Death Wobble at 7500k miles

[Gl@di8or2021]

Developed the Death Wobble the other day in my 2021 Gladiator with 7500k miles. Brought it in to the dealer service and they couldn’t replicate the issue so they torqued all the bolts and sent me home. Told me to get a video of it when it happens again! So it happened yesterday and I started fumbling around to try to get the phone out in video mode with one hand, steer with the other, make sure I don’t run into the guy in front of me with one eye while trying to find the video mode with my other eye. I had to stop at a light before I could get the video zoomed out enough to catch Death Wobble in its full glory. The service dept. said there was nothing they could do. I thought there was a class action lawsuit they lost regarding this issue? Or was that only for the Wrangler? Now I’m afraid to let any family members drive the thing. Is this something we just have to live with?

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[IanNubbit]

Yeah no lawsuit. I would recommend a video for sure. A lot of dealers that aren’t jeep affluent won’t believe you without a video. Also, go to a different dealer

 

[DobaMark]

Class action lawsuits are usually great for the lawyers and lousy for those with claims.
Find a better dealer.

 

[joeym7]

How often does it happen? And unders what circumstances?

What about taking the Service guy, or mechanic for a long ride if it happens often enough?

Is this the dealer you purchased the truck from?

Before u go into laws suite mode, try working with the dealer, it will likely save you time and money as suits take a very long time.

Try to characterize the issue more thoroughly.
-What exactly do you mean by "death woble"?
-under what conditions does it happen?
-How often?
-What speed?
-How long does it last?
-Can you duplicate the problem by driving over a certain road or type of road?
-Do some googling to see if anyone else on various forums have had this issue.

Unfortunatly, this is the nature of our society, and not just automotive genra, for easy things, yea, they will fix it. For intermitant stuff, you have to get heavilly involved if you want a positive outcome.

And keep bringing the truck back to them so it is on record. And keep explaining the danger to your wife and kids...Most states have LEMON laws if it come to that.

Don't give up, eventually the (have to) make it right.

And get JeepCares involved as others do.

Keep us informed.
-Joe

 

[Casique]

Is the suspension stock? Any mods?

 

[Gl@di8or2021]

Completely stock. No mods. Sport S Max Tow.

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

7,500k miles?!? That is 7.5 million miles.

 

[Riverjunkie]

If it’s really Death Wobble…there would be no way to pick up your phone up and a film it. Slowing down with a two hand white knuckle grip is the only way to stop it.
You can get really cheap dash cams…maybe an option

 

[joeym7]

What happened to the "plaintiff"?

 

[Gl@di8or2021]

What happened to the "plaintiff"?

lol. It’s funny how people misread things. I was saying that I thought there had been a class action lawsuit against Jeep for this issue in the Wrangler. Not that I was considering a lawsuit. I ran across a YouTube video that mentioned the lawsuit and since it was on the internet I figured it must be true. ?

 

[DankjeeP]

Developed the Death Wobble the other day in my 2021 Gladiator with 7500k miles. Brought it in to the dealer service and they couldn’t replicate the issue so they torqued all the bolts and sent me home. Told me to get a video of it when it happens again! So it happened yesterday and I started fumbling around to try to get the phone out in video mode with one hand, steer with the other, make sure I don’t run into the guy in front of me with one eye while trying to find the video mode with my other eye. I had to stop at a light before I could get the video zoomed out enough to catch Death Wobble in its full glory. The service dept. said there was nothing they could do. I thought there was a class action lawsuit they lost regarding this issue? Or was that only for the Wrangler? Now I’m afraid to let any family members drive the thing. Is this something we just have to live with?

I would not expect the dealer to fix it. It's an unfortunate situation, but I don't think they can unless you can find the issue.
Stock Jeep then there is no geometry issues like track bar/drag link not parallel. Next thing to check is ball joints. Jack up the front end and grab the tires at 12 and 6 o'clock and try to move in and out.
Any play at all just replace both. Get Spicer or other aftermarket.
Put the wheels back on the ground, start the Jeep, put someone in the driver seat and have them cycle the steering side to side and check the track bar for ANY movement. Also check tie rod ends for any play. Next rotate the tires. I've had tires be the issue in the past and is definitely a possibility.
I've been there, and I feel you pain, but you need to be a little proactive to solve it.

 

[joeym7]

lol. It’s funny how people misread things. I was saying that I thought there had been a class action lawsuit against Jeep for this issue in the Wrangler. Not that I was considering a lawsuit. I ran across a YouTube video that mentioned the lawsuit and since it was on the internet I figured it must be true. ?

I was just kidding...I am not interested in the law suite, just thought you might provide more details on the "symptoms" per some of the questions I and others asked.

 

[IhaveQuestions]

Developed the Death Wobble the other day in my 2021 Gladiator with 7500k miles. Brought it in to the dealer service and they couldn’t replicate the issue so they torqued all the bolts and sent me home. Told me to get a video of it when it happens again! So it happened yesterday and I started fumbling around to try to get the phone out in video mode with one hand, steer with the other, make sure I don’t run into the guy in front of me with one eye while trying to find the video mode with my other eye. I had to stop at a light before I could get the video zoomed out enough to catch Death Wobble in its full glory. The service dept. said there was nothing they could do. I thought there was a class action lawsuit they lost regarding this issue? Or was that only for the Wrangler? Now I’m afraid to let any family members drive the thing. Is this something we just have to live with?

I just posted on another thread. I have a 21 stock sport Gladiator and the DW began at 8500 miles. Dealership basically told me there’s nothing they can do unless they find a point of failure. I also heard about the class action lawsuit regarding the DW in Cali. I think it has more to do with the bandaids they put in place to effectively let the warranty run out than it is to deal with death wobble. It’s garbage that the recommendation is to fix it yourself because Jeep can’t seem to figure it out. A vehicle that has less than 10k miles and has issues should be fixed by the manufacture.
Just wanting you to know that I share your sentiment and frustration ( this is my first NEW vehicle and it has began to leave a bad taste in my mouth).

 

[IhaveQuestions]

What happened to the "plaintiff"?

https://caselaw.findlaw.com/us-dis-crt-e-d-mic-sou-div/1911159.html

If you were wondering about the outcome of that class action lawsuit you can read it in the above link. Long story short (I’m not a lawyer by any means) FCA has fulfilled their obligations to attempt to correct it (DW) and therefor will not be held accountable. DW is something that can occur on any straight axle vehicle therefor is is a flaw that you must accept.

 

[DirkG]

Dumb question: for those who have lifts, has this cured/helped or made worse the death wobble?

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