A Jeep Wrangler owner sued Fiat Chrysler Automobiles for ignoring an alleged safety issue related to the vehicle’s steering system. The class action lawsuit, as reported by Detroit News, alleges a “death wobble” in 2015-2018 Jeep Wranglers with a solid front axle, which the suit claims can cause the steering wheel to shake violently at highway speeds.
The lawsuit, filed in Detroit’s U.S. District Court, alleges FCA knew about this defect. However, the automaker did not address it or warn drivers about it.
The issue with Solid Front Axle
FCA has said that it is not a safety issue and that the so-called “death wobble” can happen with any vehicle with a solid front axle such as the Wrangler. The lawsuit states this wobbling occurs because the solid front axle cannot absorb bumps and vibrations as efficiently as a vehicle with a front suspension that allows each wheel to move independently. The lawsuit states the front suspension and steering can be jarred out of equilibrium. Drivers experience an uncontrollable side-to-side shaking of the Jeep’s front-end steering components and the wheel.
The class-action lawsuit was filed on behalf of Claire Reynolds, a New Jersey resident who owns a 2018 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sport 4×4. Reynolds accuses the company of offering drivers a quick fix by replacing the steering damper if the vehicle is under warranty. The lawsuit claims the problem will return, and only major suspension repairs will fix it.
A Continuing Problem
Detroit News reports that drivers have complained about Jeep Wrangler steering problems to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for several years. One Wrangler owner from Michigan said in his complaint that the front part of his vehicle rattled so much that he thought his wheel had come off. Safety advocates have also urged Congress to look into this issue since 2012.
In a March 2012 letter to former NHTSA Administrator David Strickland, the Center for Auto Safety stated that this issue exemplifies “the problems involving lack of transparency and access to reliable repairs” commonly present in several auto defect cases. The lawsuit seeks monetary as well as punitive damages against FCA for putting drivers and members of the public at risk.
