Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2009 Jeep Wrangler owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Experienced violent shaking of the front suspension and steering while traveling on a freeway access road at approximately 50mph; situation commonly referred to as the death wobble. Inspection revealed a leaking steering stabilizer which was promptly replaced. Situation recurred approximately 3 weeks later and the stabilizer was again leaking. Another stabilizer was installed. Situation recurred again after 3 weeks but the stabilizer was not leaking. The track bar was replaced along with the mounting bolts and the tires were balanced and rotated. Situation recurred within 24 hours. Vehicle was taken to a repair shop that replaced the upper and lower ball joints and aligned the frontend. Situation returned later that day and repair shop replaced the shock absorbers. Situation recurred within 24 hours and the vehicle was parked due to being unsafe to drive. Situation currently unresolved.
Deadh wobble, really bad vibration coming from the front , especially after going over pothole or railroad tracks, speeds over 30 MPH . Its getting to the point where is very easy to someone to loose control of the vehicle and could easily cause hard to the driver or others including dead, Jeep should be aware of this problem is not safe to drive a vehicle that wobbles to the point is not safe to operate. A person could get hurt if this ploblem doest get look into it. You guys are more than welcome to test my vehicle and see if you guys would drive a vehicle like this on the daily basis, is like a bomb ready to explode at any time. Is dangerous to drive. Please take a look at this before someone gets hurt, I am also documenting that I submitted this request to you guys just encase something happens to me or anyone. I will say I told you so.
While driving north on bertrand drive near west congress street in lafayette, louisiana, at approximately 40 miles per hour, the front wheels and steering wheel began wobbling violently. I maintained control of the vehicle while slowly driving into a parking lot. I performed a cursory inspection of the vehicle, but did not observe anything wrong. I researched the problem on the internet, and learned that the "death wobble" had resulted in Chrysler issuing technical service bulletins, but not a recall. I reported the incident to my local Jeep dealer and to Chrysler. Chrysler informed me that because a recall had not been issued, Chrysler would not have the vehicle repaired at no expense to me.
Travelling on a straight road at approximately 50-60mph, hit a small bump in the road. The steering wheel began to shake a little then violently and almost lost control of the Jeep. I had to come to a compete stop in the middle of the road before the shaking would stop. I was scared too death. I had the Jeep checked over and nothing was broken or worn. Now afraid to drive the vehicle. There are many complaints on this site as well as the internet for the same issue. When will this be addressed before someone gets killed?
Anytime I am driving on the highway and I hit a minor bump in the road the steering wheel shakes extremely violently. When this happens the only fix is to slow down to below 25 MPH in my current lane. Once I get to that low of a speed the shaking stops. When the shaking occurs it is so violent that I can't change lanes or get onto the shoulder. Therefore, the only option is to slow down to under 25 MPH on the highway in my current lane which isn't safe. This problem started happening in December 2016.
Violent shake that made me feel like the Jeep was going to fall apart...extremely dangerous and unsafe...this happened all of sudden...I did not hit anything to make this happen...Chrysler needs to do a recall since this has happened about 15 times since I purchased the vehicle less than a year ago....it does it even at 55-60 miles per hour... I have taken it to several mechanics to be fixed...joints, bars, shocks, and tires have been changed numerous times and it continues to shake violently.
The Jeep has less than 40.000 is and is not used off road. About 55mph the front end gets a out of control wobble. You have to slow way down for it to stop. It has done a few times before. The last time it was 4/29/20.the track bar was replaced with OEM part and still does it. It seems to be a problem with a lot of Wrangler jeeps. I don't know if it is a design flaw. Doing some research it seems to be a problem with jeeps. This Jeep it completely stock with the same tires it came with new.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, the air bag warning light illuminated and a chime sounded. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the clock spring on the steering wheel needed to be replaced and that the airbags May not deploy in the event of a crash. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 75,000.
Experienced the violent shaking of the front suspension and steering wheel while traveling at approximately 55 MPH. Apparently this is referred to as a "death wobble" but a recall has not been issued yet. My best guess is, after multiple people die from this malfunction and sue the Chrysler/Jeep corporation, then it a recall might be issued and the problem fixed! I am highly agitated by this issue and the reoccurence!!!!!
Me and my dad were driving on the expressway and it was 65 miles an hour all of a sudden the Jeep started shaking violently and it did it 3 times while we're on the expressway. The Jeep was doin the death wobble and both of us were shaken up. The brakes went out and had a hard time stopping. It's ridiculous and I think that these parts should be recalled. I'm gonna call detroit tomorrow.
Steering complaints in other Wrangler years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2009 Jeep Wrangler?
NHTSA has 106 complaints about the steering of the 2009 Jeep Wrangler, 17% of the model year's 626 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2009 Jeep Wrangler steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for the 2009 Jeep Wrangler, though it has 7 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 2009 Jeep Wrangler steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 41,000 miles, and 14% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 1 injury 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.