2016 Jeep Wrangler Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 28about this part
- Share
- 6%of 462 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 30,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 28 complaints about the steering of the 2016 Jeep Wrangler, 6% of the 462 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 30,000 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“When I crank my vehicle and place it in drive the ABS and traction control lights come on and the breaking system begins to lock down the brakes and causes the vehicle to jerk to a stop. This is happening while I am on the public roadway. The downhill breaking engages when all of this is going on. Sometimes it will clear itself off and the vehicle operates normally till the next day.”
NHTSA complaint #11354535, filed 2020-09, 109,000 miles“Clockspring is causing the air bag light to stay illuminated. Clockspring controls turn signal, flashers, deployment of air bags, etc. If I have an accident the air bags may not even deploy. That is a real safety issue to me and should be for all drivers.”
NHTSA complaint #11360063, filed 2020-09, 49,000 miles“I first experienced the death wobble within a year or so of purchasing my new 2016 Jeep Wrangler...very scary (seems to happen on a rough spots in the road, traveling at 45 MPH or higher).the front end was shaking so badly that I thought I had a flat tire, or that a wheel had fallen off. It has now happened at least 8 times, and I no longer drive on any interstate highway. I took it in to the Jeep dealer to have this checked out on june 27, 2017 with 31,237 miles on the vehicle. They said that everything looked fine. …”
NHTSA complaint #11181069, filed 2019-02, 25,000 miles“Death wobble - this has happened several times since owning the Jeep - paid out of pocket for new track bar (didn't fix problem) - took Jeep to dominion of bedford (Jeep dealer) they said they couldnt find anything loose on front end and recommended getting vehicle aligned (paid out of pocket to dominion of bedford) - had vehicle aligned (almost $300, didn't fix problem) - took Jeep to a different mechanic and they advised nothing could be found that was loose - extremely dangerous when operating at highway speed because there is very little control of vehicle and when I'm on the highway I…”
NHTSA complaint #11373729, filed 2020-11, 70,000 miles“Jeep death wobble - whilst taking my son to school I was traveling at approximately 45 MPH, I stuck a small pothole with my right front tire. The vehicle front end began to shake violently as the steering wheel oscillated about 6 inches back and forth. It was very difficult to maintain control of the vehicle and nearly collided with center median and vehicles to my right. Slowing down to about 5 MPH caused the wobble to subside. This was an extremely scary event and could have caused injury/death of both of us had I lost control. A dashcam video of the incident can be provided if needed.”
NHTSA complaint #11139215, filed 2018-10, 30,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10175674Apr 17, 2020Hands On Steering Wheel Message In EVIC
- 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…
- 10223717Jul 19, 2017Stabilizer bar actuator water intrusion Customer comes in with flashing sway bar light and it stays flashing after button reset. If water intrusion or contact pin corrosion is…
- 10217579Mar 24, 2017Clockspring Replacement (X68 Warranty Extension) This bulletin involves diagnosing the clockspring/Steering Angle Sensor (SAS).If the diagnostic tests indicate the…
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 2016 Jeep Wrangler
137 complaintsEngine
88 complaintsAir bags
77 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
74 complaintsElectrical system
57 complaintsOther or unknown
57 complaintsVehicle speed control
36 complaintsBody and structure
18 complaintsFuel system
14 complaintsElectronic stability control
13 complaintsForward collision avoidance
12 complaintsSeat belts
10 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2016 Jeep Wrangler
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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