2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee Air Bags Problems
Owners have filed 486 complaints with NHTSA about air bags problems on the 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 33% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 124,750 miles. The words owners use most often: “air bag” (33% of reports).
- 486air bags complaints
- 124,750median miles at failure
- 35mention a crash
- 34mention an injury
- 3related recalls
- $700typical repair cost reported by owners
- 33%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 161 of 486 complaints (33%)
- Occupant restraint control: mentioned in 31 of 486 complaints (6%)
- Unable provide: mentioned in 29 of 486 complaints (6%)
- Bags updated: mentioned in 27 of 486 complaints (6%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical air bags repair on the 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee at $700, and half of them between $470 and $860.
Based on 9 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2011–2017), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do air bags problems happen?
Based on 180 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 486 complaints, 35 mention a crash, 34 an injury.
Jeep Grand Cherokee air bags complaints by model year
| Model year | Air Bags complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Grand Cherokee | 5 | 7% | 14,538 |
| 2024 Grand Cherokee | 1 | 0% | — |
| 2023 Grand Cherokee | 11 | 3% | 5,900 |
| 2022 Grand Cherokee | 9 | 3% | 29,600 |
| 2021 Grand Cherokee | 20 | 5% | 34,957 |
| 2020 Grand Cherokee | 17 | 7% | 34,000 |
| 2019 Grand Cherokee | 19 | 5% | 16,600 |
| 2018 Grand Cherokee | 24 | 3% | 14,777 |
| 2017 Grand Cherokee | 15 | 4% | 34,945 |
| 2016 Grand Cherokee | 12 | 4% | 12,040 |
| 2015 Grand Cherokee | 104 | 8% | 70,000 |
| 2014 Grand Cherokee | 210 | 9% | 51,978 |
| 2013 Grand Cherokee | 33 | 4% | 61,816 |
| 2012 Grand Cherokee | 43 | 3% | 73,173 |
| 2011 Grand Cherokee | 60 | 4% | 56,500 |
| 2010 Grand Cherokee | 11 | 9% | 42,250 |
| 2009 Grand Cherokee | 11 | 8% | 117,000 |
| 2008 Grand Cherokee | 40 | 5% | 109,852 |
| 2007 Grand Cherokee | 29 | 3% | 68,000 |
| 2006 Grand Cherokee | 60 | 5% | 103,218 |
| 2005 Grand Cherokee | 95 | 5% | 88,500 |
| 2004 Grand Cherokee | 326 | 25% | 120,000 |
| 2003 Grand Cherokee | 256 | 34% | 112,000 |
| 2002 Grand Cherokee | 486 | 33% | 124,750 |
| 2001 Grand Cherokee | 26 | 3% | 65,200 |
| 2000 Grand Cherokee | 59 | 4% | 103,000 |
| 1999 Grand Cherokee | 83 | 5% | 116,516 |
| 1998 Grand Cherokee | 36 | 4% | 98,245 |
| 1997 Grand Cherokee | 36 | 4% | 135,298 |
| 1996 Grand Cherokee | 34 | 4% | 130,000 |
| 1995 Grand Cherokee | 30 | 4% | 109,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (3)
Air bags:frontal
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2002-2003 Jeep Liberty vehicles manufactured January 9, 2001, to March 28, 2003, 2002-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured February 13, 2001, to May 23 2003, and 2003-2004 Dodge Viper vehicles manufactured November 1, 2001, to June 30, 2004. Due to electrical noise beyond the tolerance of the air bag electronic control module (ECM), a component in the ECM may fail, causing the front air bags, side air bags, and/or seatbelt pretensioners to deploy inadvertently while the vehicle is being operated.
Risk: Inadvertent deployment of the air bags may increase the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash.
Fix: Chrysler dealers will replace the air bag control module and side impact sensors as required, free of charge. This recall remedy was applied during earlier recall campaigns of these vehicles under safety recalls 12V527 and 13V040. All owners that have not had the recall repair performed under safety recalls 12V527 or 13V040 are strongly encouraged to have it performed and not wait for the final remedy to be deployed to the field. The recall began on December 29, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R06.
Air bags:frontal:sensor/control module-inactive
Problem: Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2002 and 2003 Jeep Liberty vehicles manufactured January 9, 2001, through March 28, 2003, and 2002 through 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured February 13, 2001, through May 23, 2003. A component in the air bag control module may fail causing the front airbags, side curtain airbags, and/or seatbelt pretensioners to deploy inadvertently while the vehicle is being operated.
Risk: Inadvertent deployment of the airbags may increase the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will install a supplemental jumper harness to the airbag control module, free of charge. Owners were notified of the recall by interim letter in January 2013. The remedy for affected Liberty vehicles is expected to be available in April 2013. The remedy for affected Grand Cherokee vehicles is expected to be available later in the year. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753.
Air bags:frontal
Problem: On certain sport utility vehicles, the passenger air bag wiring harness was improperly manufactured.
Risk: This could cause improper air bag deployment in certain crash conditions.
Fix: Dealers will add a wiring jumper to the existing circuitry to correct this condition. Owner notification began april 29, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
I have been unable to get recall r06 completed. All the jeep dealers said that they are unable to get the needed parts. They are on a national recall list. This is a serious safety issue and needs to be addressed asap. They state that the orc module and other items needed to complete the recall…
The contact owns a 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V046000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer…
The contact owns a 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the front passengerâs side airbag inadvertently deployed without warning. The contact was able to drive the vehicle home. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The…
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokees have air bags problems?
No. NHTSA has 486 owner complaints about air bags for the 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee (33% of the 1,476 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee air bags?
Yes: 3 safety recalls list air bags. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do air bags problems start?
The median reported mileage is 124,750 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
How much does it cost to fix air bags problems on the 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
Owners report a typical cost of $700 (half paid between $470 and $860), from 9 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about air bags problems on the 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
The most frequent phrase is “air bag”, in 161 of 486 complaints, followed by “occupant restraint control” (31).
Other 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee problems
See all 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee problems or air bags problems across all Grand Cherokee years.