENCY LANE, BRING THE VEHICLE TO A COMPLETE STOP, AND TURN MY HAZARD LIGHTS ON. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT AT THIS POINT. I FEAR NOT ONLY MY SAFETY, BUT THE SAFETY OF OTHER DRIVERS ON THE ROAD AROUND ME. I HAVE READ ONLINE THAT THIS IS COMMON AND WAS CONSIDERED TO BE A MANUFACTURING FAULT AND THAT RECALLS WERE BEING ISSUED, BUT WHEN I SEARCHED MY VIN NUMBER, NO RECALLS WERE FOUND.

NHTSA #: 11349530
mediumSTEERING
Filed: Feb 2020

WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT ABOUT 60 MPH THE FRONTEND STARTED TO VIOLENTLY SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLY. I TOOK IT IN TO MY MECHANIC AND HE DID $1400.00 IN REPAIRS. IT SEEMED TO HELP BUT THEN 6 MONTHS LATTER IT STARTED AGAIN.I TOOK IT BACK TO THE MECHANIC THAT DID THE FIRST REPAIRS AND HE SAID HE COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG AT THIS TIME.

NHTSA #: 11311133
mediumSTEERING,WHEELS
Filed: Dec 2019

I EXPERIENCE THE "DEATH WOBBLE" DAILY. IT STARTS AROUND 45 MPH AND CONTINUES UNTIL I STOP. IT MAKES THE JEEP SHAKE AND HARD TO CONTROL. THE SHAKING IS SO BAD, IT WILL CAUSE DRINKS TO GET THROWN FROM THE CUPHOLDER. IT HAS PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE OVER THE PAST YEAR OR SO.

NHTSA #: 11292348
mediumSTEERING
Filed: Dec 2019

DEATH WOBBLE- HIT BUMP AND STEERING WHEEL SHAKES UNCONTROLLABLY ! EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. I HAVE REPLACED ALMOST ALL SUSPENSION COMPONENTS-$1600 AND IT HAS HAPPENED 4 MORE TIMES. THERE IS NOTHING THAT I CAN DO ONCE IT STARTS-ALMOST GOT RUN OVER BY A SEMI. IT HAPPENS TO ALLOT OF PEOPLE. CHECK THE INTERNET.

NHTSA #: 11290109
mediumSTEERING,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
Filed: Dec 2019

WHEN GOING OVER 35 THE WHEEL STARTS TO WOBBLE LIKE THE DEALTH WOBBLE. HAS A LOT OF LACK IN STEERING WHEEL.. WHEN CONTROL CONTROL IS ON IT GOING TO 5 RPM AND SHIFTING FUNNY..

NHTSA #: 11289364
mediumSTEERING,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
Filed: Dec 2019

STEERING WHEEL IS LOST GOES ALL OVER THE ROAD SHIFTS BAD RPM GOES UP TO 5 HOT OIL LIGHTS COMES ON

NHTSA #: 11286424
mediumSTEERING,SUSPENSION,WHEELS
Filed: Sep 2019

WHILE TRAVELING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN YOU SLOW TO TURN A SLIGHT CURVE AND PRESS BRAKES THE JEEP GOES INTO A UNCONTROLLABLE SHAKE IN THE ENTIRE FRONT END. YOU CAN NOT STOP IT BY APPLYING BRAKES BECAUSE IT MAKES IT WORSE. YOU HAVE NO CONTROL OF THE SHAKE AND IT EVEN SHAKES THE STEERING WHEEL AND WHOLE FRONT END OF THE JEEP. EVENTUALLY IT PULLS OUT OF IT AFTER SEVERAL FEET BUT YOU FEEL THE WHOLE FRONT END IS GONG TO COME OFF THE SHAKE IS THAT VIOLENT. I HAVE ALMOST WRECKED MY VEHICLE TRYING TO HOLD IT ON THE ROAD WHILE TURNING AND HAD OTHER CARS ALMOST PLOW ME FROM THE BACK. IT IS VERY SCAREY AND YOU HAVE NO WARNING WHEN IT IS GOING TO HAPPEN.

NHTSA #: 11256396
mediumSTEERING,POWER TRAIN
Filed: Sep 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 JEEP WRANGLER. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD, THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL MULTIPLE TIMES AND THE VEHICLE FINALLY CAME TO A STOP ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE AND WAITED AWHILE BEFORE DRIVING AGAIN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE THE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING SLOWLY BACK HOME. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO POMOCO CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE RAM OF NEWPORT NEWS (LOCATED AT 12629 JEFFERSON AVE, NEWPORT NEWS, VA 23602, (757) 369-3565), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,460.

NHTSA #: 11254765
mediumSTEERING,SUSPENSION,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Aug 2019

THE DEATH WOBBLE!!!! WHEN I HIT A BUMP OR POTHOLE . I FEEL MY JEEP IS LITERALLY COMING APART. MY JEEP IS 2008 AND THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE SKNCE WE BOUGHT IT ANOUT 5 YEARS AGAO. I ONLY DRIVE WHEN ITS EMERGENCY. I WILL NOT TAKE HIGHWAYS. ITS ABSOLUTELY TERRIFYING. WHY IS THERE NO RECALLS FOR DEATH WOBBLE ON THE JEEP 2008. THIS IS NOT JUST A PROBLEM ON NEWER MODLES. I WANT IT FIXED FOR FREE. I CANT EVEN SELL IT. BECAUSE PEOPLE WITH JEEPS KNOW ABOUT IT!!!

NHTSA #: 11243566
mediumSTEERING
Filed: Mar 2019

BALL JOINT ON THE TIE ROD FELL OFF OF THE PITMAN ARM OF THE STEERING BOX BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT AT A SHOPPING CENTER, LEAVING NO STEERING CONTROL. LOW SPEED AT TIME OF INCIDENT (UNDER 5KM/H) LUCKILY THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT. VEHICLE WAS BACKING OUT OF SPOT TO THE RIGHT AND A CLUNK WAS HEARD AND FELT IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN STRAIGHTENING THE WHEELS. JEEP WRANGLER 4DOOR 4X4 SAHARA UNLIMITED

NHTSA #: 11192083
mediumSTEERING,SUSPENSION
Filed: Jan 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 JEEP WRANGLER. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD, THE VEHICLE VIOLENTLY VIBRATED UNTIL IT CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS CURRENTLY AT FRED MARTIN SUPERSTORE (3195 BARBER RD, BARBERTON, OH 44203, (330) 753-4444) TO HAVE THE BALL JOINTS, TIE RODS, STEERING DAMPER, AND UNIVERSAL JOINTS REPLACED FOR THE SECOND TIME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA #: 11172132
mediumSTEERING
Filed: May 2018

WHILE DRIVING I HIT A BUMP AND THE FRONT WHEELS BEGIN TO VIOLENTLY SHAKE AND I CANNOT CONTROL OR STOP IT. I HAVE TO STOP THE VEHICLE TO MAKE IT QUIT. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY WITH HEAVY TRAFFIC AND NO PLACE TO PULL OVER. SEMI TRUCKS BEHIND ME ALMOST HIT ME. THIS IS A VIOLENT AND UNCONTROLLABLE SHAKING. THIS HAPPENS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AND HITS A BUMP LIKE A SEAM IN THE PAVEMENT OR EDGE OF OVERPASS.

NHTSA #: 11093215
mediumSTEERING,SUSPENSION,WHEELS
Filed: Feb 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 JEEP WRANGLER. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE AND STEERING WHEEL SHOOK WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OR DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THE FAILURE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE ISSUE COULD BE RELATED TO THE TIRES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A JEEP DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. *TT *TR

NHTSA #: 11075043
mediumSTEERING,AIR BAGS
CrashFiled: Jan 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 JEEP WRANGLER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY AND ERRONEOUSLY TURNED TO THE LEFT. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT DROVE INTO THE OPPOSITE LANE FACING ONCOMING TRAFFIC. A SECOND VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER SUSTAINED A FRACTURED RIGHT LEG, AND INJURIES TO THE RIBS, HEAD, AND RIGHT HIP. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NHTSA #: 11065795
mediumSTEERING
Filed: Jan 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HORN BECAME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER (MURFREESBORO HYUNDAI, 2203 NW BROAD STREET, MURFREESBORO, TN 37129) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLOCK SPRING FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000.

NHTSA #: 11065227
mediumSTEERING,SUSPENSION,WHEELS
Filed: Apr 2017

WHILE DRIVING APPROX 60 MPH I HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD...CAR STARTED SHAKING UNCONTROLLABLY..STEERING WHEEL WAS SHAKING ..HAD TO SLOW IMMEDIATELY...WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED ON HIGHWAY...LUCKILY THE PERSON BEHIND ME WASN'T TOO CLOSE AND ABLE TO SLOW TO A STOP...THIS IS AN INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND JEEP IS CLAIMING THERE IS NOTHING WRONG...MY CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW AND IS TOTALLY STOCK...I READ THAT ITS DESCRIBED AS THE "DEATH WOBBLE". IS JEEP WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO DIE BEFORE ACKNOWLEDGING THE PROBLEM?

NHTSA #: 10980020
mediumSTEERING,SUSPENSION
Filed: Oct 2016

THE FRONT END DEVELOPED A BAD SHAKING. IF YOU ARE RIDDING AT 60 TO 65 MPH AND HIT A VERY SLIGHT BUMP THE FRONT END DEVELOPS A SHAKE THAT CAUSES YOU TO LOOSE CONTROL AND HAVE TO COME TO AN ABRUPT STOP EVEN IS YOU ARE ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY. JEEP CALLED IT A DEATH WOBBLE BUT THEY SAID ITS NOT A RECALL ! ARE THEY CRAZY ? MY WIFE ALMOST GOT KILLED. SHE HAD TO COME TO A SUDDEN STOP ON ROUT 18 IN NEW JERSEY WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH AND A TRUCK WAS BARRELING DOWN ON HER. THANK GOD THE TRUCK WAS ABLE TO STOP IN TIME. IT HAPPENED TO THE SAME CAR 4 TIMES SINCE I OWN IT. IT SEEMS TO HAPPEN EVERY 50,000 MILES. *TR

NHTSA #: 10917566
mediumSTEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY/WIPER
Filed: Sep 2016

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE SEVERAL ISSUES PRESENTED WITHOUT WARNING: SUDDENLY THE WIPERS STARTED GOING, WINDSHIELD FLUID SPRAYING, HORN BLARING AND LIGHTS FLASHING. ENGINE THEN CUT OUT WHILE UNDERWAY ON A CITY STREET RENDERING POWER STEERING, BRAKES AND STABILITY CONTROL INOPERABLE. DEALER DIAGNOSED THIS AS A BAD TOTALLY INTEGRATED POWER MODULE (TIPM)

NHTSA #: 10907309
mediumSTEERING
Filed: Jul 2016

I WAS DRIVING MY 19 YEAR OLD SONS JEEP WRANGLER AND EXPERIENCED THE SO CALLED DEATH WOBBLE, IT WAS SO BAD OTHER DRIVERS ON THE HIGHWAY WERE HONKING THEIR HORNS AT ME. MY SON WAS WITH ME AND SAID THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO HIM WHEN YOU HIT A BUMP AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 50-70MPH. THE STEERING VIOLENTLY SHAKES FROM SIDE TO SIDE. IT WILL ONLY STOP IF I SLOW DOWN TO SPEEDS BELOW 20 MPH. I KNOW LONGER ALLOW MY SON TO DRIVE THE JEEP WRANGLER ON THE HIGHWAY AND WILL NOT LET HIM TAKE IT TO COLLEGE WHEN HE STARTS BACK IN THE FALL. I DO NOT WANT TO PUT HIM IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION ON THE HIGHWAY. THE JEEP IS STOCK; NO LIFTS, AFTERMARKET WHEELS, ETC. I CANNOT BELIEVE THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL ON THIS, LOOSING CONTOL OF YOUR STEERING AT 50+ MPH CANNOT BE SAFE.

NHTSA #: 10884228
mediumSTEERING,ENGINE
Filed: May 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 JEEP WRANGLER. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THE CONTACT COASTED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, AND RESUMED DRIVING. THE FAILURE RECURRED FOUR TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING DAMPER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000.

NHTSA #: 10871190
mediumSTEERING,WHEELS
Filed: May 2016

AT HIGHWAY SPEED, APPROXIMATELY 50+ MPH, WHEN THE CAR GOES OVER A BUMP OR POTHOLE (IT DOESN'T NEED TO BE A MAJOR BUMP OR HOLE) THE FRONT SHAKES VIOLENTLY UNTIL THE CAR IS SLOWED AND THEN IT RETURNS TO NORMAL. SEARCHING ON THE INTERNET I HAVE FOUND DISCUSSIONS DESCRIBING THIS EXACT SITUATION. THEY CALL IT THE "DEATH WOBBLE".

NHTSA #: 10865104
mediumSTEERING,STRUCTURE
Filed: Apr 2016

REAR PASSENGER DOOR IS SEIZED UP AND FRONT PASSENGER IS STARTING. CAR VIOLENTLY WOBBLES AS 55MPH!

NHTSA #: 10862170
mediumSTEERING,SUSPENSION
Filed: Mar 2016

THE DEATH WOBBLE IS A NIGHTMARE. IT'S TERRIFYING, NOT OTHER WAY TO DESCRIBE IT. THE ENTIRE CAR SHAKES SO VIOLENTLY YOU HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO STOP. IT HAPPENED ON BUSY HIGHWAY (NJ TURNPIKE) AND I ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE I HAD TO STOP THE JEEP WITH PEOPLE TRAVELLING AT SPEEDS OF 65MPH AND GREATER. I'VE CALLED DEALERSHIPS, THEY DON'T KNOW HOW TO FIX IT. IT SOUNDS LIKE A WASTE OF MONEY FOR ME TO EVEN ATTEMPT TO FIX IT. WHY HAS THE JEEP WRANGLER NOT BEEN RECALLED FOR THIS REASON? IT'S OUTRAGEOUS FOR THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THESE CARS COST.

NHTSA #: 10839931
mediumSTEERING,AIR BAGS
Filed: Feb 2016

CLOCK SPRING SELF-DESTRUCTED AT JUST OVER 45000 MILES. AIRBAG LIGHT IS NOW ON AND THE RIBBON CABLE IS UNWINDING OUT OF THE STEERING COLUMN. SAME ISSUE THAT WAS BEING REPORTED BY OWNERS AND HAS BEEN RECALLED FOR 2007 MODEL YEAR.

NHTSA #: 10837562
mediumSTEERING
Filed: Feb 2016

JEEP HAS 30.000 MILES GETTING DEATH WOBBLE AT 60 MILES AN HOUR CAN'T CONTROL JEEP UNLESS COME TO A COMPLETE STOP TALKED TO A LOT OF PEOPLE AND HAD SAME PROBLEM.

NHTSA #: 10823730
mediumSTEERING,AIR BAGS
Filed: Dec 2015

CLOCK SPRING FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA #: 10810002
mediumSTEERING,SUSPENSION
Filed: Sep 2015

IT HAS ONLY HAPPENED ONCE SO FAR, BUT IT WAS VERY SCARY. THE FRONT WHEELS BEGAN AN UNCONTROLLABLE WOBBLE. I WAS GOING 55-60 MPH AND HAD TO WRESTLE THE CAR OFF THE HIGHWAY AS IT WAS FIGHTING TO STAY ON ROAD. IT FELT LIKE THE FRONT WHEELS WERE FALLING OFF. THE CAR BEHIND ME ALMOST HIT ME. IT WAS FINE ONCE I STOPPED THE CAR AND HASN'T HAPPENED IN 2 WEEKS. UPON CHECKING THE INTERNET, THERE ARE A WHOLE LOT OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME THING HAPPENING TO THEM. THEY EVEN HAVE A NAME FOR IT, IT'S CALLED "THE JEEP DEATH WOBBLE" AND IT'S COMMON IN JEEPS WRANGLERS OF ALL AGES. AND MOST PEOPLE HAVE IT HAPPEN TO THEM SEVERAL TIMES. LOOK IT UP. I TALKED TO DEALERS AND CHRYSLER CORPORATE AND THEY ALL SAID "WE HAVE HEARD SOME STORIES, BUT DON'T HAVE A REAL FIX FOR IT.". THEY SAID IT COULD BE CAUSED BY "ADDING LIFTERS TO YOUR CAR", WHICH IS A JOKE, BECAUSE EVERYONE THAT WAS COMPLAINING ABOUT THE JEEP DEATH WOBBLE HAVE STOCK JEEPS AND ARE NOT TAKING THEM OFF-ROAD. IT'S AN ISSUE JEEP IS IGNORING UNTIL THERE IS A DEATH, WHICH IS BOUND TO HAPPEN SOON.

NHTSA #: 10762368
mediumSTEERING,SUSPENSION,WHEELS
Filed: Sep 2015

WHILE DRIVING AND WHEN SPEED REACHED 55 -60 MPH, THE STEERING HAD A SMALL SHAKING TO IT. AS TIME AND MORE MILES WENT BY, IT TURNED INTO UNCONTROLLABLE STEERING. I HAD TO LET OFF THE ACCELERATOR AND COAST TO A SLOWER SPEED. EVENTUALLY I COULD NOT DRIVE THE JEEP UNTIL I CHANGED THE TORSION BAR, TIE ROD ENDS AND STEERING STABILIZER, (TWICE, THE LAST TIME WITH A HEAVY DUTY ONE) AND THEN WHAT FIXED IT WAS THE STEERING GEAR BOX. BUT ONCE I CHANGED IT, THE WOBBLE OR UNCONTROLLABLE SHAKING STOPPED SO I GOT A FRONT END ALIGNMENT AND HAD TO CHANGE ALL FOUR BALL JOINTS DUE TO THE DAMAGE THE WOBBLE CAUSED. THAT HAS BEEN ABOUT 10 MONTHS AND THE SMALL SHAKING HAS STARTED UP AGAIN. GETTING WORSE TO WORSE AS TIME AND MILEAGE GOES BY.

NHTSA #: 10761986
mediumSTEERING,SUSPENSION
Filed: Aug 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 JEEP WRANGLER UNLIMITED. WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA #: 10747943
mediumSTEERING,AIR BAGS
Filed: Apr 2015

CLOCK SPRING IS BROKEN, CAUSING HORN AND AIRBAG TO BE INOPERABLE. VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN ON ROAD AND SUBJECTED TO NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. REQUESTING NHTSA CONSIDER A RECALL FOR LEFT HAND DRIVE VEHICLES SIMILAR TO NHTSA RECALL 11V-528, (SAME YEAR AND MODEL ONLY RHD.) *TR

NHTSA #: 10706724
mediumSTEERING,SUSPENSION
Filed: Apr 2015

WHEN DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY AT A SPEED OF APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE LEFT FRONT TIRE STRUCK A SMALL POT HOLE, THE FRONT SUSPENSION BEGAN SHAKING VIOLENTLY, REMOVING DRIVERS GRIP ON THE STEERING WHEEL. AFTER REGAINING WHEEL GRIP, DRIVER BEGAN RAPID DECELERATION WHILE STEERING OFF TO THE SHOULDER. SHAKING SUBSIDED AROUND VEHICLE SPEED OF APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH AND THEN A COMPLETE STOP WAS ACHIEVED WITHOUT INCIDENT. NO TRAFFIC WAS IMMEDIATELY PRESENT AT THE TIME. NOTHING WAS FOUND DURING INITIAL INSPECTION ON ROADSIDE AND VEHICLE DROVE PROPERLY AFTER RESUMING CAUTIOUSLY. *TR

NHTSA #: 10706495
mediumSTEERING
Filed: Apr 2015

DEATH WOBBLE, UNEVEN SURFACE OR SLIGHT BUMP IN ROAD SUCH AS AN EXPANSION JOINT ON ENTRANCE OR EXIT TO BRIDGE. IT IS A SCARY THING, GOING NEAR 60 MPH. IT WILL START THE WOBBLE AND EVERYTHING SHAKES VIOLENTLY UNTIL THE VEHICLE STOPS. LUCKILY I HAVE BEEN ON 4 LANE ROADS WHEN THIS HAS OCCURRED. ONE TIME IT THREW ME OFF OF HIGHWAY INTO DITCH. THERE HAS TO BE FATALITIES RELATED TO THIS PROBLEM? MY PERSONAL MECHANIC HAS LOOKED AT STEERING COMPONENTS AND HAS STATED THAT ALL STEERING PARTS ARE GOOD OR WITHIN SPECIFICATION. I HAVE DODGE DEALER THAT IS GOING TO LOOK AT IT TOMORROW. THEY SAID LOOK AND THEY WILL SAY LETS TRY THIS PART. I REPLACED 2 BOLTS THAT HOLD TRACK BAR ON WITH LARGE SHOULDER TO FILL UP LARGE FACTORY BOLT HOLE. FACTORY BOLT HOLES LOOK UNDERSIZED? REPLACED TRACK BAR BUSHINGS. IT RUN FOR 2000 MILES WITHOUT A DEATH WOBBLE. AND THEN IT HAS STARTED AGAIN. LAST 15,0000 MILES IT HAS FELT VERY LOOSE IN THE STEERING. IT IS A VERY DANGEROUS SAFETY ISSUE !!! *TR

NHTSA #: 10706073
mediumSTEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS
Filed: Apr 2015

OVER THE LAST MONTH OR SO, THE AIR BAG LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF AT RANDOM TIMES. SOMETIMES IT WILL NOT COME ON AT ALL AND OTHER TIMES IT WILL GO ON AND STAY ON. ALSO, OVER THE LAST FEW DAYS, I'VE NOTICED A 'SHAKING' WHILE DRIVING, STARTING AROUND 50MPH. *TR

NHTSA #: 10705771
mediumSTEERING,AIR BAGS
Filed: Apr 2015

ON THE 2008 JEEP WRANGLER (LHD) DASHBOARD, THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT FLASHES ON EVERY OTHER MINUTE WITH A CHIME, AN INDICATION THAT THERE IS SOMETHING MALFUNCTIONING OR INTERFERING WITH THE VEHICLE'S AIRBAGS.THIS HAS BEEN A RECURRING ISSUE AND CONCERN FOR MANY 2008 JEEP WRANGLER (LHD) OWNERS, INCLUDING MYSELF, AND HAS BEEN SHOWN TIME AND TIME AGAIN TO BE CAUSED BY A FAULTY CLOCKSPRING WITHIN THE VEHICLE'S STEERING WHEEL. THIS FAULTY CLOCKSPRING IS THE CULPRIT FOR POTENTIAL AIRBAG FAILURE IN THE 2008 JEEP WRANGLER (LHD) DURING AN ACCIDENT OR PREMATURE DEPLOYMENT WHEN SIMPLY DRIVING AROUND. DAIMLER CHRYSLER HAS REFUSED TO ADDRESS THE SAFETY CONCERN OF THEIR FAULTY CLOCKSPRING THAT CAN CAUSE FAILURE OF THE VEHICLE'S AIRBAGS FROM PROPERLY DEPLOYING. *TR

NHTSA #: 10704766
mediumSTEERING
Filed: Mar 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 JEEP WRANGLER 2-DR 4X4. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH OVER A BUMP, THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE FRONT TIRES VIBRATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA #: 10701858
mediumSTEERING,SUSPENSION,WHEELS
Filed: Mar 2015

THIS VEHICLE HAS THE JEEP "DEATH WOBBLE" WHICH INVOLVES SEVERE SHAKING AND VIOLENT WOBBLING AT ABOUT 50 MPH. THIS OCCURS FREQUENTLY. I HAVE MADE NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS TO HAVE THE PROBLEM SOLVED AND VEHICLE REPAIRED. NOTHING HAS HELPED. *TR

NHTSA #: 10701868
mediumSTEERING,SUSPENSION
Filed: Mar 2015

AS WITH OTHER JEEP OWNERS, MY WRANGLER SUDDENLY FELL INTO THE 'DEATH WOBBLE'. WITH MANY ATTEMPTS AT REPAIR AND OVER $1500, THERE IS STILL AN UNRESOLVED ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA #: 10701796
mediumSTEERING
Filed: Mar 2015

I BOUGHT A USED JEEP FROM NEWARK JEEP EAGLE IN DELAWARE WHICH HAD A 30 DAY WARRANTY. THE SAME NIGHT THAT I DROVE IT HOME ON THE HIGHWAY, I HIT UNEVEN PAVEMENT AND THE JEEP STARTED SHAKING VIOLENTLY. TOOK THE JEEP BACK TO THE DEALER, THEY REPLACED THE STEERING STABILIZER, TRACK BAR, AND SWITCHED MY TIRES AND THIS CONTINUED TO HAPPEN AFTER EVERY REPAIR. SINCE I ONLY HAD A 30 DAY WARRANTY I COULD NOT CONTINUE TO TAKE IT BACK FOR ADDITIONAL REPAIR DUE TO COSTS, HOWEVER NOTHING SEEMED TO WORK AND NOW THIS HAPPENS AT HIGHER SPEEDS AND VERY OFTEN. THIS WOBBLE HAPPENS EVERY TIME I DRIVE THE JEEP AND IT IS UNSAFE. I SEE SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS WOBBLE ON SEVERAL FORUMS AND ON JEEPS THAT HAVE NOT BEEN ALTERED LIKE MINE. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED IN A RECALL AS PEOPLE WHO SPEND $25,000 FOR A VEHICLE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO GO BROKE TO FIX AN OBVIOUS MANUFACTURER ERROR. I CANNOT DRIVE ME VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY FOR FEAR OF MY SAFETY AS WELL AS HAVING TO SLOW DOWN AND PULL ACROSS THE ENTIRE HIGHWAY COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA #: 10700928
mediumSTEERING,SUSPENSION
Filed: Mar 2015

I WAS JUST DRIVING DOWN A PAVED RESIDENTIAL ROAD ON A SLIGHT DECLINE ABOUT 40 MPH AND IT STARTED WOBBLING AND SHAKING THE ENTIRE CAR. I FELT LIKE I WAS GOING TO LOSE CONTROL AND COULDN'T SWERVE OVER SINCE THERE WAS TRAFFIC. I APPLIED THE BRAKES LIGHTLY, BUT NOT TOO MUCH SINCE THERE WAS OTHER VEHICLES BEHIND ME THAT I DIDN'T WANT TO SLAM INTO ME FROM BEHIND IF I SUDDENLY BRAKED TOO HARD. EVEN WHILE APPLYING BRAKES THE JEEP WAS STILL WOBBLING VIOLENTLY. VIOLENTLY! SERIOUSLY THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO CAUSE A WRECK. FINALLY THE JEEP STOPPED WOBBLING WHERE I PULLED OVER AND CHECKED IF MY TIRES WERE LOSE OR ANYTHING. EVERYTHING WAS FINE ON THE OUTSIDE. WHEN I CAME HOME I WANTED TO SEE IF ANYONE ELSE HAD THIS ISSUE, AND TURNS OUT IT EVEN HAS A NAME CALLED THE "DEATH WOBBLE". MY JEEP IS A 2008, WITH 40,000 MILE. THIS JEEP IS RARELY USED. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. NOT ONLY THE WRANGLER, BUT MANY OTHER VEHICLES AS WELL. CHRYSLER SEEMS TO DENY THAT ANY ISSUES EXIST CONCERNING THE "DEATH WOBBLE". PLEASE HELP. *TR

NHTSA #: 10692500
mediumSTEERING,SUSPENSION,SERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Mar 2015

I WAS TRAVELING ON A BUSY HIGHWAY AT A SPEED OF 65 MILES PER HOUR WHEN OUT OF THE BLUE THE JEEP STARTED TO SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLY. TO MAKE MATTERS WORSE, I HAD A SEMI RIGHT BEHIND ME HAULING A GAS TANKER. FORTUNATELY FOR ME I WAS TRAVELING IN THE SPEED LANE WHICH IS ADJACENT TO THE EMERGENCY RUN OFF THE LANE. I LET MY FOOT OF THE GAS AND ROLLED/TREMBLING OFF THE HIGHWAY INTO THE EMG LANE TILL I CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. AFTER CATCHING MY BREATH AND MY HEART. I PROCEEDED TO GET OUT OF THE CAR TO CHECK AND SEE IF THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE FRONT END AXLE. I DID NOT SEE ANYTHING PROBLEM SO GOT BACK IN THE JEEP AND DROVE OFF. I DROVE ABOUT ANOTHER 50 MILES THAT NIGHT AND WAS NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AT ANY SPEED. SO A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER I TOOK THE JEEP IN TO SEE MY SERVICE ADVISOR AT PLANET DODGE IN DORAL, FL. AFTER A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SYMPTOMS AND WHAT HAPPENED, THE SERVICE ADVISOR CALMLY SAID IT'S A COMMON PROBLEM CALLED "THE DEATH WOBBLE". SO I AM NOW HAVING TO DROP OFF THIS JEEP IN ORDER TO GET A DIAGNOSIS AND HAVE THE PROBLEM REPAIRED. I HOPE IT NEVER HAPPENS TO ANYONE; ESPECIALLY MY MOTHER WHO OFTEN DRIVES THE JEEP. THIS IS A VERY VERY DANGEROUS CONDITION WHICH WILL EVENTUALLY CAUSE ACCIDENT AND MAY EVEN CAUSE FATALITIES. THERE NEEDS TO BE A CLASS ACTION SUIT FILED AGAINST THE MANUFACTURER. OR AT THE VERY LEAST A RECALL. *TR

NHTSA #: 10692608
mediumSTEERING,SUSPENSION,SERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Mar 2015

I WAS TRAVELING ON A BUSY HIGHWAY AT A SPEED OF 65 MILES PER HOUR WHEN OUT OF THE BLUE THE JEEP STARTED TO SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLY. TO MAKE MATTERS WORSE, I HAD A SEMI RIGHT BEHIND ME HAULING A GAS TANKER. FORTUNATELY FOR ME I WAS TRAVELING IN THE SPEED LANE WHICH IS ADJACENT TO THE EMERGENCY RUN OFF THE LANE. I LET MY FOOT OF THE GAS AND ROLLED/TREMBLING OFF THE HIGHWAY INTO THE EMG LANE TILL I CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. AFTER CATCHING MY BREATH AND MY HEART. I PROCEEDED TO GET OUT OF THE CAR TO CHECK AND SEE IF THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE FRONT END AXLE. I DID NOT SEE ANYTHING PROBLEM SO GOT BACK IN THE JEEP AND DROVE OFF. I DROVE ABOUT ANOTHER 50 MILES THAT NIGHT AND WAS NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AT ANY SPEED. SO A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER I TOOK THE JEEP IN TO SEE MY SERVICE ADVISOR AT PLANET DODGE IN DORAL, FL. AFTER A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SYMPTOMS AND WHAT HAPPENED, THE SERVICE ADVISOR CALMLY SAID IT'S A COMMON PROBLEM CALLED "THE DEATH WOBBLE". SO I AM NOW HAVING TO DROP OFF THIS JEEP IN ORDER TO GET A DIAGNOSIS AND HAVE THE PROBLEM REPAIRED. I HOPE IT NEVER HAPPENS TO ANYONE; ESPECIALLY MY MOTHER WHO OFTEN DRIVES THE JEEP. THIS IS A VERY VERY DANGEROUS CONDITION WHICH WILL EVENTUALLY CAUSE ACCIDENT AND MAY EVEN CAUSE FATALITIES. THERE NEEDS TO BE A CLASS ACTION SUIT FILED AGAINST THE MANUFACTURER. OR AT THE VERY LEAST A RECALL. *TR

NHTSA #: 10692617
mediumSTEERING,SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Filed: Mar 2015

I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON A STATE HIGHWAY, EVEN THOUGH POSTED SPEED LIMIT WAS 65MPH, TRAFFIC WAS HEAVY AND I WAS FORCED TO SLOW DOWN TO AROUND 50 TO 53 MPH. WHEN SPEEDING BACK UP TO 55 MPH MY JEEP SAHARA SHOOK VIOLENTLY AND UNCONTROLLABLY, I THOUGHT MY VEHICLE WAS GOING TO SHAKE APART, I HIT THE BRAKES AND WENT DOWN TO 50 MPH (THANK GOD NO ONE WAS CLOSE BEHIND ME AND DID NOT HIT ME) AND THE SHAKING/WOBBLE STOPPED. AS TRAFFIC PICKED BACK UP AND I WAS ABLE TO SPEED UP TO 60 MPH, THERE WAS NO REAL PROBLEM (A SLIGHT SHAKE AS I PAST 55 MPH), BUT AS SOON AS I HAD TO SLOW DOWN TO 55 MPH THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SHAKE/WOBBLE UNCONTROLLABLY AGAIN. IT APPEARS IF I ACCELERATE FROM 0 TO 55 MPH I GET THE VIOLENT SHAKING/WOBBLING BUT IF I GO FROM 0 TO 60-65 MPH, I DO NOT REALLY EXPERIENCE THE VIOLENT UNCONTROLLABLY SHAKING, JUST A SLIGHT SHAKE AT THE 55 MPH GOING TO 60-65 MPH. IF I SLOW DOWN FROM 60-65 MPH TO 55 MPH I GET THAT SAME VIOLENT UNCONTROLLABLE SHAKING/WOBBLING. THIS HAPPENS EVERYDAY - NOT RANDOMLY! I FOUND EVEN ON NON-HIGHWAYS, WHERE SPEED LIMITS THAT ALLOW 55 MPH, I GET THE SAME VIOLENT SHAKING. THIS IS MY ONLY VEHICLE AND I DEPEND ON IT TO GET TO AND FROM WORK EVERY WEEKDAY. I HAVE READ THE FORUMS AND I HAVE CHECKED THE TIRE PRESSURE, IT HAS NO EFFECT ON THE SHAKING/WOBBLING. I HAVE NEVER TAKEN IT OFF-ROAD, I DON'T EVEN PUT IT IN 4 WHEEL DRIVE. MY SON HAS HIS OWN JEEP THAT HE HAS WORK ON FOR YEARS AND HE LOOKED AT MY JEEP (THINGS LIKE STEERING COMPONENTS, BALL JOINTS, TIRES, STEERING DAMPER, ETC.) ALL THE THINGS JEEP OWNERS HAVE POSTED ON THESE FORUMS AND HAVE PAID DEARLY FOR AT THE DEALERSHIP AND EVERYTHING SEEMS OK. I RECENTLY FOUND FROM A JEEP FORUM THAT THIS IS CALLED THE 'DEATH WOBBLE'. *TR

NHTSA #: 10691330
mediumSTEERING,SUSPENSION
Filed: Feb 2015

TYPICAL "DEATH WOBBLE" THAT I WAS UNAWARE OF UNTIL RESEARCHING THIS MORNING. VERY SCARY AND WITH ONLY 25,000 MILES AN NO OFF ROADING ON THIS JEEP, THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN AND CERTAINLY NOT SOMETHING I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY TO REPAIR! *TR

NHTSA #: 10691218
mediumSTEERING,SUSPENSION,TIRES
Filed: Feb 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 JEEP WRANGLER. WHILE DRIVING 45 TO 65 MPH, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY OUT OF CONTROL AND CAUSED THE SUSPENSION TO BECOME UNSTABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIRES NEEDED TO BE BALANCED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE STEERING DAMPER, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED TWO DAYS AFTER THE REPAIR WAS PERFORMED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NHTSA #: 10682909
mediumSTEERING
Filed: Feb 2015

HIT A SMALL BUMP IN THE ROAD WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THIS CAUSED VIOLENT VIBRATIONS IN THE FRONT END THAT WOULDN'T STOP UNTIL I ALMOST STOPPED. IF I HADN'T HAD A GOOD GRIP ON THE WHEEL I WOULD HAVE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THIS HAS HAPPENED 4 TIMES SINCE AND AT SPEEDS AS LOW AS 55MPH. CHECKED WITH DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WOULD REQUIRE REPLACING ONE PART AT A TIME TILL THE PROBLEM IS CORRECTED. THIS WOULD BE VERY EXPENSIVE AND YOU WOULD NEVER KNOW IF IT WAS FIXED. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AS YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN IT IS GOING TO HAPPEN. TWICE I WAS GOING 70 WITH A TRACTOR TRAILER CLOSE BEHIND. YESTERDAY I WAS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC IN THE MIDDLE LANE GOING 70 WITH A TRACTOR TRAILER BEHIND ME WHEN THE FRONT END STARTED TO VIBRATE AND BOUNCE. I COULDN'T GET OVER SO I HAD TO ALMOST STOP IN THE MIDDLE LANE IN RUSH HOUR ON I-10. THIS PROBLEMIS REFERRED TO AS THE DEATH WOBBLE. IT IS VERY SCARY AND COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT OR EVEN A ROLL OVER IF YOU DON'T HAVE A GOOD GRIP ON THE WHEEL. (VEHICLE IS NOT LIFTED & FRONT END HAD JUST BEEN ALIGNED BEFORE FIRST INCIDENT). *TR

NHTSA #: 10680929
mediumSTEERING,AIR BAGS
Filed: Jan 2015

TURNING STEERING WHEEL WHILE DRIVING, AIRBAG DASH INDICATOR ILLUMINATES AND WARNING TONE ACTIVATED. RETURN STEERING TO CENTER AND INDICATOR LIGHT EXTINGUISHES. WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATES AND TONE ACTIVATES SPORADICALLY WHEN STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED BUT WITH INCREASED FREQUENCY OVER THE PERIOD OF 2011-2012. IN 2013, THE AIRBAG DASH INDICATOR REMAINS ILLUMINATED REGARDLESS OF STEERING WHEEL POSITION OR VEHICLE MOVEMENT. IN LATTER-HALF OF 2014, THE HORN HAS FAILED TO WORK. *TR

NHTSA #: 10676371
mediumSTEERING
Filed: Dec 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLY AND THE SPEED INDEPENDENTLY DECREASED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000.

NHTSA #: 10667079
mediumSTEERING,STRUCTURE,WHEELS
Filed: Dec 2014

I WAS DRIVING DOWN US RT. 60 HEADED BACK TO PHOENIX ARIZONA. DURING MY TIME TRAVELING DOWN THE ROAD DOING APPROXIMATELY 55-60 MPH I RAN OVER TRAIN TRACKS AND IMMEDIATELY MY JEEP BEGAN SHAKING UNCONTROLLABLY. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER MY VEHICLE TO STOP VIOLENT SHAKING. I HAVE LOOKED INTO THIS ON THE INTERNET AND IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM REFERRED TO AS, " DEATH WOBBLE. "THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME. I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE FOR 5 MONTHS. IT WAS PURCHASED AT A CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP. *JS

NHTSA #: 10661375
mediumSTEERING,SUSPENSION
Filed: Oct 2014

UPON GETTING UP TO SPEED AROUND 45 MILES PER HOUR, FRONT END OF VEHICLE STARTS SHAKING UNCONTROLLABLY IF EVEN A SLIGHT BUMP IS HIT ON THE ROADWAY. IT IS THE SO CALLED "DEATH WOBBLE" SO OFTEN TALKED ABOUT ON THE INTERNET AND IN WRANGLER FORUMS. MECHANIC REPLACED STEERING DAMPENER WHICH MINIMIZED THE PROBLEM BUT IT STILL CONTINUES TO HAPPEN SOMETIMES. MECHANIC CANNOT FIND ANYTHING ELSE THAT IS LOOSE WITH THE SUSPENSION. *TR

NHTSA #: 10641565
mediumSTEERING,SUSPENSION
Filed: Sep 2014

WAS DRIVING AROUND 50 MPH FRONT END STARTED TO SHAKE SO HARD IT WAS HARD TO HANG ON TO STEERING WHEEL,HIT THE BRAKES HARD, ONCE VEHICLE ALMOST STOPPED IT STOPPED SHAKING, WIFE WAS WITH ME AND SAID SHE WOULD NEVER RIDE IN IT AGAIN. SEEMS LIKE JEEP WOULD MAN UP, I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA #: 10639461
mediumSTEERING,AIR BAGS
Filed: Aug 2014

I WAS DRIVING AROUND 35 MPH, MY AIR BAG LIGHT BEGAN TO FLASH AND THEN IT STOPPED. IT BEGAN TO FLASH ON AND OFF EVERY COUPLE OF MINUTES. I SHUT OFF THE ENGINE FOR A FEW MINUTES, THEN STARTED DRIVING AGAIN AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT STARTED FLASHING AND RINGING. AFTER I RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM ONLINE, IT APPEARS TO BE A FAULTY CLOCK SPRING. THERE IS A 2007 RECALL AND A 2008 RECALL FOR RIGHT SIDE DRIVING VEHICLES. BUT NOTHING FOR 2008 JEEP WRANGLER LEFT SIDE DRIVING VEHICLES. I CALLED CHRYSLER AND HAD TO FILE A COMPLAINT DUE TO THEM NOT FIXING THE ISSUE UNDER WARRANTY OR RECALL. THE TOTAL AMOUNT FOR THE REPAIR IS $500+. THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS AIR BAG ISSUE AND NOTHING IS BEING DONE. *TR

NHTSA #: 10627052
mediumSTEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS
Filed: Aug 2014

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE AIRBAG LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY. THE HORN ALSO DOES NOT WORK AT ALL. I TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL MECHANIC TO HAVE THE HORN FIXED, AND WAS INFORMED IT WAS A BAD CLOCK-SPRING. CHRYSLER HAS EXTENDED THE WARRANTY FOR THE RH 2008 WRANGLERS AND ALL 2007 WRANGLERS, BUT THE WARRANTY FOR THE LH 2008 WRANGLERS, LIKE MINE, HAS NOT BEEN EXTENDED TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AS THE HORN DOES NOT WORK, AND I AM UNSURE IF MY AIRBAG WILL DEPLOY, IF NEEDED. THERE IS CLEARLY AN ISSUE AS THERE ARE A FLOOD OF COMPLAINTS. IT IS TIME FOR THE NHTSA TO STEP IN AND GET THIS TAKEN CARE OF. I DON'T FEEL I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY $500.00 TO HAVE THE CLOCK-SPRING FIXED WHEN IT IS AN OBVIOUS ISSUE ACROSS THE LINE IN THE 2007 AND 2008 MODELS. I SHOULD ALSO MENTION THAT I HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED THE "DEATH WOBBLE" WHICH IS WHAT WAS THE INITIAL ISSUE WHICH HAD ME TAKE THE JEEP INTO THE SHOP. OVER THIS PAST YEAR, THE JEEP WOULD JUST START SHAKING VIOLENTLY AT ABOUT 55 MPH EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE. THIS LAST TIME, I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, TURNED OFF THE JEEP AND TRIED AGAIN, ONLY TO HAVE IT START SHAKING VIOLENTLY AGAIN. THIS IS A MAJOR ISSUE THAT NEEDS ADDRESSED. I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED AS THERE WERE VEHICLES ON THE FREEWAY ALL AROUND ME. I COULD BARELY CONTROL THE VEHICLE TO PULL IT OFF THE ROAD. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE STEERING STABILIZER, THE CALIPERS, AND THE ROTORS TO ALLEVIATE THE PROBLEM. INTERESTINGLY, WHEN I WALKED IN TO TALK TO THEM, THEY KNEW EXACTLY WHAT IT WAS AS THEY HAVE HAD SIMILAR COMPLAINTS THAT NEEDED REPAIRS FOR THE SAME VEHICLE AND PROBLEM FROM OTHER CUSTOMERS. THIS WAS A $350.00 REPAIR. I POINT THIS SECOND ISSUE OUT SO OTHER JEEP OWNERS WILL KNOW WHAT TO HAVE REPAIRED IF CHRYSLER DOES NOTHING. *TR

NHTSA #: 10618879
mediumSTEERING
Filed: Jul 2014

DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AND EXPERIENCED SEVER "DEATH WOBBLE" RELATIVE TO THE STEERING. THE JEEP WAS UNCONTROLLABLE AND DANGEROUS TO PULL OVER. IT HAS HAPPENED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. *TR

NHTSA #: 10615011
mediumSTEERING,SUSPENSION
Filed: Jul 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 JEEP WRANGLER. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY. THE CONTACT DECELERATED TO 40 MPH IN AN EFFORT TO CEASE THE SHAKING. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC REPLACED THE TIRES; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN MORE THAN 55 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AGAIN AND HAD THE STEERING DAMPER REPLACED TWICE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000

NHTSA #: 10610304
mediumSTEERING
Filed: May 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 42 MPH, THEY HIT A POT HOLE AND THE VEHICLE VEERED OUT OF CONTROL. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE STEERING DAMPER FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 71,000.

NHTSA #: 10588063
mediumSTEERING
Filed: May 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 JEEP WRANGLER SAHARA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL OF THE COMPONENTS ON THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 108,179.

NHTSA #: 10587840
mediumSTEERING
Filed: Apr 2014

I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING THE SO CALLED DEATH WOBBLE. AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 60-70MPH, WHEN I HIT AN IMPERFECTION IN THE ROAD, MY STEERING VIOLENTLY SHAKES FROM SIDE TO SIDE. AT THIS POINT, IT WILL ONLY STOP IF I SLOW DOWN TO SPEEDS BELOW 20MPH. THIS HAS PUT ME IN SEVERAL DANGEROUS SITUATIONS ON THE HIGHWAY, AS I SUDDENLY NEED TO STOP MY JEEP, REGARDLESS OF WHAT LANE I AM IN. THE STEERING STABILIZER HAS BEEN REPLACED, AND HAS NOT CHANGED THE PROBLEM. MY JEEP IS STOCK; NO LIFTS, AFTERMARKET WHEELS, ETC. I AM GETTING THIS WOBBLE ONCE EVERY FEW TRIPS ON A HIGHWAY. *JS

NHTSA #: 10585424
mediumSTEERING,SUSPENSION
Filed: Apr 2014

DEATH WOBBLE. THE FRONT END VIBRATES VIOLENTLY THAT CAN AND WILL CAUSE ACCIDENTS. *TR

NHTSA #: 10584358
mediumSTEERING,WHEELS,SERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Apr 2014

I HAVE A 2008 JEEP WRANGLER UNLIMITED X WITH 42,000 MILES. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN BABIED EXCEPT FOR ONE OFF-ROAD WEEKEND LAST FALL. THE DEATH WOBBLE JUST STARTED ABOUT TWO MONTHS AGO WHEN APPLYING BRAKES OVER 55 MPH. MOSTLY FRONT-END WOBBLE. IT HAPPENED SPORADICALLY AND ONLY AT SPEEDS AROUND 60 MPH. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC AND HE REPLACED THE ROTORS. JUST A FEW DAYS LATER, THE WOBBLE RETURNED, BUT MUCH WORSE, AND WITH NO BRAKING APPLIED. THE WHOLE CAR VIOLENTLY SHOOK. I RETURNED THE VEHICLE BACK TO MY MECHANIC. HE DID SOME RESEARCH AND EVENTUALLY INSTALLED A NEW STEERING DAMPER, A BIGGER ONE THAN THE ORIGINAL PART. I AM HOPEFUL THE PROBLEM WILL BE FIXED. IN RESEARCHING THIS MATTER AND REVIEWING THE VARIOUS BLOGS, INCLUDING THIS SITE, I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT CHRYSLER JEEP IS NOT DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT. WHILE THERE HAS BEEN NO REPORTS OF DEATH, THAT IS JUST FORTUITOUS. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT IT. NOT A COINCIDENCE THAT SO MANY OPERATORS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE SAME MODEL. *TR

NHTSA #: 10584311
mediumSTEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS
Filed: Apr 2014

THE CLOCKSPRING ON MY 2008 LEFT HAND DRIVE JEEP HAS BROKEN CAUSING MY AIRBAGS TO NO LONGER FUNCTION. I HAVE A VALID CHRYSLER WARRANTY UNTIL 85,000 MILES. MY JEEP IS CURRENTLY BEING SERVICED AT THE DEALERSHIP TO REPLACE THE BROKEN CLOCKSPRING WHICH WILL COST $563. THIS PART IS NOT COVERED UNDER MY CHRYSLER WARRANTY WHICH MAKES NO SENSE AT ALL. MY WARRANTY COVERS ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS BUT THE CLOCK SPRING FALLS UNDER "SAFETY" COMPONENTS WHICH ARE NOT COVERED. HOW SAFETY COMPONENTS ARE NOT COVERED IS WAY BEYOND ME! THERE WAS A RECALL IN THE 2007 JEEP WRANGLER CLOCKSPRING AND THE ISSUES OBVIOUSLY SPREAD TO 2008 AS WELL. I CANNOT AFFORD THE $563 SO I AM PUTTING IT ON MY CREDIT CARD SO I CAN DRIVE A SAFE JEEP. THE FACT THAT JEEP IS MAKING CONSUMERS PAY (SUBSTANTIALLY) FOR THEIR NEGLIGENCE IS COMPLETELY UNFAIR AND THUS THE REASON FOR THIS COMPLAINT. *TR

NHTSA #: 10578320
mediumSTEERING,SUSPENSION,WHEELS
Filed: Apr 2014

DRIVING HOME ON A SATURDAY EVENING ACCELERATING UP TO 55 MPH ONCE THE VEHICLE HIT 48-50 MPH THE FRONT END BEGAN TO SHAKE/VIBRATE VIOLENTLY SLOWING DOWN DID NOT STOP THE VIBRATIONS I NEEDED TO PULL OFF THE ROAD AND COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE ABOVE REPEATED 3-4 TIMES DURING THE COURSE OF THE TRIP. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP THE FOLLOWING MONDAY AND WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT I EXPERIENCED THE "DEATH WOBBLE" THEY REPLACED THE STEERING DAMPER AND ROTATED THE TIRES. I HAVE DRIVEN APPROXIMATELY 1,000 MILES SINCE THAT SERVICE APPOINTMENT AND AM NOW EXPERIENCING THE "DEATH WOBBLE" AGAIN, I AM ALREADY OUT $1,200 FOR THE INITIAL REPAIR ATTEMPT. THE STEERING DAMPER REPLACEMENT APPEARS TO HAVE ONLY MASKED THE PROBLEM FOR A SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME AND IS NOT A FIX BUT A PATCH JOB WHICH IS LIKELY RESULTING IN FURTHER DAMAGE TO OTHER PORTIONS OF THE STEERING/SUSPENSION SYSTEM. THERE ARE SEVERAL REPORTS OF THIS BOTH IN YOUR SYSTEM AND THROUGHOUT THE INTERNET SOMETHING IS CLEARLY WRONG WITH THESE VEHICLES AND IT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. THE COMPLETE LOSS OF VEHICLE STEERING CONTROL DURING THE SHAKING IS GOING TO GET SOMEONE KILLED AND IT SEEMS LIKE THAT IS WHAT ALL THE REGULATORS ARE WAITING FOR BEFORE TAKING ANY ACTION TO GET THIS ISSUE FIXED. *TR

NHTSA #: 10576731
mediumSTEERING,WHEELS
Filed: Mar 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING OVER ANY ROAD BUMP OR UNEVEN ROAD SURFACE AT SPEEDS OF 45 MPH OR ABOVE, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THE CONTACT WAS NOT ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE UNTIL BRAKING TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURE WERE BOTH MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

NHTSA #: 10573868
mediumSTEERING,AIR BAGS
Filed: Mar 2014

I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND WHEN I EXITED FROM THE HIGHWAY, MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. IT PROCEEDED TO COME ON AND GO OFF OVER THE NEXT 15 MIN ON THE REST OF MY DRIVE HOME. THIS SEEMS TO BE A FAULTY CLOCKSPRING, WHICH LEADS TO A FAULTY AIRBAG. THIS SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER THE EXTENDED 10 YEAR/150,000 MILE WARRANTY THAT COVERS THE 2007 LHD AND 2008 RHD JEEP WRANGLERS. WHETHER THE STEERING IS ON THE RIGHT OR LEFT SIDE OF A VEHICLE SHOULD NOT MAKE A DIFFERENCE WHEN IT COMES TO DRIVER SAFETY. *TR

NHTSA #: 10568720
mediumSTEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS
Filed: Mar 2014

AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON. WAS CAUSED BY A DEFECTIVE CLOCK SPRING. THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT ON THE WRANGLER SINCE RECALL WAS DONE ON 2007 JEEP WRANGLER AND 2008 RHD JEEP WRANGLER. *TR

NHTSA #: 10568119
mediumSTEERING,WHEELS
Filed: Mar 2014

THIS MORNING, MARCH 7, 2014, ON THE WAY TO WORK ON A VERY BUSY ROAD, MY JEEP STARTED TO SHAKE SO BAD, I HAD TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD OR RISK HITTING SOMEONE. I CALMED DOWN, AND RETURNED TO DRIVING AND IT STARTED AGAIN! IT WAS THE "DEATH WOBBLE" THAT I HAVE EXPERIENCED BEFORE BUT THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IT HAS HAPPENED TWICE IN A ROW IN SUCH A SHORT TIME. I HAVE CHANGED TIRES, HAD 2 DIFFERENT MECHANICS LOOK AT MY JEEP AND THEY CAN FIND NOTHING WRONG, BUT THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG!! PLEASE HELP! *TR

NHTSA #: 10567840
mediumSTEERING,SUSPENSION
Filed: Mar 2014

COMMONLY CALLED "JEEP DEATH WOBBLE". DRIVING ON A STRAIGHT ROAD AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH MY STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO SHAKE SLIGHTLY, THEN BECAME WORSE. WITHIN ABOUT 5 SECONDS MY WHEEL WAS SHAKING SO BADLY THAT I COULDN'T HOLD THE WHEEL. I DID ALL I COULD TO SLOW AND PULL THE VEHICLE ONTO THE SHOULDER. I FOUND NOTHING WRONG AND WENT BACK ON MY WAY WITH NO FURTHER ISSUES. MY VEHICLE IS A STOCK JEEP WITH THE ONLY DIFFERENCE BEING NEWER TIRES (STOCK SIZE) THAT ARE IN GOOD CONDITION.

NHTSA #: 10568394
mediumSTEERING,SUSPENSION,WHEELS
Filed: Feb 2014

MY 2008 JEEP WRANGLER HAS DEVELOPED A TERRIBLE VIBRATION WHEN I HIT ROAD BUMPS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE WHOLE JEEP BEGINS TO VIBRATE TO THE POINT I HAVE TO PULLOVER AND STOP THE VEHICLE TO GAIN CONTROL. I INSTALLED NEW TIRES AND IT IS STILL OCCURRING. I HAVE REPORTED THIS TO CHRYSLER CORP CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPT THEY ADVISED ME TO TAKE IT TO A DEALER TO DOCUMENT THE PROBLEM. THIS ISSUE BEGAN AT 50000 MILES. I REPLACED THE TIRES AND IT WENT AWAY IT HAS STATED AGAIN NOW AND REPLACING THE TIRES HAS NOT FIXED IT I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT CHRYSLER IS IGNORING THIS PROBLEM AS JEEP OWNERS KNOW ABOUT WHAT THEY CALL THE "DEATH WOBBLE" . I EXPECT THAT YOU WILL FOLLOW UP ON THIS AS IT IS TOTALLY IRRESPONSIBLE OF CHRYSLER TO CONTINUE TO SELL JEEPS THAT THEY KNOW HAVE DEFECTIVE PARTS.

NHTSA #: 10568412
mediumSTEERING,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,WHEELS
Filed: Feb 2014

WHILE DRIVING MY 2008 JEEP WRANGLER AT SPEEDS OF 50 MPH OR GREATER AND HITTING A POTHOLE, SMALL BUMP, OR WHEN CROSSING A BRIDGE, THE WRANGLER SUDDENLY SHAKES VIOLENTLY. IT BECOMES VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER, AND MUST COME TO A COMPLETE STOP IN ORDER TO STOP THE SHAKING. THIS OCCURRED MORE THAN 20 TIMES IN A 4 HOUR PERIOD. ONE INCIDENT ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT, AS I TRIED TO SLOW DOWN AND PULL OVER IN BUSY CITY TRAFFIC WITH A VERY SMALL BERM. I CONTINUED MY DRIVE AT SPEEDS OF 40 MPH OR LESS, WHICH REDUCED THE NUMBER OF INCIDENTS, BUT IT STILL HAPPENED. I WAS FEARFUL TO MOVE QUICKLY, BE IN FRONT OF OTHER CARS OR HIT POTHOLES, SO DRIVING WAS STRESSFUL AND SLOW. I MAINTAIN THE VEHICLE REGULARLY, AND HAVE REPLACED THE TIRES. THIS HAS HAPPENED BEFORE, BUT TODAY WAS SO OFTEN, IT WAS DIFFICULT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. I LOVE MY JEEP, BUT AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. I AM NOW CONSIDERING PURCHASING A NEW VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA #: 10565468
mediumSTEERING
Filed: Feb 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY BEGAN TO WOBBLE AND SHAKE AS THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO VIBRATE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEFECT CONTINUED UNTIL THE VEHICLE DECELERATED TO APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHENEVER THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING BETWEEN 50-20 MPH ON SMOOTH OR ROUGH PAVEMENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND NO SOLUTION WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000.

NHTSA #: 10565326
mediumSTEERING,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
Filed: Feb 2014

FROM ONE DAY TO ANOTHER MY JEEP TURN ON THE ESP BAS LIGHT ALSO WITH THE ESP OFF LIGHT SO I THOUGHT THAT I HAD BAD ALIGNMENT ON MY TIRES SO THEN I WENT TO THE DEALER AND HE TOLD ME THAT THEY HAVE TO REPLACE THE CLOCK SPRING INSIDE MY STEERING WHEEL... I WAS READING THAT A LOT OF JEEP JK OWNERS ARE SUFFERING THIS ALSO JEEP ALREADY MADE A RECALL FOR RIGHT HAND DRIVERS BUT LEFT HAND DRIVERS ARE SUFFERING THE SAME. *TR

NHTSA #: 10563154
mediumSTEERING,AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS
Filed: Jan 2014

AIRBAG LIGHT AND CHIME ACTIVATE WHEN TURNING. WAS DIAGNOSED AS FAULTY CLOCK SPRING MECHANISM. WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND IF NOT FIXED AIRBAGS MAY NOT DEPLOY. *TR

NHTSA #: 10559254
mediumSTEERING,SUSPENSION,WHEELS
Filed: Jan 2014

I HAVE NOW EXPERIENCE THE "DEATH WOBBLE"!!!!!!!!! THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED!!! THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL!!!! I HAVE NOW HAD THIS HAPPEN 3 OUT OF THE 5 TIMES I HAVE DROVE IT!!!!!!!!! I AM TERRIFIED TO DRIVE MY USED UNPAID FOR VEHICLE!!!!! THIS NEEDS TO BE FIXED. I WOULD NEVER HAD BOUGHT THIS JEEP IF I HAD KNOW ABOUT THIS ISSUE THAT JEEP KNOWS ABOUT. SOMEONE WILL EVENTUALLY DIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK IN THE SLOW LANE AND HAD TO PULL OFF THE ROAD TO GET MY VEHICLE UNDER CONTROL. AGAIN!!! I AM TERRIFIED!!!! HELP US POOR JEEP DRIVES AND MAKE JEEP FIX THIS ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA #: 10558112
mediumSTEERING
Filed: Dec 2013

I WAS ENTERING THE FREEWAY AND THE JEEP STARTED TO SHAKE SO BAD I COULDN'T STEER IT. *TR

NHTSA #: 10557018
mediumSTEERING
CrashFiled: Dec 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HE DRIVING 70 MPH OVER A ROAD BUMP, THE FRONT WHEELS BEGAN WOBBLING UNCONTROLLABLY. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE CONTACT TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL, SLIGHTLY CRASHING INTO A DITCH. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC, WHO REPLACED THE STEERING STABILIZER AND THE BUSHINGS BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. CONSEQUENTLY, THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE DRIVEN OVER 50 MPH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

NHTSA #: 10556620
mediumSTEERING
Filed: Dec 2013

WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY IT STARTED TO SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLY UNTIL I SLOWED DOWN THIS HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES THE LAST AFTER A RECENT TIRE ROTATION WAS PERFORMED TO HELP CORRECT THE INITIAL INCIDENT. I RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM ON THE WEB AND IT IS COMMON WITH WRANGLERS AND HAD I KNOWN WOULD NEVER DROVE THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO HAVING IT FIXED. THE FIRST INCIDENT WAS WHILE MY WIFE HAD THE VEHICLE AND NEARLY LOST CONTROL ON THE VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA #: 10555391
mediumSTEERING,SUSPENSION
Filed: Nov 2013

ORIGINAL OWNER. WHILE DESCENDING A LONG HILL I APPLIED MY BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN. THE VEHICLE, FRONT END, BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. IT TOOK SOME TIME TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM, STOP SHAKING, WHILE DESCENDING WITH TRAFFIC. VERY UPSETTING. ALSO NOTICED THIS OCCURRENCE ON FLAT PAVEMENT AND VARIOUS SPEEDS, 40 TO 60 MPH. WE RECENTLY TOOK ANOTHER TRIP AND NOTICED THE PROBLEM IS OCCURRING FREQUENTLY. OUR FAMILY WOULD APPRECIATE NHTSA TO LOOK INTO THIS MATTER. I RECENTLY NOTICED OTHER COMPLAINTS SIMILAR TO THIS ONE. JUST WONDERING IF JEEP CHRYSLER IS AWARE OF THIS DANGEROUS PROBLEM AND WHAT ARE THEY DOING ABOUT IT. I AM MAKING AN APPOINTMENT WITH A JEEP CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP TO SEE IF THEY CAN CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. THANK YOU FOR LOOKING INTO THIS MATTER IN A TIMELY FASHION. *TR

NHTSA #: 10551697
mediumSTEERING,AIR BAGS
Filed: Oct 2013

AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON, WITH AUDIO INDICATOR. NOTICED WHEN TURNING STEERING WHEEL HARD RIGHT OR LEFT, THE LIGHT WOULD GO OUT. WHEN RETURNED TO NEAR STRAIGHT, THE LIGHT AND CHIME WOULD COME ON, INDICATING AIRBAG PROBLEMS. AFTER CONDUCTING A QUICK INTERNET SEARCH, IT WAS FOUND THAT A FAULT CLOCKSPRING WAS THE PROBLEM. THIS HAS BEEN WELL DOCUMENTED SAFETY ISSUE ON JEEP WRANGLER VEHICLES. IT IS WELL DOCUMENTED WITH ALL YEARS INVOLVED, INCLUDING 2014. THERE IS A SAFETY RECALL FOR JEEP VEHICLES WITH A RIGHT HAND DRIVE. THIS SAFETY ISSUE CAUSES GREAT CONCERN THAT THE AIRBAG MAY NOT DEPLOY WHEN REQUIRED, OR IT MAY DEPLOY AT ANY GIVEN TIME, CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. DAIMLER CHRYSLER HAS BEEN CONTACTED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, BUT REFUSED TO ADDRESS THE SAFETY CONCERN OF THEIR FAULTY CLOCKSPRING THAT CAN CAUSE FAILURE OF THE VEHICLE'S AIRBAGS FROM PROPERLY DEPLOYING. *TR

NHTSA #: 10548820
mediumSTEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS
Filed: Oct 2013

ON THE 2008 JEEP WRANGLER (LHD) DASHBOARD, THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT FLASHES ON EVERY OTHER MINUTE WITH A CHIME, AN INDICATION THAT THERE IS SOMETHING MALFUNCTIONING OR INTERFERING WITH THE VEHICLE'S AIRBAGS.THIS HAS BEEN A RECURRING ISSUE AND CONCERN FOR MANY 2008 JEEP WRANGLER (LHD) OWNERS, INCLUDING MYSELF, AND HAS BEEN SHOWN TIME AND TIME AGAIN TO BE CAUSED BY A FAULTY CLOCKSPRING WITHIN THE VEHICLE'S STEERING WHEEL. THIS FAULTY CLOCKSPRING IS THE CULPRIT FOR POTENTIAL AIRBAG FAILURE IN THE 2008 JEEP WRANGLER (LHD) DURING AN ACCIDENT OR PREMATURE DEPLOYMENT WHEN SIMPLY DRIVING AROUND. DAIMLER CHRYSLER HAS REFUSED TO ADDRESS THE SAFETY CONCERN OF THEIR FAULTY CLOCKSPRING THAT CAN CAUSE FAILURE OF THE VEHICLE'S AIRBAGS FROM PROPERLY DEPLOYING. I HAVE READ THAT THIS IS A KNOW PROBLEM WITH 2007 MODELS AND HAVE HAD A RECALL ISSUED. I HAVE ALSO TALKED WITH JEEP AND THEY SAID THE 2008-2010 RHD JEEPS HAVE HAD A RECALL ISSUED ALSO. *TR

NHTSA #: 10546552
mediumSTEERING
Filed: Sep 2013

PROBLEMS WITH STEERING STARTED AT 3600 MILES AND HAVE GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE TO THE POINT OF NEARLY CAUSING ACCIDENTS. JIGGLES AND EXCESSIVE PLAY IN STEERING ON NORMAL ROADS AND WRETCHING STEERING ON BUMPY MOUNTAIN ROADS TO THE POINT OF SWERVING INTO OTHER LANES. JEEP TIGHTENED STEERING GEAR BOX TWICE AND STATED "IT WAS JUST LOOSE" HOWEVER AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRED, THEY NOW SAY THE GEAR BOX IS DESTROYED AND I NEED A NEW ONE. THE STEERING GEAR BOX IS AN ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED WITH CHRYSLER AS, PER THE INTERNET, 8 OF 10 JEEP WRANGLERS IN THE YEAR 2008, 2009 ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA #: 10546275
mediumSTEERING
Filed: Aug 2013

ON THE 2008 JEEP WRANGLER (LHD) DASHBOARD, THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT FLASHES ON EVERY OTHER MINUTE WITH A CHIME, AN INDICATION THAT THERE IS SOMETHING MALFUNCTIONING OR INTERFERING WITH THE VEHICLE'S AIRBAGS.THIS HAS BEEN A RECURRING ISSUE AND CONCERN FOR MANY 2008 JEEP WRANGLER (LHD) OWNERS, INCLUDING MYSELF, AND HAS BEEN SHOWN TIME AND TIME AGAIN TO BE CAUSED BY A FAULTY CLOCKSPRING WITHIN THE VEHICLE'S STEERING WHEEL. THIS FAULTY CLOCKSPRING IS THE CULPRIT FOR POTENTIAL AIRBAG FAILURE IN THE 2008 JEEP WRANGLER (LHD) DURING AN ACCIDENT OR PREMATURE DEPLOYMENT WHEN SIMPLY DRIVING AROUND. DAIMLER CHRYSLER HAS REFUSED TO ADDRESS THE SAFETY CONCERN OF THEIR FAULTY CLOCKSPRING THAT CAN CAUSE FAILURE OF THE VEHICLE'S AIRBAGS FROM PROPERLY DEPLOYING.

NHTSA #: 10537918
mediumSTEERING,SUSPENSION,WHEELS
Filed: Aug 2013

WHILE DRIVING 45MPH AND MAKING A SLIGHT BEND TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT, THE VEHICLE ENCOUNTERED A SLIGHT BUMP AND THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED SHAKING VIOLENTLY. I HAD TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A COMPLETE STOP ALONG THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IN ORDER TO GET THE SHAKING TO STOP. THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES DURING THIS TRIP. THE VEHICLE WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL ONCE THE SHAKING STARTED. IT FELT AS THOUGH THE ENTIRE VEHICLE WOULD JUST SHAKE APART. THERE IS ALSO A CLICKING FEELING THAT CAN BE FELT IN THE STEERING ONCE THE VEHICLE WARMS UP AND IS DRIVEN BETWEEN 5 TO 10 MILES. THE STEERING ACTUALLY FEELS MORE LOOSE ONCE THIS WARMED UP CONDITION IS MET. THE CLICK IS FELT GOING OVER ANY TYPE OF BUMP IN THE ROAD OR EVEN WHEN SITTING STILL AND THE STEERING WHEEL IS MOVED BACK AND FORTH, (LEFT TO RIGHT). *TR

NHTSA #: 10537348
mediumSTEERING,AIR BAGS
Filed: Aug 2013

THE AIRBAG LIGHT HAS BEEN ILLUMINATED FOR ABOUT A MONTH NOW. WHILE DRIVING YESTERDAY, I HEARD A NOISE IN THE STEERING WHEEL THAT WAS FOLLOWED BY A SCRAPING SOUND WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS MOVED. *TR

NHTSA #: 10536254
mediumSTEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Filed: Aug 2013

WARNING LIGHT GOES ON...........HORN DOES NOT WORK.......CRUISE CONTROL WON'T WORK PROPERLY........A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM THAT CHRYSLER REFUSES TO FIX OR RECALL. *TR

NHTSA #: 10534243
mediumSTEERING,SUSPENSION,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Jul 2013

SINCE 2010 IF NOT SOONER, MY JEEP WRANGLER SAHARA 2008 HAD A RED LIGHT AND AIR PRESSURE LIGHT COME ON AND OFF AS A I DROVE. I TOOK IT TO THE JEEP DEALER I BOUGHT IT FROM 2-3 TIMES FOR THIS AND THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE IT SO THEY WOULD NOT FIX IT DESPITE SHOWING A VIDEO OF IT. IN 2010 MY STEERING DAMPER WENT BAD AND I HAD TO PAY TO GET IT FIXED. I ALMOST CRASHED 3-5 TIMES DUE TO THE WHEELS VIOLENTLY GOING BACK AND FORTH DOING 50-65 ON THE HIGHWAYS. IT WAS TERRIBLE. IT IS NOW 2013 AND ITS HAPPENING ALL OVER AGAIN. I DO NOT FEEL IT IS RIGHT TO PAY FOR THIS WHEN IT IS CLEARLY AN ISSUE JEEP NEEDS TO RESOLVE. *TR

NHTSA #: 10523766
mediumSTEERING
Filed: Jun 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE CONTACT HIT A BUMP AND THE VEHICLE VEERED OUT OF CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE STABILIZER HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA #: 10520918
mediumSTEERING
Filed: Jun 2013

IT IS A LARGELY KNOW PROBLEM WITH STEERING BOX AND COMPONENTS ON 07' AND NEWER JEEP WRANGLERS(JK WRANGLERS BOTH 2DR AND 4DR) TO HAVE MASS AMOUNTS OF "PLAY" IN STEERING. THIS IS MOSTLY RELATED TO LACK OF QUALITY PARTS IN THE STEERING BOX. SECTOR SHAFT, DRAGLINK, TIEROD ENDS, AND BALL JOINTS FROM THE MANUFACTURER. AFTER TALKING TO THE DEALER IN MY AREA I HAVE FOUND AS MANY TIMES AS THERE HAVE BEEN AN ISSUE, THERE IS NO WORD OR CONCERN FROM CHRYSLER ABOUT A SOLUTION TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE LOOSENESS OF THE STEERING AT SPEED POSES A GREAT THREAT TO VEHICLE OCCUPANTS AND SURROUNDING DRIVERS SAFETY. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED ASAP. *TR

NHTSA #: 10520010
mediumSTEERING,SUSPENSION,SERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Jun 2013

'08 JEEP WRANGLER SAHARA DISPLAYS TRULY ALARMING WHEEL VIBRATION UNDER LIGHT BRAKING WHEN DESCENDING FROM ALTITUDE. ALTITUDE IS USUALLY AROUND 10,000 FEET, GRADE IS USUALLY 6-7% AND SPEED 55-65MPH. TO-DATE I HAVE ONLY REPLICATED THIS PROBLEM AT ALTITUDE (KINGS CANYON/SEQUOIA IN CA AND IN THE ROCKIES ON THE I70 IN CO TO NAME A COUPLE OF INCIDENTS) SO IT?S UNLIKELY TO BE THE NOTORIOUS "JEEP DEATH WOBBLE," THOUGH IT MAY BE A RELATED ISSUE. I?M WONDERING WHETHER THE VISCOSITY OF THE BRAKE FLUID MAY BE A FACTOR? JEEP REFERRED ME TO A DEALER BUT I DON'T WANT AN OPINION FROM A REPAIR SHOP, I WANT (AND DESERVE) AN EXPLANATION FROM "THE MANUFACTURER" OF THE VEHICLE AS TO WHY THEIR VEHICLE IS SUDDENLY SO DIFFICULT TO CONTROL UNDER BRAKING. *TR

NHTSA #: 10515113
mediumSTEERING
Filed: Jun 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. HOWEVER, THE TECHNICIAN DECIDED TO ROTATE THE TIRES AND PERFORMED AN ALIGNMENT AS A TEMPORARY REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,504. *TR

NHTSA #: 10514880
mediumSTEERING,SUSPENSION
Filed: May 2013

"DEATH WOBBLE". I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM FOR THE PAST 3 YEARS AND HAVE PAID OVER $5,000 TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. BECAUSE SHEEHY CHRYSLER JEEP IN MD WENT OUT OF BUSINESS, I HAD TO TAKE MY JEEP TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP, I CHOSE LEITH CHRYSLER IN RALEIGH, NC) . JUST GOT MY VEHICLE OUT OF THE SHOP, LEITH CHRYSLER JEEP $2,374.43 I PAID. AFTER 245 MILES (FROM RALEIGH TO WASHINGTON, DC), THE VIOLENT VIBRATIONS/SHAKING STARTED AGAIN. CALL THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY ADVISED ME TO TAKE JEEP TO LOCAL CHRYSLER JEEP DEALERSHIP, WARRANTY ON THE REPAIRS 12,000 MILES TO 24 MONTHS. TOOK THE JEEP TO DARCARS MARLOW HEIGHTS, THEY WOULD NOT ACCEPT THE OTHER CHRYSLER JEEP DEALERS REPAIRS BECAUSE THEY SAID THEY USED AFTERMARKET PARTS. I CALLED THE CHRYSLER CORPORATE OFFICE AND FILED A COMPLAINT (CASE # 23448465) WHICH WAS USELESS, THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT MAKE ANOTHER CHRYSLER FRANCHISE WARRANTY THE REPAIRS (THE CORPORATE OFFICE WAS USELESS). I PAID AND ADDITIONAL $270.00 WHICH LEITH COMPLAINED TO THE DEALERSHIP WANTING TO KNOW WHY THEY CHARGED SO MUCH AFTER THEY UPS??ED THE REPLACEMENT PART TO THEM. AFTER PAYING THE MONEY AND GETTING JEEP BACK. I DROVE BACK TO RALEIGH, DROVE OVER THE HIGHWAY DIVIDER ON THE EXIT TO GET ON I40 AND THE VIBRATION STARTED AGAIN. THIS CAN NOT CONTINUE TO GO ON!!! AN INVESTIGATION NEEDS TO BE DONE TO OFFICIALLY PROVE THAT THIS ??DEATH WOBBLE?? IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM AND CHRYSLER NEEDS TO BE FORCED TO RECALL THE VEHICLES AND PERMANENTLY FIX THE PROBLEM, OR BUY BACK THEIR POOR DESIGNED JEEP WRANGLER. I HAVE OWNED 2 OTHER JEEP WRANGLERS BEFORE THIS ONE, AND HAVE NEVER HAD THE PROBLEMS I HAVE WITH MY CURRENT JEEP. *TR

NHTSA #: 10514539
mediumSTEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS
Filed: May 2013

WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH THE AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED WITH A CORRESPONDING CHIME. THE LIGHT COMES ON AN OFF AND THE CHIME SOUNDS RANDOMLY. THROUGH RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND THIS IS NOT UNCOMMON AND IS A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH JEEP WRANGLERS AND SPECIFICALLY TO THE CLOCKSPRING BEHIND THE STEERING WHEEL. APPARENTLY MY AIRBAG MAY OR MAY NOT WORK IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA #: 10512588
mediumSTEERING,SUSPENSION
Filed: May 2013

ON 5/15/13 I PURCHASED A 2008 JEEP WRANGLER X FROM WALSER SUBARU IN BURNSVILLE MN. AT APPROXIMATELY 8:50PM I WAS HEADING HOME FROM COMPLETING THE TRANSACTION WITH THE DEALER. I WAS ON I-35W NORTH GOING AROUND A LONG EASY LEFT CORNER IN THE ROAD WHEN I HIT A ROUGH AREA IN THE HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS SHAKING HARD LEFT AND RIGHT. I IMMEDIATELY GRASPED THE WHEEL AS FIRMLY AS POSSIBLE AND SLOWED THE VEHICLE TO APPROXIMATELY 45 MILES AN HOUR BEFORE THE SHAKING STOPPED. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE NEXT EXIT AND INSPECTED THE TIRES AND WHEELS THINKING I HAD A FLAT OR A LOOSE WHEEL. I CONTINUED TO DRIVE HOME WITH NO OTHER OCCURRENCE OF THE INCIDENT. THIS MORNING 5/16/2013 AT APPROXIMATELY 7:40AM I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK AND HAD JUST MERGED OFF OF I-35W SOUTH TO 280 SOUTH. I AGAIN WAS IN A SLIGHT BEND IN THE ROAD THIS TIME TO THE RIGHT AND HIT A ROUGH AREA OF ROADWAY. I WAS TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MILES AN HOUR WHEN AGAIN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY AND I HAD TO GRASP THE WHEEL FIRMLY AND SLOW UNTIL THE SHAKING SUBSIDED. I'VE CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THE VEHICLE IS GOING IN FOR INSPECTION AT WALSER CHRYSLER JEEP IN HOPKINS MN AT 1:45PM 5/16/13. I ALSO DID A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF RESEARCH ONLINE TODAY AFTER THE SECOND EVENT AND IT APPEARS THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM ON 2007-2013 JEEP WRANGLER JK MODELS. IT IS MOST COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS "DEATH WOBBLE" THIS APPEARS TO BE A WIDE SPREAD AND VERY DANGEROUS FLAW IN THE JEEP JK DESIGN AND ONE THAT NEEDS TO BE CAREFULLY INVESTIGATED FOR SAFETY OF ALL THOSE ON THE PUBLIC ROADWAYS.

NHTSA #: 10512362
mediumSTEERING,SUSPENSION
Filed: May 2013

THE WOBBLE OF DEATH THIS IS MY THIRD TIME I HAD TO TAKE IT IN FOR THIS PROBLEM BEEN FIXED ONE 6 MONTHS LATER STARTED RIGHT BACK UP AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA #: 10511682
mediumSTEERING,AIR BAGS
Filed: May 2013

THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS FLASHING ON AND OFF AT DIFFERENT TIMES DURING DRIVING. IT HAS COME ON THE PAST 2 DAYS AND FLASHED AND BEEPED. WHEN I AM DRIVING IT COMES ON ERRATICALLY OR NOT AT ALL OR STAYS ON FOR THE ENTIRE DRIVE. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE ONE OF THE RECALLED ONES BUT I CALLED CHRYSLER AND THEY TOLD ME IT IS NOT, BASED ON THE VIN NUMBER. IT IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY HAZARD THAT CHRYSLER KNOWS ABOUT. *TR

NHTSA #: 10511416
mediumSTEERING,SUSPENSION,WHEELS,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
Filed: May 2013

GOING UP TO 50 MPH,,,,GET SEVERE SHAKING,,,NOT SAFE AT ALL,,,I HAVE SPENT OVER $1000 ON REPAIRS, RE ALIGNMENTS, ROTATIONS AND HAD THE STEERING DAMPER REPLACED 2X BY JEEP,,,,STILL DOES THE WOBBLE,,,,I AM FURIOUS ABOUT THIS.THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS.THE JEEP DEALERSHIP HAS TOLD ME THEY HAVE DONE ALL THEY CAN DO. *TR

NHTSA #: 10511299
mediumSTEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS
Filed: May 2013

ON THE 2008 JEEP WRANGLER (LHD) DASHBOARD, THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT FLASHES ON EVERY OTHER MINUTE WITH A CHIME, AN INDICATION THAT THERE IS SOMETHING MALFUNCTIONING OR INTERFERING WITH THE VEHICLE'S AIRBAGS.THIS HAS BEEN A RECURRING ISSUE AND CONCERN FOR MANY 2008 JEEP WRANGLER (LHD) OWNERS, INCLUDING MYSELF, AND HAS BEEN SHOWN TIME AND TIME AGAIN TO BE CAUSED BY A FAULTY CLOCKSPRING WITHIN THE VEHICLE'S STEERING WHEEL. THIS FAULTY CLOCKSPRING IS THE CULPRIT FOR POTENTIAL AIRBAG FAILURE IN THE 2008 JEEP WRANGLER (LHD) DURING AN ACCIDENT OR PREMATURE DEPLOYMENT WHEN SIMPLY DRIVING AROUND. DAIMLER CHRYSLER HAS REFUSED TO ADDRESS THE SAFETY CONCERN OF THEIR FAULTY CLOCKSPRING THAT CAN CAUSE FAILURE OF THE VEHICLE'S AIRBAGS FROM PROPERLY DEPLOYING. I HAVE PAID OUT OF POCKET TO HAVE A LOCAL DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE, AND THEY CONFIRMED IT WAS INDEED THE CLOCKSPRING. *TR

NHTSA #: 10510379
mediumSTEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS
Filed: May 2013

WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, I WAS APPROACHING A CORNER AND AS I WENT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO NEGOTIATE THE CORNER MY WHEEL BECAME STUCK AND I NEARLY WENT INTO THE DITCH. I JERKED THE STEERING WHEEL HARD AND HEARD SOME WIRES SNAP. AFTER BRINGING THE VEHICLE TO A STOP I COULD SEE PC RIBBON WIRE HANG OUT OF THE STEERING WHEEL INDICATING BROKEN CLOCK SPRING. *TR

NHTSA #: 10510446
mediumSTEERING,SUSPENSION,WHEELS
Filed: Apr 2013

DEATH WOBBLE. RIGHT FRONT WOBBLES 1 GOING AT ANY SPEED WHEN HITTING A SMALL BUMP IN ROAD. BRAKING MAKES IT WORSE. YOU CAN ONLY TRY TO SLOW IT DOWN & PULL OFF TO SHOULDER WITHOUT HAVING AN ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA #: 10508574
mediumSTEERING,SUSPENSION
Filed: Apr 2013

DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY AT 50 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE WHOLE JEEP STARTED SHAKING SO BAD IT ALMOST CAUSED ME TO RUN OFF THE ROAD. I COULD ONLY CONTROL IT BY BRING THE JEEP TO A STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF A HIGHWAY, VERY DANGEROUS ! CHECKED WHEEL BALANCE AND SUSPENSION FOR WEAR , WITH FOUND NOTHING. WAS TOLD IT WAS A DESIGN FEATURE OF JEEPS WITH COIL SPRING FRONT AXEL? *TR

NHTSA #: 10505816
mediumSTEERING,SUSPENSION
Filed: Apr 2013

I HAVE HAD PERSISTENT VIOLENT SHAKING OF THE FRONT END AFTER HITTING MINOR BUMPS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE ISSUE IS REFERRED TO AS THE "DEATH WOBBLE" BY OTHERS ONLINE AND BY JEEP DEALERSHIP. THEY FIXED ONCE UNDER WARRANTY AT LESS THAN 20K MILES AND NOW THAT IT IS RECURRING AT 38K-47K MILES THEY WILL NOT COVER. I HAVE MADE NO MODIFICATIONS TO THE VEHICLE - IT IS STOCK. THE ISSUE HAPPENED 3 TIMES IN ONE TRIP THIS PAST WEEKEND WHERE I NEED TO BRING THE CAR TO A NEAR STOP ON THE HIGHWAY (OBVIOUSLY A DANGEROUS CONDITION). I CALLED JEEP CORPORATE (MAX, LEVEL 1 AGENT. [XXX] REP # 4.2.2013 2:50PM EASTERN TIME FOR A 30 MINUTE + CALL.) THEY INFORMED ME THEY WOULD NOT COVER AND READ A STATEMENT. I AM SHOCKED THAT JEEP REFUSES TO FIX SOMETHING THE DEALER QUOTED ME $350 TO RESOLVE THAT IS CLEARLY A COMMON DEFECT IN THEIR PRODUCT AND CAUSES A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. I HOPE THAT YOUR ORGANIZATION CAN ENCOURAGE PROACTIVE RESOLUTION BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA #: 10505405
mediumSTEERING,SUSPENSION
Filed: Mar 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRACK BAR WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 84,000. *TR

NHTSA #: 10504483
mediumSTEERING,SUSPENSION
Filed: Mar 2013

AT APPROXIMATELY 51 MPH AND AFTER PASSING OVER A ROUGH SPOT ON THE HIGHWAY SURFACE THE VEHICLE STARTED TO EXTREMELY VIBRATE AND SHIMMY. MAINTAINING CONTROL WAS DIFFICULT AND NECESSITATED AN IMMEDIATE REDUCTION IN SPEED. ON AN APPROXIMATE 50 MILE TRIP THIS WAS REPEATED FOUR TIMES WHILE ON AN INTERSTATE. THIS WAS MUCH MORE VIOLENT THAN A BLOW OUT, TIRE SEPARATION, OR AN UNBALANCED TIRE. THIS MALADY COULD EASILY RESULT IN A FATALITY. I'VE LOGGED APPROXIMATELY 2MILLION MILES DRIVING AND I MUST ADD THIS SITUATION IS VERY SERIOUS. *TR

NHTSA #: 10503968
mediumSTEERING,SUSPENSION,TIRES
CrashFiled: Mar 2013

HIT A SMALL BUMP, LEFT TIRE SHOOK UNCONTROLLABLY, LOSING CONTROL, OVER CURB, HIT POST, DAMAGING FRONT END AND HITTING PASSENGERS HEAD ON WINDSHIELD

NHTSA #: 10502964
mediumSTEERING,SUSPENSION
Filed: Mar 2013

I WAS COMING OFF THE FREEWAY ONTO AN EXIT AND THE JEEP STARTED SHAKING REALLY BAD, ALMOST TO THE POINT THAT I COULDN'T CONTROL IT. I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND MY BOYS THOUGHT IT WAS A FLAT TIRE (OR TWO) SO THEY GOT OUT AND LOOKED. NO FLAT. WE WERE ALMOST TO OUR DESTINATION SO ONCE I SETTLED DOWN, WENT THE REST OF THE WAY WITH NO PROBLEM. I HAVE NOT HAD THAT HAPPEN AGAIN SINCE THEN BUT IT IS VERY SCARY AND WITH ONE OR BOTH OF MY KIDS IN THE CAR AT ALL TIMES, I DON'T WANT ANYTHING TO HAPPEN. WHAT IS IT AND HOW CAN IT BE FIXED? THE DEALER HAS NO IDEA AND LOOK AT ME LIKE I HAVE LOST IT. *TR

NHTSA #: 10501854
mediumSTEERING,SUSPENSION,WHEELS
Filed: Mar 2013

WHILE TRAVELING ON ROUTE 95 AT 65MPH, I HIT A BUMP AND MY FRONT END BEGAN TO VIOLENTLY SHAKE REQUIRING ME TO PULL INTO THE BREAKDOWN LANE AND COME TO A STOP. THIS OCCURRED 2 MORE TIMES AND THE VEHICLE WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL SCARING ME BEYOND BELIEF. THE PHENOMENON IS KNOWN AS "DEATH WOBBLE" BY PEOPLE THAT HAVE HAD IT HAPPEN. I HAVE MAINTAINED MY VEHICLE ON A REGULAR BASIS AND THE REALLY CONCERNING PART IS THE NUMBER OF REPORTS ON VARIOUS WEB FORUMS. THERE IS NO WAY TO KNOW IT IS GOING TO HAPPEN AND THE UNSUSPECTING DRIVER CAN LOSE CONTROL AND CRASH VERY EASILY. IF YOU NEED ANY FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE DON'T HESITATE TO CALL ME. THANKS *TR

NHTSA #: 10501024
mediumSTEERING
Filed: Feb 2013

2008 JEEP WRANGLER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE "DEATH WOBBLE" AND CONSUMER ALSO SEEKS REIMBURSEMENT. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE INCIDENT HAPPENED ON A BACK ROAD. THERE WAS A MINUTE WHERE THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY OUT OF CONTROL. THE CONSUMER STATED HE WAS DRIVING 45 MPH AND HAD NOT GONE OVER ANY BUMPS. THE CONSUMER IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, WHERE THEY REPLACED A LEAKING STEERING DAMPER.

NHTSA #: 10500403
mediumSTEERING,SUSPENSION
Filed: Feb 2013

DEATH WOBBLE 2008 WRANGLER 2ND REPAIR, STILL NOT FIXED. FIRST TIME I NOTICED IT IN 2010, LESS THAN 25000 MILES. I ASSUMED IT WAS THE ROAD CONDITION. WHEN I REALIZED THAT IT WOULD HAPPEN UNDER VARIOUS ROAD CONDITIONS, I NOTED OTHER FACTORS REALIZING THAT IT SEEMED TO OCCUR AT APPROXIMATELY 57 MPH. AT FIRST THE VIBRATION WAS JUST ANNOYING AND INTERMITTENT. THEN IT GOT WORSE AND I WAS SCARED BECAUSE IT SHOOK SO VIOLENTLY AT 57 MPH. I THOUGHT THE VEHICLE WAS GOING TO ROLL SPONTANEOUSLY. IN MARCH 2010, TOOK IT TO A DEALER; THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T RECREATE THE PROBLEM SO COULDN'T FIX IT. I CALLED ANOTHER DEALER AND THE SERVICE TECH (IN 2010) MENTIONED, "JEEP WOBBLE"- I GOOGLED IT AND FOUND VERY LITTLE INFO- JUST SOME JEEP OWNER BLOGS THAT DESCRIBED EXACTLY WHAT I FELT. THE DEALER FIXED THE PROBLEM (UNDER WARRANTY) BY REPLACING THE STEERING COLUMN SHOCK (OR SOMETHING). SINCE I HAD IT REPAIRED, I STILL EXPERIENCED THE NORMAL, MINOR VIBRATION THAT HAPPENS AROUND 55 MPH. RECENTLY (JAN 2013) THE DEATH WOBBLE RETURNED WITH A VENGEANCE. REGARDLESS OF ROAD CONDITIONS, AT 57 MPH IT SHAKES SO BADLY THAT IT FEELS LIKE I WILL LOOSE CONTROL. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THAT THEY WILL REPLACE THE SHOCK AGAIN AND THEY MENTIONED THAT THE PART HAS BEEN IMPROVED WITH BRACKETS OR SOME SUCH. OF COURSE, AT 57000 MILES, IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND I HAD TO PAY THE $230 FOR THE REPAIR. THE TECH TOLD ME THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE AND I WILL PROBABLY HAVE TO REPLACE IT AGAIN IN ANOTHER 25000 MILES. I CALL BS! THE JEEP HAS NEVER BEEN OFF-ROAD, NEVER MISTREATED, ALWAYS MAINTAINED. NEITHER DEALER NOR MANUFACTURER EVER MENTIONED THIS TSB DURING THE 2013 REPAIR. WHEN I PICKED IT UP, IT WAS NOT FIXED. JEEP CO. HAS AGREED TO REIMBURSE ME FOR ALL BUT $100 (DEDUCTIBLE) BUT WHY DO I HAVE TO KEEP PAYING FOR REPAIRS ON A KNOWN ISSUE? VIBRATION IS SO BAD, IT COULD CAUSE ME TO WRECK. *TR

NHTSA #: 10499258
mediumSTEERING,SUSPENSION
Filed: Feb 2013

I HAVE A 2008 JEEP WRANGLER SAHARA UNLIMITED WITH 50,000 MILES AND PURCHASED NEW. I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING "DEATH WOBBLE" OR AN UNCONTROLLABLE SHAKING IN THE FRONT END OF MY VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY BUT GENERALLY AT SPEEDS OF 40 MPH AND HIGHER. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MY MECHANIC WHO INSPECTED THE FRONT END, TIRES, BRAKES AND ALIGNMENT WHICH ALL WERE FINE. I LATER WENT TO THE JEEP DEALERSHIP SERVICE CENTER WHO SAID I HAD "DEATH WOBBLE" BUT COULD NOT GIVE ME A DEFINITIVE CAUSE OR COST TO REPAIR. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS ON-LINE, I DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS A WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM THAT JEEP HAS KNOWN ABOUT FOR YEARS HTTP://WWW.JEEPZ.COM/FORUM/SUSPENSION/29510-WRANGLER-DEATH-WOBBLE-WHAT-CAUSES-HOW-FIX.HTML. MY VEHICLE IS COMPLETELY STOCK WITH NO MODIFICATIONS AND I DO NOT USE IT OFF-ROAD. ADDITIONALLY IT IS VERY WELL MAINTAINED AND I HAVE HAD NO ACCIDENTS OR MAJOR REPAIRS. HERE IS A VIDEO OF MY EXPERIENCE: HTTP://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=7PEN1IT91Z0 I HAVE READ THAT CONGRESS ADDRESSED THIS WITH JEEP AND JEEP HAS ISSUED A TECHNICAL BULLETIN HTTP://EDITORIAL.AUTOS.MSN.COM/BLOGS/AUTOSBLOGPOST.ASPX?POST=BB1D0352-F579-4468-B24F-60869E95D02F BUT THAT IS ALL. PLEASE ADVISE AS TO WHAT I CAN DO TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE. I LIVE IN NYS. DOES THE "LEMON-LAW" APPLY HERE? *TR

NHTSA #: 10498527
mediumSTEERING,SUSPENSION
Filed: Feb 2013

DEATH WOBBLE ON A 2008 JEEP WRANGLER. VEHICLE HAS A PREDICTABLE VIBRATION BETWEEN 55-60 MPH. ON ONE OCCASION, THE VEHICLE SHOOK SO VIOLENTLY THAT IT TOOK THE STEERING WHEEL OUT OF MY WIFE'S HANDS. SHE WAS GOING AROUND 55 MPH AROUND A CURVE. ON A SECOND OCCASION, I WAS SLOWING DOWN TO TAKE AN EXIT RAMP. SLOWING FROM 75 MPH TO AROUND 60 MPH AND ENTERING THE EXIT RAMP CURVE, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS ALMOST SHAKEN OUT OF MY HANDS. ON A THIRD OCCASION, AT AROUND 60 MPH ON A STRAIGHT ROAD WITH NO BUMPS, THE JEEP BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY AND AGAIN PULLED THE STEERING WHEEL OUT OF ANOTHER DRIVERS HANDS. THE MINOR VIBRATION HAPPENS EVERYDAY BETWEEN 55-60 MPH. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS NOTHING IS WRONG. I HAVE REPLACED THE STEERING STABILIZER WITH A RANCHO HEAVY DUTY STABILIZER. VIBRATION WENT AWAY FOR ABOUT 500 MILES. I RELIGIOUSLY DO A 5 TIRE ROTATION AND BALANCE. NO CHANGE. I HAVE HAD A 4 WHEEL ALIGNMENT COMPLETED. NO CHANGE. JEEP WILL NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THEY SAY IF THERE IS A VIBRATION TO HAVE THE TIRES BALANCED AND THE FRONT END ALIGNED. WHEN I TELL THEM THAT HAS BEEN DONE, THEIR REPLY IS THAT IT WAS NOT COMPLETED PROPERLY AND THEY WOULD DO IT FOR $300. I AM GETTING TO THE POINT OF SELLING OR TRADING IT IN SINCE I CANNOT FIX THE ISSUE. I AM ALMOST READY TO TRY TO REPLACE BALL JOINTS, BUT AT 47,700 MILES AND NO SUSPENSION OR ENGINE MODIFICATIONS. THE JEEP HAS NEVER BEEN OFF-ROADED, NEVER BEEN MISTREATED. WHAT NOW? JEEP ALSO OFFERED TO REPLACE THE BALL JOINTS, PITMAN ARM, TIE ROD ENDS, SWAY BAR END LINKS, ETC. FOR A NICE SUM OF THE $2500. OUCH. *TR

NHTSA #: 10498026
mediumSTEERING,POWER TRAIN,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
Filed: Feb 2013

ON APPROXIMATELY 01/21/13 AT ABOUT 8:00AM, WHILE TRAVELING ON THE 405 FREEWAY AT ABOUT 50MPH, MY JEEP GOT THE "DEATH WOBBLES". IT WAS FOUND THE ENTIRE FRONT HOUSING SNAPPED OFF. IT WAS FIXED AND RETURNED TO ME. ON 02/11/13 AT ABOUT 10:30AM, I WAS MERGING ON TO THE I-5 N/B FROM SAND CANYON IN IRVINE. WHEN I REACHED 45MPH, I GOT THE "DEATH WOBBLES" AGAIN. THIS TIME, THE DEALER SAID IT WAS BECAUSE I HAD CHEAP TIRES ON THE VEHICLE. I HAVE NITTO TIRES WHICH ARE ABOUT $250 EACH. I HAVE LOOKED INTO THE DEATH WOBBLES AND IT APPEARS JEEP HAS A REAL PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE SHAKES SO VIOLENTLY YOU FEEL LIKE YOU ARE LOSING CONTROL. SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET KILLED AND JEEP KNOWS IT. I HAVE HAD MY VEHICLE IN TWICE NOW FOR THE SAME THING. ONCE MORE AND I AM GOING LEMON LAW. IF THEY GIVE IT BACK AND MY FAMILY IS INJURED AS A RESULT OF A KNOWN FLAW. STAND BY! THIS IS CRAP. YOU CANNOT KNOWINGLY SELL A DEFECTIVE VEHICLE CAN YOU? SEEMS LIKE IT WOULD BE CRIMINAL TO DEFRAUD OR FAIL TO DISCLOSE THIS DEATH WOBBLE ISSUE TO BUYERS. I DID NOT KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THIS UNTIL IT HAPPENED TO ME. *TR

NHTSA #: 10497809
mediumSTEERING
Filed: Jan 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH. THE SHAKING WOULD NOT STOP UNTIL THE CONTACT DECELERATED TO 30 MPH OR LOWER. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKES WOULD BECOME HESITANT AND THE FRONT WHEELS WOULD WOBBLE ABNORMALLY DURING THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BEING USED AS A POSTAL DELIVERY VEHICLE AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCATED ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRES WERE REPLACED AND AN ALIGNMENT WAS PERFORMED FOUR TIMES IN AN ATTEMPT TO CORRECT THE FAILURE BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA #: 10494437
mediumSTEERING
Filed: Jan 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 JEEP WRANGLER UNLIMITED X. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH OVER A ROAD BUMP, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE BRACKET AND STEERING STABILIZER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 91,000.

NHTSA #: 10493453
mediumSTEERING
Filed: Jan 2013

WHILE DRIVING DOWN A HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 45-50 MPH, DROVE OVER A PATCHED AREA OF THE ROADWAY WHILE STEERING LEFT. WHAT ENSUED WAS PURE [XXX]. THE VEHICLE SHOOK UNCONTROLLABLY FOR ABOUT 200 FEET OR SO UNTIL I COULD GET IT BACK UNDER CONTROL AND OFF THE ROAD. HAVE TALKED TO SEVERAL MECHANICS IN THE AREA AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THE SAME THING OVER AND OVER....UNLESS THEY CAN GET THE VEHICLE TO IMITATE WHAT HAPPENED TO ME WHILE THEY TEST DROVE IT NOTHING COULD OFFICIALLY BE DONE. AFTER LOOKING UP AND READING HUNDREDS OF REPORTS FROM OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME "ISSUES" I FEEL THAT THE JEEP CORPORATION NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS SOON BEFORE SOMEONE DIES IN AN ACCIDENT. I AM THE SECOND OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE AND HAVE NOT DONE ANYTHING TO IT MECHANICALLY. IT IS STILL STOCK INSIDE AND OUT. VEHICLE HAS JUST OVER 21,000 MILES ON IT. HAVE HAD IT OFF ROAD ONCE SCOUTING FOR HUNTING AREAS AND NOTHING MORE. THIS IS A DAILY DRIVER TO WORK AND BACK, DON'T EVEN WANT TO GET IT OUT ON A HIGHWAY AND GET IT UP TO THE 75 MPH SPEED LIMIT HERE IN KS. NOT SURE WHAT TO DO ABOUT THIS. I CAN ACTUALLY GET UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE AND ROLL THE LINKAGE BAR WITH THE STEERING STABILIZER ON IT ABOUT AN INCH OR SO UP AND DOWN. TIE-ROD ENDS HAVE GOT TO BE GOING BUT 2 MECHANICS SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG. PLEASE HELP!!!! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA #: 10492930
mediumSTEERING,SUSPENSION
Filed: Dec 2012

VEHICLE BEGAN VIOLENTLY SHAKING ON THE INTERSTATE. IT NOW SHAKES AT ANY SPEEDS GREATER THAN 40 MPH AND ANY BUMPS IN THE ROAD OR TURNS ALSO SET IT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE TURNED OR MOVED OFF THE ROAD DURING THE SHAKING AND THE SHAKING ONLY STOPS ONCE THE VEHICLE SLOWS DOWN TO UNDER 10 MPH. *TR

NHTSA #: 10490228
mediumSTEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS
Filed: Dec 2012

THE HORN NO LONGER WORKS AND PER THE DEALER, IT IS THE CLOCKSPRING. THIS COST ABOUT $500 TO REPLACE. THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL OF THE PREVIOUS YEAR HAD A RECALL BUT THEY HAVE NOT RECALLED THE 08 WHICH APPARENTLY HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA #: 10488889
mediumSTEERING
Filed: Nov 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH OR LESS AND GOING OVER A BUMP THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE VIOLENTLY IN THE FRONT END. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THERE WAS NO TEST FOR THE FAILURE AND THEY WOULD JUST HAVE TO REPLACE THE STABILIZER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 29,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 30,000.

NHTSA #: 10483365
mediumSTEERING,AIR BAGS
Filed: Nov 2012

ON THE 2008 JEEP WRANGLER (LHD) DASHBOARD, THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT FLASHES ON EVERY OTHER MINUTE WITH A CHIME, AN INDICATION THAT THERE IS SOMETHING MALFUNCTIONING OR INTERFERING WITH THE VEHICLE'S AIRBAGS.THIS HAS BEEN A RECURRING ISSUE AND CONCERN FOR MANY 2008 JEEP WRANGLER (LHD) OWNERS, INCLUDING MYSELF, AND HAS BEEN SHOWN TIME AND TIME AGAIN TO BE CAUSED BY A FAULTY CLOCKSPRING WITHIN THE VEHICLE'S STEERING WHEEL. THIS FAULTY CLOCKSPRING IS THE CULPRIT FOR POTENTIAL AIRBAG FAILURE IN THE 2008 JEEP WRANGLER (LHD) DURING AN ACCIDENT OR PREMATURE DEPLOYMENT WHEN SIMPLY DRIVING AROUND. DAIMLER CHRYSLER HAS REFUSED TO ADDRESS THE SAFETY CONCERN OF THEIR FAULTY CLOCKSPRING THAT CAN CAUSE FAILURE OF THE VEHICLE'S AIRBAGS FROM PROPERLY DEPLOYING. *TR

NHTSA #: 10482873
mediumSTEERING,SUSPENSION
Filed: Oct 2012

AT INTERSTATE SPEEDS MY JEEP STARTED WHAT IS COMMONLY KNOWN AS THE "JEEP DEATH SHAKE" FORCING ME TO THE SIDE OF THE INTERSTATE AND ALMOST LOSING CONTROL. *TR

NHTSA #: 10482769
mediumSTEERING,SUSPENSION,WHEELS
Filed: Oct 2012

2008 JEEP WRANGLER BEGAN TO VIOLENTLY SHAKE. AUTOMOBILE IS UNMODIFIED. VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL UNDER THESE CONDITIONS. *TR

NHTSA #: 10482594
mediumSTEERING,SUSPENSION
Filed: Oct 2012

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 JEEP WRANGLER SAFARI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE REACHES 45 MPH THE FRONT END STARTS TO SHAKE. WHEN THE CONTACT TRIED TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN THE SHAKING BECOMES WORSE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE TRACK ARM BROKE FROM THE VEHICLE WHEN HE TRIED TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MERGE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT HAVING AN ACCIDENT. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE FRONT BRACKETS AND AXLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD ALSO HAVE TO ADD TWO ADDITIONAL BRACKETS TO RE-ENFORCE THE AXLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEATH WOBBLE BECAME SO SEVERE, IT ACTUALLY BLEW OFF THE AXLE BRACKETS THAT HELD THE TRACK ARM. UPDATED 12/03/12

NHTSA #: 10482311
mediumSTEERING,SUSPENSION
Filed: Oct 2012

I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 2008 JEEP WRANGLER THAT HAS HAD 5 SEPARATE "DEATH WOBBLE" EVENTS IN THE LAST 5 YEARS. NOW THAT THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY JEEP WANTS ME TO PAY FOR REPAIRS THAT THEY HAVE TO THIS POINT PROVEN THEY DO NOT HAVE A PROPER UNDERSTANDING OF AND SOLUTION FOR THE JEEP DEATH WOBBLE. PLEASE HELP. MY FAMILY AND I ARE AFRAID TO DRIVE IN THIS TRUCK IN THIS CONDITION. *TR

NHTSA #: 10481565
mediumSTEERING,SUSPENSION,WHEELS
Filed: Oct 2012

DRIVING DOWN PAVED ROAD AND FRONT END STARTED TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. HAD TO PULL OVER AND STOP FOR IT TO STOP. HAD SAME PROBLEM IN MARCH 2011 AND TOOK TO DEALER FOR REPAIR WHICH ONLY LASTED ABOUT 4000 MILE AND 19 MONTHS. *TR

NHTSA #: 10479584
mediumSTEERING,SUSPENSION
Filed: Oct 2012

DURING A ROUTINE MAINTENANCE SERVICE, THE DEALER NOTICED A LARGE AMOUNT OF "PLAY" IN THE STEERING WHEEL OF OUR 2008 JEEP WRANGLER SAHARA 2-DOOR. IT MEASURED GREATER THAN THE ALLOWABLE MOVEMENT. AFTER READING ABOUT THE EFFECTS OF "DEATH WOBBLE" IT WAS DECIDED THAT THIS COULD BE THE EARLY SIGNS OF THIS PROBLEM. WITH THE NUMEROUS DOCUMENTED CASES OF THIS ISSUE, WE ASKED THE DEALER TO CONTACT CHRYSLER TO COVER THE $600+ REPAIR/UPGRADE THAT WAS SUGGESTED(INCLUDING AN UPGRADED STEERING DAMPER, UPGRADED TIE ROD, AND WHEEL ALIGNMENT). THE VEHICLE IS COMPLETELY STOCK, WELL MAINTAINED, HAS 35,000 MILES, AND HAS NEVER BEEN OFF-ROAD. THE DEALER AGREED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE FACTORY PARTS AND IT SHOULDN'T BE OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO COVER THE COST OF THE UPGRADE. THEY DROPPED THE PRICE DOWN TO $100 AND IT IS NOW BEING REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE READY TOMORROW, SO WE WILL FIND OUT IF THESE NEW PARTS WILL PREVENT THE "DEATH WOBBLE" ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA #: 10479627
mediumSTEERING,SUSPENSION
Filed: Oct 2012

I WAS DRIVING APPROX. 55 MPH, WHEN MY 2008 JEEP WRANGLER BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. BRAKING, I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO CHECK FOR A BLOWN TIRE. I WALKED AROUND THE JEEP AND SAW NOTHING WRONG. AS LUCK WOULD HAVE IT, I WAS IN FRONT OF A JEEP DEALERSHIP. I PULLED ACROSS THE HIGHWAY AND LEFT THE JEEP FOR INSPECTION AND REPAIRS. THE FOLLOWING DAY I WAS CONTACTED AND TOLD THAT I HAD EXPERIENCED THE "DEATH WOBBLE". I WAS TOLD I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE STEERING DAMPER SHOCK, LOWER CONTROL ARMS AND DAMPER BRACKETS. THEN I HAD TO PAY FOR TIRE ROTATION AND WHEEL ALIGNMENT. I HAVE FOUND PLENTY OF COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. AFTER READING SOME, I AM AFRAID IT COULD STILL HAPPEN AGAIN. I AM CONSIDERING SELLING THE JEEP. I THINK THAT JEEP OWES THE JEEP OWNERS A RECALL. THESE REPAIRS COST MY $650.00. I HAVE OWNED 5 JEEP WRANGLERS, I WON'T BUY ANOTHER ONE, UNLESS JEEP MAKES THIS RIGHT!! *TR

NHTSA #: 10479702
mediumSTEERING,SUSPENSION
Filed: Oct 2012

EXPERIENCED THE NOTORIOUS "DEATH WOBBLE" AGAIN TODAY. THIS HAS HAPPENED PLENTY OF TIMES TO ME, BUT TODAY IT WAS THE MOST SEVERE AND WORRISOME. THE VEHICLE SHAKES AND RATTLES SO MUCH THAT I EXPECT PIECES TO FALL OFF. OTHER CARS PULL UP TO ME ON THE HIGHWAY OFF RAMP (WHERE IT OFTEN HAPPENS ON OUR BUMPY MASSACHUSETTS ROADS) AND ASK IF EVERYTHING IS OKAY. I'M NOT SURE IF I WOULD BUY THIS JEEP AGAIN. THEY REALLY NEED TO FIX THIS. ARTICLES ONLINE SEEM TO SUGGEST THAT IT IS THE STOCK TRACK BAR, AND IF SO, WHY WON'T CHRYSLER JUST REPLACE THEM? *TR

NHTSA #: 10478807
mediumSTEERING,SUSPENSION,WHEELS
Filed: Oct 2012

2008 JEEP WRANGLER SAHARA STOCK. VIOLENT WOBBLE. "DEATH WOBBLE" WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED, 60MPH, I CROSSED OVER AN EXPANSION CRACK FOR A BRIDGE. THE FRONT END OF THE JEEP BEGAN A VIOLENT WOBBLE BACK AND FORTH UNTIL SLOWING DOWN TO APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH. THIS WOBBLE ALMOST CONTRIBUTED TO A HEAD ON COLLISION WITH A TRACTOR TRAILER IN THE OPPOSING TRAFFIC DUE TO AN ALMOST COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING CAPABILITY. THE PROBLEM HAPPENED AGAIN AT THE SAME SPEED AFTER ANOTHER SMALL BUMP. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION. AFTER RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM FURTHER, THERE ARE ENDLESS FACTORS THAT TRIGGER THE WOBBLE. EACH PROBLEM MAY BE FIXED, BUT IT WILL ONLY PROVIDE A TEMPORARY SOLUTION. THE WOBBLE ITSELF CANNOT BE FIXED UNDER MOST CIRCUMSTANCES, YOU CAN ONLY FIX WHAT SETS IT OFF. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN DOCUMENTED MULTIPLE TIMES ON THE INTERNET. IT WAS ALSO DISPLAYED PUBLICLY ON THE NEWS, HOWEVER CHRYSLER HAS NOT BEEN HELD ACCOUNTABLE. *TR

NHTSA #: 10478402
mediumSTEERING,SUSPENSION
Filed: Sep 2012

WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, WHEN A POTHOLE OR BUMP IS HIT BY THE VEHICLE, THE TIRES BEGIN TO WOBBLE OUT OF CONTROL. THIS CAUSES THE STEERING TO FAIL AND VIOLENTLY SHAKE THE STEERING WHEEL. WHILE COMING OFF OR ON HIGHWAY RAMPS THE WOBBLE CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO VEER OFF THE ROAD.

NHTSA #: 10477901
mediumSTEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS
Filed: Sep 2012

2008 JEEP WRANGLER WITH 20000 MILES. CLOCK SPRING FAILED LEAVING ME WITH A DINGING EVERY TIME I TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. 2007 WRANGLERS HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY BUT 2008S DO NOT. SOUNDS LIKE JEEP IS ADMITTING SOMETHING IS WRONG BUT LIMITING THEIR DAMAGE MONETARILY BY LIMITING THE AFFECTED YEARS. ANYTHING THAT HAS A CHANCE THAT OF MAKING AIRBAGS NOT DEPLOY, WHICH I'M SURE THERE IS A LAW THAT SAYS VEHICLES NEED AIRBAGS, NOT, HAVE AIRBAGS THAT ARE MADE WITH PARTS THAT MAKE THE AIRBAG NOT WORK AFTER 20000 MILES. WHAT NEXT? SEATBELTS THAT UNHOOK OVER A CERTAIN SPEED? *TR

NHTSA #: 10476576
mediumSTEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS
Filed: Sep 2012

AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON DURING DRIVING. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY TOLD ME THE CLOCK SPRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED FOR $525.00. AFTER RESEARCHING THE ISSUE I DISCOVERED THAT JEEP HAS RECALLED THE RIGHT HAND DRIVE CLOCK SPRINGS FOR 2007-2012 BUT NOT ON THE LEFT HAND DRIVE JEEPS. THEY ARE THE SAME PART AND A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED ACROSS THE FLEET. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS IT CAN CAUSE THE AIR BAG TO DEPLOY ON ITS OWN, OR NOT DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA #: 10475783
mediumSTEERING
Filed: Sep 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH THE FRONT END WOULD SHIMMER AND SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THE FAILURE ALSO OCCURRED WHENEVER HE DROVE OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD OR IT WAS UNEVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ABOUT THREE YEARS AGO FOR THE SAME FAILURE AND THE STEERING DAMPER WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,169.

NHTSA #: 10475593
mediumSTEERING
Filed: Aug 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE CONTACT STARTED LOSING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES, IN WHICH THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WAS RESET. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THEY STATED TO THE CONTACT THAT THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE STEERING DAMPER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS UNDER THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,975 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 38,998.

NHTSA #: 10471757
mediumSTEERING,SUSPENSION,POWER TRAIN
Filed: Aug 2012

HIT BUMPS IN THE ROAD AND THE FRONT END STARTING SHAKING VERY BADLY. HAD TO COME TO A STOP FOR THE SHAKING TO STOP. THE FAMOUS JEEP DEATH WOBBLE. AT THE DEALERSHIP THEY ACTED LIKE THEY NEVER HEARD OF THE PROBLEM BEFORE. AFTER SEEING THESE COMPLAINTS I REALIZE ITS A COMMON PROBLEM AND JEEP SHOULD OF FIXED IT. IT COST ME $400.00 TO FIX IT. ALSO SINCE I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE I COMPLAINED TO THE DEALERSHIP THAT THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS FUNNY. THEY KEEP TELLING ME THERE IS NO FIX FOR THIS AND IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS TRANSMISSION. *TR

NHTSA #: 10471806
mediumSTEERING
Filed: Aug 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 JEEP WRANGLER LTD. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 50 MPH WHEN THE FRONT END BEGAN SHAKING VIOLENTLY AND THE VEHICLE BECAME UNCONTROLLABLE. THE VEHICLE HAD TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP BEFORE THE SHAKING STOPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THERE COULD HAVE BEEN VARIOUS REASONS FOR THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER INSPECTED OR REPAIRED HOWEVER THE CONTACT SECURED AN APPOINTMENT FOR FURTHER INSPECTION OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,300.

NHTSA #: 10469462
mediumSTEERING,SUSPENSION
Filed: Jul 2012

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 60 MPH AND THEN BEGIN TO SLOW DOWN ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY (SLIGHT BUMPS IN THE ROAD). THE STEERING WHEEL BEGINS TO WOBBLE BACK AND FORTH VIOLENTLY AND THE WHOLE VEHICLE SHAKES LIKE CRAZY. MUST SLOW DOWN IMMEDIATELY (ALMOST TO A STOP) AND THEN THE SHAKING CEASES. I'VE HEARD IT CALLED THE "DEATH WOBBLE" AND I UNDERSTAND WHY. THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES OVER THE LAST 4 YEARS AND THE JEEP DEALERSHIP HAS "FIXED" THE PROBLEM NUMEROUS TIMES. MY WIFE AND CHILDREN ARE AFRAID TO RIDE IN THE VEHICLE, AND I CANNOT, IN GOOD CONSCIENCE, SELL THE VEHICLE TO ANYONE. THE CONDITION SEEMS VERY DANGEROUS TO ME. *TR

NHTSA #: 10468320
mediumSTEERING,SUSPENSION,WHEELS
Filed: Jul 2012

HAVING PROBLEM WITH "DEATH WOBBLE". WHILE TRAVELING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED, OVER 40MPH. A VIOLENT SHAKING HAS OCCURRED A MULTIPLE NUMBER OF TIMES. FEELS AS THOUGH THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF VEHICLE IS READY TO FLY OFF. CONTROL OF VEHICLE IS COMPROMISED. ESPECIALLY AT SUCH A HIGH RATE OF SPEED, WHICH USUALLY OCCURS ON THE FREEWAY WITH OTHER VEHICLES AROUND. DEALERSHIP SAYS THAT THE STEERING STABILIZER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET SAYS THAT THIS JUST MASKS THE PROBLEM. PERSONALLY LOOKING AT THE STEERING COMPONENTS OF THE VEHICLE. I CANNOT SEE HOW A WORN OUT STEERING STABILIZER CAN CAUSE SO MUCH CHAOS. *TR

NHTSA #: 10466891
mediumSTEERING,SUSPENSION
Filed: Jul 2012

DEATH WOBBLE, TERRIBLE STEERING SHIMMER. DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT 55 MPH. HIT ONE BUMP ON THE ROAD AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING VIOLENTLY. I NEEDED TO SLAM ON THE BREAKS TO KEEP THE VEHICLE FROM MAYBE FLIPPING OVER. IT HAS HAPPENED BEFORE, BUT NOT THIS VIOLENT. TO FIX THIS I INSTALLED A DUAL STEERING STABILIZER SET UP MADE BY SKYJACKER. *TR

NHTSA #: 10466783
mediumSTEERING
Filed: Jul 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE WHEEL BEGAN TO SHAKE AFTER DRIVING OVER A ROAD BUMP OR WHEN MAKING A TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE VEHICLE WOULD BECOME HARD TO CONTROL WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING HOWEVER, THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND OPENED A CASE FOR THE CONTACT (CASE NUMBER: 22425937). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 39,000.

NHTSA #: 10465828
mediumSTEERING,AIR BAGS
Filed: Jul 2012

ON THE 2008 JEEP WRANGLER (LHD) DASHBOARD, THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT FLASHES ON WITH A CHIME. THIS HAS BEEN A RECURRING ISSUE AND CONCERN FOR MANY 2008 JEEP WRANGLER (LHD) OWNERS, INCLUDING MYSELF, AND HAS BEEN SHOWN TIME AND TIME AGAIN TO BE CAUSED BY A FAULTY CLOCKSPRING WITHIN THE VEHICLE'S STEERING WHEEL. THIS FAULTY CLOCKSPRING COULD CAUSE AIRBAG FAILURE IN THE 2008 JEEP WRANGLER (LHD) DURING AN ACCIDENT OR PREMATURE DEPLOYMENT WITHOUT WARNING. DAIMLER CHRYSLER HAS REFUSED TO ADDRESS THE SAFETY CONCERN OF THEIR FAULTY CLOCKSPRING THAT CAN CAUSE FAILURE OF THE VEHICLE'S AIRBAGS FROM PROPERLY DEPLOYING. *TR

NHTSA #: 10464342
mediumSTEERING
Filed: Jun 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 JEEP WRANGLER X. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 50 MPH WHEN THE WHEELS STARTED TO SHAKE AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STEER PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC CONFIRMED THE STEERING STABILIZER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 28,600.

NHTSA #: 10461427
mediumSTEERING
Filed: May 2012

MOVING ALONG ROAD AT 55 MPH. VEHICLE FRONT END BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. STEERING WHEEL ALSO SHOOK VIOLENTLY. I HAD TO QUICKLY CHANGE LANES AND SLOW DOWN TO HAVE VEHICLE STOP SHAKING. THIS VIOLENT SHAKING ALMOST CAUSED ACCIDENT. I HAD VEHICLE WORKED ON TWO MONTHS AGO FOR SHIMMY. NOW IT IS VIOLENTLY SHAKING. TOOK VEHICLE BACK ONTO JEEP DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND WAS TOLD IT IS A TIRE ISSUE. THAT THE TIRES HAVE FLAT SPOTS. I HAVE HAD THE TIRES CHECKED AND BALANCED AND THEY ARE GOOD. I BOUGHT THE TIRES ONE YEAR AGO NEW AND HAVE NOT HAD ISSUES TILL TODAY. I AM A SOLDIER IN THE ARMY AND HAVE SERVED 28 YEARS. I HAVE SPENT TWO COMBAT DEPLOYMENTS IN IRAQ. THIS SHOOK ME UP ALMOST WRECKING MY VEHICLE FROM THE VIOLENT SHAKING. PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS.

NHTSA #: 10458759
mediumSTEERING,SUSPENSION
Filed: Apr 2012

THE CAR EXPERIENCED THE SO-CALLED "JEEP DEATH WOBBLE." AT ABOUT 65 MPH ON THE FREEWAY, THE FRONT END OF THE CAR BEGAN TO SHAKE SO VIOLENTLY AND UNCONTROLLABLY THAT I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO SLOW TO A STOP IN THE EMERGENCY LANE. AFTER ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE AT HIGHWAY SPEED AGAIN SEVERAL MINUTES LATER, THE WOBBLE OCCURRED A SECOND TIME, FORCING ME TO PULL OVER ONCE MORE. HAD I LET GO OF THE STEERING WHEEL DURING THE INCIDENT, THE CAR WOULD SURELY HAVE SWERVED AND POSSIBLY SPUN OUT. *TR

NHTSA #: 10456639
mediumSTEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Apr 2012

CLOCKSPRING CAME APART INSIDE STEERING COLUMN. LOST ABILITY TO STEER, AIR BAG SHUT OFF, USE HORN, AND CRUISE CONTROL. WARRANTY DID NOT COVER. *JS

NHTSA #: 10455873
mediumSTEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS
Filed: Apr 2012

AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT IN INSTRUMENT PANEL CONSISTENTLY GOES OFF DURING IRREGULAR SPEED, STEERING WHEEL OPERATION, AND TEMPERATURE. THERE IS NO PATTERN THAT CORRELATES WITH THE TIMING OF THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT. WHEN IT FIRST STARTED, IT WOULD ONLY COME DURING AT BRIEF MOMENTS AND TURN OFF AGAIN. NOW, APRIL, IT TURNS OFF AFTER VEHICLE START (LIKE NORMAL OPERATION), COMES BACK ON IMMEDIATELY, AND ONLY BRIEFLY DOES IT TURN OFF AT RANDOM TIMES. THE MAJORITY OF THE TIME THE WARNING LIGHT FLUCTUATES IS DURING STEERING WHEEL TURNING. TURNING TO ONE PARTICULAR SIDE DOES NOT ALTER THE LIGHT MORE THAN THE OTHER. SOMETIMES HARD BUMPS IN THE ROAD OR OFF-ROAD SCENARIOS WILL CHANGE THE LIGHT TOO. KNOWING VERY WELL THIS COULD BE THE CLOCKSPRING, NO OTHER LIGHTS OR FUNCTIONS INVOLVED WITH THIS DEVICE CONFIRM THIS IS THE PROBLEM. THE HORN WORKS AT ALL TURNING ANGLES, ESP AND ABS ALL FUNCTION NORMALLY. THERE ARE ALSO NO DTC CODES FROM THE COMPUTER. ALL VISIBLE ELECTRICAL PLUGS IN THE CABIN AND BEHIND DASH HAVE BEEN UNPLUGGED, CLEANED FROM DEBRIS AND RECONNECTED. I FIND THE CURRENT RECALL FOR ONLY THE 2007S AND RIGHT HAND DRIVE 2008S VERY FRUSTRATING! THE ASSUMPTION THAT ONLY RHDS WILL HAVE THEIR WINDOWS DOWN MORE ON DIRT ROADS MIGHT BE FACTUAL; HOWEVER, THERE ARE NUMEROUS OF 2008 JEEP WRANGLER OWNERS THAT USE THEIR VEHICLE FOR WORK, OR OFF-ROAD SCENARIOS THAT WILL EASILY BYPASS THE RHD ASSUMPTION. THIS IS A VERY SCARY PROBLEM TO HAVE. I DO NO FEEL SAFE THAT ANY ACCIDENT I HAVE THE AIRBAGS WILL DEPLOY PROPERLY. THE FAITH OF MY VEHICLE SAVING MY LIFE IS COMPLETELY LOST. *TR

NHTSA #: 10454513
mediumSTEERING,SUSPENSION
Filed: Apr 2012

DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MILES PER HOUR MY FRONT END BEGAN TO SHAKE AND THE STEERING BECAME SO ERRATIC THAT I HAD TO GRIP THE STEERING WHEEL TO KEEP THE CAR FROM VEERING INTO ANOTHER LANE OF TRAFFIC. I WAS ABLE TO SLOW THE CAR DOWN AND PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. ONCE I BEGAN AGAIN THERE WAS NO VIBRATION. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED WITHIN TWO MONTH. THERE ARE MANY CASES OF THIS HAPPENING ON THE INTERNET. IT'S CALLED THE "DEATH WOBBLE" AND I DON'T FEEL SAFE IN THE CAR ANYMORE. THE DEALERSHIP HAS TOLD ME THAT ITS A WORN SWAY BAR BUT 25K MILES SHOULDN'T WEAR OUT THIS TYPE OF PART. *TR

NHTSA #: 10453895
mediumSTEERING,SUSPENSION,POWER TRAIN
Filed: Mar 2012

KNOWN TO MANY WHO HAVE JEEPS, THE "DEATH WOBBLE". WHEN THIS FIRST HAPPENED TO MY DAUGHTER'S CAR, THANKFULLY I WAS THE ONE DRIVING. IT WAS ON THE INTERSTATE AND I THOUGHT A TIRE HAD BLOWN. THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED UNCONTROLLABLY AND I PULLED OVER. NOTHING LOOKED WRONG BUT I CALLED A TOW TRUCK REGARDLESS. THEY LOOKED AT IT AT THE STATION AND COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. I HAD NO IDEA THIS WAS A PROBLEM JEEP CREATED WHEN THEY BUILT THE VEHICLE. IT IS A SITUATION WHERE THE FRONT AXLE BEGINS OSCILLATING WITH SUCH VIOLENCE THAT CONTROL OF THE JEEP IS DIFFICULT UNTIL SLOWED DOWN, AND THE ENTIRE VEHICLE SHAKES TO THE POINT YOU FEEL IT WILL COME APART. *TR

NHTSA #: 10453181
mediumSTEERING
Filed: Mar 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 JEEP WRANGLER LIMITED. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 55 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE STEERING DAMPENER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA #: 10449925
mediumSTEERING,AIR BAGS,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Feb 2012

AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS LIT CONSTANTLY. HORN DOES NOT WORK. ESP\BAS LIGHT ON DASH STAYS LIT CONSTANTLY. DEALER DIAGNOSED THE ISSUE AS A FAULTY CLOCKSPRING. *TR

NHTSA #: 10449538
mediumSTEERING,TIRES
Filed: Feb 2012

FRONT WHEELS AND STEERING BEGAN TO SHAKE AND VIBRATE VIOLENTLY WHILE MAKING A RIGHT-HAND TURN FROM A STOP AND AFTER ACCELERATING TO ABOUT 40 MPH. VIBRATION STOPPED AFTER BRAKING TO ALMOST A STOP. SAME SYMPTOMS OCCURRED TWICE MORE AFTER HITTING SMALL BUMPS IN ROAD AT BETWEEN 50 AND 60 MPH AND AGAIN STOPPED AFTER BRAKING. DEALER SAID THEY DUPLICATED THE CONDITION AND REPLACED STEERING DAMPENER AT 35726 MILES BUT VIBRATION HAS OCCURRED ONCE MORE SINCE REPAIR. I HAVE OWNED THE JEEP SINCE NEW AND IT IS COMPLETELY STOCK WITH NO MODIFICATIONS AND ORIGINAL P255-75-R17 TIRES WHICH WERE AT PROPER INFLATION. TIRES HAVE ALSO BEEN CHECKED AND DO NOT HAVE ANY DAMAGE OR ABNORMAL WEAR. *TR

NHTSA #: 10449139
mediumSTEERING,AIR BAGS,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
Filed: Feb 2012

THE STEERING WHEEL MOMENTARILY WOULDN'T TURN UNTIL I FORCED IT AND BROKE WHAT I'M ASSUMING IS THE CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY. VERY DANGEROUS IF MY MOM OR SOMEONE ELSE WHO WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN ABLE TO FORCE THE BREAK WHILE DRIVING THE JEEP. THE AIRBAG, ABS, ESP, AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS ALL CAME ON IN THE DASH. THERE IS A WHITE RIBBON WIRE NOW HANGING OUT BETWEEN THE STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN. *TR

NHTSA #: 10448360
mediumSTEERING,SUSPENSION
Filed: Feb 2012

WHEN MY JEEP HITS A BUMP ON THE HIGHWAY (LEFT TIRE FIRST) THE ENTIRE JEEP STARTS SHAKING VIOLENTLY. IT FEELS LIKE THE TIRES ARE ABOUT TO FALL OFF. THIS HAPPENS WHENEVER I GO OVER 50MPH (WHICH COULD BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS ON THE HIGHWAY WITH OTHER CARS). IT DOESN'T STOP UNTIL I COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. I HAVE FOUND HUNDREDS OF POSTING ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND EVERY SINGLE ONE SAYS THAT CHRYSLER SAYS NOTHING IS WRONG. IF MOST JEEPS BUILT AFTER 2007 HAVE THIS ISSUE, MAYBE IT'S A MANUFACTURER DEFECT? *TR

NHTSA #: 10447874
mediumSTEERING,SUSPENSION,SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,POWER TRAIN,WHEELS
Filed: Feb 2012

2008 JEEP WRANGLER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS AND BRAKE LINE ROUTING DEFECT *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE FIRST PROBLEM HE HAD WITH THE VEHICLE WAS THE TRANSMISSION. IT BEGAN FAILING TO ENGAGE AND SHIFTING OUT OF GEAR. THE DEALER DISCOVERED THAT THE TRANSMISSION OIL FILTER HAD NOT BEEN INSTALLED AND WAS LYING ON THE BOTTOM OF THE TRANSMISSION OIL PAN. IN JANUARY 2011, WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE CONSUMER BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE INTERMITTENT VIOLENT SHAKING OF THE ENTIRE VEHICLE, WHICH SEEMED TO BE ORIGINATING FROM THE FRONT END. THE CONSUMER STATED IT FELT AS THOUGH A WHEEL WAS LOOSE. THE CONSUMER WENT TO A REPAIR SHOP, WHERE THE TIE ROD AND PITMAN WERE REPLACED. TWO WEEKS LATER, THE SHAKING OCCURRED AGAIN AND SOON IT BECAME INCREASINGLY VIOLENT ,MAKING IT NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE AND STAY IN HIS LANE. THE CONSUMER RETURNED TO THE REPAIR SHOP WHERE THEY REPLACED THE STEERING DAMPER, WHICH SEEMED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM FOR AWHILE. IN JULY, THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE FOR A ROUTINE MAINTENANCE CHECK. WHILE CHECKING THE FRONT END, THE MECHANIC WAS ABLE TO GET TWO FULL TURNS ON A NUT ON THE TRACK BAR. SINCE THEN, THE SHAKING HAS NOT OCCURRED. THE CONSUMER STATED AS HE APPROACHED A LINE OF VEHICLES STOPPED AT A LIGHT, HE ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKE, BUT IT WENT SOFT AND TO THE FLOOR. AN INSPECTION REVEALED A HOLE IN THE BRAKE LINE ABOVE THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL, WHERE THE LINE LEFT THE WHEEL WELL AND WENT INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE HOLE WAS CAUSED BY RUBBING ON THE LINE BY THE EDGE OF THE PLASTIC WHEEL WELL LINING. *JB

NHTSA #: 10447634
mediumSTEERING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,POWER TRAIN,SEATS
Filed: Feb 2012

I CURRENTLY DO NOT HAVE THE CORRECT DATE OF THE FIRST OCCURANCE, BUT SINCE I HAVE BOUGHT THIS JEEP I HAVE HAD IT IN THE SHOP MORE THAN 10 TIMES FOR A WATER LEAK ( THE MAJOR ISSUE ). THEN RIGHT AFTER I BOUGHT IT I WAS COMING OFF OF THE BAY BRIDGE IN MARYLAND, AND THE STREERING STRUT BROKE CAUSING DIFFICULTY STEERING. THE PRESSURE PLATE IN THE TRANSMISSION WENT BAD, THE GAS TANK HAD TO BE REPLACED, MY SEAT BROKE TWICE, THE BOOT AROUND THE GEAR SHIFT HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE LIST GOES ON AND ON. IT WAS JUST IN THE SHOP ON FRIDAY TO HAVE THE WATER LEAK IN THE DOOR AND ROOF REPAIRED AGAIN. I TRIED TO FILE FOR THE LEMON LAW WHEN THIS FIRST STARTED AND THEY TOLD ME MY VEHICLE DID NOT QUALIFY. I HAVE BEEN IN TOUCH WITH CHRYSLER TO MAKE THEM AWARE OF ALL I HAVE BEEN THROUGH AND THEY GET ME AN APPOINTMENT AT THE DEALER ( BIG DEAL ) THEY ACT LIKE THEY COULD CARE LESS. I WAS TOLD BY THE MANAGER AT THE DEALERSHIP THAT HE HAD GONE TO A MEETING THE OTHER DAY AND THAT CHRYSLER HAD "BIG PROBLEMS", APPARENTLY THEY HAVE DISCOVERED THE WINDSHIELDS ARE OFF BY 1/8 OF AN INCH CAUSING ALL THESE VEHICLES TO LEAK! SHOULDNT THAT BE A RECALL. I HAVE LOST MORE TIME FROM WORK AND MORE HEADACHES WITHOUT A CAR THAN ENOUGH. THEY SHOULD BUY THIS VEHICLE BACK FROM ME AT THE PRICE I SCREWED BUYING IT! *TR

NHTSA #: 10447232
mediumSTEERING,SUSPENSION
Filed: Feb 2012

ONCE MY VEHICLE REACHES A SPEED OF 50 MPH, GOES OVER A BUMP, OR AROUND SOME TURNS, IT STARTS TO SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLY. THIS SHAKING DOES NOT SUBSIDE UNTIL I STOP THE VEHICLE. IT HAS GOTTEN WORSE AND WORSE TO THE POINT WHERE IT HAPPENS ABOUT EVERY 2 MILES IF I AM GOING 50 MPH. I CAN NOT GO ABOVE 50 MPH WHICH IS QUITE DANGEROUS ON THE FREEWAY BECAUSE THE SPEED LIMITS HERE ARE 65-70 MPH. WHEN I GO OVER A BUMP AND IT STARTS TO HAPPEN, IF THERE IS NO PLACE TO PULL OVER (WHICH HAS HAPPENED) I MUST COME TO A COMPLETE STOP RIGHT WHERE I AM, OR CONTINUE TO DRIVE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS SHAKING UNCONTROLLABLY, AND I AM UNABLE TO STEER. THIS IS COMPLETELY VISIBLE TO OTHERS NOT INSIDE THE VEHICLE AS WELL, AS I HAVE BEEN PULLED OVER, VERBALLY YELLED AT, HONKED AT, ETC... *KB

NHTSA #: 10446281
mediumSTEERING
Filed: Jan 2012

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, BEGINNING TO GO DOWN A MOUNTAIN INTERSTATE IN COLORADO. I WAS TRAVELING AT 57 MPH WHEN I VERY LIGHTLY PRESSED THE BRAKE. THE FRONT AND OF THE CAR AND THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY TO THE POINT WHERE I HAD NO CONTROL OVER THE CAR. THE CAR WAS BOUNCING BACK AND FORTH, LEFT AND RIGHT, AND I FEEL VERY LUCKY TO NOT HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE SERIOUS FEARS ABOUT DRIVING THIS VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY NOW BECAUSE IF THIS HAPPENS AGAIN, I FEEL THE LIKELIHOOD OF AN ACCIDENT IS VERY HIGH. THIS SYMPTOM IS REFERRED TO AS THE "DEATH WOBBLE" IN JEEP WRANGLERS, AND IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN. I HAVE READ COUNTLESS REPORTS OF IT AND CHRYSLER JEEP NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM. IT IS AN EXTREMELY SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN THAT NUMEROUS OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED. PERSISTENTLY WITH THEIR VEHICLES. *TR

NHTSA #: 10445090
mediumSTEERING
Filed: Jan 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 JEEP WRANGLER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLY. THE CONTACT SLOWED DOWN TO APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH AND THE SHAKING DECREASED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE TIRES WOULD HAVE TO BE BALANCED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED AFTER THE BALANCING OF THE TIRES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,500.

NHTSA #: 10444489
mediumSTEERING,SUSPENSION
Filed: Jan 2012

STEERING WENT INTO EXTREME SHIMMY I.E. DEATH WOBBLE AFTER SMALL BUMPS ON HIGHWAY. VEHICLE LOST CONTROL AND REQUIRED EVASIVE MANEUVER TO PULL OVER AND STOP SHIMMY. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS DEFECT IN DESIGN. *TR

NHTSA #: 10443684
mediumSTEERING,SUSPENSION,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
Filed: Jan 2012

MY JEEP IS EXPERIENCING WHAT JEEP OWNERS REFER TO AS THE DEATH WOBBLE. VIOLENT, INTENSE SHAKING OF THE FRONT END AFTER HITTING THE SMALLEST OF BUMPS. MUST SLOW DOWN IMMEDIATELY TO GAIN CONTROL OF VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA #: 10443475
mediumSTEERING,SUSPENSION,EQUIPMENT
Filed: Jan 2012

DEATH WOBBLE 2008 JEEP WRANGLER. BOUGHT VEHICLE IN OCT 2011, 5 OCCURRANCES OF DEATH WOBBLE, ALL ON FREEWAYS THROUGH JAN 10TH 2012. ONLY RECOURSE IS TO PULL OVER & STOP AFTER HITTING A BUMP OR GROOVE IN THE ROAD. NEWTONS LAW, EVERY ACTION CAUSES A REACTION. FRONT WHEELS WILL START SHAKING BEGIN GRADUALLY THEN VIOLANTLY UNTIL YOU CAN LUCKILY PULL OVER & STOP. ONCE STOPPED, YOU CAN START AGAIN & NOT EXPERIENCE IT AGAIN FOR WEEKS & THEN IT HAPPENS AGAIN WHENEVER YOU LEAST EXPECT IT. VERY HARD TO EVEN CONTROL THE VEHICLE ONCE IT ABRUPTLY STARTS. DEALER SAYS IT'S DAMPER NEEDS REPLACED FOR 250$. DOING THIS... BUT THIS REALLY FEELS LIKE THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL ISSUE OR COVERED UNDER A EASY CARE WARRANTY THAT I WAS DUPED INTO BUYING AS WELL. AFTER 4 MONTHS OF OWNING A 20,000$ CAR & NEARLY KILLED 5 TIMES IS OUTRAGEOUS. MANY PEOPLE WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN ABLE TO CONTROL A VEHICLE IF THIS HAPPENED TO THEM. THIS IS A CHRYSLER DEFECT & THEY SHOULD BE ADDRESSING THIS BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED BY THEIR FAULTY ENGINEERING AND/OR PARTS. *TR

NHTSA #: 10443335
mediumSTEERING,SUSPENSION
Filed: Jan 2012

THIS IS MY SECOND ONLINE COMPLAINT REGARDING THE "DEATH WOBBLE" I HAVE EXPERIENCED IN MY JEEP. I HAD THE ISSUE "FIXED" IN SEPTEMBER, THOUGH IT BEGAN TO HAPPEN AGAIN IN EARLY DECEMBER. I TOOK MY JEEP BACK IN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY REPLACED THE STEERING DAMPER WITH A "HIGH PERFORMANCE" MODEL. THEY DID THIS AT NO CHARGE BECAUSE THEY SAID THE ORIGINAL "FIX" WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. I THOUGHT THIS TOOK CARE OF THINGS. TWO DAYS AGO, I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 45 MPH ON A BUSY SERVICE ROAD AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY AGAIN. I IMMEDIATELY HAD TO SLOW DOWN AND ALMOST COME TO A STOP BEFORE IT WOULD STOP. NEARBY DRIVERS HAD TO SWERVE TO MISS ME AND THE GUY BEHIND ME ALMOST REAR-ENDED ME. THIS HAS GOT TO STOP. I TOOK MY JEEP BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP THIS MORNING AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD LOOK INTO IT AND CALL ME BACK. THE SAGA CONTINUES. *TR

NHTSA #: 10442510
mediumSTEERING,SUSPENSION
Filed: Dec 2011

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND ALL THE SUDDEN THE WHOLE VEHICLE INCLUDING THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO SHAKE HORRIBLY. I DON'T FEEL LIKE I CAN CONTROL THE STEERING WHEN THIS OCCURS. STEPPING ON THE BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN/STOP MAKES IT WORSE. ONCE I DROP BACK BELOW 40 MPH IT STOPS, TIL THE NEXT TIME IT HAPPENS. IN THE BEGINNING IT WAS ONLY OCCASIONALLY. RECENTLY IT HAS BEEN OCCURRING MORE FREQUENTLY. IT IS VERY SCARY WHEN THIS OCCURS. MY MECHANIC REPLACED THE STEERING DAMPENER BUT THAT DID NOT FIX THIS ISSUE. I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THIS ISSUE IS BUT IT IS NOT SAFE TO BE DRIVING WHILE THIS IS OCCURRING. *TR

NHTSA #: 10439215
mediumSTEERING
Filed: Nov 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 45 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 26,000.

NHTSA #: 10437702
mediumSTEERING
Filed: Nov 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 JEEP WRANGLER UNLIMITED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60-70 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED HER THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED AND A WHEEL ALIGNMENT WAS PERFORMED BUT NONE OF THE ATTEMPTS CORRECTED THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 62,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA #: 10437482
mediumSTEERING,SUSPENSION
Filed: Nov 2011

THE VEHICLE'S FRONT END BEGAN TO VIBRATE WITH RESONANCE UNTIL THE ENTIRE VEHICLE WAS SHAKING SO BADLY THAT IT HAD TO BE PULLED OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THIS PHENOMENON IS WELL DOCUMENTED BY MANY SOURCES AS "DEATH WOBBLE." THE INITIAL INCIDENT HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING ON A TWO-LANE HIGHWAY IN GOOD CONDITION. ON THIS SAME DRIVE, THERE WERE TWO MORE INCIDENTS OF DEATH WOBBLE. AFTER THESE OCCURRENCES, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN TO A MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION, FRONT-END ALIGNMENT AND TIRE BALANCING. THERE WERE NO MORE INCIDENTS OF DEATH WOBBLE UNTIL NEARLY A MONTH LATER WHEN IT OCCURRED ON THE HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH. AFTER THIS INCIDENT, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC THAT SPECIALIZES IN JEEP MAINTENANCE AND CUSTOMIZATION. THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM WAS IDENTIFIED AS SLOP IN THE STOCK TRACK BAR. THE VEHICLE HAS STOCK SUSPENSION, WHEELS AND TIRES. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED WITH TIRE ROTATIONS DONE AT REGULAR INTERVALS. OTHER THAN THESE INCIDENTS OF DEATH WOBBLE, THE VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE ANY OTHER NOTICEABLE PROBLEMS. FOLLOWING THE TRACK BAR DIAGNOSIS, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED SEVERAL OTHER FRONT END COMPONENTS AS BEING IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT, AT A SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER COST, CONTRADICTORY TO THE TWO PREVIOUS INDEPENDENT INSPECTIONS. *TR

NHTSA #: 10436928
mediumSTEERING,SUSPENSION
Filed: Nov 2011

VIOLENT, EXTREME SHAKING IN FRONT END OF VEHICLE ("DEATH WOBBLE") AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 55-60MPH. HAS OCCURRED ABOUT 6 TIMES, BUT IS RANDOM AND INTERMITTENT, WITH NO KNOWN PRECIPITATING FACTORS. IT HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES WHEN VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING OVER MINOR BUMPS BUT HAS ALSO OCCURRED MORE FREQUENTLY ON PERFECTLY SMOOTH, STRAIGHT PAVEMENT - WITH NO TURNING, BREAKING, ACCELERATION. THE SHAKING SEEMS TO BE IN THE FRONT TIRES/AXLE AND CONTINUES FOR 3-4 SECONDS AS I AM TRYING TO REDUCE SPEED CAREFULLY AND MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. IT FEELS LIKE THE FRONT TIRES ARE GOING TO FLY OFF IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS! AFTER THE FIRST OCCURRENCE, IT DID NOT HAPPEN AGAIN FOR MONTHS, BUT RECENTLY HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. I WAS TOLD BY ONE GARAGE THAT IT WAS DUE TO TIRE BALANCE (WHICH I KNEW WAS NOT THE CASE), BUT I HAD ALL FOUR TIRES BALANCED/ROTATED (AT ABOUT 42,500 MILES). GARAGE PERSONNEL STATED THIS "TOOK CARE OF MOST OF THE PROBLEM" BUT SUGGESTED I GET NEW TIRES. PROBLEM OCCURRED 2 MORE TIMES WITHIN A WEEK, BEFORE NEW TIRES. HAVE HAD ALL FOUR TIRES REPLACED. DEATH WOBBLE HAS NOT RECURRED, BUT I AM ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE TIRES/BALANCE AND THAT THIS WILL HAPPEN AGAIN WITHOUT WARNING. IT IS TERRIFYING AND EXTREMELY DANGEROUS, AND SOMEONE IS GOING TO BE HURT OR KILLED. I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT AT THE DEALERSHIP NEXT WEEK. WHEN I MADE THE APPOINTMENT, THEY CLAIMED THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM, SO I WILL PROVIDE THEM WITH INFORMATION I GATHERED IN ABOUT 20 MINUTES OFF VARIOUS WEB SITES DETAILING THE APTLY-NAMED "DEATH WOBBLE." I AM WELL-ACQUAINTED WITH THE "COULD-NOT-DUPLICATE-THE-PROBLEM" GARAGE MANTRA, SO FORESEE A PROTRACTED AND FRUSTRATING BATTLE BEFORE THIS LIFE-THREATENING PROBLEM IS FIXED. *TR

NHTSA #: 10435338
mediumSTEERING,SUSPENSION,WHEELS
Filed: Nov 2011

VEHICLE BEGINS TO SHUDDER FROM ROAD CONDITIONS, THEN WHEN YOU STRIKE A BUMP, OR THE ROAD SURFACE CHANGES, THE VEHICLES THEN VIOLENTLY SHAKES AND WILL NOT CEASE UNTIL SLOWED TO 30MPH OR INCREASED TO 70MPH. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION ON FREEWAYS. IT APPEARS THAT THE ENTIRE FRONT END IS ABOUT TO SHAKE THE WHEELS LOOSE, THEN TRANSFERS TO THE REAR WHEELS SOMETIMES. THEN WHEN IT APPEARS THE PHENOMENA IS OVER, IT CAN REOCCUR AGAIN JUST AS QUICKLY. MY WIFE REFUSES TO DRIVE IT, NOR WILL SHE ALLOW MY SON TO RIDE IN IT UNTIL IT IS RESOLVED. *TR

NHTSA #: 10434022
mediumSTEERING
Filed: Oct 2011

MY 2008 JEEP WRANGLER STARTED SHAKING VIOLENTLY WHILE GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 60-65 MPH. I HAD MY FAMILY IN THE VEHICLE AND IT SCARED THEM TO DEATH. I HAD TO TRY TO PULL OVER TO AVOID A COLLISION. IT WOULD NOT STOP SHAKING UNTIL I WAS UNDER 30 MPH. I HAVE BEEN TO THE DEALER 8 TIMES TO GET THIS PROBLEM ADDRESSED. THEY HAVE DONE ALIGNMENTS CHANGED STEERING STABILIZERS AND STILL CANNOT FIND THE PROBLEM. I JUST HAD IT BACK INTO CHRYSLER SERVICE DEPT ON 10-24-11 FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE SEEN HUNDREDS OF POSTS ON THE INTERNET WITH PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS NEED TO BE FIXED!!!! PLEASE HELP *TT

NHTSA #: 10432697
mediumSTEERING
Filed: Oct 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE AND STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO VIOLENTLY SHAKE. THE CONTACT SLOWED THE VEHICLE DOWN UNTIL SHE COULD REGAIN CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND WAS IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 56,600.

NHTSA #: 10430244
mediumSTEERING
Filed: Oct 2011

JEEP EXPERIENCED VIOLENT SHAKING OF THE FRONT WHEELS WHEN DRIVEN OVER ROUGH SURFACE/TERRAIN AT SPEEDS ABOVE 30 MPH. OWNER HAD DIFFICULTY DUPLICATING THIS ANOMALY FOR JEEP REPAIR SERVICE, BUT WAS ABLE TO DUPLICATE IT VIA A TEST DRIVE WITH JEEP SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE; JEEP SERVICE DETERMINED THAT THE STEERING STABILIZER HAD FAILED, WHICH WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY; AFTER ~16 MONTHS, THIS SAME ANOMALY RETURNED & NOW THE STEERING STABILIZER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN; AFTER ANOTHER JEEP OWNER TOLD ME HE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM, IT SEEMS THAT CERTAIN JEEPS HAVE FAULTY STEERING STABILIZERS; THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH/WRECK & LOSS OF LIFE. *KB

NHTSA #: 10429615
mediumSTEERING,SUSPENSION,WHEELS
Filed: Oct 2011

THE JEEP SHAKES VIOLENTLY WHEN IT HITS A BUMP IN THE ROAD. IT SEEMS TO HAPPEN MOSTLY ON THE HIGHWAYS, ALTHOUGH IT WILL OCCUR ON A CITY ROAD. DURING THIS SHAKING THE BRAKES DO NOT SLOW THE CAR DOWN AND IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THIS IS EXTREMELY SCARY AND DANGEROUS. THE CAR HAS BEEN IN NUMEROUS TIMES AND NOTHING SEEMS TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA #: 10428786
mediumSTEERING,SUSPENSION,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Sep 2011

I WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 70 AT APPROXIMATELY 65MPH, I HIT A BUMP, AND MY JEEP STARTED TO SHAKE AND VIBRATE SO DRAMATICALLY THAT I HAD TO SLOW DOWN TO ABOUT 35MPH BEFORE IT WOULD STOP. I WAS SO FRIGHTENED THAT I PULLED OVER AND WAS AFRAID TO CONTINUE DRIVING. THINKING IT WAS MY TIRES ABOUT READY TO FALL OFF, I CREEPED OFF OF THE INTERSTATE AND DROVE ABOUT 15MPH BACK TO THE TIRE DEALERSHIP WHERE I HAD BOUGHT MY TIRES. THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. I THEN TOOK IT TO THE JEEP DEALERSHIP AND THEY REPLACED THE STEERING DAMPNER AND UPDATED A BRACKET. IT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY THEN REPLACED THE DRAG LINK END. THEY THEN TOLD ME IT HAD TO BE THE TIRES. THEY, NOT ONE TIME, MENTIONED WHAT I HAVE NOW RESEARCHED AND FOUND TO BE A "DEATH WOBBLE" PROBLEM THAT MANY JEEP OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO NEXT. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN FIXED AND MY TIRES ONLY HAVE 15K MILES ON THEM AND I AM THINKING THIS IS NOT THE PROBLEM. THE WOBBLE THAT I HAVE EXPERIENCED NOW DOZENS OF TIMES IS NOT ONLY FRIGHTENING BUT I FEAR IS VERY DANGEROUS. I'M NOT SURE WHAT MY RECOURSE IS AT THIS POINT. *TT

NHTSA #: 10425885
mediumSTEERING,SUSPENSION
Filed: Sep 2011

THE VEHICLE SHAKES OUT OF CONTROL AT 50MPH OR AFTER HITTING A BUMP OR FLAW IN THE BLACK TOP ROAD. THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES OUT OF MY HANDS AND YOU CAN NOT GET THE VEHICLE CONTROLLED UNTIL YOU COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. I HAVE REPLACED TIRES, SHOCKS AND CONTROL ARMS BUT THIS WILL NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. NO ONE CAN TELL ME HOW TO FIX THE PROBLEM AND I AM UNABLE TO DRIVE ON A FREEWAY, BECAUSE I WILL EITHER HIT SOMEONE OR SOMEONE WILL HIT ME. PEOPLE WILL NOT DRIVE IN MY VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM AND WHEN SOMEONE SEE IT HAPPEN, THEY TELL ME IT LOOKS LIKE THE FRONT WHEELS ARE GOING TO FALL OFF. *TR

NHTSA #: 10423104
mediumSTEERING
Filed: Aug 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 JEEP WRANGLER UNLIMITED X. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE AND STEERING WHEEL WOULD JERK VIOLENTLY. THE FAILURE WOULD NOT STOP UNTIL THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, BUT THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

NHTSA #: 10419948
mediumSTEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS
Filed: Aug 2011

I OWN A JEEP TOUR COMPANY AND THIS IS THE THIRD CLOCKSPRING I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE IN TWO DIFFERENT JEEPS. WHILE TRAVELING AT 5MPH OR UNDER THE AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. AFTER HAVING THE DEALER CHECK IT OUT I WAS ADVISED IT WAS A CLOCKSPRING ISSUE. I REPLACED THIS ONE ON MY OWN. THEY CHARGE $1450 JUST TO CHECK WHAT PART, THEN $280 FOR THE PART. THIS HAS BEEN DONE AT TTO SEPERATE LOCAL DEALER SHIPS. I HAVE SAVED TWO CLOCKSPRINGS, ONE DONE FROM A 2007 JEEP AND ONE FROM THIS 2008.

NHTSA #: 10420598
mediumSTEERING,EQUIPMENT
Filed: Aug 2011

2008 JEEP WRANGLER "X". VERY BAD FRONT END WOBBLE WHEN HITTING SMALL BUMP AT FREEWAY SPEEDS AND/OR BRAKING GOING DOWN HILL. SERIOUS CONTROL LOSS. KNOWN AS "DEATH WOBBLE". BLAMED ON FRONT STEERING DAMPENER. THIS WILL BE THE THIRD TIME THE FRONT STEERING DAMPENERS WERE REPLACED. FIRST OCCURRED 5 MONTHS AGO. REPLACED DAMPENER. HAPPENED AGAIN 3 MONTHS AGO. REPLACED DAMPENER ONCE AGAIN. OCCURRED AGAIN TODAY. TAKING INTO SHOP FOR SAME PROCEDURE. READ A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ON THIS PROBLEM. SEEMS TO TRANSCEND MULTIPLE MODEL YEARS. I'M SEARCHING TO SEE IF ANY CLASS ACTION LAW SUITS AGAINST CHRYSLER FOR THIS POOR DESIGN FEATURE EXISTS. PAYING OVER $22,500. FOR A VEHICLE SHOULDN'T HAVE THIS PROBLEM AND IF DISCOVERED, SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY $400.00 EVERY TIME TO FIX. CHRYSLER IS AWARE OF THIS SERIOUS CONDITION AND REFUSES TO WARN CUSTOMERS OR PERFORM A RECALL. *TR

NHTSA #: 10418572
mediumSTEERING,SUSPENSION
Filed: Aug 2011

DEATH WOBBLE - WHEN I REACH A SPEED OF OVER 45 AND HIT A ROUGH PATCH, MY FRONT TWO TIRES START WOBBLING UNCONTROLLABLY. IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND THE ONLY WAY TO STOP IT IS TO SLOW DOWN ALMOST TO A STOP. I HAVE JUST 31,000 MILES ON MY JEEP (NO MODIFICATION AND STOCK TIRES). THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION. IF MY WIFE HAD THIS HAPPEN, I DOUBT SHE WOULD BE ABLE TO SAFELY MANEUVER THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I TOOK IT INTO THE JEEP DEALERSHIP. THEY PUT A NEW STEERING DAMPER ON IT AND SAID THAT WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM. IT DID NOT. THEY RECOMMENDED THAT I GO TO CHRYSLER. *KB

NHTSA #: 10416749
mediumSTEERING
Filed: Jul 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THE CONTACT REFERRED TO THE SHAKING AS THE "DEATH WOBBLE" WHICH CAUSED THE CONTACT TO SLIGHTLY LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS FORCED TO SLOW DOWN AND PULL OVER IN ORDER TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. PREVIOUSLY, THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO HAVE A STEERING STABILIZER REPLACED FOR THE "DEATH WOBBLE" BUT THAT DID NOT REMEDY THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT DID NOT HAVE THE CURRENT FAILURE DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER; HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED SINCE THE FAILURE COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000.

NHTSA #: 10412156
mediumSTEERING
Filed: Jul 2011

SEVERE STEERING VIBRATION RESUTS WHEN HITTING A BUMP AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (60+). PROBLEM IS WORST WHEN ALSO TURNING (EX: ON AN OVERPASS). I LOSS DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND NEARLY HIT THE CONCRETE DIVIDER BEFORE REGAINING CONTROL AS THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN. STEERING STABILIZER/SHOCK WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY BY DEALERSHIP.

NHTSA #: 10412015
mediumSTEERING,SUSPENSION
Filed: Jun 2011

AT 50,000 MILES THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO HAVE THE DEATH WOBBLE. PROBLEM WAS FOUND TO BE CAUSED BY BADLY WORN STOCK BALL JOINTS. *TR

NHTSA #: 10406001
mediumSTEERING,SUSPENSION,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Jun 2011

DRIVING WESTBOUND ON M-59 IN HARTLAND, MI I HIT A VERY SMALL BUMP IN THE ROAD AND THE JEEP STARTED TO SHUDDER VERY VIOLENTLY. I HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND STOP IN ORDER FOR THE SHUDDER TO GO AWAY. AFTER DOING MUCH RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET, I HAVE NOW FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS CALLED THE DEATH WOBBLE AND IS A HIGHLY COMMON PROBLEM THAT CHRYSLER IS AWARE OF AND HAS NOT DONE ANYTHING TO LET THE PUBLIC KNOW OF THE ISSUE.

NHTSA #: 10406676
mediumSTEERING
Filed: May 2011

2008 JEEP WRANGLER JK DEATH WOBBLE- NOT RESOLVED (FOR LONG) BY REPLACEMENT OF STEERING STABILIZER. BELIEVE THERE IS A SERIOUS FLAW(S) IN THE OVERALL ENGINEERING AND DESIGN. STEERING BOX IS EXCEPTIONALLY WEAK AND CLUNKS. JEEP IS IGNORING THE PROBLEM, DESPITE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS FROM OWNERS ONLINE, AT DEALERS, AND IN JEEP FORUMS. SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET KILLED BY THIS ISSUE. HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED ON MY JEEP YET- HAVEN'T EVEN FIGURED OUT WHAT THE ROOT CAUSE IS YET, BUT HAVE SPENT $1000 SO FAR! THINKING ABOUT DITCHING THIS DANGEROUS VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA #: 10402890
mediumSTEERING
Filed: Apr 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 JEEP WRANGLER 2-DR 4X4R HD. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH WHEN THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SAFELY MANEUVER THE VEHICLE FROM THE ROADWAY AND NOTICED THAT THE STEERING SHAFT WAS DETACHED. THE CONTACT TEMPORARILY REPAIRED THE STEERING SHAFT AND REATTACHED IT TO THE GEAR BOX. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE STEERING SHAFT WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,144. UPDATED 5/24/11 *CN UPDATED 06/03/11

NHTSA #: 10398053
mediumSTEERING,POWER TRAIN
Filed: Apr 2011

I PURCHASED A NEW 2008 JEEP WRANGLER SAHARA EDITION IN APRIL OF 2008. SINCE NOVEMBER OF 2008 I HAVE HAD SEVERAL ISSUES WITH THE JEEP WHICH ARE WIDELY REPORTED ON THE INTERNET. THE FIRST ISSUE WAS THE TRANSMISSION WOULD POP OUT OF FIRST GEAR WHEN IT WAS COLD OR RAINY. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER BUT THEY WOULD NOT FIX IT BECAUSE THEY COULDN'T GET THE PROBLEM TO REOCCUR. IT TOOK CHRYSLER 1 YEAR BEFORE THEY ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM. SO IN THE SPRING OF 2010 THEY INSTALLED A GEAR REBUILD KIT. MEANWHILE I WAS DRIVING AN UNSAFE VEHICLE FOR AN ENTIRE YEAR. THE MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT THIS WAS A TEMPORARY FIX AND THAT THE PROBLEM WOULD LIKELY OCCUR AGAIN. SURE ENOUGH JUST SIX MONTHS AGO THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO POP OUT OF FIRST GEAR. NOW I AM BATTLING TO TRY AND GET THE DEALER TO FIX IT AGAIN. THE SECOND ISSUE WHICH JUST OCCURRED LAST WEEK AND EARLIER TODAY IS WHAT THE INTERNET REFERS TO AS THE "DEATH WOBBLE." ONCE I GET ABOVE 55MPH AND I HIT A POT HOLE THE JEEP WOBBLES UNCONTROLLABLY UNTIL I COMPLETELY STOP. ACCORDING TO MOST FORUMS THE DEALERSHIP ALSO GIVES CUSTOMERS A VERY HARD TIME ABOUT FIXING THIS ISSUE AS WELL. I WILL ATTEMPT TO CONTACT THE DEALER TOMORROW ABOUT THE DEATH WOBBLE. THIS JEEP WRANGLER 07-10 HAS SOME SERIOUS ISSUES WHICH NEED TO BE ADDRESS IMMEDIATELY. CHRYSLER NEEDS TO ISSUE RECALLS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY HURT. THIS IS MY THIRD JEEP WRANGLER, MY FIRST NEW WRANGLER, AND I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN IT. *TR

NHTSA #: 10394236
mediumSTEERING,SUSPENSION,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Mar 2011

WE WERE DRIVING ON A LIMITED ACCESS HIGHWAY WHEN I HIT A SECTION OF ROUGH A ROUGH ROAD ABOUT 6 FEET LONG. THE FRONT END, STEERING WHEEL & TRANSMISSION SHOOK VIOLENTLY! ONCE I GOT BELOW 45 MPH IT STOPPED. I COULD NOT STEER THE VEHICLE. THIS HAS HAPPENED 6 TIMES NOW AT SPEEDS AS LOW AS 50 MPH. IT WOULD HAPPEN A LOT MORE IF I DID NOT SLOW DOWN WHEN I COME ACROSS PATCHED SPOTS IN THE ROAD OR WHERE OVERPASSES AND BRIDGES MEET THE SOLID ROAD BED. ON SMOOTH ROADS, THERE IS NO VIBRATION THAT I CAN FEEL. I TALKED TO THE PREVIOUS OWNER AND HE NEVER HAD A PROBLEM. IT HAS NEVER BEEN OFF ROAD, LIFTED OR WRECKED. THE GARAGE REPLACED THE STEERING GEAR BOX UNDER WARRANTY AND I PAID FOR THE ALIGNMENT CHECK AND TIRE BALANCE. I ROTATED THE TIRED AND THEN PUT A NEW TIRE ON THE RIGHT FRONT. I CHECKED FOR PLAY IN ALL THE SUSPENSION AND STEERING AND FOUND VERY LITTLE. THE GARAGE SAID THEY FOUND NONE. I THEN INSTALLED A HEAVY DUTY STEERING STABILIZER. IT DID NOT HELP. THE GARAGE SAID THERE WAS NOTHING MORE THEY COULD DO. WHEN I ASKED JEEP WAS THEIR A PROBLEM CALLED DEATH WOBBLE, BECAUSE THERE ARE A LOT OF POSTINGS, THEY DID NOT ANSWER. INSTEAD, THE SERVICE MANAGER SUGGESTED I BUY 4 NEW TIRES AND GET A ROAD FORCE BALANCE. A FRIEND SENT ME TO ANOTHER JEEP DEALER TO TALK TO HIS FRIEND, WHO WAS WELL AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND HAD NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIX IT ON OTHER JEEPS. THERE WAS NO REMEDY OR HELP FROM CHRYSLER JEEP. HE HAS HAD IT HAPPEN TO HIM AND WILL NOT RIDE IN OR DRIVE ONE AGAIN. HE SUGGESTED NOT DRIVING INTERSTATES AND BELOW 55 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. I AM 68 YEAR OLD RETIRED CAR, TRUCK, HEAVY EQUIPMENT AND INDUSTRIAL MECHANIC SUPERVISOR. THE JEEP IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY. BF

NHTSA #: 10394688
mediumSTEERING
Filed: Mar 2011

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS (40 MPH OR MORE) SHE DROVE OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD, THE FRONT END WOULD WAS SHAKING VIOLENTLY. THE CONTACT HAD TO DRIVE UNDER 30 MPH IN ORDER TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT REFERRED THE SHAKE AS A "DEATH WOBBLE". THE FAILURE ALSO OCCURRED TWICE WHEN THE CONTACT WAS APPLYING THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE STEERING DAMPER WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED TO REIMBURSE HER FOR THE REPAIR FEES AS A GOODWILL REPAIR. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 36,500. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 20,000.

NHTSA #: 10392315
mediumSTEERING
CrashFiled: Mar 2011

MY SON WAS DRIVING HIS 2008 JEEP WRANGLER AND THE BRAKES FAILED. THIS CAUSED HIM TO HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF HIM AT A SLOW SPEED WITH MINOR DAMAGE AND NO INJURIES. THE POLICE OFFICER TESTED THE BRAKES AND SAID THAT THEY WERE NOT WORKING THE CAR WAS TOWED HOME.. THERE WAS NO TICKET GIVEN. THE VEHICLE HAS 24000 MILES ON IT AND IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. I DROVE THE VEHICLE THE PRIOR DAY AND DID NOT NOTICE ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKING SYSTEM. *TR

NHTSA #: 10386781
mediumSTEERING
Filed: Dec 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 JEEP WRANGLER UNLIMITED (NA). WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD SHAKE EXCESSIVELY, CAUSING HIM TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER MADE SIX ATTEMPTS TO DIAGNOSE A FAILURE; THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE IN FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 30,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 20,000.

NHTSA #: 10372541
mediumSTEERING
Filed: Nov 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50-70 MPH OVER A POTHOLE, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLY UNTIL SHE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE PROBLEM WAS INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AND A STEERING DAMPER WAS INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED NO PROBLEMS SINCE THE LATEST REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO TOOK A COMPLAINT AND STATED THAT SOMEONE WOULD CALL HER BACK. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 48,730. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 45,000.

NHTSA #: 10366866
mediumSTEERING,SUSPENSION,WHEELS
Filed: Nov 2010

THE VEHICLE HAS THE NOTORIOUS DEATH WOBBLE, IN THAT ON CERTAIN DOWNHILL GRADES AND OR HITTING A SERIES OF SMALL BUMPS BETWEEN 45 -55 MPH THE FRONT END VIOLENTLY BEGINS TO WOBBLE, THE CAB BEGINS ROCKING, THE STEERING WHEEL IS OUT OF CONTROL, AND AFTER BRAKING TO 35MPH CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE IS REGAINED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN ALTERED IN ANY WAY FROM THE FACTORY. IT WAS PURCHASED WITH 12 MILES ON ODOMETER AND KNOW HAS 28.889 MILES. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN SERVICE AT THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIME FOR REPAIRS, AND EACH TIME THE DEALER SAYS THAT SHOULD SOLVE THE PROBLEM, BUT DOES NOT, IN FACT THE JEEP GOES BACK IN NEXT MONDAY FOR FURTHER REPAIRS. I'VE CONTACTED JEEP TWICE TO NO AVAIL, THEY PRETEND TO NEVER HAVE HEARD OF THE PROBLEM AS DOES THE DEALER ALTHOUGH THEY STILL FIND SOMETHING TO REPAIR BUT NEVER FULLY FIXING THE PROBLEM. IF ONE GOES TO GOOGLE AND TYPES IN DEATH WOBBLE UP COME JEEP, WITH VIDEOS OF THE WOBBLE BUT I GUESS THEY DON'T HAVE INTERNET ACCESS FOR THEIR EYES GLAZE OVER IN INCOMPREHENSION AND DENIAL. IS THERE A SOLUTION FOR THIS? I DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN THIS VEHICLE.

NHTSA #: 10364758
mediumSTEERING
Filed: Aug 2010

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 JEEP WRANGLER UNLIMITED X3. WHEN DRIVING BETWEEN 40 AND 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD VIBRATE UNCONTROLLABLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVEN TIMES IN REGARDS TO THE FAILURE YET THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT IN THE DEALER'S POSSESSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000.

NHTSA #: 10349563
mediumSTEERING,POWER TRAIN,AIR BAGS
Filed: Jul 2010

I HAVE A 2008 JEEP WRANGLER X RHD. IT HAS TWO ISSUES. 1. THE AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON BECAUSE THE CLOCKSPRING NEEDS REPLACED IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS COST 500.00 TO FIX. THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND DEFINITELY SHOULD BE A RECALL. 2. THE JEEP WON'T START DUE TO A SAFETY MECHANISM IN THE SHIFTER. YOU HAVE TO START THE JEEP IN NEUTRAL. THESE ARE VERY COMMON PROBLEMS AND SHOULD BE FIXED BY THE COMPANY. I ALSO HAVE A RECALL ON THE STEERING DAMPER..IT HAS BEEN 4 MONTHS SINCE I RECEIVED THE J34 RECALL...THE DEALERSHIP STILL DOESN'T HAVE THE PART TO FIX IT. I HOPE THIS COMPLAINT HELPS IN GETTING THESE ISSUES FIXED. THANK YOU FOR ANY HELP IN THIS MATTER. *TR

NHTSA #: 10341883
mediumSTEERING,SUSPENSION
Filed: Jun 2010

WHEN DRIVING OVER 50MPH IN MY 2008 JEEP WRANGLER IF I HIT CERTAIN POTHOLES OR EXPANSION JOINTS ON THE HIGHWAY, THE WHOLE JEEP STARTS SHAKING VIOLENTLY TO THE POINT WHERE I LOSE CONTROL AND DRIVERS AROUND ME PULL OFF THE ROAD WHEN THEY SEE WHAT MY JEEP IS DOING. I HAVE TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES TO GET THE VEHICLE TO STOP SHAKING AND IT ONLY DOES SO ONCE I AM ABLE TO BRING IT TO A COMPLETE STOP. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE IT SEEMS MANY JEEP WRANGLERS DO IT. IT IS CALLED "DEATH WOBBLE" AND JEEP/CHRYSLER WILL NOT FIX IT. I FEEL THIS VEHICLE IS VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE MY FAMILY IN. *TR

NHTSA #: 10335154
mediumSTEERING,AIR BAGS,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Jan 2010

2008 JEEP WRANGLER RHD POSTAL VEHICLES USED BY RURAL CARRIERS FOR USPS. THOSE OF US WHO PURCHASED THE VEHICLES ARE HAVING ISSUES WITH AIRBAG MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT AND NO HORN USE OR INTERMITTENT USAGE. ONE ITEM OF INTEREST POSSIBLE CAUSE IS THE SPRINGCLOCK IN THE STEERING COLUMN AS COMPONENT THAT OPERATES BOTH HORN AND AIR BAG CIRCUITS. THIS ITEM HAS BEEN A PROBLEM IN YEARS PAST WITH JEEP. CONCERNED WITH A DEPLOYMENT OF FAULTY AIR BAG ISSUE MOSTLY, TRYING TO GET MY VEHICLE IN FOR A COMPLETE INVESTIGATION. TECHNICIANS ARE BY APPOINTMENT ONLY WHEN THEY ARE IN. FORUMS AT RURALINFO.NET CONFIRM OTHERS ARE HAVING THESE SAME ISSUES. MY VEHICLE HAS 50K MILES WHEN PROBLEM OCCURRED. *TR

NHTSA #: 10301886
mediumSTEERING,STRUCTURE
Filed: Aug 2009

MY 2008 JEEP WRANGLER SHAKES WHEN GOING OVER A BUMP OR WHEN I ACCELERATE AT 40 MPH. IT IS SCARY, IT FEELS LIKE DRIVING ON BLACK ICE. I HAD THE TIRES CHECKED AND THEY ARE FINE. THERE MUST BE A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING COMPONENT. ALSO, FREEDOM TOP HAS LEAKED AND STAINED MY SEATS. DEALERSHIP JUST FIXED IT A MONTH AGO. ALSO, THE JEEP WAS LEAKING OIL, DEALERSHIP JUST FIXED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET 3 WEEKS AGO. IT IS SCHEDULED TO GO BACK TO DEALERSHIP FOR THIS STEERING ISSUE AND IT IS RUSTING ON BOTH DOORS. POOR, POOR QUALITY. I AM VERY UNHAPPY WITH THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE LOOKED UP RECALLS AND NONE ARE LISTED FOR MY ISSUES , SO I AM STARTING TO FEEL LIKE I OWN A LEMON. I HAVE WROTE TO JEEP AND CHRYSLER, WAITING ON THEIR REPLIES. JEEP OWNER NEED TO BE AWARE OF THIS SHAKING YOU OFF THE ROAD, IT IS LIKE YOU ARE SWERVING OUT OF CONTROL, VERY SCARY. IT IS GOING TO CAUSE FATALITIES. *TR

NHTSA #: 10281005
mediumSTEERING
Filed: Dec 2008

MY COMPLAINT IS A FUTURE FAILURE. I OWN A 2007 JEEP WRANGLER. AT THE TIME OF THIS COMPLAINT, MY VEHICLE HAS 18,000 MILES. THE TORSION BAR ON THE FRONT END, IS WORN OUT. FELLOW OWNERS COMPLAIN OF THIS PROBLEM. BEING A STEERING ISSUE, IT COULD LEAD TO SEVERE INJURIES IN THE FUTURE. I AM THE FIRST OWNER OF THE VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA #: 10251674
mediumSTEERING,SUSPENSION
Filed: Mar 2008

MY BRAND NEW 2008 JEEP WRANGLER X 4X4 BEGAN THE DREADED "DEATH WOBBLE" (LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL) AROUND 550 MILES. THOUGHT I WAS ABOUT TO "DIE". HAPPENED 4 MORE TIMES UNTIL I GOT IT TO THE DEALER. AFTER SEARCHING JEEP FORUMS AND SUCH, I FOUND THAT 1000S OF JEEP OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM, WITH MANY JEEP MODELS. AND LEARNED THAT CHRYSLER DOES NOT CONSIDER THE DEATH WOBBLE AN ISSUE. MY FAITH IN MANUFACTURERS HAS DROPPED TO THE BOTTOM OF THE PIT. THIS IS AN EXCEEDINGLY DANGEROUS PROBLEM. I'M GOING TO SEE WHAT I CAN DO TO GET THIS JEEP DEFECT ON NATIONAL TV. I AM LUCKY TO BE ALIVE. *TR

NHTSA #: 10220787

Other 2008 Jeep Wrangler Issues