First time in Jeep Wrangler JL. Can't keep steering straight

[HajPaj]

My question is this. When getting a new car, shouldn’t the car be given/sold to their customers in the most pristine condition? Why should I get a brand new car and have to change the air pressure, change any parts to the car to make it drive appropriately? My car is only a week old and I’m so unhappy with this steering wheel issue and it’s discouraging to see that so many people have this issue.

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[Wanted33]

He's saying it's not a "Jeep Thing". If you have anything other than perfectly tight steering, you have a defective Jeep. Thats a ton of Jeeps, but more have good steering than do not. Dealers try to say its a Jeep thing to get out of fixing it. There have been many able to fix the steering using various fixes. Thus, if something can be fixed, it is not inherent to the vehicle, but is a defect.

I agree, and I'm quite sure the "it's a Jeep thing" came from uninterested techs that had no idea how to fix the problem. As I said mine stopped the biggest majority of wandering by reducing the air pressure, but it still has some play in the steering wheel. I'm used to it now, but I am going to mention it to the service writer at the dealer when I go in for my first oil change. That way he can't say, "Give it time, and you'll get used to it, it's a Jeep thing".

I'm surely not telling him I'm already used to it now. I would like to see if they can get some of the play out of the steering.

 

[californiajeeping]

There is a brand new Customer Satisfaction Notification V41 Steering Damper out dated June 2019. I wonder why it also includes the bracket and bolts and not just the damper.

 

[clf1024]

Seems to be better, but I think they need to take off the damper, and put back on while the steering wheel is centered. I've seen video where they strap the wheel down, so it doesn't move while installing the damper. Current status - While driving on highway at speeds of 55-80 I have to turn the steering wheel to 1 o'clock to go straight. That's not too bad, but I'll bring it up at my first oil change. You pay 48000k for a brand new ride, you expect to be able to have the wheel centered and straight and it go straight.

 

[NewsShooter]

There are 3,539 JL Wrangler steering problem related posts at https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/fo...ering-feels-like-it-has-play-and-drifts.3691/ Use the search function in this forum to find at least 12 other steering related threads.

Here is the thread FCA / Jeep confirming JL Wrangler steering problems via Star Case: https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/fo...o-help-cure-steering-issues-68394087aa.25299/ FCA suggested solutions include tightening / torquing steering components, replacing steering box, adjusting toe to the max side of the spec range, etc. etc. etc.

Here is a steering JL Wrangler survey: https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/fo...ring-is-good-tight-no-wander-no-wobble.21691/

Wife has had hers just over a year, I don't drive it often but it wanders on the freeway, reminds me of my 72 F100 that had a bad steering box. Dealer says it's fine and there's nothing wrong with it. But they're idiots.

 

[johnwpowell]

I don’t know if it’s an issue but driving the Jeep requires more concentration than a “normal” car. I find that if I glance down at anything I drift out of the lane. I figure it’s part of the experience and don’t expect it to be a sports car

 

[kre62]

I don’t know if it’s an issue but driving the Jeep requires more concentration than a “normal” car. I find that if I glance down at anything I drift out of the lane. I figure it’s part of the experience and don’t expect it to be a sports car

Wrong. Not normal not a jeep thing. Correct steering is possible. Read up.

 

[Mgirmonde]

Hello all,

I just purchased 2019 Jeep Unlimited Moab edition last night ! This is my first time to get myself into Jeep Wrangler.

Since I am a newbie to the car I am not sure this is normal or not. I was driving back to my place from the dealer, I have noticed that I just cannot keep this car in straight line, especially on the freeway !! I constantly adjusting steering wheel side to side to make this car go straight. Is this sound normal to you or I just picked up the wrong Jeep?

Thanks[/QUOT

Hello all,

I just purchased 2019 Jeep Unlimited Moab edition last night ! This is my first time to get myself into Jeep Wrangler.

Since I am a newbie to the car I am not sure this is normal or not. I was driving back to my place from the dealer, I have noticed that I just cannot keep this car in straight line, especially on the freeway !! I constantly adjusting steering wheel side to side to make this car go straight. Is this sound normal to you or I just picked up the wrong Jeep?

Thanks

Hello all,

I just purchased 2019 Jeep Unlimited Moab edition last night ! This is my first time to get myself into Jeep Wrangler.

Since I am a newbie to the car I am not sure this is normal or not. I was driving back to my place from the dealer, I have noticed that I just cannot keep this car in straight line, especially on the freeway !! I constantly adjusting steering wheel side to side to make this car go straight. Is this sound normal to you or I just picked up the wrong Jeep?

Thanks

Had

Hello all,

I just purchased 2019 Jeep Unlimited Moab edition last night ! This is my first time to get myself into Jeep Wrangler.

Since I am a newbie to the car I am not sure this is normal or not. I was driving back to my place from the dealer, I have noticed that I just cannot keep this car in straight line, especially on the freeway !! I constantly adjusting steering wheel side to side to make this car go straight. Is this sound normal to you or I just picked up the wrong Jeep?

Thanks

Had the same problem with my 2019 MOAB. Dealer said it was normal Jeep steering. It's NOT. This is my 4th Wrangler and none was this bad. I lowered my tire pressure to 32 lbs and it made a big difference. Also saw another thread about a "re-flash" of the PCM. Not an update, just flash the software again. It made the biggest difference fixing the steering wander. But you will really have to argue with the service people to get this done. I had to REALLY insist and tell them I would pay the $80 (that was how much it would cost) myself. Because there isn't an update or service bulletin, they couldn't get paid from Chrysler. So they did it and didn't charge me in the end. But it was a huge improvement. Still not perfect though. Just have to wait for Chrysler to get on board.

Good luck, congrats, you will love the Jeep.

 

[HajPaj]

I have a question. With all of this play and wandering with steering, isn’t this a safety hazard ? Shouldn’t Jeep recall the vehicles for this ?

 

[JeepCares]

I have the exact same issue with my new JLU. Noticed it about 10 miles into the drive home from the dealer. I’ve had other Jeeps, it’s not a Jeep thing. Something is clearly wrong beyond just tire pressure and alignment.

Hi WranglerMangler,
We regret to hear about your experience with your new JL. If you decide to have your dealer address this, please send our team a private message and we would be happy to get you and your dealer connected with a case specialist to aide in the repair process.
Alex
Jeep Social Care Specialist

 

[Cogent]

My question is this. When getting a new car, shouldn’t the car be given/sold to their customers in the most pristine condition? Why should I get a brand new car and have to change the air pressure, change any parts to the car to make it drive appropriately? My car is only a week old and I’m so unhappy with this steering wheel issue and it’s discouraging to see that so many people have this issue.

My new 2019 JL Wrangler Sport S has terrible steering. Keep both hands on the wheel and both eyes on the road or you will get in trouble out there on the highway. And yes, some of us drive our Wranglers on the highway. Don't let Wrangler wonks tell you it's just normal for Jeep Wranglers to drive like a riding lawn mower, because it's not! I've had a few of both. Owners of new JL's are fooling around with tire pressures and substituting after-market front end parts and hoping and imagining they have the magic bullet, but until FCA gets serious about addressing this issue, more and more folks are going to be disappointed in not having a Wrangler that steers right. I've tried several different tire inflation pressures, and none have solved the problem. I'll be damned if I'm going to start trying to re-engineer the front end of my Wrangler. FCA has to identify the problem, find a decisive fix for it, and provide FCA service departments with the resources and knowledge to fix it right. Period!

 

[HajPaj]

My new 2019 JL Wrangler Sport S has terrible steering. Keep both hands on the wheel and both eyes on the road or you will get in trouble out there on the highway. And yes, some of us drive our Wranglers on the highway. Don't let Wrangler wonks tell you it's just normal for Jeep Wranglers to drive like a riding lawn mower, because it's not! I've had a few of both. Owners of new JL's are fooling around with tire pressures and substituting after-market front end parts and hoping and imagining they have the magic bullet, but until FCA gets serious about addressing this issue, more and more folks are going to be disappointed in not having a Wrangler that steers right. I've tried several different tire inflation pressures, and none have solved the problem. I'll be damned if I'm going to start trying to re-engineer the front end of my Wrangler. FCA has to identify the problem, find a decisive fix for it, and provide FCA service departments with the resources and knowledge to fix it right. Period!

Thank you for your response. I’m of the same thought process. You can’t tell me that it’s right that the vehicle has this type of issue and quite frankly I feel that it’s a safety issue. FCA needs to recall these vehicles.

 

[HoundDude]

guys, the steering issue is a safety issue, don't let anyone tell you otherwise, report your complaint to NHTSA https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/VehicleComplaint/

 

[Rufus]

I have not noticed any steering issues on my JL sport in the first 500 miles or so. I also noticed that the tire pressure was set per sticker when I picked it up.

Is this the type of thing develops over time or it’s a matter of getting (un)lucky with your particular vehicle?

 

[Rdmitch]

Hate to say it but there is no 100% solution. Take it back and insist on one that drives right.
They can screw around until doomsday and it won’t be solved.
Changing tires, air pressure, dampeners, are all small improvements and are not cures.
I wish I would have simply made them replace the Jeep from the start.

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