Jeep Cherokee Air Bags Problems
Owners have filed 457 complaints with NHTSA about air bags problems on the Jeep Cherokee across 17 model years. The 1998 model year has the most (52). The words owners use most often: “air bag” (34% of reports).
- 457air bags complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 228mention a crash
- 153mention an injury
- 6related recalls
- 28%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Air bag: mentioned in 155 of 457 complaints (34%)
- Bags deploy: mentioned in 50 of 457 complaints (11%)
- Upon impact: mentioned in 25 of 457 complaints (5%)
At what mileage do air bags problems happen?
Based on 177 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 457 complaints, 228 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 153 an injury.
Jeep Cherokee air bags complaints by model year
| Model year | Air Bags complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 Cherokee | 1 | 33% | 11,500 |
| 2022 Cherokee | 3 | 6% | 61,550 |
| 2021 Cherokee | 9 | 5% | 34,000 |
| 2020 Cherokee | 7 | 2% | 6,500 |
| 2019 Cherokee | 42 | 3% | 14,250 |
| 2018 Cherokee | 16 | 2% | 19,000 |
| 2017 Cherokee | 26 | 2% | 42,250 |
| 2016 Cherokee | 31 | 2% | 42,000 |
| 2015 Cherokee | 41 | 2% | 34,500 |
| 2014 Cherokee | 49 | 2% | 33,000 |
| 2001 Cherokee | 21 | 9% | 55,000 |
| 2000 Cherokee | 26 | 7% | 83,000 |
| 1999 Cherokee | 38 | 10% | 72,600 |
| 1998 Cherokee | 52 | 13% | 130,124 |
| 1997 Cherokee | 28 | 7% | 137,500 |
| 1996 Cherokee | 26 | 6% | 100,000 |
| 1995 Cherokee | 41 | 7% | 240,778 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (6)
Air bags:side/window:curtain
Model years: 2021, 2022
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. An improperly secured connector for the right-side curtain air bag may prevent the air bag from deploying as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 214, "Side Impact Protection" and 226, "Ejection Mitigation."
Risk: An air bag that does not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Fix: Dealers will secure the connector, free of charge. All vehicles have been remedied. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 71B.
Air bags
Model years: 2019
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The impact and acceleration sensors may fail and reduce the air bag system's ability to properly detect certain crash events.
Risk: In the event of a crash, the inability to properly detect a crash may result in improper air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected sensors, free of charge. The recall began August 8, 2019. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is V63.
Air bags:knee bolster
Model years: 2017
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2017 Jeep Cherokee vehicles manufactured October 13, 2016, to October 17, 2016. Improper welds on the driver's knee air bag inflator may prevent the air bag from properly inflating.
Risk: If the driver's knee air bag does not properly inflate, there is an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's knee air bag module, free of charge. The recall began November 9, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S84.
Air bags:side/window:curtain
Model years: 2014, 2015
Problem: Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Jeep Cherokee vehicles manufactured January 1, 2013, to November 19, 2014. The affected vehicles may experience unintended side curtain and seat air bag deployment during vehicle operation.
Risk: If the air bags deploy unexpectedly during vehicle operation, it can increase the risk of personal injury and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will re-flash the occupant restraint control module software, free of charge. The recall began on March 4, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R05.
Air bags:frontal:sensor/control module-inactive
Model years: 1997, 1998, 1999
Problem: Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. Water and/or road salt in the proximity of the air bag control module could lead to corrosion.
Risk: Such corrosion can lead to illumination of the air bag warning light or could allow inadvertent deployment of the air bags.
Fix: Dealers will replace the air bag control module and locate the new module on the top of the transmission tunnel.
Air bags:frontal
Model years: 1995
Problem: Certain of the driver's side air bag modules were assembled without an arming lever.
Risk: This condition will cause the air bag to not deploy in the event of a vehicle accident increasing the potential for personal injury.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the vehicles for the presence of the air bag module arming lever and will replace those air bag modules that are missing a lever.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
High speed front end damage to vehicle with no airbag deployment. No dashboard lights were on indicating a problem with them. This is a serious safety issue.
I entered my vehicle and noted the panel below the steering column was sagging. Upon closer inspection, it appeared to be an airbag, specifically the driver-side knee bolster air bag. I took the vehicle in for service at the dealership, and two technicians stated the air bag was partially deployed…
I was involved in a significant front-end collision while driving my 2016 Jeep Cherokee. The vehicle sustained extensive front-end damage, including substantial damage to the hood, front bumper, and front structural/components area. Despite the severity of the collision, none of the airbags…
Took a hard Impact to the rear driver side tire and rear driver door corner small dent(near rear tire), and was spun 180° causing being propelled into a light pole on the passenger front and side. No airbags deployed in the entire vehicle. Multiple people in the vehicle in the vehicle sustained…
During an accident the driver side airbags did not deploy. The vehicle was rammed on the rear passenger wheel area. The impact was significant enough to have the curtain airbags on the passenger side go off, but the only person in the vehicle was myself, the driver.
Frequently asked questions
Do all Jeep Cherokees have air bags problems?
No. NHTSA has 457 owner complaints about air bags for the Jeep Cherokee. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Jeep Cherokee air bags?
Yes: 6 safety recalls list air bags. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
What do owners say about air bags problems on the Jeep Cherokee?
The most frequent phrase is “air bag”, in 155 of 457 complaints, followed by “bags deploy” (50).
Other Jeep Cherokee problems
- Power Train problems (5,522)
- Electrical System problems (2,257)
- Engine problems (2,188)
- Vehicle Speed Control problems (691)
- Service Brakes problems (647)
- Steering problems (598)
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic problems (574)
- Structure problems (522)
See all Jeep Cherokee problems.