NHTSA Complaint #10499272 — 2009 JEEP WRANGLER

I WAS DRIVING HOME AT 60-65MPH FROM BALTIMORE WITH MY COUSIN, FIANC AND AUNT WHEN I HIT A MINOR POTHOLE. THE ENTIRE STEERING WHEEL/FRONT SECTION STARTS TO VIOLENTLY SHAKE AND I WAS UNABLE TO STOP IT UNTIL I STEPPED ON THE BRAKES AND SLOWED THE CAR DOWN TO ALMOST 25 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY AND ALMOST DROVE OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THIS HAPPENED 4 OTHER TIMES FOLLOWING THAT INCIDENT IN A MATTER OF 2 WEEKS? TIME. FINALLY I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR. THEY TOLD ME IT WAS THE STEERING DAMPENER AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE IT. THEY ALSO TOLD ME THAT I HAD TO PAY FOR THE PART, EVEN THOUGH I HAD PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FROM THEM. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS VERY COMMON ON JEEPS AND ALTHOUGH THERE HAVE NOT BEEN ANY REPORTED DEATHS, I AM POSITIVE THIS WILL ONE DAY LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT AND /OR DEATH. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS DEFECT ON JEEP'S PART AND THEY NEED TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE BEFORE THEY KILL SOMEONE. BY THE WAY, MY CAR ONLY HAS 37K MILES ON IT. STILL FAIRLY NEW! *TR