2008 Jeep Wrangler
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Air bags is the leading concern among 1,255 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 2nd highest complaint count among 26 Wrangler model years with reports.
Of the 2008 reports, 18 involved a crash and 34 involved a fire. 7 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleDo not drive until repairedMay 24, 2016
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) expanded the affected population to include 73,712 2005-2009 RAM 2500 trucks produced at the St. Louis North Assembly Plant. With this change, Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2010 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2010 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2009 Dodge Durango, 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2012 Jeep Wrangler, 2008-2012 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2012 Chrysler 300, 2006-2012 Dodge Charger, 2005-2011 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Chrysler is also recalling 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2009 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2009 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2009 Dodge Durango, 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2009 Jeep Wrangler, 2008-2009 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2009 Chrysler 300, 2006-2009 Dodge Charger, 2005-2009 Dodge Dakota and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in AZ, AR, DE, Washington D.C., IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV, or "Zone B." Lastly, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Chrysler is recalling certain 2005-2008 RAM 2500, 2006-2008 RAM 3500, 2007-2008 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2008 Dodge Durango, 2007-2008 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2008 Jeep Wrangler, 2008 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2008 Chrysler 300, 2006-2008 Dodge Charger, 2005-2008 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2008 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or registered, in AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY.
These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. These inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and RAM owners. Mitsubishi owners will be notified by their company. Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on March 27, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S43. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V-7700.
Campaign 16V352000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, driver side, inflator moduleMay 11, 2016
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Jeep Wrangler JK vehicles manufactured March 2, 2006, to August 13, 2010. The clockspring assembly may become contaminated with dust and cause the air bag circuit to fail.
Failure of the air bag circuit may prevent the driver's frontal air bag from deploying in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the clockspring, wheel back cover, and column shroud, free of charge. The recall began on December 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S33.
Campaign 16V290000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bagsMay 7, 2013
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 Jeep Wrangler right-hand drive vehicles manufactured February 1, 2007, through October 10, 2011. The affected vehicles have airbag clockspring assemblies that could experience broken airbag circuits.
In the event of a crash necessitating airbag deployment, a broken electrical circuit in the airbag clockspring wiring assembly can lead to non-deployment of the driver-side frontal airbag and will not be able to properly protect the driver, increasing the risk of injuries.
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the clockspring and add a steering wheel dust shield, free of charge. The recall began on June 10, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. This recall supercedes NHTSA recall 11V-528. Chrysler's recall campaign number is M31.
Campaign 13V176000 on NHTSA.gov
EquipmentFeb 25, 2013
Quadratec, Inc. is recalling certain aftermarket accessory, driver-side, Ultimate Floor Liners part numbers 14254.0301 07, 14254.0301 08, 14254.0301Q, 14254.0302 07, 14254.0302 08, 14254.0302Q, 14254.0303 07, 14254.0303 08, 14254.0303Q, 14254.0309 07, 14254.0309 08, and 14254.0309Q sold from May 1, 2012, through February 14, 2013. The liners are for use in 2007-2013 Jeep Wranglers. The anchor point for the affected floor liners may tear during use, particularly when exposed to high temperatures. The tearing may allow the floor liner to shift forward.
If the liner shifts forward it may impede the operation of the accelerator and possibly lead to unintended acceleration, which may increase the risk of a crash.
Quadratec will notify owners and either exchange the liners or provide them with a hook guard kit to help secure the driver-side mat, free of charge. The recall began on April 4, 2013. Owners may contact Quadratec at 1-800-463-2998 or info@quadratec.com.
Campaign 13E010000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontalNov 2, 2011
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2012 RIGHT HAND DRIVE (RHD) JEEP WRANGLER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 1, 2007, THROUGH OCTOBER 10, 2011. SOME VEHICLES MAY BE EQUIPPED WITH DRIVER'S AIRBAG CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLIES THAT COULD EXPERIENCE A COMPROMISED AIRBAG CIRCUIT RESULTING IN AN AIRBAG LAMP ILLUMINATION, WHICH INDICATES THAT THE AIRBAG MAY NOT DEPLOY.
A BROKEN ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT IN THE AIRBAG CLOCKSPRING WIRING ASSEMBLY CAN LEAD TO NON-DEPLOYMENT OF THE DRIVER FRONTAL AIRBAG AND WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PROPERLY PROTECT THE DRIVER IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURIES.
CHRYSLER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REMEDY THE VEHICLES AS NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. CHRYSLER WILL MAIL TO OWNERS AN INTERIM NOTIFICATION DURING MARCH 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Campaign 11V528000 on NHTSA.gov
Service brakes, hydraulicJun 3, 2010
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007 THROUGH 2010 JEEP WRANGLER LEFT AND RIGHT HAND DRIVE PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 15, 2006 THROUGH APRIL 22, 2010. THERE MAY BE CONTACT BETWEEN THE RIGHT AND LEFT FRONT INNER FENDER LINERS AND THE RIGHT FRONT AND LEFT REAR BRAKE TUBES WHICH COULD CAUSE WEAR OF THE TUBES CAUSING A BRAKE FLUID LEAK.
A BRAKE FLUID LEAK CAN CAUSE PARTIAL LOSS OF SERVICE BRAKES AT THE AFFECTED WHEEL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
CHRYSLER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-853-1403.
Campaign 10V236000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, automatic transmissionNov 5, 2009
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007 THROUGH 2008 JEEP WRANGLER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 2006 THROUGH JULY 2008, EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. THESE VEHICLES WERE NOT EQUIPPED WITH A TRANSMISSION FLUID TEMPERATURE WARNING SYSTEM.
FLUID COULD BOIL OVER AND MAY COME INTO CONTACT WITH A HOT ENGINE OR EXHAUST COMPONENT AND CAUSE A FIRE.
DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND INSTALL A "HOTOIL" MESSAGE IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND A CHIME INDICATING AN ELEVATED TRANSMISSION FLUID CONDITION. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 22, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-835-1403.
Campaign 09V436000 on NHTSA.gov
Trailer hitchesJul 9, 2009
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 308 AFTERMARKET MOPAR TOW BAR ASSEMBLIES, P/N 82209758, SOLD DURING 2007 AND 2008 CALENDAR YEAR WHICH ARE USED TO TOW MODEL YEAR 2007 AND 2008 JEEP WRANGLER VEHICLES.
THE TOW BAR CAN FAIL UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS. THIS CAN RESULT IN THE TOWED VEHICLE SEPARATING FROM THE TOWING VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.
CHRYSLER WILL NOTIFY THE OWNERS OF ALL 2007 AND 2008 MODEL YEAR JEEP WRANGLER VEHICLES WHO COULD HAVE PURCHASED A RECALLED TOW BAR AND WILL REPLACE THE TOW BARS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 23, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Campaign 09E044000 on NHTSA.gov
Service brakes, hydraulic, foundation components, hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsMay 6, 2008
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 1,585 MY 2007-2008 JEEP WRANGLER, RIGHT HAND DRIVE ONLY, VEHICLES. SOME VEHICLES MAY HAVE INSUFFICIENT CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT AND REAR BRAKE TUBES.
PROLONGED BRAKE TUBE CONTACT COULD WEAR A HOLE IN THE TUBE AND CAUSE A PARTIAL BRAKE SYSTEM LOSS. THIS COULD CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REVISED BRAKE TUBE CLIP TO RETAIN THE TUBES, INSPECT THE BRAKE TUBES FOR DAMAGE DUE TO POTENTIAL CONTACT WITH THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT, AND REPLACE THE BRAKE TUBES IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 30, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Campaign 08V202000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: suspension
139 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, Suspension, Aug 11, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 JEEP WRANGLER UNLIMITED. WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Suspension, Air bags, Jul 27, 2015
RECENTLY THE AIR BAG LIGHT IN MY JK JEEP WRANGLER (2008) BEGAN ILLUMINATING. I DID SOME INVESTIGATION PRIOR TO SERVICING IT AT THE DEALER AND DETERMINED IT WAS LIKELY THE CLOCKWORK SPRING SINCE THERE WERE SOME MANY REPORTS OF FAILURE. IN ADDITION, MY ELECTRONIC SWAY BAR DISCONNECT SYSTEM WOULD NOT RE-ENGAGE AFTER A CAMPING TRIP. I DROVE DOWN A MOUNTAIN PASS AND ON A STRETCH OF 75 MPH INTERSTATE WITHOUT A SWAY AND AN AIR BAG WHICH WAS DANGEROUS. I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP TO GET BOTH ISSUES LOOKED AT. JEEP CONFIRMED IT WAS THE CLOCKWORK SPRING CAUSING THE AIR BAG LIGHT ($48.00 DIAGNOSIS) AND THAT THE SWAY BAR DISCONNECT MOTOR ($96.00 DIAGNOSIS) HAD FAILED. THEY QUOTED ME FOR $410 TO GET THE CLOCKWORK SPRING FIXED & $1410 TO REPLACE THE SWAY BAR. NO PROMISE WAS MADE TO REIMBURSE ME FOR THE DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR COST SHOULD THE ISSUES BECOME RECALLS SINCE THEY ARE UNDER INVESTIGATION. I TOOK INITIATIVE TO SELF DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE SWAY BAR NOT RECONNECTING SINCE I SUSPECTED THAT THE ELECTRONIC MOTOR WAS STILL FUNCTIONING (I COULD HEAR AND FEEL TO MOTOR OPERATING BEFORE & AFTER I TOOK MY VEHICLE INTO THE DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE). AFTER DISASSEMBLING (NEVER BEEN TAMPERED WITH PRIOR), I FOUND WATER AND RUSTY PARTS INSIDE AND COULD SEE THAT THE UNIT AS POORLY DESIGNED JUDGING FROM THE ONE SMALL SPRING THAT IS SUPPOSE TO WORK TO RE-ENGAGE THE SWAY BAR BY PUSHING THE INTERNAL GEARS (NOW RUSTY) BACK TOGETHER. I SIMPLY APPLIED SOME GREASE TO THE PARTS AND REINSTALLED THE UNIT. TO MY DELIGHT THIS ALLOWED THE MOTOR TO RECONNECT THE SWAY BAR. IT IS UNCONSCIONABLE TO PUT MOTORIST IN HARMS WAY WITHOUT A FUNCTIONING AIR BAG SYSTEM AND / OR SWAY BAR DUE TO POORLY VEHICLE CONSTRUCTION AND THEN CHARGE FOR DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR COSTS. PLEASE ISSUE RECALLS FOR THE CLOCKWORK SPRING AND THE LACK OF WATER PROTECTION FOR THE ELECTRONIC SWAY BAR DISCONNECT SYSTEM BEFORE FATALITIES OCCUR.
Suspension, Wheels, Apr 20, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 JEEP WRANGLER. WHILE TRAVELING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE REAR TIRES STARTED WOBBLING. THE CONTACT HEARD THE SOUND, BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT VISIBLE UNLESS SOMEONE WAS TRAVELING BEHIND THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE AXLE HOUSING AND THE CV JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE AXLE SHAFTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO THE AXLE SHAFT BEING BENT. THERE WAS ALSO A PRESENCE OF A LEAK. THE SEAL ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FRACTURED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,350.
Steering, Suspension, Apr 19, 2015
WHEN DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY AT A SPEED OF APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE LEFT FRONT TIRE STRUCK A SMALL POT HOLE, THE FRONT SUSPENSION BEGAN SHAKING VIOLENTLY, REMOVING DRIVERS GRIP ON THE STEERING WHEEL. AFTER REGAINING WHEEL GRIP, DRIVER BEGAN RAPID DECELERATION WHILE STEERING OFF TO THE SHOULDER. SHAKING SUBSIDED AROUND VEHICLE SPEED OF APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH AND THEN A COMPLETE STOP WAS ACHIEVED WITHOUT INCIDENT. NO TRAFFIC WAS IMMEDIATELY PRESENT AT THE TIME. NOTHING WAS FOUND DURING INITIAL INSPECTION ON ROADSIDE AND VEHICLE DROVE PROPERLY AFTER RESUMING CAUTIOUSLY. *TR
Steering, Suspension, Wheels, Mar 26, 2015
THIS VEHICLE HAS THE JEEP "DEATH WOBBLE" WHICH INVOLVES SEVERE SHAKING AND VIOLENT WOBBLING AT ABOUT 50 MPH. THIS OCCURS FREQUENTLY. I HAVE MADE NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS TO HAVE THE PROBLEM SOLVED AND VEHICLE REPAIRED. NOTHING HAS HELPED. *TR
Steering, Suspension, Mar 25, 2015
AS WITH OTHER JEEP OWNERS, MY WRANGLER SUDDENLY FELL INTO THE 'DEATH WOBBLE'. WITH MANY ATTEMPTS AT REPAIR AND OVER $1500, THERE IS STILL AN UNRESOLVED ISSUE. *TR
Suspension, Service brakes, Mar 16, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 JEEP WRANGLER. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH AFTER DRIVING OVER A BUMP OR DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE FRONT END SHOOK UNCONTROLLABLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING DAMPENER FAILED. THE TIRES WERE ROTATED AND BALANCED, BUT FAILED TO REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000.
Steering, Suspension, Service brakes, Mar 6, 2015
I WAS TRAVELING ON A BUSY HIGHWAY AT A SPEED OF 65 MILES PER HOUR WHEN OUT OF THE BLUE THE JEEP STARTED TO SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLY. TO MAKE MATTERS WORSE, I HAD A SEMI RIGHT BEHIND ME HAULING A GAS TANKER. FORTUNATELY FOR ME I WAS TRAVELING IN THE SPEED LANE WHICH IS ADJACENT TO THE EMERGENCY RUN OFF THE LANE. I LET MY FOOT OF THE GAS AND ROLLED/TREMBLING OFF THE HIGHWAY INTO THE EMG LANE TILL I CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. AFTER CATCHING MY BREATH AND MY HEART. I PROCEEDED TO GET OUT OF THE CAR TO CHECK AND SEE IF THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE FRONT END AXLE. I DID NOT SEE ANYTHING PROBLEM SO GOT BACK IN THE JEEP AND DROVE OFF. I DROVE ABOUT ANOTHER 50 MILES THAT NIGHT AND WAS NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AT ANY SPEED. SO A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER I TOOK THE JEEP IN TO SEE MY SERVICE ADVISOR AT PLANET DODGE IN DORAL, FL. AFTER A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SYMPTOMS AND WHAT HAPPENED, THE SERVICE ADVISOR CALMLY SAID IT'S A COMMON PROBLEM CALLED "THE DEATH WOBBLE". SO I AM NOW HAVING TO DROP OFF THIS JEEP IN ORDER TO GET A DIAGNOSIS AND HAVE THE PROBLEM REPAIRED. I HOPE IT NEVER HAPPENS TO ANYONE; ESPECIALLY MY MOTHER WHO OFTEN DRIVES THE JEEP. THIS IS A VERY VERY DANGEROUS CONDITION WHICH WILL EVENTUALLY CAUSE ACCIDENT AND MAY EVEN CAUSE FATALITIES. THERE NEEDS TO BE A CLASS ACTION SUIT FILED AGAINST THE MANUFACTURER. OR AT THE VERY LEAST A RECALL. *TR
Steering, Suspension, Service brakes, Mar 6, 2015
I WAS TRAVELING ON A BUSY HIGHWAY AT A SPEED OF 65 MILES PER HOUR WHEN OUT OF THE BLUE THE JEEP STARTED TO SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLY. TO MAKE MATTERS WORSE, I HAD A SEMI RIGHT BEHIND ME HAULING A GAS TANKER. FORTUNATELY FOR ME I WAS TRAVELING IN THE SPEED LANE WHICH IS ADJACENT TO THE EMERGENCY RUN OFF THE LANE. I LET MY FOOT OF THE GAS AND ROLLED/TREMBLING OFF THE HIGHWAY INTO THE EMG LANE TILL I CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. AFTER CATCHING MY BREATH AND MY HEART. I PROCEEDED TO GET OUT OF THE CAR TO CHECK AND SEE IF THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE FRONT END AXLE. I DID NOT SEE ANYTHING PROBLEM SO GOT BACK IN THE JEEP AND DROVE OFF. I DROVE ABOUT ANOTHER 50 MILES THAT NIGHT AND WAS NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AT ANY SPEED. SO A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER I TOOK THE JEEP IN TO SEE MY SERVICE ADVISOR AT PLANET DODGE IN DORAL, FL. AFTER A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SYMPTOMS AND WHAT HAPPENED, THE SERVICE ADVISOR CALMLY SAID IT'S A COMMON PROBLEM CALLED "THE DEATH WOBBLE". SO I AM NOW HAVING TO DROP OFF THIS JEEP IN ORDER TO GET A DIAGNOSIS AND HAVE THE PROBLEM REPAIRED. I HOPE IT NEVER HAPPENS TO ANYONE; ESPECIALLY MY MOTHER WHO OFTEN DRIVES THE JEEP. THIS IS A VERY VERY DANGEROUS CONDITION WHICH WILL EVENTUALLY CAUSE ACCIDENT AND MAY EVEN CAUSE FATALITIES. THERE NEEDS TO BE A CLASS ACTION SUIT FILED AGAINST THE MANUFACTURER. OR AT THE VERY LEAST A RECALL. *TR
Steering, Suspension, Mar 6, 2015
I WAS JUST DRIVING DOWN A PAVED RESIDENTIAL ROAD ON A SLIGHT DECLINE ABOUT 40 MPH AND IT STARTED WOBBLING AND SHAKING THE ENTIRE CAR. I FELT LIKE I WAS GOING TO LOSE CONTROL AND COULDN'T SWERVE OVER SINCE THERE WAS TRAFFIC. I APPLIED THE BRAKES LIGHTLY, BUT NOT TOO MUCH SINCE THERE WAS OTHER VEHICLES BEHIND ME THAT I DIDN'T WANT TO SLAM INTO ME FROM BEHIND IF I SUDDENLY BRAKED TOO HARD. EVEN WHILE APPLYING BRAKES THE JEEP WAS STILL WOBBLING VIOLENTLY. VIOLENTLY! SERIOUSLY THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO CAUSE A WRECK. FINALLY THE JEEP STOPPED WOBBLING WHERE I PULLED OVER AND CHECKED IF MY TIRES WERE LOSE OR ANYTHING. EVERYTHING WAS FINE ON THE OUTSIDE. WHEN I CAME HOME I WANTED TO SEE IF ANYONE ELSE HAD THIS ISSUE, AND TURNS OUT IT EVEN HAS A NAME CALLED THE "DEATH WOBBLE". MY JEEP IS A 2008, WITH 40,000 MILE. THIS JEEP IS RARELY USED. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. NOT ONLY THE WRANGLER, BUT MANY OTHER VEHICLES AS WELL. CHRYSLER SEEMS TO DENY THAT ANY ISSUES EXIST CONCERNING THE "DEATH WOBBLE". PLEASE HELP. *TR
Steering, Suspension, Structure, Vehicle speed control, Mar 1, 2015
I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON A STATE HIGHWAY, EVEN THOUGH POSTED SPEED LIMIT WAS 65MPH, TRAFFIC WAS HEAVY AND I WAS FORCED TO SLOW DOWN TO AROUND 50 TO 53 MPH. WHEN SPEEDING BACK UP TO 55 MPH MY JEEP SAHARA SHOOK VIOLENTLY AND UNCONTROLLABLY, I THOUGHT MY VEHICLE WAS GOING TO SHAKE APART, I HIT THE BRAKES AND WENT DOWN TO 50 MPH (THANK GOD NO ONE WAS CLOSE BEHIND ME AND DID NOT HIT ME) AND THE SHAKING/WOBBLE STOPPED. AS TRAFFIC PICKED BACK UP AND I WAS ABLE TO SPEED UP TO 60 MPH, THERE WAS NO REAL PROBLEM (A SLIGHT SHAKE AS I PAST 55 MPH), BUT AS SOON AS I HAD TO SLOW DOWN TO 55 MPH THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SHAKE/WOBBLE UNCONTROLLABLY AGAIN. IT APPEARS IF I ACCELERATE FROM 0 TO 55 MPH I GET THE VIOLENT SHAKING/WOBBLING BUT IF I GO FROM 0 TO 60-65 MPH, I DO NOT REALLY EXPERIENCE THE VIOLENT UNCONTROLLABLY SHAKING, JUST A SLIGHT SHAKE AT THE 55 MPH GOING TO 60-65 MPH. IF I SLOW DOWN FROM 60-65 MPH TO 55 MPH I GET THAT SAME VIOLENT UNCONTROLLABLE SHAKING/WOBBLING. THIS HAPPENS EVERYDAY - NOT RANDOMLY! I FOUND EVEN ON NON-HIGHWAYS, WHERE SPEED LIMITS THAT ALLOW 55 MPH, I GET THE SAME VIOLENT SHAKING. THIS IS MY ONLY VEHICLE AND I DEPEND ON IT TO GET TO AND FROM WORK EVERY WEEKDAY. I HAVE READ THE FORUMS AND I HAVE CHECKED THE TIRE PRESSURE, IT HAS NO EFFECT ON THE SHAKING/WOBBLING. I HAVE NEVER TAKEN IT OFF-ROAD, I DON'T EVEN PUT IT IN 4 WHEEL DRIVE. MY SON HAS HIS OWN JEEP THAT HE HAS WORK ON FOR YEARS AND HE LOOKED AT MY JEEP (THINGS LIKE STEERING COMPONENTS, BALL JOINTS, TIRES, STEERING DAMPER, ETC.) ALL THE THINGS JEEP OWNERS HAVE POSTED ON THESE FORUMS AND HAVE PAID DEARLY FOR AT THE DEALERSHIP AND EVERYTHING SEEMS OK. I RECENTLY FOUND FROM A JEEP FORUM THAT THIS IS CALLED THE 'DEATH WOBBLE'. *TR
Steering, Suspension, Feb 28, 2015
TYPICAL "DEATH WOBBLE" THAT I WAS UNAWARE OF UNTIL RESEARCHING THIS MORNING. VERY SCARY AND WITH ONLY 25,000 MILES AN NO OFF ROADING ON THIS JEEP, THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN AND CERTAINLY NOT SOMETHING I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY TO REPAIR! *TR
Steering, Suspension, Tires, Feb 12, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 JEEP WRANGLER. WHILE DRIVING 45 TO 65 MPH, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY OUT OF CONTROL AND CAUSED THE SUSPENSION TO BECOME UNSTABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIRES NEEDED TO BE BALANCED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE STEERING DAMPER, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED TWO DAYS AFTER THE REPAIR WAS PERFORMED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
Suspension, Jan 29, 2015
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT BUSHINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND AN ALIGNMENT NEEDED TO BE PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,000.
Suspension, Air bags, Oct 6, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 JEEP WRANGLER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TIE RODS AND STEERING DAMPERS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED A YEAR LATER. THE TIE RODS AND THE STEERING DAMPERS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. ON A DIFFERENT OCCASION, WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY BEGAN TO WOBBLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE AXLE SHAFT WAS BENT AND CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED SPORADICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHO SPECIFIED THAT THE CLOCK SPRING NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V176000 (AIR BAGS) OR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V528000 (AIR BAGS). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,010.
Steering, Suspension, Oct 5, 2014
UPON GETTING UP TO SPEED AROUND 45 MILES PER HOUR, FRONT END OF VEHICLE STARTS SHAKING UNCONTROLLABLY IF EVEN A SLIGHT BUMP IS HIT ON THE ROADWAY. IT IS THE SO CALLED "DEATH WOBBLE" SO OFTEN TALKED ABOUT ON THE INTERNET AND IN WRANGLER FORUMS. MECHANIC REPLACED STEERING DAMPENER WHICH MINIMIZED THE PROBLEM BUT IT STILL CONTINUES TO HAPPEN SOMETIMES. MECHANIC CANNOT FIND ANYTHING ELSE THAT IS LOOSE WITH THE SUSPENSION. *TR
Steering, Suspension, Sep 26, 2014
WAS DRIVING AROUND 50 MPH FRONT END STARTED TO SHAKE SO HARD IT WAS HARD TO HANG ON TO STEERING WHEEL,HIT THE BRAKES HARD, ONCE VEHICLE ALMOST STOPPED IT STOPPED SHAKING, WIFE WAS WITH ME AND SAID SHE WOULD NEVER RIDE IN IT AGAIN. SEEMS LIKE JEEP WOULD MAN UP, I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Suspension, Electrical system, Sep 18, 2014
SEVERAL ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE: 1. "DEATH WOBBLE" VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY SHAKES VIOLENTLY OVER 45 MPH. STOP VEHICLE AND STARTS RUNNING FINE. 2. SUSPECT BAD TIPM. INTERMITTENT HORN AND WIPERS TURN ON AFTER OPENING DRIVER DOOR. NEXT, CAR SOMETIMES WILL NOT START. TAPPING THE TIPM WILL ALLOW IT TO START. NEXT WITH IGNITION OFF AND KEY OUT, ENGINE CONTINUES TO RUN UNTIL TAPPING THE MODULE. FINALLY, NOW THE ENGINE WILL JUST STOP INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. FOUND THAT BOTH OF THESE ISSUES ARE COMMON PROBLEMS WITH JEEPS. *TR
Steering, Suspension, Jul 14, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 JEEP WRANGLER. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY. THE CONTACT DECELERATED TO 40 MPH IN AN EFFORT TO CEASE THE SHAKING. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC REPLACED THE TIRES; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN MORE THAN 55 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AGAIN AND HAD THE STEERING DAMPER REPLACED TWICE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000
Suspension, Jul 6, 2014
DRIVING DOWN THE 101 FREEWAY IN LOS ANGELES EXPERIENCED THE "DEATH WOBBLE" HAD IT SERVICE ON 06/24/14, ALIGNMENT DOWN, BLOWN STEERING STABILIZER REPLACED, TIRES BALANCED, AND STILL IT HAPPENED AGAIN. IN APRIL OF 2014 I EXPERIENCE THE SAME OCCURANCE ELEVEN TIMES DRIVING 40MPH ON SOUTH VICTORIA BLVD IN VENTURA CALIFORNIA. MY WHOLE FAMILY WAS IN THE CAR. HAD IT SERVICED IMMEDIATELY THE NEXT DAY. NO ONE CAN SEEM TO FIX THE ISSUE THIS DEATH WOBBLE HAS OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES SINCE I BOUGHT THE JEEP IN JANUARY OF 2011. CAN YOU HELP? *JS
Suspension, May 4, 2014
LEAVING WORK, ABOUT 1 MILE AWAY ON A FLAT STRAIGHT ROAD DOING ABOUT 45-50 MPH THE FRONT END STARTED SHAKING VIOLENTLY. HAD TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. STARTED DRIVING AGAIN AND AROUND 45 MPH I COULD FEEL IT START AGAIN, LET MY FOOT OF THE GAS AND AS IT SLOWED DOWN IT STOPPED. COULD NOT DO MORE THAN 40 MPH FOR THE RIDE HOME FROM WORK. CALLED DEALERSHIP, THEY ARE GOING TO LOOK AT IT ON 5/5/14.
Steering, Suspension, Apr 23, 2014
DEATH WOBBLE. THE FRONT END VIBRATES VIOLENTLY THAT CAN AND WILL CAUSE ACCIDENTS. *TR
Steering, Suspension, Wheels, Apr 2, 2014
DRIVING HOME ON A SATURDAY EVENING ACCELERATING UP TO 55 MPH ONCE THE VEHICLE HIT 48-50 MPH THE FRONT END BEGAN TO SHAKE/VIBRATE VIOLENTLY SLOWING DOWN DID NOT STOP THE VIBRATIONS I NEEDED TO PULL OFF THE ROAD AND COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE ABOVE REPEATED 3-4 TIMES DURING THE COURSE OF THE TRIP. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP THE FOLLOWING MONDAY AND WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT I EXPERIENCED THE "DEATH WOBBLE" THEY REPLACED THE STEERING DAMPER AND ROTATED THE TIRES. I HAVE DRIVEN APPROXIMATELY 1,000 MILES SINCE THAT SERVICE APPOINTMENT AND AM NOW EXPERIENCING THE "DEATH WOBBLE" AGAIN, I AM ALREADY OUT $1,200 FOR THE INITIAL REPAIR ATTEMPT. THE STEERING DAMPER REPLACEMENT APPEARS TO HAVE ONLY MASKED THE PROBLEM FOR A SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME AND IS NOT A FIX BUT A PATCH JOB WHICH IS LIKELY RESULTING IN FURTHER DAMAGE TO OTHER PORTIONS OF THE STEERING/SUSPENSION SYSTEM. THERE ARE SEVERAL REPORTS OF THIS BOTH IN YOUR SYSTEM AND THROUGHOUT THE INTERNET SOMETHING IS CLEARLY WRONG WITH THESE VEHICLES AND IT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. THE COMPLETE LOSS OF VEHICLE STEERING CONTROL DURING THE SHAKING IS GOING TO GET SOMEONE KILLED AND IT SEEMS LIKE THAT IS WHAT ALL THE REGULATORS ARE WAITING FOR BEFORE TAKING ANY ACTION TO GET THIS ISSUE FIXED. *TR
Suspension, Equipment, Mar 30, 2014
2008 JEEP WRANGLER, DRIVING WHEN HIT A BUMP, FRONT END BEGAN SHAKING VIOLENTLY. WITH A DOZEN OR SO VEHICLES BEHIND ME, AT 55 MPH HAD TO QUICKLY PULL OFF THE ROAD TO AVOID A PILE UP. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO US ON 2 DIFFERENT JEEPS, A 98 WRANGLER AND THIS 08. THIS 08 HAS ALMOST MEW TIRES AND THE FRONT END IS STILL TIGHT. THIS IS THE MOST RECENT OF SEVERAL TIMES THE JEEP HAS BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY IN THE LAST YEAR. *TR
Steering, Suspension, Mar 5, 2014
COMMONLY CALLED "JEEP DEATH WOBBLE". DRIVING ON A STRAIGHT ROAD AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH MY STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO SHAKE SLIGHTLY, THEN BECAME WORSE. WITHIN ABOUT 5 SECONDS MY WHEEL WAS SHAKING SO BADLY THAT I COULDN'T HOLD THE WHEEL. I DID ALL I COULD TO SLOW AND PULL THE VEHICLE ONTO THE SHOULDER. I FOUND NOTHING WRONG AND WENT BACK ON MY WAY WITH NO FURTHER ISSUES. MY VEHICLE IS A STOCK JEEP WITH THE ONLY DIFFERENCE BEING NEWER TIRES (STOCK SIZE) THAT ARE IN GOOD CONDITION.