Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2017 Jeep Cherokee owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owned a Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 45 mph , while raining, when coming down a decline on the roadway, a truck with a trailer was stopped and turning into a driveway, the corner of front driver side near the headlights collided with the pickup truck and the trailer. There was no additional property damage. The contact's vehicle came to a stop in the driveway while the vehicle spun around and became perpendicular to the road which caused additional damage to the rear passenger door. The driver side air bags did not deploy. The passenger side, side air bag did deploy. No airbag warning lights illuminated The vehicle was towed to a tow yard. The insurance company deemed the vehicle as a total loss. Medical treatment was received. No injuries were sustained. The dealer was notified of the failure. …
The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, the driver inadvertently drove off the road and lost control of the steering, causing the vehicle to drive over a driveway, go airborne, and crash into a large boulder. The contact indicated that during the incident, the accelerator pedal was inadvertently pressed, causing the vehicle to accelerate faster. During the crash, the vehicle had sustained severe front-end damage, but no air bags deployed. The driver sustained injuries to the lower back and was transported from the scene to the hospital. A police and EMS report was taken at the scene. The vehicle was later towed to the home. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The local dealer had not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 71,000.
The contact's wife owns a 2017 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle before him stopped suddenly, causing his vehicle to crash into the rear end of the other vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. The emergency units transported the contact to the hospital, where he was informed that his upper spine disk could be dislocated or fractured. An appointment was scheduled for an MRI. A police report was filed. The vehicle remained at the scene on the side of the road. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 58,000.
My vehicle was in 2 MAJOR wrecks. One in dec 2021, where I t boned someone who turned in front of me at a green light. $19k in damages. Should have totaled it. But how in the hell the air bags didn't go off is amazing. Bc my chest hit the steering wheel so hard i had to be treated for it. Not only that but the wreck destroyed my lower vertebrae. After it took the shop 6 months to fix and taken back for problems multiple times. I had it 2 weeks, and the brakes failed. Due to something the shop did I'm sure but I rear ended a lady with no brakes at 45-50 mph. Slamming directly into her even though I saw her. I broke my toe I hit the brakes so hard. But again I hit her directly where all the sensors are and this wreck was worse than the first the vehicle totaled and no air bags went off.... I shattered my left knee from hitting the dash.broke my big toe on my right foot etc. …
I went into a ditch hit two trees and a culvert before stopping and no airbags were deployed My 2017 jeep is a total loss lucky I didn't receive any major injuries , a laceration to my face quick need to be closed and brusing and scrapes. Mentally I am not okay know it could have been with my children in the vehicle but that day it was just myself
The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that on multiple occasions while driving at undisclosed speeds, the air bag warning light intermittently illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
The vehicle didn't have any warning lights or messages on dashboard. Someone ran a red light and hit my car while we were both going over 40mph and my airbags didn't deploy but there's did.. my car got towed as it wasn't drivable anymore and was told the airbags where suppose to deploy but they didn't.
I slide off the road and went into a ditch then rolled a dew times no airbags denied I was upside-down Bach shoulder head injury and left leg all on the left side .y mirror wouldn't call 911 I have photos
Indicator lights are shown on dash include gas cap, seat belt and engine. All gear lights display red when driving and states to service shifter. Dash displays service engine soon. Service air bag system. Seat belt will constantly ding even though it is buckled and will not stop dinging. Replaced gas cap, but indicator light continues to display on dash. Strongly believe there are electrical issues causing theses defects. Took to local dealership and they performed an update, but the indicator lights started to display again the following day, along with the constant dinging from the vehicle not being able to sensor the seat belt being buckled. This has been happening for over a year now and no one seems to be acknowledging there is an extreme safety concern with this vehicle. …
Initially started with parking brake coming on and it took 15 mins of pushing and pulling the button/switch and turning car on and off. Then service air bags light came on. Next was saying passenger and driver seat belts not buckled even tho both were buckled. Then abs light came on. Mechanic determined it was OCR sensor located under center console. Apparently can only get part from jeep and its $400. Ordered and the Jeep wont recognize it so replacement had to be ordered. Now tire pressure light is on as well. Says front driver and rear passenger are low even tho all tires are at 34psi. The seat belt dinging is constant even tho belts are buckled. I have no cruise control. Over past 2 weeks have had the parking brake issue twice. The rest of issues are constant. So now driving around waiting on part with constant worry my parking brake will engage. …
Related recalls
Air bags › Knee bolster
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2017 Jeep Cherokee vehicles manufactured October 13, 2016, to October 17, 2016. Improper welds on the driver's knee air bag inflator may prevent the air bag from properly inflating.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's knee air bag module, free of charge. The recall began November 9, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.
NHTSA investigations
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
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.
Airbag complaints in other Cherokee years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2017 Jeep Cherokee?
NHTSA has 26 complaints about the air bags of the 2017 Jeep Cherokee, 2% of the model year's 1,337 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2017 Jeep Cherokee airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 16V-799 (knee bolster, Nov 2, 2016). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2017 Jeep Cherokee airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 43,000 miles, and 13% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 14 crashes, 0 fires and 21 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.