Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (wheels, lug nuts, original-equipment tires, TPMS).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2018 Jeep Wrangler owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I was driving my wife's vehicle at the time of this incident. While driving at highway speeds (55+ mph) I went over a cracked/uneven section of the roadway. The steering column began to vibrate and jump in my hands. The front wheels were rattling and bouncing, making it difficult to control the steering path of the vehicle. It was only after slowing down the speed of the vehicle that the rattling / jumping of the steering column stopped. The uneven section of road I had gone over hadn't been that severe enough, I thought, to cause any damage. I drive over that same route several times a week and it was no different than before, other than I was driving the Jeep. I asked my wife if this had ever happened to her before. She said it had, but it stopped and she thought it may just be a wearing or broken steel belted radial tire. We were getting the tires replaced soon. …
I am filing this complaint due to a serious and recurring safety issue known as the "death wobble" on my 2018 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited JL. This defect causes violent front-end shaking at highway speeds when hitting bumps or making minor steering corrections. The issue began during the first week of ownership and has persisted through five separate service visits. Repairs have included steering damper replacements, track bar, alignments, and balancing, but the issue continues to return. A dealership technician confirmed the shaking on October 9, 2023, during a test drive at over 70 mph. The vehicle was only sent to a certified Jeep service center on the fourth visit. After researching the problem, I found this is a well-documented and widespread issue among Jeep owners - especially on Wrangler models of certain years. …
This Jeep has the notorious "Death Wobble". It has been inspected numerous times, there was a recall on a part ~May be a sway bar or a stabilizer bar etc- that did absolutely nothing to fix it. I've had the entire suspension replaced and it still does it constantly when driving over bumps in the road -specifically when the front right tire goes over a bump, around the 30+ mph. The entire front end of the Jeep jumps all over the road, the steering wheel shakes violently back and forth and you lose control of the vehicle. It's terrifying when it happens, especially on the freeway. My two teenagers have both experienced this while driving and they were terrified trying to control it, had no idea what to do and almost lost control of the car because of how violently this one shakes. They both are anxious about driving the vehicle all together. I purchased this new and it started right away. …
I purchased my 2018 Jeep wrangler and has less than 13k miles. I been having alot of front shaking (death wobble) since purchasing the vehicle. I have heard of complaints about the front end shaking violently and have had this problem a few times. Especialy at highway speeds if I hit a pothole as such. I can get it to stop if i am able to slow down and apply light brake pressure. I have checked all the steering for tight ess and even had the track bar replaced (as per other owners). But still have the problem occasionally. As for alignment, the jeep runs really well and straight without problems. I hear theres possible problems with the aluminum steeringg box (which I do have) vs. the steel steering box (I hear has a recall??). Is there any other issues as this is really scarry. Other than the replacement track bar everything is stock on this vehicle. …
Unknown-APPARENTLY THIS IS AN ON GOING WRANGLER ISSUE BUT WAS NEVER recalled AND I SEE NO COMMENTS. I see all over the forums that this is a problem and it is driving me insane coming from the left front wheel well area not only during breaking, but both breaking and slowing down no foot on gas or break. There is a very large, creaking, loud, creaking noise, coming out of that area. It also makes the steering wheel bobble, which I think is causing what everybody is saying, the death wobble. I've taken it to Jeep . I have done multiple car washes. I've tried everything they are telling me that there's nothing wrong with it but you can clearly hear that sound and it goes creek creek creek, creek, creek, creek, creek, over and over and over again until the car stopped, and there is also a loud grinding noise when you start the vehicle as well.
When going over a bump in the road at speeds above 35 mph the front end shakes the steering wheel and it feels like the front end is jumping up and down and is hard to control. I have spent over 1k in parts and labor including a new stabilizer shock, drag link, tie rod ends and more. It still does it even after these repairs. The front end has been aligned and tires and wheels balanced. The vehicle is dangerous to drive and there does not seem to be a fix for it. FCA said replacing the steering stabilizer would fix it but had no effect. The cause has been labeled unable to determine. I habe had it at two different shops and a lotnof suspension/steering pieces replaced.
Tire size LT295/55R20 123/120Q E Driving on highway in fast lane going 65/70 mph heard a pop, moved over to slow lane , car started shaking and veering to right. Pulled over and got out on shoulder to see tire wall had separated from tire. I have driven 7000 miles , had them installed professionally by Tire Choice on April 20th 2024. Date today June 20th, 2025.
It is the death wobble. I took the car in once. My cars started violently shaking when I would hit 58 Miles per hour and curve to the left, or the right and shakes so uncontrollably that I would have to tap the brakes but not too hard. Is I did not want to go off the road period there were cars that were behind me. That would shoot off to every direction trying to get around me. And yes, of course it's dangerous. Not supposed to be going down the interstate. Drinking a d*** Bloody Mary anyways. I took it into 2 dealerships. There are car places around where I live. They went ahead and diagnosed it and charged me $5060 or no 70 something. To fix it and it was even worse, so I brought it back to them. They tried to balance the other tire but that did not work, and that is the point where the other mechanics came over and said, that's the death wobble, which I had never heard of. …
While exiting a drive thru, I needed to make a left hand turn. As I was in motion to make that left hand turn, the steering locked up & it sent me crashing straight into a metal pole, which just happened to be for the pedestrian crossing. Thankfully there were no pedestrians around that were put in harms way. However, my 2018 Jeep Wrangler jl was not so lucky. Currently we are being estimated around $8,000 - $15,000 in damage but that is not final yet.
Bf goodrich mud terrain t/a on the 2 door Jeep Wrangler willy package is standard.. This tire is a hazard for such a light car in wet conditions. Many Jeep drivers have reported slipping on the road even at low speeds. One driver who had them on his truck, said his truck very slipped on wet roads like his Jeep Wrangler is doing now. I now have to drive so slow on wet curves, well below the posted, and much slower than all the other cars. Jeep put a excellent off road tire on a car, to be driven on roads. The normal tire, the Goodyear Wrangler, is a excellent tire. I was never advised that wet roads will be a hazard to drive on. When accelerating on the on ramp to I-10, my Jeep lost traction with a small amount of acceleration on the wet road. Exiting the I-35 on wet roads, my tires lost traction on the curve, rated at 35mph, when going under 30. I ended up in the grass. …
Wheel & Tire complaints in other Wrangler years
Frequently asked questions
How common are wheel & tire problems on the 2018 Jeep Wrangler?
NHTSA has 62 complaints about the wheels & tires of the 2018 Jeep Wrangler, 3% of the model year's 1,827 complaints. The component named most often is sidewall (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2018 Jeep Wrangler wheel & tire problems?
No. NHTSA lists no wheels & tires recall for the 2018 Jeep Wrangler, though it has 14 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 2018 Jeep Wrangler wheel & tire problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 7,000 miles, and 96% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to wheels & tires 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.