Good news for Jeep owners affected by the alleged front suspension defect commonly referred to as the “death wobble.” A settlement has been reached, and those impacted by this defect stand to benefit.
The settlement covers 2018 to 2020 Jeep Wrangler and 2020 Jeep Gladiator vehicles, which are alleged to contain a defect with the steering wheel and front suspension. The defect, referred to as the death wobble, causes the steering wheel to move rapidly from side to side when hitting a bump at highway at speed.
Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator owners have described the death wobble as a violent shake of the whole vehicle when at speed. Additionally, drivers report that when this happens, it feels like they could lose control of the vehicle instantly.
While Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) hasn’t admitted any wrongdoing, they have agreed to a undisclosed sum to address safety concerns with its 2018-2020 Jeep Wrangler and 2020 Gladiator models.
Read on to learn more about the specifics regarding your eligibility for the claims from this settlement.
Owners Alleged Certain Jeep Vehicles Contain Defective Steering and Front Suspensions
The phenomenon known as the “Death Wobble” usually occurs when the vehicle in question encounters a bump at freeway speed. This results in a vibration or shake. Jeep owners describe this defect as a seemingly unmanageable back-and-forth movement of the vehicle’s frontal steering components and the steering wheel.
As one can imagine, an uncontrollable front suspension at speeds 45 mph and beyond is a frightening experience.
While FCA hasn’t admitted any wrongdoing, the company has agreed to pay an undisclosed sum to resolve the recall class action lawsuit.
What Exactly is the Jeep Death Wobble?
Death wobble happens in Jeeps when rapidly rotating steering and suspension components cause your steering wheel to move uncontrollably. For many Jeep owners, it felt as if the vehicle was on the verge of losing control. Drivers often said they gripped the steering wheel tightly, fearing for their safety.
Typically, this wobble effect happens at speeds above 40 miles per hour, and is caused by hitting a bump or a pothole.
While the name “Death Wobble” may sound extreme, there hasn’t been any reports of fatalities or injuries connected to the defect. However, there have been some accidents and injuries that have resulted due to this problem.
Didn’t FCA Release a Technical Service Bulletin That Fixed the Death Wobble Problem?
Yes, around August 10, 2019 FCA released a fix for the death wobble defect. The fix involved installing a new steering damper in affected Jeep vehicles. At that time, FCA asserted that this recall would address the vibration issues experienced at highway speeds.
However, many owners referred to the replacement steering damper as a “Band-Aid” to a larger engineering and parts defect.
The recall, replaced the original steering damper part number 580AC with a revised set, part number 580AE.
During it’s investigation into the problem, FCA, found that air was getting into the damper on the front suspension of the Jeep vehicles during cold temperatures. When this happened, the shock oil became “thick like molasses.”
As a result, air bubbles within the shock oil took too long time to work it’s way out of the oil. This defect resulted in the vibration or “death wobble” Jeep owners complained about.
Is it Safe to Drive With The Death Wobble?
No, the best course of action is to gently release the accelerator and smoothly come to a stop. Hold the steering wheel tightly, and refrain from applying the brakes. Also, try to keep the vehicle on as straight a path as possible.
Jeep Vehicles Affected
The following vehicles are affected by this settlement:
Status of the Jeep “Death Wobble” Class Action Lawsuit
Reynolds, et al. v. FCA US LLC, Case No. 2:19-cv-11745-MAG-EAS, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan This lawsuit has been granted preliminary approval of the settlement.
Benefits Under the Settlement Include:
FCA is providing the following benefits to those affected by the settlement:
Warranty Extension
FCA US will provide a Warranty Extension for the Class Vehicles covering a period of up to 8 years or 90,000 miles (whichever occurs first) from the date the vehicle was first sold to its original owner or lessee.
The Warranty Extension will cover the cost of all parts and labor needed to replace a failed front suspension steering damper.
You do NOT need to do anything to receive the benefits of this Warranty Extension.
Product Improvements
If there is a problem with the front suspension steering damper that the Warranty Extension covers, FCA US will install the revised version.
Reimbursement for Repairs
In connection with the Settlement, any Class Member who paid to have the front suspension steering damper replaced in their Class Vehicle will be entitled to submit a claim for reimbursement.
You will need to provide records of the repair(s) performed and amount(s) paid available when submitting your claim.
How do I Get More Information on This Settlement?
For detailed information regarding the settlement, you can check out the settlement website. It’s designed to offer comprehensive details, helping you make an informed decision on the next steps.
Helpful Settlement Links
Settlement Website: Reynolds et al. v. FCA US LLC
Submit a Claim: Jeep Wrangler or Jeep Gladiator Claim Form
Why Wasn’t My Car Included In The Class Action Settlement?
Questions About This Settlement?
MyCarVoice.com is not counsel or the settlement administrator in this class action lawsuit. Our goal is to inform owners of these vehicles of the recent settlement.
This post will be updated when/if new settlement information is released. Please consider subscribing to this post for updates.
Managing Editor
Christopher is an automotive technical writer. When he’s not at the local autocross event, he can often be found working on one of his cars. Specializes in automotive class action law, industry trends, and automotive maintenance. Email me direct, or learn more about us
Ronnie Burrough
March 22, 2024 at 1:15 pmIs there currently a class action lawsuit for the 2022 Jeep Gladiator with Death Wobble? I currently have in my Gladiator as described on 2020 Gladiator, My Gladiator is 15 months old still under warranty with 17,500 miles.
Christopher Rossen
March 24, 2024 at 7:30 amI don’t believe so Ronnie. Check with the dealership on a fix under warranty for this.