The Jeep Wrangler has been the flagship of the beloved Jeep brand since 1986. With its wartime heritage, it demonstrates American ingenuity and adaptability at their very best. Still, even the best has some idiosyncrasies that can take drivers by surprise. Every make and model has its issues, and when it comes to a Wrangler, most drivers find that the positives far outweigh the negatives. Nevertheless, keep these common issues with the Jeep Wrangler in mind as you make your purchase and take care of it for years to come.
The Death Wobble
Don’t let the name spook you too much: while there is a whole lot of wobbling going on, it doesn’t mean certain death for the driver. Steering components that have come out of alignment cause the steering wheel—and indeed the entire Jeep—to violently shake from side to side, which can take a driver by surprise and lead to a real white-knuckle situation. Many situations, both internal and external, can cause a death wobble. Hitting a pothole at just the wrong angle can be enough to send shockwaves through the Jeep. And Jeep owners are notorious tinkerers, and less-than-professionally modified suspensions are a common cause of the death wobble as well.
TIPM Failure
The Jeep Wrangler uses a Totally Integrated Power Module to provide electrification to the vehicle. This module controls everything from the lights to the radio. When the TIPM fails, everything relying on it fails as well. That makes driving in the rain, with no headlights and no windshield wipers, a perilous situation. Fortunately, even the premature demise of a TPIM isn’t woefully premature—most drivers report module failures somewhere after 50,000 ticks on the odometer. However, if it dies before the rest of your Jeep does, you’re looking at a replacement.
Door Leaks
Despite being made for challenging terrain that can get a little wet and wild, the Jeep Wrangler has been known to leave a few unwanted openings for moisture to infiltrate the vehicle. A common issue with the Jeep Wrangler is leakage through the door seals, the consequences of which can range from an olfactory nuisance to an electrical hazard. As moisture seeps in through the doors, it can get soaked up by other surfaces, which can gradually become colonies for mold and mildew. Worse, water that leaks through the doors can short circuit the wiring of the Jeep. Stay dry during your off-roading and you shouldn’t have much to worry about.
