Loose steering feels like it has play and drifts

[moonpup]

Mine is more like a 1/2 inch, but overall I'm happy with my steering based on what others have reported. I never expected it to be like a car, but I don't think there's much improvement to be made on mine. No wandering or drifting at 70+ on the highway and can be driven with one hand or a few fingers. Really strange how there is such a discrepancy with these vehicles, especially when some have very close manufacturing dates.

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[Richamby]

moonpup yes you have a good one.

 

[DanPop]

Who is saying there isn't a steering problem?

Most dealers.

 

[mischman]

I dont think FCA has a fix for this because i dont think FCA knows what is 100% wrong. No one in this thread can pinpoint the issue.

 

[jeremyjeep]

Here is the best way to explain our steering issue.

Funny part is at 0:08

At 0:14: "Steerings a little loose."
At 0:19: "Alignments off too."

 

[hdtrader]

I rented a JK over the weekend and it was very clear the JK has much better steering in all situations. Before returning it Monday, I went to a local dealership and drove a few JLs that were built later than mine and they all had much worse steering. I need a new Rubicon, and I am actually really considering another JKUR instead of a JLUR. Seems it may be a safer bet for a few years while the bugs are worked out.

I could not enjoy my JLUR anymore due to the terrible and unsafe steering, so I met with the owner of the dealership and he worked me an equal replacement on a new Ram 1500 4x4. Other features that I did not like on the JL was the Start and Go, the automatic shift to park/neutral when you opened the door when backing up, the loud roar of the A/C fans, having two batteries to maintain, possibly weak welds, etc..FCA what were you guys thinking!!

So with all that...I will never buy another JL unless they make major changes to it over the next several years. Cypher...I considered swapping the JLUR for a JKUR too but they didn't have any Rubicons on the lot. When I bought the JLUR I traded in an excellent 2013 lifted 10th Anniversary Rubicon two door in on it...I miss my 2013 JK!!

 

[jeremyjeep]

I could not enjoy my JLUR anymore due to the terrible and unsafe steering, so I met with the owner of the dealership and he worked me an equal replacement on a new Ram 1500 4x4. Other features that I did not like on the JL was the Start and Go, the automatic shift to park/neutral when you opened the door when backing up, the loud roar of the A/C fans, having two batteries to maintain, possibly weak welds, etc..FCA what were you guys thinking!!

So with all that...I will never buy another JL unless they make major changes to it over the next several years. Cypher...I considered swapping the JLUR for a JKUR too but they didn't have any Rubicons on the lot. When I bought the JLUR I traded in an excellent 2013 lifted 10th Anniversary Rubicon two door in on it...I miss my 2013 JK!!

I am also considering trading in my JLUR due to the unsafe steering. How many miles did you have on your JLUR and when did you first drive it off the lot? Did they deduct a per mile fee?

 

[Cypher]

I could not enjoy my JLUR anymore due to the terrible and unsafe steering, so I met with the owner of the dealership and he worked me an equal replacement on a new Ram 1500 4x4. Other features that I did not like on the JL was the Start and Go, the automatic shift to park/neutral when you opened the door when backing up, the loud roar of the A/C fans, having two batteries to maintain, possibly weak welds, etc..FCA what were you guys thinking!!

So with all that...I will never buy another JL unless they make major changes to it over the next several years. Cypher...I considered swapping the JLUR for a JKUR too but they didn't have any Rubicons on the lot. When I bought the JLUR I traded in an excellent 2013 lifted 10th Anniversary Rubicon two door in on it...I miss my 2013 JK!!

I have been watching the used market for JL's and there seems to be a lot of JLURs hitting the market already with only a few thousand miles on them. I checked the Carfax on a few and they did have service visits logged. I'm wondering if people are not happy with them and doing something similar as you where they just get something else? I could see trading after a lease or in a few years, but to trade with a few thousand miles is not all that common normally.

 

[hdtrader]

I am also considering trading in my JLUR due to the unsafe steering. How many miles did you have on your JLUR and when did you first drive it off the lot? Did they deduct a per mile fee?

I put 3000 miles on it over a two month period. It was in the shop four different times for steering and one time for the engine light staying on.

Every time I drove it I had to completely focus on the steering until I was sick of driving it! The Service Director did agree the steering was not right and I told them I had three options, Fix it (which they could not do), assist and support me in filling a claim with FCA to get full refund, or set up a meeting between me and one of the dealerships owners and the General Manager on trading for a different vehicle (without taking a huge loss). After our meeting, I ended up trading for a Ram 1500 4x4 Crew Cab that had a window sticker price the same as the JL. However, due to the 2018 Ram incentives I was able to get refunded $2200 in the trade, plus the JL came with two tops...I kept the soft top and ended up selling it for $1800. Wahoo! I've always owned a Jeep but I am so glad I no longer own the JL.

BTW...if you think the steering is bad just driving it on the road...try towing a small 2000 lb camper with it...

 

[Rhinebeck01]

@hdtrader Are you not able to find the link to a Dodge Ram forum... I can provide if you like.

You can go there and tell them about your experience with the 2018 JLU.

Do also be sure to tell them that guy's like you, with said steering issues, are in the very small minority...

 

[Mordin Solus]

I have been watching the used market for JL's and there seems to be a lot of JLURs hitting the market already with only a few thousand miles on them. I checked the Carfax on a few and they did have service visits logged. I'm wondering if people are not happy with them and doing something similar as you where they just get something else? I could see trading after a lease or in a few years, but to trade with a few thousand miles is not all that common normally.

Actually, it is pretty common. Or at least with sports cars it is. For example, this happened with the last two generations of the Corvette.

Typical reasons are people get hyped up with the idea of owning a vehicle, then learn living with the vehicle is a different story. Also, the reality of a big car payment hits for some. And a fair share are impulse buys.

By no means does this diminish the issues folks have here, but what you describe is not all that abnormal.

 

[JeepCares]

Took mine to the dealership today (technically yesterday). They told me it's operating as intended and gave me back the keys. I hit the road and noticed that there were only 3 more miles on than when I dropped it off, despite them telling me they test drove it on a freeway/freeway speeds (the closet freeway puts on minimum 8 miles round trip just to get to it). Took it immediately back to the dealership and then a tech got in with me riding shotgun and told me he doesn't notice the problem. To be fair, it wasn't really freeway speeds since we started hitting traffic so I'm not sure how much he could have noticed it. Bringing it back in this morning for the senior tech to try it out/compare it with another JLU (which may have steering problems of it's own). We'll see how it goes.

Have you taken it back yet? Send us a direct message with your VIN as we've been documenting this for every customer that's experiencing this and escalating it for further handling. Very sorry for the trouble.

Jasmine
Jeep Social Care Specialist

 

[Space ace]

@hdtrader Are you not able to find the link to a Dodge Ram forum... I can provide if you like.

You can go there and tell them about your experience with the 2018 JLU.

Do also be sure to tell them that guy's like you, with said steering issues, are in the very small minority...

Epic post..

 

[jeremyjeep]

I put 3000 miles on it over a two month period. It was in the shop four different times for steering and one time for the engine light staying on.

Every time I drove it I had to completely focus on the steering until I was sick of driving it! The Service Director did agree the steering was not right and I told them I had three options, Fix it (which they could not do), assist and support me in filling a claim with FCA to get full refund, or set up a meeting between me and one of the dealerships owners and the General Manager on trading for a different vehicle (without taking a huge loss). After our meeting, I ended up trading for a Ram 1500 4x4 Crew Cab that had a window sticker price the same as the JL. However, due to the 2018 Ram incentives I was able to get refunded $2200 in the trade, plus the JL came with two tops...I kept the soft top and ended up selling it for $1800. Wahoo! I've always owned a Jeep but I am so glad I no longer own the JL.

BTW...if you think the steering is bad just driving it on the road...try towing a small 2000 lb camper with it...

Thanks. This confirmed what steps I had come up with as my next steps if they don't fix the problem soon. It especially helps when someone high up like a Service Director confirms the steering problem. I wish it was something simple, but as JeepCares stated, they are collecting info on this problem. My dealership also confirmed it is an issue and corporate, via the Star system confirmed it as well. Hopefully they come out with a new flash TSB, new steering box replacement, or anything that will fix it for those of us who have JLs with the steering issue.

 

[Hannes]

Picked up my new JLU Sahara August 22 on a typical 97 degree Kansas day. Steering was horrible as described by many here, but I guess body reflexes made up for the vagueness after a few miles, so I learned to live with it while researching forums.

Outdoor temperatures remained hot for the following days and steering continued to play the guessing game .... felt like be married to the darn thing.

Along comes August 29 and temperature drops to 73 degrees ..... and .... low and behold ..... the steering was perfect and precise at any speed up to 85 mph, just like it should be for a $52,000 car.

Guess till a solution is found, I will have to check the weather forecast to decide which care to drive for the day.

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