I was driving to work on the freeway going around 60mph, hit a small bump and the jeep started to shake so violently my heart went out of my chest. I flipped on my hazards and made my way over to the slow lane, but the shaking stopped. When I arrived to work, I researched the "shaking" and found another name for it, "death wobble." I can't believe there hasn't been a recall on the parts that cause this, it hasn't caused any fatalities yet; but it will.
2007 Jeep Wrangler 4-DR 4x4 suspension complaints
Page 2 of 4: complaints 11 to 40 of 78, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Death wobble. Yes it's scary. First time on the freeway, then it was easy to duplicate after that at speeds about 40 MPH when you hit a bump. I replaced the shocks, and checked torque on all front end components, same problem. I ordered a new track bar (pannard rod) which I found out had been upgraded, and welded reinforcements where the bar mounts on the axle and frame such that the bolts (also replaced) fit tighter. Problem gone since, 25000 miles ago. All stock suspension and tire size. The denial from chrysler is unacceptable.
I was driving at a steady speed of approximately 35, the steering wheel began to vibrate, and within seconds the steering was shaking so badly that I had to bring the car to a complete stop. After resuming my speed, the car was no longer shaking. Since that time, I experience a slight to moderate shake at all speeds, and experience the "death wobble" almost daily at various speeds. I have followed all recommendations as far as tire rotation is concerned, as well as alignment when tires were purchased. I have since found the recent chrysler tsb regarding the death wobble, and am currently having the vehicles suspension and wheels checked. I want it on record that this vehicle is experiencing this problem daily.
Are jeep started shaking very badly. We have looked on the internet and seen that many jeep owners have had this problem , they are calling it the death wobble. Why is jeep not doing anything about this?
I bought a used 2007 jeep wrangler 4-door sahara in march of 2012. About 30 days after the purchase (which is when dealer warranty expired) the vehicle's brakes starting squeaking. I took it to the dealership and they said it was because the brakes were dirty. They "cleaned" the brakes and sent me on my way. The next day the brakes started squeaking again every time I brake. I took it back and they said there was nothing they could do because the brakes were brand new. At this time, the front passenger door also stopped locking correctly. The warranty I had purchased for $2,000 did not cover electronics! A couple months go by and I experienced the popular death wobble after getting an oil change and tire rotation. It turns out the rear trackbar bracket was cracked and eventually completely broke in half. I bought a heavy duty adjustable rear trackbar and had a new bracket welded on which seemed to fix the problem for a few days. Then the death wobble started again. I then took the jeep to get the tires rotated and balanced and the death wobble started at just 30mph as we were leaving the shop. I took it back and they were dumbfounded as to what the problem was. So they placed the tires back where they were when I took it in and it stopped for a couple more days. Since then I have replaced the front trackbar, steering stabilizer, and shocks, which all seemed to have put it at bay. However, now I have $340-a-piece tires that have been worn out and I have been told I cannot get the alignment fixed until I replace the front ball joints! I paid about $30,000 for this vehicle out of the dealership and have had to put in around $2500 in repairs and upgrades due to poor craftsmanship of this vehicle. On top of that I cannot even drive it with my family for fear of our safety. I have seen many online forums with people having the same exact problem. The dealership won't help me. The manufacturer won't help. Something must be done before a serious injury or death occurs.
I was on highway and I got what I now find out is common in my car the death wobble. I had to come to a complete stop on the highway to make it stop. Very scary and deadly.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 jeep wrangler 4x4. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH over an uneven road surface, the front end of the vehicle began to shake violently. The vehicle was maneuvered to the side of the road where the engine was turned off. Upon restarting, the contact resumed cautiously with the hazard lights activated. The vehicle was neither diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 123,000.
I experienced "death wobble" twice yesterday. The first happened in a curve with oncoming traffic. There was no obstruction in the road. The second was shortly after on a straight stretch. Again, no obstruction in the road. This was so severe my passenger had to help steady the wheel to keep me from crashing into oncoming traffic. There are no after market parts and no lift installed on the jeep.
The past couple years I've noticed my jeep having a wobble while crossing 60mph, below 57 it stopped above 63 it stopped. I had new tires and balance completed. The wobble was still present. While driving down a 4-5% grade on state route 285 (4 lane divided highway most of the way) I touched the brakes and the front end started to violently wobble.. Enough to rip the steering wheel from my hands. This almost put me into oncoming traffic. The wobble finally stopped at 25mph. The tires chirped in tune to the vibration. I have to assume from loss of contact with the road. The vehicle jerked side to side during this wobbling. Once stopped I checked under the front end and only noted that my stabilizer was now leaking fluid and was bent. This happened around july 18th with my 8 year old in the vehicle. Once I was able to get the vehicle back to town I took off the old track bar, did this due to the overwhelming number of posts on the internet. I took off the original bar and noted the back side of the upper and lower brackets "hollowed out" or oblonged. I removed the track bar and placed the bolts back into the mounts and wiggled them to assess if the mounts were out of round. I noted the bottom back mounting hole had approx. 1/4 inch of movement and the top back mounting hole had 1/8 inch of movement. I am currently seeing a jeep certified mechanic to have stainless steel washers added to the brackets to eliminate the source of the shaking. The mechanic stated this is a known issue that the brackets were made thinner then previous years. He also stated the "washer" fix is also a known solution to this issue. However I noted there isn't a smooth pivot surface on the bolts they are threaded and ate into the steel insert in the track bar bushing. I expected to find a bolt with a smooth surface for the bushing to ride on and threaded end for the nut.
While driving my 2007 wrangler, I hit a small bump on the freeway and the jeep started shaking violently to the point I could barely hold onto the wheel. I was actually on my way to the dealer to have a different recall serviced, so the service department looked at it. I was told that this is a common problem, and that all it would take is about $300 to replace the steering damper because the " factory ones always leak."
As a citizen of the united states of america with constitutional rights and consumer rights, this is regarding the "old/new chrysler jeep death wobble" corruption by all parties involved..affecting 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012 chrysler jeeps. After much research this chrysler jeep design/manufacture defect has existed for many, many years but the fact of the matter is the defect was not redesigned or designed out as far as chrysler and the federal safety agency are concerned, this dangerous and life threatening defect does not exist and will never cause death!, only crashes and accidents! We as consumers are liable for any negative outcome due to "the jeep death wobble"; and when the consumer gets in a crash, accident, injures someone, kills someone due to this defect, unless we can prove it was "the jeep death wobble" that chrysler and the federal safety agency say is not a safety issue or of concern (even though thousands upon thousands of jeep consumers beg to differ) we are liable for chrysler's safety defect that causes crashes and accidents that may lead to death to the consumer and those drivers sharing the road. Drivers sharing the road also have a right to have jeep consumers driving safe vehicles. Chrysler states "chrysler jeeps are built differently" chrysler consumers state what is different than safe??!!! The federal safety agency, an agency of the executive branch of the united states government and part of the department of transportation, describes its mission as save lives, prevent injuries, reduce vehicle related crashes. The federal safety agency is supposed to be promoting safety to all vehicles on the road not contributing to unsafe jeeps or any dangerous vehicles on the road! The federal safety agency is also denying the truth and leaving us the jeep consumers liable when they have thousands upon thousands of reports on the jeep death wobble (also known as the ?steering shimmy?) and all the stories are the same.
At certain speeds, my front end shimmies on the road. I took the jeep into a dealership in early april to address the vibration and they changed out the ball joints. They said they could find no evidence of the vibration. I picked the jeep up and it was still there. I scheduled a follow up appointment with them but, on the 9th of april, I was driving on I 495 in washington dc and the vehicle began shaking so bad that I had to pull over and get off the road. I thought I was going to be flung into a guardrail or another vehicle, it was shaking so bad. I called jeep and they opined that I had screwed something up with an aftermarket install for a suspension. However, my jeep is completely stock. I have not altered anything on it and certainly hadn't added a suspension. I have checked around and apparently, this problem is pretty rampant. The violence of the shaking is extreme and I am surprised somebody hasn't lost control and died over this already. I am a large man and it took all my strength to get the thing under control and into a safe area where I could decrease speed. I sincerely hope you will look into this matter before someone gets hurt., thank you, [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 jeep wrangler. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle vibrated. No warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer for diagnosis. The dealer stated that the front suspension and tie rods needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacture had not been notified. The failure mileages was 50,000 and the current mileages was 110,000.
Experienced the infamous 'death wobble'. My wife called scared to death and wasn't sure she could make it home because front end had started shaking violently. I thought she may have dropped a wheel weight. Took it to the mechanic, spent over $450 for new stabilizer and steering shock, wheel rotation, and balance, and problem was not solved. Took it back to the mechanic, he tried again, and did not charge me. He researched the problem on the internet and discovered all the complaints there. No one has a fix for this. Chrysler says all solid front axle vehicles do this. Bull! Why would anyone want a solid front axle vehicle if they all do this? It's scary. You have to immediately brake to stop the shake and hope no one is right behind you. I can't believe there hasn't been a recall or a solution forwarded for the problem. There are tons of complaints all over the internet. Always wanted a jeep but I'm afraid to drive the thing at highway speeds. Something's got to be done. Someone is going to get hurt eventually. I can't believe no one has been rear-ended or something hasn't shaken loose with all that violent vibration.
While driving my 2007 jeep wrangler unlimited sahara on the i35 north at approximately 70 MPH, a slight bump caused a violent shaking of the tires and suspension system. The vehicle was nearly impossible to control, the steering wheel nearly shook out of my grasp. Braking compounded the issue. I was able to veer the vehicle to the shoulder on the road, where a lower speed allowed the vehicle to recover. The same thing occurred nearly 1 hour later as I returned home. This situation is not isolated to me or my vehicle, it has been coined as the "jeep death wobble" by hundreds of people online.
The first occurrence happened in a construction area. I spoke with the service rep from the dealership, and they stated that the steering damper needed to be replaced, to the tune of $275 not including labor. I did not get the work done because something didn't seem right, based on the service reps "it isn't a big deal" statement. I had my tire balance checked, and during a 1400 mile drive, never had another occurrence. I asked if anyone else complained about "death wobble" (a term picked up when I explained the problem to a group of 4x4 enthusiasts), to which I received a negative response. It was at fire stone that was informed of tsb's on the steering. Just recently, the vibration in the steering has become noticeable during low speeds and rougher roads. At approx. 60 MPH, I experience "death wobble". The front end and steering shake violently until I can pull the vehicle off the roadway. This happens at 60 MPH, usually accelerating up hill, around corners and occasionally on straightaway that have a lot of expansion joints. 60 MPH seems to be the magic number. Last week (approx jan 28th) I was traveling over the local expansion bridge. I felt slight vibration in the steering, backed off the accelerator and signaled to move onto the exit ramp to I-26. The death wobble kicked in, almost throwing me into two vehicles. I managed to slow the vehicle and avoid running off the roadway.
I am writing to you because I do not know where else to go with this. Something needs to be done by chrysler and something fast before something serious happens to someone. I have a 2007 jeep wrangler 4 door sahara and I am experiencing with it what is called the "death wobble", if you were to search about this on the internet, you will see I am not the only one that this is happening to. I have called the dealership where I got the jeep and automatically they tell me that I need to have my stabilizer bar replaced and that it would cost me $250. I will tell you by all the complaints that I have seen on the internet that will not fix the problem. I do not have the money to sink into this jeep for something that they say is going to fix it and it does not. What I experience when I hit a bump going about 50 is a violent shaking in the front end of my jeep to the point that I have to slow down to almost 20 MPH to get it under control. I have also experienced it coming down a hill and when I put the brake on and the violent shaking happens again, but when I put the brake on to slow down it does it worse. I am very scared to drive my jeep and I am afraid for my family and our lives in this jeep, when I use to love it. If this is a steering stabilizer problem then I think that chrysler needs to take responsibility for this. I am sure if you ran a story about this, tons of people will come forward with the same thing. My mother in law has a 2009 jeep wrangler 4 door and the same thing is happening to hers. She has had new tires put on it, balanced, and an alignment. She has had it to the dealer twice and they tell her nothing is wrong with the jeep. My friend also has 2007 jeep wrangler 4 door and hers does it too. I am so tired of having a vehicle that I pay good money for and I am afraid to drive it. Search for "death wobble jeep" and you will see.
While traveling on interstate at posted speeds every rough patch of roadway or going over a bridge (bump entering or exiting bridge) the steering wheel would shake violently. I would let off gas, gently apply brake and pull onto shoulder to get control back of vehicle. Sometimes I would have to come to a complete stop before the shaking would stop other times between 5 to 20 mphs the shaking would stop. This was a 300 mile trip home, I reduced speed to see if this would decrease the effects, it seem to help where roads were smoother but happened nearly just the same. The vehicle is equipped with electronic stability control which never activated. It has happened numerous time since dec 17 2011.
After crossing a railroad track, the car experienced a violent shaking in the front suspension which did not stop until the car came to a stop
My 2007 jeep wrangler unlimited x 4x4, which is all stock and was purchased new, has developed the appropriately named "death wobble" which consists of violent shaking of the front end and steering wheel when hitting even a minor bump or depression in the road at speeds in excess of 45 MPH. The shaking is so severe that one believes you feel as though you are about to die due to loss of control of the vehicle. The only way to stop the shaking is to come to an abrupt stop. Inattentive drivers may not be aware of what is happening and this may cause an accident as the jeep driver is forced to brake. My warranty has expired and when I contacted the jeep dealership, they acted as though they had never heard of this. I took it to an independent mechanic who stated this was a rather common occurrence and that it would cost about $1700 to fix with replacing u-joints, and adding a stabilizer bar. From on-line testimonials, I am learning that this is simply a bandaid fix and that the ball joints and steering dampener need to be replaced for a true fix. I cannot believe that with as many problems as have been reported that chrysler-jeep has not issued a recall. I have parked my jeep for now while deciding what to do. My conscious will not allow me to trade it or sell it with the defect that I am aware of. I guess chrysler-jeep does not share my values. Why hasn't there been any litigation over this issue? Where are all the lawyers when you need them??
While driving thru construction at approximately 45 MPH my 2007 jeep wrangler sahara unlimited started shaking and wobbling violently. It was so terrifying and we had no idea what was happening. My daughter and I were taking my grandson to children's hospital and had another 70 miles to travel ahead of us and were scared to continue in this vehicle. We had to slow to almost a stop to get it to stop wobbling. We got off the hwy and found a jeep dealer who rented us a car to finish our trip as they tried to repair my jeep. I had only bought it 34 days before this happened but have owned jeeps for the last 18 years. When we retrieved the jeep, they replaced the steering dampener shock and said I should consider upper and lower ball joints. We made it home slowly afraid it may happen again. My fiance and I took it to the dealer we got it from the next morning and left it there for them to examine, they said the ball joints look fine and could not find anything wrong. We did some research and found that we are not alone it is called "death wobble" and with good reason, it feels like you are going to die. The next day we had a meeting with the salesman and his manager, they said we need to put in a complaint with chrysler and the would speak to their chrysler rep. As they have never heard of it. That day it happened again when my fiance was driving it as he was getting on an off ramp at 50 mpr. This is a very dangerous defect that could kill someone. I know if I trade it in some other family will get it and I don't want anyone else to go thru this. Please please help us.
Violent front end shimmy known as "death wobble". Occurs at speeds of 40-50 MPH. Vehicle shakes violently and is uncontrollable. Initially, tapping the brakes and slowing slightly would stop the shaking, but problem has progressed to the point that the vehicle needs to come to almost a complete stop to stop the shaking. This is a safety issue as the shaking poses an accident risk by virtue of losing control of the vehicle and/or a rear end collision, as there is nothing else to do but bring the vehicle to a sudden stop in order to regain control. This issue is well documented online and is the subject of technical service bulletin 19-003-06 (august of 2006). It should be noted, however, that this tsb does not fix the problem, it only masks the problem by adding a steering stabilizer.
Driving home on the highway at about 60-65 MPH around a small bend I hit an uneven part in the road the front end starting shaking violently out of control I almost could not hold the wheel. I slammed on the brakes and the shaking didn't stop until I can to a complete stop. This was also in a lot of traffic. Another mile down the road the same thing happened again. I thought I was going to lose control and crash into the wall. The entire front end was bouncing up and down the wheel vibrating so much it was hard to hold onto. Again with people driving home in rush hour I had to slam on the brake in the middle of the road come to a complete stop before this violent shaking would stop. Again I thought I was going to crash.
At hwy speeds when a bump is hit the front end and entire vehicle shakes violently like the front tires are going to fall off. This occurs just about every time a bump is hit. Onlyway to stop it is to slow to 15 to 20 MPH creating a traffic hazard. Ball joints, steering damper, front end parts, new tires to no avail.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 jeep wrangler 4dr 4x4. While driving approximately 55 MPH over a bump, the vehicle began to shake uncontrollably. The contact was able to drive onto the emergency lane, and was unable to detect a problem. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer who stated the front lower control arm, tie rod ends, steering damper and ball joints would need to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified and stated they would be responsible for the cost of the parts which does not include labor. The contact scheduled an appointment for the vehicle to be repaired. The failure mileage was 29,221. Updated 07/26/11 *bf updated 3/05/2012
1. Started in june of 2010 2. Jeep death wobble a well known defect that chrysler will not acknowledge or recall ...may cause severe accident or death. The vehicle shakes uncontrollably from side to side and front to back anytime anywhere any speed from 15mph to 70mph 3. Chrysler will not do anything to fix the problem would prefer death because that is what is happening due to lack of responsibility and recall on this well known defect by chrysler. Last death wobble june 8, 2011 we need this matter looked at and dealt with before more accidents and death occur. Usa consumer.
Severe shaking in front end, feels like my tires are falling off, when I am on highway! Hard to hold steering wheel in place, I have to pull over and stop in order to get the jeep under control. I believe this is called death wobble. I am so surprised after all the complaints about this issue there has been no forced recall! I am surprised we didn't crash and cause a pile up on highway!
Defect is called "death wobble" in various jeep wrangler years and models. Mine is a 2007 wrangler x unlimited. I was told by dealer the problem was mud impaction around and inside of wheels. Removing all mud did not fix problem. Worsened problem after cleaning. Replaced front stabilizer bar3 weeks ago. Problem continues... Which is:while driving on a rough road or hitting a bump or even modestly shallow pothole, front end and steering begins shaking, wobbling, quaking to point of vehicle being completely out of control and is almost if not completely impossible to control which is managed by braking to complete halt. Have narrowly averted collisions and complete vehicle control several times in the last 3 months. Really afraid to drive jeep, nor can I ethically or effectively sell vehicle without notifying "buyer" or this serious, bodily and life threatening defect. Vehicle is worthless because of this danger.
Whenever my 2007 jeep his a bump at speeds over 45mph, it begins the "death wobble". It shakes as if ready to fall apart. It occurs mostly on the highway, where I need to hold on tight and slow as quickly as possible to a near stop. This is extremely dangerous! I will not let my three teenagers drive the car. Apparently this is happening to all 2007 wranglers. This needs to be recalled!
During normal operation of the vehicle at speeds above 40 MPH, the vehicle shakes uncontrollably after hitting a bump in the road. The bump does not have to be large, and can be as small as a bad joint in concrete pavement. The only way to stop the shaking is to slow down the vehicle to a near stop. This occurred on an interstate highway with no shoulder, causing a near-collision.
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