On multiple occasions while driving on the highway the vehicle starts shaking resulting in lost of steering. This is similar to issue described on the internet as "death wobble". Slowing down to 45 mph results in vehicle stopping to shake and control is regained.
2021 Jeep Wrangler steering complaints
Page 9 of 10: complaints 221 to 250 of 255, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Steering wanders. Vehicle will wobble at high speeds. Vehicle pulls to the right when you release the wheel. Vehicle requires constant steering input, these inputs are unpredictable. Dealership refuses to work on the vehicle “that’s just how these handle”. This issue has existed from the date of pick up, and been to the dealership twice.
Issue Death Wobble - Traveling at highway speed of 75 MPG hit a transition between roadway and bridge causing the steering wheel to violently shack left to right. Had to slow down to 45 MPH before it to stop. Hit next transition and issue repeated. Called and setup an appointment at the dealership to inspect, as vehicle only has 13,008 miles. Stock vehicle no modifications made to it. Dealership inspected and is replacing the steering damper (Steering stabilizer) as the source of the issue. Apparently known was an issue by the manufacture, according to the dealership. No warning of symptoms prior to failure. This issue puts the occupants in potential risk of injury or death. If loss of control of vehicle occurs and the vehicle crashes or rolls. Fortunately I was able to safely slow down and the issue stopped without incident.
There have been absolutely no modifications to my 21 Jeep Wrangler JL sport it has never been off road it has the stock tires at the proper tire pressures and I experienced it unbearable wobble at high speeds when I hit a bump AKA death wobble I cannot believe that jeep is still not addressed this problem, it has been ongoing for years with the Jeep lineup and not been addressed this is my first Jeep Wrangler and my first dealing with the death wobble
While driving approximately 35 miles an hour while on E save with max regeneration enabled, the car cut all power, RPM went to zero, service charging system error displayed on dash. Once able to get car off of Road, was able to restart. The Uconnect app does show a charging system fault, once plugged in charging system does charge, per dealer new error codes report to substantiate failure of power.
Excessive steering wheel play resulting in poor control and wandering while driving. Requires constant corrections to keep vehicle in the lane. Very dangerous at interstate speeds especially when passing other vehicles. I have returned to the dealer and they have no correction for this issue. I see there are many complaints on the internet about this same problem on 2021 Jeep Wranglers. Driving at higher speeds is dangerous!!
Description: - Recurring on multiple occasions - Multiple lights on the dash come on. They may flash or persist - i.e. engine light, turtle light, crash avoidance light, among others. - The vehicle loses power (it’s a hybrid). This includes the motor and the engine. - The steering is compromised. You cannot steer the vehicle very well during this loss of power. - The vehicle usually will not restart and must be towed in or, in some cases, the battery can be disconnected causing the vehicle to reset and allowing it to begin operating again. This solution can work for a several power cycles or none at all. - When this happens, and you attempt to restart the vehicle sometimes when the power returns you are unable to tell if the vehicle is in neutral, drive, reverse, park, etc. - I experienced a case where the vehicle was in the Run position and the power windows would not open. When it was in the Off position, the windows would open. Perhaps this is intended behavior. - The seatbelt light will stay on even though all passengers in the vehicle are buckled in. It is unclear if this is part of the same issue, but it seems to be. - Systems compromised: Steering, braking, power/engine, seatbelts, etc. Examples of Incidents: - Driving in neighborhood (Safe Location) - Driving at highway speed (Unsafe Occurrence) - Driving on an off-road trail (thankfully with others) (Unsafe Occurrence) - Driving at highway speed - We almost crashed twice trying to get off the hwy. (Unsafe Occurrence) Compounding Safety Issues: - Roadside Assistance didn’t show up after ~7 hours waiting. - FCA’s utter confidence in the repair process is scary to me. - Confidence apparently based on recent software updates to the system, which was installed in a prior visit. The FCA rep wasn’t initially aware the vehicle was back in for service 2 days after installing the latest firmware. - Lack of ability to update software OTA (over the air).
Steering wonders at 55mph or higher. You have to continually correct to keep straight on Highway. I have reported it to Jeep the manufacturer and had it to the dealership and they did not find anything wrong and said that’s the way they drive. I have had three jeeps before this one and by far it’s the worst
When driving vehicle I’m having to over correct steering I can’t look away for .5 seconds to look in mirrors because car wanders side to side trying to stay in my lane is a nightmare it’s not safe at all
Jeep constantly drifts and wanders. We were told by the technician “that the steering gear is the updated one already. The tech said it drives straight for a minute then feels a little wander. We will not be able to make it better. unfortunately. there is paperwork from the factory telling us not to replace the steering gear.” This is a safety concern given that the steering is not reacting properly.
Since we purchased this jeep new it has been plagued with steering wandering and pulls to left or right without warning. It was dangerous to drive and unsafe for my family. After some researched I learned there was a technical service bulletin (8-003-21) for the 2018-2020 JL and supposedly the 2021 had the upgraded steering gear and updated software for the electric power steering. However this really didn't solved the problem and may owners have been complaining about the same unsafe wandering or pulling of the vehicle from left or right. I have take it to the dealer and also called Chrysler direct, so they can open case number (80562177). After 30 days at the dealer the outcome was to increase the tow to +.35 from Chrysler's recommended +.20. It is my understanding both +.35 and +.20 are within the manufacture's recommended specifications. Normally isn't the toe supposed to be near or at zero (0). It seems that setting the toe to +.35 is a band-aid. While the wandering and pulling has decreased I fear this is short term solution and it may cause unseen premature failure of other components.
The Jeep wanders all over the road, the steering is not stable nor steady. This is a safety issue, nothing I have done has helped the problem.
Vehicle locked up, no steering, no braking or control while traveling at 40mph nearly causing an accident. Interface said Anti Theft Mode engaged, enter code. This nearly caused a crash and the vehicle was immobilized and had to be towed to dealership. Vehicle has less than 3000 miles on the odometer. This presented a significant safety risk to driver, passengers and other motorists.
JEEP WRANGLER steering issues! Vehicle wanders right and left does not track straight, the faster you go the worse it gets. There is a constant correction to the steering! Very unsafe at freeway speeds! Dealer says this is normal for a Jeep!
My 2021 Wrangler steering wheel is loose feeling. When sitting still the wheel has a couple inches of play in it. When driving you are constantly having to turn the steering wheel back and forth to keep the car going straight. When you are turning back and forth it is easy to over compensate and you can go out of your lane. Very annoying. Dealer inspected steering (all tight), alignment (set to end of spec) and said had the newest steering gear. Finally, the dealer says they are all like that. I bought my granddaughter a 2019 and it was horrible. Jeep had a fix with the new cast steering gear and that fixed her 2019. I drove it last night and the steering is much tighter than my 2021.
Since new, (leased about a month ago), the steering on this 2021Jeep Wrangler JL-2door has been extremely loose. The vehicle wanders as you drive it, there is a play in the steering wheel and front axle, making it extremely difficult to keep straight on the road. I have to constantly fight the wander with both hands tightly on the steering wheel to keep it from moving into other lanes. Took to the dealer and they said it’s all normal and “all Jeep’s drive that way”. Well, not really. My 2014 Jeep Wrangler JK-2 door handled perfectly on the road. I feel very unsafe driving this vehicle at all times. I’m not the only one complaining about this. Social media is full of similar complaints and some aftermarket companies have even come out with parts to fix this problem. However, the customer should not have to pay to correct a manufacturing problem.
Vehicle shut down in middle of road. All lights on dash came on and vehicle became disabled. It repeated it self two more times that week and i finally had it towed to dealer.
The component that malfunctioned is the nuts of the ball joints, related to the steering component, upon inspection at the dealer is when they advised that the nuts that hold on to the ball joint had became loose My safety and the safety of my family was put at risk as if this had become fully undone the vehicle would just not be controllable Has the problem was confirmed by a dealer service center The components have been inspected by the manufacturer There was no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and it first appeared June 39th 2021
Vehicle pulled to the right and almost hit a person walking on road. Turned wheel to avoid person and Jeep steering started to wander on the road. Took a few seconds to get vehicle under control. Took to Dealer service department. Technician drove vehicle and said it drives normal and showed no diagnosis codes. No warning lamps or messages were present.
Driving down the road and ALL the warning lights came on at the same time. They were flashing across the dash one at a time. We got a sway bar warning, an airbag warning, check engine light came on and then all of the sudden we lost power steering. It took all my husband's strength to control the vehicle when the power steering went out. We had to maneuver to the side of the road. If I had been driving, I fear what would have happened. We had the vehicle taken to our local dealer. Darcars Chrysler Plymouth and Jeep in Waldorf MD. The service technician there said he had no idea what was wrong and it would take several days to get it looked at. We took to the internet to research our issue. We found over and over people with a Jeep Wrangler Rubicon from model years 2019-2021 having the same issues. The issue turns out to be a problem with the "wiring harness". The Jeep forums online have documented instances of this problem by many, many people. Jeep should be forced to recall these wiring harnesses since they won't do a voluntary recall. This is a dangerous defect. Our vehicle has 6,000 miles on it. Our vehicle is available to inspect at the dealer. Someone is going to die if this defect isn't addressed.
Vehicle wanders at highway speeds as well as low speeds. Requires constant "arms/hands" pressure to keep vehicle tracking straight. Travelling on a curvy road regulary the vehicle ends up crossing over the yellow lines on occasion causing a panic for me and any approaching vehicle - so far no accident. The dealer installed a part recommended by jeep but did not fix issue.
2021 Jeep Wrangler JL, build date 05/2021, apprx 1,000 miles, has the newer steering gear (black) that was supposed to fix the steering issue that Jeep has had since 2019. The Jeep is wandering within lane and requires constant wheel correction to stay within lane. This happens at slower speeds and highway speeds. Steering is overly sensitive. Lane changing requires overcorrection due to the wandering. Difficult to hold straight line. Dealer says nothing is wrong and that's how it is and nothing they can do to fix. Dealer states they cannot duplicate. This is a known issue from FCA on previous years and has continued into some 2021 models. Not being able to drive within the lanes poses a hazard to driver, passengers, and other vehicles on the road. Overcorrection due to extreme sensitivity will create a roll over hazard.
Vehicle has less than 1000 miles on odometer. Wandering, constant steering wheel input needed to keep vehicle on center. Steering feels loose. Have NOT experienced "Death Wobble". Tires/wheels are OEM and of course new. Tire pressures are within OEM door label specs. Lug nuts checked and vehicle raised from ground and checked for obviously loose suspension/steering components; none found. Dealer states normal condition for type of vehicle; I disagree. Dealer has not worked on the vehicle. I have owned several Jeeps over the decades...this is by far the worst for steering issues. Tow and alignment have not been checked/adjusted.
Within a few days of purchasing the vehicle, I noticed that the vehicle moved dramatically to the right and to the left, and the steering mechanism of the vehicle was extremely loose. At 150 miles, I brought it in...the adjusted the steering and aligned the tires. I went on a three hour trip on the highway on April 18th, 2021, Sunday. I nearly crashed into a huge tractor trailer truck because the vehicle swung rapidly to the right and the steering mechanism was so loose, it would not respond sufficiently in time. In addition, the vehicle swings wildly with even mild wind. I managed within inches to swing the car away. I have now brought the vehicle back two more times to the dealership, and they deny any issue. I have provided videos with my spouse driving. My son also drove and found the same issue. The issue occurs both at speeds above 50...and at a speed of 15 miles. This steering column of this vehicle is defective and a true danger on the highway. The manufacturer refuses to take any responsibility in spite of ample knowledge and notice by consumers. Complaints about this issue are all over the internet. We have videos of the defect, which have been provided. I have tried to return the vehicle but they refuse. It has been in the shop 5 of 7 weeks of ownership. The dealership states the vehicle is to manufacturer specifications...this is a serious defect.
Navigating steep downhill hairpin turns total steering loss. Got vehicle stopped, shutoff vehicle restarted and had steering but check engine light was on. Continued on to get off of hill. Smell of hot electrical in cab. Took to dealer vehicle has 6000 miles on it. Vehicle has been at dealership since. Long list of codes for communication failures. When checked at dealership. Traction control activated and could not move vehicle until it was shutoff and restarted..
Purchased 1/3/2021. Steering wander, pulls to right, and 2' dead zone in steering wheel. Dead zone has no tire resistance in the steering wheel. Always a need to keep a tension on the wheel to prevent going to the right. Maiden voyage up the az 87 mountain freeway and second time up and down the twisty 87 freeway in arizona several times constant wandering. A couple of times it felt as if I was about to loose control of the jeep at 65mph. Immediately I slowed down below the speed limit. I am very familiar with this freeway. Jeep pulls to the right even from the left lane. You can see the steering wheel turn a few degrees to the right as the jeep emblem is not center on. There are times in the dead spot you move the wheel back and forth 2' and it's no response. Some times the dead zone is almost 2' on the wheel and sometimes it's less. Dealer aligned after axle replacements under warranty and then 5/10/21 aligned again. Was returned to me saying it still pulls. I took it out and it still was off, brought it back and they aligned twice again and it still pulls to the right. Due to go back again 5/13/2021, tech calling fca. That will make 20 days in the shop within first 127 days of ownership. Mileage 3200. Pulling is noticeable on pavement over 40 MPH and gets more pronounced the faster you drive and on freeways.
Brand new and from the start the steering wanders and there is a lot of play in the steering. It's a nonstop battle to keep the vehicle going in a straight line and it gets more dangerous with the speed increases. The wandering with the very loose steering causes over steering issues which has caused the vehicle to cross the center line and go onto the road's shoulder. Turning has serious control issues with constant steering adjustments throughout the turn so the vehicle is not tracking a straight line through the turn. This is on city and country roads, straight away and turning throughout corners.
I purchased this 2021 jeep wrangler unlimited on september 9, 2020. It is a totally stock vehicle with no modifications of any sort. It has not been driven off road at all, and only on city streets, highways, and interstates, no accidents. While driving on a nearby interstate in january of 2021, at about 77 MPH, a minor seam in the road sent my vehicle into what is commonly known as 'death wobble' mode. Had about 4,000 miles on the odometer. On a five hour road trip, it happened over a dozen times on that trip alone.I videoed the car in violent wobble at highway speed and returned the car for another day of service. The local jeep service center ordered a 'steering damper' assembly as a fix for the problem, even though the 2021 wranglers come with that steering damper as standard equipment starting this year. Unfortunately, the part is on an extended back-order, I am told, and won't be available for some time. In the meantime, they did a 'road-force' wheel and tire balance as an interim fix. One tire was at 24 lbs, one was at 17 lbs, and the other two were at 10 lbs and 1 lbs. Since then the car has had fewer, momentary, wobbles of much shorter duration, and has recovered quickly more it does wobble briefly at slower speeds now as well. While driving, I can feel the suppressed wobbles in the steering wheel and gas pedal and am concerned for safety and continued wear and damage to front suspension and tires, and the frequency of having to do costly road force balancing on the tires. I love the jeep but I've lost confidence in the car at this point. I have attempted to upload some video of one of my cars death wobbles, showing its intensity, and refusal to subside until decelerated to about 55 MPH. The video exceeds the space allowed for this document, so you'd have to contact me to arrange another way to view it if necessary.
Brand new vehicle wanders at highway speeds as well as low speeds. Requires constant "arms/hands" pressure to keep vehicle tracking straight. Vehicles pulls to the right despite having undergone 3 alignments now at 3k miles. 2021 wrangler has the upgraded steering box and while no dead spots on the wheel, the right pull is annoying. Plenty of unhappy customers. The fix which seems to be known amonsgt jeep owners is related to longer lower control arms in order to increase caster so the vehicle track straight.
When driving slow or fast the car wanders and there is 'play' in the steering wheel. Difficult to stay straight and in one lane without constantly adjusting.
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