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NHTSA Investigating 2018–2019 Jeep Wrangler over Frame, Steering Complaints

tom1000

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2018 Jeep Wrangler JL Sport
3500 people knew to complain to the NHTSA. They didn't believe the Dealer saying "they're all like that" or "it's normal" or "nothing's wrong with your car."

I'm guessing the number of people who actually have problems is significantly higher than that. Maybe not even 10%, but still. The steering wheel in my JK has maybe 0.75" you can turn it left/right when parked without resistance. On the go it has resistance all around and even turning it a little while result in the vehicle changing direction. The descriptions of people being able to turn their wheel 2-4" without any reaction are completely absurd.

I'm hoping I don't end up being one of the unlucky ones lol. We'll find out next week when I pick up my 2020!
I drove my 2018 Sport this morning and as usual it was a chore to keep in in a straight line. I am able to move the steering wheel approximately two inches to the left with no response and two inches to the right with no response. My Sport has four inches of play in the wheel off the center and is a nightmare to drive. Good luck with your 2020.
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Kyanche

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Yeah 4” of play is insane. I’m planning to test drive it and if it has 4” of play I’ll tell them to take it and shove it.

good luck with getting the 2018 fixed! :(
 

JeepCares

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I’m pretty sure you didn’t read the numbers in that article correctly. It said they are investigating 270,000 vehicles and 3,000 people complained about steering shimmy. And as one of the people dealing with poor frame welds on an ‘18 JLUR, you comment about the trackbar weld recall has nothing to do with what they are talking about.
Hi OrangeRuby,
We regret to hear of this concern. If you, or any other forum members, have experienced this, we recommend visiting your dealer for an inspection. STAR publication S1813000001 was released to address weld inspections.

If you would like assistance while working with your dealer, please feel free to send our team a private message. We would be happy to connect you with a Case Specialist to best assist you.

Thank you for your prompt attention and feedback.

Jeep Cares
 

roaniecowpony

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A steering box is $700. Wandering all over on a winding road....priceless.

There's still something going on with my jeep. My wife's sis' husband didn't like it when I loaned it to him for a week he stayed with us. Said it was "squirrely". My wife hated it and hasn't driven it since the first day we bought it and she drove it on the highway. On the 300 mile drive home, I stopped at a steering shop to check the toe-in and caster. It was on spec and same as any other vehicle on the road. I did air down to low 30s psi and it slowed the steering down, but it's still all over the road. It nibbles at a shimmy on the highway when it hits a little bump. It's not a steering damper thing. It's either a steering linkage issue (somewhere between the steering wheel and tires or a combination of the track bar and steering.

I'd like to tow a 3500 lb travel trailer so I can go hunting in some remote places, but I'm not going that route until this gets sorted out at least as good as my brother-in-law's JKU steers. I like it otherwise and I'm probably going to have to throw my own money at it to fix it, from the sound of what others experienced with Jeep dealers and FCA. It's the shits that FCA has managed to f--k up a national icon, something that has been as reliable as a bowling ball and now is scaring people to the point they won't drive it. I'm an engineer. This JL thing is a straight forward assembly of mechanical parts. GET OFF YOUR ASS FCA. ...or the product liability will sink FCA.
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