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A recent Jeep class action lawsuit claims that Wrangler and Gladiator vehicles are subject to a “death wobble” defect when moving at highway speeds.
Plaintiff Melinda Martinez states that 2018 to 2020 Jeep Wrangler and 2020 Jeep Gladiator vehicles are affected by the defect.
According to the Jeep class action lawsuit, the death wobble stems from a defective solid front axle and damping system.
These components were reportedly designed or manufactured in a defective way, causing the steering wheel to “shake violently” after encountering normal highway speeds.
This “death wobble” allegedly causes the affected vehicles to uncontrollably shake from side to side. Reportedly, the defect is associated with significant risks that make the vehicles unsafe.
The plaintiff argues the affected vehicles are difficult to steer and control, “presenting a safety risk to the occupants and others on the road.”
Martinez allegedly experienced the issue in her 2018 Jeep Wrangler. When she was driving with her child on a freeway overpass, her vehicle started to shake uncontrollably. The shaking was reportedly so severe that Martinez feared she would lose control of her vehicle. The Jeep Wrangler class action claims that she was “absolutely terrified, fearing for her safety and the safety of her child.”
After experiencing the issue, Martinez says she brought her vehicle to a local dealership in January 2020, and explained her frightening experience. In response to her concerns, the dealership employee allegedly laughed and explained to her that the issue is commonly called the “death shake” but that “it happens.” Martinez says she was offered repairs but it did not resolve the issue. Allegedly, the “death wobble” continues to plague her vehicle.
Martinez claims that Jeep manufacturer Fiat Chrysler knew or should have known the vehicles were prone to the “death wobble” defect. According to the Jeep class action lawsuit, the company was aware of the defect for more than a decade. In 2019, following “thousands of steering-related complaints,” Fiat Chrysler reportedly acknowledged the defect but failed to offer effective repairs for the issue.
“Rather than address this defective condition—or disclose its possibility and/or warn drivers at the point of sale — [Fiat Chrysler] claims the ‘Death Wobble’ is not a ‘safety issue’ and that it ‘can happen with any vehicle that has a solid front axle (rather than an independent front suspension), such as the Wrangler,’” the Jeep class action lawsuit claims.
“This strategically allows Defendant to continue its failed repair efforts until the warranty expires and the problem rests exclusively with the owner.”
Martinez seeks to represent a Class of consumers who purchased or leased a 2018 to 2020 Jeep Wrangler or 2020 Jeep Gladiator vehicle. She also seeks to represent a subclass of the same consumers from California.
Did you experience the “death wobble” on your Jeep vehicle? Share your experiences in the comments section below.
Martinez and the proposed Class are represented by Christopher D. Moon and Kevin O. Moon of Moon Law APC.
The Jeep Death Wobble Class Action Lawsuit is Martinez v. FCA US LLC, Case No. 5:20-cv-00463, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.
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109 thoughts onJeep Class Action Claims Dangerous ‘Death Wobble’
I had my first Death Wobble last week and it was terrifying!
I bought my 2018 jeep Wrangler Rubicon four-door new in 2018. I have experienced death wobble twice. Mine was particularly frightening as I was on the highway at highway speed‘s in very crowded traffic so it made getting over to the shoulder and stopping the vehicle extremely difficult to do it almost made me crash into another vehicle. The most recent one was today September 16th 2021 in Norcross Georgia on interstate 85. The vehicle has 42,000 miles on it. It has never been damaged or in an accident in anyway.
Last fall I purchase a 2018 Jeep Wrangler JL Sahara. High speed wobble has occurred several times. Repair records show the CFA free fix was done before I bought the Jeep. I don’t know how bad it was before I owned it, but the fix did not resolve the problem! Uconnect ent/Nav system is defective too!
We purchased a 2018 Jeep Wrangler JL in October 2020. It wasn’t long before the wobble began occurred during freeway driving. Brought the vehicle to dealership for repair last spring. Service manager said the part to fix problem was on back order and wouldn’t be available for 6 months.
Dealer suddenly had fix said they replaced the steering Damper, records show this was the second time this temporary fix was attempted. Death wobble has now returned. The dealer we dealt with last time has lost their license to service vehicles.
My vehicle has 31000 miles on it, and is not safe to drive due to death wobble.
If this class action is still open I want to become a co-tenant in it. Please advise.
My boyfriend and I both purchased a 2020 Wrangler and a 2020 Gladiator. Before coming across this article, we both talked about how hard the steering wheel is to control when going high speeds! It is so bad that drivers around me notices, and it seems as if we’re just swerving and driving recklessly but truly it is the vehicle. Very glad to see we are not the only ones, but sad to see it is being brushed off.
I recently purchased a 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4 wheel Drive. The vehicle has run well for about two months and then yesterday July5th, 2021 while driving on route 46 in New Jersey i hit a slight bump and the steering wheel started shaking violently and the right front tire felt like it would cave in. I was driving at a speed of approx. 55 miles per hour. i slowed down to pull over and at a speed of 20 miles per hour it stopped, I drove home slowly and called my mechanic. He is the person that told me about Death Wobble. I don’t want this vehicle but i will not sell it to anyone as it is a potential Death Trap.. Please include me in the class action suit.
We have exactly same problem on our 2018 Rubicon. Jeep dealer in Loveland, CO had no knowledge of it. Checked suspension and said all was well. Wobble is now worse and more frequent. A local alignment shop checked alignment and recommended new tires although we have plenty of tread left. Mileage is 18K. When this happens it is scary to have the steering wheel vibrating violently. We almost have to come to a complete stop before the shaking quits.
I experienced the “Death Wobble” (scary name in Itself) on my 2017 Jeep Wrangler this past weekend. It was the most frightening thing to have happen with no warning. I was going between 65-70 on the highway. When I got to a bridge and hit the bumps, not bad bumps or holes, just the typical bridge bumps, the jeep started jerking violently! I was afraid I’d lose control or possibly flip. This jeep has never seen a dirt road. I’m 63 yo & I drive like I’m 70. It has been pampered and there is no reason for anything to have ever damaged the underside to cause this type of experience. Now, what I’m being told is I need to replace the stabilizer. YouTube has videos after video that claims this will not solve the problem that it “will” be back. After reading this tread, I believe it. What’s the problem??? Why won’t Jeep fix it or take them off the market! I do not feel safe in this vehicle. I had not panned to trade or buy another vehicle, but here I am debating this with my husband.
I bought a new 2016 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited in the fall of 2015. Within eight months, I experienced my first death wobble. Scared the heck out of me. Dealer blew it off. Since then I must have had at least 10 or 12 more of these events, even after paying for some fixes by an independent auto repair shop. Going to the dealer for more “fixes” this week (at my expense). I do still love my Jeep, however, just not the shake/rattle/ roll.
2019 jeep wrangler unlimited with same issue death wobble. i wish i can return this jeep back and get a full refund.
took it to get looked at and the dealer said every thing looked fine. i get this death wobble after hitting speeds about 70 miles an hour, i had a 2005 Rubicon and never experience any thing like this. i want to be part of this law suit.
My 2018 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited experienced the Death Wobble 3 x yesterday. Scared my husband and I terribly. We were driving from Taos to Santa Fe to pick up our son at the airport and stopped along the side of the highway to check tires and lug nuts, which all seemed normal. The incredible shaking was not normal. Our 22 year old son told us about the Death Wobble and after scouring online and calling the Jeep dealer in Santa Fe, it sounds like that is what occurred. Our vehicle has 21,000 miles on it. It seems implausible that FCA is not being held accountable for this obviously life threatening and well documented design default. Would appreciate being contacted in regards to the Class Action lawsuit.