The dreaded “death swing” is omnipresent. , it happens when the front end starts shaking violently. Wobble usually starts when the car hits a bump or pothole. The slowdown tends to stop the stretch in question. Now, Jeep says it will help fix the problem and pay the owners, too.
How long have there been reports of death swing?
Jeep death swing accidents are many, with owners complaining about the problem for years. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration complaints began around 2012. In 2019, the issue was resolved with two announcements. First, a class action lawsuit was filed and . Jeep dealers replaced the steering dampers free of charge.
risk. Instead, he calls it a “vibe.” At the time of announcing the fix, FCA’s then chief technical compliance officer described the issue as “resonant,” like what happens to a tuning fork. He also said that this happens with all solid front axle vehicles.
But beyond the dealer level, the NHTSA also had a long list of grievances about the death swing. Its Office of Defects Investigation quickly requested information from Jeep about any complaints or warranty claims, as well as any known injuries caused by the vibration.
How does the new warranty solve the problem?
Prompted by a 2019 collective court settlement, Jeep announced it is extending warranty coverage for affected models. It’s upping the warranties to eight years or 90,000 miles, whichever comes first. According to , it specifically states that this includes “all parts and labor necessary to replace a failed front suspension shock absorber.” It applies to 2018 through 2020 Wranglers and 2020 Gladiators. A 2020 lawsuit amendment estimates that nearly 200,000 Wrangler and Gladiator vehicles are affected.
Previously, Jeep’s standard warranty was three years or 36,000 miles. If you’ve already paid for the repairs to fix your Jeep’s death swing, it will reimburse the owners. To get your refund, you need to visit the Jeep website and fill out the information included. In addition to that, parent company Stellantis is also covering plaintiff’s attorney fees up to $3.95 million, with class representatives each receiving $4,000.
For now, the definitive agreement is awaiting the adequacy hearing scheduled for mid-April.
