Steering locked up while driving. Issue happened twice and the dealer stated they fixed it. Issue still persists
2018 Jeep Wrangler steering complaints
Page 14 of 38: complaints 371 to 400 of 1,117, newest first, as owners wrote them.
I was driving in the back roads at 30 MPH and encountered a curve on the road. I turned my steering wheel lightly to the right and my jeep would not go in the direction I needed it to. The steering locked up. I had it lock up many times this morning when I turned left or right. The temperature this morning was 35 degrees f. This is a cause for concern as our lives and those of others is at risk. A serious safety concern. This is the second issue I've had with this jeep. I had the steering dampner changed because it was violently vibrating at high speeds on the highway. This jl model is junk.
My 2018 jeep wrangler has experienced power steering failure primarily during highway driving and more often in cold weather.you become aware of the failure after entering the highway and attempt a slight correction right or left and realize there is no power assist. You apply more pressure then realize it is going to take a lot more effort to make the car move in the direction desired, the initial thought is the car is not going to turn but with more pressure it finally moves.this may continue for a few seconds or can come and go for miles.I cannot make the car do it at will so I've made no effort to have the car repaired. I also have followed forums on line describing steering problems but as of yet,it appears there is no dealer repair offered. The car has been in service since 5/5/2018.the problem has persisted since shortly after delivery.I am currently just past 40k miles in this time period.out of factory warranty but I did purchase a 100k mile warranty at time of sale.I keep thinking this problem is going to become a recall along with excessive steering play,(wandering),and the ever famous "death wobble" of which this vehicle has all three.so far that hasn't happened. Regardless of being termed safety issues my experience is that they are most certainly safety issues.thank you,[xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
This happened twice on the same day. Vehicle was in motion at approximately 60 miles per hour entering highway when a bump was hit front end started to shake and shimmy all the way through the steering wheel. Almost had to completely stop the vehicle to get the shaking to stop. This is called the jeep death wobble. I had received a recall from fiat chrysler of america several months earlier to have my vehicle steering stabilizer replace. After a lot of research on this particular problem I think the vehicle manufacturer should be held liable for all front end damage done for the life of the vehicle in relation to this problem in engineering. I have seen many places where they say this problem will ruin your ball joints and your other linkages in your front end. They should inform the consumer of this problem at time of purchase.
Took vehicle in with 'wheel wobble' at 7728 miles and dealer replaced steering damper. After driving 300 miles took back to dealer with same issue. They stated that they could not duplicate and returned the vehicle. I then took to an aftermarket dual steering stabilizer that hid the problem for another 8ooo miles. Upon taking back to dealer with now 18000 miles - there is an additional steering stabilizer that factory recommends. Dealer will not take aftermarket off and install recommended factory replacement. Where is protection for consumer the vehicle was purchased for a teenage driver and it is not safe...
After purchasing my jeep my wife and I noticed it was really hard to keep it between the lines. Constantly correcting the jeep to keep it straight. Took the jeep in to have the track bar replaced and also the steering damper replaced. Theses replacement parts did not fix the issue. There is also a dead spot with the steering wheel where you can turn it about an inch both directions without any movement from the wheels. After driving the jeep I am tired from recorrecting constantly. This is a dangerous issue. I have contacted jeep cares and my dealership for a third time. The dealership told me nothing was loose and it drives like the others. Frustrating!
First time I noticed it vehicle was in motion I hit a small pothole and steering of the vehicle was uncontrollable for 10 15 seconds (the first time this happened we were on the way home from the hospital with our newborn and pulled over thinking a tire possibly blew). Now, even the smallest bump in the road will cause the vehicle to shimmy and wobble almost taking over complete control of the steering. When I brought the jeep in for a routine oil change they did not mention the recall until I asked them about a possible problem with my vehicles steering. I have also received no notices or phone calls for this steering recall. This could be very dangerous if it was to happen with an inexperienced driver. We have to drive on a road daily that is problematic as it is under construction with all kinds of bumps and uneven surfaces. My vehicle is scheduled for the service recall repair. I wanted to document the problem with your agency and also note that jeep did not contact me whatsoever regarding this recall.
When driving at around 60 MPH or faster, hitting a bump in the road causes the vehicle to shake somewhat violently for 10-30 seconds or so. This happens multiple times per week and started about 2 months ago.
My jeep steering wheel is binding up and is a serious safety concern. I almost got into a major accident because of it yesterday in a snowstorm when a guy stopped short in front of me and I could not get the wheel to turn left without jamming my brakes and drastically reducing speed which then free'd the wheel up and let me turn left. It just started happening now in the colder weather and some of the things I have read say it may be related to cold weather. It is near impossible to turn the wheel left at high speeds of 50-60+ MPH and the wheel completely locks up when attempting to turn left. This happens at high speeds and is a major concern if I needed to change to left lane quickly or am taking a long left turn on an on/off ramp. This is a serious safety concern considering I would not be able to turn left to avoid an obstacle such as an accident in front of me. Extremely disappointed jeep has not acknowledged this issue and issued a recall because there are several others describing the exact same issue. Star case s1808000255 symptom / vehicle issue https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/steering-wheel-locking-up.20839/ https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/steering-locked-up-at-70mph.18906/page-4
While driving down the road at any rate of speed my steering wheel locks up on me if turning even slightly. It almost feels as if I am losting power steering. When this happens I have to pull really hard to get the vehicle to turn but then it could let loose at any time so when that happens it almost puts me iij n the ditch because I am already pulling so hard on the wheel. The only time this seems to happen is when it is below about 30f. Which over half the year where I live. It is a daily occurrence in these temps and will happen if I'm going 10mph or 90mph.
At highway speeds the steering wheel of my jeep locks up and is very difficult to turn. This happens no matter if I am getting off an exit of just changing lanes on the highway. It is extremely dangerous. Seems to be connected to the highway speeds and lower temperatures.
Since I bought my jeep I've taken it back twice for the death wobble. Less than a year ago was the first time and they replaced the steering damper. It was fine for a few months and started again. Having to work I wasn't able to take it back in. The wobble got so bad I was scared when it would start. It had such a violent shake when I would hit a bump on the freeway I would have to reduce speed on the freeway fast which causes it's own set of issues. I just took it in again and they did the recall on the steering damper again. I told them you did it less than a year ago. I got the jeep back this week and my first drive on the freeway I can already feel that it is still going to be a issue. What will happen when it's snowing and icy on the freeway and the death wobble happens? Fca may really have a death on their hands then. You don't get much for 50,000 anymore. This should be stopped before these jeeps kill people.
When driving on the highway the car wanders to the left or right making constant correction.
Driving on highway @ approximately 65 MPH, car lost most steering control and violently swayed from side to side (felt as if a tire had blown or come off); in inside lane of 3 lane road; extremely hard to control vehicle. Put on flashers; other driver's able to see control issue and allowed me to shakily get across other two lanes to side of road.
I was driving on the interstate with the cruise control set at 73. I hit a bump and the steering started shaking rapidly. I was unable to control the vehicle while this was happening. I slowed to a stop and when I started again I was fine. I noted that when I was traveling between the speeds of 70-75 and hit a bump is when the wobble would ensue. I have had the steering damper replaced already due to this same issue. The steering damper had no effect on the problem.
Bought the vehicle may 2018. After driving for a week brought back to dealer in regards to loose steering and a dead spot that I could move the wheel 3 inches before the tires would move. Dealer said it was a jeep thing. This is my 4th jeep wrangler and none of my previous models had the issue. They said it was designed to be that way. After another month I brought it back complaining of the same problem and that I saw forums that stated others were having issues. Once again, told it is the way that jeeps handle. I took the jeep to a 4 wheel drive place for an alignment. After alignment the vehicle had the same issue. I have since put on leveling kit and 35 inch tires. When I brought it back to jeep because I heard of a software patch and new steering box that was suppose to fix steering. Dealer said that because I put on 35 inch tires that there is nothing they can do. I now have 27k miserable and dangerous miles on the vehicle. I see that jeep jl as almost 1k of complaints about the steering. It is a safety issue when you cant keep in your lane!
Rounding a turn and going about 30 MPH, the power steering stopped working. For about 2 seconds I had to struggle with the vehicle to prevent from crashing into the center divider.
My 2018 jeep jl has had non stop issues with the "death wobble" so much that I have had to park this vehicle and not drive it . It has been in three times for repairs , each time promised a fix would occur. Last week I was driving on the interstate between work and home, and I hit a regular uneven pavement one would drive over everyday , and the vehicle resonated so much that it pushed me into the left lane.. Luckily no one was there but decided to park the vehicle till the next scheduled fix on 11/18. After receiving the vehicle back the instability is still there and resonates when going over any unevenness in roads. I have created a case with jeep waive (case number 68188061) and called jim cogdill dodge dealership in knoxville tn whom has repaired the front end the last three times . I was told on 11/22 that the dealership just got notice by a official chrysler notification that the recall fix for the death wobble is not fixing the instability in the front end ,and in some cases making it worse. They have been told to stop fixing the cars until a new part/fix is released by chrysler. I now have a car that I cannot drive, purchase new just last year and have lost all trust in the safety of this car. I am looking for help to solution and help others whom are in my same situation. Additionally, my vehicle computer has messed up and is showing almost 1 million miles (999,999) . This complaint is also part of my case as I cannot sale my vehicle, or be legal with the odometer in current status.
More than once I have experienced extreme shaking of the steering wheel and vehicle. It happens when I am on the highway and hit a bump. Each time it has happened I tense up for fear of losing control. I have to slow down to about 35mph for it to stop. This is not safe to do on the highway. It is also illegal to do as the minimum speed limit is 45mph. I brought my jeep into the dealership on 11/11/2019 for an oil change, tire rotation and to have some dampener thing installed due to a recall. The very next day it did the same thing. I have now been trying to avoid going over 45 MPH.
Purchased the vehicle about 3 months ago . Has been in and out of dealership because the steering is off. It has alot of play and has a dead spot in the middle which has made it very unsafe to drive. 2 dealership have tried fixing the issue, have thrown parts at it but have stated that the issue is a "characteristic of the vehicle" and so they have washed their hands by saying this. Purchasing dealership has always been unwilling to work with us but have lied to us on multiple occasions. Reached out to jeep care and had case escalated to a level 2 contact but they have not been of much assistance either as they have just gone with what the dealerships state. We were never offered to have jeep engineers come out and check the vehicle. We were taken on a test drive with other 2018 models and they drive exactly the same but the second that you ask the dealerships to allow you to drive a 2019 they become extremely hesistant and say that it's a different year so it does not apply. One dealership allowed us to drive a 2019 model of our vehicle and there is not steering issue of any type which only leads us to believe that jeep rectified the issue with the newer models and are refusing to speak up about the 2018 model, ours.
Steering wheel binds up (it won't turn left) in in cold temperatures. It happened on two separate occasions while driving (in both of these cases speeds were below 45mph). Notified the car dealership and they said they could not do anything without a technical service bulletin (tsb), so I submitted a case number with fiat chrysler automotive (fca). Within 12 hours of submitting the case, I was informed they could not duplicate, were not going to do anything further and where closing the case. I believe this is a significant vehicle safety issue that requires a more thorough investigation as binding steering could have severe consequences that can result in death. I am not satisfied the dealership or fca adequately addressed this issue. Lastly, several online jeep forums have indicated and demonstrated very similar problems on this model and year of the vehicle.
Steering feels loose and has play. Unsafe
Traveling on an interstate at 65 MPH and went across the metal strip just before a bridge. The front wheels started wobbling violently and the steering wheel shook bad as well. This happened two more times this trip at the same type of situation. The second time I tried to slow down to get the jeep to stop wobbling but an 18 wheeler was directly behind me and almost ran up the rear of my vehicle. I had three mishaps all the same on this trip. I use the jeep around town, but won't drive it at high speeds. I had the damper replaced in the jeep three days prior to this trip. This is the part that fca says causes the problem. I have another appointment next week to have the jeep checked out. The date this happened to me was nov. 8th, 2019. Being a first time owner of a jeep, I think I should have been made aware of this problem when I bought the jeep from the dealer.
Follow up to case #11281004. Comments in email reply
This vehicle exhibits a dead spot at 12 oclock/dead center causing oscillations of the steering wheel to stay straight on the road. This issue has been into dealer service no less than 8 times in the first 11 months of ownership. This is still not rectified, however, I am working with the area tech on further fixes/options.
After owning the vehicle, which I bought used with 8113 miles on it, for only four days, I experienced a violent vibration from the steering mechanism, forcing me to slow down and pull to the side of the road. I thought I'd blown a tire, but the monitor showed them to be properly inflated. Once I slowed down, the shaking disappeared and I was able to continue without incident. It has not happened again, but when I researched the phenomenon I discovered that fca had, supposedly, issued a tsb related to the problem, and sent a letter to owners offering to install a heavier duty steering stabilizer. The dealer I took it to this morning was unaware of any such problem or tsb, and, since I can't get a copy of it from your impossible-to-negotiate website, I'm at a loss as to how to proceed.
When traveling on highway at 50-70 MPH and hitting a bump, the front of the jeep begins to shake or wobble very hard back and forth. The only way to stop it is to hit the brakes quickly and hard, making driving very unsafe - especially increasing the danger of getting rear ended. It has been in the shop 3 times to correct this issue to no avail. Engine light also goes on and off repeatedly.
This problem has been previously reported and there have been 3 attempted fixes; 2 steering dampers and a wheel alignment. During a recent 150 mile trip, our jeep did the death wobble on 5 occasions. 3 at highway speed, approximately 70 MPH; twice changing lanes and once on a straight away in right lane. The 5th event was at 55 MPH on a straightway. Jeep is in for 5th repair today 11/19/19 for a track bar to fix the death wobble problem.*dt consumer stated he took the vehicle to the dealership and dealership wanted to charge him for an alignment at consumer's cost, consumer declined.*jb*dt consumer stated warranty claim for repairs show 9th one.
I filed a complaint on the loose steering as it feels like there is a dead spot while driving and it doesn't respond, in december of last year. It's like several degrees of constantly turning the steering wheel before it registers. Like in an old movie where you see them always having to keep turning the wheel back and forth excessively. This has not been addressed as of yet. Fast forward to the term death wobble that is plaguing my jeep with 9100 miles on it. Dealership replaced the dampner. But that did nothing to correct the violent shaking when hitting an expansion joint or pothole at highway speeds. I'm disgusted at how awful this is on a new vehicle. I should not have any worn parts on my jeep with under 10k miles. I want answers, solutions, a follow up by someone who is in charge of this. It's scary to drive between the excessive play and death wobble. It's like I'm driving an old junker, definitely not a 40k new jeep.
Tl* the contact owns a 2018 jeep wrangler. The contact received an unknown recall notice regarding the "death wobble". Mountain valley motors, inc. (7535 appalachian hwy, blue ridge, ga 30513) performed the recall repair. While the contact was taking a long road trip, the vehicle experienced the "death wobble". The vehicle was taken to miller's chrysler dodge jeep ram (48 keely island road, martinsburg, wv 25401, (888) 362-8027) to have the recall repair performed again. The dealer claimed that the original recall repair was performed incorrectly and the part was installed upside down. The vehicle was repaired and able to be driven home; however, the contact stated the front end of the vehicle continued to shake. The mountain valley dealer stated that the manufacturer issued new instructions on how to install the part, which could have caused confusion. The dealer did not know when the instructions were issued. The failure mileage was 13,000. The VIN was unknown.
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