Tl* the contact owns a 2018 jeep wrangler. While driving over 60 MPH, the front end of the vehicle and the steering wheel shook and vibrated violently. The failure occurred after the vehicle was driven over a bump in the road or when there was a change in the road surface. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer (auto world chrysler jeep, 1370 auto center dr, petaluna, ca) where it was diagnosed that the tires were faulty. The tires were replaced, but the failure continued to occur. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer who then diagnosed that the steering damper was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 2,800.
2018 Jeep Wrangler steering complaints
Page 32 of 38: complaints 911 to 940 of 1,117, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Moving, interstate & extremely busy highway. Sometimes in a turn, sometimes going straight. Hit a bump such as a highway or interstate bridge and vehicle and front end shake and shimmy. Requires you to slow down to under minimum interstate speed from 70 +- to 30 +- for shaking to stop. Radio, makes a buzzing sound and resets time. It seems to be shorting out. Radio electrical issue happens while moving and stationary.
When turning on curves steering will randomly lock and than unlock causing over steering. Also when going in curves with bumps steering shakes uncomfortable until you slow done. Does not do all the time just random times. I almost lost control on freeway when this happened. Also when steering locked up on curve almost went into ditch than when unlocked almost went into other lane I have brought into dealership and they said nothing was wrong. But it has done this again to my husband and he almost had an accident. This has happened to both of us.*dt consumer stated she had a steering problem. 'parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).' updated 12/13/18
Was driving at 9:30 am on eldorado parkway in frisco tx, outside air temperature was ~ 45 deg f. When I attempted to to turn left, the steering wheel was incredibly tight and I nearly drifted into the lane to the right. I contacted the closest dealer immediately and they advised me that they were not aware of any issue. Less than 48 hour later they contacted me stating that there was a bulletin and they did a software update to correct. On the internet, I found bulletin 08-092-18 that described the issue. Given the nature of the problem, I no longer trust this vehicle.
Vehicle steering binds up whilst entering a turn. The effect is scary and alarming, imagine driving and the road makes a turn, you start to apply pressure to the steering wheel to navigate the turn, but rather than executing a nice smooth turn, the steering is unresponsive. In fact the steering wheel feels like it is locked and will not move causing extreme stress, anxiety, and the fear that you will be in an accident. This has happened to me 6 or more times. It has happened whilst turning left and turning right. Usually occurs while driving at freeway speeds.
Bought the 2018 wrangler 4 months ago. Without warning at times, steering wheel seizes/locks up when navigating a left curve in the road at about 40 MPH. Lasts 2-3 seconds and you must brake quickly and to gain control of vehicle. When it locks up I cannot control the vehicle. I don't know how this has not been addressed by the manufacturer. Contacted dealer and made service appointment and they said they didn't know anything about steering issues but will look at it.
The first day I purchased the jeep there was obvious steering wheel play as I drove home on the freeway. Three weeks later the steering is still loose and I am concerned that there will be a crash. At 70 miles per hour it is very noticeable that the steering system has too much play. It seems that there may be a screw(s) loose on the steering shaft or a problem in the steering gearbox itself. While driving you have to constantly correct the steering due to the vehicle wandering from lane-to-lane. The second problem occurred today as the drivers seat back fails to lock in place after getting items out of the back seat after leaving the grocery store. The seat back simply rocks back and forth as I accelerate and brake. The problem appears to be with the strap that allows the seat to be tilted. This strap at the base of the seat goes into the airbag housing for side impacts. This strap does not engage the mechanism to keep the seat in an upright position.
The vehicle drifts depending on speed and road conditions and does not align itself. This is currently unsafe especially with windy conditions. In additon, this vehicle has had electrical problems that have affected both the start/stop or eco mood not to work and causes the screen to function slowly in a delayed motion.
Gap in the steering wheel , I can move the wheel like an inch right and left and the car keep going straight and feels like I'm fighting the steering to keep the car straight and the car won't drive straight
The vehicle wanders all over the road, feels like you are driving in a wind storm. Play in the steering. Worse at highway speeds. Started from the day I drove it home, has been to 2 different dealers 4 times, cannot fiind anything wrong. Was told its a jeep thing. Currently at the dealership for a week working with chrysler engineers.
I have a brand new jeep jlu with street tires and no lift. When on the highway, I started feeling the steering wheel violently shake. I slowed down and the shaking stopped. This happened multiple times. I called the gm of the dealer I purchased the vehicle from and he asked if I had ever owned a jeep before and that this is normal. He called it the 'death wobble'. He told me I will have to deal with it because it happens. He also said I had to balance my tires every oil change to ensure it doesn't happen as often. This is a serious concern for me and my family. This was not disclosed prior to sale and was not mentioned in the maintenance requirements and expected costs. I have asked for them to buy back the vehicle and pay back all payments made. *dt
The jeep wants to wander. It is next to impossible to hold a straight line while driving. It is most notable at highway speed. Constant correction is needed to stay in your driving lane. I previously owned three jeep jks, 2007, 2012 and 2015 models and did not have this problem.
From the day this vehicle was new it has had erratic tracking down the road that requires constant corrections. We have had two different dealerships look at it & they claim it is normal. I beg to differ as I have owned 5 jeep wranglers in the past & never was the steering sensitivity this bad. There is something not normal. It requires both hands be on the wheel at all times.
While in motion at up to 50 MPH, on city streets, ESC warning light and contact dealer message lit up on dashboard. Steering requires numerous corrections to stay on path in lane.
While driving at 70 miles per hour, in a straight line on a four-lane highway, I approached a curve and the steering wheel would not turn. I hit the brakes and slowed down, and the steering wheel began to respond once my speed dropped below 55 miles per hour. This has happened three times.
My jl currently has 11,500 miles. Everything was fine driving highway speeds up to 75 MPH until I hit 11k miles. One day, I went over a bridge seam at 75 and the steering began to violently shake back and forth to the point it was hard to control. I let up on the gas, and it didn't go away until I was down to around 30 MPH. As I was in the middle of a busy morning commute I put on my flashers to slow down as I watched all of the cars behind me almost crash trying to slow down. When it stopped I pulled over one lane with everyone passing me really upset. Like I said, I drove 11k miles with no problems at all. Now since that happened it happens every time I hit a bump doing 65 MPH. I brought it to the dealer and they checked the tire pressure but found nothing else wrong. I had read about the 'death wobble" and asked about that but all played dumb. Also, since that has happened I am feeling the drifting in the steering wheel that other are complaining about. This is extremely upsetting after paying good money to not be able to drive safely over 60 MPH. I am not letting my wife or anyone drive the vehicle and would love to just bring it back.
1. The steering wheel is loose and vehicle wanders off of the road at >45 MPH speed. Unable to keep vehicle on traffic lane. 2. The vehicle stopped on city street while traveling at 22 MPH speed. Check engine light on and the transmission locked. 3. Low battery voltage (12.7v) reading while running and at stationary. *dt*jb *dt
At about 2400 miles my unlimited sahara has begun doing the jeep death wobble when speeds are over 50 MPH and a small bump is hit I have taken it to the dealership twice and they told me it is safe to drive and they replaced the steering damper. The problem is still happening and there is so much play in the steering wheel that I do not feel safe driving my brand new jeep ... It is all over the road at highway speeds requires constant correction in steering when a small bump is hit on side roads at low speeds car feels like it is going to fall apart I have owned wranglers in the past and have never had this happen and never felt unsafe *dt
2018 jeep wrangler unlimited sahara with 9000 miles on it. Just started experiencing extreme steering wheel shaking and suspension wobble at highway speeds after going over a bump. Has now happened 6 times in the last week. Only way to stop it is to slow down or stop.
While driving at slow or high speed it seems there is a "dead spot" in the steering, about an inch. When I turn I have to turn back the other way way to correct. Always turning the wheel from one side to the other. Either there is a 'dead spot" or the steering is too slow to respond.
Vehicles tires begin to shake violently at speeds in the 70-75 MPH range on the highway. Condition occurs after hitting a small bump on the highway. The condition becomes so violent, I have to slow the vehicle from 70+ MPH to about 40 MPH to stop the shaking. This condition occurred during rush hour in heavy traffic on I-696. My wife took the vehicle to the dealership on thursday october 25th. The dealer told her they would have to replace the steering damper and that the part was on back order. They said it could take a month to get the part and that the vehicle was "safe" to drive. I drove the jeep to work on friday oct 26th. On the way home, to condition occurred on I-696 while I was traveling 70+ MPH in rush hour traffic. I had to slow the vehicle to approximately 40 MPH in the center lane on the highway before the shaking ended. I almost caused an accident on the highway. I am an engineer and have worked in the auto industry for about 30 years. I have been involved in field actions, campaigns and recalls. This vehicle is not safe and should be grounded and fixed. I did some research over the weekend and the condition is known as "death wobble". It is fairly common. Our vehicle is a stock 2018 jeep wrangler with no modifications to the suspension. The dealership is suburban jeep located in farmington hills, mi on grand river & 10 mile. The dealer should not have sent my wife home telling her the vehicle is safe. This vehicle is not safe and should be grounded immediately. Looking for support from the federal safety agency to correct this issue. This condition has occurred twice while I was driving and once with my wife driving our 9 year old son. Please help.
Jeep wanders all over the road. The wandering is more pronounced at higher speed. The steering is so bad my wife refuses to drive the vehicle. I can tolerate it only because I know it can be addressed with longer control arms when I modify the vehicle. I don't believe the caster angle spec for the rubicon model is optimal.
Vehicle is unstable at all speeds. Jeep is almost impossible to keep in drive lane and darts back and forth. I have to keep both hands on the steering wheel at all times to correct drifting and stay out of the dead spot in the center of the steering wheel. I do not feel safe driving this vehicle on paved roads.
Loose steering all the time. And then at high speeds on the highway the steering wheel locks and the straight position.
Intermittent loss of power steering and/or seizing. Upon driving to exit highway and get to dealership engine indicator light came on and eventually jeep stopped dead while driving. Could not be put in neutral to move off of road and would not restart at all.*dt consumer stated auto windows would not work although the child locks were disengaged. Received recalled oct. 5th 2018 just after consumer purchased the vehicle with milage of less than 1200. Updated 1/30/18
Vehicle is unbelievably unstable while driving. Darts back and forth and is almost impossible to keep in single lane. Must keep both hands on wheel at all times and be 100% focused on keeping vehicle in single lane. Cannot be considered safe.
My jeep wrangler jl with under 7000 miles begins to shake violently at hwy speeds between 50 -65. This violent front end shaking, shakes the whole jeep making it difficult to steer and control. Shaking will stop once you slow down to a slow speed or come to a complete stop. It was so bad my children, who were in jeep for one instance, were scared and visablely shaken from the experience. This had now happen 5 times in a the span of a week. *dt consumer stated tire was replaced but vehicle was still shaking. Updated 12/13/18
While driving the steering wheel has a deal spot and the truck wonders all of the road. On cold days during initial start up, below 40 degrees, the truck loses its power steering function and it doesnt return till after truck has warmed up.
Steering seems to lose power assist and almost lock up at highway speeds has happened repeatedly. Extremely dangerous. There seems to be lots of reference to this on the internet from other 2018 jl wrangler owners.
The steering has a dead spot in the center which causes wandering in the lane and over correction at 40 MPH and up to highway speeds. This causes unsafe lane keeping on country roads as well as highway and interstate travel. Both my wife and I have nearly side swiped vehicles and close calls in oncoming traffic. The dealer in my location says it's normal behavior but the ability to stay in my lane is not safe in any way.
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