2001 Jeep Cherokee suspension problems

Filed Apr 17, 2013 · Steering, Suspension · 156,000 miles · VA

I have a 2001 jeep cherokee and began to notice the problem toward the end of 2012 or first of 2013. When I would reach a speed of around 55 MPH, the front wheels/steering wheel would begin to vibrate, shake or whatever you want to call it. It is a violent vibration that is pretty scary and feels like you cannot control the vehicle. It subsides if you immediately slow way down. The problem has gotten progressively worse. It now would start around 45 miles an hour or so, depending on how smooth or bumpy the road is. The bumpier, the more easily in begins the wobble. When I recently researched it online, it is called the "death wobble". I have never put in "non-conforming" parts, nor have I used my vehicle off-road or abused it. I have maintained my vehicle and it has about 160,000 miles on it. I had just taken it in to see if the shaking can be repaired, and the person working on it, replaced almost every part associated with the front suspension etc. In what he thought had corrected the problem, it has only moderately reduced the symptoms. So far, about $800.00 worth of repairs that have not corrected the problem. I don't think I want any of my tax dollars to bail out chrysler corporation if they do not fix the problem at no cost to the consumer. I saw their forced "acknowledgement" of the problem and I also saw that they will not pick up the cost of trying to fix the defect. Very disappointed and will not purchase another chrysler product.

Filed Jun 23, 2011 · Brakes, Steering · 107,000 miles · LA

This is another complaint for 'death wobble'. I have had my jeep taken in several times and have had to live with it because mechanics didn't believe me or just didn't solve my problem. I should have used the la lemon law statutes to return my car but didn't know that back then. Driving down the road 45-70 MPH and either hitting a bump or going around 70 MPH your whole front end will "shimmy/shake/wobble" making it feel like a giant earthquake. I have tried to find a class action suit against this as I find several websites/forums/customers complaining about it. Right when it shakes you have to slow down below 40 MPH - sometimes on the interstate and have had close calls for a collision! If you want just search for 'death wobble' and you will see a whole new world. I don't know what would happen if you didn't slow down as your immediate response is to hit the brakes. Parts replaced have been brake rotors/pads, steering dampener, upper and lower control arms, and tires. It still does it to this day.

Filed Feb 5, 2011 · Suspension, Tires · OH

2001 jeep cherokee, the left rear wheel/tire broke free from hub rolling off the left side of road. Unit 1 coasted to outside berm. *bf according to the police report, 1 of 5 bolts were missing from the right front hub, 1 of 5 stud bolts were missing from the right rear hub and the right rear tire was bald and exposing steel belts. The five stud bolt holes in the rim were severely worn. It was also noticed that the front ball joint was bad. (ohio traffic crash report # 10-0864-90) updated 02/15/11

Filed Jun 12, 2008 · Suspension · 42,000 miles · PA · crash · 1 injury

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 jeep cherokee. While driving 30 MPH uphill, the vehicle shook drastically. The rear passenger side wheel axle sheared and the wheel detached from the vehicle. The vehicle flipped over. The contact was injured. The current and failure mileages were 42,000.

Filed Jun 28, 2005 · Suspension · 34,975 miles · MI

Purchased a 2001 jeep cherokee sport in november, 2004. In the past 3 months, I experienced a severe shaking of the vehicle; most often after hitting a small bump in the road. It was extremely difficult to get the vehicle under control. Took it to dealership where purchased and was told there was nothing wrong with it. Kept happening, at speeds of 35-45 MPH. Diagnosed at belle tire as a bad track bar.took iit to another jeep dealership; track bar lower control arms replaced. Said problem was fixed but 2 days later, while on freeway (65 MPH) in right-hand lane, extremely violent shaking occurred. I barely got the car to the side, because the steering wass uncontrollable. I have no doubt that had I been in any but the right hand lane, I would have hit another car. I was able to re-enter the right hand lane but kept my speed at 35 MPH and exited immediately. Car went back to the dealer who said they didn't know what was wrong with it. They said it could be caused by 10-15 different things and the only way to fix it would be to replace everything, starting with steering dampner (not covered under warranty) but had no idea if that would fix it. I have only owned the car for 6 months and have already spent almost $1,000 on trying to have it fixed (including new tires and a wheel alignment). The dealer was completely indifferent to the problem. The service director said it would cost me a lot of money to have everything replaced, and even then, could not guarantee the problem would be fixed. Needless to say, these experiences, especially the one on the freeway, which I would rate a 10 on a scale of 1-10 (the others ranging from 1-4), have shaken me to the very core; I could have been killed. I can never again drive that car and feel safe, especially when the dealer has no idea what the problem is or how to fix it. I checked the internet and found 38,000 websites dealing with this problem; prevalent in jeeps. The problem is aptly dubbed "death wobble".

Filed Dec 13, 2004 · Brakes, Suspension · 21,500 miles · DC

Had problems w/ front end shaking violently when I hit a bump, changed lanes or put on the brakes at freeway speeds. Thought it was a brakes or alignment problem, but after having brakes replaced and the alignment checked, I resorted to going to the jeep dealership. After dealer replicated the symptoms, informed me of a technical service bulletin from last year and then replaced the entire suspension system under warranty. (note: the car had 18,000 miles on it at the time.) the symptoms are returning less than a year later. This should be covered under a recall.

Filed May 7, 2003 · Suspension · MI

While driving the vehicle 55 MPH the vehicle had a heavy vibration. The dealer inspected the vehicle and replaced the drive shaft yet the vibration still occurred.

Filed May 5, 2003 · Suspension · 58,000 miles · VA

Front end of vehicle shakes violently at highway speeds, causing a loss of steering control. Driver must come to a nearly complete stop in order to gain control of the vehicle. It's been brought back to several dealers, undergoing over $1,000 in repairs, but nothing has solved this problem. Began at 18,000 miles and continuing now at 58,000 miles.

Filed Dec 18, 2002 · Suspension · MO

The axles make noise while traveling on the highway. Please provide additional information dealer is aware of the problem. Ts

Filed Dec 17, 2002 · Suspension · CA

The consumer has a up lift suspension package causing the front end to bounce back and forth. And the vehicle vibrates please fill in additional information. Dealer is aware of the problem. Ts