NHTSA receives complaints about “death wobble” with Jeep steering wheel.

The Detroit Free Press (11/19, Lawrence, 1.14M) reports the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has begun to closely examine complaints recently made about what Jeep enthusiasts call the “death wobble,” which Fiat Chrysler Automobiles spokesman Mike Palese referred to as “steering system vibration” in an email, in which Palese also said the matter is not “a safety issue.” The Free Press says the “death wobble” occurs “after a vehicle hits a bump at highway speeds and then the steering wheel begins to shake, sometimes ‘violently.’” The NHTSA said it had received 11 complaints regarding the issue during the previous month.

        Carscoops (11/19, Anderson) reports Jeep said the issue can be fixed by, according to Carscoops, “tightening or replacing loose or worn steering parts, balancing or changing the tires, having a front end alignment or by installing a new steering dampener.” In addition, the NHTSA stated the issue occurs irregularly and is predictable so the vehicle can always remain under control. Reps. Anna Eshoo (D-CA) and Henry Waxman (D-CA) sent a joint letter to the NHTSA, in which they asked why consumers had not been informed about the issue, and that the NHTSA must evaluate the problem. Also reporting is Autoblog (11/19, 261K).