NHTSA complaint #11735120

Owner complaint summary

On 12/17/2025, my 2022 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited (VIN [XXX] , 15,871 miles) experienced violent front-end oscillation — known as "death wobble" — while my daughter was driving on the highway at approximately 50–55 mph after encountering a road imperfection. The steering wheel and front suspension shook violently side-to-side. Vehicle control was significantly impaired and she had to slow substantially to stop the oscillation. Video of the incident is attached. The vehicle is completely stock: OEM suspension, tires, and wheels, no lift, no aftermarket modifications. I took it the same day to Safford Brown Jeep, an authorized Jeep dealer. They diagnosed the issue and replaced the front suspension steering damper. Repair cost $800 out of pocket. The dealer called it out of warranty because the 3-year basic warranty had elapsed, despite the vehicle having only 15,871 miles — well under the 36,000-mile warranty limit. A safety-critical steering defect at this mileage on a fully stock vehicle is consistent with a manufacturing or design defect, not wear or modification. This is a known, dangerous defect in Jeep solid-front-axle vehicles. NHTSA has received hundreds of complaints on prior Wrangler model years, and Stellantis (FCA) entered a 2023 class-action settlement covering 2018–2020 Wranglers and 2020 Gladiators with an 8-year/90,000-mile steering damper warranty extension. The 2022 model year was excluded despite exhibiting the same defect. I am filing this complaint to document that the issue persists in post-2020 Wranglers and request NHTSA evaluate whether a safety defect determination and recall is warranted for 2021+ model years. No crash, fire, or injuries — but loss of steering control at highway speed is a serious crash risk, especially with a young driver behind the wheel. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)