10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
63,056 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

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.

2008 Jeep Wrangler steering problems

steering problem

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2008 Jeep Wrangler Owner Comments (Page 5 of 8)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #76

Apr 252013

Wrangler

  • 65,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

It is a largely know problem with steering box and components on 07' and newer Jeep Wrangler(jk Wrangler 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.

- Reelsville, IN, USA

problem #75

May 282013

Wrangler 6-cyl

  • 37,000 miles
'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.

- Hermosa Beach, CA, USA

problem #74

Dec 062012

Wrangler

  • 40,000 miles
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.

- Crocqett, CA, USA

problem #73

May 032013

Wrangler 6-cyl

  • 97,869 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

"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 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 Wrangler before this one, and have never had the problems I have with my current Jeep.

- Washington, DC, USA

problem #72

May 152013

Wrangler 6-cyl

  • 51,000 miles
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 Wrangler and specifically to the clockspring behind the steering wheel. Apparently my airbag may or may not work in the event of an accident.

- Dallas, TX, USA

problem #71

Jan 082013

Wrangler 6-cyl

  • 52,000 miles
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.

- Clyde, MI, USA

problem #70

May 082013

Wrangler 6-cyl

  • 46,591 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Draper , UT, USA

problem #69

Jul 202011

Wrangler 6-cyl

  • 19,000 miles
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.

- Arlington, TX, USA

problem #68

Mar 182013

Wrangler 6-cyl

  • 72,000 miles
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.

- Omaha, NE, USA

problem #67

Apr 182013

Wrangler 6-cyl

  • 62,000 miles
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.

- Wichita, KS, USA

problem #66

Apr 012013

Wrangler 6-cyl

  • 40,100 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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 Jeep with coil spring front axel?

- Yucca Valley, CA, USA

problem #65

Sep 142012

Wrangler

  • 39,000 miles
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).

- Cambridge, MA, USA

problem #64

May 022012

Wrangler

  • 65,000 miles
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.

- Newkirk, OK, USA

problem #63

Mar 212013

Wrangler 6-cyl

  • 117,832 miles
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.

- Marietta, GA, USA

problem #62

Mar 072013

Wrangler

  • 46,000 miles
Hit a small bump, left tire shook uncontrollably, losing control, over curb, hit post, damaging front end and hitting passengers head on windshield

- Mesa, AZ, USA

problem #61

Oct 272012

Wrangler 6-cyl

  • 70,726 miles
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.

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

problem #60

Feb 062013

Wrangler 4WD 6-cyl

  • 33,408 miles
2008 Jeep Wrangler. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle "death wobble" and consumer also seeks reimbursement. 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.

- The Woodlands, TX, USA

problem #59

Jan 162013

Wrangler 6-cyl

  • 50,100 miles
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 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: www.youtube.com/watch"V=7pen1it91Z0 I have read that congress addressed this with Jeep and Jeep has issued a technical bulletin 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"

- Kings Park, NY, USA

problem #58

Feb 112013

Wrangler 6-cyl

  • 13,800 miles
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.

- Orange, CA, USA

problem #57

Oct 112010

Wrangler

  • 90,000 miles
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.

- Whichita Falls, TX, USA

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