2019 Jeep Wrangler Steering Problems

Source: NHTSA · Updated Oct 12, 2026 · 447 complaints analyzed

Owners have filed 447 complaints with NHTSA about steering problems on the 2019 Jeep Wrangler, 60% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 2,175 miles. The words owners use most often: “death wobble” (14% of reports).

What owners describe

Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.

  • Death wobble: mentioned in 64 of 447 complaints (14%)
  • Play steering: mentioned in 45 of 447 complaints (10%)
  • Keep lane: mentioned in 28 of 447 complaints (6%)

At what mileage do steering problems happen?

Based on 296 complaints that reported the odometer reading.

Under 10k miles214 · 72%
10k–25k miles59 · 20%
25k–50k miles15 · 5%
50k–75k miles2 · 1%
75k–100k miles3 · 1%
100k–150k miles3 · 1%
150k+ miles0 · 0%

How serious are the reports?

Of 447 complaints, 4 mention a crash, 1 an injury.

Jeep Wrangler steering complaints by model year

Peak: 2018, with 1,116 complaints
1995: 619951996: 11997: 311998: 1619981999: 32000: 112001: 1020012002: 102003: 142004: 6720042005: 582006: 862007: 13820072008: 1562009: 652010: 6620102011: 582012: 2042013: 16720132014: 262015: 292016: 2820162017: 192018: 1,1161,1162019: 44720192020: 2392021: 2542022: 8320222023: 562024: 712025: 320252026: 2

n = 3,540 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Model yearSteering complaintsShare of that yearMedian miles
2026 Wrangler218%—
2025 Wrangler34%—
2024 Wrangler7110%8,000
2023 Wrangler5615%13,255
2022 Wrangler8321%18,500
2021 Wrangler25427%18,050
2020 Wrangler23939%300
2019 Wrangler44760%2,175
2018 Wrangler1,11661%5,000
2017 Wrangler196%20,500
2016 Wrangler286%30,000
2015 Wrangler296%15,000
2014 Wrangler264%38,000
2013 Wrangler16726%23,300
2012 Wrangler20424%32,000
2011 Wrangler5812%44,500
2010 Wrangler6610%50,100
2009 Wrangler6517%45,940
2008 Wrangler15618%50,000
2007 Wrangler13825%51,572
2006 Wrangler8612%25,000
2005 Wrangler589%39,000
2004 Wrangler6735%48,856
2003 Wrangler1414%47,685
2002 Wrangler109%47,500
2001 Wrangler106%55,000
2000 Wrangler114%100,000
1999 Wrangler31%—
1998 Wrangler166%104,251
1997 Wrangler318%72,798
1996 Wrangler150%6,845
1995 Wrangler63%110,000

When owners reported it

Peak: 2019, with 179 complaints
2018: 3201832019: 17920191792020: 10920201092021: 322021322022: 332022332023: 352023352024: 202024202025: 212025212026: 15202615

n = 447 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Related recalls (1)

SteeringMar 14, 2019 · NHTSA campaign 19V201000 · 52 vehicles

Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019 Jeep Wrangler and 2019 Ram 1500 vehicles. These vehicles have improperly machined steering column stub shafts that may break, possibly causing the steering wheel to detach from the steering column.

Risk: If the steering wheel detaches from the steering column, the driver may lose control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of crash.

Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the steering column, replacing it, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 5, 2019. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is V29.

What owners report

Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.

FCA US sent me a written warranty extension (15 years/150,000 miles) for the instrument panel cluster on my vehicle, covering a blank EVIC display with no digital speedometer, fuel level, temperature, odometer, or PRNDL. My vehicle has this condition intermittently. As I was traveling approximately…

Received Oct 12, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11770524

The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45-50 MPH northbound on the Hutchinson River Parkway, the steering wheel failed to operate as needed. The vehicle was uncontrollable and started drifting towards the left before crashing into the highway…

Received Sep 28, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11767339

While driving my 2019 Jeep Wrangler, the vehicle suffered a major electronic/CAN-network failure. Service Shifter, ABS and ESC warnings appeared, the wipers activated on their own, controls malfunctioned, and power-steering assistance failed while the vehicle was moving, making it extremely…

Received Sep 9, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11762997
Jeep Wrangler
Jeep_Wrangler_Rubicon_(JL)_4xe at Retro Classics 2022. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: Alexander Migl, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Frequently asked questions

Do all 2019 Jeep Wranglers have steering problems?

No. NHTSA has 447 owner complaints about steering for the 2019 Jeep Wrangler (60% of the 743 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.

Was there a recall on the 2019 Jeep Wrangler steering?

Yes: 1 safety recall list steering. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.

At what mileage do steering problems start?

The median reported mileage is 2,175 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.

What do owners say about steering problems on the 2019 Jeep Wrangler?

The most frequent phrase is “death wobble”, in 64 of 447 complaints, followed by “play steering” (45).

Other 2019 Jeep Wrangler problems

See all 2019 Jeep Wrangler problems or steering problems across all Wrangler years.