RoadVitals

2008 Jeep Wrangler 4-Dr 4X4 Steering Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the steering system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Steering reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
84
Latest Aug 13, 2019
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
14%
of 614 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
1
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2008 Jeep Wrangler 4-Dr 4X4 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 84 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming steering

The 25 most recent of 84, in the owner's own words

Steering
Filed Aug 13, 2019

PURCHASED 2008 JEEP WRANGLER AND AT AROUND 3600 MILES NOTICED SEVERE STEERING ISSUES. STEERING WAS WANDERING AND HAS BECOME ERRATIC. EXCESSIVE SIDE TO SIDE MOVEMENT, EXCESSIVE JIGGLES ON SMALL BUMPS AT LOWER SPEEDS. DANGEROUS STEERING AT 65MPH ON HIGHWAY TO THE EXTENT THAT VEHICLE SWERVES INTO NEXT LANE UNEXPECTEDLY. JEEP REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE DANGEROUS ISSUE WITH 2008 AND 2009 STEERING ISSUES THAT INVOLVESTEERING GEAR BOX, SHAFTS AND BALL JOINTS. SECOND OPINION FROM OUTSIDE AGENCY STATED GEAR BOX IS JUNK, SHAFTS NEED REPLACEMENT DUE TO FAULTY ENGINEERING FROM CHRYSLER. MANY MANY JEEP OWNERS ARE HAVING THESE ISSUES AND INVOLVED IN ACCIDENTS TO DUE TO THE FAULTY STEERING ON THESE VEHICLES. *JS

NHTSA ID
11243655
Incident
Sep 30, 2013
Mileage
3,600 mi
Other / unspecifiedSteeringSuspension
Filed Jun 13, 2019

DRIVING 40 MPH OR OVER WILL CAUSE CAR TO HARSHLY SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLY MAKING IT EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STEER AND CONTROL THE VEHICLE. COMPLETELY UNSAFE TO DRIVE ON A FREEWAY AS THE ONLY WAY TO GET THE CAR TO STOP SHAKING IS TO COMPLETELY STOP. BECAUSE OF ALL THE SHAKING CAUSES OTHER SUSPENSION AND WHEEL PROBLEMS. BOLTS ON SUSPENSION AND WHEEL START TO LOOSEN UP CAUSING ANOTHER SAFETY ISSUE. VERY COMMON PROBLEM FOR JEEP WRANGLERS FROM 2006 TO PRESENT.

NHTSA ID
11219850
Incident
Mar 1, 2019
Mileage
5 mi
ElectricalEngineSteering
Filed Feb 21, 2019

RANDOMLY THE JEEP WILL COMPLETELY GO CRAZY. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WITH FLUID RUN, BLINKERS, HORN, AND ----> THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. I LOSE POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES AT THE SAME TIME. THIS IS SERIOUSLY DANGEROUS. I CALLED THE LOCAL JEEP DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME TO CALL CHRYSLER. I DID SOME RESEARCH IN JEEP FORUMS ONLINE AND FOUND THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE JEEP WRANGLERS FROM 2007 FORWARD. JEEP HAS A RECALL FOR THE MOST RECENT MODELS, BUT NO RECALL FOR THE PREVIOUS YEARS TO INCLUDE MINE. I'M REALLY CONFUSED HOW THIS HAPPENS TO SO MANY JEEP WRANGLERS AROUND MY YEAR, BUT THERE ARE NO RECALLS. THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE FOR THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS AND DEFINITELY FOR OTHER VEHICLES AROUND.

NHTSA ID
11181529
Incident
Feb 21, 2019
Mileage
5 mi
SteeringSuspension
Filed Nov 30, 2018

DEVELOPED DEATH WOBBLE ON THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MILES AN HOUR. IN RESEARCHING I SEE CHRYSLER SAYS THIS IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. I CAN ASSURE YOU IT IS. IT IS A DESIGNED FLAW ACCORDING TO THE MECHANICS I HAD LOOK AT IT. A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR THAT CHRYSLER WILL NOT COVER. I LUCKILY SOMEHOW KEPT THE VEHICLE UNDER CONTROL DESPITE THE STEERING SHAKING UNCONTROLLABLY, SO BAD THE VEHICLE LIFTED OFF THE ROAD AND SKIDDED SIDEWAYS.

NHTSA ID
11154904
Incident
Nov 23, 2018
Mileage
99,000 mi
EngineSteering
Filed Jul 18, 2017
Fire reported

DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON A MODERATELY HOT DAY (91 DEG AT START OF DRIVE, 80 DEG AT TIME OF INCIDENT ABOUT 55 MINUTES AFTER START), SOME STOP-N-GO TRAFFIC FIRST 40 MINUTES, THEN A STEADY NORMAL CLIMB INTO FOOTHILLS (FROM ABOUT 5400' TO 8200') ON PAVED ROADS, AS VEHICLE WAS TURNING RIGHT AT A Y-INTERSECTION AT TOP OF A HILL, A LARGE BANG WAS HEARD IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT FOLLOWED BY EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF GREY SMOKE EMANATING FROM SAME. ENGINE TEMPERATURE WAS NORMAL AT THE TIME (FAN HAD ENGAGED A FEW TIMES ALONG THE WAY TO KEEP WITHIN RANGE) AND NO WARNING LIGHTS WERE PRESENT BEFORE OR AFTER INCIDENT. IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND OPENED HOOD. WITHIN ABOUT A MINUTE OF STOPPING A SMALL FIRE BROKE OUT ABOVE THE DRIVERS SIDE MANIFOLD/CAT. I WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH USING A TOWEL, BUT NOT BEFORE THE FIRE HAD MELTED SOME WIRE BUNDLES. INITIAL INSPECTION INDICATED A POWER STEERING (ATF) FLUID RUPTURE THAT SPRAYED THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, SUBSEQUENTLY FLASHING FROM THE HEAT OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. FORTUNATELY, SITUATION WAS HANDLED QUICKLY BEFORE THE CAR BECAME ENGULFED (AS I'VE NOW LEARNED HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES WITH THIS VEHICLE MODEL). VEHICLE IS BEING TOWED TO JEEP DEALER TOMORROW FOR REPAIR. I HAVE NOT YET HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK WITH JEEP REGARDING THIS INCIDENT, BUT FEEL A FAULTY DESIGN HAS PUT MY SAFETY AT RISK. I WILL HOPEFULLY BE ABLE TO PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION TO THIS SUBMISSION ONCE AVAILABLE...

NHTSA ID
11006282
Incident
Jul 18, 2017
Mileage
112,000 mi
SteeringSuspension
Filed Apr 22, 2017

DEATH WOBBLE********************************* (MAIN CONCERN) I HAVE ALMOST DIED A 1000XS DUE TO THIS DEATH WOBBLE. I WENT THROUGH HELL WITH THE PREVIOUS DEALER DEALERSHIP . IT HAS BEEN MANY YEARS BRINGING THE JEEP IN TO GARAGES AND NO ONE CAN FIGURE IT OUT. I HAD TO DELIVER A PART 77 MILES TO AND BACK AND HAD TO STOP OVER A MILLION TIMES WITH MYHEART POUNDING. I AM SICK OF WORRYING ABOUT DYING. THIS IS A SERIOUS SERIOUS ISSUE GOD FORBID PEOPLE THAT HAVE CHILDREN IN CAR SEATS. THIS HAS HAPPENED ONTHE FREEWAY AND LOCAL ROADS. VERY CLOSE DEADLY SITUATIONS. I AM TIRED OF NOONE BELIEVING THIS! THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH JEEP AND NOONE HEARS IT! HOW ARE THEY NOT LEGALLY RESPONSIBLE ???THIS IS THE WORST-FEELING IN THE WORLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!MANY GARAGES AND NO ONE SAYS ANYTHING IS WRONG. THERE IS SERIOUS ISSUES AND I AM GOING TO DIE! PLEASE HELP! PLEASE! THERE HAS ALWAYS BEEN PROBLEMS WITH THIS OVERHEATING AND ELECTRICAL...RADIO HASN'T WORKED IN MONTHS ONCE IN A WHILE IT COMES ON INTERMEDIATELY...SEATBELT LIGHTS ON DASHBOARD AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THIS HAS A ELECTRICAL PROBLEM FROM MANY GARAGES AND THEY ALSO CAN NOT FIND WHERE OR WHY....THIS IS THE WORST VEHICLE! THE DEATH WOBBLE IS THE MAIN CONCERN BECAUSE IT WILL KILL ME AND ANYBODY ELSE THAT IS HAVING THIS ISSUE. ITS JUST HORRIBLE. THIS VEHICLE TOOK ME OVER A YEAR TO GET INSPECTED BECAUSE OF THIS ELECTRICAL/COMPUTER ISSUE!

NHTSA ID
10979892
Incident
Jan 1, 2013
Other / unspecifiedSteeringSuspension
Filed Sep 18, 2016

MY ISSUE IS COMMONLY REFERRED TO ON THE INTERNET AS THE JEEP "DEATH WOBBLE". AT AROUND 50-60MPH THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, WHEELS AND STEERING BEGIN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY AND UNCONTROLLABLY. THE ONLY WAY TO STOP IT IS TO BRAKE TO A COMPLETE STOP. IT'S VERY DANGEROUS AND DISCONCERTING WEN THIS HAPPENS IN BUSY TRAFFIC ON THE FREEWAY. HAVE HAD WHEELS BALANCED AND TRACKING DONE SEVERAL TIMES, BUT ISSUE STILL OCCURS - STARTING AROUND 3 OR 4 YEAR AGO.

NHTSA ID
10907420
Incident
Sep 14, 2016
Mileage
60,000 mi
BrakesOther / unspecifiedSteering
Filed Apr 21, 2016

WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 60 MPH AND ABOVE, WHEN BRAKING OR HITTING A BUMP IN THE ROAD THE WHEELS WOBBLE, STEERING IS UNCONTROLLABLE AND YOU CANNOT ACCELERATE OR STOP COMPLETELY UNTIL THE WOBBLING SUBSIDES. I WAS PASSING A SEMI TRUCK WHEN A SLOWER VEHICLE PULLED IN FRONT OF ME, I GENTLY BRAKED TO SLOW DOWN AND THE WOBBLING WAS SO BAD I COULD NOT STEER, BRAKE FURTHER OR ACCELERATE TO STOP THE WOBBLING OR MOVE OUT OF THE WAY OF CARS BEHIND ME. I ENDED UP IN THE MEDIAN SINCE I COULD NOT FOLLOW THE CURVE OF THE ROAD AND WAS LUCKY TO NOT BE HIT BY OTHER CARS OR THE SEMI-TRUCK.

NHTSA ID
10860652
Incident
Apr 21, 2016
Mileage
100,223 mi
SteeringSuspension
Filed Aug 27, 2015

WHEN BRAKING FROM A SPEED OF 60MPH OR GREATER, THE FRONT END STEERING BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO VIBRATE BACK AND FORTH. IT WOULD ONLY SUBSIDE WHEN RELEASING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VIBRATION FELT LIKE AN UNSTABLE OSCILLATION THAT WOULD EVENTUALLY CAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL TO MAKE A SHARP TURN IF THE BRAKE WAS NOT RELEASED. THIS SYMPTOM WAS REPEATABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO A JEEP DEALER FOR SERVICING. THEY ATTRIBUTED THE PROBLEM TO "STEERING DAMPER HAD PLAY AND WAS LEAKING". PROBLEM WAS CORRECTED BY REPLACING THE DAMPER AND ASSOCIATED HARDWARE (HEX BOLT AND LOCKING HEX NUT).

NHTSA ID
10759637
Incident
May 1, 2015
Mileage
55,800 mi
SteeringSuspension
Filed Jul 30, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 JEEP WRANGLER 4-DR 4X4. WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD, THE VEHICLE SHOOK UNCONTROLLABLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT END STABILIZER BAR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. MA 10/2 UPDATED 12/28/2015 *JS

NHTSA ID
10745087
Incident
Jun 15, 2015
Mileage
40,000 mi
ElectricalSteering
Filed Jun 23, 2015

2008 JEEP WRANGLER UNLIMITED SAHARA HAS HAD ELECTRICAL AND ENGINE ISSUES INCLUDING STALLING OUT ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS AS WELL AS NOT STARTING. I HAVE HAD THE BATTERY CHANGED MULTIPLE TIMES AND HAVE HAD ISSUES SUCH AS ALL THE LIGHTS, BUTTONS, ALERT/WARNING LIGHTS GOING OFF SIMULTANEOUSLY FOLLOWED BY COMPLETE ENGINE AND ELECTRICAL SHUT-OFF REQUIRING TOW-SERVICE TO DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE BATTERY AND SAID EVERYTHING WAS FINE. AFTER THAT I HAVE HAD MULTIPLE STALLS AND NON-STARTS AND THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN SAYS I NEED A NEW BATTERY. I HAVE HAD THREE BATTERIES IN THREE YEARS. THE HORN HAS STOPPED WORKING AROUND 50,000 MILES. THE FIRST TIME I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAID THEY NEEDED TO REPLACE MY STEERING WHEEL AND COMPLETE STEERING COLUMN. I DECIDED I COULD LIVE WITHOUT A HORN FOR A SHORT WHILE. THE NEXT TIME I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY REPORTED THAT I NEED A NEW CLOCKSPRING WHICH ALSO CONTROLS MY AIRBAGS WHICH "MIGHT OR MIGHT NOT STILL BE FUNCTIONAL." SEEING AS I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS BEFORE, INCLUDING MALFUNCTIONS IN THE ALERT/WARNING LIGHTS, THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT TELL FOR SURE IF MY AIRBAGS WORK OR NOT. THE LOCKS TO MY JEEP HAVE STOPPED WORKING FROM BOTH THE INSIDE DOOR SWITCH AND THE KEY FOB. THE DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED THIS AS A "TOTAL INTEGRATED POWER MODULE" (TIPM) MALFUNCTION RESULTING IN LOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER. THEY EXPLAINED THAT THERE IS A BACK-ORDER ON TIPM PIECES NATIONWIDE AND THEY DO NOT KNOW WHEN I COULD GET MINE REPLACED. WHEN ASKED HOW THE TIPM COULD BREAK, THE DEALERSHIP SAID THERE WAS NO ONE WAY AND THAT IT "JUST HAPPENS." MY DOORS CURRENTLY ONLY LOCK/UNLOCK BY HAND, AND SOMETIMES WHEN I LOCK THEM BY HAND AND RETURN TO MY JEEP, THE DOORS ARE UNLOCKED. FURTHERMORE, THE AUTOMATIC SECURITY LOCK FEATURE WHEN THE VEHICLE STARTS MOVING DOES NOT WORK EITHER.

NHTSA ID
10726918
Incident
Jan 10, 2012
Steering
Filed May 21, 2015

PLEASE HAVE CHRYSLER/JEEP FIX THE JEEP DEATH WOBBLE AT THEIR EXPENSE. THEY SAY IT IS BECAUSE OWNERS OF JEEP WRANGLERS MODIFY THEIR JEEPS FOR OFF ROAD DRIVING AND THAT CAUSES THE JEEP DEATH WOBBLE. I HAVE NOT MODIFIED MY JEEP AND IT SCARES ME TO DEATH WHEN IT WOBBLES. THIS IS CHRYSLERS PROBLEM NOT MINE.

NHTSA ID
10717634
Incident
Jan 8, 2014
Mileage
90,000 mi
Powertrain (other)Steering
Filed May 19, 2015

MY JEEP KEEPS DOING A DEATH WOBBLE ON THE HIGHWAY TODAY I TOOK MY 68 YEAR OLD MOTHER TO AIRPORT AND IT DID IT GOING 55 ON WAY BACK DID IT AT 60 AND I LOST MY TRANSMISSION VFLUID ON 476 HAD TO BE TOWED

NHTSA ID
10717338
Incident
Dec 10, 2014
Mileage
85,000 mi
AirbagsSteering
Filed Jan 22, 2015

CLOCK SPRING IS BAD CAUSING THE AIR BAGS NOT TO WORK. *TR

NHTSA ID
10678351
Incident
Mar 5, 2014
Mileage
65,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistanceSteering
Filed Dec 5, 2014

PASSENGER SIDE BRAKES COME ON AUTOMATICALLY , ALMOST CAUSED ME TO LOOSE CONTROL IN RIGHT HAND TURN ! IS THERE A RECALL ON THIS ? *TR

NHTSA ID
10662307
Incident
Nov 18, 2014
Mileage
98,000 mi
AirbagsElectricalSteering
Filed Nov 20, 2014

AIRBAG LAMP ILLUMINATES WHENEVER TURNING INDICATING A FAULTY AIRBAG CLOCKSPRING. THIS ERROR IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE EVERY TIME VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. THIS COMPROMISED CIRCUIT IS A SAFETY HAZARD TO DRIVER IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT PREVENTING THE AIRBAG FROM DEPLOYING. *TR

NHTSA ID
10659864
Incident
Nov 4, 2014
Mileage
52,000 mi
AirbagsSteering
Filed Oct 31, 2014

CLOCK SPRING FAULTY, GENERATING WARNING LIGHT, POSSIBLE FAILURE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10651700
Incident
Oct 22, 2014
Mileage
72,000 mi
AirbagsSteering
Filed Sep 21, 2014

ON THE 2008+ JEEP WRANGLER (LHD) DASHBOARD, THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT FLASHES ON PERIODICALLY 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. *TR

NHTSA ID
10637856
Incident
Sep 15, 2014
Mileage
91,000 mi
SteeringSuspension
Filed Sep 21, 2014

SEARCH INTERNET FOR JK DEATH WOBBLE. CHRYSLER LLC HAS A HUGE PROBLEM WITH JK WRANGLER THAN NEED RECALL BEFORE SOME ONE DIES DUE TO LOSING CONTROL TO THE FRONT END OF THEIR VEHICLE. OUR 2008 JEEP WRANGLER HAS BEEN PLAGUED WITH SUSPENSION AND FRONT AXLE STEERING ISSUES FOR ITS ENTIRE EXISTENCE INCLUDING A STABILIZER REPLACEMENT AT APPROX 20,000 MILES 6 YEARS AGO. MOST RECENTLY WE HAVE HAD CATASTROPHIC DEATH WOBBLE THAT HAS RESULTED IN ATTEMPTS BY DEALER TO FIX UNDER WARRANTY AND SERVICE CONTRACT WITH NO SUCCESS. THE FRONT AXLE HOUSING, AND THE TRAC BAR, AND THE BALL JOINTS AND THE STEERING STABILIZER GEOMETRY ON THE JK WRANGLER IS ALL WRONG. SEE THIS A/M BOLT KIT HTTP://NORTHRIDGE4X4.COM/SHOP/NR4X4-JEEP-JK-HARDWARE-KIT SEE THIS VIDEO HTTPS://M.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=DIYDWQHC7QQ AND THIS VIDEO HTTPS://M.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=9UQWLMLHIF4 I HAVE ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS WITH THE VIN FOR THIS COMPLAINT AND SOME ONE NEEDS TO FORCE A RECALL ON THESE VEHICLES. MY VEHICLE NEEDS NEW LOWER CONTROL ARMS, NEW TRACK BAR, NEW FRAME MOUNT FOR TRACK BAR, NEW FRONT AXLE HOUSING, NEW STEERING GEAR, NEW KNUCKLES, AND NEW TIE RODS. AND IT NEEDS THE A/M CORRECT BOLT KIT LISTED ABOVE USED TO INSTALL ALL OF THE ABOVE COMPONENTS. MY VEHICLE SHAKES VIOLENTLY AT TIMES NEARLY CAUSING ACCIDENTS. I CAN'T DRIVE MY VEHICLE WITH MY WIFE AND CHILDREN BECAUSE IT IS TOO DANGEROUS. PLEASE ADDRESS IMMEDIATELY. THERE ARE 100,000 OR MORE VEHICLES ON THE ROAD WITH THIS SE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10637821
Incident
Jun 1, 2014
Mileage
90,000 mi
AirbagsSteering
Filed Sep 15, 2014

WHILE ON MY NORMAL DAILY DRIVE HOME FROM WORK, THE AIRBAG WARNING DASH LAMP ILLUMINATED WITH CHIME. SINCE THEN IT HAS BEEN CONSTANTLY TURNING ON AND OFF AND CHIMING WITH THE TURNING OF MY STEERING WHEEL. WHICH I BELIEVE IS DIRECTLY RELATED WITH THE WELL KNOWN CLOCK SPRING ISSUE THAT HUNDREDS OF SIMILAR JEEP MODELS HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING FOR SEVERAL YEARS. UPON READING THE MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS ISSUE, ITS NOT A MATTER OF IF, BUT WHEN WILL THIS PART FAIL... *TR

NHTSA ID
10633144
Incident
Aug 25, 2014
Mileage
142,000 mi
SteeringSuspension
Filed Sep 2, 2014

WHILE DRIVING I EXPERIENCED SHAKING IN MY FRONT END THAT CAUSE ME TO PULL OFF THE OFF. AFTER MUCH RESEARCH I CAN SAFELY SAY IT KNOWN AS THE DEATH WOBBLE. THIS PROBLEM IS RIDICULOUS AND NO ONE CARES TO MAKE JEEP FIX THIS PROBLEM. IS IT GOING TO TAKE SOMEONE DYING FOR YOU AND JEEP TO WAKE UP AND HAVE THIS ADDRESSED. YOU SUCK AND SO DOES JEEP. *TR

NHTSA ID
10630035
Incident
Jul 4, 2014
Mileage
10,000 mi
Driver assistanceSteeringSuspension
Filed Jul 30, 2014

MY JEEP HAS THE "JEEP DEATH WOBBLE", WHICH IS WIDELY DISCUSSED ON THE INTERNET. BY GOOGLING THAT TERM, YOU CAN SEE THAT IT'S A VERY VIOLENT SHAKING OF THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE, CAUSING THE CAR TO ULTIMATELY SHAKE OUT OF CONTROL IF THE VEHICLE CANNOT BE SLOWED DOWN VERY QUICKLY. UNFORTUNATELY, IT'S CAUSE IS UNCLEAR, THOUGH THERE IS A LIST OF A DOZEN OR SO "FIXES" THAT SOMETIMES FIX THE PROBLEM FOR 20,000 MILES OR SO AT A TIME. I HAD THE DEATH WOBBLE AT ABOUT 15K MILES, 35K MILES AND NOW AGAIN AT 65K MILES. THE DEALER ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM AND WAS SCARED WHEN HE DROVE MY CAR TO SEE THE PROBLEM FOR HIMSELF. IT'S UNSAFE FOR ME AND MY 2-YEAR OLD DAUGHTER IN THE BACK. MY CAR NEEDS THIS REPAIRED AGAIN RIGHT NOW, AND I ASSUME WILL NEED IT EVERY 20K MILES OR SO. ON THE LAST OCCASION THIS HAPPENED (YESTERDAY), I HIT A SMALL GAP IN THE PAVEMENT (FOR EXAMPLE, THE NORMAL SEAM WHERE TWO PIECES OF CONCRETE COME TOGETHER) AT ABOUT 45MPH. THE FRONT END STARTED VIBRATING AND THEN THE VIBRATION INCREASES (ALMOST LIKE THE CAR IS RESONATING), UNTIL YOU CAN'T HOLD THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE CAR IS ABOUT TO VIBRATE OFF THE ROAD UNCONTROLLABLY. THIS IS HOW THE ISSUE ALWAYS OCCURS AND IT OCCURS BETWEEN 45-70MPH. IT'S BEGINS WITH A SMALL BUMP OR IMPERFECTION ON THE PAVEMENT. IT'S EASILY REPRODUCED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10617599
Incident
Jul 7, 2010
Mileage
15,000 mi
Driver assistanceSteeringSuspension
Filed Jul 6, 2014

MY VEHICLE HAS HAD THE "DEATH WOBBLE" MULTIPLE TIMES. MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED TWICE, ONCE IN OCTOBER OF 2013 AND ONCE IN MARCH OF 2014. IT IS HAPPENING AGAIN. I WILL NEED TO GET IT FIXED FOR THE THIRD TIME. IT MAKES THE JEEP UNCONTROLLABLE. I HAVE TO SLOW DOWN TO ALMOST A COMPLETE STOP. WHEN IT HAPPENED CONTINUOUSLY IN MARCH OF 2014 I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED 60 MILES FROM MY HOME. I HAVE COME CLOSE TO TWO ACCIDENTS ON MAJOR ROADWAYS. THERE IS LESS THAN 23K MILES ON MY JEEP. *JS

NHTSA ID
10608481
Incident
Oct 25, 2013
Mileage
20,800 mi
Other / unspecifiedSteeringSuspension
Filed Jul 4, 2014

WHILE DRIVING DOWNHILL ON AN IMPROVED MULTI-LANE HIGHWAY, AND BRAKING AS NEEDED, THE FRONT END OF THE JEEP BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THIS IS THE THIRD EPISODE OF THIS EXTREMELY UNSAFE BEHAVIOR. THE FIRST TWO EPISODES INVOLVED ACCELERATING BETWEEN 50 AND 55 ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY ON-RAMP. ALL INSTANCES REQUIRED IMMEDIATE DECELERATION AND/OR MODEST BRAKING AND/OR NEEDING TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP TO ARREST THE VIOLENT SHAKING AND REGAIN NORMAL STEERING CONTROL. RESEARCH YIELDS INFORMATION THAT THIS IS A KNOWN OCCURRENCE WITH JEEP WRANGLERS AND MAY BE THE RESULT OF SUBSTANDARD ENGINEERING AND DESIGN. SEE "JEEP WRANGLER -DEATH WOBBLE". *TR

NHTSA ID
10608247
Incident
Jun 29, 2014
Mileage
39,600 mi
AirbagsSteering
Filed Jun 26, 2014

ON THE 2008 JEEP WRANGLER (LEFT HAND DRIVE) 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 (LEFT HAND DRIVE) 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 (LEFT HAND DRIVE) 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. *TR

NHTSA ID
10606101
Incident
Jun 25, 2014
Mileage
101,370 mi

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