Jeep owners are some of the most loyal and passionate fans of any vehicle brand. The number of Jeep related events, accessories and media entities is staggering. All of Jeep’s positivity is impressive, but there’s one crucial issue that unites the brand’s owners like no other. It is the “death wobble”. The issue has become so widespread that the owners have united in a class action lawsuit and recently learned of the outcome of the lawsuit.
As part of the settlement, FCA, the U.S. division of Stellantis and owner of the Jeep, may offer some owners extended warranties and reimburse owners for costs already incurred related to the issue. . A new 8-year/90,000-mile warranty covers replacement parts and labor related to front suspension damper failures. “Wobbling of death” occurs in the high speed range. When a driver hits a bump, the vehicle’s steering wheel, wheels and tires, and suspension can vibrate or shake. From the driver’s seat, it feels like a momentary loss of control, and outside the vehicle, the swaying wheels can look very dramatic.
This suite has been through the courts for years. The case, first filed in 2019, is due to pass a fairness hearing in April before it can be finalized. , many are against this. Some reports on the issue go even further back in 2012, when a member of parliament drafted a letter to his then-CEO Sergio Marchionne and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Mostly associated with Jeep Wranglers and Gladiator, the “death wobble” seems to be possible with any vehicle with a solid front axle. A former FCA chief technology compliance officer compared the problem to the resonance that occurs after striking a tuning fork.
We don’t know how much the class action will cost FCA, but a 2020 case update said 192,000 Jeep owners were affected. Given that the Jeep sold more than it did in 2018, 2019 and 2020 with just the Wrangler alone, it’s possible the owner count will grow before the dust settles.