While driving your Jeep, you might have experienced your steering wheel violently shaking. This terrifying experience is what Jeep vehicle owners across the country have come to dread, the infamous Jeep Death Wobble. For many, it’s not just a nuisance but a safety hazard because it can cause even experienced drivers to lose control of their Jeep.
If you notice your Jeep showing signs of a death wobble, you might want to consider turning to a lemon lawyer. Lemon laws protect you from defective vehicles that manufacturers fail to adequately address. They offer legal remedies such as refunds, replacement vehicles, or compensation for repeated repair attempts.
At Easy Lemon, we specialize in helping you resolve your car troubles. Our team of dedicated and experienced lemon law attorneys has successfully helped countless clients regain their rights under Lemon laws. Let us guide you through the lemon legal process and help you get the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free case review!
This post will cover what you need to know about the Lemon law regarding Jeep Death Wobble, what to do when you find yourself in a situation where your Jeep might be a lemon, and the expected compensation you are entitled to under Lemon law.
How the Jeep Death Wobble Lemon Law Protects Vehicle Owners
After several tries, if your car spends more time in the repair shop than on the road, your car might be a lemon. Lemon laws are federal and state-specific regulations designed to protect vehicle owners from problematic and defective vehicles. They provide remedies such as refunds, replacement vehicles, or compensation for repeated repair attempts.
To qualify under Lemon laws, your Jeep must meet certain criteria. One criterion is recurring issues where the death wobble persists despite multiple repair attempts. The next is safety risks, where the issue poses a danger to you or other road users. Another is unresolved repairs, where the manufacturer or dealership fails to fix the problem after a reasonable number of attempts. Finally, vehicle usage where the defect arises within the warranty period or a mileage limit, depending on state laws.
If you meet these criteria above, the manufacturer is required by Lemon law to either replace the defective vehicle or refund you the price you paid for the car. These laws vary depending on coverage, the definition of the mechanical defect, and the remedies available to consumers.
Furthermore, Lemon laws vary by state and often cover new car purchases; however, they can be applied to other purchased or leased vehicles. For instance, Lemon law covers new and used cars that are still under the manufacturer’s warranty. Also, the timeframe in which you have to report your car as a lemon is 18 months or 18000 miles after you purchase or lease a new car, whichever comes first. While, in contrast, Illinois Lemon Law applies to new and leased vehicles, excluding those that have been modified. The timeframe in Illinois is 12 months to 12000 miles, whichever comes first.
What Is the Jeep Death Wobble?
The Jeep death wobble is a mechanical defect in your Jeep vehicle. It is the violent and uncontrollable shaking of the front wheels, usually triggered when hitting a bump or pothole at higher speeds. While it’s most commonly associated with Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator models, it can occur in any solid front axle vehicle.
The death wobble is caused by the loose steering wheel, or damaged or misaligned parts in your Jeep’s suspension and steering components. Some other steering system and suspension defects can cause your vehicle to wobble: damaged ball joints or tie rod ends, loose or worn track bar bolts, steering damper, unbalanced tires or improper alignment, and a faulty suspension design.
Drivers often describe it as a terrifying experience because it leads to losing control of the vehicle at highway speeds. Just so you know, this is not a small vibration, but a violent shaking that forces many to pull over immediately, fearing for their safety, especially on rough terrains.
Furthermore, the Jeep Wrangler and the Cherokee models are more likely to experience the death wobble. This is due to their solid front axle design, which leads to more wear and tear in the suspension and steering components. Most modern vehicles are made with independent front suspensions, that allow them to absorb the vibrations from uneven surfaces, without transmitting it to the rest of the structure.
So, if you have a Jeep model made between 2015 and 2018, and experiencing uncontrollable shaking and a manufacturing defect, then you have a case of the Jeep death wobble.
Why the Jeep Death Wobble is Dangerous
The death wobble is not just a nuisance, as has been said, it’s a serious safety concern. At highway speeds, the uncontrollable shaking can cause drivers to lose control, increasing the risk of accidents. Another reason is prolonged wobbling which can lead to wear and tear on multiple components, including the suspension and steering system. Lastly, an ongoing issue creates anxiety and can lead to costly repeated repair attempts. This can ultimately lead to emotional and financial stress on the Jeep owner or driver.
What to Do if You Experience the Jeep Death Wobble
If you experience a death wobble while driving, try not to panic. The best thing to do is to safely slow down, keep a firm grip on the steering wheel, and park when it’s safe. However, there are practical steps you can take to address the issue. But you need to act quickly to preserve your ability to seek remedies under lemon law.
Step 1: Document the Issue
Proper documentation is important for so many things and this case is no exception. You have a greater chance of having a successful Lemon law claim just because you documented every instance of the death wobble. So, record every detail, such as the date and time when the wobble occurred, the severity of the shaking (mild, moderate, or severe), and the driving conditions when the wobble occurred (the specific road type and speed).
Also, describe how it affected your driving, such as difficulty steering or loss of stability. It would be a plus if you could keep a journal of these occurrences. Finally, visual documentation like videos of the wobble, and dashboard vibrations are greatly encouraged.
Step 2: Get Professional Inspections and Repair Attempts
Take your Jeep to a certified mechanic or a local Jeep dealership to identify and address the issue. It is important that you document multiple repair attempts. A vehicle may only qualify for Lemon law protection if the issue persists after a reasonable amount of repair attempts.
You can also request written records after each inspection or repair attempt, noting any parts replaced or services performed. Now, here’s what you need the most as evidence of a persistent wobble, receipts of all repair attempts. You will find them useful when filing a Lemon law claim. So, don’t trash those receipts.
Step 3: Notify the Manufacturer or Dealership
Write a formal notice or email to the manufacturer or local Jeep dealership to notify them of the death wobble and request a resolution. To support your claim, include the evidence of the wobble you have gathered over the period of repair attempts.
Lemon law demands that manufacturers either replace your Jeep or refund the purchase price if they are unable to repair a warranty defective Jeep after a reasonable number of attempts. You are also to give a reasonable timeframe of about 30 days for the manufacturer to respond to respond to your notice.
Step 4: Contact a Lemon Law Attorney and File a Claim
To file a Lemon Law claim, you will need to understand what it is all about. You need to gather every record of repair attempts, warranty information, and any communication with the manufacturer about the issue. You will then notify the manufacturer of your intentions to file a Lemon law claim.
Car manufacturers have their way of addressing these claims, but if the issue remains unresolved after multiple repair attempts and communication with the manufacturer, consult a Lemon law attorney. At Easy Lemon, we offer free case evaluations to determine whether your Jeep qualifies under state laws. Do not hesitate to contact us for your free Lemon case review.
Additionally, you might be thinking, “Can I file a Lemon law claim for a used Jeep?” Absolutely! But, you can only do that if the Jeep has substantial defects and is still under warranty.
What Compensation Can I Expect Under the Lemon Law?
After filing a Lemon law claim, and you meet the criteria for compensation under Lemon law, here’s what you can expect as compensation.
- Buyback or Repurchase – For used vehicles, you will receive a full refund, including the purchase price, taxes, and fees.
- Replacement Vehicle – A replacement vehicle of equal value and specifications.
- Repair or Reimbursement – Compensation for repairs or reimbursement for out-of-pocket repair costs. Potential reimbursement for legal fees if the claim is successful. The manufacturer may also reimburse incidental expenses such as towing, rental cars, and accommodation costs.
- State-Specific Variations – Compensation rules vary by state and depend on the circumstances of the claim. So, it’s important that you check your state Lemon law regulations, or consult a Lemon law attorney within your state to advise you.
Need an Experienced Lemon Law Attorney?
The Jeep death wobble isn’t just a frustrating inconvenience, it’s a real threat to your safety and peace of mind. Ignoring it could lead to dangerous driving conditions and costly repairs, but knowing your rights under Lemon law can save you a lot of stress. These laws are here to protect you and make manufacturers take responsibility for defective cars.
We know how frustrating car problems can be and we are here to fix that. So, let us help you get back on the road and also reclaim your peace of mind. Contact Easy Lemon today for a free case review and expert guidance on your Lemon law claim.
