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.
For your urgent review and action: I was driving down the road at 45 mph and the front wheels and steering wheel of my Jeep started to shake violently! I had no control over the steering of the Jeep. I looked up on the internet this problem and discovered much information including videos that describe this violent shake as the "death wabble". this violent shake continues to happen when I get up to speeds between 45mp and 60mph. So far I have replaced the steering stabalizer shock and now my Jeep is back in the shop at a local tire and front-end service center getting new tires, wheel balancing and a front-end alignment. Because of the severity of this issue, the service center said they will not "test drive" the Jeep after this work is complete because they are not willing to put their employees lives at risk. This is a major problem for me if I can't even have a service provider test drive my vehicle after they do their work because they fear something terrible could happen to their lives. It makes me very scared to drive this Jeep. I am requesting that Chrysler-Jeep immediately review the fixes of my Jeep (including a test drive) when I get the Jeep back and that they cover my expenses thus far to fix the "death wabble" plus any additional work that they may need to do to make my Jeep safe to drive by eliminating this violent shaking problem. I find it hard to believe that this vehicle, with this violent shaking issue that creates loss of control of the vehicle, meets automative safety regulations. This is a "known" difficiency with various Jeep products including my 2007 Jeep Wrangler X. in addition, I am requesting any "recall" information that may be available to fix this problem that I may have missed. I am available to provide additional information upon request to assist with my request for resolution.
At between 35-40 mph, when a bump is hit with one wheel before the other a shaking begins in the front suspension. At times this shaking is so violent and sustained that the vehicle has be brought to a complete stop. There is some kind of apparent harmonic oscillation that is being established for it to be as violent and sustained as it is. I initially reported this to the Jeep dealership in 2008, after the steering stabilizer bracket broke off the front axle of the Jeep. I was told that my problems were because the lift kit that was installed on the vehicle was not a mopar approved kit. Jeeps resolution was for me to purchase a new front axle at my cost and replace the lift kit that was on the vehicle. The lift was professionally installed and is one of the top kits on the market. Since this time, I have replaced the steering stabilizer about every 10K-12K miles. Each time the I do, this reduces the problem for a short period of time. Each time I have discussed the issue with a Jeep service center, I've been told that this is a lift issue and not Jeep's problem. From the many complaints that I continue to read on Jeep forums in which people are experiencing this issue, I strongly believe that this is an issue with the design of the front suspension/steering system on the jk. I have read reports from people experiencing this with the stock suspension, as well as a variety of lift systems and tire/rim configurations. If there is some way to fix this that Jeep is aware of, they should be disclosing it to the owners of the vehicles, if not they should make efforts to investigate and try to resolve this issue.
I hit a small bump on my morning commute on interstate 95 while riding next to a tractor trailer. My front end started shaking violently...I thought I was going to slam into the side of that tractor trailer. The so called "death wobble" is a horrifying experience, and frankly something threatening my life really pisses me off. My Jeep is stock..never lifted and no modifications. I do not understand how the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has let this one slip through the cracks. I am going to see a lawyer. I have spent so much money trying to get this resolved..and I am still not safe it is still happening..happened yesterday. Now I could trade it in or sell it, but that is some real bad karma coming back. I am looking for these manufacture issues to be resolved and to know that when I drive my Jeep to and from work everyday that everytime I hit a small bump or cross over a joint in a bridge, I am not at risk of killing myself or someone else due to driving a Jeep Wrangler. I would never recommend Jeep to anyone at this point. In fact people ask me all the time how I like it and I tell them it is a piece of crap and I wouldn't buy one. Feel free to contact me regarding these issues. I am sure you have heard them before as they seem to be pretty common (the violent shaking in the front end even has it's own name...the "death wobble"). why don't you go out and buy a Wrangler and put your own family members in it and drive down the highway at 70" would you own a Jeep Wrangler or buy one for your daughter"
The contact owns a 2007 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that the front end of the vehicle would shake violently when driving at any speed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer numerous times for the failure. The dealer replaced the steering stabilizer several times but the failure was not corrected. The failure mileage was 20,000 and the current mileage was 363,000.
The contact owns a 2007 Jeep Wrangler. While driving approximately 60 mph, the vehicle began to shake uncontrollably. The failure only occurred when driving at highway speeds above 55 mph. The vehicle was taken to an auto shop for diagnostic testing where the mechanic rotated the tires and replaced the stabilizer but the failure continued after the repair. The vehicle was not further repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
- Raleigh, NC, USA
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At 45mph steering wheel shook violently. Vehicle about to roll over due to loss of control. Car following states wheels were turning back and forth at high speed. Does frequently now.
While driving on a secondary road at 50 mph, I crossed a bump in the road where a culvert had been replaced. The blacktop was replaced on the road and no visible obstructions were noticed. The Jeep started shaking violently. I thought I had blown a tire or a ball joint had failed. I came to a stop at the side of the road with traffic behind me, fearing I'd get rear-ended making a stop so suddenly. I got out of the Jeep to check the tires, etc and nothing looked out of place - no flat tires, no sign of joints failing. I got back in the Jeep and slowly started driving again. This happened within a 4 week span at least 4 times at the same location. But when I would drive with others in their vehicles, there would be no problems. I ended up taking my Jeep to the local garage and they replaced ball joints, U joints and also aligned the front end. I had no problem until November 1, when along another secondary road, another culvert had been replaced; again the Jeep started shaking violently. Again on a main highway, a week later, a bump you could not see but feel while driving, violent shaking occurred. I called my garage today and told the attendant what has been happening and they explained to me that this occurs in some Chrysler and also Ford vehicles. There probably is nothing else wrong, but it's something that just needs to be dealt with in owning one of these vehicles. "dealt with""??" I shouldn't have to deal with this - Chrysler should deal with this - helloooo, "recall"...
I purchased this vehicle used with 7907 miles on it. Within four months I experienced the front end shake violently when I hit a bump. I thought it was just a one time occurrence caused by being in a curve when it happened. But this has happened six or seven times in the past year with two occurrences in the same day, yesterday 11-1-11. I have found a location on interstate highway I-294 where at 55mph it will occur when ever I am in the right lane. I have not taken the car to a dealer yet because it only has 27000 miles on it and everything looks tight in the front end. The vehicle is completely stock and has never been driver off road. After researching the internet for similar complaints I found many people experiencing the same trouble. It is described as "death wobble". I believe this issue should be looked at by the ntsb. With so many Jeep Wrangler owners having the same trouble, there may be design fault.
Dear [xxx], I received a response from [xxx] stating that there was not a safety defect trend with Jeep Wrangler...are you kidding me? do you not read all your reports regarding this issue. I am asking again and will continue to ask for any one person at NHTSA to look into this very serious defect that causes accidents, crashes, that may lead to death...Office Of Defects Investigation needs to have "the Jeep death wobble investigated, researched for NHTSA describes its mission as "save lives, prevent injuries, reduce vehicle-related crashes. Please I would like this rsolved for I would like my life back. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Intermittent problem occurring almost exclusively at highway speeds. While driving at highway speeds suddenly, without warning, the vehicle shuts off. All warning lights on the dash board appear, engine completely shuts off which leads to power steering failure and loss of safe control of the vehicle. While the engine shut off is intermittent and does not last for more than a few seconds before it turns back on without use of the key or any other means of manually restarting the vehicle, it is highly unsafe and can lead to severe injury or death. We have noted this issue occurring approximately 1-2 times per month. We finally took the vehicle to the dealership to service and locate the issue with the vehicle on October 20, 2011. The dealership stated they could not find any issues with the vehicle, with the exception of unusually high oil consumption. The dealership advised we do an oil consumption test which will be completed in 3000 miles or 3 months.
The contact owns a 2007 Jeep Wrangler. The contact was driving 70 mph when he drove over a road bump and the front end of the vehicle began shaking violently. The contact stated the vehicle would become uncontrollable when it would shake or wobble. The contact did not take the vehicle to the dealer for inspection or repairs. The failure mileage was 73,000.
My Jeep Wrangler has the well known defect appropriate consumer name "the Jeep death wobble" there is no guaranteed repair in this defect that causes and has caused accident and / or death. I will not repair a Jeep that I did not cause the defect in the manufacture. My Jeep is well maintained, never taken off road, never altered any of the original manufacture design and parts. This defect is affecting thousands upon thousands of consumers and there is no guaranteed repair if any and I will not risk the lives of my family, friends, enemies, children, babies, pets, those innocent people driving around me with their non-defective vehicle and I will not risk my life at the hands of daimler Chrysler defective Jeep Wrangler since 2003. This to be a priority for this defect in 50% to 75% Jeep Wrangler may cause and has caused accident and or death. Yours in success,
The contact owns a 2007 Jeep Wrangler. The contact was driving 45 mph when the vehicle began shaking uncontrollably. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who advised that the steering stabilizer needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted who advised the contact to take the vehicle to the dealer for the repair at the contact's expense. The failure mileage was 36,000 and the current mileage was 42,000.
The contact owns a 2007 Jeep Wrangler. The contact was driving 60 mph when the steering and the front end began shaking uncontrollably. The contact stated that the shaking stopped when the vehicle increased speed. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a dealer or a mechanic for inspection of the failure. The contact stated the vehicle becomes very unsafe to drive once it would reach highway speeds above 60 mph. The failure mileage was 38,000.
This is the first of three similar incidents concerning two different Jeep and clockspring failure. In this incident they advised that it was caused from a big jarring. In the second incident they said dust. The third one, in a separate 2008 wranger I replaced myself. They charge approximately $150 for less then a minute of diagnostic and approximately $250 for a part that costs less then $180. I believe this is a fleecing of the public and needs the attention of your Agency. There is a way to disable the the airbag sound and because of these costs it could/will lead to a death from failure.
The contact owns a 2007 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated the vehicle would shake violently while driving at any speed. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnosis and the manufacturer was contact who advised that the contact was responsible for the repair. The vehicle was not repaired the failure and current mileage was 38,000.
The contact owns a 2007 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated while driving the vehicle 30 mph it pulled excessively to the right. The contact tried to turn the steering wheel back to the left and it responded as if the power steering failed. The contact applied the brakes in order to stop the vehicle and there was no response. The emergency brake also failed when it was engaged. The failure caused the contact to crash into a viaduct. The vehicle was towed to a mechanic and inspected by the manufacturer. The manufacturer stated nothing was wrong with the vehicle. The vehicle was deemed destroyed. The failure and current mileage was 6,000.
The contact owns a 2007 Jeep Wrangler. The contact was driving approximately 50 to 60 mph when the steering began shaking violently. The contact had to continuously apply the brakes in order to maintain control of the vehicle. In addition, when refueling the vehicle, fuel would spill back out from the fuel tank. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnosis or repairs. The manufacturer was contact but denied assistance with repairs. The failure mileage was 50,000 and the current mileage was 59,000. Form returned no change
Severe wobble in front end where control of vehicle is hard to maintain. It began intermittently and briefly and now is repetitive and sustained. My Wrangler is now being evaluated for the fourth time and needs a steering dampener replaced (which was the recall) along with replacing upper and lower ball joints. Chrysler reportedly had 4,000 of these vehicles recalled under service bulletin number: Csn-J34 with this same issue. My vehicle is not included in the recall. This vehicle and others like it is going to kill someone. The front end of the vehicle violently shakes/wobbles at normal highway speeds. I was told by the dealer that this was a "known engineering flaw".
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Ballston Lake, NY, USA