Death wobble on New 2022 Gladiator Sport S

[jerichar99]

While on a road trip, I experienced the death wobble three separate times today. Thankfully I read about it on the forums previously so I knew what to do.

I was driving about 70 MPH and hit a small bump on the highway. Then the steering wheel oscillated back and forth with no obvious way to stop it. I pulled over to slow down and it stopped at about 50 MPH. The weather was a bit wet and about 60 degrees.

My vehicle is only three months old with 2900 miles on it. It is a sport S completely stock (no lift, stock tires, etc.). I haven’t even done any offroading yet.

Since I am away from home, I’ll take it slow on the way back (65 or under). Then I’ll take it to the dealer.

I’m very bummed. But I’ll update this thread on the findings.

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[Lunentucker]

That bites.
Glad you handled well and knew what to do.
Has to be something not properly torqued.

 

[jerichar99]

I have my vehicle back from the dealership. They said the "steering damper fount to be weak on road test". So the steering damper has been replaced.

Reading on other posts, I'm not sure if this is a long term fix. But time will tell I guess.

 

[Harbormaster]

This happened to my Overland with no lift and stock tires at 22,000 miles . Dealership replaced the steering dampener and that fixed the problem. I now have 27,000 miles and no problems.

 

[Pigman67]

Have read where others have had ball joints that were just "finger tight" with the pins installed.

Might be worth checking.....

 

[Zero_Accel]

A loose trackbar can also cause death wobble, best to check that all bolts are tight.

If it's the steering damper, that will fix the problem, but if it isn't the issue, the loose components will wear it out prematurely and it won't be able to cover up the problem anymore.

Thankfully you have warranty.

 

[tysongladiator]

First take it back. Second, have them check everything for proper torque and torque procedures. But, you need to make sure they do that. Personally, I would double check it myself when I get it back. Parts not being torqued properly is a common thing now. Even and mostly from the dealer.

 

[CEB Blue]

Same thing happened to me, 2022 stock Sport, no lift, stock tires. Started happening around 8000 miles. Took trip to Portland beginning of June, happened 10 times! Once passing a slower vehicle on 2 lane road and then on the I5 South, during the rain!
Pucker factor was high!
Checked tire PSI, at 36 all around. Believe this started after 1st oil change and tire rotation at local dealer. Said the earliest they could look at it was 1st week in Aug. Got appointment w/dealer where we bought it July 2nd. This is under warranty so I want the dealer to fix it.

 

[jerichar99]

I’m sorry to hear that. I know the feeling.

As an update to this thread, they replaced the steering damper in August 2022. In January 2024 and about 8k miles later, I started experiencing the death wobble again. It was pretty much the same conditions: 60+ MPH, hit pothole in road, and temperatures around 40-50F. I was an hour away from home so I turned around and drove slowly.

I took it to the dealer, and they once again replaced the steering damper. It definitely “fixed” the issue, but clearly this is not a permanent fix. Unfortunately it ruined my confidence in this Gladiator and did not feel safe in it. So I ended up trading it in for a different vehicle. Very sad

 

[JTGuy]

The factory sets the caster at about 4-5 deg. That's. a little low. Have it checked. My Mopar 2 inch lift set mine at 6 deg and I have never had a problem. I also have the Fox ATS steering stabalizer.

 

[Banned]

I would have set up a dash cam facing forward, video the whole thing, slam that piece of shit into a tree, go back to the dealership with a woman and three kids in neck braces and ask where to go to have the dealership signed over to you.

 

[Banned]

After that, rebrand the dealership, dub yourself "For the People" and have every Wrangler/Gladiator PDI include a complete front end torque, camber and toe inspection. Focus on customer satisfaction instead of bottom line, be honest and do a little more than your customers expect. People will come for hundreds of miles to buy from you.

 

[Zachanadandy]

The stabilizer is a band aid. Sad to see people losing thousands on trade-ins because they want it "fixed" under warranty and the dealer techs don't know wtf they are doing. Pay an off road shop a few hundred dollars to properly diagnose and fix it. A set of extended lower control arms and a complete retorque will actually fix most Jeeps. Should we have to pay to fix our own rigs out of pocket? Of course not. Are you losing far more wasting time with the dealership and/or trading in your Jeep for not wanting to pay out of pocket? Unfortunately yes. If you can swing a wrench, buy a torque wrench and some cotter pins and fix it yourself.

 

[Murdoc319]

Same thing happened to me, 2022 stock Sport, no lift, stock tires. Started happening around 8000 miles. Took trip to Portland beginning of June, happened 10 times! Once passing a slower vehicle on 2 lane road and then on the I5 South, during the rain!
Pucker factor was high!
Checked tire PSI, at 36 all around. Believe this started after 1st oil change and tire rotation at local dealer. Said the earliest they could look at it was 1st week in Aug. Got appointment w/dealer where we bought it July 2nd. This is under warranty so I want the dealer to fix it.

Ever figure this out?

 

[CEB Blue]

Dealership said it was a faulty stabilizer, must be standard response. Of course there is a national shortage. 2 weeks later said they got one. Going back next week to get it changed.

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