Problems · by component

2018 Jeep Wrangler wheels problems

61 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2018 Jeep Wrangler cite wheels, 3% of all 1,827 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
61
3% of all complaints
Crashes
2
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the wheels

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“I am filing this complaint due to a serious and recurring safety issue known as the “death wobble” on my 2018 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited JL. This defect causes violent front-end shaking at highway speeds when hitting bumps or making minor steering corrections. The issue began during the first week of ownership and has persisted through five separate service visits. Repairs have included steering damper replacements, track bar, alignments, and balancing, but the issue continues to return. A dealership technician confirmed the shaking on October 9, 2023, during a test drive at over 70 mph. The vehicle was only sent to a certified Jeep service center on the fourth visit. After researching the problem, I found this is a well-documented and widespread issue among Jeep owners — especially on Wrangler models of certain years. There are numerous forums, websites, and videos where other owners describe the exact same symptoms, often with no long-term resolution. I shared this information with the dealership to help them understand the seriousness of the issue, and only then did they investigate further. I have video evidence of the defect, technician confirmation, service…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 10, 2025Steering, Suspension, WheelsODI 11672610
“It is the death wobble. I took the car in once. My cars started violently shaking when I would hit 58 Miles per hour and curve to the left, or the right and shakes so uncontrollably that I would have to tap the brakes but not too hard. Is I did not want to go off the road period there were cars that were behind me. That would shoot off to every direction trying to get around me. And yes, of course it's dangerous. Not supposed to be going down the interstate. Drinking a d*** Bloody Mary anyways. I took it into 2 dealerships. There are car places around where I live. They went ahead and diagnosed it and charged me $5060 or no 70 something. To fix it and it was even worse, so I brought it back to them. They tried to balance the other tire but that did not work, and that is the point where the other mechanics came over and said, that's the death wobble, which I had never heard of. He then told me about the staring damper, which then I looked everything up and saw that you had a class action settled where you were supposed to take cars in and fix them. However, this person seems scared of their own shadow, so who knows, but I asked for the history to see if anything…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 3, 2025Steering, Suspension, WheelsODI 11645895
“Unknown-APPARENTLY THIS IS AN ON GOING WRANGLER ISSUE BUT WAS NEVER recalled AND I SEE NO COMMENTS. I see all over the forums that this is a problem and it is driving me insane coming from the left front wheel well area not only during breaking, but both breaking and slowing down no foot on gas or break. There is a very large, creaking, loud, creaking noise, coming out of that area. It also makes the steering wheel bobble, which I think is causing what everybody is saying, the death wobble. I’ve taken it to Jeep . I have done multiple car washes. I’ve tried everything they are telling me that there’s nothing wrong with it but you can clearly hear that sound and it goes creek creek creek, creek, creek, creek, creek, over and over and over again until the car stopped, and there is also a loud grinding noise when you start the vehicle as well.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 26, 2024Steering, Suspension, WheelsODI 11574126
“When going over a bump in the road at speeds above 35 mph the front end shakes the steering wheel and it feels like the front end is jumping up and down and is hard to control. I have spent over 1k in parts and labor including a new stabilizer shock, drag link, tie rod ends and more. It still does it even after these repairs. The front end has been aligned and tires and wheels balanced. The vehicle is dangerous to drive and there does not seem to be a fix for it. FCA said replacing the steering stabilizer would fix it but had no effect. The cause has been labeled unable to determine. I habe had it at two different shops and a lotnof suspension/steering pieces replaced.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 24, 2024Steering, Suspension, WheelsODI 11567511
“I purchased my 2018 Jeep wrangler and has less than 13k miles. I been having alot of front shaking (death wobble) since purchasing the vehicle. I have heard of complaints about the front end shaking violently and have had this problem a few times. Especialy at highway speeds if I hit a pothole as such. I can get it to stop if i am able to slow down and apply light brake pressure. I have checked all the steering for tight ess and even had the track bar replaced (as per other owners). But still have the problem occasionally. As for alignment, the jeep runs really well and straight without problems. I hear theres possible problems with the aluminum steeringg box (which I do have) vs. the steel steering box (I hear has a recall??). Is there any other issues as this is really scarry. Other than the replacement track bar everything is stock on this vehicle. Behicle was purchased from Cascade Auto in Wenatchee Washington 22 July 2022 with 10,893 miles.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 9, 2022Steering, Suspension, WheelsODI 11488553
“This Jeep has the notorious “Death Wobble”. It has been inspected numerous times, there was a recall on a part ~May be a sway bar or a stabilizer bar etc- that did absolutely nothing to fix it. I’ve had the entire suspension replaced and it still does it constantly when driving over bumps in the road -specifically when the front right tire goes over a bump, around the 30+ mph. The entire front end of the Jeep jumps all over the road, the steering wheel shakes violently back and forth and you lose control of the vehicle. It’s terrifying when it happens, especially on the freeway. My two teenagers have both experienced this while driving and they were terrified trying to control it, had no idea what to do and almost lost control of the car because of how violently this one shakes. They both are anxious about driving the vehicle all together. I purchased this new and it started right away. Took it to the dealer and they new exactly what I was talking about but had no idea how to fix it. There is no warning, it’s just happens suddenly amen going over a bump in the road. It’s SO SCARY!”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 8, 2022Steering, Suspension, WheelsODI 11488493

Showing 6 of 61 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.