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 2009 Jeep Wrangler owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Hi.. My Jeep has the death wobble and that my Jeep is not included in the recall due ; according to the Jeep dealership. The recall has expired for my 2009 Jeep Wrangler. My kids and grand was in the car when my Jeep after hitting a bump started shaking in the middle of the highway. Please help me. I would get it fix on my own, but I can not afford it and this should not happen when it's a known issue and a safety issue. I can be reached at [redacted]. Thanks [redacted]
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Jeep Wrangler. While driving down a hill on a bridge, the front end of the vehicle started to wobble rapidly and experienced the "death wobble". The same failure recurred two weeks later as the front end started to wobble again going down a hill. The contact stated that two lug nuts detached from the front passenger side tire due to the vibrations from the "death wobble". The contact researched the failure on the internet and called an independent mechanic. It was diagnosed that a shock in the front end rods or steering dampener caused the failure. The vehicle was repaired. An unknown dealer stated that there was no recall for the failure. The failure mileage was 102,600.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Jeep Wrangler. While driving 50 MPH, the vehicle struck a bump in the road and wobbled violently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the stabilizer bar, pittman bar, and stabilizing shock absorbers failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired again. A dealer (advantage Dodge Ram Chrysler Jeep 3200 e. Main street, farmington, nm 87402) was contacted, but did not provide any assistance. The manufacturer referred the contact to NHTSA. The contact did not file a complaint with the manufacturer. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
Known as the "death wobble." this has occurred four times to me on the interstate traveling approximately 50-70 miles per hour. Had to come to complete stop before the severe shaking from the front end and steering wheel would cease. Very dangerous and it is a huge safety issue that the manufacturer must address and stop denying happens. They should also repair the car free of charge. This has happened to me on sept. 12, 2015, oct. 4th, 2015, oct. 13th, 2015, and October 25, 2015. All incidents occurred on the highway except for the first incidence which was on a regular road going about 25 miles per hour.
Experienceing the well known death wobble in front suspension at speeds around 50 MPH. Have tried multiple fixes yet condition still remains. Also will go into death wobble at other speeds if hit a pothole or bridge to road gap, hump or bump in road. This Jeep has no custom modifications. 2009 Jeep Wrangler with only 26000 miles, new tires, have experienced this death wobble shortly after purchasing it new from the dealer. I also own Ram trucks and fixed the death wobble on my 2005 Ram with new track bar bushings. Bushings in my 2009 Jeep show no play at all.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed and the vehicle shook violently. As a result, the contact lost control of the vehicle. The contact was able to regain control of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the stabilizing bar needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 15,300. The VIN was not available. Updated 11/19/15
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?
While driving at highway speeds and upon hitting rough road conditions the front on the Jeep begins to shake uncontrollably. You must slow or come to a stop to make it go away. This has happened four times to me. It is by far the most terrifying thing that has ever happened to me in 50 years of driving. The dealer has told me it was worn dampeners and replaced them. Of course this did not happen for the first 50K miles, so I must wait until the conditions appear again to see if the problem is solved.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Jeep Wrangler. While driving various speeds over a bump in the road, the front of the vehicle began to shake tremendously. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that tie rod end bolts, trac bar bolts, and the ball joints needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 42,000. The VIN was unavailable.
Suspension complaints in other Wrangler years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 2009 Jeep Wrangler?
NHTSA has 106 complaints about the suspension of the 2009 Jeep Wrangler, 17% of the model year's 626 complaints. The component named most often is front (15 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2009 Jeep Wrangler suspension problems?
No. NHTSA lists no suspension 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 suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 41,000 miles, and 25% before 25,000 miles.
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.