Any reports of issues with steering in the 2019s?

[2019RubiconNY]

May I ask your production date, if you know it? Any suspension modifications or is it still stock condition? Have you reduced your tire pressure down to 31-35 psi?


I hate to ask you a silly question. Did you and/or your friend reduce your tire pressure down to a range of 31-35 psi cold? I had a minor level of wandering (both left and right) myself as soon as I left the dealership. I ended up reducing my tire pressure from 41-42 psi down to 39 psi before leaving the dealership. After getting home, I further reduced the tire pressure down to 35-36 psi after the tires cooled down over night, as per several Forum members recommendations. All my wandering disappeared. Surprisingly, my Jeep tracks straight, has no dead spots, and no longer wanders at all. Put in about 317 miles on it during break-in period before I drove cross country (2,580 miles) towing a 2,000 lbs U-Haul trailer. To my surprise, I am pleased to say that it drove very well. I am use to driving German SUVs and cars for many years. Although my new Jeep requires "slightly more" adjustments/corrections to the steering while driving, my wife and I were able to drive the vehicle through the 2,580 miles quite easily, even up to 75 mph once the vehicle was fully broken in (above 1,000 miles on the odometer). We hit a large number of expansion joints and rough roads during our trek, but my Jeep is still functioning as designed. Wish you and your friend well as you and FCA tries to identify the culprit for your steering wandering challenges.

Wow interesting... thanks for the tip

Sponsored

 

[Charles_broccoli]

I don't know if my Wrangler has a steering issue. I'm coming from a GTI which has as good a steering feel as any car on the road IMO. The Jeep is obviously way different. Needs a lot more input on the highway. It gets blown around some too. This is my first Jeep and first time really driving one so I have nothing to compare it to. I drove home in the middle of a pretty bad storm just now and it was manageable on the highway but it definitely takes some effort. I can see myself not wanting to take extremely long trips with this car. Luckily I don't have a commute for work.

 

[Vstarjewel]

The 2019 JL I ordered hasn't come in yet, and honestly I'm sorta leery about buying it. I have a 2010 Wrangler, and it wanders ALL OVER the road. While I have gotten (more or less) accustomed to it, my hubby calls it a Death Trap; son is kinder with the phrase "keeps you on your toes". I had thought that the wander issue was due to the lift kit and bigger tires (engineer hubby explained to me why the mods could be causing the problem from an engineering POV and they made sense). I wanted to purchase a new Wrangler in the hopes that it being stock and new would have an improved (safer) steering/handling. Second thoughts now . . .

 

[HoundDude]

at least take it for a test drive before you give up... in spite of the awful steering I still love my jeep

 

[JeepSmash]

The 2019 JL I ordered hasn't come in yet, and honestly I'm sorta leery about buying it. I have a 2010 Wrangler, and it wanders ALL OVER the road. While I have gotten (more or less) accustomed to it, my hubby calls it a Death Trap; son is kinder with the phrase "keeps you on your toes". I had thought that the wander issue was due to the lift kit and bigger tires (engineer hubby explained to me why the mods could be causing the problem from an engineering POV and they made sense). I wanted to purchase a new Wrangler in the hopes that it being stock and new would have an improved (safer) steering/handling. Second thoughts now . . .

Have you driven one? I drove mine 1000mi home from the dealer and had zero issues with steering. Including driving in wind and snow. I came from a 2016 Camaro with magnetic ride and adjustable steering. I was surprised how decent it drove. Maybe I had low expectations but I drive mine every day it and handles just fine.

 

[Dvol]

Just take it on a long test drive. .I took mine on every bad road I know and put over 100miles on it in 2 days before I signed paperwork.. Also I can’t stress enough to check your tire pressure. Mine was close to 50 psi after the first short test drive. I made them recheck it and put it to 35psi. The high pressure causes it to wonder and have a floating effect.

My rubicon drives great I have 0 issues with handling, or how it drives. Drive it on all kinds of different roads back roads and interstate. Decide after that..just cause you ordered it doesn’t mean u have to buy it.

 

[jamesj242003]

The 2019 JL I ordered hasn't come in yet, and honestly I'm sorta leery about buying it. I have a 2010 Wrangler, and it wanders ALL OVER the road. While I have gotten (more or less) accustomed to it, my hubby calls it a Death Trap; son is kinder with the phrase "keeps you on your toes". I had thought that the wander issue was due to the lift kit and bigger tires (engineer hubby explained to me why the mods could be causing the problem from an engineering POV and they made sense). I wanted to purchase a new Wrangler in the hopes that it being stock and new would have an improved (safer) steering/handling. Second thoughts now . . .

I have a fully loaded stock 2019 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon (4-Door) that was built on Feb. 19, 2019. After reducing the factory tire pressure down from 44 psi to 36 psi, the wandering both to the left and right disappeared entirely. Drove it cross country hauling a 2,000 lbs trailer. My Wrangler tracks straight, has no play in the steering and does not wander at all since the tire pressure adjustment. Went over many highway expansion joints and rough pavement during my cross country excursion and the steering is still spot on. I am both thankful and relieved. Good luck with your decision.

 

[JeepCares]

I don't know if my Wrangler has a steering issue. I'm coming from a GTI which has as good a steering feel as any car on the road IMO. The Jeep is obviously way different. Needs a lot more input on the highway. It gets blown around some too. This is my first Jeep and first time really driving one so I have nothing to compare it to. I drove home in the middle of a pretty bad storm just now and it was manageable on the highway but it definitely takes some effort. I can see myself not wanting to take extremely long trips with this car. Luckily I don't have a commute for work.

Hi Charles_broccoli,
We understand why this may be concerning. We suggest having your dealer inspect this concern if you have not done so already. We are also available via private message if you would like any additional assistance during that process.
Lydia
Jeep Social Care Specialist

 

[wilsoncraft]

Hi

Is this where I register to join the 2019 Wrangler JL with "excessive" steering play and wandering issues club?

Just took my Rubicon JLU into service at my dealership this morning for steering play and wandering. Service depart said it was up to Jeep's factory specs and that it drove like another Rubicon they have on the lot. "Case closed" to them. To me not so much.

I asked about the redesigned track bar and the service manager said there was no way of knowing if I had the newer track bar already installed. He didn't seem to know about the TSB until I showed him on my phone, then suddenly he acted like "yeah we know about that", but then said mine "probably" had the new track bar since my Jeep was manufactured in March 2019.

Only have a little over 1k miles on it and it seems to have become noticeably looser since I first bought it. Sometimes if I have to hit the brakes kind of hard in bumper-to-bumper traffic the Jeep is a little hard to keep rolling straight as it sometimes likes to drift to the left, but you don't feel it happening at first then suddenly you find yourself approaching the center line. Higher speeds (40 and over) make the wandering more noticeable like others have stated.

I came from a Silverado crew cab, starting to miss it now. Its steering was much "tighter" than the Jeep's.

I might try looking into a 3rd party track bar and drag link since others have indicated that it helps.

BTW I keep my tire pressure at 38psi cold, the Jeep was delivered at 48psi.

Contacted Jeep Cares as well today. Not holding my breath.

Other than the steering the Jeep is really is nice. Hope this gets resolved.

Thx for letting me vent.

 

[Fatman]

In the first 1000 miles I have taken up 3 lanes on the highway and I'm all over the road in the city, I feel like I'm driving an old motorhome with a bad steering box or a boat.
They replaced the steering stabilizer based on build date, the noted there was a "star bulliten". The service manager commented that the tech said the original was very weak. Tires at 39 psi.
I don't see much of an improvement or change since being in for service.
I expect the first time I'm ahead of a cop I'll be pulled over for being all over the road.
Very dangerous, but I sure am glad they used so many resources to make sure I can't have my door open while in gear, that's way more important.

 

[Sippican]

I'm getting the run around from my dealer on the 'death wobble' problem. They admit its a problem, they 'say' they will replace a shimmy shock and control arms, they schedule me for the work (twice), and both time, when I get there they tell me they don't have the parts. Now, I get "we don't know when its coming in'. My response to them is "do you realize this is a safety issue? Do they realize that if I get in a accident because of their inability to fix a know safety issue, they are culpable?". Their response is only, "If you don't like our response, call Customer Care".......very frustrating

 

[Jeepjunkie]

A few things to help with wandering steering...
- I have 285/70 R17s and they like cold tire pressures of about 32 psi (you can search my other posts for the chalk test on how I determined that). Higher PSI helps meet stringent fuel economy requirements, but is not helpful for a better tire contact patch.
- make sure your alignment is slightly toe in as per recent Jeep recommendations. I think it’s 1/8” but check me on that.
- I added the mopar longer control arms that come with the 2” lift (I only used the control arms, but not the rest of the lift). They are $100 or less and help with the marginal castor. After my rubicon springs and a 0.5” spacer lift, my JLUS drives very well. There are posts by myself and others on where to by these control arms and the P/N for them.

Good luck!

 

[Fatman]

When mine was in it did have a jeepcares ticket number, they had to order the part around 3pm on Monday and I picked it up at noon on Tuesday. They only changed the damper (shock).
Still waiting on the radios issue to be resolved, that's a whole similiar annoying ordeal.

 

[wilsoncraft]

I'm getting the run around from my dealer on the 'death wobble' problem. They admit its a problem, they 'say' they will replace a shimmy shock and control arms, they schedule me for the work (twice), and both time, when I get there they tell me they don't have the parts. Now, I get "we don't know when its coming in'. My response to them is "do you realize this is a safety issue? Do they realize that if I get in a accident because of their inability to fix a know safety issue, they are culpable?". Their response is only, "If you don't like our response, call Customer Care".......very frustrating

That really sucks. Fortunately I don't have the death wobble problem. I would be infuriated if I had that issue. So far I'm really not impressed with my service department. They don't seem concerned that I have an issue and don't make much effort to figure anything out.

 

[viper88]

The 2019 JL I ordered hasn't come in yet, and honestly I'm sorta leery about buying it. I have a 2010 Wrangler, and it wanders ALL OVER the road. While I have gotten (more or less) accustomed to it, my hubby calls it a Death Trap; son is kinder with the phrase "keeps you on your toes". I had thought that the wander issue was due to the lift kit and bigger tires (engineer hubby explained to me why the mods could be causing the problem from an engineering POV and they made sense). I wanted to purchase a new Wrangler in the hopes that it being stock and new would have an improved (safer) steering/handling. Second thoughts now . . .

A Wrangler will never feel like most traditional SUVs because it was designed for a totally different priority and purpose. A vehicle like a Wrangler with a slow steering box, live axles, tires with huge side walls and thick treads is designed for off road. It will never steer or feel like a BMW with quick ratio rack-in-pinion steering, independent suspension, low profile tires. The larger tires and treads will feel more squirm then a low profile performance tire made for sport SUVs.

I have had a 1997 TJ and a 2015 JK, both 2-doors. The JK was 100% stock and definitely wondered a little. I believe this is due to the design limitations of the suspension and vehicle. I now own a 2019 2-door Rubicon that is 100% stock. My stock, unmodified '19 JLR is light years better in every respect then the 2 prior Wranglers I have owned. Without a doubt the steering in my JL is a LOT better then my old '15 JK. Saying that, my Jl does not feel or steer like a Porsche or BMW but it is definitely feels much better then the previous Wranglers I have owned. I think it feels as good as some SUVs.

Mods like incorrectly installed lifts can cause suspension and steering geometry problems. Same with huge wheels and tires that weigh a lot more and are difficult to balance. The added rotational inertia, mass, weight from larger wheels / tires can be tougher to stabilize.

Sponsored