Three problems related to steering gear box shaft pitman have been reported for the 2018 Jeep Wrangler. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Recently purchased a certified pre owned Wrangler 2018jlur under 25k miles and less than 2k miles from purchase. Checked out steering and was loose noticed wonder at from 20mph to over 65mph. Over 65mph steering is very loose and unsafe, was in a construction corridor on highway and due to how loose steering and wandering was it could easily lead to a crash and fatality. There is a dead zone of a 30 degree turn of the wheel. Dealer was very helpful and confirmed pitman arm and drag link needed to be replaced, as it was stated the pitman arm had seized in the connection with the drag link.
Jeep Wrangler jlu rubicon with ongoing steering issues. At freeway speeds, at or above 60 mph, the Jeep wanders and there is 1. 5 to 2 inches of play in the steering. Constant correction and steering input is warranted to maintain lane limits. The Jeep has been to the dealer 3-4 times without resolution. Dealer stated the play was normal. The steering damper was replaced under recall without resolution. I paid out of pocket for a new front tack bar and steering gear without resolution. On evaluation from a Jeep independent alignment facility, it was identified the tie rod connected to the pitman arm had excessive play. At 13500 miles, the steering has costed me $1500 and it is still not fixed. Dealer recognizes the issue. Serial calls to the fca customer service line has led to �complaint numbers� but no resolution. My steering issues are reported by others on Jeep jl forums and youtube.
Within the first week of receiving vehicle, I experienced a violent shaking of the steering wheel while traveling 60 mph on the highway, that almost caused me to run into the vehicle next to me. This occurred several times that day. After several occurrences, I realized it seemed to occur when hitting a bump. Called service department who reassured me this was not a safety issue (???) and that they would replace the recalled track bar. Several weeks later, said track bar was replaced (they are on backorder). The vehicle continues to demonstrate this violent loss of steering control and at most recent inspection (after being told it can't still be happening), I was told they found "some play" in the drag link joint at pitman arm and part has been ordered. This weekend, the violent shaking occurred and would not stop for well over 30 seconds, even when I took my foot off accelerator and then hit the brake (on the higheay, next to a semi). I just took possession of this vehicle on November 29 and it only had 5000 miles (demo sold as new). Something needs to be done about this. It's happening in brand new, unmodified vehicles.