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2009 Jeep Wrangler steering complaints

Page 2 of 3: complaints 11 to 40 of 65, newest first, as owners wrote them.

See the summary of 2009 Jeep Wrangler steering problems: which part fails, at what mileage and related recalls.

Filed Jun 28, 2016 · Electrical, Steering · 62,224 miles · VI

Violent shaking of the steering wheel when the jeep goes over a bump in the road. This is a regular occurrence. The last incident, the hazard lights on the dash panel came on and have not been able to turn off since then. Happens mostly on the highway or when the vehicle is traveling at 45-55 MPH.

Filed Jun 24, 2016 · Steering, Suspension · 80,000 miles · MO

My jeep has the death wobble. I have had it in the shop twice to get it fixed and spent over $3,000 so far to fix the problem and it has not be resolved! New parts and new tires have not helped. Someone is going to get hurt or killed. It happens all the time.

Filed Mar 31, 2016 · Steering, Suspension · 87,300 miles · MA

Driving north bound on interstate 89 in new hampshire approximately 65 MPH, drove over a bridge abutment and the front end of my 2009 jeep wrangler start to violently shake. The violent shaking didn't stop until I slowed to 30 MPH.

Filed Feb 10, 2016 · Steering · 45,000 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 jeep wrangler. While driving at 55 MPH, the steering wheel shook violently. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 45,000.

Filed Sep 26, 2015 · Steering, Suspension · 51,200 miles · NY

Travelling on a straight road at approximately 50-60mph, hit a small bump in the road. The steering wheel began to shake a little then violently and almost lost control of the jeep. I had to come to a compete stop in the middle of the road before the shaking would stop. I was scared too death. I had the jeep checked over and nothing was broken or worn. Now afraid to drive the vehicle. There are many complaints on this site as well as the internet for the same issue. When will this be addressed before someone gets killed?

Filed Sep 22, 2015 · Steering · 68,300 miles · LA

While driving north on bertrand drive near west congress street in lafayette, louisiana, at approximately 40 miles per hour, the front wheels and steering wheel began wobbling violently. I maintained control of the vehicle while slowly driving into a parking lot. I performed a cursory inspection of the vehicle, but did not observe anything wrong. I researched the problem on the internet, and learned that the "death wobble" had resulted in chrysler issuing technical service bulletins, but not a recall. I reported the incident to my local jeep dealer and to chrysler. Chrysler informed me that because a recall had not been issued, chrysler would not have the vehicle repaired at no expense to me.

Filed Sep 20, 2015 · Brakes, Steering · 85,215 miles · VA

Me and my dad were driving on the expressway and it was 65 miles an hour all of a sudden the jeep started shaking violently and it did it 3 times while we're on the expressway. The jeep was doin the death wobble and both of us were shaken up. The brakes went out and had a hard time stopping. It's ridiculous and I think that these parts should be recalled. I'm gonna call detroit tomorrow.

Filed Jun 11, 2015 · Steering, Suspension · 109,000 miles · LA

Bought a used 2009 jeep didn't know anything about a death wobble. I was going down the interstate at about 60 MPH hit a bump and the jeep started shaking violently. Almost got hit trying to get off the interstate and stop. It does it every time I hit a bump in the road. Now I don't know what to do becasue we bought it used.

Filed May 20, 2015 · Steering, Wheels · WV

Vehicle shakes uncontrollably around 55 or when I hit a bumb , took the jeep two the garage and explain what was going on and was told it was the tires so bought new tires and wasn't the problem , I looked up the death wobble and seen many people with jeeps have had the same problem and jeep chrysler won't do a recall and they should because this can very much cause an accident when you have no control , this is left up to the owners whom thought they bought a good product to figure out and pay to fix a problem that jeep chrysler should of fixed in the first place but it's all about profit and not safety !!!

Filed Feb 3, 2015 · Steering · 103,300 miles · TX · 1 injury

Violent shake that made me feel like the jeep was going to fall apart...extremely dangerous and unsafe...this happened all of sudden...I did not hit anything to make this happen...chrysler needs to do a recall since this has happened about 15 times since I purchased the vehicle less than a year ago....it does it even at 55-60 miles per hour... I have taken it to several mechanics to be fixed...joints, bars, shocks, and tires have been changed numerous times and it continues to shake violently.

Filed Jan 29, 2015 · Airbags, Steering · 75,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 jeep wrangler. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, the air bag warning light illuminated and a chime sounded. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the clock spring on the steering wheel needed to be replaced and that the airbags may not deploy in the event of a crash. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 75,000.

Filed Jan 12, 2015 · Steering, Suspension · 18,000 miles · TX

As the jeep was brought up to speed it began shaking violently and out of control as the speed approached 50 MPH. The shaking continued as I braked to a stop. The vehicle is unsafe to operate with this "death wobble". The problem is repeatable and happens at the same speed occasionally when bumps are hit.

Filed Dec 23, 2014 · Steering, Suspension · 57,000 miles · CA

I own a 2009 jeep wrangler. Over the past year and a half, I have experienced increasing issues with my wrangler in that it begins to shake uncontrollably when I am driving above 50 MPH and hit even small bumps in the road. This past summer I had it worked on twice in order to address the issue. My car has been in storage since september and I drove it for the first time this past weekend. Today (12/23/14), I was driving on the freeway and in less than 30 miles, the car began shaking 3 different times. Each time this happens, I have to bring the car to a complete stop (obviously, this is difficult, and sometimes impossible, on the freeway). The situation becomes very dangerous to myself and the drivers around me. I have made no modifications to my wrangler.

Filed Dec 21, 2014 · Steering, Suspension · 125,000 miles · HI

Three times in the past week, driving on highway at about 55, started the jeep death wobble. Had to stop in traffic to stop wobble. Still looking for issue. Tires were rebalanced, still getting death wobble.

Filed Dec 10, 2014 · Steering · 24,000 miles · FL

I was on gratigny pkwy, in miami florida going about 58 miles per hour and when I was crossing the over pass towards I-75 north the front tires began to bounce vigorously like if the front end was going to fall apart. I slowed down and got to the side but it did not stop shaking till I came to a complete stop. It seems like this should not happen to a vehicle with such low mileage, but the warranty is over of course.

Filed Nov 10, 2014 · Steering, Suspension · 39,000 miles · MD

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 jeep wrangler. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH over a road bump, the front passenger wheel shook abnormally. The failure was recurring. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the mechanic diagnosed that the steering stabilizer shock needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 39,000.

Filed Sep 18, 2014 · Steering · 44,850 miles · PA

Let me mention, that I bought this jeep brand new, and started having steering problems about 4 months after purchase. It would pull to the drivers side, and when hitting uneven payment or bump, felt as though steering wheel pulled out of my hands. Learned early on to hold steering wheel very tightly. Took it to the dealership and was told my tires needed rotation and set air pressure. Mileage at this point was 4734. Over time, learned to avoid potholes, uneven payment or any rough road. When I did take it in to dealership, was told they could not imitate my problem. Still making monthly payments on the jeep with this continuous problem was getting really old. On 11/25/11, 2 years and 4 months of putting up with this crap, took it into dealership again. The steering was getting more out of control and I would not allow my teenage son to drive it because I didn't feel safe. At this point was told needed tires rotated again, air pressure check, rear disc brakes and rotors needed, also was told needed front and rear differential fluid service. Had to decline, cause at this point, total was already up to 325.63. They wanted another 195.00 to do it. On 6/4/14, during inspection, was told I need new tires. Mileage was 26,753. Had enough tread to pass. They wanted 1017.00, went to costco, same tires for 300 less. 2/21/14, more steering problems, this time needed new damper, steering damper weak plus transmission fluid cooler lines needed replaced. 6/14/14 steering/suspension exhaust heat shield separated on right side hitting off muffler, also front and rear diff. Service. Cost 568.42, 8/14/14 battery died. Getting to point, on 9/12/14, on pa I 79 turnpike, had my first official death wobble as I have heard. Lucky for me, had a shoulder to pull over to until it stopped. Scared the s--- out of me. Whole front end shock so violently, unreal.

Filed Sep 10, 2014 · Steering, Suspension · 54,000 miles · IN

I purchased a 2009 jeep wrangler new. I have not modified my car in any way, nor have I ever taken it "off-road or four-wheeling". ' in march 2014 I experienced my first "death wobble",' an extremely violent, shaking of the front wheels. Since then, it has happened numerous times, resulting in repairs (that still haven't solved the problem) totaling over $2000.00. I'm hesitant to take it in for repairs again because no one knows how to fix this problem and I don''t have the money to keep making repairs for an unknown problem. Chrysler/jeep needs to recognize this as being a safety hazard. I've researched this extensively and I am not the only one experiencing this problem. The only time it happens is when I'm going 40 MPH or more, primarily on the highway. The only way to re-gain control is to slow down quickly and pull over or come to a complete stop (which could result in an accident on the highway). Chrysler/jeep must recognize that this is a serious safety issue and provide a remedy/recall and monetary compensation for this problem.

Filed May 27, 2014 · Steering, Suspension · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 jeep wrangler. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH, the steering wheel suddenly began to violently shake causing the driver to nearly lose control of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the steering stabilizer bar was defective. The vehicle was repaired. Also, the contact indicated that while driving the front driver side tire suddenly deflated. After inspecting the vehicle the contact discovered that the tire air valve was fractured. The contact indicated that the defect recurred multiple times. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 68,000.

Filed Apr 29, 2014 · Steering, Transmission · NH

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 jeep wrangler. The contact stated that the federal safety agency campaign number 13v234000 (power train, steering) had exceeded a reasonable time for repair. The dealer advised the part was not available for repair. The manufacturer was not contacted. The contact did not experience a failure.

Filed Apr 29, 2014 · Steering, Suspension · 36,000 miles · IL

Death wobble, uncontrollable violent shaking between 30 & 50 MPH. Serious safety issue at highway speeds being unable to control the vehicle's steering out of harms way. I have had it to two different dealerships three different times and I'm told that there is nothing wrong with it. It's obvious that there is a problem and I'm not the only one with this issue. A quick internet search on jeep death wobble will confirm this. Chrysler needs to be held accountable and fix this problem before someone gets killed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Filed Apr 23, 2014 · Steering, Suspension · 32,000 miles · MO

Cpsc: i1440019a. 2009 jeep wrangler xl. Consumer stated that around 32,000 miles, his vehicle developed what is called the "death wobble", uncontrolled shimmy at highway speeds which only resolves by braking and coming to a near stop. After great effort, chrysler reimbursed the consumer $849.07 of the $ 1793.47 he paid to have the entire front end rebuilt. *ln the dealer replaced the steering damper with an updated assembly which required different hardware, to fix the problem. The consumer filed a complaint with chrysler for reimbursement, for $336.67. They reimbursement him for the parts only. The consumer continued to experience problems, so the dealer did a complete examination of the vehicle, and found all 4 ball joints and drag link were out of specifications.

Filed Apr 8, 2014 · Steering, Suspension · 39,400 miles · WI

Around 30,000 miles I would notice a slight shimmy in the front end at freeway speeds when a small bump was hit. This would usually last a few seconds and then drive normal. I read some thing online about this and it seemed like it was a normal thing for this 4dr jeep model. In early march 2014 about 39000 miles I hit a big bump on the freeway and the front end shimmy was so intense I thought the front passenger tire was flat at first it seemed like it was coming off. A few hours later this happened again before I made it home. I did research and found the references to the "death wobble" and knew that's what it was. I was thankful no one else was in the car with me. Another jeep owner I know knew the term and had heard about these problems. Then april 1st hit a bump I could not avoid on the pot hole infested milwaukee streets and it happened again the tire felt like it was coming off and almost had accident in the construction zone I was in. Called dealer and they knew exactly what I was talking about. Apparently chrysler switched the dampener/brackets after the 2009 yr models when they noticed problems. Funny how that replacement I had to have done cost me $ 400+. You would think if they know there was a problem this wouldn't cost the consumer a penny. Especially since it is my life in jeopardy.

Filed Apr 2, 2014 · Steering, Suspension · 42,000 miles · MI

I got what is describe as the death wobble its what the mechanics say.its all over the internet. I want to know if this problem is this big why hasnt there been a recall. Ive been told this very common. Is jeep/chrysler waiting till people die to admit theres a problem or just covering it up.

Filed Mar 15, 2014 · Steering, Suspension · 30,381 miles · MO

In august 2013 my jeep wrangler began to develop an unpredictable, uncontrollable, violent shimmy at highway speeds. Sometimes a small bump or a lane change would set an event off. Shimmy did not stop without hard braking and coming to a near stop. Commonly referred to as "death wobble". The first attempt at repair, mileage 30,381, was to replace the factory installed steering damper with a upgraded steering damper. The new steering damper required different hardware to install. My cost, $366.77 which chrysler reimbursed the cost of parts @ $266.77. I am $100.00 out of pocket for labor costs to replace this defective part which was installed at the factory! The problem of uncontrolled shimmy was not fixed! The second attempt to repair my vehicle, mileage 32,982, was to balance and rotate all tires. The problem was not fixed! The third attempt to repair my vehicle, mileage 33,902, involved replacing all four defective ball joints and a defective drag link assembly. Cost to me, $1793.47. Chrysler eventually reimbursed the cost of parts @ $849.07. On this repair I am out of pocket $944.40 labor costs to replace defective parts as installed at the factory! I have filed a complaint with the better business bureau (case #9919310) and the case is still ongoing. No vehicle operated under normal conditions should have to have major components, which affect vehicle control and safety, fail and need replacement at less than 34,000 highway driven miles! I do not read anywhere on my service receipts stating the parts that have been replaced carry any warranty. I am very concerned that genuine jeep parts are of the same quality as originally used by jeep to manufacture my vehicle, and will fail again within the next 30,000 to 35,000 miles, if not sooner!

Filed Sep 19, 2013 · Airbags, Steering · 69,789 miles · NE

Warning light for airbag system is activating every 30-50 seconds. Contacted my service department, they stated it is a "clock spring" in the steering system. Apparently, there are many claims for this from jeep wrangler owners.

Filed Sep 5, 2013 · Steering, Suspension · 45,000 miles · NE

Vehicle would occasionally experience a violent shaking from the front wheels when traveling approximately 50-60 MPH. Seemed to typically be initiated by small bump in the road. Only way to stop the shaking was to almost come to a complete stop . Less than 10 MPH. Took vehicle to mechanic who determined the steering stabilizer was defective.

Filed Jul 12, 2013 · Steering, Suspension · 45,940 miles · MI

At highway speed (50-70 MPH) vehicle would shake violently after hitting a bump. Vehicle needs to come to a complete stop to correct the wobble. After a little on line research, I discovered "death wobble." service writers at both milosch palace jeep and al deeby jeep knew right away what I was talking about. I cannot believe there is not a safety recall for this. It seems everyone with knowledge of jeeps is aware of the issue. This is very dangerous on highways\interstates, especially for inexperienced drivers, because the vehicle needs to come to a stop to in order to stop the wobble. I am sure no one really cares what I have to say, but jeep is very dirty on this one. I am a 45 year mechanical engineer in the automotive field. Can someone please tell me why there has not been a safety recall for this?

Filed Jul 6, 2013 · Steering, Suspension · 45,000 miles · MA

Driving at 50 MPH and faster, when the vehicle hits a bump the steering starts to shake uncontrollably. The wheels shimmy from side to side and only stops when the vehicle slows to below 40 MPH, and in some instances only stops when the vehicle comes to a complete stop. This is extremely scary and dangerous especially when it occurs on the highway, as you need to weave through traffic at a high speed to find a safe place to pull over. This issue is well known throughout the jeep community, as it has it's own nickname the "death wobble". Chrysler has acknowledged that this has become a common issue among their vehicles; however, has done nothing in the form of recalls or service to help customers fix the issue. In a report by abc news, they stated that there have been over 600 reports of the same issue I have experienced. I brought my vehicle to a chrysler certified auto shop to get it fixed and they could not identify the problem. They did a front end alignment on my car saying that might fix the problem; however, it did not. The "death wobble" has occurred in my vehicle 5 times since the initial incident in april.

Filed Jun 21, 2013 · Steering, Suspension · 48,000 miles · PA

I drove over a dip in the road at approximately 45mph and my car started shaking uncontrollably. I truly felt the car was coming apart and I would wreck. I let off the gas and the shaking stopped. I have since discovered the "death wobble" and feel this is exactly what happened to me.

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