Jeep’s Infamous ‘Death Wobble’ Might Still Be a Problem
Jeep continues to use solid front axles for most of its models. What can Wrangler fans do to stop their SUV from getting the shakes?
Written by Andrew Koole
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
The
Jeep
Wrangler has one of the longest heritages of any vehicle in the industry. Despite its history, it seems the Wrangler
still has a few kinks to work out. For years, owners have dealt with the “death wobble,” a violent shaking in the SUV’s front axle that can occur if the vehicle hits a bump at high speeds.The Wrangler’s “death wobble” problem isn’t as fatal as its name suggests, but it can still be a shock to any driver.
In 2019, Jeep came up with a free fix to mitigate the issue, but a recent lawsuit against the brand’s parent company claims it doesn’t work as well as the company suggests.
Jerry
did some lite investigating to find out more.Jeep’s free “death wobble” repair
The problem referred to as the “death wobble” isn’t a Jeep-exclusive problem. It can happen to any vehicle with a solid front axle. The condition is only associated with the legendary American automaker because the company is one of the only brands still using a solid front axle design.
But that hasn’t stopped the problem from taking center stage in a number of lawsuits filed against Jeep’s parent company, Chrysler Fiat Automobiles. The company responded in 2019 by developing an improved steering damper and offering it as a free repair.
Unfortunately,
ClassAction.org
says a 2020 lawsuit claims that the problem is still rearing its head in Jeep models and that the new steering damper doesn’t actually solve the issue. The suit also argues that the free repair wasn’t administered through the proper “recall” channels.What you can do if you experience the “death wobble”
No matter what solid front-axled vehicle you’re in, you can experience the vibrations referred to as the “death wobble.”
When they’re at their worst, they can make people lose control of the wheel and cause accidents. But between 2005 and 2010, only five of the 400 reported incidents of “death wobble” actually caused collisions.
Still, the experience doesn’t sound fun. Ron King of
MotorBiscuit
says it’s important to stay calm and not make any sudden changes in speed. Changing your speed slightly one way or another may stop the vibrations altogether. If it doesn’t, you might need to pull over.“It may feel like your vehicle is tearing itself apart,” King says, “but it is not.”
Jeep Wrangler car insurance
Every Jeep Wrangler has a solid front axle, so they can also go through “death wobble.” But when it comes to
car insurance
, your model year and trim can make a big difference. Older versions of the SUV like the TJ Sport can get covered for an average of $1,676 a year, while the average annual premiums for a Wrangler Sahara are $2,972.
But you don’t have to be average when it comes to car insurance. Depending on the Wrangler model you buy, Jerry can save you big money on your coverage.
A licensed broker, Jerry does all the hard work of finding cheap quotes from the top name-brand insurance companies and buying new car insurance. Jerry will even help you cancel your old policy.
And to ensure you always have the lowest rate, Jerry will send you new quotes every time your policy comes up for renewal, so you’re always getting the coverage you want at the best price.
This level of service is why Jerry earned a 4.6/5 rating on the App Store and made it the top insurance app in the country.
4.7
