Beware of  JEEP "Death Wobble"

Owners of 2014-16 JEEP Cherokees who wish to tow these vehicles behind a motorhome with all four wheels down, PLEASE TAKE HEED! Despite the vehicle being approved by JEEP and several other sources as "safe to tow with four wheels on the ground," we want to alert you this is INCORRECT and much danger exists in doing so. 

 

We have supplied paperwork, receipts and photos of damage to show you the egregious cover up that exists by all parties: dealership, repair shop, corporate offices and "independent" inspectors. As to be expected, no one will take blame for this defect in the manufacture of these JEEPs, instead we were thrown a bunch of legalese and empty words from everyone across the board. This on top of the fact that the dealership/repair shop itself openly admitted there is a problem with vibration and happily charged us a hefty repair bill to "fix" the issue which DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM — yet they would not offer a refund after photo evidence proved otherwise. It has been a scary ride indeed and luckily, we were not physically injured but our RV, Jeep and tow bar incurred extensive damages because of the JEEP Death Wobble.

 

If you have been a victim of this or have any questions regarding this issue, please reach out to 2rvtales@gmail.com and we are happy to share what we know in hopes of saving you hassle, money and serious injury or even death! Read below and share with anyone considering a 2014-16 JEEP purchase for four-wheel tow behind. 

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January 20, 2016: Fiat Chrysler released the following information exclusively to Family Motor Coaching magazine. 

 

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles US LLC (FCA) has announced plans for resolving a problem that sometimes occurs when 2014-16 Jeep Cherokees are towed four wheels down behind a motorhome. 

 

FCA released a statement in response to inquiries by Family Motor Coaching magazine and concerns of a number of Jeep owners who reported problems when flat towing their Cherokees. The owners reported that the vehicle sometimes wobbles significantly, raising safety concerns. The wobble reportedly has occurred at slow speeds and at highway speeds, and has happened with a variety of motorhomes and towing systems. The only way to stop the wobble, owners have said, is to bring the vehicle to a complete stop. 

 

The FCA statement said: "Under certain operating conditions, such as traveling excessively bumpy or poorly maintained roads, the flat-towed vehicle may not consistently track in line with the tow vehicle." The cause, according to the statement: "The vehicle's Electronic Power Steering (EPS) system is inactive while the vehicle is being flat-towed with the ignition in the 'off' position. Accordingly, the vehicle does not benefit from the system's function." 

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A Jeep official said the company knows of several dozen Cherokee owners who have experienced the problem. For those owners, FCA will "provide a complimentary jumper wire harness and switch to ensure the vehicle's EPS system has power to function while it is being flat-towed." 

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These components have been engineered and validated by FCA US LLC and will be made available to all customers through MOPAR, as early as January 29. In addition, all Cherokee owners will be contacted directly by FCA US and provided with updated instructions for flat-towing. These instructions supersede all previous instructions. Also, the vehicle's online owners manual will be updated." 

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Family Motor Coaching brought the problem to the attention of Fiat Chrysler in September 2015 after an FMCA member contacted the magazine and provided a link to a video showing a Cherokee wobbling as it was being towed behind a motorhome. FCA assigned engineers and technicians to investigate and resolve the problem. 

 

For more information, Cherokee owners can call the Jeep Customer Assistance Center at (877) 426-5337. 

 

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Export a PDF of this press release HERE

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