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Steering issues on 2018 Sahara?

Jp93m

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I got my Jeep brand new back on December 31st 2018. However, since it’s been storming/snowing and my job is only up the road, I haven’t really been able to take it up the highway. Now that the weathers clear I’ve been able to take it up to the mountains and finally use it for what I got it for.. however I’m noticing that when I start going over 60mph the steering kind of wanders.. I feel like I’m moving the steering wheel side to side and if I hit a pot hole the Jeep violently goes side to side like it’s out of my control for a few seconds. I don’t think it’s the death wobble, it doesn’t look like it at least comparing it to the videos. I let my mom drive it on the highway as well and her first words after reaching 70mph were “this does not feel safe and I do not to want you driving around cliffs in this thing!!!” And yeah I feel a little unsafe about it as well. I don’t want to be driving near cliffs at highway speed hit a pot hole and fly off haha.

Jeep is not modified. All stock.

Is this normal? I have a feeling if I take it to the dealer they’re going to tell me “it’s a Jeep thing.”

I don’t know much about mechanics and this is my first Jeep coming from a Toyota 4Runner.
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HealthRebel

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I got my Jeep brand new back on December 31st 2018. However, since it’s been storming/snowing and my job is only up the road, I haven’t really been able to take it up the highway. Now that the weathers clear I’ve been able to take it up to the mountains and finally use it for what I got it for.. however I’m noticing that when I start going over 60mph the steering kind of wanders.. I feel like I’m moving the steering wheel side to side and if I hit a pot hole the Jeep violently goes side to side like it’s out of my control for a few seconds. I don’t think it’s the death wobble, it doesn’t look like it at least comparing it to the videos. I let my mom drive it on the highway as well and her first words after reaching 70mph were “this does not feel safe and I do not to want you driving around cliffs in this thing!!!” And yeah I feel a little unsafe about it as well. I don’t want to be driving near cliffs at highway speed hit a pot hole and fly off haha.

Jeep is not modified. All stock.

Is this normal? I have a feeling if I take it to the dealer they’re going to tell me “it’s a Jeep thing.”

I don’t know much about mechanics and this is my first Jeep coming from a Toyota 4Runner.
Well... it's kinda become "it's a Jeep Thing", but it doesn't make it right. It's like when I see one of my patients that comes in for back pain and just "casually" mentions that she gets 3-4 headaches a week and thinks that's normal. It is NOT normal. It may be common within her circle of friends, but it is not normal.

You need to take your Jeep back to the dealer and DEMAND a correction/fix. My understanding is that there have been a few postings where the steering stabilizer has been upgraded. Unsafe driving conditions at 60 mph on a $50K Jeep that has not been modified??? This is TOTALLY unacceptable!
 

TravisRogers

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Nope, never heard of this. Ever. Not a single time. Even in the 'Issues/Repairs' section. There are definitely not fifteen threads on the issue. It's never been discussed.

Good luck!
 

GreyFox

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If you can repeat it, take your dealer tech on a drive. Also, is this a 2019 MY? If it isn't, then you might need a software update and the new stabilizer. Mine was built in December 2018 (MY2019) and I have not experienced any issues with my steering. In fact, this is what my daughter is learning to drive in. If I had any doubts, she wouldn't be in it. Good luck:like:
 

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JeepCares

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I got my Jeep brand new back on December 31st 2018. However, since it’s been storming/snowing and my job is only up the road, I haven’t really been able to take it up the highway. Now that the weathers clear I’ve been able to take it up to the mountains and finally use it for what I got it for.. however I’m noticing that when I start going over 60mph the steering kind of wanders.. I feel like I’m moving the steering wheel side to side and if I hit a pot hole the Jeep violently goes side to side like it’s out of my control for a few seconds. I don’t think it’s the death wobble, it doesn’t look like it at least comparing it to the videos. I let my mom drive it on the highway as well and her first words after reaching 70mph were “this does not feel safe and I do not to want you driving around cliffs in this thing!!!” And yeah I feel a little unsafe about it as well. I don’t want to be driving near cliffs at highway speed hit a pot hole and fly off haha.

Jeep is not modified. All stock.

Is this normal? I have a feeling if I take it to the dealer they’re going to tell me “it’s a Jeep thing.”

I don’t know much about mechanics and this is my first Jeep coming from a Toyota 4Runner.
Hi Jp93m,
If you decide to visit your dealer to have this addressed, please send our team a private message and we would be happy to get you connected with a case specialist to aide in this process!
Alex
Jeep Social Care Specialist
 

edzel14k

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I have notice this also on my jeep sahara when at 60-70mph it sometimes kick on the a little bit left and right specially when you got some bumb on the road, i thought it was normal as I mention this on my quarterly service with the dealer and they mention that they did not find any issues on it and say this would probably normal as it is a “jeep thing they called”
 

Sand Flea

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Hi Jp93m,
If you decide to visit your dealer to have this addressed, please send our team a private message and we would be happy to get you connected with a case specialist to aide in this process!
Alex
Jeep Social Care Specialist
Alex, I was pleasantly surprised to see your comment on this thread.
I am experiencing the same issue with my 2018 JL.
Private message sent with details.
 

Jeepsterfreak

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739 total complaints reported on NHTSA website. 563 are steering related. I’m no mathematician, but 76% of total complaints are steering related. Wonder if there might just be a problem?
 

Rdmitch

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Problem?
Nah....we never heard of this before says the Jeep dealer.
Bet the owner of the dealer wouldn’t let his wife drive one
 

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JeepCares

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I have notice this also on my jeep sahara when at 60-70mph it sometimes kick on the a little bit left and right specially when you got some bumb on the road, i thought it was normal as I mention this on my quarterly service with the dealer and they mention that they did not find any issues on it and say this would probably normal as it is a “jeep thing they called”
Hi edzel14k,
We understand why this may be concerning. Please send us a private message if you plan to continue working with your dealer to address this. We would like to have a case escalated so a Case Specialist can work with your dealer to help find a potential solution to this.
Lydia
Jeep Social Care Specialist
 

HajPaj

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Their are quite a few threads with this issue. My take is that jeep should recall these vehicles because it's honestly not safe. But hey, what the hell do I know.
 

WranglerMan

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There is a TSB that somewhat addresses this but only to a degree, part of the issue is it’s a solid axle so there is some drift but the biggest issue is the steering box and it seems FCA just can’t correct it so you will always have some play in the steering, for me having the TSB applied and then going to a wider tire helped a lot.

As far as any dealer or FCA addressing this, well you will have better luck winning the lotto as they just do not care, I had my JL in the shop 4x for steering and they finally applied the TSB and then I went to a larger wider tire and even though it’s not fixed it’s better.
 

californiajeeping

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I got my Jeep brand new back on December 31st 2018. However, since it’s been storming/snowing and my job is only up the road, I haven’t really been able to take it up the highway. Now that the weathers clear I’ve been able to take it up to the mountains and finally use it for what I got it for.. however I’m noticing that when I start going over 60mph the steering kind of wanders.. I feel like I’m moving the steering wheel side to side and if I hit a pot hole the Jeep violently goes side to side like it’s out of my control for a few seconds. I don’t think it’s the death wobble, it doesn’t look like it at least comparing it to the videos. I let my mom drive it on the highway as well and her first words after reaching 70mph were “this does not feel safe and I do not to want you driving around cliffs in this thing!!!” And yeah I feel a little unsafe about it as well. I don’t want to be driving near cliffs at highway speed hit a pot hole and fly off haha.

Jeep is not modified. All stock.

Is this normal? I have a feeling if I take it to the dealer they’re going to tell me “it’s a Jeep thing.”

I don’t know much about mechanics and this is my first Jeep coming from a Toyota 4Runner.
There are at least 3,606 posts about JL steering problems at https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/fo...ering-feels-like-it-has-play-and-drifts.3691/ and several more threads about it. There is a Star case called "Steering Feels Loose and or Wander" that has a list of possible steering solutions at https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/fo...o-help-cure-steering-issues-68394087aa.25299/

Summary: Check tire PSI is at 37, check loose steering components, TSB flash update for power steering applied, new designed JL track bar, new designed drag link, check to see if your steering stabilizer is in the defective date code range, last - replace steering gear box with the newer version.
 
 



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