2005 Jeep Wrangler Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 58about this part
- Share
- 9%of 650 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 39,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 58 complaints about the steering of the 2005 Jeep Wrangler, 9% of the 650 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 39,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Front end starts into a violent wobble between 50 & 55 MPH. The only way to stop it is to slam on the brakes. I have tried different tires and different tire pressures and the wobble still persist. The suspension hasn't been modified in any way and the entire vehicle is in stock condition. I think that this is a well known problem that could result in loss of life and there should be a recall to fix it.”
NHTSA complaint #10452520, filed 2012-03, 5,000 miles“I was driving on the bypass near my home and experienced the death wobble between 50-55 I thought the front end was falling out so I slowed down and got to the sise of the road and began checking out the vehicle. It has happened several times since. My Jeep is at the dealers as I write this getting checked out. I think Jeep should put a recall on this problem before someone gets hurt or killed.”
NHTSA complaint #10427838, filed 2011-09, 57,100 miles“I have a 2005 Jeep Wrangler unlimited....it would not start one morning and I had it towed to my mechanic. A tiny pin in the steering column broke. This 1/2 pin is not sold separately and I had to have the whole steering column replaced at a cost over $600!”
NHTSA complaint #10524988, filed 2013-07, 36,000 miles“We have had several shimmy and wobble problems at various speeds. We have had the vehicle to the dealership for repair of this several times without resolution (the latest was as recent as 9/17/2012. For safety we no longer drive the vehicle on the freeway.”
NHTSA complaint #10476591, filed 2012-09, 10,000 miles“Jeep death wobble - mine too, over 50 MPH, random wobble other times drives smooth, bumps do initiate it not always though, read all the complaints on NHTSA, stabilizer is key to resolving the issue and steering damper. I believe this design promotes accelerated wear of these parts which is why there are reports of it coming back after a year or so. I'm surprised there is no dealer fix for this, admitting the need for heavier steering components. I'll be getting after market heavy duty just to drive on the street. …”
NHTSA complaint #10919986, filed 2016-10, 112,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10020334Aug 30, 2006Steering shimmy.
- 10011958Nov 29, 2004Power steering fluid contamination.
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 2005 Jeep Wrangler
448 complaintsSuspension
51 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
41 complaintsEngine cooling
22 complaintsElectrical system
20 complaintsEngine
19 complaintsBrakes
13 complaintsOther or unknown
11 complaintsVehicle speed control
10 complaintsBody and structure
9 complaintsWheels
9 complaintsTires
8 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2005 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