Jeeps that have been modified and the Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator are the most likely Jeeps to experience death wobble. With that said, there have been reports of death wobble in virtually every model and year of Jeep, so it appears that all Jeeps are susceptible to the death wobble.
There is a service bulletin and a 2019 class-action lawsuit filed in US District Court on behalf of the owners of 2015-2018 Jeep Wranglers. However, the problem has not gone away. In fact, there are already 129 complaints for the 2021 Wrangler on the NHTSA website with many for the “death wobble” problem.
Since 2019 Jeep has had a fix for the Wrangler and Gladiator in what is called the "death wobble." Now, it is covering more vehicles under warranty to fix it. The dreaded Jeep “death wobble” is ubiquitous. Popping up for years, it happens when the front end begins a harsh shaking.
The most common cause of death wobble is worn suspension components–especially links, joints, and bushings. Common culprits include: track bar bushings. control arm bushings.
A Jeep might shake while driving if a number of different components are misaligned or poorly installed. The driveshaft is one example. It's typically best to talk to a mechanic to diagnose the problem and get it fixed. While the shaking might be scary, it's usually safe to drive your vehicle in the meantime.
Everything from an unbalanced tire to loose hardware could cause a domino effect and make you encounter this unsettling experience. Aftermarket parts of suspension components could cause your Jeep Wrangler to death wobble as well so make sure you rule that out.
Whether it's covered by a warranty depends on what's causing the death wobble. If the wobble is caused by a faulty suspension or loose or damaged steering components, it's likely a manufacturer's defect that's covered by the Jeep three-year, 36,000-mile basic warranty.
The new eight-year/90,000-mile warranty covers replacement parts and labor related to a failed front suspension damper. “Death wobble” occurs at highway speeds. When the driver hits a bump, the vehicle's steering wheel, wheels and tires, and suspension can vibrate or shake.
Generally, death wobble is caused by several worn-out steering or suspension parts, although out-of-balance tires, bent wheels, loose wheel bearings, a bad alignment, low tire pressure, a bent tie rod, and more can all contribute to or cause death wobble.
Vehicles Known for Death Wobbles
Ford and Ram trucks are some of the most popular tow vehicles that experience this issue. It's also relatively common in 4x4s like Jeeps and other lifted vehicles.
1. 2008 Jeep Wrangler (most problems overall) Although several Wrangler model years have significant issues, the 2008 Jeep Wrangler has the most overall problems reported by real-life owners on CarComplaints.com. Among the many issues with the 2008 model, the biggest is the electrical system.
But find your loose/broken/unbalanced part first. In conclusion, the steering damper does not cause, and consequently, fix death wobble in a Jeep.
Do All Jeeps Have the Death Wobble? Jeeps that have been modified and the Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator are the most likely Jeeps to experience death wobble. With that said, there have been reports of death wobble in virtually every model and year of Jeep, so it appears that all Jeeps are susceptible to the death wobble.
Death wobble is caused by loose or damaged steering components, however, it can also be caused by incorrectly installing steering or suspension parts. The first thing you should check is if anything is bent or broken.
In these cases, one of the most common causes of the Death Wobble appears to be the Jeep's front track bar. While the bar itself isn't really at fault, the bolts that hold it in place and the supporting bushings can cause the vehicle to vibrate and shake.
Ford truck drivers who have experienced this violent shaking on the road describe it as a terrifying experience because many struggle to steer and keep control of the vehicle. Naturally, this temporary loss of control and difficulty steering can lead to an increased risk of accident, injury, or death.
Faulty brake rotors are the main culprit when a car, truck, or SUV shakes when braking. Ideally, brake rotors work with your brake pads to stop your wheels from spinning. But as rotors get older, they get thinner from wear and tear, and they can become damaged.
Although Jeep isn't the most reliable brand, the Jeep Wranglers are solid. They are more reliable than other Jeep models on the market and will stand the test of time with enough maintenance and care.
Maintain Proper Tire Pressure: Common triggers for the death wobble include over-inflated, under-inflated, or mismatched tire pressures. To prevent the death wobble from occurring, you should make sure to check your tire pressure regularly and deflate or inflate your tires as necessary.
"Death wobble" describes escalating suspension vibration in vehicles equipped with a solid front axle, though some independent setups also experience this phenomenon. You need only look under the front of your vehicle to determine its axle type.