Problems · by component

2016 Jeep Wrangler air bags problems

77 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2016 Jeep Wrangler cite air bags, 17% of all 462 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 4 recalls on this component.

Complaints
77
17% of all complaints
Crashes
20
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
27
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the air bags

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“I recently got into an accident in my 2016 Jeep Wrangler. My airbags never deployed however. Also my buttons on the left side of my steering wheel do not work and my horn does not work. After realizing all this I believe it is an issue with the clock spring. I did research and found in 2024 there was a recall for the clock spring but only in the RHD model. My car is a LHD model but it seems the same issue has occurred and my clock spring failed.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 16, 2025Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11705380
“The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Wrangler. The contact recently replaced the windshield wiper motor due to a failure of the intermittent speed settings not functioning properly. The contact stated that after replacing the wiper motor, the contact was only able to use the wipers on the fast speed setting. An independent mechanic informed the contact that the vehicle was taken to the shop for repair, or he could replace the wiper blade switch on the steering column. The contact repaired the vehicle himself. The contact stated that after the repair was completed, while driving out of the driveway at approximately 2 MPH, the driver's side front air bag deployed. The contact followed the instructions to install the wiper blade switch carefully. The contact was still only able to use the wipers on the fast speed setting. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 132,552.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 6, 2025Air bags, Visibility/wiperODI 11697885
“On September 2, 2025, while driving at 65 mph, I lost control of my vehicle three times. The traction control light came on each time, creating a serious safety risk to me and others. The issue appears to involve the airbag clockspring/steering column assembly, matching symptoms reported under Safety Recall 27B (RC-27B-24). My VIN is not currently included in the recall. Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram opened Case #94164354 and advised me to submit this so my VIN can be added. The part is available for inspection. My car is not drivable at this time due to the safety issue.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 5, 2025Steering, Air bagsODI 11685251
“The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that upon attempting to alert a gateman using the horn, the horn failed to function. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the clock spring. The contact was informed that the clock spring needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V288000 (Air Bags), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 106,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 9, 2025Air bagsODI 11665831
“Horn stopped working. Steering wheel controls stopped working. Airbag clockspring bad. Several lights on, on dash. Several dealerships claim even though there is a recall, my Jeep is not covered.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 29, 2025Steering, Electrical system, Air bagsODI 11657534
“I had someone cut me off on the highway, I went to honk my horn & it didn't work. I then also noticed that my steering wheel control buttons did not work, or light up either. Upon investigation I found out that those are all symptoms of the clockspring not working properly & needing replaced.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 23, 2025Electrical system, Air bags, Vehicle speed controlODI 11644420

Showing 6 of 77 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

4 recalls on this component

Air bags: driver clockspring

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported Mar 14, 2024NHTSA 24V196000

Air bags: inflator module

Park It: do not driveFree remedy

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.

Air bagsReported Jan 15, 2019NHTSA 19V018000

Air bags: sensor

Free remedy

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).

Air bagsReported Oct 13, 2016NHTSA 16V734000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported May 11, 2016NHTSA 16V288000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 3, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.