IllustrationTHE VEHICLE'S SUSPENSION AND STEERING BECAME UNCONTROLLABLE WHEN DRIVING 60 MPH AND I HIT A SMALL BUMP IN THE ROAD. THIS IS COMMONLY KNOWN AS THE JEEP DEATH WOBBLE. I WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL JEEP UNTIL I SLAMMED ON MY BRAKES AND BROUGHT THE JEEP TO UNDER 40 MPH OR A COMPLETE STOP. *TR
2009 Jeep Wrangler 4-DR 4X4
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Wrangler 4-DR 4X4 years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
390–25K
5125–50K
2650–75K
1975–100K
14100–150K
2150K+
151 reports with mileage · 14 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Air Bags. Review the 47 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Steering. Review the 34 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Suspension. Review the 32 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
2 crash reports3 fire reports3 injury reports
What owners actually said
165 reportsDRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND I HIT A UNLEVELED SURFACED JEEP WENT JUMPING ALL OVER THE ROAD. I THOUGHT IT WAS A FLUKE AND DIDN'T THINK ABOUT IT LATER. BUT IT IS CONTINUING TO GET WORSE. I HAVE A APPT. TUESDAY WITH DEALERSHIP AND THEY DON'T KNOW IF MY WARRANTY WILL COVER THIS. I DIDN'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THIS DEATH WOBBLE UNTIL THE…
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DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND I HIT A UNLEVELED SURFACED JEEP WENT JUMPING ALL OVER THE ROAD. I THOUGHT IT WAS A FLUKE AND DIDN'T THINK ABOUT IT LATER. BUT IT IS CONTINUING TO GET WORSE. I HAVE A APPT. TUESDAY WITH DEALERSHIP AND THEY DON'T KNOW IF MY WARRANTY WILL COVER THIS. I DIDN'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THIS DEATH WOBBLE UNTIL THE SERVICE MAN TOLD ME IT SOUNDED LIKE I HAVE THE DEATH WOBBLE. WHY IS THERE NOT A RECALL ON THIS? THIS IS MY ONLY VEHICLE SO I DON'T HAVE A CHOICE BUT DRIVE IT. THIS IS A SEVERE SAFETY ISSUE!!!!!!!! *TR
JEEP RANDOMLY JUMPS OUT OF FIRST GEAR WHEN PULLING AWAY FROM A DEAD STOP. LEAVING THE CAR IN NEUTRAL WHILE PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC. ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION THIS HAPPENED WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN ACROSS A BUSY STREET. *TR
I LIVE IN SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA. I EXPERIENCED WHAT IS BEING REFERRED TO AS "WRANGLER DEATH WOBBLE" ON OR ABOUT 11:55 P.M. ON MARCH 15, 2012, WHILE I DRIVING SOUTHBOUND ON INTERSTATE 5 NEAR EAST LOS ANGELES. THIS INCIDENT RESULTED IN AND SUBSTANTIAL PHYSICAL DAMAGE TO THE UNDERCARRIAGE/SUSPENSION/STEERING COMPONENTS OF THE V…
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I LIVE IN SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA. I EXPERIENCED WHAT IS BEING REFERRED TO AS "WRANGLER DEATH WOBBLE" ON OR ABOUT 11:55 P.M. ON MARCH 15, 2012, WHILE I DRIVING SOUTHBOUND ON INTERSTATE 5 NEAR EAST LOS ANGELES. THIS INCIDENT RESULTED IN AND SUBSTANTIAL PHYSICAL DAMAGE TO THE UNDERCARRIAGE/SUSPENSION/STEERING COMPONENTS OF THE VEHICLE. THE WELD OF THE TRACK BAR HOUSING/BRACKET ON THE AXLE SIDE WAS RIPPED COMPLETELY OFF OF THE FRONT AXLE. THERE WAS A TOTAL LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. IT TOOK ABOUT 30 SECONDS TO BRING IT UNDER CONTROL BY APPLYING BRAKES AND HOLDING ON TO THE VIOLENTLY SHAKING STEERING WHEEL. THE CAR SWERVED INTO ADJACENT LANES. FORTUNATELY, THERE WERE NO CARS NEXT TO ME A THE TIME. I PURCHASED THE 2009 WRANGLER FROM FOLSOM LAKE FORD IN FOLSOM, CA ON JANUARY 28, 2012, ONLY 46 DAYS BEFORE I EXPERIENCED THE WRANGLER DEATH WOBBLE. THE TRACK BAR HOUSING WAS RE-WELDED TO THE AXLE AND A GUSSET ADDED IN LOS ANGELES TO ALLOW ME TO RETURN HOME. I INCURRED SIGNIFICANT COSTS FOR REPAIRS. TWO EXPERT TECHNICIANS HAVE EXAMINED THE SUSPENSION AND CONCLUDED THAT THERE IS NO QUESTION THE DEFECT EXISTED WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND THAT THE OBVIOUS DEFECT AND "PLAY" SHOULD HAVE BEEN DETECTED BY ROUTINE VISUAL INSPECTION. FOLSOM LAKE FORD V.P. OF OPERATIONS, JOHN SEARS REFUSES TO EVEN INSPECT THE VEHICLE TO SEE WHETHER IT IS NOW SAFE TO DRIVE OR TAKE ANY ACTION AT ALL TO FIX THE DAMAGE. [XXX] HAS STATED IN WRITING THAT MY ONLY RECOURSE IS TO TAKE LEGAL ACTION AGAINST FOLSOM LAKE FORD. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NOT SURE ABOUT THE EXACT DATE OR MILEAGE BUT APPROXIMATELY TWO MONTHS AGO, GASOLINE BEGAN SPILLING OUT OF MY GAS TANK WHILE FILLING UP THE VEHICLE. I WAS NOT TRYING TO "TOP IT OFF" AS IT DOESN'T EVEN CLICK. IT HAS HAPPENED EVERY TIME I TRY TO FILL UP SINCE THE FIRST OCCURRENCE. IT HAS HAPPENED AT NUMEROUS GAS STATIONS. I NOW…
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NOT SURE ABOUT THE EXACT DATE OR MILEAGE BUT APPROXIMATELY TWO MONTHS AGO, GASOLINE BEGAN SPILLING OUT OF MY GAS TANK WHILE FILLING UP THE VEHICLE. I WAS NOT TRYING TO "TOP IT OFF" AS IT DOESN'T EVEN CLICK. IT HAS HAPPENED EVERY TIME I TRY TO FILL UP SINCE THE FIRST OCCURRENCE. IT HAS HAPPENED AT NUMEROUS GAS STATIONS. I NOW HAVE TO ESTIMATE HOW MUCH GAS TO ENTER INTO MY VEHICLE SO IT DOES NOT OVERFLOW. SEVERAL TIMES GASOLINE HAS SPILLED ONTO MY CLOTHING. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 JEEP WRANGLER 4X4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL SPILLED OUT FROM THE FILLER NECK WHILE REFUELING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW FUEL TANK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS AFFECTING THE VEHICLE. NO…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 JEEP WRANGLER 4X4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL SPILLED OUT FROM THE FILLER NECK WHILE REFUELING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW FUEL TANK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS AFFECTING THE VEHICLE. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 45,000. UPDATED 03/05/12*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED CHRYSLER OFFERED TO COVER THE COST OF THE REPAIR, MINUS A $102 DEDUCTIBLE. THE TANK WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 03/06/12
SOMEONE WILL BE KILLED BY THIS FAILURE !!! 3RD TIME....VALVE STEM BLOW OUT.. VALVE STEM CORRODES AND FAILS..3RD TIME..ALLOWING TIRE TO DEFLATE INSTANTANEOUSLY..DESTROYED NEW TIRES/WHEEL AND JEEP FENDER. WIFE AND DAUGHTER THIS TIME AT 65 MPH... 2 INDEPENDENT CHRYSLER JEEP DEALERSHIPS SERVICE MANGER SAY "VERY COMMON PROBLEM. NO…
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SOMEONE WILL BE KILLED BY THIS FAILURE !!! 3RD TIME....VALVE STEM BLOW OUT.. VALVE STEM CORRODES AND FAILS..3RD TIME..ALLOWING TIRE TO DEFLATE INSTANTANEOUSLY..DESTROYED NEW TIRES/WHEEL AND JEEP FENDER. WIFE AND DAUGHTER THIS TIME AT 65 MPH... 2 INDEPENDENT CHRYSLER JEEP DEALERSHIPS SERVICE MANGER SAY "VERY COMMON PROBLEM. NOTHING THEY CAN DO TO STOP FROM HAPPENING AGAIN". BOTH SERVICE MANAGERS SAY THEY" WILL NOT WARRANTY THE ISSUE, IT IS THE OWNERS PROBLEM." .. SOMEONE WILL BE KILLED BY THIS FAILURE !!! CALLED CHRYSLER DIRECTLY AND STARTED CASE # WITH THEM... SAID SAME THING." WILL NOT WARRANTY ISSUE..NOTHING CAN BE DONE AT THIS TIME TO FIX..JUST BRING IT TO A DEALER AND HOPE IT DOESN'T HAPPEN AGAIN.." SOMEONE WILL BE KILLED BY THIS FAILURE !!! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) *TT
APPROXIMATELY 1/4 GALLON OF GAS BACK FLOWS FORCEFULLY OUT OF FILLER NECK IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE RELEASE OF THE HANDLE WHEN THE TANK IS FULL. THIS HAPPENS BOTH WHEN THE HANDLE IS LOCKED DOWN IN THE FUELING POSITION AND AUTOMATICALLY CLICKS OFF AND WHEN I'M HOLDING THE HANDLE TO FILL THE TANK. AT NO TIME AM I ATTEMPTING TO OVE…
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APPROXIMATELY 1/4 GALLON OF GAS BACK FLOWS FORCEFULLY OUT OF FILLER NECK IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE RELEASE OF THE HANDLE WHEN THE TANK IS FULL. THIS HAPPENS BOTH WHEN THE HANDLE IS LOCKED DOWN IN THE FUELING POSITION AND AUTOMATICALLY CLICKS OFF AND WHEN I'M HOLDING THE HANDLE TO FILL THE TANK. AT NO TIME AM I ATTEMPTING TO OVERFILL THE TANK BEYOND THE SAFETY SHUT OFF. THIS HAPPENS 100 PERCENT OF THE TIME WITH THE RESULT OF FUEL LANDING ON THE REAR FENDER, BUMPER, MY CLOTHES, SHOES, AND LEAVES A MANHOLE COVER SIZE SPOT OF FUEL ON THE PAVEMENT. *TR
I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE USED IN SEPTEMBER OF 2011 WITH 27K MILES ON IT AND EVERY TIME I FILL UP MY GAS TANK I END UP WITH GASOLINE OVERFLOW. BASICALLY, I STICK THE GAS NOZZLE IN AND WHEN IT IS AUTOMATICALLY FINISHED, SOME GASOLINE SPITS BACK OUT OF THE TANK ALL OVER THE CAR, THE GROUND AND AT TIMES MYSELF. THIS HAS HAPPENED EVE…
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I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE USED IN SEPTEMBER OF 2011 WITH 27K MILES ON IT AND EVERY TIME I FILL UP MY GAS TANK I END UP WITH GASOLINE OVERFLOW. BASICALLY, I STICK THE GAS NOZZLE IN AND WHEN IT IS AUTOMATICALLY FINISHED, SOME GASOLINE SPITS BACK OUT OF THE TANK ALL OVER THE CAR, THE GROUND AND AT TIMES MYSELF. THIS HAS HAPPENED EVERY TIME, REGARDLESS OF GAS STATION OR WHAT STATE I AM IN (INDIANA, ILLINOIS AND KENTUCKY). THE ONLY SOLUTION IS THE MANUALLY PUMP THE GAS AND ESTIMATE WHEN IT IS ALMOST FULL AND STOP. THIS IS HARDLY PRACTICAL AND SHOULD BE FIXED. I SEE THAT THE ISSUE HAS BEEN ACKNOWLEDGED BY A SIMPLE GOOGLE.COM SEARCH BUT ONLY FOR THE 2007-2008 JEEP WRANGLERS. MINE IS A 2009 WITH THE SAME EXACT ISSUE. *TR
WHEN FILLING UP GAS AT THE END GAS POURS OUT ALL OVER THE CAR AND GROUND. *TR
Official recalls
109V118000 · Air Bags; Air Bags:frontal; Electrical System:wiring
Apr 9, 2009
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 4,314 MY 2009 DODGE JOURNEY, JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE, COMMANDER AND WRANGLER VEHICLES. WIRING MAY BE REVERSED ON THE STEERING COLUMN CONTROL MODULE DRIVER AIRBAG SQUIB CONNECTOR. THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG MAY NOT DEPLOY AS INTENDED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG MAY NOT PROPERLY INFLATE AND MAY NOT BE ABLE TO PROPERLY PROTECT AN OCCUPANT, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURIES.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG SQUIB WIRES AND REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN CONTROL MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Additional source detail variants (3)
Air Bags:frontal
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 4,314 MY 2009 DODGE JOURNEY, JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE, COMMANDER AND WRANGLER VEHICLES. WIRING MAY BE REVERSED ON THE STEERING COLUMN CONTROL MODULE DRIVER AIRBAG SQUIB CONNECTOR. THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG MAY NOT DEPLOY AS INTENDED.
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG MAY NOT PROPERLY INFLATE AND MAY NOT BE ABLE TO PROPERLY PROTECT AN OCCUPANT, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURIES.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG SQUIB WIRES AND REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN CONTROL MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Air Bags
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 4,314 MY 2009 DODGE JOURNEY, JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE, COMMANDER AND WRANGLER VEHICLES. WIRING MAY BE REVERSED ON THE STEERING COLUMN CONTROL MODULE DRIVER AIRBAG SQUIB CONNECTOR. THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG MAY NOT DEPLOY AS INTENDED.
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG MAY NOT PROPERLY INFLATE AND MAY NOT BE ABLE TO PROPERLY PROTECT AN OCCUPANT, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURIES.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG SQUIB WIRES AND REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN CONTROL MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Electrical System:wiring
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 4,314 MY 2009 DODGE JOURNEY, JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE, COMMANDER AND WRANGLER VEHICLES. WIRING MAY BE REVERSED ON THE STEERING COLUMN CONTROL MODULE DRIVER AIRBAG SQUIB CONNECTOR. THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG MAY NOT DEPLOY AS INTENDED.
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG MAY NOT PROPERLY INFLATE AND MAY NOT BE ABLE TO PROPERLY PROTECT AN OCCUPANT, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURIES.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG SQUIB WIRES AND REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN CONTROL MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
3EA15007 · Air Bag Clockspring Wiring Failure
Opened Dec 4, 2015 · Closed Jul 6, 2016
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags; Air Bags:frontal
On May 10, 2016, Fiat Chrysler America (FCA) submitted a Part 573 Defect Information Report announcing NHTSA recall 16V290 involving 394,258 model year (MY) 2007-2010 Jeep Wrangler vehicles.Under the recall FCA will replace the clockspring and install a steering wheel back cover and steering wheel column shroud.This recall also includes approx. 4,524 MY2007-2010 right hand drive (RHD) Jeep Wrangler vehicles commonly used for rural postal delivery services.In addition 7,180 MY 2011-2016 right hand drive Jeep Wrangler vehicles were also recalled under 16V288, the same remedy repair will be used.Upon review of the 1,942 MY 2007-2010 Jeep Wrangler consumer complaints, 17,195 warranty reports and field returned parts assessment, FCA concluded that a defect exists in the driver side clockspring assembly, a device that both connects (electrically) the driver air bag to the control module and allows rotational movement between the steering wheel and fixed steering column.Clockspring failure may compromise the air bag circuit causing illumination of the air bag warning lamp, and may result in non-deployment of the driver air bag in a frontal crash.FCA identified a contributing factor in that the recalled vehicles may be subjected to off-road dusty environments and/or usage with the vehicle roof top/doors removed thus allowing dust and moisture to enter the clockspring assembly.FCA advised that the MY 2011 and later Wrangler vehicles had an improved steering column cover/shroud that may reduce the amount of dirt/moisture that can enter the clockspring assembly.During the investigation FCA and the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) also reviewed 193 MY 2011-2012 Jeep Wrangler consumer complaints, 3,918 warranty reports and field returned parts along with reports from other FCA vehicles that use the same clockspring assembly.Based on this review, the rate of repair and the failure mode does not indicate a defect trend at this time in the later MY Wrangler or other FCA vehicles.During the field return parts review, FCA found a significant number of MY 2011-2012 Wrangler returned parts that operated normally, the so called ?no trouble found? or NTF parts where no fault could be identified through bench testing.On June 10, 2016, FCA informed ODI of its intention to conduct a 15-yr, 150k mile extended warranty program due to the NTF issue and the MY 2011 and later vehicles having a somewhat elevated level of warranty replacement.Consumers will be notified of the program in writing.FCA will collect clocksprings replaced under the warranty extension program to further examine and study the root cause failure.ODI will monitor FCA?s analysis to determine if any further field action is warranted.Based on the actions taken by FCA to recall the MY 2007-2010 Jeep Wrangler vehicles and the MY 2008-2016 right hand drive Wrangler vehicles, this investigation is closed.FCA has also agreed to conduct a warranty extension and further evaluation of the MY 2011-2016 Wrangler.At the time of FCA's field data submission in PE 15-025 (September 2015), ODI was aware of a total of 416 MY 2007-2010 and 23 MY 2011-2012 VOQs relevant to this issue.In addition, there have been an additional 90 and 16 VOQs (respectively) received since the recall announcement (i.e., thru May 2016).The reports noted above can be viewed at SaferCar.gov under the reference (ODI) numbers cited on the attached listing.
Additional source detail variants (4)
Air Bags
On May 10, 2016, Fiat Chrysler America (FCA) submitted a Part 573 Defect Information Report announcing NHTSA recall 16V290 involving 394,258 model year (MY) 2007-2010 Jeep Wrangler vehicles.Under the recall FCA will replace the clockspring and install a steering wheel back cover and steering wheel column shroud.This recall also includes approx. 4,524 MY2007-2010 right hand drive (RHD) Jeep Wrangler vehicles commonly used for rural postal delivery services.In addition 7,180 MY 2011-2016 right hand drive Jeep Wrangler vehicles were also recalled under 16V288, the same remedy repair will be used.Upon review of the 1,942 MY 2007-2010 Jeep Wrangler consumer complaints, 17,195 warranty reports and field returned parts assessment, FCA concluded that a defect exists in the driver side clockspring assembly, a device that both connects (electrically) the driver air bag to the control module and allows rotational movement between the steering wheel and fixed steering column.Clockspring failure may compromise the air bag circuit causing illumination of the air bag warning lamp, and may result in non-deployment of the driver air bag in a frontal crash.FCA identified a contributing factor in that the recalled vehicles may be subjected to off-road dusty environments and/or usage with the vehicle roof top/doors removed thus allowing dust and moisture to enter the clockspring assembly.FCA advised that the MY 2011 and later Wrangler vehicles had an improved steering column cover/shroud that may reduce the amount of dirt/moisture that can enter the clockspring assembly.During the investigation FCA and the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) also reviewed 193 MY 2011-2012 Jeep Wrangler consumer complaints, 3,918 warranty reports and field returned parts along with reports from other FCA vehicles that use the same clockspring assembly.Based on this review, the rate of repair and the failure mode does not indicate a defect trend at this time in the later MY Wrangler or other FCA vehicles.During the field return parts review, FCA found a significant number of MY 2011-2012 Wrangler returned parts that operated normally, the so called ?no trouble found? or NTF parts where no fault could be identified through bench testing.On June 10, 2016, FCA informed ODI of its intention to conduct a 15-yr, 150k mile extended warranty program due to the NTF issue and the MY 2011 and later vehicles having a somewhat elevated level of warranty replacement.Consumers will be notified of the program in writing.FCA will collect clocksprings replaced under the warranty extension program to further examine and study the root cause failure.ODI will monitor FCA?s analysis to determine if any further field action is warranted.Based on the actions taken by FCA to recall the MY 2007-2010 Jeep Wrangler vehicles and the MY 2008-2016 right hand drive Wrangler vehicles, this investigation is closed.FCA has also agreed to conduct a warranty extension and further evaluation of the MY 2011-2016 Wrangler.At the time of FCA's field data submission in PE 15-025 (September 2015), ODI was aware of a total of 416 MY 2007-2010 and 23 MY 2011-2012 VOQs relevant to this issue.In addition, there have been an additional 90 and 16 VOQs (respectively) received since the recall announcement (i.e., thru May 2016).The reports noted above can be viewed at SaferCar.gov under the reference (ODI) numbers cited on the attached listing.
Air Bags
On May 10, 2016, Fiat Chrysler America (FCA) submitted a Part 573 Defect Information Report announcing NHTSA recall 16V290 involving 394,258 model year (MY) 2007-2010 Jeep Wrangler vehicles.Under the recall FCA will replace the clockspring and install a steering wheel back cover and steering wheel column shroud.This recall also includes approx. 4,524 MY2007-2010 right hand drive (RHD) Jeep Wrangler vehicles commonly used for rural postal delivery services.In addition 7,180 MY 2011-2016 right hand drive Jeep Wrangler vehicles were also recalled under 16V288, the same remedy repair will be used.Upon review of the 1,942 MY 2007-2010 Jeep Wrangler consumer complaints, 17,195 warranty reports and field returned parts assessment, FCA concluded that a defect exists in the driver side clockspring assembly, a device that both connects (electrically) the driver air bag to the control module and allows rotational movement between the steering wheel and fixed steering column.Clockspring failure may compromise the air bag circuit causing illumination of the air bag warning lamp, and may result in non-deployment of the driver air bag in a frontal crash.FCA identified a contributing factor in that the recalled vehicles may be subjected to off-road dusty environments and/or usage with the vehicle roof top/doors removed thus allowing dust and moisture to enter the clockspring assembly.FCA advised that the MY 2011 and later Wrangler vehicles had an improved steering column cover/shroud that may reduce the amount of dirt/moisture that can enter the clockspring assembly.During the investigation FCA and the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) also reviewed 193 MY 2011-2012 Jeep Wrangler consumer complaints, 3,918 warranty reports and field returned parts along with reports from other FCA vehicles that use the same clockspring assembly.Based on this review, the rate of repair and the failure mode does not indicate a defect trend at this time in the later MY Wrangler or other FCA vehicles.During the field return parts review, FCA found a significant number of MY 2011-2012 Wrangler returned parts that operated normally, the so called ?no trouble found? or NTF parts where no fault could be identified through bench testing.On June 10, 2016, FCA informed ODI of its intention to conduct a 15-yr, 150k mile extended warranty program due to the NTF issue and the MY 2011 and later vehicles having a somewhat elevated level of warranty replacement.Consumers will be notified of the program in writing.FCA will collect clocksprings replaced under the warranty extension program to further examine and study the root cause failure.ODI will monitor FCA?s analysis to determine if any further field action is warranted.Based on the actions taken by FCA to recall the MY 2007-2010 Jeep Wrangler vehicles and the MY 2008-2016 right hand drive Wrangler vehicles, this investigation is closed.FCA has also agreed to conduct a warranty extension and further evaluation of the MY 2011-2016 Wrangler.At the time of FCA's field data submission in PE 15-025 (September 2015), ODI was aware of a total of 416 MY 2007-2010 and 23 MY 2011-2012 VOQs relevant to this issue.In addition, there have been an additional 90 and 16 VOQs (respectively) received since the recall announcement (i.e., thru May 2016).The reports noted above can be viewed at SaferCar.gov under the reference (ODI) numbers cited on the attached listing.
Air Bags:frontal
On May 10, 2016, Fiat Chrysler America (FCA) submitted a Part 573 Defect Information Report announcing NHTSA recall 16V290 involving 394,258 model year (MY) 2007-2010 Jeep Wrangler vehicles.Under the recall FCA will replace the clockspring and install a steering wheel back cover and steering wheel column shroud.This recall also includes approx. 4,524 MY2007-2010 right hand drive (RHD) Jeep Wrangler vehicles commonly used for rural postal delivery services.In addition 7,180 MY 2011-2016 right hand drive Jeep Wrangler vehicles were also recalled under 16V288, the same remedy repair will be used.Upon review of the 1,942 MY 2007-2010 Jeep Wrangler consumer complaints, 17,195 warranty reports and field returned parts assessment, FCA concluded that a defect exists in the driver side clockspring assembly, a device that both connects (electrically) the driver air bag to the control module and allows rotational movement between the steering wheel and fixed steering column.Clockspring failure may compromise the air bag circuit causing illumination of the air bag warning lamp, and may result in non-deployment of the driver air bag in a frontal crash.FCA identified a contributing factor in that the recalled vehicles may be subjected to off-road dusty environments and/or usage with the vehicle roof top/doors removed thus allowing dust and moisture to enter the clockspring assembly.FCA advised that the MY 2011 and later Wrangler vehicles had an improved steering column cover/shroud that may reduce the amount of dirt/moisture that can enter the clockspring assembly.During the investigation FCA and the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) also reviewed 193 MY 2011-2012 Jeep Wrangler consumer complaints, 3,918 warranty reports and field returned parts along with reports from other FCA vehicles that use the same clockspring assembly.Based on this review, the rate of repair and the failure mode does not indicate a defect trend at this time in the later MY Wrangler or other FCA vehicles.During the field return parts review, FCA found a significant number of MY 2011-2012 Wrangler returned parts that operated normally, the so called ?no trouble found? or NTF parts where no fault could be identified through bench testing.On June 10, 2016, FCA informed ODI of its intention to conduct a 15-yr, 150k mile extended warranty program due to the NTF issue and the MY 2011 and later vehicles having a somewhat elevated level of warranty replacement.Consumers will be notified of the program in writing.FCA will collect clocksprings replaced under the warranty extension program to further examine and study the root cause failure.ODI will monitor FCA?s analysis to determine if any further field action is warranted.Based on the actions taken by FCA to recall the MY 2007-2010 Jeep Wrangler vehicles and the MY 2008-2016 right hand drive Wrangler vehicles, this investigation is closed.FCA has also agreed to conduct a warranty extension and further evaluation of the MY 2011-2016 Wrangler.At the time of FCA's field data submission in PE 15-025 (September 2015), ODI was aware of a total of 416 MY 2007-2010 and 23 MY 2011-2012 VOQs relevant to this issue.In addition, there have been an additional 90 and 16 VOQs (respectively) received since the recall announcement (i.e., thru May 2016).The reports noted above can be viewed at SaferCar.gov under the reference (ODI) numbers cited on the attached listing.
Air Bags:frontal
On May 10, 2016, Fiat Chrysler America (FCA) submitted a Part 573 Defect Information Report announcing NHTSA recall 16V290 involving 394,258 model year (MY) 2007-2010 Jeep Wrangler vehicles.Under the recall FCA will replace the clockspring and install a steering wheel back cover and steering wheel column shroud.This recall also includes approx. 4,524 MY2007-2010 right hand drive (RHD) Jeep Wrangler vehicles commonly used for rural postal delivery services.In addition 7,180 MY 2011-2016 right hand drive Jeep Wrangler vehicles were also recalled under 16V288, the same remedy repair will be used.Upon review of the 1,942 MY 2007-2010 Jeep Wrangler consumer complaints, 17,195 warranty reports and field returned parts assessment, FCA concluded that a defect exists in the driver side clockspring assembly, a device that both connects (electrically) the driver air bag to the control module and allows rotational movement between the steering wheel and fixed steering column.Clockspring failure may compromise the air bag circuit causing illumination of the air bag warning lamp, and may result in non-deployment of the driver air bag in a frontal crash.FCA identified a contributing factor in that the recalled vehicles may be subjected to off-road dusty environments and/or usage with the vehicle roof top/doors removed thus allowing dust and moisture to enter the clockspring assembly.FCA advised that the MY 2011 and later Wrangler vehicles had an improved steering column cover/shroud that may reduce the amount of dirt/moisture that can enter the clockspring assembly.During the investigation FCA and the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) also reviewed 193 MY 2011-2012 Jeep Wrangler consumer complaints, 3,918 warranty reports and field returned parts along with reports from other FCA vehicles that use the same clockspring assembly.Based on this review, the rate of repair and the failure mode does not indicate a defect trend at this time in the later MY Wrangler or other FCA vehicles.During the field return parts review, FCA found a significant number of MY 2011-2012 Wrangler returned parts that operated normally, the so called ?no trouble found? or NTF parts where no fault could be identified through bench testing.On June 10, 2016, FCA informed ODI of its intention to conduct a 15-yr, 150k mile extended warranty program due to the NTF issue and the MY 2011 and later vehicles having a somewhat elevated level of warranty replacement.Consumers will be notified of the program in writing.FCA will collect clocksprings replaced under the warranty extension program to further examine and study the root cause failure.ODI will monitor FCA?s analysis to determine if any further field action is warranted.Based on the actions taken by FCA to recall the MY 2007-2010 Jeep Wrangler vehicles and the MY 2008-2016 right hand drive Wrangler vehicles, this investigation is closed.FCA has also agreed to conduct a warranty extension and further evaluation of the MY 2011-2016 Wrangler.At the time of FCA's field data submission in PE 15-025 (September 2015), ODI was aware of a total of 416 MY 2007-2010 and 23 MY 2011-2012 VOQs relevant to this issue.In addition, there have been an additional 90 and 16 VOQs (respectively) received since the recall announcement (i.e., thru May 2016).The reports noted above can be viewed at SaferCar.gov under the reference (ODI) numbers cited on the attached listing.
PE15025 · Air Bag Clockspring Wiring Failure
Opened Jun 19, 2015 · Closed Dec 7, 2015
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags; Air Bags:frontal
In it's response to ODI's PE15-025 Information Request letter, FCA identified 1,703 consumer complaints, field reports and legal claims responsive to the subject defect condition on the subject Wrangler vehicles.Six of these reports alleged an air bag non-deployment in a crash in which either the air bag warning light was allegedly on or came on afterward the crash, one of which also alleged injuries as a result of the non-deployment.FCA also provided data on other make, model and model year vehicles using the same clockspring.Additionally FCA provided 16,955 warranty claims related to the replacement of the air bag clockspring wiring assembly.It should be noted that FCA initiated an Extended Warranty Program on the left hand drive MY 2007 Wrangler in late calendar year 2011.6,777 of these claims are from the MY 2007 left hand drive Wrangler.FCA advises that some of the warranty claims involved clockspring failures that would not affect the air bag operation, for example due to noise, cruise control and/or radio operation issues.Many of these claims involved newer model year subject vehicles.FCA also noted that Wrangler's removable roof and door configuration may make it more susceptible to outdoor water/moisture and dust ingress.ODI investigated the right hand drive Wrangler in calender year 2011 for a similar clockspring issue under PE11-019.That investigation lead to NHTSA Safety Recall 11V258 on right hand drive model year (MY) 2008-2012 Wranglers.FCA redesigned the remedy clockspring to improve its durability and environmental protection and revised the design of the steering wheel to column shroud.Base on the data reviewed, this Preliminary Analysis (PE) is being upgraded to an Engineering Analysis (EA).The reports cited above are listed in the public investigative file available at SaferCar.gov under this investigation ID.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Air Bags
In it's response to ODI's PE15-025 Information Request letter, FCA identified 1,703 consumer complaints, field reports and legal claims responsive to the subject defect condition on the subject Wrangler vehicles.Six of these reports alleged an air bag non-deployment in a crash in which either the air bag warning light was allegedly on or came on afterward the crash, one of which also alleged injuries as a result of the non-deployment.FCA also provided data on other make, model and model year vehicles using the same clockspring.Additionally FCA provided 16,955 warranty claims related to the replacement of the air bag clockspring wiring assembly.It should be noted that FCA initiated an Extended Warranty Program on the left hand drive MY 2007 Wrangler in late calendar year 2011.6,777 of these claims are from the MY 2007 left hand drive Wrangler.FCA advises that some of the warranty claims involved clockspring failures that would not affect the air bag operation, for example due to noise, cruise control and/or radio operation issues.Many of these claims involved newer model year subject vehicles.FCA also noted that Wrangler's removable roof and door configuration may make it more susceptible to outdoor water/moisture and dust ingress.ODI investigated the right hand drive Wrangler in calender year 2011 for a similar clockspring issue under PE11-019.That investigation lead to NHTSA Safety Recall 11V258 on right hand drive model year (MY) 2008-2012 Wranglers.FCA redesigned the remedy clockspring to improve its durability and environmental protection and revised the design of the steering wheel to column shroud.Base on the data reviewed, this Preliminary Analysis (PE) is being upgraded to an Engineering Analysis (EA).The reports cited above are listed in the public investigative file available at SaferCar.gov under this investigation ID.
Air Bags:frontal
In it's response to ODI's PE15-025 Information Request letter, FCA identified 1,703 consumer complaints, field reports and legal claims responsive to the subject defect condition on the subject Wrangler vehicles.Six of these reports alleged an air bag non-deployment in a crash in which either the air bag warning light was allegedly on or came on afterward the crash, one of which also alleged injuries as a result of the non-deployment.FCA also provided data on other make, model and model year vehicles using the same clockspring.Additionally FCA provided 16,955 warranty claims related to the replacement of the air bag clockspring wiring assembly.It should be noted that FCA initiated an Extended Warranty Program on the left hand drive MY 2007 Wrangler in late calendar year 2011.6,777 of these claims are from the MY 2007 left hand drive Wrangler.FCA advises that some of the warranty claims involved clockspring failures that would not affect the air bag operation, for example due to noise, cruise control and/or radio operation issues.Many of these claims involved newer model year subject vehicles.FCA also noted that Wrangler's removable roof and door configuration may make it more susceptible to outdoor water/moisture and dust ingress.ODI investigated the right hand drive Wrangler in calender year 2011 for a similar clockspring issue under PE11-019.That investigation lead to NHTSA Safety Recall 11V258 on right hand drive model year (MY) 2008-2012 Wranglers.FCA redesigned the remedy clockspring to improve its durability and environmental protection and revised the design of the steering wheel to column shroud.Base on the data reviewed, this Preliminary Analysis (PE) is being upgraded to an Engineering Analysis (EA).The reports cited above are listed in the public investigative file available at SaferCar.gov under this investigation ID.
DP14004 · Totally Integrated Power Module Failure
Opened Sep 25, 2014 · Closed Jul 24, 2015
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System
In a letter dated August 21, 2014, the Center for Auto Safety (CAS) petitioned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to initiate a defect investigation of alleged failures associated with the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM) installed in Chrysler SUV?s, trucks, and vans beginning in the 2007 model year. The petitioner alleges that TIPM defects may result in engine stall, airbag non-deployment, failure of fuel pump shutoff resulting in unintended acceleration, fire, and other symptoms. On September 25, 2014, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened DP14-004 to evaluate the petition for a grant or deny decision. ODI analyzed complaint data provided by CAS as well as complaints submitted to ODI from consumers. In total, there were 296 complaints submitted by the petitioner in the original petition and five supplements, including 271 complaints related to the subject vehicles equipped with TIPM-7. Approximately 3 percent of CAS complaints are related to vehicles equipped with TIPM-6 and ODI?s review of these complaints did not identify any safety defect trends. ODI conducted a detailed review of complaints narratives submitted by CAS and consumers including careful analysis of vehicle repair histories, warranty claims obtained from the manufacturer and any available Customer Assistance Inquiry reports (CAIR). Analysis of the field data indicated that MY2011-2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles exhibited significantly higher complaint rates related to fuel pump relay (FPR) failures than other subject vehicles. In a September 3, 2014 letter to NHTSA, Chrysler submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) identifying a defect in the FPR within the TIPM-7 which can result in a no start or stall condition in approximately 188,723 model year (MY) 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee (WK) and Dodge Durango (WD) vehicles manufactured from January 5, 2010 through July 20, 2011 (14V-530).In a February 24, 2015 letter, Chrysler submitted a second DIR expanding the scope of the FPR defect condition to include an additional 338,216 MY 2012 through 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured from September 17, 2010 through August 19, 2013 and MY 2012 through 2013 Dodge Durango vehicles manufactured from January 18, 2011 through August 19, 2013 (15V-115).ODI analysis of the CAS allegations of TIPM defects resulting in stall while driving, airbag non-deployment, unintended acceleration, fire and other faults identified a single defect condition related to 1 of over 60 different circuits in the TIPM assembly. The most common effect of this defect condition, related to the fuel pump relay, was a no-start concern, but it could also result in stall while driving (76 complaints). No valid evidence was presented in support of claims related to airbag non-deployment, unintended acceleration or fire resulting from TIPM faults and these claims were found to be wholly without merit based on review of the field data and design of the relevant systems and components.Except insofar as the petitioner's contentions relate to the defect condition addressed by the Chrysler recalls, the factual bases of the petitioner's contentions that any further investigation is necessary are unsupported. In our view, additional investigation is unlikely to result in a finding that a defect related to motor vehicle safety exists or a NHTSA order for the notification and remedy of a safety-related defect as alleged by the petitioner at the conclusion of the requested investigation. Therefore, in view of the need to allocate and prioritize NHTSA's limited resources to best accomplish the agency's safety mission, the petition is den