Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2001 Jeep Cherokee owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Takata recall-- I had an accident January 7, 2016, I hit a pole. The airbags did not deploy. I did a search and I found out there was a recall on this Jeep. I only had liability insurance. I got in touch with the company they had the car towed to a dealership and supposedly had it checked out but I don't believe it. I myself and my girlfriend was injured and under doctors care. My car is tore up in the front. Why? Those airbags did not deploy. They could not tell me. I was traveling on rte 49 east.
While driving on highway at 70 MPH and without warning, headlights went completely out causing poor visibility which resulted in an accident, consumer rearended another vehicle causing one injury, upon impact the airbags did not experience deployment, consumer had been to dealer several times due to taillights inoperable and headlamps inoperable prior to accident, dealer replaced fuses and found connector's loose. Consumer states front end pulled to the left while driving, dealer found no problems. Consumer states on normal braking, pedal goes to the floor and during above mentioned accident brakes locked causing a block of skid marks, prior to accident when dealer could find no problems with ABS or hydraulic brake system. …
Premature vapors from the air bag escaped into the compartment of the truck choking the driver until unconscious. The Jeep then crossed the highway/medium, striking another vehicle head on and then rolling four times. The air bags never deployed after the extent of damage from collision and rollover. Estimated speed of impact was 35 MPH. Please describe details.
While driving 65 MPH driver applied the brakes and the pedal went to the floor, causing the vehicle to hit a pole and role three times. Vehicle landed upside down on an embankment. Upon impact, the airbags did not deploy. The driver sustained back and neck injuries, and was transported by ambulance to hospital.
While driving, the cruise control didn't set the speed when engaged. The vehicle was taken to a dealership, who indicated that a clock spring failure caused the cruise control to malfunction. The horn is also not operational. The clock spring will be replaced. The right front door contained rust
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that the air bag indicator illuminated. The failure occurred multiple times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.
While driving 45-50 MPH vehicle involved in front collision, neither airbag deployed. Chrysler is sending investigators. Vehicle most likely totalled. The air bag failure resulted in passengers injury.
Vehicle is experiencing problems with the electrical system and wiring harness. Consumer has purchased vehicle a week ago, and within 4 days vehicle was taken to dealer. Dealer has since kept vehicle with no remedy. Periodically, the power windows did not work. Airbag light would come on and off, and air conditioner would not work. Also, vehicle had a gas fume smell after vehicle would not start.
Vehicle struck tree, then metal pole at 30 MPH. Upon impact, air bag did not deploy. Nothing has been done to correct component failure at this time.
While driving at 55 MPH the consumer's vehicle was involved in an accident with a deer. Upon impact the air bags did not deploy.
Airbag complaints in other Cherokee years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2001 Jeep Cherokee?
NHTSA has 21 complaints about the air bags of the 2001 Jeep Cherokee, 9% of the model year's 229 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (7 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Jeep Cherokee airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2001 Jeep Cherokee, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2001 Jeep Cherokee airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 75,000 miles, and 30% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 13 crashes, 0 fires and 15 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.