2005 Jeep Wrangler
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Fuel system is the leading concern among 650 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 11th highest complaint count among 26 Wrangler model years with reports.
Of the 2005 reports, 10 involved a crash and 9 involved a fire. 15 people were injured and 2 people died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Service brakes, hydraulicMar 13, 2006
CERTAIN AFTERMARKET BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT BRAKE CYLINDERS FOR CERTAIN FORD, DAIMLERCHRYSLER, AND JEEP PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE BRAKE CYLINDERS WERE SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF NAPA, RAYBESTOS, AIMCO, AC DELCO, CARQUEST, BENDIX, AND WAGNER. ONLY PRODUCTS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 27, 2005 THROUGH JANUARY 17, 2006 (DATE CODES 0529 THROUGH 0602) ARE SUBJECT TO THIS RECALL. WHEN SUBJECT TO VERY COLD TEMPERATURES, AN INTERNAL SEAL IN THE MASTER CYLINDER COULD LOSE FLEXIBILITY AND MAY CAUSE BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK.
LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN LEAD TO A DECREASE IN BRAKE LINE PRESSURE AND AN INCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCE, WHICH CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
AFFINIA (BRAKE PARTS, INC.) WILL REPLACE THE SUBJECT BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 20, 2006. OWNERS CAN CONTACT AFFINA GROUP CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-323-0354.
Campaign 06E022000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, automatic transmissionOct 6, 2005
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, SPORT UTILITY AND PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 42RLE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS, THE CUP PLUG THAT RETAINS THE PARK PAWL ANCHOR SHAFT MAY BE IMPROPERLY INSTALLED. IF THE SHAFT MOVES OUT OF POSITION, THE VEHICLE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO ACHIEVE 'PARK' POSITION.
IF THIS OCCURS AND THE PARKING BRAKE IS NOT APPLIED, THE VEHICLE MAY ROLL AWAY AND CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TRANSMISSIONS AND INSTALL A BRACKET TO ENSURE THE PARK PAWL ANCHOR SHAFT IS RETAINED IN THE PROPER POSITION. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 28, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Campaign 05V460000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: steering
58 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Aug 20, 2012
WHEN I HIT SPEEDS OF 50MPH, MY JEEP WOBBLES TERRIBLY. I HAVE READ NUMEROUS REVIEWS AND COMPLAINTS THAT THIS IS NOT UNCOMMON AND IT EVEN HAS A NAME, THE "DEATH WOBBLE". WE ARE GOING TO PASS THE JEEP ONTO OUR 16 YR OLD DAUGHTER, BUT WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF IT IS GOING TO BE RECALLED OR IF IT IS FIXABLE. I WOULD HATE ANYTHING TO HAPPEN TO OUR DAUGHTER, ESPECIALLY IF JEEP IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM,
Steering, Suspension, Apr 8, 2012
HELLO, I OWN A 2005 JEEP WRANGLER UNLIMITED. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, TRYING TO "MAINTAIN" THE PROPER SPEED LIMIT, MY JEEP WILL DEVELOP A DEATH WOBBLE TO THE FRONT END. THIS ERRATIC AND ALMOST UNCONTROLLABLE BEHAVIOR OCCURS AT ANYWHERE FROM 55 TO 60MPH. AFTER TRYING TO RESEARCH THE SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM, I HAVE NOTICED MULTIPLE OTHER JEEP OWNERS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. MY JEEP IS MY DAILY DRIVER, AND ALSO IS USED TO TRANSPORT MY 4 AND 5 YEAR OLD KIDS AROUND. DUE TO THE ECONOMY I CAN NOT AFFORD TO PURCHASE ANOTHER VEHICLE, NOR WILL I SELL THESE PROBLEMS TO SOMEONE ELSE. I AM SURPRISED THERE HASN'T BEEN MORE HIGHWAY RELATED INCIDENTS/FATALITIES DUE TO THIS ISSUE. ANY HELP WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED IN SOLVING THIS ISSUE. DEALERSHIPS ARE NO HELP AND I CANT AFFORD TO REPLACE THE WHOLE FRONT END JUST TO END UP WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME IN THIS MATTER, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Steering, Mar 21, 2012
FRONT END STARTS INTO A VIOLENT WOBBLE BETWEEN 50 & 55 MPH. THE ONLY WAY TO STOP IT IS TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES. I HAVE TRIED DIFFERENT TIRES AND DIFFERENT TIRE PRESSURES AND THE WOBBLE STILL PERSIST. THE SUSPENSION HASN'T BEEN MODIFIED IN ANY WAY AND THE ENTIRE VEHICLE IS IN STOCK CONDITION. I THINK THAT THIS IS A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM THAT COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF LIFE AND THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL TO FIX IT. *JS
Steering, Suspension, Equipment adaptive/mobility, Feb 18, 2012
DEATH WOBBLE VIOLENT SHAKING OF STEERING WHEEL WITH AFTER MARKET PARTS I HAVE SPENT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TRYING TO FIX THE PROBLEM AND IT STILL DEATH WOBBLES JEEP NEED TO REIMBURSE PEOPLE FOR THIS IF I WOULD HAVE BEEN TOLD THIS BY A DISCLOSURE OF SOME SORT WHEN I WENT TO PURCHASE THE JEEP I WOULD HAVE NOT PURCHASED IT. *TR
Steering, Suspension, Jan 10, 2012
FRONT END SHAKES VIOLENTLY AFTER HITTING A BUMP AND WILL NOT STOP SHAKING UNTIL VEHICLE IS BROUGHT TO A STOP. DEALER HAS ATTEMPTED TO FIX IT 5 TIMES BETWEEN AUGUST 06 AND JANUARY 07. DEALER REPLACED STEERING DAMPNER IN AUGUST, 2006. REPLACED TRAC BAR IN DECEMBER, 2006. I HAD INDEPENDENT SHOP CHECK FRONT END. FOUND NOTHING OUT OF SPEC. AT ONE POINT DEALER CLAIMED THAT IT WAS CAUSED BY TIRES. NEW TIRES FIXED PROBLEM FOR A SHORT TIME. HAD TIRES BALANCED 4 TIMES IN 2009. REPLACED STABILIZER SHOCK AGAIN IN AUGUST, 2009 AND AGAIN IN DECEMBER OF 2011 WITH HEAVY DUTY ONE. PROBLEM PERSISTS TODAY IN JANUARY OF 2012. *TR
Steering, Suspension, Wheels, Nov 27, 2011
WAS DRIVING OVER 50 MILES PER HOUR WHEN I HIT A LITTLE BUMP AND MY WHOLE FRONT END OF MY JEEP STARTED TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY, I THOUGHT THE WHEELS WERE GOING TO COME OFF, I COULD BEARLY CONTROL THE STEERING WHEEL TO MAKE IT TO THE SIDE OF ROAD, I HAVE HAD LESS VIOLENT ONES BUT THEY ARE BECOMING MORE FREQUENT NOW, I JUST WENT TO DEALER AND THEY SAID MY STEERING DAMPER WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED FOR 255.00 , I HAVE BEEN READING ALL THE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS " DEATH WOBBLE" AND ALL THE WORK THAT PEOPLE ARE HAVING DONE ONLY TO HAVE THE ISSUE COME BACK, I DO NOT WANT TO WASTE MONEY ON ALL THE THINGS THAT THEY WILL TRY AND REPLACE ONLY TO FIND ITS NOT THE REAL ISSUE. PLEASE HELP! *TR
Steering, Nov 10, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 50 MPH WHEN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN SHAKING EXTREMELY VIOLENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS SO EXTREME THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD VENTURE OFF THE ROADWAY WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000.
Steering, Nov 8, 2011
AT SPEEDS IN THE RANGE OF 45-50MPH, AND USUALLY AROUND 47MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL AND FRONT WHEELS WILL VIOLENTLY SHAKE AND WOBBLE FROM SIDE TO SIDE. THE ONLY WAY TO RECOVER IS TO EITHER SPEED UP OR SLOW DOWN. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH JEEPS AS THERE ARE YOUTUBE VIDEOS OF THE JEEP "DEATH WOBBLE". IT BECOMES VERY SERIOUS AND COULD CAUSE A PERSON TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM, AND SEEMS LIKE SOMETHING THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD ADDRESS. *TR
Steering, Sep 29, 2011
I WAS DRIVING ON THE BYPASS NEAR MY HOME AND EXPERIENCED "THE DEATH WOBBLE" BETWEEN 50-55 I THOUGHT THE FRONT END WAS FALLING OUT SO I SLOWED DOWN AND GOT TO THE SISE OF THE ROAD AND BEGAN CHECKING OUT THE VEHICLE. IT HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE. MY JEEP IS AT THE DEALERS AS I WRITE THIS GETTING CHECKED OUT. I THINK JEEP SHOULD PUT A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT OR KILLED. *TT
Steering, Suspension, Wheels, Sep 10, 2011
THIS JEEP BOUGHT "USED' IN 2007 WITH 18K MILES AND NO MODIFICATIONS. NO POST-PURCHASE MODIFICATIONS HAVE BEEN MADE. PROBLEM FIRST NOTICED AT 20K MILES AND HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. AT 45+ MPH, WHILE ENTERING FREEWAY ON-RAMP OVERPASS, HIT EXPANSION JOINT IN ROAD. JEEP BEGAN TO VIOLENTLY SHAKE FROM THE FRONT END OF VEHICLE, AND STEERING WHEEL WOBBLED LEFT TO RIGHT, 5 TO 6 INCHES EACH SIDE, UNCONTROLLABLY. VEHICLE SOUNDED AND FELT LIKE IT WAS GOING TO LITERALLY FALL APART. DRIVER TRIED BREAKING GENTLY BUT VEHICLE CONTINUED TO SHAKE/WOBBLE EVEN WORSE. WITH DIFFICULTY, DRIVER GOT VEHICLE TO SIDE OF ROAD AND CALLED FOR HELP. ANOTHER OCCASION, WHILE DRIVING DOWNHILL 55 - 60 MPH AND DECELERATING, VEHICLE STARTED VIOLENTLY SHAKING/WOBBLING, UNPROVOKED BY ROADWAY DEFECT OR OBSTRUCTION. DRIVER BROKE HARD, DOWN-SHIFTED, GOT VEHICLE TO SHOULDER OF ROAD AND CAME TO COMPLETE STOP. WOBBLE DID NOT CEASE UNTIL CAR STOPPED. OTHER OCCASIONS, TYPICALLY WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 45 - 60 MPH ON FREEWAY, STEERING WHEEL WILL START WOBBLING, SUBTLY AT FIRST, THEN ALL-OUT SHIMMY/WOBBLE FROM FRONT END. ON ONE OCCASION VEHICLE SEEMED TO SELF-CORRECT, BUT DRIVER SENSED WOBBLING TRYING TO RETURN. ON ALL OCCASIONS DRIVER(S) GRASPED STEERING WHEEL HARD TO TRY TO "CALM" VEHICLE. THREE DIFFERENT FAMILY DRIVERS (AND ONLY DRIVERS) OF THIS VEHICLE ALL EXPERIENCED SIMILAR VEHICLE MALFUNCTION. JEEP HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THREE DIFFERENT SERVICE CENTERS (CHRYSLER/JEEP, LES SCHWAB, KEN'S TIRES) FOR INSPECTION AND REPAIR. OWNERS PURCHASED SUGGESTED PARTS AND SERVICE EACH TIME. PROBLEM EVENTUALLY RETURNS. *TR
Steering, Electronic stability control, Jul 5, 2011
PURCHASED 2005 JEEP WRANGLER X FROM INDIVIDUAL NOVEMBER 2010. VEHICLE HAD 21K MILES. DEATH WOBBLE OCCURS EVERYTIME VEHICLE REACHES SPEEDS ABOVE 45 MPH. JEEP IS OUT OF CONTROL AND YOU MUST COME TO A SWIFT, BUT COMPLETE STOP TO KEEP FROM LOSING CONTROL. DRIVER OF VEHICLE AND OTHER VEHICLES LESS THAN 10 FEET AWAY ARE IN DANGER WHEN THIS OCCURS. DISCOVERED THAT THIS PROBLEM IS COMMON TODAY AND I HOPE THAT JEEP COMES UP WITH A SOLUTION TO THIS ISSUE. *KB
Steering, Suspension, Jun 30, 2011
DRIVING OVER UNEVEN ROAD SURFACES, MAN HOLE COVERS, POT HOLES, EXPANSION JOINTS IN CONCRETE, OR ANY RIPPLES IN THE ROAD SURFACE, WHAT IS COMMONLY KNOWN AS "DEATH WOBBLE" OCCURS. THIS IS AN UNCONTROLLABLE LEFT AND RIGHT PROGRESSIVE WOBBLE OF THE FRONT WHEELS. THIS WOBBLE DOES NOT STOP UNTIL THE VEHICLE IS SLOWED DOWN TO APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH. PARTS REPLACED HAVE BEEN THE STEERING STABILIZER, TRACK BAR BUSHINGS, PITMAN ARM AND PITMAN TIE ROD END, TIRES, TIRES BALANCED THREE TIMES (TWICE IN TWO WEEKS), ALIGNMENT PERFORMED TWICE, AND STEERING GEAR BOX ADJUSTED. TWO DIFFERENT JEEP DEALERSHIPS CLAIM THE STABILIZER IS THE PROBLEM, AND THE ONE REPLACED MUST BE FAULTY. DO THE RESEARCH, THE STEERING STABILIZER IS NOT THE PROBLEM... ONLY A MASK. THE "DEATH WOBBLE" HAPPENS DAILY. USUALLY MULTIPLE TIMES. *TR
Steering, Jul 16, 2010
2005 JEEP WRANGLER EXPERIENCES HIGH SPEED WOBBLE EVERY DAY AT SPEEDS ABOVE 45 MPH. THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH JEEP VEHICLES. INTERNET USERS REFER TO THE CONDITION AS "DEATH WOBBLE." I WOULD NOT WANT THAT NAME ASSOCIATED WITH ANY OF MY PRODUCTS. I GOT RID OF A 2001 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE THAT DID THE SAME THING. THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES SO VIOLENTLY THAT THE BRAKES MUST BE APPLIED AT HIGH SPEED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THIS IS DANGEROUS FOR VEHICLES FOLLOWING AND COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. I ABSOLUTELY DO NOT LET MY WIFE OR KIDS DRIVE THIS CAR. I DON'T WANT TO BE THE ONE WHO CONFIRMS THE DEATH WOBBLE MONIKER. THE FAILURE OCCURS DAILY. I HAVE BALANCED THE TIRES REPEATEDLY AND ROTATED AND CROSS ROTATED TIRES. EVEN BROKEN DOWN TIRES AND ROTATED THEM ON RIMS TO ACHIEVE OPTIMAL BALANCE. I WILL NEVER OWN ANOTHER JEEP PRODUCT. THEY NEED TO STEP UP AND FIX THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Steering, Suspension, May 28, 2010
I BOUGHT MY 2005 JEEP BRAND NEW OFF THE LOT. WITHIN A YEAR I BEGAN TO NOTICE THE "DEATH WOBBLE". I HAD BEEN A VERY MODERATE DRIVER, AND HAD LESS THAN 10,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. WHEN I TOOK THE JEEP TO THE DEALER, THEY REPLACED THE STABILIZER ARM, WHICH THE WARRANTY COVERED, BUT THE PROBLEM REMAINED. THE DEALER THEN ROTATED AND BALANCED MY TIRES AND ADJUSTED MY ALIGNMENT. THEY CHARGED ME OVER $200 FOR THAT. THIS SEEMED TO MASK THE PROBLEM FOR ABOUT A YEAR, THEN THE "DEATH WOBBLE" RETURNED. I TOOK THE JEEP TO A DIFFERENT DEALERSHIP WHERE I WAS PROMPTLY SOLD 2 NEW TIRES (STOCK UNIROYAL TIGER PAWS @ $104 EACH) AND A STEERING DAMPENER. TOTAL COST THIS TIME WAS WELL OVER $500. THIS TOOK CARE OF THE WOBBLE FOR ABOUT A YEAR. NOW THE WOBBLE IS BACK, AND I'M WONDERING WHAT TO DO. I CAN'T AFFORD ANOTHER DEALER TO FLEECE ME AGAIN, AND I HEAR JEEP ISN'T ACKNOWLEDGING THIS WIDE-SPREAD PROBLEM. THEY SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL. IN THE MEANTIME THOUGH, I LOVE MY JEEP AND WANT IT FIXED. I DON'T WANT IT TO KILL ME OR ANYONE ELSE. DOES ANYONE KNOW OF ANYTHING THAT CAN BE DONE TO RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM? I CAN'T AFFORD $200-$500 EVERY YEAR ON BAND-AID SOLUTIONS. *TR
Steering, Mar 14, 2010
2005 JEEP WRANGLER WITH 39,000 MILES SHAKES VIOLENTLY ON THE FREEWAY AT 50-75 MPH. ALMOST LOST CONTROL AND THEN COULD ONLY GET THE VEHICLE UNDER CONTROL BY SLOWING TO 40MPH AND ALMOST GOT RE-ENDED. 1) THERE WAS A BUMP IN THE ROAD AND THE VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING 2) ALMOST LOST CONTROL, THEN NEAR MISS BY VEHICLES BEHIND ME WHEN I HAD TO REDUCE SPEED TO 40MPH TO REGAIN CONTROL 3) I WILL BE SENDING THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOP, BUT FROM WHAT I HAVE READ, THERE HAVE BEEN MANY COMPLAINTS BY OTHER OWNERS AND NOTHING THE DEALER DOES TO FIX THIS PROBLEM HAS WORKED. *TR
Steering, Suspension, Feb 17, 2010
I OWN A 2005 JEEP WRANGLER WITH 29,500 MILES ON IT. RECENTLY, THE FRONT-END HAS STARTED TO WOBBLE/SHAKE VIOLENTLY AT SPEEDS AROUND 40-45 MILES PER HOUR CAUSING NEAR LOSS OF CONTROL. WHEN IT HAPPENS, THE ONLY SOLUTION IS TO APPLY THE BRAKES AND COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. I HAVE CHECKED THE INTERNET AND IT APPEARS TO BE VERY COMMON, IN FACT, IT HAS BEEN LABELED THE "DEATH WOBBLE". PROBLEM IS, NO ONE SEEMS TO HAVE IDENTIFIED THE EXACT CAUSE OR FIX. SOME OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS INCLUDE: INSTALL AFTER-MARKET HEAVY STEERING STABILIZER (DID THAT, NO CHANGE), ALIGNMENT, WHEEL BALANCE, STEERING BOX, CAMBER ANGLE, ETC. ANY SUGGESTIONS? *TR
Steering, Suspension, Structure, Wheels, May 23, 2009
JEEP SHAKES VIOLENTLY WHEN A BUMP IS HIT OR ROAD IS UNEVEN. THE PROBLEM STARTED ABOUT 2 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING THE USED VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM DID NOT SHOW ITSELF DURING THE TEST DRIVE BUT AFTER INVESTIGATING THROUGH THE INTERNET THEIR ARE SEVERAL JEEP WRANGLER OWNERS WITH THE "DEATHWOBBLE" PROBLEM. I CLICKED ON YOUR LINK PROVIDED BY A LOCAL TELEVISION NEWS STATION WSOC CHANNEL 9 IN CHARLOTTE, NC AFTER THEY COVERED A STORY ABOUT ANOTHER CHRYSLER VEHICLE. I IMPLORE YOU TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT AND ASK CHRYSLER TO RECALL OR REPAIR, AT THEIR EXPENSE, MY VEHICLE AND OTHER VEHICLES AFFECTED BY THIS DEFECT. AN EXTENDED WARRANTY WAS PURCHASED FROM THE DEALERSHIP, CROSSROADS FORD P&A CODE 00994, AND WE WERE TOLD AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE CHRYSLER'S WARRANTY WAS STILL VALID. AFTER TAKING IT BACK TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AND EVEN TAKING IT TO THE JEEP DEALERSHIP NO ONE WILL ACCEPT ACCOUNTABILITY. WE HAVE NO OTHER CHOICE BUT TO DRIVE IT AND FEAR FOR THE LIFE OF OUR SON. *TR
Steering, Apr 26, 2009
I WAS DRIVING ON TEXAS F.M. 722 IN THE AFTERNOON. IT HAD STARTED TO HAIL AND I HAD SLOWED TO APPX. 45 MPH WHEN I LOST ALL STEERING. MY JEEP SKIDDED SIDEWAYS THEN WENT INTO THE BAR DITCH AND THROUGH A FENCE, NARROWLY MISSING A POWER POLE. FURTHER EVALUATION BY A MECHANIC SHOWED THAT THE STEERING GEAR BOX SHAFT HAD BEEN CRACKED, "FOR A LONG TIME", BASED ON THE RUST PRESENT HALF WAY THROUGH THE SHAFT. THE SHAFT THEN SNAPPED AS I WAS SLOWING DOWN CAUSING COMPLETE STEERING FAILURE. *TR
Steering, Suspension, Tires, Feb 9, 2009
PARIS RENT A CAR RENTED 2 @2005 JEEP WRANGLERS THAT HAD BALD TIRES, BAD BRAKES AND INPROPER STEERING WHILE VISTING ST. JOHNS, VIRGIN ISLAND. PARIS RENT A CAR, P. O BOX 1155, CRUZ BAY, ST. JOHN VI 00831. *TR
Steering, Jul 28, 2008
2005 JEEP WRANGLER. SEVERE WHEEL SHIMMY AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 50-55 MPH. SHIMMY OCCURS AFTER HITTING A BUMP. DEALER AND CHRYSLER SAY STEERING DAMPER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED BUT PART IS ON NATIONAL BACK ORDER. A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN NHTSA 10020334 HAS BEEN ISSUED. *TR
Steering, Suspension, Jul 25, 2008
EMAIL FROM CONSTITUENT REQUESTING THAT NHTSA INVESTIGATE THE JEEP WRANGLERS IN REFERENCE TO A PROBLEM CALLED THE "JEEP DEATH WOBBLE" CAUSED BY A DEFECTIVE STEERING DAMPENER. *NJ THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE STEERING DAMPER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ON HER VEHICLE. *JB
Steering, Jun 13, 2008
STEERING DAMPENER NEEDS REPLACING ON 2005 JEEP WRANGLER. THE WHEEL SHAKES SO BAD AT 50 MPH IF YOU HIT A BUMP IT CAN BE RIPPED FROM YOUR HANDS. PART IS BACKORDER UNTIL AUGUST. DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THERE IS A WAITING LIST OF 2000 PEOPLE FOR THIS PART. THUS IT MIGHT WARRANT A RECALL. *TR
Steering, Suspension, Equipment, Jun 2, 2008
DRIVING WRANGLER AT 50 MPH WHEN THE FRONT END BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THIS WAS VERY TRAUMATIC, I HAD TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. WHEN I SEARCHED THE INTERNET, I FOUND THAT THIS HAS BEEN A RECURRING PROBLEM AMONG JEEP OWNERS. DEALERSHIP DIDN'T SEEM TO KNOW ABOUT PROBLEM. DEALER STATED THAT THE STEERING DAMPER AND STABILIZER BAR WENT BAD. OF COURSE THESE ITEMS WERE NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. JEEP NEEDS TO ACKNOWLEDGE PROBLEM AND FIX IT. SOMEONE IS GOING TO DIE FROM THIS. PLEASE GOOGLE "DEATH WOBBLE"HAPPENED TO MY WIFE AND CHILDREN. WILL NOT TAKE KIDS IN THIS VEHICLE. *TR
Steering, Suspension, May 27, 2008
2005 JEEP WRANGLER X. THIS IS A STOCK VEHICLE, NO MODIFICATIONS. BETWEEN 45-55 MPH BOTH ACCELERATING AND DECELERATING HAS THE DEATH WOBBLE (DW). FIRST MAJOR DW WAS JUNE 07 (12,819 MILES) AS I WAS DRIVING ON A SMOOTH SPEED LIMIT 50MPH ROAD, DEALER REPLACED BOTH STEERING DAMPER AND FRONT TRAC BAR. NEXT MAJOR DW IN APRIL 08, DEALER REPLACED FRONT TRAC BAR AGAIN. NEXT MAJOR DW 1 MAY 08, DEALER REPLACED STEERING GEAR. NEXT MAJOR DW 12 MAY 08, DEALER STATED MANUFACTURER HAS DEVELOPED A STRONGER STEERING DAMPER AND THERE ARE OVER 1,600 ON BACK ORDER, EXPECT TO BE INSTALLED IN JULY 08. CURRENT MILEAGE IS 20,631. THE JEEP DEATH WOBBLE IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND JEEP NEEDS TO FIX IT. DEALER SERVICE MANAGER AND LEAD JEEP MECHANIC BOTH STATE THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM ON JEEP WRANGLERS. *TR
Steering, Suspension, Feb 18, 2008
I HAVE RESEARCHED "DEATH WOBBLE" IN JEEP WRANGLERS EXTENSIVELY AND FOUND THAT NOT ONLY IS THIS A WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM, BUT JEEP COMPLETELY DENIES IT'S EXISTENCE. WHAT HAPPENS IS AT 40-70 MILES PER HOUR A HARMONIC ACTION STARTS THE FRONT END VIBRATING AND WILL CAUSE A SEVERE SHIMMY, TO THE POINT WHERE THE VEHICLE NEEDS TO BE SLOWED OR STOPPED. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON THE FREEWAY AND STREETS, BOTH WITH HAIR RAISING RESULTS AND NEAR MISS ACCIDENTS. I HAVE REPLACED TIRES, SHOCKS, STABILIZERS, SPRINGS. THIS WILL FIX THE PROBLEM FOR A SHORT TIME BUT EVENTUALLY IT COMES BACK. UNDER WARRANTY THEY FIX A COUPLE THINGS WHICH MASKS THE PROBLEM, BUT IT STILL WILL RETURN. THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW, JEEP ISSUE AND THEY WILL NOT REPAIR OR ACKNOWLEDGE THIS PROBLEM. THE DESIGNERS NEED TO COME UP WITH A FIX, WITH A RECALL AND SOON BEFORE PEOPLE ARE KILLED. *TR