Dead zone in the steering wheel and the vehicle wanders and requires constant steering wheel action to maintain lane control.
2018 Jeep Wrangler steering complaints
Page 12 of 38: complaints 311 to 340 of 1,117, newest first, as owners wrote them.
While traveling on the highway at speeds of 70mph my steering wheel lost the ability to turn left. Felt like I had no power steering to the left side. This went on for 10 minutes where I could barely lean left it. All of the suddenly the steering wheel corrected itself and the vehicle jumped to the left causing me to almost hit another vehicle. The problem went away after it corrected itself and it didn't come back the remaining day.
Experiencing intermittent violent shaking at speeds between 45 &50 MPH making it very difficult to control the steering. Vehicle needs to be brought to a stop for issue to be corrected. It is happening on a weekly basis. The issue started after having the damper replaced which was done due to a recall. After the first incident the dealer replaced the steering damper again and it has continued to happen. We have contacted fca and tried working w/ our dealership to get resolved but the best answer we have received is try new tires and keep driving it until it happens again then take it back. After researching it looks like this has been a problem with many other 2018 jeep owners that experiencing similar results after changing out the damper multiple times. I feel this is an unsafe vehicle that jeep is not willing to take the time to correctly diagnose and fix the issue.
The steering issue began as a shutter and vibration at highway speeds when going over a bump or a rut. The dealership has taken the vehicle in and kept it on three separate occasions. The issue has subsided a bit but now the vehicle's alignment is off and the steering is very loose. You have to keep the steering wheel turned to the one o'clock position, to the right, while driving at highway speeds or the jeep will drive off of the left side of the road. The vehicle constantly drifts while driving so you need to maneuver the wheel back and forth constantly to keep the jeep on the road. The wheel is sloppy with a lot of play for the first inch or two on either side. The dealer has not been able to fix this issue and it is an absolute safety hazard. This is my only personal vehicle so I don't have another option. I purchased the jeep brand new and it has never been in an accident or abused. This jeep needs to be recalled or replaced. It is unacceptable that best jeep chrysler in plymouth, ma won't correct the issue or replace the jeep. The fm radio, bluetooth, and clock are also broken and they have not been able to fix that either.
When driving down the road the steering seems lose and the car wonders on the road. The stabilizer has been replaced but the steering itself is loose. I just got an alignment and the problem still happens. I drive on the highway to work and I have a hard time controlling the jeep in a straight line.took it to the dealer and they said nothing was wring and thats just how they are. This is the same thing they told me when I complained about the death wobble and now that is being addressed.
Loose steering and wanders
At highway speeds start shimmy (death wobble) hit a bump or road imperfection, that shouldn't happen on a new car it can lead to a fatal accident
Just purchased this vehicle and picked up on 2/14/20 and have experienced violent "death wobble". Called the dealership and they said it was from my lift that I just had installed. After a re-check, the place that did the lift stated there was nothing wrong with the lift. I continued to experience the wobble from that point on and till this day. Wobble will occur at any speed under 50 MPH, however, I am able to slow down and eventually gain control of the vehicle if under that speed limits. Cannot control vehicle when engages in wobble over 50-55 MPH. Took me into oncoming traffic on highway, no control of steering, braking was ineffective, steering wheel shaking violently and could not grip and I had to wait for the vehicle to come to a stop on its own (on the highway) in order for it to come out of that condition. Very dangerous and I am lucky that I was not killed that day. Since then, I do not drive over 50-55 miles per hour. It felt like the tires were going to detach from the vehicle and the vehicle was going to fall apart right there on the road. For the less aggressive wobbles that are experienced each time I drive, I do not feel comfortable having anybody in the vehicle with me because I am scared for their safety. I just brought to auto repair shop today and they said the steering stabilizer was worn out and needed replacement. I looked up a recall from june 2019 and it stated that this was completed for my vehicle. Appears this is going to be the 2nd replacement since june for the stabilizer.
Jeep jl 2 door wrangler rubicon steering wanders horribly causing an un-safe driving condition. Vehicle has had steering stabilizer replaced by re-call as well as a new front track bar by without noticeable improvement in driving characteristics. Significant play in steering wheel with constant steering adjustment to drive down straight road. I have owned two previous jeeps which drove much better than this jl.
When driving on the freeway at about 65 MPH . If I hit a bump or pothole in my lane the front end and steering wheel jumps/shakes violently and the vehicle is very dangerous and scary and hard to control . This has happened alot . It is very dangerous .
Car will not keep straight, wobbles left and right during normal driving. Took to dealership multiple times. Addressed the trac bar recall but still having issues.
While driving at approximately 55 MPH I had a severe vibration (death wobble) in the front of my jeep. It is 2018 with less than 4,000 miles. It has happened several times and I have taken it to jeep but they were unable to recreate it.
While driving at highway speeds, a small bump in the road will cause the steering column to shake excessively along with the front wheels going into a severe wobble. This wobble will not stop until the vehicle slows down under 15 MPH.
In july of 19 I purchased my 2018 jeep wrangler sport s 4dr from a local dealership. About 1000 miles into ownership I began noticing loose steering with excessive play. I took the jeep in for service and a flash tsb was performed, the problem was better, but still present. At the same time I was also part of the weld recall no repair needed. I started noticing shuttering at highway speeds after hitting bumps. I had the suspension checked when I went in for the second weld recall notice on my jeep in 01/19, it was ok according to the dealership. 02/19 I experienced excessive vibration/shuttering of the frontend after hitting a bump at highway speeds. Did not stop until I slowed to about 40mph. Took to dealership, an upgraded steering dampener was placed on the vehicle. Shuttering continued. 10/19 shuttering gets worse. While driving about 55mph steering locks up on a curve two times, like the power steering dropped for a couple seconds then returned. Taken to the shop, dampener replaced again, cant duplicate lock up. I contacted jeep cares and fca. 11/19 vehicle is taken to the shop again for 2 weeks. Shop acknowledges steering is looser than it should be. Steering gear is replaced. After getting vehicle back steering is tight but now wandering all over the place, cant keep jeep in a straight line especially at high speed. 12/19 vehicle is taken back to shop alignment is performed. After a couple hundred miles I notice steering is loose and there is a dead spot in the steering again. I relay this to fca. 01/19 fca regional tech drives vehicle, says its driving as designed, checks alignment and adjusts caster. Problems with loose steering and deadspot persist. Jeeps degree of wandering depends on conditions seems even more difficult to operate on windy days than it was before steering gear change. Takes constant corrections to keep it going straight.
Tl* the contact owns a 2018 jeep wrangler. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the went over a bump in the road and became difficult to control. The contact stated that there was no warning before, during or after the failure. The vehicle was taken to randy marion chrysler dodge jeep ram 2000 us-421, wilkesboro, nc 28697 where the vehicle was diagnosed with a defective steering damper. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was then taken to hendrick chrysler dodge jeep ram fiat of concord 7630 hendrick auto plaza nw, concord, nc 28027, where the steering damper was replaced a second time however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed back to hendrick chrysler dodge jeep ram fiat of concord, where the vehicle was test driven by a technician. The technician was unable to duplicate the failure. On another occasion while merging into traffic at 55 MPH, the vehicle fishtailed. The contact was able to regain control of the vehicle and drove back to the residence. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 10,000.
We bought this vehicle from hoffer jeep in topeka, ks. The vehicle was won buy a person at a casino event so we are the 2nd owner. The vehicle had, I believe under 2k miles, upon our purchase. Since, we have owned the vehicle it has consistently had a "death wobble". I simply cannot count how many times at or under mandated highway speeds this vehicle has entered a 'death wobble". The most recent was from returning from manhattan ks to kansas city the vehicle entered a "death wobble" no less than 4 times. The last time I was driving 5 miles under the 75mph speed limit when hitting some road chatter, nothing significant, caused uncontrollable chatter in front wheels, axle, generating strong vibration through the steering column and wheel. I released the accelerator and the vehicle came out of the "death wobble" at 27mph, on an incredibly busy highway. This was/is unsafe at highway speeds. The dangers it caused could have been catastrophic in nature and need to be addressed before someone is killed. This vehicle is stock and has not had its suspension, tires, etc., adjusted or manipulated in any shape, fashion, or form. Please advise on how this matter should be dealt with going forward? Thanks
While driving our 2018 wrangler jl in 20-30 degree temperature the steering assist locked up, causing my wife to drive the vehicle off of the road while in a slow sweeping curve. After a second or two the steering re-engaged as she was trying to steer back onto the road and she suddenly veered back onto the road. A few seconds later it happened again. Fortunately nothing was struck and no one was injured. After the vehicle continued to warm up the lockup did not occur again. This was 3 weeks ago. Two days ago, while starting out driving in mid 30 degree temperatures the steering again locked up for about a second before reengaging. All instances occurred after the jeep was sitting outside in the cold and started for the first time that day. Both events occurred within the first 4-5 minutes of driving at speeds in the 45-50mph range while making turns to the wheel. The big danger here is that if the vehicle is in a turn and the steering goes out, the driver could try and turn hard on the steering wheel to regain control and if the steering assist kicks back in, an oversteer situation could occur causing the vehicle to roll over or cross over into oncoming traffic. Fca has already issued a tsb for the possible problem (08-092-18) which I will now contact my local dealer to see if they will investigate.
Driving at highway speeds the vehicles steering is dangerous and it becomes more pronounced in the wind and in the rain. It drifts dangerously and when trying to correct the drift the steering is not very responsive since it has way too much play so you begin to over correct causing even more issues. In the rain the vehicle has the feel as if it's hydroplaning and the impact from the wets roads and puddles causes the vehicle to drift even more. I found that many people have received replacements of the 1.steering box (68259507ae) 2.the damper (recall 77072360) 3.track bar (68394087aa) all of these parts have been upgraded by mopar and I'm guessing that was for obvious reasons but my dealership and customer service at jeep/chrysler refuse to acknowledge there is a problem yet the problem persists. I showed them proof in both videos and with the upgraded parts and it does not seem to matter to them that this is a dangerous situation. I will provide a link of a person who got these issues repaired this individual has the same make model and year jeep I have. Https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asz1wujbjby . I do not feel comfortable driving this vehicle it feels dangerous to me ... My wife will not drive it at all and she was the one who wanted the vehicle since we bought it for her. This has been going on since we bought the vehicle. I have done the research and 1,000's of people are complaining about this, some have a dangerous wobble, some have really bad drift where its hard to keep the vehicle on the road at highway speeds, and some have both. Funny, I was told by my dealership that this was normal for a jeep and its not acceptable I told him it felt dangerous and he agreed it drifts but says that normal for a jeep. It gets so bad at times in the rain I have to get in the right lane and drive 30 miles per hour in a 70 mile per hour zone . The jeep has only 5k miles
There have been three separate events that occured related to the front steering shaking on the vehicle. Two occurred before I had the recall done called 02v41182 steering damper. Driving ~60 MPH, ~30 degrees f, and after hitting a bump. I then took it in for service for the work covered under the steering dampener to be fixed. Approximately 5 minutes after leaving the dealer, I was driving and the issue occurred again for the third time. I am scared for the safety of my life and integrity of the steering system as all three events occurred on the the highway.
Tight steering at highway speeds (over 60mph) most likely to happen in colder temperatures. To give you an idea: you are driving on the highway and want to switch lanes. It will feel as if your steering wheel is locked and that you cannot steer it to the next lane. You will have trouble keeping your vehicle straight on the highway as well, constantly veering to the right. This vehicle feels very dangerous to drive at highway speeds. Took the vehicle in to the dealer 3 times, with the same " we cannot reproduce the issue" run around. I am certain that there is an issue and hope jeep (fca) owns up and issues a recall.
The morning of feb 6, 2020, I was driving my 2018 jl (approx 16k mileage) on the highway at ~65 MPH when the steering all of a sudden locked up going into a right bend in the highway. Suddenly I was unable to turn the vehicle to the right to stay in the middle lane and ended halfway in the left fast lane headed straight for the concrete highway median barriers. Thank goodness there were no cars on the highway next to me in the left lane that the unresponsive steering forced me into. After I slowed down, the steering went back to normal and I was able to get over to the right hand lane without incident and exit the highway. I have not felt comfortable driving on the highway or having my kids in the jeep since. The steering lockup on the highway was frightening; I feel very lucky to have escaped what looked like an imminent high speed highway accident with my own vehicle and possibly other cars nearby. Separately, my husband and I have both experienced rapid steering oscillation at highway speeds, a jarring full vehicle wobble when going over a bump or crack in the highway. The local dealer where we bought the jeep had already replaced the steering damper due to an earlier recall; the highspeed steering lockup and oscillation issues have occurred since. I'm now working with a second local dealer who hasn't yet been able to isolate or diagnose the steering problems. As next step, the technician is suggesting I take the jeep back out on the highway with him to try to recreate the steering binding/lockup issues ' yikes!
When traveling at highway speeds, a small bump in the road causes the steering wheel and front suspension to shake violently. The jeep dealership has replaced the steering dampner twice but there is no guarantee it will fix the issue
My daughter drives that jeep and had the steering lock up on the highway in houston on the morning of january 29 2020 and could not steer left(change lane) for about a mile,then went back to normal...it was taken the next day to helfman dealer,with said problem was solved...they updated electronics witch I believe the problem is a mechanical issue in the steering box.there was no accident involved.I found online several similar issues and videos related to the same problem.I believe its just a matter of time before it happens again hopefully without an accident involved. I think it is a critical issue having a steering lock up
My jeep started to shake violently after driving over some small bumps on the highway while driving 60-65 MPH. I had to pull my car over. I thought I blew a tire, but I did not. I drove off without the vehicle shaking after I waited a few minutes. Unfortunately, it happened again in the same day when I drove over a rough patch on the highway traveling the same speed. I pulled over again and waited before driving off. I did some research and learned this is a know safety problem with jeeps called a "death wobble". I made an appointment to have my jeep looked at on 2-4-2020, however the service garage had to cancel my appointment due to their internet being down. I have rescheduled for 2-7-2020. If the service does not correct the problem, what am I to do? Thank you, [xxx]. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
Rapid jarring and shaking of steering wheel occurred when driving speeds of 65 -70 MPH encountered an expansion crack the violent shaking of the jeep caused me to have to pull off the road to avoid a collision. This happened on january 29, 2020 the jeep has 13,000 miles on it and has never bee off-road. The jeep has been parked since the incident, deemed unsafe for transportation. It is scheduled to go to into dealership on feb 4th for evaluation and repair if possible.
Stabilizer control and throttle control light came on. Vehicle was taken in for repair. Vehicle was picked up and the steering felt light. As I'm driving on the highway I hit a bump and the steering wheel began to shake violently. I slowed down and it stopped. I called the dealership and explained what happened and I'm getting the run around. Claim it could be warp rotors. It's not warped rotors after I did some research. I found out this vehicle has what's called a death wobble.
Steering wheel stiff in cold weather- temp dropped into the '40s, went to drop kids at school and the steering wheel did not turn in a curve. It was stiff and then suddenly would turn extremely fast, which, I feel, is very dangerous. This is my second attempt with the dealer who said that they can't find anything wrong. I had a software update performed that is supposed to address this issue but nothing. This is a serious safety issue. It needs to be addressed.
I purchased my wrangler and about 4 months after having it noticed uncontrollable shaking when going over 50 MPH on the highway and hitting a bump. Once the shaking started I would have to slow down to at least 45 or 50 to get it to stop. My wrangler has been in the shop 4 times before finally being fixed. We are going on 6 months since this was supposedly fixed and it is now doing it again. However now it has a shake every time I hit a bump not just when I am going faster than 50 MPH. I am going to have to take my wrangler in fro the 5th time and hope that it gets fixed.
Driving around a bend and the steering locked up on me leaving me unable to steer for a few seconds.
Weld quality on frame are very questionable. When my jeep twists while off-roading, it sounds like it wants to tear itself apart and the doors dont want to shut close when the vehicle is fully flexed. This doesn't happen to the newer 2019+ models with obvious better welds on frame. It gets annoying with all the crunching noise the body makes when I drive on uneven roads. Again, not seen on newer models. Also, the steering stabilizer was replaced and still my steering wheel start shaking when I drive on uneven roads. I have taken my jeep to the dealer 4 times complaining about the radio and it keeps shutting off and volume freezing.
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