Diagsheet

2020 Jeep Wrangler · symptom sheet

Steering wheel shakes or the "death wobble"

  • 68owner reports
  • 28,000median miles
  • 3involved a crash

Newest report Aug 31, 2026 · checked Sep 19, 2026

238 of the 607 complaints on this car are about the steering system. 68 of those describe death wobble, which makes it the most reported problem on the 2020 Wrangler.

Tick what matches of 68 reports

39
34
43
12
17
6

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the steering damper (12 reports).

Recalls and investigations

No recall on the steering system covers the 2020 model year as of Sep 19, 2026.

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

None of these investigations covers the 2020 model year.

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 6,500 and 49,300 miles, from the 19 reports that gave a mileage.

620
621
722
2323
1024
925
726

What owners wrote

“When driving at 65 mph and hitting uneven pavement the vehicle will begin shaking violently. When slowed to 45 mph it will come out of it. Jeep Dealership suggested replacing steering stabilizer. When part replaced as well as alignment checked twice the vehicle continues to have death wobble.”

Filed Mar 17, 2023

“When driving on a highway over 50 miles and you hit uneven road surface or a bump, it shakes terribly to the point you feel you have no control. Does not show any recall but there are a lot of people with the same vehicle and same problem.”

Filed Mar 7, 2023

“I have what they call the "Death Wobble" Jeep will not pay for the issue because I have 36,000 on 2020. I was going 70mph and hit a small bump and it started shaking my steering wheel. I had to stop for the shaking to stop.”

Filed Feb 27, 2023

“Driving on highway, 80 miles an hour in Southern Utah, three times I hit a normal bridge / road seam and the Jeep "Death Wobble" occurred. This is a well known thing amongst Jeep owners, but since I was a new owner I had no idea what was going on. After slowing down the wobble stopped. I thought I was going to crash. I am making an appointment with my local Jeep dealer to have it looked at.”

Filed Jan 7, 2023

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 3 of 68 reports involved a crash. 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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