2004 JEEP WRANGLER Steering Problems
66 NHTSA complaints on file
Steering Issues in the 2004 JEEP WRANGLER
66 steering complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2004 JEEP WRANGLER. Of these, 4 involved a crash, 0 involved a fire, and 1 resulted in injury.
66
Complaints
4
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths
All Steering Complaints
HIT A REGULAR BUMP IN THE ROAD, AT 35 MILES PER HOUR ON A STRAIT STRETCH OF ROAD AND THE ATTACHMENT POINT FOR THE FRONT SUSPENSION PULLED AWAY FROM THE FRAME AND I LOST CONTROL OF THE JEEP, UPON FURTHER INSPECTION I DISCOVERED THAT THE ENTIRE CENTER SECTION OF THE FRAME IS RUSTED FROM THE INSIDE OUT ON BOTH SIDES, THE FRAME SHOULD BE THE LAST THING TO FAIL ON ANY VEHICLE, THIS JEEP HAS ONLY 65,000 MILES ON IT AND HAS NEVER BEEN OFF ROADED OR ABUSED. FOR A VEHICLE THAT IS KNOWN TO LAST 200K MILES PLUS TO HAVE FRAME FAILURE AT 65K MILES IS NOT ONLY NEGLIGENT ON CHRYSLERS BEHALF BUT IT ALSO POSES A REAL SAFETY HAZARD TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC, IMAGINE HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE DRIVING THESE JEEPS DOWN THE ROAD AT 70-80 MILES PER HOUR WITH A FRAME THAT COULD FAIL AT ANYTIME. THIS...
I HAVE A RIGHT HAND DRIVE 2004 JEEP WRANGLER. THE RIGHT SEAT BELT LATCH IS ALWAYS STICKING CAUSING MY SEAT BELT TO COME LOOSE. THE STEERING WHEEL STARTS SHAKING VIOLENTLY WHEN REACHING SPEEDS ABOVE 50 MPH,IF YOU HIT A BUMP, OR IF IT'S WINDY OR AN 18 WHEELER PASSES YOU ON HIGHWAY, THE JEEP WILL ROCK SIDE TO SIDE LIKE IT'S GOING TO TURN OVER. IT'S VERY HARD TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. I HAVE CHILDREN TO HAUL AROUND.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE EXITING HER DRIVEWAY CARPORT GOING 10 MPH, WITHOUT WARNING THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND THE CONTACT COULD NOT CONTROL THE STEERING WHEEL WHICH SEIZED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO DEPRESS THE BRAKES WHICH FAILED CAUSING, THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO THE CARPORTS POLE ALLOWING THE VEHICLE TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. NO EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS APPLIED. NO INJURIES, NO POLICE REPORT FILED, NO MEDICAL ATTENTION, NO DAMAGE'S TO THE VEHICLE, THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED, AND NO DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
WHEN THE WRANGLER REACHES APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, IT BEGINS TO VIOLENTLY (AND TERRIFYINGLY) SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLY. IT MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN ANY CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND WE HAVE HAD SEVERAL NEAR MISSES, BARELY AVOIDING ACCIDENTS. WE HAVE REPORTED THIS FOR *YEARS* TO OUR AUTO REPAIR AND TIRE COMPANIES, HAD SEVERAL THINGS DONE IN A DESPERATE ATTEMPT TO REMEDY IT, INCLUDING 2 SETS OF TIRES, WITH NO SUCCESS. WITH REPORTS OF THE "DEATH WOBBLE" NOW BECOMING WIDELY KNOWN, WE INSTANTLY KNEW THAT WE WERE NOT ALONE, AND THAT THIS IS A WIDESPREAD ISSUE THAT JEEP NEEDS TO ADDRESS. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE.
TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH WHEN WITHOUT ANY WARNING THE FRONT WHEELS BEGAN TO WOBBLE UNCONTROLLABLY. I COULD NOT GET THE VEHICLE UNDER CONTROL UNTIL I SLOWED DOWN TO AROUND 20 MILES AN HOUR. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDER CONTROL I WAS ABLE TO CAUTIOUSLY ACCELERATE BACK TO SPEED AND DID NOT EXPERIENCE ANY FURTHER TROUBLE. THE INITIAL PROBLEM STARTED IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND I WAS AFRAID OF BEING REAR ENDED BECAUSE OF MY QUICK DECELERATION TO BRING THE VEHICLE UNDER CONTROL. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THAT I HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM BOTH TIMES AT ABOUT 60 MPH AND STRAIGHT AND LEVEL ROADWAYS. BOTH TIMES THE EXTREME WOBBLING WAS SUDDEN AND UNEXPECTED.
THE DRIVER'S SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM MOUNT ON OUR 2004 JEEP WRANGLER BROKE OFF FROM THE FRAME WHILE DRIVING. WHILE ACCELERATING ON A CITY STREET, THERE WAS A LOUD BANG NOISE FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE, AND THE JEEP BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL AND STARTED WANDERING ALL OVER THE ROAD. UPON PULLING OVER AND LOOKING UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE WE FOUND THAT THERE WERE EXTREME AMOUNTS OF RUST AND CORROSION INSIDE THE FRAME THAT WAS VISIBLE FROM THE OUTSIDE. THIS RUST CAUSED THE ENTIRE LOWER CONTROL ARM MOUNT TO BREAK OFF FROM THE FRAME. ANOTHER ROT HOLE WAS FOUND FURTHER UP THE FRAME NEAR THE TRANSMISSION SKIDPLATE/CROSS-MEMBER ASSEMBLY AS WELL.
DEATH WOBBLE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 JEEP WRANGLER. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH OVER BUMPS IN THE ROAD, THE VEHICLE BOUNCED ALL OVER THE ROAD, THE FRONT END SHOOK VIOLENTLY, AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL HAD TO BE APPLIED TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT STEERING DAMPER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER A COUPLE MORE TIMES AND REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000.
WHILE MOVING DOWN HIGHWAYS 40 TO 65MPH IVE NOTICED THAT WHENEVER I HIT POT HOLES OR BUMPS MY CAR IMEDIATELY GOES INTO A MAJOR WOBBLE LIKE I HAVE A FLAT TIRE, HOWEVER AS SOON AS I TAP MY BRAKE IT STOPS. MY FRIEND TOLD ME THIS IS A DEATH WOBBLE FACTORY RECALL BUT JEEP DEALERS TELL ME MY CAR VIN ISNT INCLUDED. WHY NOT SINCE IT HAS THE PROBLEM?!
DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT ANYWHERE ABOVE 40MPH AND HITTING A BUMP IN THE ROAD SENDS THE VEHICLE INTO A VIOLENT SHAKE/WOBBLE. THIS DOES NOT STOP UNTIL THE VEHICLE IS SLOWED DOWN TO BELOW 40. THE JEEP IS COMPLETELY STOCK. NO LIFT, NO BIGGER TIRES.
MY 16 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON NORMAL DRY PAVEMENT WHEN THE CASTING THAT ANCHORS THE TIE ROD TO THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL SNAPPED OFF. THE VEHICLE VIOLENTLY PULLED TO THE RIGHT CAUSING IT TO GO OFF THE PAVED ROAD SURFACE AND CRASHING INTO A TREE. THE VEHICLE HAS THE ORIGINAL FACTORY SUSPENSION AND TO MY KNOWLEDGE HAS NEVER BEEN MODIFIED.
"JEEP DEATH WOBBLE"....VIOLENT SHAKING OF FRONT END CALLED......AFTER HIGHWAY BUMP OR UNEVEN ROAD SURFACE......HAD TO PULL OVER ONTO SHOULDER TO STOP IT.......... I HAVE HAD THIS FIXED NUMEROUS TIMES, WITH NEW TIRES, ALIGNMENT, AND IT KEEPS COMING BACK.... *TR
THE VEHICLE HAS EXHIBITED THE "DEATH WOBBLE" ALMOST AS LONG AS I'VE HAD IT. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE BRAND NEW. AT 50-55 MPH, THE FRONT-END SHAKES UNCONTROLLABLY. SOMETIMES THE SHAKING IS INSTIGATED BY A BUMP - MOST OFTEN IT STARTS SIMPLY BY REACHING THE AFOREMENTIONED SPEED. THE ONLY WAY TO STOP IT IS TO SLOW DOWN (WHICH IS NOT ALWAYS AN EASY OPTION AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS) OR PUT IT INTO 4WD WHILE MOVING. I'VE TAKE IT TO MULTIPLE DEALERS AND MECHANICS, AND NO ONE HAS BEEN ABLE TO RECTIFY THE CONDITION. WHILE IT DOESN'T HAPPEN EVERY SINGLE TIME I CROSS THE 50-55 MPH THRESHOLD, SHAKES MORE OFTEN THAN NOT. IT'S TERRIBLY ALARMING, CERTAINLY UNSAFE, AND COMPLETELY APPROPRIATE FOR A RECALL AND COST-FREE FIX.
MY JEEP WRANGLER SHAKES SPORADICALLY AT 45 MPH AS DESCRIBED IN PREVIOUS POSTS BY OTHERS. WHEN MY JEEP SHAKES IT IS VERY AGGRESSIVE AND I OFTEN HAVE TO APPLY MY BRAKES SUDDENLY TO EASE THE JOLTING OF MY VEHICLE. I HAVE ALMOST WRECKED MY JEEP A COUPLE TIMES, I HAVE SPRAINED MY WRIST, AND HAVE HAD BRUISES MERELY FROM MAINTAINING MY VEHICLE. I JUST TRADED IN MY OTHER CAR FOR THIS IN APRIL 2013 AND CAN'T AFFORD TO TRADE AGAIN. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED. I CAN'T EVEN TAKE MY CHILDREN IN MY JEEP OR TOW MY CAMPER. ALL BECAUSE I CAN'T EVEN REASONABLY BEGIN TO FIX THE PROBLEMS THAT I PURCHASED WITH MY JEEP. I WISH I HAD KNOWN I WAS PURCHASING A DEATH TRAP BEFORE HAND. THERE IS A VERY GOOD REASON THESE LOW MILAGE JEEP'S HAVE MADE WAY TO USED CAR DEALERSHIPS. *TT
WHEN DRIVING THE WRANGLER DOWN ANY ROAD SURFACE THE WHEELS WILL START TO WOBBLE AND SHAKE VERY HARD LIKE YOU ARE LOOSING CONTROL. THEN YOU HAVE TO STOP QUICKLY INORDER TO KEEP YOUR CAR FROM DRIVING OFF THE ROAD. *TR
WHILE DRIVING OVER 45 MPH, IF YOU HIT A SMALL BUMP OR EVEN UNEVEN PAVEMENT, THE JEEP SHAKES UNCONTROLLABLY UNTIL YOU EITHER SLAM ON THE BRAKES AND SLOW DOWN TO 10 MPH OR YOU HAVE TO COMPLETELY STOP, IF YOU ARE IN TRAFFIC, IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. THE VEHICLE SHAKES AND THE TIRES BOUNCE UP AND OFF THE PAVEMENT. THE STIRRING WHEEL SHAKES SO MUCH YOU CAN BARELY HANG ON TO IT. VERY DANGEROUS!! *TR
DRIVING ONTO HIGHWAY. SPEEDING UP TO 35-40 MPH. JUST SHIFTED TO 4TH GEAR. WHOLE VEHICLE BEGAN WOBBLING VIOLENTLY. HAD TO ALMOST STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY TO GET IT STOP SHAKING VIOLENTLY. VEHICLE BEHIND ME HAD TO SWERVE TO MISS ME. STEEP SHOULDER COULDN'T PULL OVER. I THINK THIS IS REFERRED TO AS THE "DEATH WOBBLE". HAVE READ ABOUT NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OF THIS WITH JEEP WRANGLERS ON THE INTERNET AFTER THIS HAPPENED TODAY. I WISH I WOULD OF KNOWN OF THIS DANGEROUS PROBLEM BEFORE I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE. *TR
THE FIRST TIME I HAD DEATH WOBBLE WAS WHILE TOWING MY KAYAKS AND KAYAK TRAILER AFTER HITTING A BUMP.SINCE THEN I HAVE STOPPED DRIVING IT TILL I GET SOME CASH TO START DIVING IN TO FIND THE FIX. *TR
2004 JEEP WRANGLER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SEVERAL ISSUES FOUND DURING INSPECTION AFTER PURCHASE OF VEHICLE *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE DAY SHE TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE, SHE NOTICED SOME PLAY IN THE STEERING, THE ENGINE SEEMED TO MISS A LITTLE, AND THE CD PLAYER IN THE RADIO SEEMED TO WORK WHENEVER IT WANTED TO. THE NEXT DAY, THE CONSUMER NOTICED THE FRONT DIFFERENTIAL LEAKED AN OIL SPOT ON THE CONCRETE DRIVEWAY. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A PRE-SALES ESTABLISHMENT AND THE INSPECTION REVEALED, THE REAR AXLES WERE LEAKING ON BOTH SIDES, THE PINION SEAL IN THE FRONT DIFFERENTIAL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, THE FRONT TRACK BAR HAD PLAY, THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED A NEW PILOT BEARING; AS THERE WAS A NOISE WHEN ACCELERATING AND THE REAR SWAY BAR LINKS WERE LOOSE. *JB
A WEEK AFTER I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE I HIT A SMALL, SHARP BUMP IN THE ROAD AND THE VEHICLE FRONT END BEGAN TO SHAKE AND WOBBLE UNCONTROLLABLY. ONLY BY SLOWING DOWN TO 45 MPH WAS I ABLE TO GAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AGAIN. THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES AFTER THIS. I HAD THE TIRES BALANCED, ROTATED AND AN ALIGNMENT DONE ON IT. THE WOBBLE HAPPENED AGAIN, SOMETIMES AT EVEN HIGHER SPEEDS AND SOMETIMES, NOT AT ALL. I TOOK IT TO AN AUTHORIZED CHRYSLER JEEP DEALER AND ACCORDING TO THEIR RECOMMENDATION, HAD A NEW STEERING STABILIZER, NEW SWAY BAR LINKS AND TIE ROD INSTALLED AND AGAIN HAD THE TIRES BALANCED AND AN ALIGNMENT DONE ON IT. THE VEHICLE STILL EXHIBITS THE SAME BEHAVIOR. I HAVE HAD IT HAPPEN THREE TIMES ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS AND LUCKY ENOUGH EACH TIME I WAS IN THE RIGHT LANE AND ABLE TO PULL OVER ONTO...
TURNED ONTO THE COUNTY HIGHWAY AND AS I APPROACHED APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, I HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD AND THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. HAD TO PULL OVER AND STOP FOR IT TO STOP. I THEN PROCEEDED TO DRIVE. ASKED MY MECHANIC IF HE COULD SEE ANYTHING THAT WOULD CAUSE THIS AND HE DIDN'T MENTION ANYTHING. IT HAS HAPPENED SINCE THEN AS WELL ONE TIME BEING ON THE INTERSTATE DURING RUSH HOUR. I WILL NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE AS IT IS COMPLETELY UNSAFE. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS ONLINE AND THERE ARE MANY REPORTS OF THIS "DEATH WOBBLE" HAPPENING ON JEEPS ALL OVER THE COUNTRY. NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS OR THE FIX IS.
I HAVE BEEN A PROUD OWNER OF MY JEEP SINCE 2004 UNTIL TOWARDS THE END OF LAST YEAR WHEN I BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE PROBLEMS WITH A VIOLENT SHAKING WHEN I WAS DRIVING AT 55MPH AND WOULD HIT A BUMP. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC A FEW TIMES BUT THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. THEY CHECKED MY TIRES, THE BRAKES, ETC. IT HAPPENED AGAIN AND AGAIN SO MY MECHANIC THOUGHT IT POSSIBLE NEEDED TO BE ALIGNED SO I TRIED THAT. THAT DIDN'T HELP EITHER. THEN THE TIRES BECAME A TOPIC OF DISCUSSION SO I BOUGHT NEW TIRES AND STILL THE PROBLEM OCCURRED. I RECENTLY TOOK IT IN AND HAD THE GEAR BOX TIGHTENED AND THE TIRES ROTATED AND AGAIN, NO FIXING THE PROBLEM. MY JEEPS SHAKES SO VIOLENTLY AND GETS ME SO SCARED BECAUSE IT FEELS LIKE THE JEEPS TIRES ARE GOING TO FALL OFF THE JEEP AND...
VIOLENT SHAKING OF THE SUSPENSION WHEN I REACH ABOUT 55 MPH, USUALLY ON THE NYS THRUWAY. IN ORDER TO STOP THE SHAKE I NEED TO SLOW DOWN TO ABOUT 40 MPH. VERY DANGEROUS AND UNNERVING, ESPECIALLY IN TRAFFIC. BROUGHT TO MY MECHANIC WHO STATED HE SAW NOTHING WRONG WITH MY VEHICLE. REPLACED AND BALANCED TIRES. WAS FINE BUT THEN ,AS NOW , UNEXPECTEDLY GOES INTO CONVULSIONS. I FEEL VERY UNCOMFORTABLE WHEN DRIVING MY VEHICLE, WHICH IS MY SOLE MODE OF TRANSPORTATION. IS THERE A RECALL? I AM NOT AWARE OF ANY. WOULD REALLY LIKE TO RESOLVE THIS SITUATION. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR SEVERAL YEARS. *JB
FRONT END SHAKES VIOLENTLY. THIS HAS HAPPENED BEFORE, USUALLY WHEN THE JEEP IS APPROACHING 50 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. FEELS LIKE THE JEEP IS GOING TO EXPLODE. PUTTING ON THE BRAKES, AND PRAYING, AND DOWN SHIFTING FROM 5TH TO 4TH, AND PRAYING, AND EVENTUALLY SLOWING DOWN TO BELOW 40 IS THE ONLY THING THAT ALLOWS THE VEHICLE TO STOP SHAKING. THIS APPARENTLY HAS BEEN REPORTED MANY, MANY TIMES, AND IS KNOWN AS THE "DEATH WOBBLE". IS THERE A GOVERNMENTAL COVER-UP ABOUT THIS? HOW IS THIS KNOWN ISSUE ALLOWED TO GO UN-ADDRESSED?
STEERING WHEEL SHAKES, MOST RECENTLY MADE WHOLE VEHICLE SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLY. HAS NOT BEEN OFF ROAD OR ALTERED IN ANY WAY. LADY DRIVEN ONLY. *TR
SUDDEN ONSET OF VIOLENT FRONT END AND STEERING WHEEL VIBRATION, REQUIRING 2 HANDS TIGHTLY GRIPPING THE STEERING WHEEL TO COAX IT ONTO THE SHOULDER. 5 INCIDENTS IN 8 MONTHS AT 60MPH ON BOTH SMOOTH AND ROUGH PAVEMENT. NARROWLY MISSED SMASHING INTO A CEMENT BARRIER, TRACTOR TRAILER AND CAR DURING 3 OF THE 5 INCIDENTS. *TR
I OWN A JEEP WRANGLER X 2004. I HAVE EXPERIENCED THE JEEP "DEATH WOBBLE" ON NUMEROUS OCCASSIONS IN THE PAST YEAR. THIS PAST SUNDAY BEING THE WORST. I HAVE HAD MY ENTIRE FRONT END REPLACED WITH NO RESULTS. I HAVE BEEN SEARCHING THE INTERNET FOR ANSWERS AND EVERY SUGGESTION THAT I HAVE FOUND HAS ALREADY BEEN DONE ON MY JEEP. WE HAVE SPOKEN WITH A JEEP MECHANIC THAT WE KNOW AND HE STATED THAT IT IS A "KNOWN PROBLEM" AND THEY DO NOT KNOW HOW TO FIX IT. AT THIS POINT I AM EXTREMELY FRUSTRATED AND I AM LOOKING FOR ANSWERS. I HAVE FOUND A WEBSITE FOR CONGRESSWOMAN ESHOO AND I AM AWARE OF THE REQUEST FOR AN INVESTIGATION INTO THIS MATTER. PLEASE, I HOPE THAT YOU ARE TAKING THIS MATTER VERY SERIOUSLY. THIS IS A VERY SCARY AND DANGEROUS PROBLEM THAT IS OCCURING IN JEEPS. *TR
LIKE SO MANY, I'VE NOW EXPERIENCED THE INFAMOUS 'DEATH WOBBLE.' THE VEHICLE STARTS TO VIOLENTLY SHAKE AFTER HITTING A BUMP AND BECOMES ESSENTIALLY UNABLE TO BE CONTROLLED. ALL YOU CAN DO IS BRAKE HARD AND HOPE TO STAY IN YOUR LANE/ON THE ROAD AS YOU DECELERATE. AFTER SPENDING MANY HOURS ON THE INTERNET AND AT THE PLACE WHERE I PURCHASED IT, THINGS ARE NO BETTER. THIS SEEMS LIKE AN OBVIOUS DESIGN FLAW AND RENDERS THE VEHICLE UNSAFE. JEEP SEEMS TO HAVE NO INTEREST IN FIXING THE PROBLEM AND IT'S HARD TO BELIEVE THAT NOBODY HAS BEEN KILLED BECAUSE OF IT. I WISH I HAD KNOWN ABOUT THIS AS I NOW HAVE AN UNSAFE AND UNUSABLE VEHICLE THAT NOBODY SEEMS TO KNOW HOW TO FIX. THERE IS A TSB OUT REGARDING THIS ISSUE, BUT JEEP KEEPS THAT INFORMATION 'SECRET'. I CANNOT IMAGINE WHY THERE HASN'T BEEN A RECALL, IF I KEEP...
THE PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE OCT 18, 2011. THE JEEP EXPERIENCED THE "DEATH WOBBLE" WHEREBY THE JEEPS' WHEELS SUDDENLY BEGAN TO WOBBLE TO THE POINT THAT ONE ALMOST MUST SLOW DOWN IMMEDIATELY. THE CONDITION APPEARS TO BE QUITE COMMON WITH THE JEEP WRANGLER. PORTABLE RECEIVED VIA U.S. MAIL. A PORTION OF THE COMPLAINT WAS ILLEGIBLE. 02/28/12 UPDATED 02/28/12 *BF
POWER STEERING PRESSURE HOSE DEVELOPS LEAKS AT THE CRIMPED CONNECTION. POWER STEERING FLUID CAN COME IN CONTACT WITH HOT ENGINE COMPONENTS. *TR
MULTIPLE INCIDENTS OF VIOLENT VIBRATION IN THE VEHICLE FRONT END, INCLUDING THE STEERING WHEEL AND FRONT WHEELS, ARE OCCURRING AFTER HITTING A MINOR POT HOLE IN THE ROAD. INCIDENTS OCCUR AT HIGHWAYS SPEEDS, NORMALLY 45 - 55 MPH. THE DRIVER MUST REDUCE SPEED TO NEAR ZERO IN ORDER TO RECOVER SAFE AND EFFECTIVE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THIS VEHICLE DEFECT APPEARS TO BE THE WELL-KNOWN AND MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE IN JEEP WRANGLER VEHICLES KNOWN AS "THE DEATH WOBBLE". I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE NEW FROM A JEEP DEALERSHIP AND HAVE HAD IT PROFESSIONALLY MAINTAINED PER THE MANUFACTURER'S INSTRUCTIONS SINCE THE DAY I BOUGHT IT. MY SPOUSE AND I HAVE BOTH EXPERIENCED THIS DEFECT SEVERAL TIMES IN THE PAST FEW YEARS, MOST RECENTLY ON DECEMBER 15, 2011. AT THIS POINT, WE'VE HAD THE VEHICLE INSPECTED SEVERAL TIMES AND REPLACED A NUMBER OF COMPONENTS ON THE VEHICLE, INCLUDING THE STEERING DAMPER, FOUR SHOCK...
STEERING WOBBLES AT SPEEDS 40 TO 55MPH AND IS ESPECIALLY WORSE AFTER HITTING A BUMP. THIS HAPPENS EVERY DAY AND NOT ONCE IN A WHILE. VERY SCARY WHEN YOU HAVE NO CONTROL BECAUSE IT SHAKES SO BAD. IT ACTUALLY GIVES YOU LITTLE OR NO CONTROL OVER THE VEHICLE. HAVE HAD TIRES BALANCED AND ROTATED THE STEERING DAMPER REPLACED. HAVE HAD IT LOOKED AT SEVERAL TIMES AND NO ONE REALLY KNOWS WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT. IT IS A LIFE AND DEATH SITUATION AND FEEL THAT NOTHING WILL BE DONE ABOUT IT UNTIL SOMEONE IS ACTUALLY KILLED. LOOKING AT BLOGS THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE WHO EXPERIENCED THE SAME THING KNOWN AS THE DEATH WOBBLE. *TR
MY 2004 WRANGLER RUBICON HAS A VIOLENT WOBBLE/SHAKE AT 55-60 MPH. THE WOBBLE IS SO VIOLENT I HAVE TO IMMEDIATELY BRAKE AND IT STOPS AROUND 40. I HAVE HAD IT ALIGNED AND BALANCED. I WAS CONSIDERING POURING MORE INTO THE REPAIR BUT AFTER READING ALL OF THE COMPLAINTS I FELL IT IS NOT WORTH THE EFFORT. THE JEEP IS STOCK AND I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER. I AM GOING TO APPROACH THE DEALER BUT SINCE IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY I HAVE THE FEELING IT IS GOING TO BE IN VAIN. *TR
THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH WITH THE FOG LIGHTS CUTS THE LIGHTS ON WHEN THE DRIVER DOES NOT PUT THE ON. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS SITTING STILL, THE FOG LIGHTS WILL FLIP ON, WHEN I APPLY THE SIGNAL LIGHT ON THE FOG LIGHT SWITCH POPS ON. I HAD TO REMOVE THE FUSE TO GET THE FOG LIGHTS OFF. *TR
FRONT END OF MY 2007 JEEP WRANGLER UNLIMITED HAS DANGEROUS WOBBLE BETWEEN 50 AND 60 MILES PER HOUR. TIRES ARE GOOD, TIRES HAVE BEEN BALANCED BUT THE PROBLEM REMAINS. USUALLY TRIGGERED BY A BUMP IN THE ROAD. *TR
JEEP WRANGLER (2004) HAS THE STEERING SHAKE VIOLENTLY WHEN DRIVEN OVER 45MPH. NO DEALERSHIP OR GARAGE COULD RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. I SPENT OVER $2000 IN NEW TIRES ALL NEW STEERING COMPONENTS AND SUSPENSION AS WELL AS WHEELS TO FIX A PROBLEM THE COMPANY REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE EXISTS SO THEY CAN CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THEIR UNIONS REDICULIOS COMMANDS WHILE PUTTING ME AND OTHER DRIVERS AT RISK. *TT
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 JEEP WRANGLER. WHILE DRIVING OVER 55 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD BEGIN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED, BUT DENIED ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 58,500.
SEVERE SHAKING (COINED DEATH WOBBLE) AT 55 MPH. THIS HAS HAPPENED (3) TIMES. I HAVE REPLACED STEERING DAMPENER, FRONT END ALIGNMENT, (4) NEW TIRES ALL WITHIN LAST WEEK. THERE ARE COUNTLESS COMPLAINTS FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM, YET NO RESOLUTION TO BE FOUND. THERE SEEMS TO BE WITH ALL OF THE COMPLAINTS A "HEAD IN SAND" MENTALITY HOPING THAT THIS WILL GO AWAY. I'M SHOCKED, AFTER THE EXPERIENCE OF TRYING TO GET VEH OFF OF HIGHWAY DURING THIS EVENT, THAT THERE HAVE NOT BEEN ANY FATALITIES.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 TO 65 MPH, HE NOTICED THAT THE FRONT WHEELS WOULD WOBBLE VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE DEALER AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 31,500. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
I PURCHASED A USED 2004 JEEP WRANGLER 5 MONTHS AGO. IT HAD ONLY 15K MILES ON IT. SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE IT BEGAN SHAKING VIOLENTLY BETWEEN THE SPEEDS OF 55-60, AND WHEN THERE ARE ROAD IMPERFECTIONS. I HAD THE TIRES BALANCED. NO FIX. THE SHOP KEPT THE JEEP FOR THREE DAYS LAST WEEK AND CANNOT LOCATE THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM. APPEARS THIS IS A "DEATH WOBBLE" ISSUE FROM THE STRONGLY-DOCUMENTED CASES IN JEEP WRANGLERS. THERE APPEARS TO BE NO PERMANENT FIX. THERE HAVE BEEN NO RECALLS THAT I CAN FIND. I OWE FOR THIS VEHICLE THAT I CANNOT EVEN DRIVE! *TR
I HAVE A 2004 JEEP WRANGLER. IT HAS WHAT I FOUND, LISTED ON THE INTERNET FORUMS, DESCRIBED AS A "DEATH WOBBLE". THIS IS AN EXTREME SHAKING OF THE STEERING AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 55 AND 65. IT IS SO SEVERE THAT I HAD TO PULL OFF OF THE FREEWAY AND STOP BEFORE THE SHAKING WOULD STOP. NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW HOW TO PERMANENTLY SOLVE THE PROBLEM. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS. *TR
WHEN TRAVELING WEST BOUND ON I-10 THROUGH PHOENIX, AFTER HITTING SLIGHT BUMP IN THE HIGHWAY, MY STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY FOR APPROXIMATELY 5 TO 10 SECONDS. I IMMEDIATELY BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN AND THE POWERFUL WOBBLE SUBSIDED. I HAD AN ADDITIONAL INCIDENT WITH POWERFUL SHAKING IN MY STEERING WHEEL ABOUT A MONTH LATER, AGAIN TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. THIS SUDDEN AND UNEXPECTED SHAKING OF THE JEEP'S FRONT END IS SCARY.
I HAVE A 2004 WRANGLER RUBICON - ALL STOCK, AND HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING WHAT I'VE JUST COME TO REALIZE IS THE DEATH WOBBLE FOR THE PAST 8+ MONTHS. I'VE REPLACED ALL 4 TIRES, HAD ALIGNMENT AND BALANCING, JUST TODAY HAD STEERING STABILIZER REPLACED TO NO AVAIL. THE WOBBLING CONTINUED ON THE WAY HOME FROM THE SHOP. ANYTIME I HIT A BUMP, THE FRONT END STARTS TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY AND I HAVE TO SLOW DOWN TO A NEAR STOP BEFORE I CAN PROCEED. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY JEEP. THIS IS MY DAILY RIDE TO WORK AND IT IS NOT SAFE! *TR
FRONT TIRE SHIMMY SO BAD THAT IT CAN CAUSE THE CAR TO GO OUT OF CONTROL. WHEN A BUMP, POTHOLE OR RAILROAD TRACK IS DRIVEN OVER THAT FRONT TIRES WOBBLE AND SHIMMY SO BAD THAT IT IS DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE CAR. THERE HAVE BEEN NEW TIRES, WHEELS, ALIGNMENTS AND STEERING STABILIZERS INSTALLED BUT THAT HAS NOT STOPPED THE SHIMMY. THE CAR HAS 30,000 MILES ON IT. *TR
2004 JEEP WRANGLER SPORT HAS AN EXTREME VIOLENT SHAKE CAUSING ENTIRE FRONT OF VEHICLE TO BOUNCE OFF THE GROUND AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 45 - 60 MPH. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND THE SHAKING STOPPED, BUT WHEN SHE CONTINUED ON, THE SHAKING BEGAN AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE FRONT STEERING BOX, BUSHINGS, AND CONTROL ARMS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 20,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 22,000.
I HAVE A 2004 JEEP WRANGLER COLUMBIA EDITION. I EXPERIENCE THE "DEATH WOBBLE" PHENOMENA THAT OTHERS IN THE COMPLAINT SECTION HAVE POSTED ABOUT. I CAN NOT DRIVE MY VEHICLE BETWEEN 51-60 MPH WITHOUT IT OCCURRING. WHEN IT OCCURS I MUST EITHER QUICKLY ACCELERATE ABOVE THIS RANGE OR SLOW DOWN BELOW IT (DEPENDING ON SPEED LIMIT IN AREA OF COURSE). JEEP DID REPLACE THE STEERING STABILIZER, WHICH FIXED THE PROBLEM, BUT ONLY FOR ABOUT 2-3 WEEKS. JEEP REALLY NEEDS TO RECALL THIS AND APPLY A PERMANENT FIX. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS, WHEN IT HAPPENS THE VEHICLE FEELS LIKE THE FRONT TIRES WILL FLY OFF AT ANY MOMENT. I AM ENTERING TODAY'S DATE AS THE INCIDENT DATE AS THIS IS ONGOING, BUT HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A LONG TIME NOW. *TR
I HAVE WHAT IS CALLED DEATH WOBBLE IN MY 2004 JEEP WRANGLER. AFTER READING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM IN VARIOUS FORUMS, I BELIEVE IT NEEDS TO BE ADRESSED. I HAVE DONE EVERYTHING THAT HAS BEEN SUGGESTED BY EXPERTS BUT STILL HAVE THE PROBLEM. THE JEEP HAS AROUND 30,000 MILES,AND IT HAS BEEN OFF ROAD,BUT SOME PEOPLE HAVE NOT BEEN OFFROAD AT ALL AND HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. WITH MILEAGE I DON'T THINK THIS JEEP SHOULD BE CONSIDERED WARNOUT. THE PROBLEM IS STILL ONGOING. *TR
MY 2004 JEEP WRANGLER HAS "THE DEATH WOBBLE". AT APPROX. 45-50 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL JUST ABOUT SHAKES OUT OF MY HANDS. THE DEALERSHIP WILL NOT EVEN CHECK IT OUT WITHOUT CHARGING ME BY THE HOUR WITH AN ESTIMATED 2 HR. INSPECTION. IT'S ALL OVER THE INTERNET YET JEEP REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE IT EXISTS. I LOVE MY JEEP, IT'S THE 3RD ONE I'VE OWNED, BUT I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER ONE. THE ONLY FIX SEEMS TO BE TO POUR MONEY IN MY VEHICLE UNTIL I GET THE RIGHT PART TAKEN CARE OF. I CAN'T EVEN TRADE IT IN WHILE IT'S DOING THIS. I'M STUCK AND I WANT SOME ACTION TAKEN BY JEEP! *TR
I OWN A 2004 JEEP "WRANGLER X" SINCE IT WAS NEW AND HAVE EXPERIENCE THE "DEATH WOBBLE " ALMOST FROM THE BEGINNING. THE STEERING STABILIZER WAS REPLACED WHILE ON WARRANTY AND I HAVE REPLACED THAT ONE MYSELF. THE VEHICLE HAS @ 41,000 MI. AND THE PROBLEM IS GETTING WORSE. *TR
Other 2004 JEEP WRANGLER Problem Areas
Suspension
50 complaints
Electrical System
10 complaints
Power Trainautomatic Transmission
8 complaints
Suspensionfront
8 complaints
Unknown Or Other
7 complaints
Fuel System Gasoline
6 complaints
Power Train
6 complaints
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdiscrotor
6 complaints
Structurebody
6 complaints
Tires
6 complaints
Engine And Engine Coolingengine
5 complaints
Seat Beltsfrontretractor
5 complaints
Engine
4 complaints
Power Trainmanual Transmission
4 complaints
Seat Belts
4 complaints
Service Brakes Hydraulic
4 complaints
Structure
4 complaints
Wheels
4 complaints
Air Bagsfrontal
3 complaints
Fuelpropulsion System
3 complaints
Power Trainaxle Assemblyaxle Shaftseal
3 complaints
Visibilitywindshield
3 complaints
Air Bags
2 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling
2 complaints
Exterior Lighting
2 complaints
Power Trainaxle Assembly
2 complaints
Seat Beltsfront
2 complaints
Service Brakes
2 complaints
Service Brakes Hydraulicantilocktraction Controlelectronic Limited Slip
2 complaints
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdrum
2 complaints
Service Brakes Hydraulicpedals And Linkages
2 complaints
Vehicle Speed Control
2 complaints
Visibility
2 complaints
Visibilityglass Siderear
2 complaints
Electrical System Instrument Clusterpanel
1 complaint
Electrical Systemstarter Assembly
1 complaint
Electronic Stability Control Esc
1 complaint
Engine And Engine Coolingcooling System
1 complaint
Engine And Engine Coolingcooling Systemradiator Assembly
1 complaint
Equipmentelectricalradiotape Deckcd Etc
1 complaint
Fuel System Gasolinedeliveryhoses Linespiping And Fittings
1 complaint
Fuel System Gasolinestorage
1 complaint
Fuel System Other
1 complaint
Latcheslockslinkages
1 complaint
Parking Brake
1 complaint
Power Trainautomatic Transmissiongear Position Indication Prndl
1 complaint
Power Trainautomatic Transmissionlever And Linkagefloor Shift
1 complaint
Power Trainaxle Assemblyaxle Shaft
1 complaint
Power Traindriveline
1 complaint
Power Traindrivelinedifferential Unit
1 complaint
Power Traindrivelinedriveshaft
1 complaint
Seat Beltsfrontanchorage
1 complaint
Seats
1 complaint
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdisccaliper
1 complaint
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdiscpads
1 complaint
Steeringgear Box Other Than Rack And Pinion
1 complaint
Structurebodyroof And Pillars
1 complaint
Structureframe And Members
1 complaint
Structureframe And Membersunderbody Shields
1 complaint
Suspensionfrontcontrol Armlower Ball Joint
1 complaint
Tirestreadbelt
1 complaint
Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac System
1 complaint
Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac Systemfanmotor
1 complaint
Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac Systemheater Core
1 complaint
Visibilitypower Window Devices And Controls
1 complaint
Wheelsrim
1 complaint