2008 Jeep Wrangler Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 156about this part
- Share
- 18%of 873 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 50,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 156 complaints about the steering of the 2008 Jeep Wrangler, 18% of the 873 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 50,000 miles. 3 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.
“Death wobble- hit bump and steering wheel shakes uncontrollably ! Extremely dangerous. I have replaced almost all suspension components-$1600 and it has happened 4 more times. There is nothing that I can do once it starts-almost got run over by a semi. It happens to allot of people. Check the internet.”
NHTSA complaint #11290109, filed 2019-12, 89,000 miles“I experience the death wobble daily. It starts around 45 MPH and continues until I stop. It makes the Jeep shake and hard to control. The shaking is so bad, it will cause drinks to get thrown from the cupholder. It has progressively gotten worse over the past year or so.”
NHTSA complaint #11292348, filed 2019-12, 100,000 miles“While driving I hit a bump and the front wheels begin to violently shake and I cannot control or stop it. I have to stop the vehicle to make it quit. This has happened on the highway with heavy traffic and no place to pull over. Semi trucks behind me almost hit me. This is a violent and uncontrollable shaking. This happens while the vehicle is in motion and hits a bump like a seam in the pavement or edge of overpass.”
NHTSA complaint #11093215, filed 2018-05, 120,000 miles“The death wobble!!!! When I hit a bump or pothole . I feel my Jeep is literally coming apart. My Jeep is 2008 and this has been an issue sknce we bought it anout 5 years agao. I only drive when its emergency. I will not take highways. Its absolutely terrifying. Why is there no recalls for death wobble on the Jeep 2008. This is not just a problem on newer modles. I want it fixed for free. I cant even sell it. Because people with jeeps know about it!!!”
NHTSA complaint #11243566, filed 2019-08, 50,000 miles“Driving down highway at 50 MPH the steering wheel and the whole Jeep started shaking so bad it almost caused me to run off the road. I could only control it by bring the Jeep to a stop in the middle of a highway, very dangerous ! Checked wheel balance and suspension for wear , with found nothing. Was told it was a design feature of jeeps with coil spring front axel?”
NHTSA complaint #10505816, filed 2013-04, 40,100 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10159313Mar 14, 2019The SKU is a Tie Rod Center Stud. The Customer commnunication requested return of unsold inventory to inpsect for possible incorrect direction threads (right hand rather than…
- 10188695May 8, 2013New Safety Recall Advanced Communication ? M31050813 Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) announced a safety recall on certain 2008 through 2012 model year (JK) Jeep Wrangler vehicles…
- 10136873May 8, 2013New Safety Recall Advanced Communication ? M31050813 Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) announced a safety recall on certain 2008 through 2012 model year (JK) Jeep Wrangler vehicles…
- 10034535Oct 28, 2010Jeep: replacement of the steering damper and steering damper bracket. Steering wheel/linkage vibration from rough surfaces. If the condition is present perform the repair…
- 10033812Mar 1, 2010Chrysler (jeep) service campaign: see document search button for owner letter. This tsb contains an owner notification letter. Select document search button below. Steering…
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 2008 Jeep Wrangler
309 complaintsElectrical system
178 complaintsFuel system
140 complaintsSuspension
108 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
67 complaintsBrakes
52 complaintsOther or unknown
39 complaintsEngine
37 complaintsWheels
29 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
24 complaintsElectronic stability control
22 complaintsVehicle speed control
21 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2008 Jeep Wrangler
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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