When vehicle goes over bump on roadway at elevated speed - vehicle steering vibrates uncontrollably.
2020 Jeep Wrangler steering problems
moderate 234 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
234
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
6crashes
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 234 steering complaints filed for the 2020 Jeep Wrangler, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 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
Steering accounts for 40% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 12 categories tracked.
Owners have filed 234 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.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2020 Jeep Wrangler has widespread and persistent steering and electrical problems. Expect loose, wandering steering that requires constant correction, violent vibration ("death wobble") on bumpy roads at highway speeds, and electrical failures that can disable power steering without warning—all of which have limited or no factory fixes despite ongoing class actions and technical service bulletins.
The 2020 Jeep Wrangler steering shows a consistent pattern of problems across 232 complaints. Most common is loose, wandering steering that drifts left and right on straight roads, forcing constant wheel corrections even at low speeds. Owners describe a dead zone or play in the steering—anywhere from 1 to 4 inches of wheel movement before the tires respond. At highway speeds, the vehicle floats in crosswinds or fails to track straight, making it exhausting to drive.
The "death wobble"—violent front-end shaking triggered by bumps or road seams at 55–75 mph—appears in multiple narratives. Owners report the vehicle becomes uncontrollable for 5–15 seconds, fishtailing on wet pavement and making highway driving dangerous. A few owners have been in accidents as a result.
Electrical gremlins also surface: intermittent loss of power steering while driving, steering wheel lockup without warning, and a CAN BUS communications failure that kills steering and acceleration simultaneously. One owner's heated steering wheel short-circuited and generated fumes; another faced repeated dashboard warning lights that froze the shifter.
Dealerships have issued Technical Service Bulletin 08-074-20, replacing aluminum steering boxes with steel ones and updating software, but many owners report little improvement. Parts shortages have left people on waitlists for months. Several dealers initially dismissed the problem as "normal for Jeeps," which it is not when compared to other models on the road.
Same Jeep Wrangler steering reports on nearby years: 2018 · 2019 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023
Failure modes owners describe
Steering wander and loose steering feel
Vehicle drifts or wanders left and right on straight roads, requiring constant steering wheel corrections to maintain lane position. Owners report the vehicle floats in crosswinds and on bumpy surfaces. Dead spot or play in steering wheel (up to 3-4 inches reported) before wheels respond. Vehicle will not hold a straight line especially at highway speeds.
When: From new (within first 100 miles to first year of ownership); most noticeable at speeds above 35-40 mph
Symptoms owners cite: Excessive steering wheel play or dead spot (1-4 inches reported); Vehicle wanders side to side requiring constant correction; Steering feels loose and unresponsive; Vehicle drifts in crosswinds; Cannot maintain straight line at highway speeds; Steering does not return to center after turning
Repairs/costs cited: Service Bulletin 08-074-20 calls for replacement of aluminum steering gear box with steel steering gear box with 4 screws; steering damper replacement attempted; alignment and tire pressure checks performed. Owners report limited success even after parts replacement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSB 08-074-20 (aluminum steering box replacement); dealers initially denied the issue or stated it was 'normal for Jeeps'; some owners report being put on parts waitlists; no full recall issued for this mode
Death wobble
Violent shaking or vibration of the steering wheel and front end triggered by hitting bumps, potholes, or road seams at highway speeds. Vehicle becomes uncontrollable for 5-15 seconds; owner loses ability to steer. Affects vehicle stability and safety on busy highways.
When: Occurs at highway speeds (55-75 mph) after contact with road imperfections; reported from 2019 onward; mileage varies from near-new to 103,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Violent shaking and vibration of steering wheel and front end; Uncontrollable front-end shake lasting 5-15 seconds; Occurs after hitting bumps, potholes, or road seams; Vehicle fishtails or slides on wet/icy surfaces when wobble occurs; Rumbling noise during shake events
Repairs/costs cited: Steering damper replacement; some owners report steering gear box and associated components (inner/outer tie rods, adjuster sleeve, drag link) replaced. Parts backlog reported; some owners waited 3+ months for parts availability.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Steering damper defect identified in class settlement notices; TSB and recalls issued; parts shortage and long waitlists documented; some dealers advised owners the vehicle is unsafe to drive but offered no immediate solution
Steering wheel lockup
Steering wheel becomes locked or immobilized while driving, preventing left and right steering inputs. Occurs intermittently and unpredictably during normal driving.
When: Intermittently during driving; one owner reported it after one year of ownership; occurs at various speeds
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel locks up completely during driving; Unable to turn wheels left or right; Occurs without warning; Requires vehicle to be stopped to restore steering
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple dealership visits (up to 5+) without permanent fix reported; owner in lemon law process
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No effective response documented; owner reports FCA 'brushing off' concerns and dragging resolution process
Loose steering pull (unidirectional)
Steering exhibits bias or pull to one side (usually right), requiring constant driver correction and causing vehicle to veer right when brakes are applied. Steering wheel off-center and resists turning in one direction.
When: From new; persists across multiple ownership periods; speeds above 35 mph most noticeable
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle pulls or drifts to one side (typically right); Steering wheel off-center by several degrees; Constant correction required to maintain straight line; Vehicle pulls during braking; Steering resists turning in one direction (e.g., resists left turn)
Repairs/costs cited: Alignment performed multiple times without resolving issue; tire rotation tried; steering gear box replacement performed per TSB 08-074-20; PCM software updates attempted
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers acknowledge pull as 'known issue' but initially claim no fix; some cite software update pending in 3-6 months; TSB 08-074-20 available
Steering damper failure
Steering damper becomes ineffective or fails, causing suspension instability and loss of steering control especially on bumpy roads or at higher speeds. Damper loses resistance and ability to stabilize steering.
When: Reported as early as first year; at various mileages up to 42,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Violent shaking after contact with bumpy surface; Vehicle difficult to maneuver; Loss of steering stability on rough roads; Shuddering at highway speeds
Repairs/costs cited: Steering damper replacement; parts not available for extended periods (waiting lists); attempted replacement of inner/outer tie rods, adjuster sleeve, drag link as well in some cases
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Damper defect identified; replacement parts available through warranty in some cases; class settlement references mention steering damper defect; TSB 19-002-19 issued for damper
Electrical system power loss affecting steering
Complete or intermittent loss of power steering and other critical electrical functions during driving. Vehicle shuts off, power steering goes out, and accelerator loses power simultaneously. All electrical systems affected by battery/charging system failure.
When: Earliest reported at 300 miles; can occur repeatedly within short time periods
Symptoms owners cite: Power steering goes out while driving; Engine dies without warning; Loss of power acceleration; Multiple warning lights illuminate (ABS, traction control, battery, etc.); Radio shuts down; Steering becomes hard to control
Codes mentioned: Check engine light, ABS light, Traction/stability control lights, Battery light
Repairs/costs cited: Battery charging attempted; codes cleared; battery replacement recommended; Jeep Care case opened but owner reports no assistance
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership attempted battery charging and code clearing; case opened with Jeep Care (case # 77098337) but owner reports no support or resolution
CAN BUS electrical system failure
CAN BUS (vehicle electrical communication module) fails intermittently or permanently, causing cascading electrical failures including loss of power steering and acceleration while driving. Vehicle enters reboot cycle with steering and accelerator flapping on and off. Described as a common problem in Jeep/Chrysler vehicles.
When: Occurs randomly; worsens over months; reported in September to November timeframe in one case
Symptoms owners cite: Random diagnostic codes for sway bar disconnect, 4WD system; Codes reset themselves within minutes; Shifter lock requiring service message; Multiple simultaneous codes followed by reboot cycle; Power to accelerator and steering alternates on/off during reboot; Vehicle enters limp mode
Codes mentioned: Sway bar disconnect required service, 4WD system codes, Service shifter required, Service stability control
Repairs/costs cited: CAN BUS module replacement performed; two-week dealership stay required for diagnosis and repair
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Identified as common problem in Jeep/Chrysler vehicles; CAN BUS replacement covered under warranty resolution
Steering wheel heated element short and wiring melt
Heated steering wheel feature causes internal short circuit leading to melted wiring inside steering wheel, excessive heat generation, and potential fire risk. Steering wheel wiring to clock spring melted due to excessive heat in heating circuit.
When: Occurred during parking lot use with heated steering wheel enabled; issue discovered upon restart
Symptoms owners cite: Overwhelming fumes from steering wheel area; Steering wheel becomes extremely hot; Smell of burning (sugar-like smell noted); Heated steering wheel stops working after shutdown; Potential airbag safety concern
Repairs/costs cited: Steering wheel heating element and wiring replaced; dealer service advisor noted shock that fire did not occur; repairs completed at owner expense; extent of damage prevented complete diagnosis
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Warranty denied by Stellantis (parent company) and dealership; no coverage; repairs paid out-of-pocket
Electrical system limp mode and control loss
Vehicle enters limp mode with loss of transmission, steering, and brake control; all warning lights activate simultaneously; steering wheel locked; vehicle unable to shift or accelerate normally. Related to broader electrical system instability.
When: Intermittently during normal driving; one case after approximately one year
Symptoms owners cite: All dashboard warning lights illuminate simultaneously; Service messages for airbag, shifter, traction control; Steering wheel locks up; Vehicle unable to shift gears; Vehicle jerks forward in park; Loss of normal electrical function
Codes mentioned: Service Airbag System, Service Shifter, Traction Control On
Repairs/costs cited: Battery replaced; wiring issue diagnosis ongoing; dealership kept vehicle for extended diagnostics and test drives
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Initial repair attempt (battery replacement) unsuccessful; vehicle returned for repeat episode; second visit identified wiring issue requiring further investigation
Steering response delay and dead zones
Steering input does not result in immediate or proportional wheel response. Dead zone of 1-2 degrees or more of steering wheel movement before wheels begin to turn. Causes dangerous over-correction at highway speeds.
When: Evident from new vehicle delivery; persists throughout ownership
Symptoms owners cite: 1-2 inch or 1-2 degree dead zone in steering input; Delayed response from wheels to steering input; Difficulty making precise steering adjustments; Over-correction risk at highway speeds; Dangerous when passing large vehicles (18-wheelers)
Repairs/costs cited: TSB 08-074-20 steering gear replacement attempted without resolution; alignment checks performed; deemed unfixable by dealerships
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers state no correction possible and issue is 'as designed'; TSB available but provides limited improvement
Turn signal malfunction (lighting electrical issue)
Turn signal lights malfunction repeatedly; lights flicker severely or fail entirely. Issue persists across multiple dealership visits and repair attempts. Related to broader lighting electrical issues.
When: Evident at or shortly after purchase; persists over months despite repair attempts
Symptoms owners cite: Turn signals not functioning; Lights flicker severely; Intermittent light function
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple attempted repairs over several months; labeled as 'aftermarket lights' by dealership initially; parts replaced but issue recurred
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership initially refused to repair citing aftermarket nature and excessive labor; repair attempts made later but issue reoccurred within months
Excessive wheel/tire issues with aftermarket wheels
Vehicle with large aftermarket wheels exhibits severe steering instability and oversteer at highway speeds. Factory wheel replacement resolves the issue, indicating compatibility or suspension design problem with non-factory wheels.
When: Persists after multiple dealer visits and part replacements; dealer specialist diagnosed after 12-day hold
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of control and oversteer with aftermarket large wheels; Vehicle jumps multiple lanes when overcorrecting; Unsafe at highway speeds; No warning lights
Repairs/costs cited: Specialist switched vehicle to factory wheels and confirmed the issue resolved; dealership offered only solution of using factory wheels
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer confirmed known fault requiring addressing; specialist testing performed; no recall issued for wheel compatibility
Synthesized from 234 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 8 most recent
a safety issue that has been termed the Jeep "death wobble" has occurred numerous times over the past 6 months . When a bump or pothole is confronted , there is a violent shaking of the steering wheel and front end and it takes anywhere from 5-15 seconds to resume control of the vehicle . This usually occurs at a speed of 55-65 miles per hour . control of the vehicle is virtually impossible when…
Death wobbles on a stock Jeep nothing at all has been changed on this vehicle. I am unable to take this vehicle anywhere without experiencing death wobbles. Dealership will be replacing the stabilizer, but many Jeep owners are telling me that this is not a fix and more of a band aid for the problem. I am seeing this same complaint over and again in Jeep Facebook groups. The bought this vehicle…
Southbound on I75 in Tipp City, Ohio it was windy 15 -20 mph. Driving in right lane, experienced a burst of wind which placed me into the middle lane, fortunately no vehicle occupied this immediate lane. Vehicles forward of me showed no signs of being effected by the wind, very fortunate no one had been beside me. This is not the first time similar loss of control has happened, I’m almost afraid…
My Jeep is all over the road, I can hardly keep it between the lines. It zigs, it zags, the steering wheel has a 30 degree dead spot. I took it in to the dealer and they claimed they replaced my steering box. That did nothing to fix the problem. This Jeep is dangerous!
8 spd transmission continuously up an down shifting at highway 5th6th7enth gear maybe 8th and city driving very dangerous in roundabouts . No deceleration downshift until 2nd gear slam you into the dashboard .stays in gear at stop have put in neutral . Poorr fuel mileage 13-14mpg highway 12-14mpg city. Steering lots lane wondering continuously steering easy-to-cross lanes on curves if…
Loose steering and unsafe driving mannerisms secondary to poor aluminum steering gear from the factory.
While highway driving, at about 50mph making a very slight curve to the right the steering wheel began to shake violently left and right making nearly impossible to steer the vehicle. This has been called the “death wobble” among many people who have had this happen.
Had steering trouble with your 2020 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 2020 Jeep Wrangler?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 234 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $700 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 41 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 2,700 and 11,000 miles, with the median around 4,500. A quarter of owners report trouble before 2,700; a quarter make it past 11,000. 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/2020/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.