---
title: "Report: ‘Certain’ 2018-19 Jeep Wranglers To Be Recalled Over Potential Steering Failure"
description: "Fiat-Chrysler will be launching a recall covering \"certain\" 2018-19 Jeep Wranglers for a series of bad welds that can cause a sudden loss of control while driving."
date: "2018-10-05"
modified: "2018-10-05"
authors:
  - name: "Kyle Cheromcha"
    job_title: "Editor-in-Chief"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/kyle-cheromcha"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/24066/report-certain-2018-19-jeep-wranglers-to-be-recalled-over-potential-steering-failure"
categories:
  - "Jeep News"
  - "News"
  - "News by Brand"
tags:
  - "Fiat Chrysler"
  - "Jeep"
  - "Jeep Wrangler"
  - "JL"
  - "Off-Road"
  - "Recall"
  - "safety"
  - "suv/crossover"
  - "Wrangler"
---

# Report: ‘Certain’ 2018-19 Jeep Wranglers To Be Recalled Over Potential Steering Failure

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2018/10/jp019_103wrql1dk8qh7466tre9rd5dho93o1.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com</em>*

The JL [Jeep Wrangler](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/23234/2018-jeep-wrangler-moab-edition-mo-leather-mo-tire-mo-fun>) is better than the old model in nearly every way, yet a rash of steering issues this year has some owners wondering if the rough-and-ready off-roader was hiding a deeper problem. And now Fiat-Chrysler will be launching a recall covering "certain" 2018-19 Jeep Wranglers for a series of bad welds that can cause a sudden loss of control while driving.

Word first popped up [on *JL Wrangler Forums*](<https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/track-bar-weld-issue-recall-announced.16255/>), where a user posted a screenshot of a service bulletin sent out to Jeep Dealerships today. We reached out to Fiat Chrysler to confirm the recall plan; a spokesman said that an official notification is forthcoming and described the issue as "small scope." It's so fresh that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's website also hasn't been updated yet, [though the 2018 Jeep Wrangler page](<https://www.nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2018/JEEP/WRANGLER#complaints>) is flooded with official complaints over steering problems.

The dealer notice states that the front track bar bracket in the Wrangler may have welds that are "off seam," which can cause the bracket to detach from the frame. The [track bar](<https://www.extremeterrain.com/wrangler-jeep-track-bar-explained.html>) helps keep the solid front axle centered and in line with the body of the vehicle. Symptoms of this can range from loose, vague steering [to a complete system failure](<https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/track-bar-sheared-off-at-the-weld-i-feel-like-i%E2%80%99m-cursed-with-my-new-jl.6979/>) if the break happens at the wrong time.

"The separation of the front track bar bracket from the frame may cause a reduction in the steering response, which can cause a vehicle crash without prior warning," [the bulletin reads.](<https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/track-bar-weld-issue-recall-announced.16255/>)

It goes without saying that this is not ideal in a vehicle that's supposed to be able to [take a beating off-road.](<https://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/19393/2018-jeep-wrangler-rubicon-review-taking-a-winter-dip-in-the-renewed-off-road-icon>) The bulletin also states that a stop-sale order has been placed on affected 2019 [Wranglers](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/23711/report-first-diesel-and-hybrid-engines-for-2019-jeep-wrangler-are-on-the-way>) that are either in transit from the factory or already sitting on dealer lots. That would indicate the problem was only recently discovered and corrected.

A fix is said to be ready sometime before the end of the year. Since the recall hasn't officially been launched yet—this notice is intended to give dealers a heads-up—there are no details on specific trims, body styles, or VIN ranges that could clarify which Wranglers specifically might have this problem. Fiat-Chrysler will begin contacting owners by mail shortly. Users on *JL Wrangler Forums* also discovered that the recall has already been added to the Mopar service website and app, [which has a VIN search tool](<https://www.mopar.com/en-us/my-vehicle/recalls/search.html>) that will show if your Jeep is affected.

## Author
Overseeing an expert staff of writers and editors from his lair in Los Angeles, Kyle shapes The Drive’s singular approach to covering the automotive industry and car culture. He’s been with the site as a writer since 2017, taking over as editor in 2019. On a daily basis, Kyle is responsible for directing The Drive's editorial news and car review content strategies, setting special coverage priorities, managing complex reporting projects, and ensuring what you read on the page meets our high internal standards for quality and trustworthiness. He is also the executive producer of The Drive's YouTube channel, which was relaunched in February 2024 to great acclaim and has accumulated over 14M new views in its first year back on the scene. He hosts a biweekly series on the channel where he breaks down fascinating and complicated stories from the automotive world.

### Author social links  
[Bluesky](<https://bsky.app/profile/kylecheromcha.bsky.social>)  
[Instagram](<https://www.instagram.com/kylecheromcha>)  
[LinkedIn](<https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-cheromcha-1550248a/>)