What 481 owners told NHTSA about the 2011 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 392

Airbag deployed, vehicle collision did not occur

NHTSA ODI 11743271

My jeep wrangler Abs module has failed and needs to be replaced. But Jeep decided not to make this part anymore and now me and a LOT of others can’t get a new abs Module. My jeep is way too dangerous to drive now. When accelerating from a stop the vehicle barely kicks in like the tires don’t know what direction to move. When I’m coming to a stop the breaks don’t work right due to the ABS module. This is a big safety concern and jeep needs to be held accountable and fix this issue. This is a major issue and needs to addressed before people get into accidents. I’m sure some people already have.

NHTSA ODI 11723973

I have had my transmission in my jeep Wrangler fixed five times it is still barely working. As well as I am having an extremely bad death wobble when I drive, which is very unsafe for me and my son when we are in the vehicle. We have been trying to keep getting it fixed, but it seems like nothing is working. As well as my lights have been going in and out on my dashboard, which is again unsafe during the night. I am afraid for me and my sons safety and we are not wanting to keep driving this vehicle as well it barely passed emissions so I can get my tag for my plates. We are wanting to get something safer for me and my family.

NHTSA ODI 11718620

When braking since these lights are on it will cause issue with the brakes themselves as if they don’t want to brake fully. Now I’m a 32 year old man and am aware of making sure your brakes are good and fully functioning. I’ve noticed also the steering when slowing down too from this. Nothing underneath the vehicle is an issue for steering. All steering components are fully functioning. I’ve noticed issues with the clock spring in the Jeep as well. Sometime it comes and goes (most likely and electoral problem) geez who knew! Haha, however when I’m turning the airbag light will stay on then go off and the lights on the steering wheel themselves with turn off. They’ve been off for awhile now. Since this is happening on a daily basis. When owing down it’s cause a very big issue for me because it will make the jeep want to turn in any direction it may feel and sometimes that direction is in another lane mostly on coming traffic! I have not had the jeep looked at by a dealer but has been by a mechanic with a $3000 scanner and he still has the codes stored for me. No and no.

NHTSA ODI 11707215

My vehicle is having a start issue…if I can get it to start…it Wii die when trying to drive it…then takes numerous tries to get it to start if it will…. It is doing everything in the recall 14V-438 …not sure why my vehicle is not part of the 640,000 + vehicles that were recalled on this….especially since I am having this major issue…any help would b appreciated..this started in April right b4 we were headed to our main house and we had to leave the vehicle here because we had to be back north. Just got back to Florida and now needing to get this taken care of. I have a case # [XXXX] thru Jeep CS but they act like they can not help only you? Hopefully u can. [XXXX]. Thx in advance…INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11691945

In 2013 and 2014 my wife complained of the jeep having the "death wobble" on several occasions when she hit a bump on the highway at speeds of 40 MPH or higher. She would slow down to less than 10 mph for the wobbling to stop. The dealership attempted to determine what the issue was but was not able to find anything wrong. We had the same issue with our 2008 wrangler, and after paying over two thousand dollars in vain attempts to have the problem resolved, and a couple of issues caused by poor workmanship by the dealer, we traded that car in for the 2011 model. My wife seldom drove the jeep for the next few years due to terminal illness. I started driving it regularly in 2020 and found that the same condition was still occurring. While it does not happen every time I hit a bump at speeds above 40mph. it is occurring more often and more intensely. As a result of the intensity of the vibrations, I no longer will drive the jeep above 40 mph. It is my opinion that since this issue has been a problem for several models of jeeps over the past few years, it should be repaired by Chrysler/Jeep at no cost to the owners. This sudden vibration has probably caused accidents especially when one has to slow down suddenly, and should be considered a safety hazard.This has been happening with this jeep since at least March of 2014.

NHTSA ODI 11554754

I have been experiencing the "death Wobble" for many years, and have gone to various shops to find out the problem but have not been able to fix the "death wobble". The entire car shakes and vibrates uncontrollably when I drive on the free way over a bump, or even when I drive on a regular street and hit a bump. The shaking doesn't stop until I come to a complete stop, and that is very dangerous on the freeway. Once the "death wobble" is going on braking and controlling the jeep are nearly impossible. I have recently found out about a class action lawsuit for this very problem, and I believe my car qualifies to be part of this. I have not been able to document this because it doesn't always happen, and when it does I don't have a camera running.

NHTSA ODI 11447794

The contact owned a 2011 Jeep Wrangler. The contacts son stated while driving 25 mph the contact was making a right turn when the contact was unable to return the steering wheel back into neutral position. The vehicle had crashed into a guardrail where it came to a complete stop and the airbags did not deploy. The occupants both sustained back and neck pain but did not seek medical treatment. The contact stated no warning lights was illuminated. A police report was taken and the vehicle was towed to insurance lot where it was determined that the vehicle was totaled. The manufacturer was not informed of failure. The failure mileage was approximately 205,000.

NHTSA ODI 11422293

THE ON GOING DEATH WOBBLE ISSUE. THIS LAST INCIDENT , I WAS COMING HOME FROM WORK ON THE FLORIDA TURNPIKE DOING ABOUT 60 MPH AND IT HAPPENED AGAIN AND I LOST TOTAL CONTROL OF THE JEEP AND ALMOST GOT HIT BY AN 18 WHEELER... LUCKILY I MANAGED TO CUT TO MY RIGHT BEFORE HE HIT ME.

NHTSA ODI 11405332

JEEP WAS TOWED TO SHOP DUE TO STARTER RANDOMLY CATCHING ON FIRE. ASKED MECHANICS TO CHECK THE ROAD WALK. THEY SAID EVERYTHING WAS FINE BUT JEEP BOUNCES ALL OVER THE ROAD. I HAVE DROVE MANY KEEPS AND THIS ISN'T NORMAL AND IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. ELECTRICAL ISSUES WITH THE HEATED SEATS. THEY TURN ON FOR 3-4 SECONDS AND SHUT BACK OFF.

NHTSA ODI 11397081

I'VE EXPERIENCING A TERRIBLE WOBBLING WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY.I ONLY DRIVE BACK AND FORWARD TO WORK. I DO NOT OFF ROAD AT ALL!! I ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT THE OTHER DAY COMING FROM WORK. IT WAS TERRIBLE TO SAY THE LEAST. I'M REALLY AFRAID TO USE MY JEEP AND WILL NEVER LET MY FAMILY IT... PLEASE ADVISE WHAT I CAN DO TO GET IT FIX . I'VE TAKING IT TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES ALREADY WITH NO RESULTS.

NHTSA ODI 11390813

THERE IS A BAD CONNECTION WITH THE GEARS ACCORDING TO THE TRANSMISSION. IT'S SLIPPING AND DELAYED MOVEMENT TO THE VEHICLE. FROM TIME TO TIME, THE VEHICLE WILL SLOW DOWN OR STOP ALL OF A SUDDEN WHEN DRIVING OR TURNING A CORNER. IT'S VERY DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY IF SOMEONE IS ON YOUR BUTT.

NHTSA ODI 11388247

AIR BAG CLOCK SPRING DOES NOT WORK. IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD....AIRBAGS, HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL, WILL NOT WORK WITHOUT THIS PART. IN TEXAS, IT WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND NEEDS TO BE ADVISED TO BECOMING A RECALL FOR JEEP WRANGLERS THAT WERE BUILD IN THE SAME PLANT AS MINE JEEP. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11323378

WHILE HEADLIGHTS/FOG LIGHTS ON, RIGHT TURN SIGNAL ON AS VEHICLE MAKING TURN FOG LIGHTS GO OFF. INTERMITTENT SOUND WITH AM-FM PART OF RADIO, SATELLITE PART WORKS FINE .

NHTSA ODI 11322145

DEATH WOBBLE. WHILE DRIVING.

NHTSA ODI 11312094

THE AXEL ASSEMBLY. JEEP HAS EXTREMELY LOW MILES AND I HAVE NOTHING BUT ISSUES WITH THE AXELS AT THE FRONT OF MY JEEP

NHTSA ODI 11245425

I EXPERIENCED A "VIOLENT" SHAKING OF MY 2011 JEEP WRANGLER UNLIMITED TWICE BEFORE TAKING IT INTO THE SHOP. THE FIRST TIME, IN LATE OCTOBER 2018, I WAS GOING AROUND 40MPH AND WAS ON A BUSY ONE LANE HIGHWAY. I HAD NEVER FELT ANYTHING LIKE IT BEFORE. THE JEEP BEGAN TO SHAKE BACK AND FORTH VIOLENTLY. I SLOWED DOWN AND THE SHAKE WENT AWAY. THE SECOND TIME WAS 4 OR 5 DAYS LATER ON AN INTERSTATE. THIS TIME THE JEEP (GOING ABOUT 55MPH) SHOOK SO MUCH, IT PULLED THE CAR INTO THE PASSING LANE BEFORE SLOWING DOWN AND MAINTAINING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. I GOT OFF THE HIGHWAY AND FOUND A LESS BUSY ROAD TO GET HOME. I TOOK THE JEEP IN TO GET LOOKED AT AND THEY REPLACED THE "TRACK BAR" FOR $500. TWO DAYS LATER THE SAME INCIDENT OCCURRED AGAIN AND HAS HAPPENED ONCE OR TWICE SINCE, EACH TIME GOING BETWEEN 40MPH AND 60MPH. BASED ON THE EXPERIENCES I HAVE HAD, I CANNOT AFFORD TO DRIVE THE CAR ANYMORE. I HAVE A BABY DAUGHTER BORN JUST A WEEK AGO AND AM NOT WILLING TO RISK HAVING THE JEEP FALLING APART, ROLL OVER, OR VEER INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC.

NHTSA ODI 11152829

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 JEEP WRANGLER. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE STEERING WHEEL STIFFENED AND BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. IN ADDITION, THE BATTERY AND OVERHEAT WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AND THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE INCREASED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (FREY MOTORS AT 409 VALLEY ST, LEWISTOWN, PA 17044) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SERPENTINE BELT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE AIR CONDITION HOSE WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL IN REFERENCE TO THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,580. UPDATED 08/29/17*LJ *CN

NHTSA ODI 11000045

DEATH WOBBLE, DEALERSHIPS ARE NOT TELLING BUYERS THIS MAY BE A PROBLEM WITH THEIR JEEP. I HAVE DEVELOPED THIS PROBLEM WITHOUT KNOWING WHAT IT WAS AND WAS A TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE. WILL NOT DRIVE IT ON THE HIGHWAY ANYMORE AND CHECKED TO HAVE IT FIXED AND THEY WANT $700! THAT IS NOT RIGHT, ESPECIALLY IF THEY ARE NOT SURE IT WILL FIX IT.

NHTSA ODI 10979069

FRONT END: I REPLACED TRACK BAR AND STEERING DAMPER AT 27,221 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. BAR BENT UNDER NORMAL DRIVING AND ROAD CONDITIONS WHICH IS UPON PAVED ROADS. THIS CAR DOESN'T GO OFF ROAD AND I REPLACED A PART THAT SHOULD LAST FOR WELL OVER THIS SHORT MILEAGE LIFE. IN THE SERVICE END OF THE BUSINESS (AT THE JEEP DEALER) THIS WAS CALLED "THE TIRE DEATH ROLL" FOR WHEN THIS HAPPENS ALL MANOR OF VEHICLE CONTROL IS MINIMAL. I EXPERIENCED THIS 3 TIMES UPON MY DRIVE OUT OF TOWN FOR A TRIP AS I WAS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND THIS WOULD HAPPEN AS I MADE CONNECTIONS FROM ONE FREEWAY SYSTEM TO ANOTHER. I TOOK THE CAR IN TO FIND OUT WHAT WAS WRONG SO IT COULD BE FIXED AND THEN FINISHED MY TRIP. I HAVE REPORTED THIS TO THE FIAT CHRYSLER GROUP TO REIMBURSE ME FOR THE COSTS ASSOCIATED FOR FIXING AN INFERIOR PART. THERE RESPONSE WAS SINCE I DIDN'T PURCHASE AN "EXTENDED VEHICLE WARRANTY: IT'S NOT THEIR PROBLEM. I HAVE GONE OUT TO GOOGLE "TIRE DEATH ROLL" ON JEEPS AND IT SEEMS PRETTY COMMON, WHICH SEEMS PRETTY NEGLIGENT ON THEIR END. IF IT'S A "KNOW ISSUE", THEN WHEN CAR COME IN FOR SERVICE OR RECALLS THEY SHOULD LOOK AT THE "BAR AND DAMPER" SINCE IT SEEMS TO DIE PRETTY QUICKLY IN JEEPS AND NEED TO BE REPLACED COMMONLY. THIS REMINDS ME OF THE EXPLORER AND IT "ISSUES FOR MANY YEARS". I TOLD THE FIAT CASE WORKER" THAT THE CAR ONLY HAS 27,221 MILES ON IT. YES THE CAR IS 6 YEARS OLD BUT RARELY DRIVEN, AND FRONT END STEERING PARTS SHOULD LAST LONGER THAN WHAT I EXPERIENCED, EXTENDED WARRANTY OR NOT. NO ONE WANT TO EXPERIENCE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL ON A HIGHWAY RAMP AT 50 OR 60 MILES AND HOUR ON A SMOOTH CURVE IN THE ROAD. THIS "TIRE DEATH ROLL" EXPERIENCE HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR IS BEING DRIVEN ON A HIGHWAY IN MY INSTANCE, NOT WHEN ONE TURNS AT INTERSECTION LIGHTS.

NHTSA ODI 10968294

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CLOCK SPRING FRACTURED AND CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL FUNCTIONS TO BE DISABLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000.

NHTSA ODI 10913975

DEATH WOBBLE - I HAD HEARD OF OTHER JEEP WRANGLER DRIVERS TALKING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM FOR YEARS, BUT HAD NEVER EXPERIENCED IT UNTIL LAST WEEKEND. IT STARTED WITH A SLIGHT SHIMMY AT AROUND 35MPH AT THE BEGINNING OF A ROUGHLY 250 MI. ROAD TRIP. BEFORE HITTING THE END OF THE TRIP, THE SHIMMY HAD TRANSFORMED INTO AN INCREDIBLY VIOLENT JERKING MOTION OF THE STEERING BETWEEN 10:00 - 2:00 AND LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. VERY NEARLY RESULTED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION. TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM, HAD TO REPLACE THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS, WHEEL BEARINGS, TIE ROD ENDS, STEERING STABILIZER, TRACK BAR AND DRAG LINKS. THE TRACK BAR BOLTS IN THE END SLEEVES SEEMED FAR TOO SMALL IN DIAMETER AND ROUTED OUT THE BUSHINGS OVER TIME AND THIS LOOKED TO BE ONE OF THE MAJOR CULPRITS OF THE PROBLEM. INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITION AND ALSO AN INCREDIBLY EXPENSIVE FIX AS ALL OF THESE PARTS ARE AFFECTED AND INTERCONNECTED. WHEN ONE STARTS TO GO IT HAS A DOMINO EFFECT ON THE OTHERS.

NHTSA ODI 10899209

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 JEEP WRANGLER. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED RANDOMLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED PRIMARILY AT HIGH SPEEDS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 30,000.

NHTSA ODI 10889089

WE HAVE THE JEEP DEATH WOBBLE. IT HAS HAPPENED 3X'S SINCE PURCHASE, 06-21-2016 STARTS WHEN GOING OVER BUMPY ROAD, MAYBE 40-45MPH. VIOLENTLY SHAKING, DIFFICULT TO CONTROL STEERING. BOUNCES ME OUT OF THE SEAT, TEETH RATTLING, FEEL LIKE WINDOWS WILL BREAK. STOPS SHAKING WHEN I TOUCH BRAKE PEDAL. VERY SCARY. CRUISE/SPEED CONTROL ONLY WORKS PART-TIME AND RADIO BUTTONS 5 AND 6 DO NOT LIGHT UP LIKE 1-4. I FEAR THEY HAVE BEEN "BOUNCED APART" MAYBE. I LIVE IN BUTLER CO, PA THE BIRTHPLACE OF THE JEEP. JEEP MUST COME THROUGH AND FIX THIS. THIS IS EMBARRASSING FOR JEEP PEOPLE LET ALONE DANGEROUS. HELP!

NHTSA ODI 10885729

DEATH WOBBLE- CHRYSLER/JEEP AS LONG COVERED UP THE ISSUE WITH THEIR WRANGLERS "WOBBLING" UNCONTROLLABLY WHEN DRIVING OVER THE SLIGHTEST BUMP IN THE ROAD. THIS IS DUE TO FAULTY WHEEL BEARINGS/TRACTION BARS/ AND STEERING. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR YEAR AND NEEDS TO BE FIXED CORRECTLY AND CHEAPLY. CHEAP PARTS AND FIXED CAUSE DEATH.

NHTSA ODI 10885346