Diagsheet

2018 Jeep Wrangler · symptom sheet

Steering wheel shakes or the "death wobble"

  • 517owner reports
  • 8,000median miles
  • $3,200median quote
  • 0involved a crash

Newest report Aug 26, 2026 · checked Sep 19, 2026

1115 of the 1,815 complaints on this car are about the steering system. 517 of those describe death wobble, which makes it the most reported problem on the 2018 Wrangler.

Tick what matches of 517 reports

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379
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29

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the steering damper (88 reports), the track bar (22 reports), the tie rod (7 reports) and the ball joint (3 reports).

Recalls and investigations

One recall on the steering system covers the 2018 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.

18V-343May 25, 2018
Steering

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. The intermediate steering shaft may not have been properly welded causing a split where the external spline is formed.

Risk and remedy
Risk: If the weld seam splits, the steering wheel may lose center positioning causing a loss of steering responsiveness and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, replace the intermediate steering shaft, free of charge. The recall began June 21, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U48.

NHTSA investigations into the steering system on the Wrangler

PE24-024opened Sep 6, 2024
Steering · model years 2021 to 2023

Underhood fires. Open, led to recall 26V-363.

NHTSA summary
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received 9 Vehicle Owner's Questionnaire (VOQ) reports, 1 Death and Injury report, and multiple field reports alleging incidents of engine compartment fires in model year (MY) 2021-2023 Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator vehicles. The majority of the reports describe a fire occurring while the ignition in the vehicle was in an ‘OFF’ state with a suspected origin at the passenger front side of the engine compartment. An ignition ‘OFF’ vehicle fire can result in an increased risk of occupant injury, injury to persons outside the vehicle, and property damage, with little to no warning. ODI has contacted the vehicle manufacturer, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA), and learned of several thermal events originating at the power steering pump electrical connector in recent model year Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator vehicles. The location of the pump connector is located at the passenger front side of the engine compartment, coinciding with the majority of fire reports known to ODI. ODI is opening this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) to assess the cause, scope, and frequency of the alleged defect. To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Numbers document, go to NHTSA.gov.
PE19-012opened Sep 16, 2019
Steering · model years 2018 to 2019

Frame weld deficiencies. Closed oct 29, 2023.

NHTSA summary
On September 16, 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) granted Defect Petition DP18-004 and opened Preliminary Evaluation PE19-012 to investigate allegations of deficient frame welds and their potential safety related effects on 2018-2019 Jeep Wranglers. Due to a previous steering related recall that was caused by a misaligned weld on the front track bar (NHTSA Recall No. 18V-675), ODI decided to include reports of steering shimmy or wobble, loose steering, and steering stiction (loss of power steering) as part of this investigation and parent petition (DP18-004). ODI received information from the vehicle manufacturer Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) via information request letters dated March 8, 2019, and February 6, 2020. Supplemental requests for information occurred between July 2020 and July 2023. A review of the responsive manufacturer information showed that vehicles presenting an unexpected reduction in steering ability due to a welding tool misalignment were correctly addressed via recall 18V-675. General complaints concerning the weld appearance were not associated with a realized risk to motor vehicle safety. ODI identified a limited number of reports involving weld separation on vehicles that were out of scope of recall 18V-675. FCA identified various causes of weld quality issues in early production (build dates prior to March 2018) including improper welding techniques on galvanized frames and component part variation leading to off-seam welds. These is
DP18-004opened Nov 16, 2018
Steering · model years 2018 to 2019

Frame weld deficiencies. Closed sep 17, 2019.

NHTSA summary
In a letter received on October 24, 2018, a citizen petitioned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to initiate a safety defect investigation into frame weld deficiencies on model year (MY) 2018 'JL' Jeep Wrangler vehicles. The petitioner described a broad list of frame weld deficiencies, including porous welds, excessive slag, lack of weld penetration, over penetration of welds, overweld or weld drip, and weld splash. The weld defects are allegedly located at a variety of locations on the frame assembly.On November 16, 2018, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Defect Petition (DP18-004) to evaluate whether to grant or deny the petition. On March 8, 2019, ODI sent an Information Request letter to Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) requesting information on frame weld related issues on all MY 2018-2019 Jeep Wrangler 'JL' vehicles. Due to a previous steering related recall that was caused by a misaligned weld on the front track bar (NHTSA Recall No. 18V-675), ODI opted to include a request for additional information concerning reports of steering shimmy or wobble, loose steering, and steering lockup in the March request letter. ODI has performed a preliminary analysis on the information obtained from FCA. Based on ODI's review of the applicable materials, NHTSA has decided to grant the petition. While reviewing the applicable materials obtained from the manufacturer, ODI identified various reports and references to frame welded component detach

What owners paid

6 of the 517 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $1,200 to $4,200.

$1,200$3,200$4,200
$0k$2k$4k$6k$8k

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 4,400 and 15,000 miles, from the 408 reports that gave a mileage.

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What owners wrote

“my vehicle has extremely bad death wobble, only 55 thousand miles on it. its a extreme safty hazard ! i just had my tires rotated and balanced and the problem is not any better ! once i hit 65 mph its shakes uncontrollably and i have to slow down to 40mph to get it to stop! that is extremely dangersous on a highway to be driving like this ! it has been like this since i got my car at 33,000 miles in august 2021”

Filed Apr 15, 2024 · 33,000 miles

“Death wobble when hitting a bump over 50 mph. Only 31K miles but out of warranty. Dealer repalced track bar, but it didn't reslove the problem. Waiting on a dampener replacement. Both I hve had to pay for.”

Filed Feb 8, 2024 · 31,000 miles

“At 60 miles an hour if you hit a bump jeeps starts the death wobble til you slow to 45 miles an hour. Jeep has claimed recall was completed 1/14/20 at 4840 miles, we purchased used and has 22041 miles now and same issue. Their alleged fix is not fixed. I spoke with Chrysler about this and they stated I must pay for diagnostic and then they would maybe do something.”

Filed Apr 5, 2023 · 4,840 miles

“This vehicle is not safe due to the "death wobble". My 2018 Jeep Wrangler with only 36,000 miles has become unsafe to drive. Anytime it's driven over 30 mph there is an almost uncontrollable, violent shaking that occurs. What is being done about this? Is it going to take serious injury or death to happen for this to be recalled?”

Filed Jan 19, 2023 · 36,000 miles

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 0 of 517 reports involved a crash and 3 people were hurt. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.

File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation.

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