RoadVitals

2014 Jeep Wrangler 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.
26
Latest Mar 22, 2026
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.
4%
of 651 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.
3
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 2014 Jeep Wrangler submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 26 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 26, in the owner's own words

Powertrain (other)SteeringSuspension
Filed Mar 22, 2026

Death wobble. Dealership that has it now (Campbell Chevorlet in Bowing green ky) knows and fails to fix or report it.

NHTSA ID
11726121
Incident
Jan 12, 2026
BrakesSteering
Filed Sep 30, 2025

ABS sensor has failed at 35,000 miles and has left me without antilock brakes which impairs the braking ability of my vehicle in emergency situations. This needs to be issued as a recall.

NHTSA ID
11690497
Incident
Sep 10, 2025
Powertrain (other)SteeringSuspension
Filed Jan 24, 2024

When it first started, I would have to be going at minimum 55-60 mph. But it got so bad to the point that I would be going 15-20 mph and out of nowhere my vehicle would start violently shaking and my steering wheel would jerk side to side. The ONLY way to get it to stop would be to completely let off the pedals and let it come to a complete stop by itself. Hitting the brakes could cause it to flip. Having to come to a stop, regardless of the location could cause a serious accident or pile up. Trying to control the steering wheel when this is occurring could cause an accident as well. This is not something that happens here and there. This incident is so frequent that there are websites that try to warn and help others bc it happens so after. Its cost me $4000 trying to fix it. Please look into this and help us resolve this issue before it costs someone their dad or mom or brother or sister, or someone their child or grandchild. Thank you for your time. It is greatly appreciated.

NHTSA ID
11567664
Incident
Jul 20, 2023
AirbagsBrakesSteering
Filed Jul 17, 2023

I have numerous warning lights all on at the same time and constantly chiming as I drive. These are the following lights that are all on: check engine, air bag, ABS, brake, and traction control. I have read past communication which addresses problems. I truly believe none of these issues were addressed prior to my purchase in 2020.

NHTSA ID
11532628
Incident
Mar 6, 2023
SteeringSuspension
Filed Dec 21, 2021

With less than 30,000 miles, this car developed a "death wobble." At unpredictable moments, the whole car will start shaking and it is nearly impossible to control the steering wheel. Until you slow down to almost a stop, the shaking continues indefinitely. I've since discovered that this a known problem with Jeeps, but Jeep refuses to contribute a penny to fixing it.

NHTSA ID
11444621
Incident
Dec 1, 2021
SteeringSuspension
Filed Nov 29, 2021

When driving at Interstate Speeds (65-70), and any roadway imperfections (uneven pavement, pot holes, broken pavement) are hit, the vehicle will start to violently shake, will feel like you'll lose control and sometimes the vehicle fishtails. I did Google Searches on this to see if other Jeep Owners were having similar problems, and found many instances for this model year. They referred to this as the "death wobble". I took mine into the dealership and they did over $1000 worth of work to it, and it has helped it some. Not sure that it is completely fixed.

NHTSA ID
11441931
Incident
Oct 3, 2021
EnginePowertrain (other)Steering
Filed Jan 1, 2021

DEFECTIVE BEARING IN ROCKER ARM LEADING TO ENGINE FAILURE. IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE ON THESE VEHICLES. WHEN ENGINE FAILURE OCCURS, THERE IS LOSS OF POWER STEERING, PROPULSION, AND DIFFICULT BRAKING.

NHTSA ID
11385998
Incident
Dec 1, 2020
Mileage
63,000 mi
AirbagsElectricalSteering
Filed Jan 24, 2020

MY STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS ARE NO LONGER WORKING. THIS INCLUDES THE HORN, CHANNEL AND VOLUME CONTROL. THEY WILL WORK WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED 45DEG FROM TOP DEAD CENTER. MY RESEARCH SHOWS THAT THIS ISSUE IS CAUSED BY THE "CLOCK" SPRING ASSEMBLY BEHIND THE AIR BAG. JEEP CURRENTLY HAS A RECALL OUT FOR RHD WRANGLERS AND THEIR CLOCK SPRING ASSEMBLY. I BELIEVE THERE ARE ALSO ISSUES WITH THE LHD (LEFT HAND DRIVE) MODELS AS WELL. I AM TAKING THIS TO THE DEALER IN THE MORNING. NOTE THE PROBLEM OCCURS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION OR NOT.

NHTSA ID
11301561
Incident
Jan 23, 2020
Mileage
124,000 mi
Steering
Filed Aug 28, 2019

ALL BUTTONS EXCEPT CRUISE CONTROL ON THE STEERING WHEEL HAVE QUIT WORKING. THE HORN WON'T WORK EITHER. WHEN IT QUIT WORKING THE VOLUME BUTTONS STARTED ACTING UP THEN IT ALL JUST QUIT AT ONCE. I'M SURE IF ALL THAT HAS STOPPED WORKING THEN THE AIR BAG WON'T EITHER. I BELIEVE IT'S THE CLOCK SPRING CAUSING ALL THIS CHAOS.

NHTSA ID
11252104
Incident
Jun 20, 2019
Mileage
83,000 mi
SteeringSuspension
Filed Jul 24, 2019

WHEN I AM ON THE HIGHWAY AND I'M GOING AT FASTER SPEED THEN ON THE CITY STREET THERE IS A WOBBLE AND MY TRUCK FEELS AS IF IT IS GOING TO FLIP OVER OR SOMETHING. ALSO WHEN I AM ON THE CITY STREETS AND DRIVE OVER AND UNEVEN PAVEMENT I GET THE SAME WOBBLE OR SOMETIMES IT FEELS AS IF MY TRUCK IS BEING LIFTED OFF THE GROUND.

NHTSA ID
11234461
Incident
Jun 1, 2016
Mileage
5 mi
AirbagsSteering
Filed Apr 16, 2019

THE CLOCKSPRING NEEDS TO BE REPLACED IN MY CAR. THIS IS A FIVE YEAR OLD CAR. THIS SHOULD NOT BE AN ISSUE. THIS SEEMS LIKE A SAFETY ISSUE AND A DEFECT AS PREVIOUS MODELS HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR THIS ISSUE. HORN DOESN'T WORK. CRUISE CONTROL DOESN'T WORK. BUTTONS DO NOT WORK. IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THIS CAN CAUSE THE AIR BAG TO NOT WORK.

NHTSA ID
11196704
Incident
Feb 15, 2019
Other / unspecifiedSteeringSuspension
Filed Apr 5, 2019

WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH THE JEEP FRONT END AND STEERING STARTED TO VIOLENTLY STAKE AND WOBBLE AND DID NOT STOP UNTIL THE JEEP CAME TO FULL STOP. THIS HAPPENED AGAIN A FEW MILES DOWN THE ROAD AFTER ENCOUNTERING A SMALL BUMP IN THE ROAD. AGAIN THIS VIOLENT WOBBLE DID NOT STOP UNTIL THE JEEP CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP.

NHTSA ID
11194230
Incident
Apr 4, 2019
Mileage
58,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalSteering
Filed Nov 16, 2018

WHILE DRIVING, SWAY BAR DISCONNECT LIGHT ILLUMINATES, SKID CONTROL LIGHT ILLUMINATES, ALL GAUGES GO OFF, THEN ON. DOORS WILL NOT UNLOCK FROM THE INSIDE USING THE DOOR CONTROL. WILL UNLOCK USING THE KEY FOB. DANGEROUS CONDITION WHEN SWAY BAR DISCONNECTS DRIVING AT HIGH WAY SPEED.

NHTSA ID
11151937
Incident
Nov 16, 2018
Mileage
90,000 mi
ElectricalExterior lightingSteering
Filed Jul 27, 2018

MY HORN DOESN'T WORK. MY TURNING SIGNALS INTERMITTENTLY WORKING, MY WINDOWS WOULDN'T WORK, THE LIGHTER WASN'T WORKING, BUT NOW IS. DRIVING DOWN ROAD. CHANGED FUSES, CHANGED LIGHT BULBS. SAME RESULD.

NHTSA ID
11114070
Incident
Jun 2, 2008
Mileage
99,000 mi
Steering
Filed Oct 11, 2017

JEEPS HAVE SOMETHING KNOWN AS "DEATH SHUTTERS" WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND GOING OVER A BUMP. THE FRONT END OF THE JEEP WILL SHUTTER AND THERE IS A LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE

NHTSA ID
11032999
Incident
Sep 12, 2017
Mileage
16,000 mi
Steering
Filed May 15, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 JEEP WRANGLER. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY LOOSE AND SPUN EXCESSIVELY AS THE VEHICLE FAILED TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT A BOLT FELL OUT OF THE STEERING SHAFT. THE CONTACT DID NOT KNOW THE SPECIFIC BOLT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT NO FURTHER ACTION WAS NEEDED SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,500.

NHTSA ID
10985800
Incident
May 5, 2017
Mileage
15,500 mi
Steering
Filed Jan 13, 2017

THE FLANGE BOLT BROKE IN MY STEERING COLUMN WHILE CHANGING TO THE LEFT LANE. THE STEERING WHEEL TURNED FREELY AND WAS DISCONNECTED TO THE FRONT TIRES. DAMAGE WAS ALSO DONE TO THE CLOCK SPRING AND IT HAD TO BE REPLACED. IF THIS HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY I COULD HAVE INJURED MYSELF AND OTHERS!

NHTSA ID
10945046
Incident
Jan 10, 2017
Mileage
84,000 mi
Steering
Filed Oct 24, 2016
Crash reported

WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO SHUTTER THEN LOCKED UP CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO VIOLENTLY SWERVE TO THE RIGHT. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO WRAP AROUND A LIGHT POLE. BOTH FRONT AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. ...UPDATED 04/11/17 *BF SEE PICTURES ATTACHED *TR UPDATED 08/11/2017*JS

NHTSA ID
10918614
Incident
Oct 16, 2016
Mileage
18,000 mi
Powertrain (other)SteeringSuspension
Filed Oct 3, 2016

WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE, WHICH WAS 3 DAYS NEW TO US, EXHIBITED THE CLASSIC JEEP DEATH WOBBLE. THE VEHICLE STARTED TO VIOLENTLY SHAKE FROM SIDE TO SIDE AND ONLY STOPPED ONCE THE BRAKE WAS ACTIVATED. THIS HAPPENED 4 TIMES BEFORE THE ALIGNMENT WAS RIGHTED AND A PART REPLACED.

NHTSA ID
10911220
Incident
Aug 8, 2016
Mileage
68,000 mi
Steering
Filed Sep 26, 2016

THE STEERING WHEEL HAS A 2" PLAY AND IS CAUSING ME TO COMPENSATE ON EVERY DRIVE NOW. THIS HAS STARTED APPROXIMATLY 10,000 MILE PREVIOUS, BUT HAS INCREASED STEADILY OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS. I'M TOLD I NEED A NEW STEERING GEAR BOX INSTALLED.

NHTSA ID
10909768
Incident
Sep 26, 2016
Mileage
90,000 mi
Driver assistanceSteeringSuspension
Filed Aug 20, 2015
Crash reported

MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN AT LOW SPEED, VEHICLE KEPT TURNING (DRIFTING) RIGHT, ATTEMPTED TO CORRECT TO THE LEFT WITH NO RESPONSE, VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH A BARRIER POST. JEEP SUSTAINED SIGNIFICANT FRONT SUSPENSION DAMAGE, RIGHT FENDER AND RIGHT WHEEL. AT TIME OF ESTIMATE, REPAIR SHOP HAD FOUND THAT THE STEERING BOX HAD SHEARED AND STATED THAT THE IMPACT SHOULD NOT HAVE CAUSED THIS DAMAGE. THEY ARE INVESTIGATING AND WILL KNOW MORE WHEN THEY BEGIN TEAR DOWN.

NHTSA ID
10749989
Incident
Aug 13, 2015
Mileage
17,256 mi
BrakesDriver assistanceSteering
Filed Aug 18, 2015

INCIDENT 1.) ON AUGUST 17TH, 2015 AROUND 8:00 PM I WAS DRIVING IN THE LEFT LANE OF THE GSP TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH WHEN MY VEHICLE ERRONEOUSLY ACCELERATED TO 80 MPH WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY PULLING SLIGHTLY TO THE LEFT. AT FIRST, I THOUGHT MY CARPET HAD BEEN STUCK BUT I QUICKLY REALIZED THAT THIS WAS NOT THE CASE. BEING I HAD A MANUAL SHIFT, I IMMEDIATELY WAS ABLE TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL. IN DOING SO, THE ENGINE WAS STILL REVVING HIGH THUS MAKING A LOUD ENGINE SOUND (I DID NOT GET TO SEE THE ACTUAL RPM.) I BEGAN KICKING THE SIDE OF THE GAS PEDAL WHILE TRYING TO PULL SLIGHTLY TO THE RIGHT TO KEEP THE VEHICLE ON THE ROAD. EVENTUALLY THE CAR JUST WENT BACK TO NORMAL. THIS WHOLE PROCESS MAY HAVE BEEN ABOUT TWENTY TO THIRTY SECONDS LONG. INCIDENT 2.) ON AUGUST 18TH, 2015 AROUND 6:20 AM (NOT EVEN 12 HOURS FROM THE FIRST INCIDENT ABOVE) I WAS DRIVING IN THE LEFT LANE OF THE GSP TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 70- 75 MPH WHEN MY VEHICLE ERRONEOUSLY BRAKED HARD AS IF IT WAS A 'BRAKE CHECK' AND THE ABS TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT LIT AT THE SAME TIME. IT WAS LIKE I SLAMMED ON MY BRAKES ONLY THIS HAPPENED WHILE MY FOOT WAS ON THE ACCELERATOR. I QUICKLY LOOKED IN MY REAR VIEW MIRROR AND SAW THE CAR BEHIND ME SHOOT INTO THE ADJACENT LANE TO MY RIGHT IN AVOIDANCE OF A COLLISION WITH MY REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THIS HAPPENED QUICKLY AND HARSHLY AND THEN IT WAS OVER. I MOVED INTO THE RIGHT LANE AND CONTINUED TO WORK WITH CAUTION. I CALLED MY LOCAL JEEP SERVICE CENTER AND EXPLAINED MY SITUATION. THEY WERE GOING TO SCHEDULE ME FOR THE EARLIEST APPOINTMENT OF AUGUST 31ST 2015 BUT I STRESSED THAT THIS WAS NOT GOOD ENOUGH AS IT WAS A POTENTIAL SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE TO MYSELF AND OTHERS. I WAS DIRECTED TO BRING IT IN TOMORROW 8-19-15 IN THE MORNING.

NHTSA ID
10749607
Incident
Aug 17, 2015
Mileage
10,317 mi
Steering
Filed Apr 17, 2015
Crash reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 JEEP WRANGLER. WHILE DRIVING AT 15 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED AND NO POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.

NHTSA ID
10706265
Incident
Apr 13, 2015
Mileage
10,000 mi
Steering
Filed Mar 6, 2015

THE JEEP IS LESS THAN A YEAR OLD. IT WAS HANDLING VERY POORLY ON THE ROAD SO I TOOK IT TO HAVE IT CHECKED. JEEP CONSIDERS THESE WEAR ITEMS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. MY SHOP SAID THE ONE'S ON JEEP ARE JUNK AND THEY HAVE SEEN FAILURES AS LOW AS 326 MILES! MY DODGE TRUCK HAD A SIMILAR ISSUE AT 75K MILES AND DODGE REPLACED THE WHOLE FRONT END. NOT JEEP. IF YOU SEARCH THE WEBSITES YOU WILL FIND THE CONCLUSION IS THAT THE PARTS JEEP USES ARE JUNK. I REPLACED THEM WITH AFTERMARKET PARTS FROM MOOG WHICH HAS A LIFETIME WARRANTY. I WAS NOT GOING TO RISK MY FAMILY BY INSTALLING CHEAP DANGEROUS FACTORY PARTS. MY COST WAS $1600 TO FIX A NEW TRUCK! NO WONDER JEEP IS RATED THE SECOND WORSE VEHICLE MADE NEXT TO FIAT! THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE THAT MOST CONSUMERS ARE UNAWARE OF. I THOUGHT IT WAS A JOKE AT FIRST. WHEN THEY SHOWED ME THE PARTS, WHICH I STILL HAVE, THERE IS ZERO RESISTANCE IN 3 OF THE 4 BALL JOINTS. YOU SHOULD NOT BE ABLE TO MOVE THEM WITH YOUR HARD. THEY ARE LIKE A PENCIL IN A CUP OF WATER. AMAZING THEY WOULD RISK THERE CUSTOMERS LIVES WITH SUCH GARBAGE PARTS ON A NEW 40K VEHICLE! I HAVE THE PARTS IF YOU WANT THEM. THIS LEADS TO DEATH WOBBLE AND DANGEROUS HANDLING VEHICLES. MY WIFE WAS COMPLAINING THAT THE RIG WONDERS ALL OVER THE ROAD. I DROVE IT AND AGREED IT WAS DANGEROUS AS YOU HAD TO CONSTANTLY CORRECT THE AND FIGHT THE WHEEL TO KEEP IT GOING STRAIGHT DOWN THE HIGHWAY. NOT A SAFE SITUATION AND VERY DANGEROUS. I FIGURED IS NO ONE BROUGHT IT TO YOUR ATTENTION IT IS ONLY GOING TO COST SOMEONE THERE LIFE. IT MOST LIKELY ALREADY HAS. YOU WOULD HAVE TO TAKE THE WRECKED JEEP APART TO SEE THE DEFECTIVE STEERING COMPONENTS. VERY DISGUSTED ON JEEP'S DECISION TO SAVE A FEW DOLLARS AT THE EXPENSIVE OF SAFETY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10692528
Incident
Feb 10, 2015
Mileage
5,200 mi
ElectricalEngineSteering
Filed Jan 11, 2015

I STARTED JEEP, THE RADIO CHANNEL MYSTERIOUSLY CHANGED, DROVE APPROX 1 MILE, CAME TO A STOP LIGHT AT A BUSY MOUNTAIN INTERSECTION AND THE ENTIRE JEEP BLACKED OUT, I LOST ALL FUNCTIONS, WE WERE ALMOST REAR ENDED AND T BONED AT THE SAME TIME, RETURNED THE JEEP TO PARK AND RESTARTED. I TOOK THE JEEP TO DEALER THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T RECREATE PROBLEM, I DROVE JEEP OFF THE PROPERTY ONLY TO HAVE IT DIE AT THE FIRST TRAFFIC LIGHT, PUT INTO PARK RESTARTED ONLY TO HAVE IT DIE AGAIN. FINALLY MADE IT BACK TO JEEP, THEY'VE HAD IT FOR A WEEK AND THEY CLAIM THEY STILL CANT FIND THE PROBLEM. I DON'T TRUST THE VEHICLE NOR DO I FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE IN THE MOUNTAINS WHICH IS WHERE I LIVE. ALSO NOTE, THE ENTIRE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER, SO DOES THAT MEAN THE AIRBAGS WONT DEPLOY. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10671659
Incident
Dec 30, 2014
Mileage
3,300 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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Data on this page last refreshed .