Jeep class action says Wranglers have ‘death wobble’

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles faces a class action lawsuit alleging Jeep Wranglers are affected by a “death wobble.”

Lead plaintiff Clair Reynolds claims model-year 2015-2018 Jeep Wranglers contain a defective front axle and dampening system that causes the steering wheel to shake “violently,” often while vehicles are being driven at highway speeds.

“This phenomenon is referred to as the Jeep ‘Death Wobble,’” according to the Jeep class action lawsuit. “The ‘Death Wobble’ is the seemingly uncontrollable side-to-side shaking of a Jeep’s front-end steering components and — by extension — its steering wheel.”

“The ‘Death Wobble’ makes the Jeep difficult to control for the operator, including a safety risk to the occupants and others on the road, and simulates sudden front end failure.”

According to the Jeep Wrangler class action, the carmaker has been aware of the defect after numerous complaints about Jeep owners’ death wobble experiences were posted online.

Indeed, the Jeep class action lawsuit notes that the online forums about the death wobble recommend neither hard braking or accelerating, but to bring the vehicle to a controlled stop on the shoulder of the road.

Fiat Chrysler refuses to acknowledge the problem and fails to provide an adequate fix, says the plaintiff.

“When owners and lessees of the Jeep Vehicles return to their dealership to complain about the Death Wobble, Jeep offers to replace the steering damper if the vehicle is under warranty,” states the Jeep class action lawsuit. “But, as widely reported and experienced by Plaintiff here, that is simply a band-aid fix that will only temporarily conceal the problem. The ‘Death Wobble’ will ultimately return and can only be remedied by substantial revisions and repair to the suspension.”

Further, the carmaker has failed to warn the public and current and future Jeep owners about the alleged defect, according to the Jeep class action.

The plaintiff seeks to represent a nationwide class of 2015-2018 Jeep Wrangler current and former owners and lessees.

The Jeep class action lawsuit demands that Fiat Chrysler implement a buyback of 2015 through 2018 Jeep Wranglers and that the car company absorb the costs of depreciation and lost value due to the alleged defect.

Further, the plaintiff wants reimbursement for herself and the proposed Class for any repairs made on the defective vehicles. Fiat Chrysler should also provide class members temporary replacement vehicles, the complaint says.

The plaintiff is represented by E. Powell Miller, Sharon S. Almonrode and William Kalas of The Miller Law Firm PC; Simon B. Paris, Patrick Howard and Charles J. Kocher of Saltz Mongeluzzi Barrett & Bendesky PC; Joseph G. Sauder, Matthew D. Schelkopf and Joseph B. Kenney of Sauder Schelkopf; and Daniel E. Gustafson, David A. Goodwin and Raina C. Borrelli of Gustafson Gluek PLLC.

The Jeep Wrangler class action lawsuit is Reynolds v. FCA US LLC, Case No. 2:19-cv-11745-AC-EAS, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan.

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