NHTSA Receives Complaints Of 'Death Wobble' From 2018 Wrangler Owners

Rich Person was satisfying a long-held desire in May when he bought a Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sport with a 3.6-liter, 6-cylinder engine.

In a picture taken by his salesman, Person is seen standing beside his new ride at a dealership in Massachusetts, grinning widely and flashing two thumbs up.

“I have wanted one forever and just never pulled the trigger. My wife has always wanted a convertible. This year was our 20th anniversary, and with the oldest going to college next year we figured it was now or a long time from now,” Person wrote in an email to the USA TODAY Network's Detroit Free Press.

MDarringer - 11/20/2018 2:00:37 PM

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Eons ago I had a real Jeep Cherokee that had death wobble caused by the unholy perfect storm of shot struts, shot suspension "bushings", and ill-worn tires. Anything over 60 was terrifying.

A new Jeep should not have such an issue ditto a new F250.

A solid axle can get unruly in back but when you also have a solid axle up front, you also have the potential for the back axle to introduce chassis dynamics that affect the front suspension.

MDarringer - 11/21/2018 9:51:15 AM

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My Cherokee was well worn when I got it. It replaced my Mustang Grande that was worn out after being worn out before I got it. My first cars were complete disasters that I bandaged up and put back on the road.

PUGPROUD - 11/20/2018 2:08:38 PM

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Obi Wan Kenobe warned Like Skywalker..."Beware of the death wobble!"

MDarringer - 11/20/2018 6:16:29 PM

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This is unsettling... Apparently the NHTSA is looking into Wrangler welds that are so egregiously bad that there could be suspension failure.

Truthy - 11/21/2018 4:39:36 PM

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I think FCA has a death wobble.

MDarringer - 11/21/2018 4:53:15 PM

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Completely agree. With the Dart, 200, and Pacifica failing to hit big... With Alfa Romeo introducing two sales disasters in a row... With no replacements for big sellers like the Challenger and Charger... With a total lack of crossover development for Chrysler or Dodge... Without any engineering money to make product happen... With saying that the Ram and Wrangler are "all new" both are really heavy revisions at best...