Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2011 Jeep Wrangler owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owned a 2011 Jeep Wrangler. The contacts son stated while driving 25 mph the contact was making a right turn when the contact was unable to return the steering wheel back into neutral position. The vehicle had crashed into a guardrail where it came to a complete stop and the airbags did not deploy. The occupants both sustained back and neck pain but did not seek medical treatment. The contact stated no warning lights was illuminated. A police report was taken and the vehicle was towed to insurance lot where it was determined that the vehicle was totaled. The manufacturer was not informed of failure. The failure mileage was approximately 205,000.
In 2013 and 2014 my wife complained of the jeep having the "death wobble" on several occasions when she hit a bump on the highway at speeds of 40 MPH or higher. She would slow down to less than 10 mph for the wobbling to stop. The dealership attempted to determine what the issue was but was not able to find anything wrong. We had the same issue with our 2008 wrangler, and after paying over two thousand dollars in vain attempts to have the problem resolved, and a couple of issues caused by poor workmanship by the dealer, we traded that car in for the 2011 model. My wife seldom drove the jeep for the next few years due to terminal illness. I started driving it regularly in 2020 and found that the same condition was still occurring. While it does not happen every time I hit a bump at speeds above 40mph. it is occurring more often and more intensely. …
When braking since these lights are on it will cause issue with the brakes themselves as if they don't want to brake fully. Now I'm a 32 year old man and am aware of making sure your brakes are good and fully functioning. I've noticed also the steering when slowing down too from this. Nothing underneath the vehicle is an issue for steering. All steering components are fully functioning. I've noticed issues with the clock spring in the Jeep as well. Sometime it comes and goes (most likely and electoral problem) geez who knew! Haha, however when I'm turning the airbag light will stay on then go off and the lights on the steering wheel themselves with turn off. They've been off for awhile now. Since this is happening on a daily basis. …
My vehicle is having a start issue...if I can get it to start...it Wii die when trying to drive it...then takes numerous tries to get it to start if it will.... It is doing everything in the recall 14V-438 ...not sure why my vehicle is not part of the 640,000 + vehicles that were recalled on this....especially since I am having this major issue...any help would b appreciated..this started in April right b4 we were headed to our main house and we had to leave the vehicle here because we had to be back north. Just got back to Florida and now needing to get this taken care of. I have a case # [redacted] thru Jeep CS but they act like they can not help only you? Hopefully u can. [redacted]. Thx in advance...
I have been experiencing the "death Wobble" for many years, and have gone to various shops to find out the problem but have not been able to fix the "death wobble". The entire car shakes and vibrates uncontrollably when I drive on the free way over a bump, or even when I drive on a regular street and hit a bump. The shaking doesn't stop until I come to a complete stop, and that is very dangerous on the freeway. Once the "death wobble" is going on braking and controlling the jeep are nearly impossible. I have recently found out about a class action lawsuit for this very problem, and I believe my car qualifies to be part of this. I have not been able to document this because it doesn't always happen, and when it does I don't have a camera running.
I have had my transmission in my jeep Wrangler fixed five times it is still barely working. As well as I am having an extremely bad death wobble when I drive, which is very unsafe for me and my son when we are in the vehicle. We have been trying to keep getting it fixed, but it seems like nothing is working. As well as my lights have been going in and out on my dashboard, which is again unsafe during the night. I am afraid for me and my sons safety and we are not wanting to keep driving this vehicle as well it barely passed emissions so I can get my tag for my plates. We are wanting to get something safer for me and my family.
My jeep wrangler Abs module has failed and needs to be replaced. But Jeep decided not to make this part anymore and now me and a LOT of others can't get a new abs Module. My jeep is way too dangerous to drive now. When accelerating from a stop the vehicle barely kicks in like the tires don't know what direction to move. When I'm coming to a stop the breaks don't work right due to the ABS module. This is a big safety concern and jeep needs to be held accountable and fix this issue. This is a major issue and needs to addressed before people get into accidents. I'm sure some people already have.
I was driving down the highway at approximately 45mph, and I experienced a wobble/vibration/shaking in the steering. I slowed down to approximately 40mph, and arrived at my destination. A few days later, I was driving down the highway again at approximately 50mph, and my Jeep started violently wobbling/shaking/vibration to the point where I could barely maintain control of my Jeep. Upon slowing down to approximately 35mph, the Jeep continued to wobble/shake/vibrate violently to the point where I had to pull off of the road. I checked tires for looseness and did not find that they were loose. I got back in my Jeep and continued to my desitination driving under the speed limit at approximately 35mph with my four way hazard lights flashing because I was afraid of losing control of my Jeep. …
I experienced a "violent" shaking of my 2011 Jeep Wrangler unlimited twice before taking it into the shop. The first time, in late October 2018, I was going around 40mph and was on a busy one lane highway. I had never felt anything like it before. The Jeep began to shake back and forth violently. I slowed down and the shake went away. The second time was 4 or 5 days later on an interstate. This time the Jeep (going about 55mph) shook so much, it pulled the car into the passing lane before slowing down and maintaining control of the vehicle. I got off the highway and found a less busy road to get home. I took the Jeep in to get looked at and they replaced the "track bar" for $500. Two days later the same incident occurred again and has happened once or twice since, each time going between 40mph and 60mph. Based on the experiences I have had, I cannot afford to drive the car anymore. …
Death wobble - I had heard of other Jeep Wrangler drivers talking about this problem for years, but had never experienced it until last weekend. It started with a slight shimmy at around 35mph at the beginning of a roughly 250 mi. Road trip. Before hitting the end of the trip, the shimmy had transformed into an incredibly violent jerking motion of the steering between 10:00 - 2:00 and loss of control of the vehicle. Very nearly resulted in a head on collision. To remedy the problem, had to replace the upper and lower ball joints, wheel bearings, tie rod ends, steering stabilizer, track bar and drag links. The track bar bolts in the end sleeves seemed far too small in diameter and routed out the bushings over time and this looked to be one of the major culprits of the problem. …
Related recalls
Steering › Column
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2011dodge journey, Jeep wrangler, Chrysler 200, Chrysler 200 convertible, Dodge avenger, Dodge nitro, Jeep liberty, Dodge caliber, Jeep compass, Jeep patriot, Dodge grand caravan and Chrysler town & country vehicles.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect for rivet presence and alignment and repair the steering column pivot as required, free of charge. The safety recall began on July 4, 2011. Owners May contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Steering complaints in other Wrangler years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2011 Jeep Wrangler?
NHTSA has 58 complaints about the steering of the 2011 Jeep Wrangler, 12% of the model year's 485 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2011 Jeep Wrangler steering problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 11V-315 (column, Jun 8, 2011). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2011 Jeep Wrangler steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 46,000 miles, and 33% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 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.