2023 Jeep Wrangler · symptom sheet
Steering wheel shakes or the "death wobble"
- 37owner reports
- 14,217median miles
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Sep 24, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
56 of the 365 complaints on this car are about the steering system. 37 of those describe death wobble.
Tick what matches of 37 reports
Death wobble on other Wrangler years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2024, 2025, 2026.
What this problem usually is
This is the violent one. Owners describe the steering wheel shaking hard at highway speed, often right after the front end hits a bump or an expansion joint, and it keeps going until they slow way down. Six in ten complaints in this group use the word wobble, and plenty of owners call it the "death wobble."
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the steering damper (7 reports).
Recalls and investigations
One recall on the steering system covers the 2023 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
The electric hydraulic power steering pump wiring may overheat and cause a vehicle fire, even when the vehicle is parked with the ignition in the "Off" position.
All 14 recalls on the 2023 Jeep Wrangler, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into the steering system on the Wrangler
Underhood fires. Closed sep 24, 2026, led to recall 26V-363.
Frame weld deficiencies. Closed oct 29, 2023.
Frame weld deficiencies. Closed sep 17, 2019.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 5,200 and 19,000 miles, from the 13 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 1 service bulletin or notice for the 2023 Jeep Wrangler that deal with this problem. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Drag Link Long Socket FOR STEERING SHIMMY DIAGNOSIS, PLEASE REFERENCE S1819000004 Rev. Q AND 19 - Steering / Diagnosis and Testing (IN SERVICE LIBRARY).
What owners wrote
“At 40 mph and above and without warning, the front end of the vehicle will begin to bounce and shake from side to side causing the steering wheel to also shake, thus making it difficult for the driver to safely steer the vehicle. Once speed is reduced the shaking stops and normal control is regained. This issue has occurred multiple times and lasts anywhere from a few seconds to over a minute.”
Filed Feb 7, 2025
“When driving on the freeway. Car starts to wobble and the whole car starts to shake. The steering wheel trembles as well. Every time I hit a bump it starts to wobble more.. everyday it keeps getting worse as I drive it.”
Filed Jan 25, 2025
“steering wobble, dealer gives us the run around, finally gives us 18 weeks lead time for new steering vibration dampener, car shakes on highways and is not save to drive, dealing with Jeep is unacceptable”
Filed Mar 4, 2024
“Experiencing the "Death Wobble" when driving on uneven paved roads/bumps/railroad tracks at speeds as low at 40 miles per hour.”
Filed Jan 12, 2024
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 37 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. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works
Other problems on this car
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 80 reports
- Battery dies or the car will not start 79 reports
- Hybrid or EV system warning, loss of power 72 reports
- Suspension noise, struts or alignment 38 reports