1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee steering problems

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The contact owns a 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the front tires started shaking violently to the right and left while the steering wheel followed the rapid jerking movements from right to left. The contact slowed the vehicle to 40 MPH and was able to proceed. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local independent mechanic who determined that burned lower track arm bearings on the steering arms left and right needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The failure still occurred intermittently. The vehicle was towed to a second independent mechanic but had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

NHTSA complaint #11476350 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY 3 YEAR OLD GRANDCHILD IN THE BACK WHEN MY CAR STARTED SHAKING SO VIOLENTLY I THOUGHT WE WERE GOING TO DIE! IT LITERALLY FELT LIKE THE WHEELS AND THE STEERING WHEEL AS WELL WERE GOING TO ALL FALL OFF! I'VE NEVER BEEN MORE SCARED IN MY LIFE. IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO SLOW IT DOWN AND PULL OVER TO A BREAKDOWN LANE SO I COULD STOP . I WAS EVEN GOING UNDER THE SPEED LIMIT WHEN THIS HAPPENED

NHTSA complaint #11204239 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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MY JEEP HAS THE "DEATH WOBBLE". WHEN HITTING A BUMP (BRIDGE, POTHOLE, ETC.) GOING DOWN THE ROAD, THE FRONT END STARTS TO BOUNCE AROUND AND BECOMES UNSTABLE. THIS USUALLY OCCURS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND SEEMS TO BE WORSE WHEN TOWING A TRAILER. I HAVE TO COME TO AN ALMOST COMPLETE STOP THE GET IT TO QUIT SHAKING. STEERING AND BRAKING ARE AFFECTED. TIRES CHIRP WHEN TRYING TO STOP BECAUSE ONE OR BOTH FRONT TIRES LEAVE THE GROUND. NEW TIRES, BRAKES (BOTH PADS AND ROTORS), AND SWAY BAR LINKS AND THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS. JUST HAD A STATE INSPECTION DONE AND HAD THEM CHECK VERY CAREFULLY THE FRONT END COMPONENTS SUCH AS BALL JOINTS. ALL SEEMED TO BE OK.

NHTSA complaint #10871027 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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TIRES WEAR OUT FAST MICHELLEN.

NHTSA complaint #10823781 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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WAS DRIVING ON FREEWAY AT 70 MPH, HIT A BIG BUMP IN ROAD AND VEHICLE STARTED TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY, AT FIRST THOUGHT IT WAS A FLAT TIRE BUT AFTER SLOWING DOWN, THE VEHICLE STOPPED SHAKING AND COULD DRIVE NORMALLY. THAT WAS FIRST INCIDENT, SINCE THEN I'VE HAD 8 INCIDENTS WHERE THE SAME THING HAPPENS BETWEEN 55 AND 70 MPH. IT ALWAYS HAPPENS WHEN I HIT A BUMP IN ROAD. I LOOKED ON LINE TO SEE IF ANY ONE ELSE HAD EXPERIENCED THIS DEATH WOBBLE ON THE JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE LARADO AND FOUND A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND MIND NUMBING EXPERIENCE. UPDATED 11/12/15

NHTSA complaint #10744235 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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ENGINE NEVER STALLS BUT POWER STEERING CUTS OUT AND VEHICLE LOOSES ABILITY TO STEER AND NEGOTIATE A INTERSECTION TURN ALL THE TIME. ENGINE NEVER STALLS BUT ENGINE SPEED SURGES AND VEHICLE ACCELERATES SUDDENLY AT LOW SPEEDS AFTER CAR FIRST STARTS AND FOR FIRST 2 MINUTES OF RUNNING. ON SAFETY RECALL FOR GAS TANK DEFECT AND HITCH INSTALL. (N45) DEALER DID NOT ATTEMPT TO FIX BOLTS OR INSTALL HITCH OR OFFER COST ESTIMATE FOR REPAIR, ONLY TOOK UNAUTHORIZED PICTURES OF VEHICLE REAR UNDERCARRIAGE AND STATED BOLTS WERE ELONGATED AND LOOKED RUSTY.

NHTSA complaint #10644999 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM A PRIVATE SELLER WHO CAUTIONED ME ABOUT A SUPPOSED 'DEATH WOBBLE' AS I NOW KNOW IT WHEN THE CAR GOES OVER A BUMP AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. ON MY FIRST TAKE ON THE HIGHWAY, I HIT A SMALL BUMP GOING 65 AND THE CAR BEGAN TO SHAKE SO VIOLENTLY I THOUGHT IT WAS GOING TO BREAK UP INTO PIECES. TRAFFIC SWERVED AROUND ME AS I VEERED MY CAR TO MY LEFT INTO THE GRASSY MEDIAN. LUCKILY THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL EXPERTS OBSERVE THE FRONT END AND REPLACE PARTS AND SUGGEST OTHER PARTS TO REPLACE IN ORDER TO REMEDY THE SITUATION BUT NO FIX HAS RESOLVED THE 'DEATH WOBBLE.' MANY OF THESE EXPERTS HAVE SEEN THIS PROBLEM BEFORE AND EVEN TOLD ME NOT TO BOTHER SPENDING ANY MORE MONEY TRYING TO FIX IT BECAUSE I WOULD BE, 'THROWING MONEY INTO A BOTTOMLESS PIT.' PEOPLE HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS FOR ALMOST 20 YEARS NOW AND NOT A THING HAS BEEN DONE ABOUT IT! THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND CHRYSLER SHOULD BE SLAMMED FOR THIS!

NHTSA complaint #10568664 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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I HIT A SMALL BUMP AND THE FRONT END STARTED TO SHAKE VERY INTENSELY. I COULD FEEL IT IN THE STEERING WHEEL. TO STOP I HAD TO STEP HARD ON THE BRAKE, AND I WAS IN A CENTER LANE OF TRAFFIC. IT WAS A VERY DANGEROUS MANEUVER. SINCE THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED IT HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY MORE FREQUENT, EVEN THOUGH I HAVE TRIED A VARIETY OF STRATEGIES TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM: NEW TIRES, MULTIPLE ALIGNMENTS, NEW SHOCKS (TWICE), REPLACED TRACK BAR, REPLACE SWAY BAR BUSHINGS, REPLACED STEERING GEAR BOX AND PITMAN ARM. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL MECHANICS LOOK AT IT. IT IS VERY FRUSTRATING. THE CAR IS OLD, I UNDERSTAND THAT, BUT THERE IS NO LOGICAL REASON IT CAN NOT BE MADE SAFE. YET IT IS NOT SAFE, DESPITE MY ONGOING EFFORTS TO MAKE IT SO. I HAVE NOT YET GIVEN UP, BECAUSE OF COURSE I CAN'T SELL IT. IF I CAN'T FIX IT, I MIGHT AS WELL JUNK IT, EVEN THOUGH THE MOTOR RUNS GREAT.

NHTSA complaint #10555195 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, SHE ATTEMPTED TO MANEUVER THE STEERING WHEEL HOWEVER THE STEERING WHEEL FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING BOX AND STEERING BAR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 175,000.

NHTSA complaint #10482389 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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IN 2007 HAD WHAT IS KNOWN AS THE JEEP DEATH WOBBLE. I HAD KNOW IDEA WHAT THIS WAS UNTIL I LET THE JEEP SET FOR 4 YEARS AND THEN HAD THE STEERING BOX AND STEERING STABILIZER REPLACED. EVERYTHING WAS FINE FOR A WHILE UNTIL I HIT A SMALL BUMP IN THE ROAD IN 2012 DRIVING DOWN I-40. I WAS COMING AROUND A CURVE AND THE JEEP BEGAN TO SHAKE OUT OF CONTROL. I WAS DOING THE SPEED LIMIT WHICH IS 70. HAD TO SLAM ON BRAKES AND PULL OVER FOR THIS TO STOP. TOOK IT BACK TO THE SHOP AND WAS BASICALLY TOLD ALL JEEPS DO THIS AND NOTHING COULD BE DONE. THIS IS SO DANGEROUS AND THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL TO FIX THE PROBLEM. FROM WHAT I'VE READ ONLINE IT CAN BE FIXED, BUT WHY SHOULD JEEP OWNERS HAVE TO FOOT THE BILL TO BE SAFE ON THE ROAD????

NHTSA complaint #10462800 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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DEATH WOBBLE: STEERING WHEEL AND ENTIRE FRONT OF CAR SHAKES OR OSCILLATES VERY BADLY WHEN TRAVELING BETWEEN 25 AND 50 MPH AND HITTING A BUMP OR RUT IN THE ROAD. THIS VIOLENT SHAKING CONTINUES UNTIL THE SPEED IS REDUCED. THIS INCIDENT HAS HAPPENED TO ME ABOUT 20 TIMES IN THE LAST 3 MONTHS. ACCORDING TO MANY REPORTS ON THE INTERNET, THE BAD COMPONENTS ARE THE FRONT TRACK ARM OR BAR AND THE STEERING DAMPER.

NHTSA complaint #10461542 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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I HAVE REPEATEDLY TRIED TO FIND OUT WHAT IS CAUSING MY STEERING TO CONSISTENTLY WOBBLE AT 50 MPH. AFTER SEVERAL TRIPS TO MY MECHANIC, IT TURNS OUT TO BE A COMMON STEERING ISSUE WITH THE JEEP. I COULD NOT FIND A RECALL NOTICE FOR THIS SPECIFIC PROBLEM. IS THERE A WAY TO HAVE THE MANUFACTURER REPAIR IT?

NHTSA complaint #10443445 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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HAVING RECENTLY PURCHASED A PRE-OWNED 1998 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE LAREDO. WITH 80K MILES, I WAS RUDELY INTRODUCED TO JEEP'S APPARENTLY WELL KNOWN. ATTRIBUTE KNOWN AS 'WOBBLE OF DEATH' OR 'DEATH WOBBLE'. PLEASE DO AN INTERNET. SEARCH OF THIS MALADY TO REALIZE THE EXTENT OF THIS INHERENT PROBLEM. MY JEEP IS COMPLETELY STOCK AND COMPLETELY NERVE-WRACKING TO DRIVE WITH IT'S CURRENT TENDENCIES. I AM COMPLETELY SURPRISED THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN ALLOWED TO PERSIST FOR THIS LONG.

NHTSA complaint #10191903 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:LINKAGES

WHILE DRIVING AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS AND MAKING SLIGHT TURNS THE 1998 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE WILL VIBRATE AND BOUNCE. THE STEERING WHEEL WILL BEGIN TO PULL AND THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE FEELS LIKE IT IS COMING OFF OR BOUNCING. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER AND THREE INDEPENDENT SHOPS FOR THIS PROBLEM OVER A 2 YEAR PERIOD. ALL OF HAVE FELT THE PROBLEM AND HAVE NO IDEA WHERE IT IS COMING FROM. I HAVE SO FAR REPLACED THE ENTIRE FRONT BRAKE SYSTEM, ALL FRONT BUSHINGS, SHOCKS, TIRES, FRONT U BOLTS, AND HAD THE WHOLE SYSTEM INSPECTED BY AT LEAST 10 DIFFERENT MECHANICS. ALSO THE BRAKES FEEL LIKE THEY ARE RIDING ON A WARPED ROTOR. WHEN BREAKING THE PEDAL PUSHES BACK AT THE DRIVER AND MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE BREAKING. THIS PROBLEM HAS ALSO BEEN LOOKED AT BY THE DEALER AND THE AFOREMENTIONED SHOPS. TO DATE NO SOLUTION HAS BEEN FOUND AND THE PROBLEM KEEPS GETTING WORSE. I FEAR THAT EITHER OF THESE PROBLEMS CAN CAUSE A MAJOR FAILURE LEADING TO INJURY OR DEATH.

NHTSA complaint #10185148 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

WHILE DRIVING AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS AND MAKING SLIGHT TURNS THE 1998 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE WILL VIBRATE AND BOUNCE. THE STEERING WHEEL WILL BEGIN TO PULL AND THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE FEELS LIKE IT IS COMING OFF OR BOUNCING. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER AND THREE INDEPENDENT SHOPS FOR THIS PROBLEM OVER A 2 YEAR PERIOD. ALL OF HAVE FELT THE PROBLEM AND HAVE NO IDEA WHERE IT IS COMING FROM. I HAVE SO FAR REPLACED THE ENTIRE FRONT BRAKE SYSTEM, ALL FRONT BUSHINGS, SHOCKS, TIRES, FRONT U BOLTS, AND HAD THE WHOLE SYSTEM INSPECTED BY AT LEAST 10 DIFFERENT MECHANICS. ALSO THE BRAKES FEEL LIKE THEY ARE RIDING ON A WARPED ROTOR. WHEN BREAKING THE PEDAL PUSHES BACK AT THE DRIVER AND MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE BREAKING. THIS PROBLEM HAS ALSO BEEN LOOKED AT BY THE DEALER AND THE AFOREMENTIONED SHOPS. TO DATE NO SOLUTION HAS BEEN FOUND AND THE PROBLEM KEEPS GETTING WORSE. I FEAR THAT EITHER OF THESE PROBLEMS CAN CAUSE A MAJOR FAILURE LEADING TO INJURY OR DEATH.

NHTSA complaint #10185148 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

THE PROBLEMS THAT ARE BEING RECALLED ON THE DODGE DURANGO ARE THE EXACT SAME PROBLEMS THAT I EXPERIENCED WITH MY 98 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE WITH ONLY 55,770 MILES ON IT. THE STEERING WAS SO SLOPPY AND THE VEHICLE LEANED VERY HARD AND EASILY THAT ON A TURN, IT FELT VERY VERY DANGEROUS. I GOT QUOTES AT THE DEALERSHIP WHICH WERE ASTRONOMICAL, SO I DECIDED TO LOOK ELSEWHERE. FEARING ROLL OVER DANGERS ON THIS VEHICLE, I DECIDED TO GET SOME FRONT AND REAR ADDCO SWAY BARS, WHICH AT THE TIME WERE THE STRONGEST SWAY BARS. AFTER GETTING THE SWAY BARS VIA COURIER, I PRICED AROUND AND TOOK THEM TO FOUR WHEEL PARTS LOCATED AT 2500 MARINE AVE. #1, REDONDO BEACH, CA 90278. I EXPLAINED THE PROBLEMS TO THEM. I EXPLAINED THAT I WANTED SAFER SHOCKS AND I DIDN'T WANT THE VEHICLE TO ROLL-OVER, SO THEY TOOK THINGS APART AND FOUND THAT THE TIE RODS WERE JUNK. THEY REPAIRED EVERYTHING AND CHARGED ME $2536.44 ON 05/07/03, INVOICE # 42-045575, AND THAT DOESN'T INCLUDE THE PRICE OF THE SWAY BARS. AFTER THE WORK WAS DONE, I FOUND THAT THE VEHICLE HAS A LOT TIGHTER TURNING RADIUS AND IT DOESN'T DRIFT OR PUSH INTO THE NEXT LANE IN A TURN ANY MORE. BASICALLY, IT FELT LIKE A BRAND-NEW VEHICLE AND I PAID THE BILL TO PROVE IT. I HAVE THE ENTIRE WORK ORDER IN FRONT OF ME.

NHTSA complaint #10102698 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)

VEHICLE STEERING LOCKED UP ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. *MR THE CONSUMER WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN WHILE DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. SUDDENLY THE STEERING LOCKED UP WHICH ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. THE CONSUMER PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND CHECKED THE BELTS AND POWER STEERING FLUID, WHICH WERE ALRIGHT. THE DRIVER RESUMED DRIVING BUT WHEN HE MADE ANOTHER LEFT TURN THE STEERING LOCKED UP AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE GEAR BOX FAILED. THE REPAIRS WERE NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE IT EXPIRED, THEREFORE THE CONSUMER REPLACED THE GEAR BOX HIMSELF. THE CONSUMER HAS THE ORIGINAL GEAR BOX IN HIS POSSESSION. *NLM

NHTSA complaint #10048197 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE

WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP, CAUSING, THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF VEHICLE. OWNER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP.

NHTSA complaint #10042409 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR

ELETRICAL, AIR CONDITION, BODY NOISE OVER ALL UNHAPPY WITH VICIAL EVAPORATOR CORE $1000.00 TO REPAIR LIGHTS AND DASH GAGES DO NOT FUCTION PROPERLY SUSPICION SQEAKS HAD OILED HELPED FOR A DAY BRAKES WERE VERY QUICK WILL NOT LINE UP IF YOU LET GO OF THE WHEEL IT GOES STRAIGHT OFF THE ROAD RADIO CAN NOT BE TRUNED UP DOOR PANILES VIBRATE LEFT TURN LIGHT STAYS ON ON THE DASH AT ALL TIMES FUEL GAGE REEDS EMEPTY EVEN WHEN FULL AN LIGHT IS ON .

NHTSA complaint #10025758 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER MADE A RIGHT TURN AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP, WHICH CAUSE LOST OF CONTROL AND RESULTED IN VEHICLE RUNNING OFF THE ROAD. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS. TS

NHTSA complaint #8023133 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THERE ARE LOUD CLICKING NOISES COMING FROM THE COLUMN. HOWEVER, THERE ARE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLITENS ON THIS ISSUE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. TS

NHTSA complaint #8021716 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP

AT 65MPH AND WITHOUT WARNING, THE POWER STEERING HAD GONE OUT. CONSUMER COULD HEAR NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER NOTIFIED. CONSUMER STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURED ABOUT 70 MILES FROM HIS HOME. THE VEHICLE STAYED AT THE FAILURE LOCATION UNTIL IT WAS FIXED. THE POWER STEERING AND PUMP WAS REPLACED AT A NJ GARAGE, FOR 7 DAYS, WHILE WAITING ON PARTS. (INVOICE IS AFFIXED TO THIS FORM)*AK *SCC

NHTSA complaint #8013516 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR

WHILE DRIVING STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #895490 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:LINKAGES:DRAG:POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

WHEN DRIVING AT 15 MPH AND WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING POWER STEERING ASSEMBLY AND PULLEY CAME COMPLETELY OUT OF VEHICLE. CONSUMER TOLD MANUFACTURER THAT HE NEVER HEARD OF THAT PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #894833 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS

POWER STEERING HOSE EXPERIENING LEAKS. NLM

NHTSA complaint #606445 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP

POWER STEERING PUMP.

NHTSA complaint #609635 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:RACK AND PINION

RACK AND PINION.

NHTSA complaint #609688 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:POWER STEERING FLUID

POWER STEERING LEAK.

NHTSA complaint #607300 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.