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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’
One week ago, my Jeep Gladiator started the death wobble when going over slight bumps on the interstate. This is a stock suspension,tires, and wheels truck with 22,000 miles. This started suddenly. The dealer states that the “factory” technician says it’s the tires. These are the original tires as delivered by Jeep and have not suddenly been abused and look new. Today, after picking up my truck from the dealer, the death wobble started and continued for 0.3 miles. If stopping or sudden steering had been required, the results could have been catastrophic. Either fix it or just take it back!
I did not read all of the comments above. But I bought a 2008 Wrangler Limited Edition in 2010 and I did have the “Death Wobble”. I was scared to death that I would die that night. No one and I mean no one ever told me of this death wobble when I purchased the vehicle. I had to come home and look it up on the internet. That is the only way I know that this could happen. I did get it fixed and knock on wood it never happened again. I am sorry for all the problems my fellow jeep peeps are having.
I would be driving on the interstate taking my children to school and all of a sudden my jeep would shake uncontrollably and I would have stop and get off the road. I took my to Dealership a few times and they brushed it off telling me that’s a jeep thing, it happens. Then my steering wheel started to lock up, I wouldn’t be able to turn the wheel, then all of sudden it would unlock and It would over correct causing me run into the ditch. I took my jeep back to the dealership a few times- explaining what was going on and they once again brushed it off couldn’t find anything. After I told them exactly what time of day the steering issue happens – and for them I to drive it . They informed me how dangerous it was and they were not allowed to give my jeep back until it’s fixed. (I know now there has been a recall on this issue) Well less than a year later it’s happening again, and due to steering I clipped a bridge and ended up in ditch with my child in car. A failed recall fix?
I have a 2018 rubicon unlimited, my Jeep starts to shake at 40 if I touch my breaks I practically lose control and then it violently shakes until I come to almost a complete stop.
How do I get into the CAL? I experienced the death wobble in my 2018 Jeep Wrangler while driving on the highway. It freaked me out.
My 2018 jeep not only has the death wabble still! If I hit a bump the car starts shaking so bad I have to literally stop the vehicle. It has happened since I got the vehicle and it has destroyed my tires losing pressure and my rear view mirror has fallen out and is hanging. I don’t have time to leave my vehicle with them and They do not offer a replacement vehicle. I have no warranty for this and this jeep has been the worst jeep or vehicle I have ever owned. I barely drive it. I need a new vehicle
My father recently died from the “death wobble” in his 2004 Jeep Wrangler TJ. Fortunately nobody else was injured. Witnesses said it looked like the vehicle was shaking and then jerked crashing into the concrete median then started rolling. Perhaps my father was trying to over correct. No airbags deployed. Can we do anything with regards to a lawsuit like the one discribed?
I’m so sorry for your loss. They have told me that since nobody has been injured or killed a recall is not warranted. Now I see this…
I have a 2000 Jeep Wrangler. In November of 2020, I drove from Iowa to Illinois. The 5.5 hour ride took 11 hours because the death wobble hit after every bump and over 50mph. It was terrifying on 4 lanes with semi trucks. I couldn’t shift, barely see where I was going or hold on to the steering wheel. I was a wreck and my 2 crated cats with me were screaming. I was terrified that I would cause a major accident, killing some family. Pulled off a dozen times and ended up taking back roads. Took it to a mechanic and paid $1400 to fix it. I am still scared to death to go over 55mph!
I have a 2020 Jeep gladiator with 39,000 miles and was driving 70 miles an hour when I got the death wobble. It was so bad I couldn’t even get it to steer onto the shoulder it was horrifying! As I slowed down it did stop after 20 seconds. I began driving again at a much slower speed of 50 on the highway it happened 2 more times. I took it to dealership immediately and I’m being told the part to fix it which they are saying is the steering damper won’t be in until early July! I was furious as it’s May 24th. I asked if it’s safe to drive they will not tell me! Now they are calling around for the part as I through a fit! Stay tuned! I can not pull my boat or pull my trailer and it’s summer! I would like to join lawsuit!
I have a 2021 Jeep Wrangler with 8500 miles on it. This death wobble is terrifying. I want in on this lawsuit
My daughters 2019 Jeep Wrangler Sahara, bought new and never been lifted or modified in any way, was taken in for the death wobble and temporarily fixed while under warranty. It’s now doing it constantly and the dealer won’t do anything because she’s over 36,000 miles. She hasn’t had it 36 months yet. Even though they know the problem started while under warranty they said they won’t do anything about it. They said they already had another one there to fix. This problem needs to be fixed or a warning given for the consumer.