10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
7 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
6,979 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.

2018 Jeep Wrangler steering problems

steering problem

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2018 Jeep Wrangler Owner Comments (Page 14 of 53)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #798

Mar 022020

Wrangler

  • 300 miles

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

Jeep jl 2 door Wrangler rubicon steering wanders horribly causing an un-safe driving condition. Vehicle has had steering stabilizer replaced by re-call as well as a new front track bar by without noticeable improvement in driving characteristics. Significant play in steering wheel with constant steering adjustment to drive down straight road. I have owned two previous Jeep which drove much better than this jl.

- Stuart, FL, USA

problem #797

Feb 242020

Wrangler

  • 24,000 miles
When driving on the freeway at about 65 mph. If I hit a bump or pothole in my lane the front end and steering wheel jumps/shakes violently and the vehicle is very dangerous and scary and hard to control. This has happened alot. It is very dangerous.

- Baltimore, OH, USA

problem #796

Feb 272020

Wrangler

  • miles
Car will not keep straight, wobbles left and right during normal driving. Took to dealership multiple times. Addressed the trac bar recall but still having issues.

- Denver, CO, USA

problem #795

Dec 222019

Wrangler

  • 2,061 miles

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

While driving at approximately 55 mph I had a severe vibration (death wobble) in the front of my Jeep. It is 2018 with less than 4,000 miles. It has happened several times and I have taken it to Jeep but they were unable to recreate it.

- Lake Havasu City, AZ, USA

problem #794

Nov 232019

Wrangler

  • 15,000 miles
While driving at highway speeds, a small bump in the road will cause the steering column to shake excessively along with the front wheels going into a severe wobble. This wobble will not stop until the vehicle slows down under 15 mph.

- Ottawa, IL, USA

problem #793

Oct 122019

Wrangler

  • 21,000 miles
In July of 19 I purchased my 2018 Jeep Wrangler sport S 4dr from a local dealership. About 1000 miles into ownership I began noticing loose steering with excessive play. I took the Jeep in for service and a flash tsb was performed, the problem was better, but still present. At the same time I was also part of the weld recall no repair needed. I started noticing shuttering at highway speeds after hitting bumps. I had the suspension checked when I went in for the second weld recall notice on my Jeep in 01/19, it was ok according to the dealership. 02/19 I experienced excessive vibration/shuttering of the frontend after hitting a bump at highway speeds. Did not stop until I slowed to about 40mph. Took to dealership, an upgraded steering dampener was placed on the vehicle. Shuttering continued. 10/19 shuttering gets worse. While driving about 55mph steering locks up on a curve two times, like the power steering dropped for a couple seconds then returned. Taken to the shop, dampener replaced again, cant duplicate lock up. I contacted Jeep cares and fca. 11/19 vehicle is taken to the shop again for 2 weeks. Shop acknowledges steering is looser than it should be. Steering gear is replaced. After getting vehicle back steering is tight but now wandering all over the place, cant keep Jeep in a straight line especially at high speed. 12/19 vehicle is taken back to shop alignment is performed. After a couple hundred miles I notice steering is loose and there is a dead spot in the steering again. I relay this to fca. 01/19 fca regional tech drives vehicle, says its driving as designed, checks alignment and adjusts caster. Problems with loose steering and deadspot persist. Jeeps degree of wandering depends on conditions seems even more difficult to operate on windy days than it was before steering gear change. Takes constant corrections to keep it going straight.

- Bellefontaine, OH, USA

problem #792

Nov 132018

Wrangler

  • 10,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the went over a bump in the road and became difficult to control. The contact stated that there was no warning before, during or after the failure. The vehicle was taken to randy marion Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram 2000 us-421, wilkesboro, nc 28697 where the vehicle was diagnosed with a defective steering damper. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was then taken to hendrick Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Fiat of concord 7630 hendrick auto plaza nw, concord, nc 28027, where the steering damper was replaced a second time however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed back to hendrick Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Fiat of concord, where the vehicle was test driven by a technician. The technician was unable to duplicate the failure. On another occasion while merging into traffic at 55 mph, the vehicle fishtailed. The contact was able to regain control of the vehicle and drove back to the residence. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 10,000.

- Harmony, NC, USA

problem #791

Feb 132020

Wrangler

  • 140,000 miles
We bought this vehicle from hoffer Jeep in topeka, ks. The vehicle was won buy a person at a casino event so we are the 2nd owner. The vehicle had, I believe under 2K miles, upon our purchase. Since, we have owned the vehicle it has consistently had a "death wobble". I simply cannot count how many times at or under mandated highway speeds this vehicle has entered a 'death wobble". the most recent was from returning from manhattan ks to Kansas City the vehicle entered a "death wobble" no less than 4 times. The last time I was driving 5 miles under the 75mph speed limit when hitting some road chatter, nothing significant, caused uncontrollable chatter in front wheels, axle, generating strong vibration through the steering column and wheel. I released the accelerator and the vehicle came out of the "death wobble" at 27mph, on an incredibly busy highway. This was/is unsafe at highway speeds. The dangers it caused could have been catastrophic in nature and need to be addressed before someone is killed. This vehicle is stock and has not had its suspension, tires, etc., adjusted or manipulated in any shape, fashion, or form. Please advise on how this matter should be dealt with going forward? thanks

- Overland Park, KS, USA

problem #790

Feb 142020

Wrangler

  • 31,000 miles
While driving our 2018 Wrangler jl in 20-30 degree temperature the steering assist locked up, causing my wife to drive the vehicle off of the road while in a slow sweeping curve. After a second or two the steering re-engaged as she was trying to steer back onto the road and she suddenly veered back onto the road. A few seconds later it happened again. Fortunately nothing was struck and no one was injured. After the vehicle continued to warm up the lockup did not occur again. This was 3 weeks ago. Two days ago, while starting out driving in mid 30 degree temperatures the steering again locked up for about a second before reengaging. All instances occurred after the Jeep was sitting outside in the cold and started for the first time that day. Both events occurred within the first 4-5 minutes of driving at speeds in the 45-50mph range while making turns to the wheel. The big danger here is that if the vehicle is in a turn and the steering goes out, the driver could try and turn hard on the steering wheel to regain control and if the steering assist kicks back in, an oversteer situation could occur causing the vehicle to roll over or cross over into oncoming traffic. Fca has already issued a tsb for the possible problem (08-092-18) which I will now contact my local dealer to see if they will investigate.

- Indian Trail, NC, USA

problem #789

Feb 012019

Wrangler

  • 5,000 miles
Driving at highway speeds the vehicles steering is dangerous and it becomes more pronounced in the wind and in the rain. It drifts dangerously and when trying to correct the drift the steering is not very responsive since it has way too much play so you begin to over correct causing even more issues. In the rain the vehicle has the feel as if it's hydroplaning and the impact from the wets roads and puddles causes the vehicle to drift even more. I found that many people have received replacements of the 1.steering box (68259507ae) 2.the damper (recall 77072360) 3.track bar (68394087aa) all of these parts have been upgraded by mopar and I'm guessing that was for obvious reasons but my dealership and customer service at Jeep/Chrysler refuse to acknowledge there is a problem yet the problem persists. I showed them proof in both videos and with the upgraded parts and it does not seem to matter to them that this is a dangerous situation. I will provide a link of a person who got these issues repaired this individual has the same make model and year Jeep I have. Https://www.youtube.com/watch?V=asz1wujbjby. I do not feel comfortable driving this vehicle it feels dangerous to me... my wife will not drive it at all and she was the one who wanted the vehicle since we bought it for her. This has been going on since we bought the vehicle. I have done the research and 1,000's of people are complaining about this, some have a dangerous wobble, some have really bad drift where its hard to keep the vehicle on the road at highway speeds, and some have both. Funny, I was told by my dealership that this was normal for a Jeep and its not acceptable I told him it felt dangerous and he agreed it drifts but says that normal for a Jeep. It gets so bad at times in the rain I have to get in the right lane and drive 30 miles per hour in a 70 mile per hour zone. The Jeep has only 5K miles

- Rhome, TX, USA

problem #788

Feb 142020

Wrangler

  • 17,503 miles

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

There have been three separate events that occured related to the front steering shaking on the vehicle. Two occurred before I had the recall done called 02V41182 steering damper. Driving ~60 mph, ~30 degrees F, and after hitting a bump. I then took it in for service for the work covered under the steering dampener to be fixed. Approximately 5 minutes after leaving the dealer, I was driving and the issue occurred again for the third time. I am scared for the safety of my life and integrity of the steering system as all three events occurred on the the highway.

- Bentonville, AR, USA

problem #787

Feb 132020

Wrangler

  • 32,000 miles
Tight steering at highway speeds (over 60mph) most likely to happen in colder temperatures. To give you an idea: You are driving on the highway and want to switch lanes. It will feel as if your steering wheel is locked and that you cannot steer it to the next lane. You will have trouble keeping your vehicle straight on the highway as well, constantly veering to the right. This vehicle feels very dangerous to drive at highway speeds. Took the vehicle in to the dealer 3 times, with the same " we cannot reproduce the issue" run around. I am certain that there is an issue and hope Jeep (fca) owns up and issues a recall.

- Denver, CO, USA

problem #786

Feb 062020

Wrangler

  • 16,200 miles
The morning of Feb 6, 2020, I was driving my 2018 jl (approx 16K mileage) on the highway at ~65 mph when the steering all of a sudden locked up going into a right bend in the highway. Suddenly I was unable to turn the vehicle to the right to stay in the middle lane and ended halfway in the left fast lane headed straight for the concrete highway median barriers. Thank goodness there were no cars on the highway next to me in the left lane that the unresponsive steering forced me into. After I slowed down, the steering went back to normal and I was able to get over to the right hand lane without incident and exit the highway. I have not felt comfortable driving on the highway or having my kids in the Jeep since. The steering lockup on the highway was frightening; I feel very lucky to have escaped what looked like an imminent high speed highway accident with my own vehicle and possibly other cars nearby. Separately, my husband and I have both experienced rapid steering oscillation at highway speeds, a jarring full vehicle wobble when going over a bump or crack in the highway. The local dealer where we bought the Jeep had already replaced the steering damper due to an earlier recall; the highspeed steering lockup and oscillation issues have occurred since. I'm now working with a second local dealer who hasn't yet been able to isolate or diagnose the steering problems. As next step, the technician is suggesting I take the Jeep back out on the highway with him to try to recreate the steering binding/lockup issues ' yikes!

- Portola Valley, CA, USA

problem #785

Feb 022020

Wrangler

  • 18,500 miles
When traveling at highway speeds, a small bump in the road causes the steering wheel and front suspension to shake violently. The Jeep dealership has replaced the steering dampner twice but there is no guarantee it will fix the issue

- Anthem, AZ, USA

problem #784

Jan 292020

Wrangler

  • 36,600 miles
My daughter drives that Jeep and had the steering lock up on the highway in houston on the morning of January 29 2020 and could not steer left(change lane) for about a mile, then went back to normal...it was taken the next day to helfman dealer, with said problem was solved...they updated electronics witch I believe the problem is a mechanical issue in the steering box.there was no accident involved.I found online several similar issues and videos related to the same problem.I believe its just a matter of time before it happens again hopefully without an accident involved. I think it is a critical issue having a steering lock

- La Grange, TX, USA

problem #783

Jan 312020

Wrangler 4-cyl

  • 10,000 miles
My Jeep started to shake violently after driving over some small bumps on the highway while driving 60-65 mph. I had to pull my car over. I thought I blew a tire, but I did not. I drove off without the vehicle shaking after I waited a few minutes. Unfortunately, it happened again in the same day when I drove over a rough patch on the highway traveling the same speed. I pulled over again and waited before driving off. I did some research and learned this is a know safety problem with Jeep called a "death wobble". I made an appointment to have my Jeep looked at on 2-4-2020, however the service garage had to cancel my appointment due to their internet being down. I have rescheduled for 2-7-2020. If the service does not correct the problem, what am I to do? thank you, [xxx]. information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Durham, NC, USA

problem #782

Jan 292020

Wrangler

  • 13,050 miles
Rapid jarring and shaking of steering wheel occurred when driving speeds of 65 -70 mph encountered an expansion crack the violent shaking of the Jeep caused me to have to pull off the road to avoid a collision. This happened on January 29, 2020 the Jeep has 13,000 miles on it and has never bee off-road. The Jeep has been parked since the incident, deemed unsafe for transportation. It is scheduled to go to into dealership on Feb 4th for evaluation and repair if possible.

- Manchester, MI, USA

problem #781

Jan 282020

Wrangler

  • 21,800 miles
Stabilizer control and throttle control light came on. Vehicle was taken in for repair. Vehicle was picked up and the steering felt light. As I'm driving on the highway I hit a bump and the steering wheel began to shake violently. I slowed down and it stopped. I called the dealership and explained what happened and I'm getting the run around. Claim it could be warp rotors. It's not warped rotors after I did some research. I found out this vehicle has what's called a death wobble.

- Joliet, IL, USA

problem #780

Jan 222020

Wrangler

  • 2 miles
Steering wheel stiff in cold weather- temp dropped into the '40S, went to drop kids at school and the steering wheel did not turn in a curve. It was stiff and then suddenly would turn extremely fast, which, I feel, is very dangerous. This is my second attempt with the dealer who said that they can't find anything wrong. I had a software update performed that is supposed to address this issue but nothing. This is a serious safety issue. It needs to be addressed.

- Longwood, FL, USA

problem #779

Jul 162018

Wrangler

  • 5,000 miles
I purchased my Wrangler and about 4 months after having it noticed uncontrollable shaking when going over 50 mph on the highway and hitting a bump. Once the shaking started I would have to slow down to at least 45 or 50 to get it to stop. My Wrangler has been in the shop 4 times before finally being fixed. We are going on 6 months since this was supposedly fixed and it is now doing it again. However now it has a shake every time I hit a bump not just when I am going faster than 50 mph. I am going to have to take my Wrangler in fro the 5th time and hope that it gets fixed.

- Luckey, OH, USA

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