2006 Jeep Wrangler
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Fuel system is the leading concern among 730 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 7th highest complaint count among 26 Wrangler model years with reports.
Of the 2006 reports, 7 involved a crash and 7 involved a fire. 24 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Power train, clutch assembly, pedal/hand lever(motorcycle)Apr 15, 2015
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2006 Dodge Viper and Jeep Wrangler and Liberty vehicles manufactured July 1, 2005, to July 31, 2006. In the affected vehicles, the springs within the clutch pedal position switch that prevents the vehicle from starting unless the clutch pedal is pushed down may break. As a result, the vehicle may not be started when the clutch pedal is pushed down or the engine may crank and start without the clutch pedal being pushed down causing the vehicle to unexpectedly lurch.
If the vehicle unexpectedly moves there is an increased risk of a crash.
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the clutch ignition interlock switch, free of charge. The recall began on August 31, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R13.
Campaign 15V222000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, clutch assemblyMay 3, 2006
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 6 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS, THE HYDRAULIC CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER LINKAGE ROD MAY BREAK. THIS MAY NOT ALLOW DISENGAGEMENT OF THE CLUTCH WHEN THE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED.
UNINTENTIONAL VEHICLE MOVEMENT, INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE, AND ENGINE STALLING COULD OCCUR WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER LINKAGE ROD FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 7, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Campaign 06V147000 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
86 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, Suspension, Aug 24, 2011
TRAVELING AT 55 MPH HIT A SLIGHT BUMP ON THE ROAD AND THE FRONT END STARTED WOBBLE FROM SIDE TO SIDE. THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK SIDE TO SIDE VERY QUICKLY. THE ONLY WAY TO GET THIS TO STOP WAS TO SLOW DOWN TO A SPEED OF APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH.
Steering, May 26, 2011
THE DW'S, A DEFECT JEEP REFUSES TO ADDRESS. TELL ME WHERE JEEP HAS PUBLICLY ADDRESSED THIS WIDE AND WELL KNOWN PROBLEM FOR THEIR CONSUMERS. ENOUGH WITH THE BAND-AIDS!! BECAUSE I DID NOT BRING MY JEEP IN FOR A 30,000 ML CHECK UP (EVENTHOUGH I WAS ONLY AT 28,000) MY DEALER TOLD ME MY WARRANTY WOULD BE NULL AND VOID. ALTHOUGH, I HAD NO IDEA WHAT THE ENGINE HAD TO DO WITH THE STEERING, I WAS UNABLE TO GET HIM TO DISCUSS THE PROBLEM ANY FURTHER. "ROTATE YOUR TIRES FOR YOU, THAT'S ALL I CAN DO" WAS WHAT I WAS TOLD. SO, AFTER THROWING MONEY AT MY JEEP TO TRY AND FIX IT THIS WAY OR THAT WAY (BTW MY JEEP IS ENTIRELY STOCK) THE ONLY THING I'VE FOUND TO RID THE PROBLEM IS TO REPLACE MY TIRES EVERY 25,000 ML OR SO AND ROTATE EVERY 5,000 ML. SO, IF YOU DON'T MIND BUYING NEW TIRES EVERY TWO YEARS OR SO, PROBLEM SOLVED. IF THIS A PROBLEM JEEP IS TELLING YOU THAT YOU CAN PRETTY MUCH SUCK IT!
Steering, May 25, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 JEEP WRANGLER UNLIMITED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 TO 50 MPH HE NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A VIOLENT SHAKE IN THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE SHAKING BECAME SO EXCESSIVE THAT IT CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO MOVE INTO THE NEXT LANE DUE TO THE DRIVER NOT BEING ABLE TO CONTROL IT. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO ADVISED HIM THAT THE SHAKING MAY HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY THE TIRES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A TIRE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE TIRES AND PERFORMED AN ALIGNMENT. WITHIN 10,000 MILES OF HAVING THE ALIGNMENT DONE AND THE TIRES CHANGED THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 15,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Steering, Suspension, Mar 9, 2011
2006 JEEP WRANGLER AND THE DEATH WOBBLE. JEEP HAS KNOW ABOUT THIS CONDITION FOR SOME TIME NOW AND SINCE MY WARRANTY IS UP AND THEY COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM BEFORE IT WAS UP, I AM NOW STUCK WITH IT OR PAY ALOT OF MONEY FOR A ISSUE THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED YEARS AGO BY JEEP. EVERY TIME I HIT A SMALL BUMP IN THE ROAD AT 60MPH THE JEEP GOES OUT OF CONTROL AND SHAKES THE VEHICLE UNTIL YOU CAN COME TO A COMPLETE STOP IN THE ROAD AND THEN ITS FINE. ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS GOOGLE JEEP AND DEATH WOBBLE AND YOU WILL SEE HOW MANY COMPLAINTS ARE OUT THERE. *TR
Steering, Nov 3, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 JEEP WRANGLER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD HE FELT VIBRATIONS IN THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE TIRES WERE BALANCED AND ROTATED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR WHENEVER HE DROVE APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH OVER A BUMP. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 20,000.
Steering, Equipment, Oct 26, 2010
2006 JEEP WRANGLER SHIMMING .. JEEP ADVISED ME A YEAR AGO AFTER REPLACING IT THE FACTORY WAS CRAPPY(RIGHT OUT OF SERVICE MANAGERS MOUTH) SO THEY REPLACED WITH RANCHO ... NUT IT IS DOING IT 4 MONTHS LATER ... AFTER ALL THIS AND COMING TOO HALT ON INTERSTATE 4 TIMES AND PULLING TOO SIDE OF ROAD .. THIS IS GETTING TOO THE POINT SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET KILLED ... IT SERIOUS AND IF IT TAKES THAT SOMEONE TO GET KILLED BEFORE SOMETHING IS DONE (THAT WILL BE A LIFE LOST BECAUSE NO ACTION TAKEN ON THIS MATTER ... *TR
Steering, Suspension, Oct 21, 2010
FRONT END SHAKES AND SHIMMIES SINCE I GOT IT IN SEPT 06, TAKEN TO SEE WHY, AND OF COURSE I BEEN TOLD IT IS THIS THAT OR THE OTHER, AND THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED, I HAVE REPLACED TIRES, BRAKE AND CALIPERS, SHOCKS, STABILIZER SHOCKS, HAVE HAD THE FRONT END LINED DUE TO THE SHAKING AND SHIMMY, IF THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED ON THIS MATTER . THE VEHICLE IN QUESTION 2006 JEEP WRANGLER . *TR
Steering, Suspension, Sep 27, 2010
FOR ME, THIS PROBLEM HAS NOT RESULTED IN A CRASH OR INJURY. HOWEVER IT COULD LEAD TO THE ABOVE IF NOT RESOLVED BY THE MANUFACTURE. PROBLEM IS, WHEN DRIVING MY 2006 JEEP WRANGLER AND A BUMP IS ENCOUNTERED, SUCH AS A POT HOLE, A MAN HOLE COVER, EXPANSION JOINTS ETC. THE FRONT WHEELS GO IN TO A VERY SEVERE LEFT TO RIGHT OSCILLATION. TO RECOVER FROM THIS ONE MUST COME TO ALMOST A COMPLETE STOP. A LITTLE HARD TO DO AT 60MPH IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FREEWAY. CHRYSLER SAYS THAT THE FIX IS A NEW STEERING DAMPER, AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE AMONG THE JEEP COMMUNITY, CALLED "THE DEATH WOBBLE".I BELIEVE THIS IS TOO MUCH OF A SAFETY ISSUE FOR THE MANUFACTURE TO RESOLVE AT THEIR EXPENSE VIA A RECALL. SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET KILLED. *TR
Steering, Sep 24, 2010
CAR HAS A BAD CLUNKING NOISE IN THE STEERING BOX. ONLY HAS 15000 ON THE VEHICLE, MANY OTHER PEOPLE I HAVE TALKED TO ON JEEPFORUM.COM HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL FROM SIDE TO SIDE YOU HEAR A CONSTANT CLUNKING NOISE FROM THE FRONT END, ALWAYS BEING TRACED BACK TO THE STEERING BOX. ALL FRONT END COMPONENTS ARE IN PERFECT SHAPE, AS TOLD BY A MECHANIC. *TR
Steering, Sep 15, 2010
DRIVING A 2006 JEEP WRANGLER UNLIMITED AT SPEEDS FROM 45-55 MPH CAUSES DEATH WOBBLE WHERE THE VEHICLE SHAKES VIOLENTLY AND STEERING IS UNABLE TO BE CONTROLLED. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT; YET, IF YOU GOOGLE THE PROBLEM IT IS SERIOUS AND RAMPANT. HAPPENS EVERY TIME THAT SPEEDS REACH 45-55 MPH. UPDATED IVOQ 10/22/10 *TR
Steering, Suspension, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Tires, Sep 3, 2010
I BOUGHT A USED 2006 JEEP WRANGLER UNLIMITED. I HAVE TAKEN THIS CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE FOUR TIMES FOR EXCESSIVE SHAKING WHEN DRIVING AT SPEEDS AROUND 50 MPH. THE ENTIRE VEHICLE SHAKES UNTIL I EITHER SPEED UP OR SLOW DOWN. THERE IS NO WAY TO CONTROL THE JEEP WHILE IT IS SHAKING! I HAVE HAD ALL THE "POSSIBLE CAUSES" CHECKED, REPLACED OR BALANCED INCLUDING: TIRES, FRONT END ALIGNMENT, SHOCKS, STABILIZER, BRAKES, ROTORS (TWICE). THE SHAKING MAY GO AWAY FOR A SHORT TIME BUT THEN RETURNS. (THIS WRANGLER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE BRAKE RECALL EARLIER THIS YEAR.) *TR
Steering, Fuel system, Gasoline, Sep 3, 2010
2006 JEEP WRANGLER -- BOUGHT USED WITH LESS THAN 30K MILES ON IT. WOBBLE AT ABOUT 55MPH, INTERMITTENTLY. MINE WAS SOLVED BY REPLACING THE STABILIZER BAR, HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH TIRES, ALTHOUGH THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED, I THOUGHT I HAD BLOWN A TIRE. GAS TANK FILLING -- SAME PROBLEM, THE PUMP DOESN'T SHUT OFF UNLESS YOU PUMP THE GAS SLOWLY. FIRST FEW TIMES, SPEWED GAS ALL OVER THE JEEP, MYSELF AND THE PAVEMENT. NOW I LISTEN AS THE TANK FILLS AND SLOW THE FILL AS I KNOW IT'S STARTING TOWARDS FULL. WITH THE SLOWING, THE PUMP DOES SHUT OFF BUT IT'S A GOOD IDEA TO HAVE SOME IDEA HOW MUCH GAS THE TANK WILL TAKE AT CERTAIN FUEL READINGS. *TR
Steering, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 6, 2010
2006 JEEP WRANGLER SPORT BRAKE ROTORS: WARPED AT 6K MILES, TURNED BY DEALER, 8K MILES, ROTORS REPLACED, 15K ROTORS TURNED BY INDEPENDENT SHOP, 20K ROTORS REPLACED - AND DIAGNOSTICS SHOP FOUND THAT THE PROPORTIONAL VALVE WAS NOT SET PROPERLY, LEAVING FRONT BRAKES TO DO 75 PERCENT OF STOPPING, CAUSING EXCESSIVE HEAT/WARP. THIS PROBLEM CAUSED VIOLENT SHAKING OF JEEP DURING SLOW DOWN - I NEARLY LOST CONTROL ON MANY OCCASIONS - VERY VERY DANGEROUS. NOW I'M HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE DEATH WOBBLE - STEERING IS DANGEROUS AT 52 MPH LOSS OF CONTROL. THIS VEHICLE HAS 25,700 MILES ON IT. DON'T BUY JEEP, DON'T BUY DANGEROUS. *TR
Steering, Suspension, Jul 22, 2010
SEVERE VIBRATION IN FRONT WHEELS/STEERING AT 55 MPH. CEASES AS SPEED IS INCREASED PAST 60 MPH OR DECREASED.. TIRE BALANCE AND ALIGNMENT HAVE NO EFFECT. VEHICLE IS TOTALLY STOCK AND HAS APROX. 26,000 MILES. INTERNET RESEARCH INDICATES THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. VIBRATION IS SEVERE ENOUGH TO ALMOST CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM FOR THE LAST YEAR. *TR
Steering, Suspension, Tires, Jul 16, 2010
I OWN A 2006 JEEP WRANGLER, I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING A VIOLENT SHAKE OR ALSO KNOWN AS THE DEATH WOBBLE SINCE 2009. LATELY, IT HAS GOTTEN FAR WORSE. I CONTACTED THE DEALER AT THE FIRST SIGNS OF THE PROBLEM, THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS THE TIRES AND THAT THEY WOULD REIMBURSE ME. I CALLED BACK SEVERAL TIMES AFTER I GOT THE TIRES, BUT THE MANAGER ALWAYS HAD AN EXCUSE. SO, NO I DID NOT GET REIMBURSED. THE TIRES FIXED THE PROBLEM FOR A SHORT TIME, BUT NOW IT'S BACK AND WORSE THAN EVER. IT STARTS THE DEATH WOBBLE AT AROUND 55MPH, IT IS SO VIOLENT THAT IT TAKES EVERYTHING I HAVE JUST TO KEEP CONTROL. THE ONLY WAY THAT I CAN GET IT TO STOP IS TO EITHER SPEED UP TO 60 OR COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM AND NEEDS IMMEDIATE ATTENTION FROM NHTSA BEFORE A DEATH OCCURS DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Steering, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Tires, Jun 4, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 JEEP WRANGLER. WHILE TRAVELING AT SPEEDS OF 50 MPH, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED AND THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 36,000. UPDATED 07/26/10. *LJ THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. UPON INSPECTION, THEY STATED THE BELTS IN THE TIRES HAD SEPARATED, THE FRONT ROTORS WERE WARPED AND THE STEERING DAMPENER FAILED. UPDATED 08/06/10*JB UPDATED 11/19/10. *LJ UPDATED 11/24/10
Steering, Suspension, Apr 29, 2010
2006 JEEP WRANGLER: AT ABOUT 10,000 MILES, I NOTICED THAT A SHUDDER STARTED TO DEVELOP IN MY FRONT END AND WOULD VIBRATE UP THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL AT AROUND 45 MPH. IT DOES NOT ALWAYS OCCUR AT 40 MPH USUALLY BETWEEN 40 AND 60 AFTER HITTING A BUMP. NOW, AT 22,000 MILES, I HAVE A VIOLENT SHUDDER BETWEEN 40 AND 60 MPH, THAT IT FEELS LIKE I AM ABOUT TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY AND HIT A BUMP AT ABOUT 55 AND ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. IT WAS SO BAD THAT SHE HAD TO BRAKE IN ORDER TO AVOID HITTING THE CAR IN THE LANE NEXT TO HER. THIS SEEMS LIKE AN INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. I HAVE TAKEN THE JEEP TO THE JEEP DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT THE ACTED LIKE THIS WAS NOT UNUSUAL AND CALLED IT THE "DEATH WOBBLE" (NICE NAME FOR IT) AND THEY REPLACED THE STEERING DAMPER. THE VEHICLE STILL OCCASIONALLY SHAKES AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND SOMETIMES WHEN BRAKING AND SOMETIMES IT ACTS "NORMAL" THIS VEHICLE IS 100 % STOCK FROM THE DEALER(NOT LIFTED AND ORIGINAL 215/75-15 TIRES AND HAS HAD NO MODIFICATIONS, AND HAS NOT BEEN OFF ROADING. I BELIEVE THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS AND THE REPLACEMENT DAMPER IS JUST TEMPORARILY MASKING THE PROBLEM( NOT VERY SUCCESSFULLY EITHER). AFTER SEARCHING THE INTERNET IT IS OBVIOUS THIS IS NOT AN UNUSUAL OCCURRENCE AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED I GUESS THIS WONT BECOME A BIG ISSUE FOR THE CHRYSLER OR THE GOVERNMENT UNTIL THERE ARE NUMEROUS INJURIES OR FATALITIES. ITS A SHAME THAT MANUFACTURERS WAIT UNTIL THE PROBLEMS REALLY ESCALATES BEFORE THEY ARE ADDRESSED (LIKE TOYOTA). *TR
Steering, Suspension, Apr 27, 2010, crash
2006 JEEP WRANGLER TRAVELING APPROX. 45 MPH THE FRONT END STARTING SHAKING CAUSING THE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WITH SEVERAL PASSENGERS CRASHED UPSIDE DOWN IN A TEN FOOT STORM WATER WATERWAY. *TR
Steering, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Power train, Structure, Apr 19, 2010
HAVE A 2006 JEEP WRANGLER WITH 24,000 MILES WHICH IS EXPERIENCING FRONT WHEEL SHAKING AT ABOUT 40-45 MPH AND WHEN BRAKING. ALIGNMENT, TIRES, ETC. ARE GOOD WITH NO AFTERMARKET MODIFICATIONS DONE TO SUSPENSION. THIS APPEARS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH WRANGLERS AND IS EVEN CALLED AND KNOWN AS A "DEATH WOBBLE." NO CRASHES, BUT DEALER WILL CHARGE TO INVESTIGATE AND FIX. AS MENTIONED, THIS APPEARS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH WRANGLERS, THEREFORE, ISN'T IT A MANUFACTURING FLAW THAT JEEP NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR? *TR
Steering, Suspension, Mar 14, 2010
WHEN DRIVING BETWEEN THE SPEEDS OF 40 MPH TO 50 MPH THE FRONT END SHAKES VERY HARD AND IS HARD TO KEEP IN YOUR OWN LANE. *TR
Steering, Sep 8, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 JEEP WRANGLER. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH HE NOTICED THAT THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN SHAKING AND VIBRATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND INSPECTED WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE STEERING DAMPER FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR $50.00. THE FOLLOWING DAY THE FAILURE RECURRED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH. A LOCAL MECHANIC STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A FRONT END ALIGNMENT AND LATER STATED THAT THE TIRES NEEDED TO BE ROTATED AND BALANCED FOR $20.00. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 24,000.
Steering, Aug 22, 2009
1. NORMAL ROAD DRIVING, 3000 MILES AFTER PURCHASING A CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED JEEP WRANGLER (19700 MILES TOTAL ON VEHICLE), LEAD TO THE VEHICLE BECOMING DANGEROUSLY OUT OF CONTROL AT AROUND 50MPH. THE STEERING VIBRATIONS WERE SO SEVERE, THAT THE JEEP COULD HARDLY BE STEERED. 2. THIS HAPPENED APPROXIMATELY 5 TIMES IN A 7 DAY SPAN, WITH THE LAST INCIDENT BEING THE MOST SEVERE. 3. I PERSONALLY RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE AND FOUND IT TO BE CALLED THE 'DEATH WOBBLE', AND APPEARS TO BE DUE TO A FLAWED DESIGN ON JEEP AND OTHER CHRYSLER VEHICLES. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR, AND WAS BILLED IN EXCESS OF $1,000. A NEW STEERING STABILIZER AND FRONT BUSHING KIT WAS INSTALLED. THIS APPEARS TO HAVE RESOLVED THE ISSUE. *TR
Steering, Apr 21, 2009
ENTERING THE INTERSTATE AND DRIVING UP TO APPROXIMATELY 60-65MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK VIOLENTLY TO THE POINT WHERE I NEEDED TO SLOW DOWN DRASTICALLY TO STOP THE VIBRATION. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE ON THE13TH OF MARCH AT EWALD JEEP IN FRANKLIN WHEN THEY TOLD ME TO REPLACE THE FRONT TIRES BECAUSE THEY WERE 2/32. I TOLD THEM THE TIRES HAVE ONLY 15,000 MILES ON THEM THEN THEY TOLD ME TO SEE THE PLACE (POMPS IN RACINE) THAT SOLD ME THE TIRES. POMPS SAID I NEEDED AN ALIGNMENT. THEN, ON THE 8TH OF APRIL DRIVING AT 40MPH ON A BUMPY ROAD, THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK VIOLENTLY AGAIN WITH WHAT FELT LIKE THE FRONT WHEELS WERE LOOSE. TO STOP THIS VIBRATION, I NEEDED TO SLOW TO 10 TO 20 MPH. I CALLED FOR SERVICE ONCE AGAIN TO EWALD ON THE10TH OF APRIL. THEY REPLACED THE STEERING DAMPER ($126.28 AND $98 FOR LABOR). THEY ALSO PERFORMED A 2 WHEEL FRONT END ALIGNMENT. THEN ON SATURDAY THE 18TH OF APRIL, IT HAPPENED AGAIN. AS SOON AS I GOT HOME, I CALLED EWALD AND TOLD THEM THE SHAKES ARE BACK. WENT IN ON MONDAY THE 20TH AND HAD A SERVICE TECH DRIVE IT. HE SAID NOTHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY OCCURRED WHILE HE DROVE IT. MINOR SHAKES IN THE STEERING WHEEL BUT 'THAT'S THE NATURE OF THE BEAST', HE SAID. THEY PROCEEDED TO LOOK INTO IT MORE AND 20 MINUTES LATER, THEY TOLD ME THEY WERE REPLACING THE STEERING DAMPER THEY REPLACED ONLY 10 DAYS EARLIER. I OWNED A 1997 JEEP WRANGLER AND NEVER EXPERIENCED THIS THEN. AFTER TALKING WITH OTHER JEEP OWNERS, I BELIEVE IT TO BE A BAD DESIGN AND HOPE CHRYSLERJEEP CAN CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Steering, Apr 3, 2009
WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, BUMP OR LIGHT APPLICATION OF BRAKES DURING SLIGHT TURN CAUSES STEERING WHEEL TO SHUDDER VIOLENTLY. STEERING WILL NOT STOP SHAKING UNTIL SPEED IS REDUCED, WHICH ON THE LAST OCCASION, RESULTED IN NEAR MISS ON FREEWAY DURING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY USED ON CITY STREETS ONLY AND ISSUE WAS OBSERVED ON A COUPLE OF OCCASIONS, BUT FREQUENCY AND SEVERITY INCREASES DRAMATICALLY AT FREEWAY SPEEDS. ALTHOUGH VEHICLE ONLY HAS 17,699 MILES, IT IS 2 MONTHS OUT OF 36MO WARRANTY. DEALERSHIP AND CHRYSLER CUSTOMER SERVICE REFUSED TO ASSIST WITHOUT CUSTOMER PAY DIAGNOSTIC OR CUSTOMER PAY REPAIR. THE CONDITION IS INTERMITTENT AND THE LAST TIME IT OCCURRED WITH MY WIFE DRIVING, SHE HAD TO VEER OFF THE ROAD ACROSS SEVERAL LANES OF FREEWAY TRAFFIC, ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. SHE SUFFERED A SLIGHT SPRAIN OF HER WRIST. *TR
Steering, Suspension, Mar 15, 2009
IN REFERENCE TO ALL LATE MODEL JEEP WRANGLERS. WHAT IS KNOWN AS THE "DEATH WOBBLE". AT A SPEED OF 35 TO 55 MPH, A VIBRATION IN THE FRONT END WILL OCCUR THAT MAGNIFIES IN INTENSITY UNTIL THE DRIVER MUST STOP THE VEHICLE TO REGAIN CONTROL. VERY DANGEROUS. JEEP SAYS THAT IT THINKS A STEERING DAMPER CHANGE COULD STOP THIS FROM OCCURRING,BUT HAS NEVER ISSUED A RECALL OR DESIGN CHANGE. PROBLEM SPANS SEVERAL YEARS OF THE WRANGLER MODEL. I HAVE HEARD OF MID 90'S ALL THE WAY TO MY 06' HAVING THE "DEATH WOBBLE". IN MY OPINION JEEP HAS NEGLECTED TO FIX A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT IM SURE HAS CAUSED MORE THAN A FEW ACCIDENTS. I HAVE HAD TO STOP COMPLETELY GETTING ON THE INTERSTATE TO REGAIN CONTROL . THAT CANT BE SAFE. I WOULD THINK THAT A FIX SHOULDN'T BE THAT HARD FOR THE ENGINEERS AT DAIMLER/CHRYSLER TO COME UP WITH . AFTER ALL THE JEEP IS AN AMAZING VEHICLE. THEREFORE I AM REQUESTING THAT THE NHTSA COMMENCE AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE DEATH WOBBLE" AND JEEPS RESPONSIBILITY IN THIS . IT IS MY BELIEF THAT THEY SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY WORN OR DAMAGED FRONT END PARTS DUE TO THE WOBBLE AND THE FIX FOR THE PROBLEM. THANKS FOR YOUR TIME AND HARD WORK . I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO SPEAKING WITH A NHTSA REP AT THEIR CONVENIENCE. IF YOU NEED TO OBSERVE THE DEATH WOBBLE OR NEED MORE INFO PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME ANYTIME VIA EMAIL OR PHONE. OR YOU CAN JUST GOOGLE IT . YOU WOULD BE AMAZED AT THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE OUT THERE THAT HAVE THIS PROBLEM AND JEEP ACTS AS IF IT DOESN'T EXIST. ALL I CAN SAY IS WOW. THANKS AGAIN FOR DOING YOUR JOBS AND MAKING THESE COMPANIES BE RESPONSIBLE. *TR