Government to look into steering issues

[sourdough]

I don't doubt that there are legitimate issues but I have to wonder what % of the complaints are people that have never driven a vehicle like a Jeep and are expecting the car/uni-body/IFS driving experience?

Exactly my thoughts. Improper assembly and bad welds are another issue, poor quality control mostly.

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[Rdmitch]

The govt report only addresses the steering stabilizer for the wobble and will not make your Jeep stop wandering out of its lane

 

[TowDawg]

I haven’t had any issues with the death wobble, but my steering is shit. Wanders all over the road and has a huge “dead spot” from center. Just such a pain in the ass to take it to a dealership that I’ll deal with it until I get a chance to try some replacement parts myself.

 

[NewsShooter]

The problem I see is that it's so subjective. I mean Firestone tires exploding, that's fairly clear cut. Knuckles falling off Dodge Durangos - again, easy to see.

But this is a matter of feel and arguably even personal preference (or tolerance perhaps).

I don't disagree that many of the Wranglers had excessive play/wander, but quantifying that is another matter

We have two inches of free play in the steering, only other vehicle that I've had like that is a Ford F100 with a bad steering box. Seems pretty easy to quantify when you can move the steering wheel and there isn't any input to the wheels.

 

[Moabed]

I added adjustable front lower control arms to my 18 Moab and set the caster to 6+. It now drives as good as my wife’s 2020 sport.

 

[Susan]

The problem I see is that it's so subjective. I mean Firestone tires exploding, that's fairly clear cut. Knuckles falling off Dodge Durangos - again, easy to see.

But this is a matter of feel and arguably even personal preference (or tolerance perhaps).

I don't disagree that many of the Wranglers had excessive play/wander, but quantifying that is another matter

Right...I had a 2016 Willys 2 dr that I loved..traded it in on a new 2018 JLU because I needed the four doors for kids etc. I was shocked at the play in the steering wheel. My shop said they all drive like that. It's actually tiring for me to drive any length of time. My Willys did not drive like this.

 

[Susan]

We have two inches of free play in the steering, only other vehicle that I've had like that is a Ford F100 with a bad steering box. Seems pretty easy to quantify when you can move the steering wheel and there isn't any input to the wheels.

My 2018 JLU also has a good 2 inches of play in the steering, this is my second Wrangler and my 2016 did not drive like this. Shop said they all drive like this.

 

[DaveMNH]

I just returned home from a 4000 miles trip to the Great Lakes, I had about 6000 miles on my JL, on our first day of vacation driving along some backroads in upstate NY going around 50 when we hit a bump and I thought the wheels were gonna fall off and the whole Jeep started shaking and shimmering all over the place. I had to slow down to about 25mph when it finally stopped. This is my second Jeep I have owned and this never happen. I actually got out and checked all the lugs nuts, everything was great...well guess what the whole trip that is what we experienced, some wobbles worse than other and some not so bad. I did notice if you are turning the steering just a little it’s worse than if you going a straight line. It actually turned into a joke the whole trip, when it happens my wife and I looked at each other and said: “Death Wobble”
I called dealer and they wanted me to give them my vin and said to bring it in they will be replacing the steering dampener. It is going in on Wednesday, Hopefully this helps, will keep you posted.

 

[99wishes]

The problem I see is that it's so subjective. I mean Firestone tires exploding, that's fairly clear cut. Knuckles falling off Dodge Durangos - again, easy to see.

But this is a matter of feel and arguably even personal preference (or tolerance perhaps).

I don't disagree that many of the Wranglers had excessive play/wander, but quantifying that is another matter

I agree. What is the baseline? No one knows.

The dealership cannot confidently say one way or the other which is why they keep saying “everything is correct per factory specs”. One dealership told me they are handcuffed by FCA. FCA says they rely on the dealership to diagnose the issue. It’s like being stuck in a circle jerk.

If everything was perfect from any factory there would never be the need for recalls. So unless FCA excepts there is an issue with something from the factory, this is going to continue. I remember a thread where a guy caught two techs on video saying his Jeep drove like shit but when he picked it up they said everything was fine. Attorneys got involved and now I cannot find it. It would be great to find out more on that one.

Anyways, the steering box is a great example because only a visual inspection is performed. I don’t think I have seen one person say the dealership has modified or replaced the steering box in an attempt to diagnose the problem and they won’t until it comes from FCA. That probably won’t happen until they are forced to because they don’t want any reports of faulty steering components.

Keep telling people about NHTSA.

 

[JeepCares]

I just returned home from a 4000 miles trip to the Great Lakes, I had about 6000 miles on my JL, on our first day of vacation driving along some backroads in upstate NY going around 50 when we hit a bump and I thought the wheels were gonna fall off and the whole Jeep started shaking and shimmering all over the place. I had to slow down to about 25mph when it finally stopped. This is my second Jeep I have owned and this never happen. I actually got out and checked all the lugs nuts, everything was great...well guess what the whole trip that is what we experienced, some wobbles worse than other and some not so bad. I did notice if you are turning the steering just a little it’s worse than if you going a straight line. It actually turned into a joke the whole trip, when it happens my wife and I looked at each other and said: “Death Wobble”
I called dealer and they wanted me to give them my vin and said to bring it in they will be replacing the steering dampener. It is going in on Wednesday, Hopefully this helps, will keep you posted.

Hi DaveMNH,

I'm very sorry to hear of the trouble you are experiencing with your Wrangler. Please be sure to keep us updated on your dealer visit. If our team can be of any additional assistance as you work with your dealer, we'd be happy to help. We're just a PM away.

Mark
Jeep Social Care Specialist

 

[Milk Money]

I don't doubt that there are legitimate issues but I have to wonder what % of the complaints are people that have never driven a vehicle like a Jeep and are expecting the car/uni-body/IFS driving experience?

My Jeep has had the loose steering since it was delivered. I've been back to the dealership a few times, and keep getting the "i drives just like other JL's on the lot". it isn't right, and I had the head service tech ride with me, and he witnessed what I did, and agreed with me. It was overruled by a field service engineer who didn't ride with either myself or the lead service tech. However, I've gotten more used to it over the miles, so it's the least of my concerns right now.

At about 8,000 miles, the big concern started - you guessed it, the Death Wobble. at just about 60mph, the wheel will start to shake, and the entire vehicle shakes. It's somewhat intermittent, and it doesn't happen on every road. But on my 15 miles of highway driving every day, it does happen at least once. Oddly enough, almost the same day the wobble started happening, i got the recall notice. I've been waiting for the part to arrive for a month now, and the wobble is only getting worse. I'm close to the point where it truly is becoming unsafe to drive. If @JeepCares can help get a part to my dealership soon, it would be greatly appreciated...

 

[JeepCares]

My Jeep has had the loose steering since it was delivered. I've been back to the dealership a few times, and keep getting the "i drives just like other JL's on the lot". it isn't right, and I had the head service tech ride with me, and he witnessed what I did, and agreed with me. It was overruled by a field service engineer who didn't ride with either myself or the lead service tech. However, I've gotten more used to it over the miles, so it's the least of my concerns right now.

At about 8,000 miles, the big concern started - you guessed it, the Death Wobble. at just about 60mph, the wheel will start to shake, and the entire vehicle shakes. It's somewhat intermittent, and it doesn't happen on every road. But on my 15 miles of highway driving every day, it does happen at least once. Oddly enough, almost the same day the wobble started happening, i got the recall notice. I've been waiting for the part to arrive for a month now, and the wobble is only getting worse. I'm close to the point where it truly is becoming unsafe to drive. If @JeepCares can help get a part to my dealership soon, it would be greatly appreciated...

Hi Jeff,

I sincerely apologize for the steering trouble you are experiencing. Given your situation, I would be happy to escalate a case on your behalf to have your concerns documented and connect you with a case specialist who can work alongside your dealer to try to get the part in sooner. Please follow up with me via PM if this would be of interest. Hope to hear from you soon!

Mark
Jeep Social Care Specialist

 

[JohnR]

I don't doubt that there are legitimate issues but I have to wonder what % of the complaints are people that have never driven a vehicle like a Jeep and are expecting the car/uni-body/IFS driving experience?

I’m a 3 time JEEP Wrangler owner and my 2019 Rubicon is a nightmare to drive. It’s all over the road and I fear for my life on a windy day. I’m working to get it fixed but don’t discount the folks who have real issues. JBR

 

[RagTopDeluxe]

I’m a 3 time JEEP Wrangler owner and my 2019 Rubicon is a nightmare to drive. It’s all over the road and I fear for my life on a windy day. I’m working to get it fixed but don’t discount the folks who have real issues. JBR

I have a JLR (in the shop now for a new steering box). Our modded JKUR was much better to drive. Good luck in getting yours fixed.

 

[99wishes]

I have a JLR (in the shop now for a new steering box). Our modded JKUR was much better to drive. Good luck in getting yours fixed.

Tell us more. How were they able to determine the steering box needed to be replaced? Very curious to see if it is a new part number and if it helps.

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