Unable to get safety recall n28 / NHTSA 13v-234 transmission oil cooler tube repaired. Have contacted multiple dealers and they are unable to get the part. Dealers report they are only allowed one recall part per week or two weeks, now backed up for months. They report 100's of persons waiting on their list. At this point I'm just told to call back and try again... I can't even get on a list…
2012 Jeep Wrangler steering problems
critical 204 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
204
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
3crashes
5injuries
2fatalities
When does it fail?
Of the 204 steering complaints filed for the 2012 Jeep Wrangler, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 204 steering complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Steering accounts for 25% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 12 categories tracked.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2012 Wrangler faces persistent steering and electrical issues, with the transmission oil cooler tube recall (N28) being effectively unresolvable due to chronic parts shortages that left owners waiting months to years. Beyond the recall, owners report death wobble, steering gearbox wear, airbag-related clockspring failures, and stalling during turns—problems Chrysler has largely ignored.
The 2012 Wrangler steering system has multiple documented failure modes. The most widespread is the transmission oil cooler tube issue (NHTSA Campaign N28), where the power steering return tube contacts and wears through the transmission oil cooler line, spilling transmission fluid. Chrysler authorized the repair in June 2013 but supplied parts at a glacial pace—typically one kit every two weeks to one month per dealership nationwide. Owners waited in lines of 40 to 400+ customers with no realistic repair timeline; some were quoted nine months to two years just to get a part, rendering the recall nearly worthless.
Owners also report "death wobble"—violent front-end shake and steering oscillation when hitting bumps at 40–65 mph. Some replaced suspension components including track bars, ball joints, and stabilizers costing up to $2,200 with temporary or no relief; others simply avoid damaged roads. The steering gearbox fails prematurely with play and lock-up; one owner's gearbox broke again within weeks of a goodwill repair. The clockspring in the steering wheel column malfunctions, triggering airbag warning lights and disabling steering wheel controls; Chrysler recalled it for right-hand-drive models but refused to cover left-hand-drive versions despite identical complaints. Some vehicles stall during turns with no error codes, and one owner describes a complete electrical module (TIPM) failure that knocked out power steering, transmission, and ignition control simultaneously while stuck at the dealer. A rare but severe incident involved a 2012 where the vehicle jerked right suddenly, brakes failed, and restraint systems did not deploy during a crash.
No universal fix or clear ownership path forward exists for these problems.
Same Jeep Wrangler steering reports on nearby years: 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2013 · 2014
Failure modes owners describe
Power steering return tube and transmission oil cooler tube contact/wear
Power steering return tube makes contact with and wears a hole in the transmission oil cooler line, causing transmission fluid loss and potential transmission failure.
When: 2012-2013 models equipped with 3.6L engine and automatic transmission, manufactured January 23, 2011 through February 23, 2013
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission fluid leaks visible under vehicle; Loss of transmission function; Vehicle downshifts to first gear at various speeds; Inability to shift out of first gear from start
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement of power steering return tube assembly. Recall repair kits were extremely limited in availability—dealers were receiving only 1 part every 2 weeks to 1 month, creating waiting lists of 40-400+ customers and delays stretching into years. Initial quoted costs $250–$1,100 before negotiations.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign N28 / 13V-234 (June 2013). Dealers authorized to replace power steering return tube assembly free of charge. However, Chrysler supplied parts at a rate of approximately 1 kit per 2 weeks to 1 month nationwide, rendering the recall ineffective for most owners. Recall excluded manual transmission Wranglers, though owners report the same issues and same pump. Chrysler acknowledged parts shortage but provided no timeline or alternative solutions.
Death wobble - aggressive front-end oscillation
Violent shaking, shimmy, or oscillation of the front end and steering wheel when hitting bumps or potholes at speed, making the vehicle difficult to control. Reported to persist or recur even after replacing suspension components.
When: At 40–65 mph on bumps or potholes. Recurring over years of ownership; one report at 95,000 miles after prior repairs.
Symptoms owners cite: Violent front-end shake or shimmy when hitting bumps or road irregularities; Steering wheel oscillates side to side; Wheels may lift off pavement; Vehicle feels unstable and out of control; Recurs even after suspension work completed
Repairs/costs cited: Owners report replacing steering stabilizer, front anti-sway track bar (approximately $700), ball joints, tie rods, alignment, anti-sway bar bushings, springs, shocks, wheel bearings, axles, hubs, and half-shafts—some incurring $2,200+ in costs—with mixed or temporary results. One narrative identified improper metric bolt installed in nine-sixteenths hole at track bar mounting location on axle. Multiple owners avoid known potholes and limit highway driving rather than pursue repairs. Steering damper mentioned in one service instruction as a remedy for later-model Wranglers.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall issued as of complaint date. Acknowledged in one dealership service instruction for 2018–2019 models (affecting 192,000 vehicles) that front suspension steering damper 'may not effectively damp oscillation,' but not extended to 2012 model. Chrysler does not acknowledge the defect for 2012 Wranglers despite multiple consumer reports and online discussion.
Steering gearbox failure and lock-up
Steering gearbox becomes worn, loose, or mechanically locked, preventing normal steering operation. In severe cases, gearbox locks completely during driving.
When: One report at 40,084 miles after prior gearbox repair; play and wear reported early in ownership despite wheel alignments and tire maintenance.
Symptoms owners cite: Excessive play in steering wheel; Steering pulls strongly to the right; Steering wheel drifts away from center; Steering gearbox locks up, preventing right turns; Vehicle continues moving in original direction despite steering input
Repairs/costs cited: Steering gearbox replacement required. One owner paid approximately $150 out-of-pocket after Chrysler authorized goodwill repair; failure recurred within weeks at 40,084 miles. Dealership initially misdiagnosed as alignment or tire issue before identifying gearbox. Another owner replaced steering gear and all end links with no resolution and wasted money on multiple alignments.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler initially claimed steering gearbox was 'normal wear and tear' not covered under 36,000-mile warranty. After negotiation, one owner received goodwill repair plus $150 owner cost. No recall issued. Multiple dealership misdiagnoses led to unnecessary suspension work.
Clockspring malfunction—airbag warning light and steering wheel control failure
Faulty clockspring within steering wheel column causes airbag and ESP warning light to flash intermittently, steering wheel controls to stop working, and potential airbag failure or premature deployment risk.
When: Recurring issue reported on 2008+ and 2012 Wranglers LHD models. One report involved clockspring replaced in September 2016 that failed by May 2022.
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag and ESP warning light flashes every 1–2 minutes with chime; Steering wheel controls (horn, audio controls) malfunction or stop working; Potential airbag failure during accident; Potential premature airbag deployment during normal driving; Anti-lock braking system activates unexpectedly; Cruise control will not operate
Repairs/costs cited: Clockspring replacement required. One owner had clockspring replaced under recall in September 2016 but it failed by May 2022, requiring replacement again. Repairs performed at dealership and ASE-certified independent shops confirmed defect in replaced clockspring.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler issued recall for RHD (right-hand drive) vehicles with faulty clockspring but refused to address or recall LHD (left-hand drive) Wranglers with the same issue despite multiple consumer complaints and documented recurring failures. One owner reported clockspring recall in June 2016 but the replacement part itself proved defective by 2022.
Engine stall during turns and low-speed maneuvers
Engine shuts off unexpectedly while turning steering wheel or performing low-speed maneuvers, deactivating power steering and brakes. Can occur with no error codes present.
When: During turns from stop lights and into parking lots; at low speeds.
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls during left or right turns; Engine RPMs drop to zero; Power steering locks up during stall; No diagnostic error codes present; Requires restart in park to reset
Repairs/costs cited: Two independent mechanics unable to diagnose. Owners must restart vehicle in park and turn ignition off then back on to restore function. No repair completed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler has not issued recall despite owners reporting this as a known defect on Jeep forums and online communities. No manufacturer acknowledgment in any narrative.
TIPM (Totally Integrated Power Module) failure affecting steering, transmission, and electrical systems
TIPM module failure causes cascading electrical and mechanical failures affecting power steering, transmission operation, and various vehicle systems simultaneously.
When: Unspecified mileage; one vehicle towed to dealer due to unsafe conditions.
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle lights and horn operate without ignition on; Doors lock and unlock by themselves; AC and heater shut down and restart unexpectedly; Vehicle downshifts to first gear at high and low speeds; Vehicle won't shift out of first gear from start; Engine dies in traffic or dies immediately after starting; Instrumentation panel flashes and malfunctions, obscuring gear indicator; Power steering fails at various speeds
Codes mentioned: Code reset by dealership (codes initially detected but not further specified)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership advised unavailability of parts and could not provide repair date. Initial cost quoted at $1,100+, later lowered to $250 after owner refusal. Vehicle left at dealer in unsafe condition with no loaner vehicle offered.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler acknowledged aware of the problem and prior recalls on same components but limited those recalls to specific models and years, excluding this vehicle. Chrysler refused to assist. Problem reportedly dates back to 2007 for TIPM across product line. No assistance or loaner vehicle offered.
Single incident: sudden jerking to right, loss of control, airbag/seatbelt system failure
Vehicle jerked suddenly to the right, causing operator to lose control. Brakes did not engage, airbags did not deploy, and seat belt tensioner did not engage during crash sequence, resulting in severe head and neck trauma.
When: October 2, 2015
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle jerked to right suddenly; Loss of steering control; Brakes did not engage despite repeated application; Airbags failed to deploy; Seat belt tensioner failed to engage
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle declared a total loss. Owner suffered closed head injury, multiple cervical disc herniations, severe foraminal stenosis requiring neurosurgical intervention, and permanent disability.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: FCA (Fiat Chrysler Automobiles) issued recalls for 2016–2017 Wranglers and related models for faulty wiring of occupant restraint control module. Owner alleges that components in 2012 model are identical but were not included in recall. FCA refused to return owner's phone calls for nearly two years despite case number assignment and promised vehicle inspection. Lawsuit threatened by owner.
Wiring harness wrapped around steering column
Main body wiring harness incorrectly routed and wrapped around steering column, causing steering to seize and engine to stall when steering wheel is turned.
When: At 109,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Steering seizure during low-speed left turn (10 mph); Engine stall concurrent with steering seizure; Engine restarts but stalls again immediately
Repairs/costs cited: Diagnosed at dealer but not repaired per narrative. Defect is a manufacturing/assembly issue.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified; no recall issued. Vehicle not repaired.
Synthesized from 204 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
2012 Jeep wrangler. Consumer writes in regards to transmission oil cooler tube recall notice. *smd the consumer has been unable to get the recall issue resolved.
Jeep started violently shaking when hitting a bump in a city road, tightened lose sway bar, but a couple weeks later noticed violent shaking again when traveling on the highway and almost caused me to lose control of the vehicle and had vehicle towed home. Will not drive as I am terrified of causing an accident and death.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Jeep wrangler. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 13v234000 (power train, steering) and the part needed to repair the vehicle was unavailable. The dealer was unable to provide an expected date for when the part would become available. The manufacturer was not notified of the problem. The contact had not experience a failure.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Jeep wrangler. The contact stated that NHTSA campaign number: 13v234000 (power train , steering) had surpassed the reasonable amount of time. The dealer was contacted and stated that the contact would be placed on a waiting list because the manufacturer was only providing one part per week. The manufacturer was not contacted. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Had steering trouble with your 2012 Jeep Wrangler?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the steering problem on the 2012 Jeep Wrangler?
It's a serious issue. 204 complaints have been filed, including 3 reports involving a crash and 2 fatality(ies). We've classified it as critical based on NHTSA's reported outcomes.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 52 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 17,000 and 66,000 miles, with the median around 38,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 17,000; a quarter make it past 66,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $700 for steering repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2012/Jeep/Wrangler.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.