Jeep Wrangler airbag problems, 2016–2027
104 of the 6,691 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Jeep Wrangler 2016–2027 name the airbags (NHTSA’s “Air Bags” heading — airbags, their sensors and warning lights). The loudest years: 2016 (77), 2017 (26), 2026 (1). Filed under the same heading across these years: 4 recall campaigns, 2 NHTSA investigations. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.
Jeep Wrangler airbag problems by model year
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsOne row per model year on file, newest first. A year marked in depth has its own page: the complaints, the owners’ words and every document under this heading for that year.
| Model year | Complaints naming the airbags | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2026 | 1 | 10% | — | — | the year → |
| 2025 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2024 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2023 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2022 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2021 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2020 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2019 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2018 | 0 | — | — | 2 investigations | the year → |
| 2017 | 26 | 8% | 18k | 1 recall · 2 investigations | the year → |
| 2016 in depth | 77 | 17% | 61k | 4 recalls · 2 investigations | the record → |
Two things the counts carry that are not the car: how many of each year were sold, and how long each has been on the road — an older year out-counts a newer one before anything is wrong with it. The share column is the honest comparison across years: what part of that year’s complaints named the airbags. Nothing here is a rate.
When the airbag complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2016: 7 · 2017: 10 · 2018: 8 · 2019: 22 · 2020: 11 · 2021: 9 · 2022: 9 · 2023: 12 · 2024: 6 · 2025: 8 · 2026: 2
Across the model years, half of the 62 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the airbag problem between 12,000 and 71,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the airbags, from the model years with the most to say. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
On january 30, 2017 another vehicle pulled out in front of me and stopped. I hit that vehicle with my 2016 Jeep Wrangler at about 30-35mph. The impact totaled both vehicles. My jeep's frame was buckled and twisted all of the way to the rear bumper. The rear body mount bolt were even bent.
Currently a recall for a sensor of the airbags. I installed mopar LED headlights. They say the headlights get destroyed during the fix and they put stock headlights back in, not what I currently have. They are factory made mopar headlights that cost approx $950.00.
The contact owned a 2017 Jeep Wrangler. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the contact's vehicle crashed into another vehicle that made a wrong turn. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. The contact and three passengers in the contact's vehicle sustained injuries that required medical attention.
I hit a vehicle that crossed in front of me. My driver front bumper hit their passenger front bumper. My air bag did not inflate. My speed was appx. 45 MPH
Airbag/SOS System failure - stated resistance on airbag was “above 8 ohms” This happened - and emailed me THREE times in the first 30 days of ownership. Replaced Steering Column Control Module - but this may not resolve the issue. Am looking to have this lemon replaced - been having trouble with ANY real contact from Jeep/Stellantis/FCA
What is on file about the airbags, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall campaigns filed under this heading, any model year
- 24V196000 HighMar 14, 2024 · 1,831 vehicles
- Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) (Stellantis) is recalling certain right hand drive 2016 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. Debris contamination may cause the clockspring to fail, preventing the driver's air bag from deploying in a crash.
- Jan 15, 2019 · 1,413,222 vehicles
- Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2010 Dodge Ram 3500, Ram 4500/5500, 2010-2011 Dodge Dakota, 2010-2014 Dodge Challenger, 2010-2015 Dodge Challenger, Chrysler 300, and 2010-2016 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
- 16V734000 HighOct 13, 2016 · 182,743 vehicles
- Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Jeep Wrangler vehicles manufactured June 16, 2015, to August 14, 2016. In certain crash conditions, the front impact sensor wiring may be pulled until it detaches before a signal can be received by the Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC).
- 16V288000 HighMay 11, 2016 · 7,196 vehicles
- Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2016 Right Hand Drive Jeep Wrangler vehicles manufactured February 16, 2010, to May 2, 2016. The clockspring assembly may become contaminated with dust and cause the air bag circuit to fail.
NHTSA investigations
- EA21002 Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Ruptureopened Sep 17, 2021 · open
- From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupt…
- EA19001 Electrical overstressopened Apr 19, 2019 · closed Sep 19, 2024
- The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect. During the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags and other restraint system devices in severe crash events. The subject vehicle…
Other systems with a record on the Jeep Wrangler
Source: the same files- electrical problems
- engine problems
- transmission and drivetrain problems
- steering problems
- fuel system problems
- suspension problems
- body and structure problems
Every system, every model year: Jeep Wrangler problems by year →
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsWhich Jeep Wrangler years have the most airbag complaints?
2016, 77; 2017, 26; 2026, 1. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2016 (17%).
Is there a recall for the airbags on the Jeep Wrangler?
Yes — 4 campaigns are filed under this heading across these model years: 24V196000 (2016), 19V018000 (2016), 16V734000 (2017), 16V288000 (2016). A recall is matched by VIN, and applies to specific years; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do airbag problems show up on the Jeep Wrangler?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 36,000 miles across the model years; half of them between 12,000 and 71,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Air Bags" heading cover?
Airbags, their sensors and warning lights. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.