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 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl contact owns a 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee laredo. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle was involved in a crash. The air bags did not deploy. The contact was injured. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer stated that the air bags should have deployed (after inspecting) but were unable to diagnose the reason why they did not. The vehicle also stalled intermittently before the crash. The current and failure mileages were approximately 136,000.
On January 24,2014 my wife was a fatality after a 45 m.p.h. Collision with a guardrail butt, then rolling over after the initial impact. The air bags did not deploy either on initial impact or the rollover. She was wearing her seat belt. Has there ever been a recall on these vehicles pertaining to these air bags failing? My wife May still be alive today if not for this defect.
The consumer's vehicle was involved in a collision, it struck a tree head on. Upon impact, the air bags did not deploy. The manufacturer stated that the vehicle did not have enough impact to deploy the air bags. The front grill was pushed into the engine.
I was having brake trouble with the Cherokee and for a month I knew I had to get brake pads on my truck 1996 Grand Cherokee. On August 21, 2003 I was in car accident which caused me to loss control of the vehicle and not be able to gain it back I went up on two and crashed into a median the truck over three times and I came out of the seat belt and landed in the passenger seat. I did have on my seat belt but came up out of it. I think the rotors May have been corrdid and helped with the accident my second concern is how I was able to come out of the seatbelt and become severely injured. I shattered my leg and had to relearn to walk. I just went through my second surgery pertaining to this accident. What steps do I need to go through in order to get the word out about the seatbelt issue and the fact that it didnt secure me from the accident. …
On August 28, 1999, while driving, the steering wheel and front tires began shaking violently, the vehicle went out of control and jumpbed the curb on the highway, there was no damage done to the vehicle, however the driver who is pregnant experienced cramping in the stomach and was ordered by her doctor to spend the weekend in bed. The dealer stated that the steering gear was worn, the center link needed repair, and that both tie rods needed replaced. On October 9, 1999, the vehicle hit a sink hole causing it to shake violently and for the front end to wobble, the vehicle hit a guardrail and damage was done to the vechile. The cruise control didn't work properly. The airbag light was illuminated.
While driving approx. 40 MPH, the driver swerved to avoid hitting a deer and the vehicle overturned, rolling twice. The airbags did not deploy, I assume because we weren't struck from the front, and my seatbelt didn,t secure, I also assume for the same reason. I was the passenger and was caught hanging half out the passenger window and the vehicle rolled over me breaking both hips and my pelvis. This happened on July 30, 2000 in shelby county, texas. Due to some other reports I have heard I have learned that Jeep cherokees have a history of overturning easier than another style of vehicle perhaps.
Driving at approximately 35 MPH consumer ran stop sign . Was hit from side at such hard impact that the vehicle made a direct hit into a tree. Driver's and passenger's side airbags did not deploy. Raditor was pushed back at least 10 inches. Airbag sensors are located on the sides of raditor.this defect caused consumer to sustain injuries in pelvis area and loss of sight in one eye.
I was in a car accident when I tried to avoid another car that slid into my lane. The back part of the Jeep hit a telephone pole and then I slid in the ice and hit a tree head on. Police estimated the speed I hit at was 30 MPH. None of the airbags deployed and my seat belt didn't lock up when the brake was on so I hit the windshield and steering wheel.
While driving at 60 MPH, the driver's side air bag deployed for no apparent reason, causing the driver to lose control of Jeep and crash. Driver sustained injuries, such as broken collar bone/neck damage/nerve & right shoulder damage. The Jeep was totalled. 780008 dup of 823900; posted on 09-07-1999.
Chemical substance possibly sodium-azide, fumed in drivers face from steering column. Unknown personal physical damage at this time. Driver has sustained medical problems. Please contact us. Manufacturer has no sense of urgency!! Need help to analyize this substance on clothing and interior of vehicle.
Airbag complaints in other Grand Cherokee years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
NHTSA has 34 complaints about the air bags of the 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 4% of the model year's 893 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (20 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee, though it has 6 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 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 130,000 miles, and 17% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 29 crashes, 0 fires and 31 injuries and 1 death 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.