general problems of the 2005 Jeep Wrangler - part 2

2005 Jeep Wrangler x. This is a stock vehicle, no modifications. Between 45-55 mph both accelerating and decelerating has the death wobble (dw). First major dw was June 07 (12,819 miles) as I was driving on a smooth speed limit 50mph road, dealer replaced both steering damper and front trac bar. Next major dw in April 08, dealer replaced front trac bar again. Next major dw 1 may 08, dealer replaced steering gear. Next major dw 12 may 08, dealer stated manufacturer has developed a stronger steering damper and there are over 1,600 on back order, expect to be installed in July 08. Current mileage is 20,631. The Jeep death wobble is a serious safety issue and Jeep needs to fix it. Dealer service manager and lead Jeep mechanic both state this is a recurring problem on Jeep Wranglers.

This problem has been occurring since the first week I bought the Jeep used back in 2007. I returned to the dealership three times in the first month to have them balance, rotate tires, check alignment. Was told I needed new tires. New tires does fix the problem for a while. I have replaced brakes, rotors, tires, had alignments, rotations etc. Only to have the problem recur. I have now found that this problem is called the "Jeep death wobble" and has hundreds of like complaints. My tire wobbles terribly at around 55 miles per hour. I am now told that I should replace my upper and lower ball joints. Chrysler/Jeep has already acknowledged a similar problem on their liberty. They need to discover the problem so that we can fix this and ride safely before someone dies from this defect.

I had the first experience with the front end shimmying when I had approximately 15,000 miles on the Jeep. It happened after crossing a seam in the pavement on the highway at 70 mph. It happened several times since then when hitting any small bump in the road. I took the Jeep to the dealer, and they replaced the steering stabilizer with a heavy duty model but it made no difference. I still had the problem. I could not let my wife or children drive this vehicle because it could easily send you either off the road or into oncoming traffic when the shimmy occurs. You have to come to almost a complete stop before it will stop shaking and drive normal again.

Uncontrollable handling ( in the front end) when going an excess speed of 45 miles or more and hit any kind /size bump in road. Found out it was the stabilizer bar. When I first took my car in (months ago) they told me ( Chrysler) it was my rotors. Didn't understand how my rotors could do that since I wasn't braking at the time the shaking was happening. I ended up taking it to a mechanic and they figured out what it was. The guys at Chrysler have a nickname for it; "sudden death". Not once did I get a recall letter about this problem. They must of been worried about it because it only took them about 2 hours to fix it. They went and bought an after market stabilizer bar. I have had oil changes from the same place that have taken longer. I had the car for about a year when I first noticed the shaking but I heard about other Wranglers having the same problem. Someone needs to let other Jeep owners about this problem . It's very dangerous.

Front end starts into a violent wobble between 50 & 55 mph. The only way to stop it is to slam on the brakes. I have tried different tires and different tire pressures and the wobble still persist. The suspension hasn't been modified in any way and the entire vehicle is in stock condition. I think that this is a well known problem that could result in loss of life and there should be a recall to fix it.

Purchased 2005 Wrangler rubicon unlimited on January 14th returned vehicle to dealership for steering shudder and awful front end handling on January 17th and dealership found bad steering stabilizer from the factory.

Email from constituent requesting that NHTSA investigate the Jeep Wranglers in reference to a problem called the "Jeep death wobble" caused by a defective steering dampener. The dealer informed the consumer that the steering damper needed to be replaced on her vehicle.