NHTSA Complaint #11153031 — 2012 JEEP WRANGLER

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A "DEATH WOBBLE". WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE STEERING COLUMN SHOOK FROM SIDE TO SIDE AND THE WHEELS LIFTED OFF THE PAVEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LAKELAND CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM (2875 MALL HILL DR, LAKELAND, FL 33810, (863) 687-2501) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THEY COULD FIND THE CAUSE OF THE "DEATH WOBBLE." THE DEALER SUGGESTED REPLACING SEVERAL PARTS, INCLUDING THE AXLE, WHICH ALONE WOULD COST OVER $3,000. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE SERVICED FOR WHEEL ALIGNMENTS, NEW TIRES, NEW RIMS, NEW WHEEL BEARINGS, NEW AXLES, NEW HUBS, NEW HALF SHAFTS, NEW BALL JOINTS, NEW TIE RODS, ANTI-SWAY BARS, BUSHING SPRINGS, SHOCKS, ALIGNMENT BRACKETS, AND STEERING DAMPENERS. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER PLACED A METRIC BOLT INTO A NINE SIXTEENTHS HOLE FOR THE FRONT ANTI-SWAY "TRACK BAR" AT BOTH ENDS OF THE AXLE AT THE MOUNTING LOCATION BRACKET UPON THE AXLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.