2003 Jeep Wrangler Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 14about this part
- Share
- 14%of 98 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 47,685miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 14 complaints about the steering of the 2003 Jeep Wrangler, 14% of the 98 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 47,685 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“When I was driving around 50 MPH I hit a pothole and the vehicle start shaking violently. I had to hold the steering wheel so hard it almost went to the other side of the road. This happened already 5 times, I am so scared to take it on the highway, because I might get into a wreck. I have to come to a complete stop for it to stop shaking.”
NHTSA complaint #10535291, filed 2013-08, 79,732 miles“When the Jeep is in the 40 to 50 MPH range, a death wobble happens. Sometimes by itself and sometimes when I hit a pothole or street patch. I have had auto professionals look at the car and they cannot figure out what the problem is. Most of the time the solution is to fix a symptom but not the actual cause. When this happens the brakes must immediately applied hard which has cause near rear end collisions. If auto professionals cannot find the cause then this is not a maintenance issue. This is a design flaw. This is not a remote issue. …”
NHTSA complaint #10468836, filed 2012-08, 110,000 miles“In july 2005, after hitting a small bump in the highway, I experienced severe shaking of the front end of my 2003 Jeep Wrangler sahara at about 45-50 MPH. The shaking stopped after slowing the vehicle to about 30-35 MPH. I took the vehicle to the dealer (frank parra Jeep in irving, tx) for investigation and repair. I was informed by the service advisor, john ballard, that this problem occurs frequently in jeeps and that it was due to the steering dampener. Frank parra replaced the steering dampener. The problem recurred in march 2006 and I again took the vehicle to the dealer. …”
NHTSA complaint #10154194, filed 2006-03, 19,783 miles“The Wrangler death wobble . Violent shaking after reaching speeds of approximately 50 MPH. Must slow down and almost come to a stop to stop the shaking. First occurred a year ago. Took it our repair shop. They replaced the steering stabilization shock, which seemed to repair the problem. It then started to re-occur approximately 6 months later. Now it is doing it all the time, even at low speeds.”
NHTSA complaint #10694830, filed 2015-03, 50,000 miles“Terrible wobble at 45-55 MPH. Tires and front end wobble until I stop or slow below 40 MPH. It causes driver to slow at highway speed causing near rear end collisions when other drivers are following. At times wobbles so violently have to exit freeway in order to get it to stop.”
NHTSA complaint #10747172, filed 2015-08, 112,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10020334Aug 30, 2006Steering shimmy.
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 17% |
| 2025 | 3 | 4% |
| 2024 | 72 | 10% |
| 2023 | 57 | 15% |
| 2022 | 86 | 21% |
| 2021 | 255 | 27% |
| 2020 | 239 | 39% |
| 2019 | 447 | 60% |
| 2018 | 1,117 | 61% |
| 2017 | 19 | 6% |
| 2016 | 28 | 6% |
| 2015 | 29 | 6% |
| 2014 | 26 | 4% |
| 2013 | 167 | 25% |
| 2012 | 204 | 24% |
| 2011 | 58 | 12% |
| 2010 | 66 | 10% |
| 2009 | 65 | 17% |
| 2008 | 156 | 18% |
| 2007 | 138 | 25% |
| 2006 | 86 | 12% |
| 2005 | 58 | 9% |
| 2004 | 67 | 35% |
| 2003 | 14 | 14% |
| 2002 | 10 | 9% |
| 2001 | 10 | 6% |
| 2000 | 11 | 4% |
| 1999 | 3 | 1% |
| 1998 | 16 | 6% |
| 1997 | 31 | 8% |
| 1995 | 6 | 3% |
| 1994 | 5 | 3% |
| 1993 | 2 | 2% |
| 1992 | 3 | 4% |
| 1991 | 1 | 1% |
| 1990 | 2 | 3% |
| 1987 | 1 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2003 Jeep Wrangler
22 complaintsSuspension
18 complaintsFuel system
11 complaintsBrakes
10 complaintsElectrical system
9 complaintsAir bags
7 complaintsEngine cooling
6 complaintsSeat belts
6 complaintsOther or unknown
4 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
3 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaintsExterior lighting
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Jeep Wrangler
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology