What 891 owners told NHTSA about the 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4-door 4xe

As I review events in chronological order, I see that a possible disconnect might be caused by clumping the symptoms together and treating as the “death wobble,” when in fact I may be experiencing two separate issues, the first being a failed steering damper and the second being caused by possible bad ball joint[s]. I first started to experience an issue around 7,000 miles in where the Jeep would pull to the right. It was a strong pull because my steering wheel would be turned to the left at about 15-25 degrees to the left in order to keep straight. had them check the alignment. The invoice said the alignment was checked and it was “ok,” December 24 – Florida gets a cold front and we experienced temperatures in the low 20’s with the high temperature peaking at 32 or 33 degrees for a couple days. I drive my normal route on the highway and as I am approaching 65 mph, I go over a transition from asphalt to concrete bridge and the car starts to do the death wobble, where a strong vibration from the front end shook the car until I let off the gas and slowed down to about 40mph. my sister-in-law also experienced in her 2020 Jeep, the same day the freeze set in. Ive had steering gearbox changed and two stabilizers replaced already, JEEP TSB once stated: JL JT have unique torque values for ball joints as compared to prior JK models due to material (aluminum knuckles) and design changes. I guarantee its the crappy ball joints and they REFUSE to admit it. Jeep still claims they cant duplicate the issue or i need to replace tires (that are wearing unevenly bc of ball joint issues) befor they can continue diagnosis. 4 different dealerships. 4 different outcomes. even [XXX] from their corporate office stopped responding to me. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11538909

Serious steering wobble while driving on highway in Denver at approx. 65 mph yesterday plus same serious wobble at lower speed (~60 mph) while passing car on country road. Took nearly a mile to stop the wobble and speed reduction to around 35 mph to stop! Very dangerous situations in both cases.

NHTSA ODI 11539034

I had the front wheels “wobble”. I had shocks replaced and a steering damper installed. The front end still bounces up and down, or wobbles, on every interstate overpass at interstate speeds.

NHTSA ODI 11538147

Persistent death wobble vehicle is stock with no modifications. Driving at 65 on the highway a single small bump will cause violent shaking of the steering wheel and the front end. The shaking is aggressive enough to make you lose control of the vehicle and cause an accident. The vehicle has been for service multiple times for this issue. Every time the issue persist without resolve.

NHTSA ODI 11537184

6 - 29 - 23 when engine was started several warning lamps lit up including service electric stability control . as i drove the vehicle the power steering was out and vehicle was hard to control . had vehicle towed to dealership service dept. vehicle in warranty . no repairs done to vehicle and as of 8 - 7 - 23 vehicle is still in the shop. safety of me and others at risk if vehicle continues in this condition without repair.

NHTSA ODI 11536942

Power steering unexpectedly stopped working while going 55 mph. I’m learning there are others that deal with this issue so I decided to file a complaint as I’m not expecting Jeep to fix the issue. After safely pulling over, I power cycled the Jeep and the power steering was restored. Has only happened once, but fully expecting it to happen again. Losing power steering at high speeds is one thing, but turning the Jeep at low speeds was extremely difficult and extremely unsafe.

NHTSA ODI 11536196

Earlier this year vehicle would sometimes do the following, not at start up but when driving; Wipers on by themselves & driver can't shut off, turn signals inop, Both sides blind spot warning continously on alerting driver every time a vehicle on either side is passed or passes vehicle, anywhere from three to five dash warning lights illuminated. Took to dealer in April 2023 & diagnosed a bad can bus connector. Replaced connector (approx $700). Seemed to be the fix until it started again June 2023. This time all the above issues started up again including loss of power steering. I was on I70 at highway speeds in rush hour traffic and it was very dangerous. Returned to dealer yesterday 6/29/23 Immediately following loss of power steering while vehicle was displaying faults & they read codes. They are booked for 2 weeks so I'm scheduled to drop it off 7/10/2023. Dealer has been fine to work with and willing to help. My chief complaint is I have found numerous others that this is happening to (internet Wrangler JL forum) & I feel like car mfg knows about this and is not doing anything about it.

NHTSA ODI 11529740

While driving the vehicle will just go crazy all lights come and things stop working throttle control, etc. it’s hard to control the vehicle

NHTSA ODI 11526044

On multiple occasions when driving at speeds over ~50 MPH, and hitting a bump or hole in the road (highways), a terrifying wobble occurs in the steering wheel. It is shaking so violently that it also feels as though the suspension, steering, and maybe other components are compromised. I am concerned that this is an issue that could lead to severe accident / injury / fatality. I am able to regain control of the vehicle after slowing and pulling off the road. I’m fortunate enough that these incidents have thus far happened during times of low traffic where I’ve been able to pull to the shoulder and regain control. I’m very concerned that it could happen when that’s not feasible or that the vehicle could lose control altogether at highway speed. I’m also incredibly concerned that Jeep dealers in my area weren’t able to accept my vehicle for weeks and wouldn’t offer any options for loaner / rental support. It feels to me like Jeep is accepting the risk that serious injury / accident / fatality could occur vs prioritizing consumer safety.

NHTSA ODI 11525817

- The front suspension, steering and tires are available for inspection. - A safety risk occurred immediately as I crossed an uneven transition from asphalt to concrete at the beginning of a bridge. The steering wheel/front end/vehicle began to shake violently at highway speed and maintaining control became difficult. I was unable to keep the vehicle in my lane. I immediately decelerated and with a semi on my rear, was eventually able to slow enough to use one hand to engage emergency flashers. The shaking stopped at about 35 mph. I've since learned this is referred to as a 'death wobble'. - Appointment made for dealership inspection on June 6, 2023. - There were no messages, symptoms or warnings.

NHTSA ODI 11525239

When driving over 50mph or above at highway speeds. When vehicle hits uneven or rough roadway. Violent shaking happens immediately Jeep websites call it the Death Wobble where, everything shakes really bad and is very stressful and scary. When the vehicle slows down to under 30mph the violent shaking stops. We brought the vehicle to the Cocoa Fl, Boniface Hiers Chrysler and Jeep dealership to have repaired. They made some adjustments the problem stopped for about 8 months. It has started doing the Death Wobble again. Have to take the vehicle back in to the dealership again.

NHTSA ODI 11525293

My 2021 Jeep Wrangler shakes uncontrollably if I hit any small bump at higher speed. It’s vibrates the entire vehicle making it impossible to steer or control. It only stops when I come to a complete stop. This is a safety issue and dangerous to drive. The vehicle has been inspected by a service department to replace steering damper, but have read this only temporary fixes the issue. There needs to be a recall for this vehicle even for models as new as 2021.

NHTSA ODI 11524592

Car began death wobble a little over 15,000 miles. Bumps at greater than 45 mph would result in this. Car would have to be stopped on highways to reset. Steering dampener exchanged by dealer, and issue was deemed fixed. Issue continues as car shakes over 65mph and pulls hard to the right. Car was taken in a second time, alignment was paid for out of customer pocket due to being categorized as wear and tear. Dealer says issue fixed. Immediately upon driving, issue is not fixed and car continues to shake violently over 65mph and pull hard to the right. Car taken in a third time. Now issue is inner wall of company chosen tires. Apparently it is too weak over time to support vehicle frame. At the beginning of this issue the car was one year old. Jeep refusing to cover tire replacement as stated it is a wear and tear issue. Even though it began at 15000 miles and is due to poor quality control on part of Jeep. Issue not with Bridgestone tire itself. Issue with tire specs not being able to withstand Wrangler frame.

NHTSA ODI 11524623

While driving on the highway the car started to shake violently as if one of the wheels was about to fall off. Pulled over to call jeep service and they said it was most likely a faulty steering dampner and that this has been a major issue for many new wranglers. So much so that parts were on back order at most dealerships. Only way to get expediated was to call Jeep Cares and plead my case. Advice was to drive below 50MPH until they could locate a new part and replace.

NHTSA ODI 11523455

My Jeep Wrangler has the famous "Death Wobble" and they cant seem to pinpoint what is causing it. Steering dampener fixed it for 3 days and it came back. It literally feels like I am about to be ejected out of my vehicle when I drive on any highway. FCA is throwing band aids at a known issue instead of bringing permanent fixed to the market.

NHTSA ODI 11522664

The first time the violent shaking of the steering wheel and vehicle was at highway speed. Fortunately I was able to pull over safely. I called to make an appointment with my closest dealer immediately and was made to wait 30 days. That first time my vehicle had 34,000 miles on it, by the time of my appointment they said it was out of warranty for the steering dampener since I was then over 36,000. I paid the diagnostic fees, labor and the replacement part. It has not fixed the issue, it has happened more frequently and more violently. I’ve taken it two non-dealer specialists who have not been able to pin point any problems. Spoke with Jeep customer service and they are requiring it to be diagnosed by a dealer at my cost, again. The last time the shaking happened I had to hit my brakes in the middle of the highway winding up with a tractor trailer narrowly missing me. I’m afraid to drive my $45,000 vehicle and now I have to wait multiple weeks again since my dealer (and called three others) has no available appointments before I can get any help.

NHTSA ODI 11519305

While going 55 mph, I hit a bump in the road and the Jeep started shaking all over the road. It started doing the death wobble.

NHTSA ODI 11518506

The jeep shakes violently when you hit rough terrain. It shakes and the steering wheel starts shaking. It is the death wobble. You have to slow down way below speed limit or stop to get it to stop shaking violently.

NHTSA ODI 11516645

When on the highway if I hit any kind of bump, especially if it is on any kind of turn it goes into what I learned it to be a "death wobble". I took it to my dealership and was told that it is the steering damper? No factory warranty on this part even though I have 100k warranty I believe. They also said no factory parts available, for several months, due to this issue, but I can upgrade to the "Fox" version for twice as much money and that the dealership just ordered 70 of these because of the problem. >

NHTSA ODI 11514338

When vehicle exceeds over 50 Mph, care and steering wheel shakes uncontrollably

NHTSA ODI 11514060

While driving the car randomly starts to violently shake (also known as death wobbles ). Steering is effected until car is almost brought to a complete stop. The car is very hard to keep on the road and is extremely dangerous. There was a recall and issued which I brought it into the dealership for but it has been 3 months and they still do not have the parts to fix it.

NHTSA ODI 11513536

While driving on the interstate, I passed over an expansion gap doing about 65 mph. As soon as I my left tire hit the expansion gap, the front of the vehicle started shaking uncontrollably to the point that I had to quickly decelerate from the middle lane and get to the shoulder to avoid an accident. At this time, I am awaiting being able to get into a service center to inspect, however there are many instances reported with the 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe with the same issue. No warners or other symptoms presented themselves prior or after the incident.

NHTSA ODI 11513311

Driving over 60 mph if I hit I bump the vehicle starts to violently shake. I then have to slow down for it to stop

NHTSA ODI 11512996

The Jeep 2021 Wrangler developed the "Death Wobble". When we hit a pot hole, the extent of the shaking almost caused us to loose control of the vehicle. We have contacted Jeep about it, but they do not believe it is a problem despite a Class Action Lawsuit for 2018-2020 Wranglers that use the same body and suspension parts as the 2021.

NHTSA ODI 11513042

Since November of 2022 the vehicle has been violently shaking in the steering wheel that occurs at speeds ranging from 50-70+ mph. It tends to happen on pavement change see such as bridges or potholes. The wheel shakes so violently that you need to slow to under 50 to get it to stop. I have brought it to multiple dealerships. The first replaced the steering damper on 2/1/23 with the newest FCA approved Damper. Within about 2 weeks the issue returned and seemed worse. I brought it to the dealership who couldn't replicate the problem because their techs could not drive 70mph. Talked with jeep wave and opened a case with them and they advised to bring to a different dealer. Brought to new dealer who drove the vehicle and experienced the violent shaking. They removed the damper and reinstalled. A week later the issue has returned and another appointment has been made. While traveling on the interstate this happened 7 times in 1 two hour trip. I had to pull over to the shoulder in traffic that many times which puts everyone in danger. Jeep keeps claiming it's the steering damper that is the issue but even after replacing with the newest version this still happens. It is very scary to have it happen randomly and puts everyone at risk at those speeds. I was able to film it happening and have that video readily available. I keep bringing the vehicle back to the dealership but there has not been a fix as of yet. Please hold FCA accountable and help resolve this issue.

NHTSA ODI 11512860