Jeep Gladiator ball joint problems

Filed Sep 20, 2026 · Steering · NJ

Experiencing death wobble at over 50 mph. Very dangerous on a roadway where you are required to go over that speed. Brought to shop, explained steering dampener is leaking and driver side tie rod is loose causing vibration at higher rates of speed.

Filed Jul 8, 2025 · Suspension · CA

the rear control arm welds have repeatedly broken on this 2020 jeep gladiator which creates a hazardous handling condition that may lead to a tragic accident. the local dealer, Hilltop Jeep in Richmond, CA and Stellantis Customer Service have passed the buck and said it isn't their responsibility and have referred us to a body shop to get the suspension repairs done. this seems like a manufacturing defect.

Filed Jan 10, 2025 · Steering · CA

My 2021 Jeep Gladiator Mojave began experiencing "Death Wobble" in early December, 2024, at highway speeds after hitting a bump in the road. I purchased this vehicle new from the dealer in 2021. I put new tires on the vehicle at 60,000 miles in September, 2024. The wobble is violent and sustained resonant shaking of the front end that continues until the vehicle speed decreases below 30 MPH. I had the front end inspected and the wheels re-balanced and rotated by Big-O, but the problem persists. Big-O indicated that the bushings, stabilizers, tie-rods, ball joints and bearings appeared tight, but the steering damper may need to be replaced. I've attempted numerous times to schedule investigation and repair with the Stoneridge Dodge Chrysler dealer in Pleasanton, CA, but so far have been unsuccessful. The dealer does not appear to take this issue seriously, and said I may need to leave the vehicle with them for a week or two until they could get around to looking at it. I've started researching this issue and discovered that there are pages of complaints on the federal safety agency and the blogs are full of horror stories regarding this issue. There was a class-action lawsuit settled by FCA but it appears to apply only to the 2020 Gladiator and 2018-2020 Wranglers. Service Bulletin 02-004-21 has some instruction for re-torquing the lower ball joints and Mopar Case Number [XXX] has instruction for replacement of the Steering Damper 68251580AF and outboard attachment bolt 06513445AA. Hopefully, FCA will step up and correct this issue before someone is seriously injured or killed. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Dec 13, 2023 · Suspension · MI

Extreme wobble in front suspension and steering wheel when driving at freeway speeds. Also conventionally known as the "Death Wobble". Occurred on 3/8/23 - repair of steering stabilizer by dealer did not remedy the issue Returned to dealer on 3/13/23 - replaced inner and outer tie rod ends and drag link Recurred on 12/7/23 -again replaced tie rod ends for excessive play in ball and socket joints.

Filed Feb 17, 2023 · Steering · NC

Front end violently shakes between 30 and 75 mph when hitting a bump in the road and is better known as a "Death Wobble". The issue based on experts can be the steering damper, tie rods ends and/or tie rod, drag link, track bar, steering box or all of the above. The problem is that there is no factory parts to fix this issue so I've had to go to after market parts to get this resolved. First time it happed on the hwy it almost threw me off the hwy.

Filed Apr 20, 2022 · Steering, Suspension · OH

Traveling speeds excess of 60 mph, any bump or flaw in the road will cause the vehicle to enter into severe vibration and shaking of front end/ axle. The steering wheel violently shakes from side to side and the vehicle will stay shaking until you reduce your speed to under 50 mph. Ball joints and other steering components are put under severe stress. The issue has been reported to the dealer who is unable to correct the issue even with replacing steering stabilizer as they suggest. A formal case was opened with the Chrysler group.

Filed Mar 16, 2022 · Airbags, Electrical · PA

Ever since I got this vehicle it’s been a roller coaster. As I’m driving the vehicle home from the dealership the vehicle displays on the screen that it’s going to shut off. I pulled over immediately on the side of the road and the vehicle turned off while in drive at 0 MPH! I put my emergency signals on and waited 15-30 minutes before the car would let me turn it back on! I drove home and as soon as I’m pulling into the driveway the car literally shuts off in reverse with no signs foreshadowing this! It was so embarrassing. What a birthday surprise. I had to call triple A to come tow it back to dealership. They had to change battery. Which is about 1 hour away at least depending on traffic. Picked up the vehicle sometime that week. The beginning of the next week as I’m driving to work the vehicle displays on the dash that the engine is overheating! I notice the vehicle starting to smoke so I pulled over immediately. I missed work that day. I had to call another tow to the dealership. The manager said that the truck would be in the shop for a month at least because they have to order a new engine! They gave me a terrible rental. I got the truck back around a month later. Months go by random creaking occurs periodically. I go to the dealership and they say I need new ball joints. Item is on back order so they’ll let me know when it arrives. Months go by start/stop system doesn’t work anymore. I go to the dealership and they keep it for a few days and don’t end up fixing the problem but schedule an appointment for next month. Appointment comes and they fixed start/stop system supposedly but every now and then it stops working. Months go by airbag signal turn on. I go to the dealer and they said they fixed something but needed to order a part. I am waiting on their call for that part now as well. This has truly been a crazy experience. I would never recommend anyone to go to a Fred beans dealership like I made the mistake of doing. 70k for such a failure.

Filed Jan 23, 2022 · Suspension · MI

In December, 2021, my 2021 Jeep Willys Gladiator became unstable at normal freeway speeds (70-75 mph) on ~8 occasions. At these speeds, the slightest bump or surface irregularity stimulates a violent and sustaining side-to-side vehicle shudder from the front suspension that was so extreme that it splashed my cola and ice from the center cup holder to the dashboard and doors. R-L-R Steering inputs had no effect and hard braking had no effect until the vehicle slowed to around 60 mph; where stable vehicle behavior restored. This extreme instability and needed hard braking creates a serious driving hazard. The dealer is installing a new steering damper. The engineer in me says there is a bearing, bushing or ball joint as root cause. This defect manifested at ~23,000 miles and occurs more readily as the temperatures drop below 20 deg F. This failure mode is severe, occurs without warning, is not detectable until it occurs and its effect is panic-inducing. My Jeep has stock, factory aluminum wheels and normal sized Michelin All-Season radial tires in good balance with no visible or abnormal tread wear. I ordered this vehicle new on 3/1/2021. The 'Gladiator forum' calls this condition "death wobble". Anecdotally, the condition appears to be associated with vehicles having "lift kits" as well as stock vehicles. My 'Willys Jeep is built by FCA with a modest suspension lift relative to the base Gladiator models. Other (anecdotal) owner information has identified loose ball joints, defective drag link bushings and steering free play as root causes in other new, low mileage vehicles. I am a retired engineer with vehicle development, professional driving and prototype vehicle experience. This is a dangerous condition that needs immediate correction. A 7-month old vehicle with 25,000 miles in excellent condition, no accident history and no modifications SHOULD NEVER DO THIS. A steering damper may reduce this death wobble but there is a more likely root cause.

Filed Apr 30, 2021 · Driver assistance, Suspension · 5,000 miles · MI

One or more of the suspension kits sold by rock krawler used inferior materials in the control arm bushings that will break down with the use of hydrocarbons (grease) causing slop/play in them which could cause erratic and or loss of steering control particularly in the front arms. Their arms require that they be greased periodically as routine maintenance. They did not mail out any notices to the customers that pruchased the defective arms but rather left it up to the consumers to find out on their own. They have a video on youtube and a link on their website in reference to a tsb #2 but unaware customers may be in jeopardy with the safety of their lives or others. The bushings as they state were supplied by daystar. Here is a link to their website listing the tsb's: https://rockkrawler.com/technical-service-bulletins/

Filed Jul 7, 2020 · Steering · 400 miles · IL

Truck wanders on highway. Steering has play in it that is basically a dead spot roughly 2 inches each way from center. Returned to dealer who stated it was out of alignment. Issue persisted and returned again the following week. This time it was reported that tie rod ends were bad and tech said it was not recommended to be driven. After tie rod replacement it was driven with service manager and issue persists. Service manager unsure what the issue is but admitted to me that there is play in the steering. We drove a comparative new from the lot and the issue was slightly worse on it. Still waiting, now six calendar days, for response from service manager about next steps. The vehicle is not able to be safely driven above 45-50mph. Truck was purchased with roughly 400 miles on it. Now has 1400, 400 of which have been accumulated from the 100 mile round trips to the dealership.