Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2005 Jeep Wrangler owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
While in motion on a country road, comming out of some turns the front end/stearing suddenly began shaking hard rendering the vehicle unable to control. The vehicle then began to swerve until hitting an enbankment and rolling multiple times.
Jeep death wobble - mine too, over 50 MPH, random wobble other times drives smooth, bumps do initiate it not always though, read all the complaints on NHTSA, stabilizer is key to resolving the issue and steering damper. I believe this design promotes accelerated wear of these parts which is why there are reports of it coming back after a year or so. I'm surprised there is no dealer fix for this, admitting the need for heavier steering components. I'll be getting after market heavy duty just to drive on the street. The fuel issue is another one that should be recalled, had to go through 300 plus entries here to find answers to the opda problem. Mine has not started with the fuel issue but at least I will know what it is when it does occur.
My Wrangler has sever rust damage on the frame, windshield frame, passenger rocker, and firewall. The frame has rotted from the inside out and caused the transfer case mounting bolts to pull through. The vehicle was in motion when this happened but luckily I was pulling out of my driveway and not on the highway headed to work. The windshield frame rust caused holes that allowed water to leak inside the vehicle causing the floor to rust from the inside out as well. These issues continue to happen again and again with each new revision to this model. When and what will it take for the company to be held accountable to their negligence?
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Jeep Wrangler. While driving approximately 35 MPH and driving over a bump, the front two wheels started to shake uncontrollably. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the sway bar needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 30,000.
The death wobble at approx 60-65 MPH/ repaired steering stabilizer/front axel joint/ right outer pitman adjustment sleeve/ left hand steering arm to connecting tie rod/ left inner to lh adjustment sleeve/ alignment, repairs cost $675, have been on the highway and still shimmies.
Hi, apparently my situation isn't unique, I have a 2005 Jeep Wrangler unlimited with less than 70K miles. At about 50mph it starts shaking violently, this has happened to me at least 5 times since I've owned this Jeep, about 2 1/2 months. I took it to the tire shop and they inspected the tie-rod ends and found no problem. It was shaking so bad I thought that surely my front end was coming apart so, I googled my problem and was LED to a plethora of information and found the term "death wobble", I thought it felt like driving over railroad tracks, but death wobble seems to also be an appropriate term as well, because the front end seems to be shaking to death. I, like so many others, went to kevin's off road, kor, website and read about the potential causes and cures. In my particular case there hasn't been any aftermarket modifications, it's as stock as they come. …
I bought a 2005 se sport Jeep Wrangler about two years ago. In the past few months I have noticed vibrations increasing in the steering wheel and just in the past month the shakings have become extremely violent between 52-60 MPH, causing me to have to pull over and stop on the interstate. I took it to the shop and have had the brake pad replaced, new shocks, new alignment, tires rotated, tires balanced, rotors replaced and the entire front end checked. The shaking is still present and I cannot afford to keep replacing one thing at a time when nothing seems to help. The violent shaking is occurring consistently every time I reach 52 MPH now and I am scared to drive it on the interstate or have my family drive it. I don't know what to do, where to go or who to talk to to help me get this fixed without costing me my entire months salary or more. …
I bought my 2005 Jeep brand new off the lot. Within a year I began to notice the "death wobble". I had been a very moderate driver, and had less than 10,000 miles on the vehicle. When I took the Jeep to the dealer, they replaced the stabilizer arm, which the warranty covered, but the problem remained. The dealer then rotated and balanced my tires and adjusted my alignment. They charged me over $200 for that. This seemed to mask the problem for about a year, then the "death wobble" returned. I took the Jeep to a different dealership where I was promptly sold 2 new tires (stock uniroyal tiger paws @ $104 each) and a steering dampener. Total cost this time was well over $500. This took care of the wobble for about a year. Now the wobble is back, and I'm wondering what to do. I can't afford another dealer to fleece me again, and I hear Jeep isn't acknowledging this wide-spread problem. …
We own a 2005 Jeep tj Wrangler. When hitting a bump it shakes violently and you have to come to a complete stop before it will stop. I have done a lot of research on this problem and find that it is very common with this year and model of Jeep. We have replaced the steering damper, sway bar ends, track bar bushings, all new shocks, brakes and rotors, tires balanced and rotated several times with no avail. This is a serious issue and we cannot seem to get any answers. The Jeep has 60,00 miles on it and is completely stock with no modifications on it. It is very dangerous drive, but my only vehicle for transportation to my job. My warranty does not cover suspension and steering so everything I have done has been at my own expense. This issue can cause a serious wreck and for a young driver could be fatal. Can you please look into this situation. …
Hello, I own a 2005 Jeep Wrangler unlimited. While driving on the highway, trying to "maintain" the proper speed limit, my Jeep will develop a death wobble to the front end. This erratic and almost uncontrollable behavior occurs at anywhere from 55 to 60mph. After trying to research the solution to this problem, I have noticed multiple other Jeep owners having the same issue. My Jeep is my daily driver, and also is used to transport my 4 and 5 year old kids around. Due to the economy I can not afford to purchase another vehicle, nor will I sell these problems to someone else. I am surprised there hasn't been more highway related incidents/fatalities due to this issue. Any help will be greatly appreciated in solving this issue. Dealerships are no help and I cant afford to replace the whole front end just to end up with the same problems. Thank you for your time in this matter, [redacted]
Suspension complaints in other Wrangler years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 2005 Jeep Wrangler?
NHTSA has 51 complaints about the suspension of the 2005 Jeep Wrangler, 8% of the model year's 650 complaints. The component named most often is front (10 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Jeep Wrangler suspension problems?
No. NHTSA lists no suspension recall for the 2005 Jeep Wrangler, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2005 Jeep Wrangler suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 37,000 miles, and 32% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 1 injury to suspension problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.