Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2006 Jeep Wrangler owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I was driving on the interstate at a speed of about 55-60 miles per hour. I drove into a curved part of the interstate that veered to the left and when I traveled through it, the whole Jeep began to shake violently. I slowed down to pull over and when I reached about 40 miles per hour, the shaking stopped. I asked a mechanic about it and he said that this "death rattle" is a common problem with jeeps. We changed the tires and the steering damper. This seemed to fix the problem for a while but a year later the shaking came back. I did some investigating on the internet about the death wobble and found out that the cause can be one or more of a number of things on the front end. I had the track bar changed and that helped about 80%. Now, 8 months later the shaking is back. …
When I first bought the 2006 Jeep Wrangler, and drove it home, when I got up to between 50-55 MPH, the whole front end of the Jeep shimmied or wobbled violently. I looked up the problem online to find out if this was a common complaint, and exactly what the call what my Jeep was doing. This is when I found out what it was doing was called, "the death wobble". I then took the Jeep back to carmax where I bought it used, and showed the carmax mechanics what I had printed out from on line. They then, and I quote, fixed the problem. Well this fix only lasted about a 2 years and it is now back to doing this death wobble again. Apparently the "fix" was not a permanent one, and of course my 2006 Jeep is no longer under the 12 month limited warranty any longer. …
The Jeep has what has been termed the Jeep death wobble. The Jeep is all stock, not lifted at all. I have fired the parts cannon at the Jeep...all the work has been performed by factory trained technicians using oe parts. I have changed the tires twice in 20,000 miles. The Jeep gets a terrible wobble on the highway at 55mph (speed limit on 465 in indianapolis) and can only be brought under control by stopping the vehicle. Even though I have never been in an accident caused by the excessive wobble, it is definitely not safe to come to a complete stop on the highway. It's not always easy to pull over to the side of the road on a busy interstate highway. The fuel filler neck often overflows when filling the fuel tank also. There was a recall on some jeeps for this same problem. However, the Jeep dealership said my specific Jeep doesn't qualify for the fixing of the issue. …
I was traveling at about 45 MPH on open road when the vehicle shook so bad I pulled off the road, because I had trouble hanging on to the wheel. I looked this up and it was called a death wobble. I bought the vehicle used in 2013 after trading in a 1999 Wrangler that I never had such a problem with. I have replaced the stabilizer bar and stabilizer link bushings, track bar and bushings and still get a wobble but not as bad. There is certainly something wrong but no one is admitting it. Why does it take someone getting seriously injured or killed to get the problem recognized and fixed.
I purchased the Wrangler in about October of 2009. Since then, the fuel tank over-spills when it is filled at the gas pumps. It caused damage to the paint and to the plastic wheel guard. Of greater concern is death wobble. The front end violently shakes at highway speeds from time to time. The vehicle is hard to control. I made attempts in 2013 and 2014 to fix it, only to have the problem return. In 2013 the steering damper and steering stabilizer bar was replaced. In 2014, the tires were replaced and aligned. The problem returned this year, and is at its worst.
Very randomly, the vehicle starts to shimmy violently. Have seen this complaint on several websites. Thankfully we have ben able to slow down and pull off the road. Have been told there is no clear cut resolve to this issue without spending a lot of money because it could be various things. Want to get rid of this vehicle before something tragic happens, but am afraid because of this, will not get what vehicle is worth and someone else might die not knowing the issue. From what I understand, the name for this condition is a "death rattle"
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Jeep Wrangler. While driving approximately 55 MPH over a bump in the road, the front of the vehicle shook violently without warning. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering damper needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The contact mentioned that the failure recurred several times. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 22,000. Updated 11/09/15, 03/28/18
Uncontrollable steering vibration at freeway/highway speeds. Braking makes problem worse. I have had it inspected, tires replaced, aligned, etc. Issue continues. There are many Jeep Wrangler owners that report the same problem. In the community of owners it is called the 'death wobble'
2006 Jeep Wrangler traveling approx. 45 MPH the front end starting shaking causing the loss of control of the vehicle. The vehicle with several passengers crashed upside down in a ten foot storm water waterway.
I'm 2nd owner of an '06 Jeep Wrangler. Miles at purchase: 26521. Still under warranty. At 27,000 I experienced "death wobble" at 55mph. Took it in to ferman of plant city dealership and they replaced the damper. Within less then 1000 miles it happened again. Took it to xtreme jeeps and they could not figure out what was causing it. I then took it back to local dealership, citrus Chrysler of dade city, fl at about 28,000 miles. They have had it since 12/08/08. They say the tie rods and tracbar need replacement but they can't get the parts until after 12/24/08. I research this death wobble and found out that it happens to many, many other Jeep owners. You just need to do a google search to see how often it happens. Chrysler do not own up to the fact that this unsafe problem exists. There is no reports of this when I paid for a carfax report. …
Steering complaints in other Wrangler years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2006 Jeep Wrangler?
NHTSA has 86 complaints about the steering of the 2006 Jeep Wrangler, 12% of the model year's 730 complaints. The component named most often is column (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Jeep Wrangler steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for the 2006 Jeep Wrangler, though it has 3 recalls 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 2006 Jeep Wrangler steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 25,000 miles, and 46% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 5 injuries to steering 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.