YearToAvoid

2016 Jeep Wrangler Airbags Problems

NHTSA lists 77 airbag complaints for the 2016 Jeep Wrangler, 17% of all complaints filed for this model year. These complaints involve 20 crashes, 27 injuries, and 1 fire, with a median failure mileage of 62,500 miles. Two related airbag recalls, 16V734000 and 16V288000, were issued for this model year.

Airbags complaints
77
17% of 460
Crashes reported
20
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
27
Median mileage
62,500 mi
Related recalls
4

Typical airbag symptoms owners report

  • Frontal airbags fail to deploy during moderate-to-high speed collisions, including head-on and rear-end impacts.
  • Airbags do not deploy in rollover crashes even after the vehicle flips or the occupant is ejected.
  • Owners report the clockspring assembly becomes contaminated with debris, which can prevent the driver airbag from deploying and in one case was linked to a fire.
  • Airbag non-deployment is reported even after owners had recall-related repairs performed.
  • Non-deployment events are often accompanied by injuries such as neck, back, or head trauma requiring medical attention.

When 2016 Jeep Wrangler airbag complaints were filed

First complaint Aug 15, 2016, latest Dec 16, 2025.

2016 Jeep Wrangler airbags complaints: complaints filed per quarter72016 Q32018 Q12019 Q22020 Q32021 Q42023 Q12024 Q4
77 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2016 Q3 to 2025 Q4; peak 2019 Q3 (7).

Airbags recalls for the 2016 Jeep Wrangler

  1. NHTSA 24V196000Mar 14, 2024Airbags1,831 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal:driver clockspring/spiral cassette

    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.

    Risk: An air bag that does not deploy in a crash can increase the risk of injury.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the clockspring, steering wheel back cover, and steering column shrouds, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 4, 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 27B.

  2. NHTSA 19V018000Jan 15, 2019Airbags1,413,222 vehiclesDo Not Drive

    Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

    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.

    Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

    Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 4, 2019. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is V01.

  3. NHTSA 16V734000Oct 13, 2016Airbags182,743 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal:sensor/control module-inactive

    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).

    Risk: If the ORC module does not receive a signal from the front impact sensor, both frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners will not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

    Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will reroute the front impact sensor wiring and relocate the impact sensor branch, free of charge. The recall began on November 10, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S76.

  4. NHTSA 16V288000May 11, 2016Airbags7,196 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

    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.

    Risk: Failure of the air bag circuit may prevent the driver's frontal air bag from deploying in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

    Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the clockspring, wheel back cover, and column shroud, free of charge. The recall began on August 11, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S40.

Airbags complaints by Wrangler model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 20054 (1%)
  2. 20063 (0%)
  3. 200788 (16%)
  4. 2008309 (35%)
  5. 2009104 (28%)
  6. 2010158 (23%)
  7. 2011145 (30%)
  8. 2012128 (15%)
  9. 201372 (11%)
  10. 201470 (11%)
  11. 201573 (15%)
  12. 201677 (17%)
  13. 201726 (8%)
  14. 201813 (1%)
  15. 20194 (1%)
  16. 20206 (1%)
  17. 202110 (1%)
  18. 20226 (2%)
  19. 20233 (1%)
  20. 20243 (0%)
  21. 20250 (0%)

Frequently asked questions

How many airbag complaints does the 2016 Jeep Wrangler have?
NHTSA lists 77 airbag complaints for the 2016 Jeep Wrangler, which is 17% of the 460 total complaints filed for this model year.
Is there an airbag recall for the 2016 Jeep Wrangler?
Yes. NHTSA recall 16V734000 covers front impact sensor wiring, and 16V288000 covers clockspring contamination on right-hand-drive 2016 Wrangler models. A later recall, 24V196000, also addresses clockspring failure for right-hand-drive 2016 models.
What is the main airbag problem owners report on the 2016 Wrangler?
The most common report is frontal or rollover airbags failing to deploy in a crash, often resulting in injury. Some owners also describe clockspring contamination preventing deployment.
At what mileage do airbag problems typically show up on the 2016 Wrangler?
NHTSA data shows a median mileage of 62,500 miles at the time of failure, though several sample complaints describe failures at much lower mileage.
How many crashes and injuries are linked to airbag complaints on the 2016 Wrangler?
NHTSA airbag complaints for the 2016 Wrangler are linked to 20 crashes, 27 injuries, and 1 fire.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.