This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
The contact owns a 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the front tires started shaking violently to the right and left while the steering wheel followed the rapid jerking movements from right to left. The contact slowed the vehicle to 40 MPH and was able to proceed. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local independent mechanic who determined that burned lower track arm bearings on the steering arms left and right needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The failure still occurred intermittently. The vehicle was towed to a second independent mechanic but had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
I was on the highway with my 3 year old grandchild in the back when my car started shaking so violently I thought we were going to die! it literally felt like the wheels and the steering wheel as well were going to all fall off! I've never been more scared in my life. It was very difficult to slow it down and pull over to a breakdown lane so I could stop. I was even going under the speed limit when this happened
My Jeep has the "death wobble". when hitting a bump (bridge, pothole, etc.) going down the road, the front end starts to bounce around and becomes unstable. This usually occurs at highway speeds and seems to be worse when towing a trailer. I have to come to an almost complete stop the get it to quit shaking. Steering and braking are affected. Tires chirp when trying to stop because one or both front tires leave the ground. New tires, brakes (both pads and rotors), and sway bar links and the problem still persists. Just had a state inspection done and had them check very carefully the front end components such as ball joints. All seemed to be ok.
Was driving on freeway at 70 mph, hit a big bump in road and vehicle started to shake violently, at first thought it was a flat tire but after slowing down, the vehicle stopped shaking and could drive normally. That was first incident, since then I've had 8 incidents where the same thing happens between 55 and 70 mph. It always happens when I hit a bump in road. I looked on line to see if any one else had experienced this death wobble on the Jeep Grand Cherokee larado and found a lot of people have experienced this extremely dangerous and mind numbing experience. Updated 11/12/15
- Dundee, MI, USA
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Engine never stalls but power steering cuts out and vehicle looses ability to steer and negotiate a intersection turn all the time. Engine never stalls but engine speed surges and vehicle accelerates suddenly at low speeds after car first starts and for first 2 minutes of running. On safety recall for gas tank defect and hitch install. (N45) dealer did not attempt to fix bolts or install hitch or offer cost estimate for repair, only took unauthorized pictures of vehicle rear undercarriage and stated bolts were elongated and looked rusty.
I bought the car from a private seller who cautioned me about a supposed 'death wobble' as I now know it when the car goes over a bump at highway speeds. On my first take on the highway, I hit a small bump going 65 and the car began to shake so violently I thought it was going to break up into pieces. Traffic swerved around me as I veered my car to my left into the grassy median. Luckily there was no accident. I have had several experts observe the front end and replace parts and suggest other parts to replace in order to remedy the situation but no fix has resolved the 'death wobble.' Many of these experts have seen this problem before and even told me not to bother spending any more money trying to fix it because I would be, 'throwing money into a bottomless pit.' People have been complaining about this for almost 20 years now and not a thing has been done about it! this is extremely dangerous and Chrysler should be slammed for this!
I hit a small bump and the front end started to shake very intensely. I could feel it in the steering wheel. To stop I had to step hard on the brake, and I was in a center lane of traffic. It was a very dangerous maneuver. Since the first time it happened it has gotten progressively more frequent, even though I have tried a variety of strategies to repair this problem: New tires, multiple alignments, new shocks (twice), replaced track bar, replace sway bar bushings, replaced steering gear box and pitman arm. I have had several mechanics look at it. It is very frustrating. The car is old, I understand that, but there is no logical reason it can not be made safe. Yet it is not safe, despite my ongoing efforts to make it so. I have not yet given up, because of course I can't sell it. If I can't fix it, I might as well junk it, even though the motor runs great.
The contact owns a 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, she attempted to maneuver the steering wheel however the steering wheel fractured. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the steering box and steering bar needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 175,000.
In 2007 had what is known as the Jeep death wobble. I had know idea what this was until I let the Jeep set for 4 years and then had the steering box and steering stabilizer replaced. Everything was fine for a while until I hit a small bump in the road in 2012 driving down I-40. I was coming around a curve and the Jeep began to shake out of control. I was doing the speed limit which is 70. Had to slam on brakes and pull over for this to stop. Took it back to the shop and was basically told all Jeep do this and nothing could be done. This is so dangerous and there needs to be a recall to fix the problem. From what I've read online it can be fixed, but why should Jeep owners have to foot the bill to be safe on the road"??"
Death wobble: Steering wheel and entire front of car shakes or oscillates very badly when traveling between 25 and 50 mph and hitting a bump or rut in the road. This violent shaking continues until the speed is reduced. This incident has happened to me about 20 times in the last 3 months. According to many reports on the internet, the bad components are the front track arm or bar and the steering damper.
I have repeatedly tried to find out what is causing my steering to consistently wobble at 50 mph. After several trips to my mechanic, it turns out to be a common steering issue with the Jeep. I could not find a recall notice for this specific problem. Is there a way to have the manufacturer repair it?
Having recently purchased a pre-owned 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo. With 80K miles, I was rudely introduced to Jeep's apparently well known. Attribute known as 'wobble of death' or 'death wobble'. please do an internet. Search of this malady to realize the extent of this inherent problem. My Jeep is completely stock and completely nerve-wracking to drive with it's current tendencies. I am completely surprised that this problem has been allowed to persist for this long.
While driving the vehicle steering shaft broke and disengaged causing injury to the driver. Nlm the consumer states that the steering shaft broke due to faulty design by the manufacturer. The consumer is seeking reimbursement for injuries due to the steering shaft snapping.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Meeker, CO, USA