2004 Jeep Wrangler suspension problems

SUSPENSION

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.

NHTSA complaint #11152612 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

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.

NHTSA complaint #10887617 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

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?!

NHTSA complaint #10807552 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

JEEP "DEATH WOBBLE" BETWEEN 50-60 MPH. I'VE CORRECTED ISSUE 3X OVER THE YEARS.

NHTSA complaint #10758649 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

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.

NHTSA complaint #10726915 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

"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....

NHTSA complaint #10639525 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

WHILE DRIVING FRONT END STARTED TO SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLY, HAD TO ALMOST COME TO A STOP TO GET IT STOP SHAKING.

NHTSA complaint #10637735 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

VEHICLE BEGAN SHAKING VIOLENTLY AFTER HITTING A ROUGH SPOT ON THE INTERSTATE. HAD TO BRAKE HARD AND PULL OFF THE INTERSTATE TO REGAIN CONTROL. CHECKED OUT THE VEHICLE FOR ANYTHING OBVIOUSLY WRONG AND DID NOT FIND ANYTHING WHILE ON THE SIDE OF THE INTERSTATE. RETURNED HOME AT A SLOWER SPEED.

NHTSA complaint #10609263 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

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.

NHTSA complaint #10567359 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

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.

NHTSA complaint #10537611 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

HELLO I BOUGHT THE JEEP FROM A PRIVATE PARTY, IT HAS 72,150 MILES ON IT, AND WHEN I HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD EITHER DRIVER OR PASSENGER SIDE IT WILL SHAKE PRETTY GOOD. IT HAS NOT BEEN MODIFIED. STOCK FACTORY TIRES AND RIMS NO LIFT KIT, I HAVE HAD SEVERAL JEEP MECHANIC LOOK AT IT BUT STILL NO ANSWERS TO THE PROBLEM, I AM A DISABLED VET 100% AND CAN NOT AFFORD THE GUESSING GAME OF THIS MAY BE THE PROBLEM. PLEASE HELP!

NHTSA complaint #10534019 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

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!!

NHTSA complaint #10513525 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

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.

NHTSA complaint #10502589 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOBBLED OUT CONTROL WHEN DRIVEN OVER 45 MPH OR GREATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TIRES WERE BALANCED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT ALSO REPLACED THE FRONT UNIVERSAL JOINTS, BRAKE, ROTORS, TRACK BAR, WHEEL BEARINGS, AND THE STEERING STABILIZER BUT WAS UNABLE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

NHTSA complaint #10497853 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

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.

NHTSA complaint #10485896 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

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.

NHTSA complaint #10474863 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

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 THE SHOULDER TO REDUCE SPEED AND GAIN CONTROL AGAIN. EACH TIME ON THE INTERSTATE MY SPEED WAS BETWEEN 60 AND 65 MPH. THE LAST TIME IT HAPPENED I DROVE 20 MILES BACK HOME ON CITY STREETS IN ORDER TO KEEP MY SPEED BELOW 50 MPH. THE "DEATH WOBBLE" DOES NOT HAPPEN BELOW 50 MPH ALTHOUGH I CAN SOMETIMES FEEL IT STARTING TO SHAKE AS I APPROACH THAT SPEED. AS I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE INSPECTED BY AN AUTHORIZED CHRYSLER DEALER, REPLACED THE RECOMMENDED PARTS AND HAVE DONE THE REQUIRED MAINTENANCE, I FEEL THAT THERE IS A SAFETY ISSUE BUILT INTO SOME OF THE VEHICLES LIKE MINE. I THINK THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED AS MANY JEEP WRANGLER OWNERS THAT I HAVE TALKED TO AND AUTHORIZED DEALERS ALSO WERE VERY FAMILIAR WITH THE TERM "DEATH WOBBLE" IN CONJUNCTION WITH JEEP WRANGLERS. IN FACT, AS I WAS DESCRIBING THE PROBLEM TO ONE OF THE AUTHORIZED CHRYSLER JEEP DEALERS, HE INTERRUPTED ME BY SAYING, "AH, THE "DEATH WOBBLE". ONCE IT HAPPENS TO YOU, YOU KNOW THAT IT IS A VERY APT DESCRIPTION OF THE BEHAVIOR.

NHTSA complaint #10470922 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

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.

NHTSA complaint #10467283 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

I OWN A 2004 JEEP WRANGLER WHICH I PURCHASED FROM A JEEP DEALERSHIP IN 2006. JUST WEEKS AFTER I BOUGHT IT, THE JEEP SHOOK UNCONTROLLABLY AT SPEEDS OF 45 MPH OR FASTER. BRAKING DID NOT HELP. I LITERALLY HAVE TO LET THE JEEP SLOW DOWN ON ITS OWN , SO THAT IT CAN RE-ADJUST ITSELF. DRIVING OVER ANY KIND OF BUMP IN THE ROAD ALSO CAUSES THIS UNCONTROLLABLE SHAKING AT THE SAME SPEEDS. I HAVE NOW OWNED THIS JEEP NOW FOR 6 YEARS , AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. IN THIS TIME PERIOD, I HAVE REPLACED THE TRACK BAR TWICE. CHANGED THE SHOCKS, HAVE HAD COUNTLESS WHEEL BALANCING AND ALIGNMENTS, AND HAVE REPLACED THE STEERING STABILIZER. MORE TIMES THAN NOT, THE SHAKING IS SO BAD, I HAVE TO PULL OFF THE HIGHWAY. I LIVE IN THE LAKE TAHOE AREA AND EXPERIENCE THIS SHAKING EFFECT OFTEN TIMES WHILE DRIVING ON WINDING ROADS IN THIS AREA. WHILE IM SURE THE DANGER FACTOR EXISTS FOR ANYONE OWNING A VEHICLE THAT DOES THIS, I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT HAVING MY JEEP SHAKE RELENTLESSLY ON THESE MOUNTAIN ROADS.

NHTSA complaint #10466081 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

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.

NHTSA complaint #10461972 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

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?

NHTSA complaint #10461731 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

STEERING WHEEL SHAKES, MOST RECENTLY MADE WHOLE VEHICLE SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLY. HAS NOT BEEN OFF ROAD OR ALTERED IN ANY WAY. LADY DRIVEN ONLY.

NHTSA complaint #10460367 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

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.

NHTSA complaint #10455094 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

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 DRIVING THIS VEHICLE, IT'S NOT A QUESTION OF 'IF' I'M GOING TO WRECK IT, IT'S A MATTER OF 'WHEN' IT'S GOING TO OCCUR.

NHTSA complaint #10451121 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

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

NHTSA complaint #10449868 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH WHEN THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE VIOLENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHENEVER DRIVING OVER A SLIGHT ROAD BUMP AT 55 MPH OR MORE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE SWAY BAR LINK AND DAMPER WERE REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER A SECOND TIME BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO LOCATE THE MALFUNCTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30.

NHTSA complaint #10442882 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

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 ABSORBERS, AND ALL 4 TIRES., IN ADDITION, THE SUSPENSION HAS BEEN INSPECTED NUMEROUS TIMES IN THE PAST 3 YEARS. GIVEN THE SHEAR NUMBER OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS BY OTHER OWNERS, I FEEL THAT THIS IS AN OBVIOUS MANUFACTURER DEFECT THAT SHOULD BE ACKNOWLEDGED AND CORRECTED BY THE MANUFACTURER.

NHTSA complaint #10440323 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

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.

NHTSA complaint #10428846 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

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.

NHTSA complaint #10427084 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.