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 2012 Jeep Wrangler owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Becoming the new owner in 2021, I was issued a recall for the passenger airbag inflator replacement. After repairing this recall, the vehicle air bag light came on and has not turned off since. I made several attempts with dearlership to access the problem and in May 2022 the dealership diagnosed the problem stating it was the airbag clockspring. This clockspring had a recall on it in June 2016 and was replaced in September 2016. The dealership along with another AMS certified mechanics shop stated the clockspring that was replaced in 2016 is defective. This is causing multiple safety issues with the vehicle. The anti skid system activates, the anti lock braking is activated, the cruise control will not operate, along with the fact the air bags are inoperable or not operating at full capacity as they are required to.
Revision 6 November 2019 Dealer Service Instructions for: Customer Satisfaction Notification V41Steering Damper 2018 - 2019 (JL) Jeep Wrangler vehicles front suspension steering damper on about 192,000 of the vehicles may not effectively damp oscillation of the steering system, resulting in a sustained shake or shimmy in the steering wheel. I have a 2012 Wrangler with the same issue - front-end shake/shimmy. My Mechanic said to replace the stabilizer with the next level-up heavier-duty stabilizer from Mopar. Why isn't my Jeep (JK Series) included in this recall? There aren't any of these stabilizers available at Mopar or online due to exceedingly high demand from vehicle owners. This should obviously be a recall.
The vehicle will die while driving it, it is a automatic so you loose power steering power brakes and the engine is completely shut off you have to safely pull over and not get hit to put vehicle in park sometimes it starts in park, sometime it just turns over and you have to wait 10 to 15 minutes for vehicle to start. Dealer keeps telling me there is no issue with the vehicle, and they cannot replicate issue. I fear for me and my family's life every day in my jeep wrangler.
I have experienced on a number of occasions, when traveling on the highway at speeds greater than 60 MPH and the vehicle his a bump in the road (expansion joint, pothole, etc), the vehicle begins to bounce uncontrollably. The steering wheel vibrates uncontrollably and it feels like the front end of the vehicle is bouncing on the highway. Its doesn't stop until you slow the vehicle down below 60 mph or so.
Driving vehicle at low speeds (30-40mph), front end of Jeep shakes uncontrollably. Vehicle must be stopped in order for shaking to stop. This shaking is becoming worse and dangerous. Two independent tire shops have reviewed the concerns and are unable to determine source of shaking. This is becoming a daily occurrence.
I was involved in a single vehicle accident on 10/2/2015 involving 2012 Jeep Wrangler, my vehicle jerked to the right suddenly causing me to lose control. The Jeep was jerked off the road into a ditch on the right, hit the front end of the ditch and was launched airborne, then crashed on the cement wall of a second ditch, bouncing twice before landing in the ditch and hitting the front end of that ditch. I repeatedly slammed on my brakes but they did not engage. My airbags did not deploy. My seat belt tensioner did not engage, causing me to be thrown forward and backwards repeatedly. I suffered a closed head injury and herniations to multiple discs in my neck as well as trauma to the facet joints in my neck, resulting in severe foraminal stenosis at multiple levels that requires neurosurgical intervention. I slammed my head on the steering wheel 4 times, my chest once. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced a "death wobble". While driving approximately 50 MPH, the steering column shook from side to side and the wheels lifted off the pavement. The vehicle was taken to lakeland Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram (2875 mall hill dr, lakeland, fl 33810, [phone]) to be diagnosed, but they could find the cause of the "death wobble." the dealer suggested replacing several parts, including the axle, which alone would cost over $3,000. The contact had the vehicle serviced for wheel alignments, new tires, new rims, new wheel bearings, new axles, new hubs, new half shafts, new ball joints, new tie rods, anti-sway bars, bushing springs, shocks, alignment brackets, and steering dampeners. The failure recurred. The manufacturer had not been contacted. …
I had already experienced the death wobble in my Jeep prior to today's date, I had everything under the front end tightened and the front track bar replaced, cost, approximately 700 dollars. The track bar was replaced April 30 2015, today May 1 2015 I got on the highway ramp as soon. As I hit 65 and a bump the Jeep began to go into a violent shaking. In order to maintain control I had to grip the steering wheel very tight, white knuckle, and pull off to the side of the highway during morning rush hour. After coming to a complete stop the wobble stopped. I bright to Jeep and the said probably the steering. The called me later and said it was the upper lower ball joints, tie rods, alignment, and steering. 2200 bucks. For a car that's only a few years old no reason something like the ball joints should be that worn or that I should experience a death wobble in the first place. …
The death wobble is a terrifying experience, especially when it occurs for the first time. So far, the issue has occurred at 40-50 MPH on a two way road. During the several times that it has occurred, I thought that a crash would be inevitable if I didn't stop the car right away. The steering is barely controllable and it gets to the point where you think that the car will swerve off the road or likely flip. I am not only worried about my own safety, but also the safety of other on the road. I have been lucky and have been able to stop the car in time. I am very hesitant to let anyone drive the vehicle because of this issue. If you are not expecting it, the wobble is truly terrifying. I cannot believe that a company has such poor design quality. This issue should be acknowledged by the company and a fix should be provided before someone gets hurt. …
I recently purchased a 2012 Jeep Wrangler unlimited (VIN: [redacted]). Within 1 month of taking possession of the vehicle, the car began to stall intermittently while driving. Specifically, the engine shuts off and the power steering and breaks deactivate. To state the obvious, this is a very dangerous condition, particularly as our family has three children under the age of six. To date, larry miller Jeep has been unable to diagnose the issue as no error codes appear. Looking online, this appears to be a known defect with jeeps of my model year (https://www.wranglerforum.com/threads/electrical-problem-shuts-off-while-driving.190041/) so I am surprised that Jeep has not issued a recall related to this problem given the dire potential consequences. I have escalated this matter to your customer care group, but I want to make sure FCA has situational awareness of this situation as well.
Steering complaints in other Wrangler years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2012 Jeep Wrangler?
NHTSA has 204 complaints about the steering of the 2012 Jeep Wrangler, 24% of the model year's 835 complaints. The component named most often is hydraulic power assist › hose, piping, and connections (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2012 Jeep Wrangler steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for the 2012 Jeep Wrangler, though it has 9 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 2012 Jeep Wrangler steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 32,000 miles, and 45% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 5 injuries and 2 deaths 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.