"Death Wobble". 2016 Jeep Cherokee being flat towed in heavy traffic on interstate highway. At first we thought a tire had blown, however slowed down and checked RV rear camera to see the Jeep moving rapidly from side to side, stressing the tow bar. Pulled off to right side of roadway with traffic @75mph+. Unable to exit due to disabled vehicle parked blocking the shoulder. We could not safely pull around it. Partially side-swiped since located nearby an exit. RV side mirror hit and windshield of motorhome damaged (rock). After two hours, finally able to get a state trooper to clear a lane to safely exit the interstate.
Tried to diagnose the problem(s) first expecting tire or suspension damage to either the motor home or Jeep. Discovered it was OK to continue the flat tow to nearby destination at a slow speed. Then I scheduled an appointment with Jeep repair since both traction and engine warning lights had been activated by the drastic steering wobble. Service stated that a recall wiring kit is needed (part#68321424AB), but will NOT be paid for by FC.
Seems there is a service bulletin 08-040-18NREV-A. Also, Blue Ox recommends a fuse by-pass switch BX-88271 installation to complete the fix. Total repairs will exceed $1500. I'm also contacting my local Jeep dealer as well as their zone office. Very disappointed. This car was advertised, documented, and purchased with full confidence that it was engineered to be flat-towed safely behind a motorhome. We were never informed about this potentially hazardous problem, and never were provided with the service bulletin. This should be a national safety recall.
I bought the car as a demo (the 4,000 km's on it). And noticed this issue as soon as I was stopping and turning on smooth roads. At first I thought it was the auto-engine shut off, so I disabled this, the 'wobble' continued. It's most notable when turning from a dead stop. I take off gently (gas conservation), and it feels like the front end is 'wobbling', 'shimmying', 'vibrating', whatever word you'd like, something is shaking and should be! Not as often, although sometimes, I also notice it when I'm driving straight, again from a stop, proceeding. I had it at the dealership last week for a number of items to be corrected/fixed from when I purchased the vehicle, and this was top of the list. Their service manager tells me he's never had this complaint. He and I went for a ride, he acknowledged he felt something, although would not commit to it being a problem. A brand new vehicle should NOT have a wobble! He then tells me he'll look into it, however it's 'likely the design'. Checking other sites today, I see this issue goes back to the 2014 and 2015 models, which HAVE a TSB fix, however the 2016's don't! Obviously the issue is real and obviously it's NOT resolved, since I'm feeling it! I will be escalating this. I purchased the extended warranty on this vehicle, my intent to keep it for a while. THIS is not what I purchased!
- Diana B.,
Windsor, ON, Canada
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"Death Wobble". 2016 Jeep Cherokee being flat towed in heavy traffic on interstate highway. At first we thought a tire had blown, however slowed down and checked RV rear camera to see the Jeep moving rapidly from side to side, stressing the tow bar. Pulled off to right side of roadway with traffic @75mph+. Unable to exit due to disabled vehicle parked blocking the shoulder. We could not safely pull around it. Partially side-swiped since located nearby an exit. RV side mirror hit and windshield of motorhome damaged (rock). After two hours, finally able to get a state trooper to clear a lane to safely exit the interstate.
Tried to diagnose the problem(s) first expecting tire or suspension damage to either the motor home or Jeep. Discovered it was OK to continue the flat tow to nearby destination at a slow speed. Then I scheduled an appointment with Jeep repair since both traction and engine warning lights had been activated by the drastic steering wobble. Service stated that a recall wiring kit is needed (part#68321424AB), but will NOT be paid for by FC.
Seems there is a service bulletin 08-040-18NREV-A. Also, Blue Ox recommends a fuse by-pass switch BX-88271 installation to complete the fix. Total repairs will exceed $1500. I'm also contacting my local Jeep dealer as well as their zone office. Very disappointed. This car was advertised, documented, and purchased with full confidence that it was engineered to be flat-towed safely behind a motorhome. We were never informed about this potentially hazardous problem, and never were provided with the service bulletin. This should be a national safety recall.
- Steve M., Brainerd, US