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 2012 Jeep Liberty owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact's sister owns a 2012 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated that upon opening the door of the vehicle, the contact's sister became aware that the driver's side headrest had been deployed. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V640000 (Seats, Air Bags). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer for diagnostic testing. A case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 86,000.
My daughter was hit by a semi truck on US-23 today. The trailer fishtailed hit the back end of Jeep. I hit the guard rail. All four corners of the Jeep were hit. The air bags did not deploy. The front driver tire fell off. The back window and passenger side trunk window blew out.
We were involved in an accident on the NY State Thruway 87. The airbags did not deploy and the seatbelts did not engage. If the airbags had deployed my husband would not have been injured as seriously as he was.
The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Liberty. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 17V640000 (Seats, Air Bags) and 13V282000 (Electrical System, Air Bags) however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact attempted to schedule an appointment with a local dealer for the recall repairs however, the contact stated that the dealer was not cooperating. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
While my vehicle was sitting in our driveway, the AHR for the drivers seat activated. while at the time I had not received a notice " that im aware of" this could have been a very bad ending for this hitting my head while driving. although the recall showing is for the AHR not working, this one did it all by it self. NOT safe.
Horn stopped working. Tested actual horn another way and it operates properly but when driving it does not work Someone mentioned it could be the clock spring. Is this covered under warranty or other reports of this malfunctioning for a recall?
I was involved in an accident in my 2012 Jeep Liberty when another driver pulled left I front of me to make their right turn into a parking lot. My truck drove over hi and on the way down struck a parked car and flipped over on to its hood. The entire interior caved in directly on to my head and not a single air bag deployed. I was hospitalized and was already handicapped so this exacerbated my injuries pronouncedly and the increased pain, both physical and mental, LED to my wife leaving, loss of employment, family, you name it and it's been lost because of this accident. When you see pics, you'll understand why paramedics were shocked I was alive at all. -[redacted] (1st 2 pics are exterior, 3rd pic is of my driver's seat itself and how I managed avoiding being split in 1/2 is beyond me.) see also odi 11053500.
I was in a wreck 3/24/2014 ,I was driving on the interstate when I was hit on the left side of the driver door and back left door behind the driver seat. I saw the car coming towards me at a angle when I looked over to see if I could change lanes, she hit me and the car started to roll over..from that all I remember I woke up bleeding severely from 7 inch cut to my head. I was then transported to uab trauma unit for several days. I have injuries to my cervical neck/spine and shoulder . I am still suffering from the trauma from ptsd. I was called several times after my wreck about the recalls on the head restraint...restraint control (orc) module must be replaced. For 2012 model kk vehicles: the totally integrated power module (TIPM) must be reprogrammed... Updated 08/21/17
Tl* the contact owned a 2012 Jeep Liberty. While driving at 55 MPH, another driver ran their red light and crashed into the contact. The contact's vehicle flipped over and rolled over then slid. The air bags did not deploy. The contact was not injured. There was no one else in the vehicle with the contact. No medical attention was needed. The person that crashed into the contact was not injured. A police report was made. The vehicle was towed the police impound. The vehicle was totaled. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 150,000. The VIN was not available.
Tl* the contact owned a 2012 Jeep Liberty. While being driven highway speeds, the vehicle was involved in a front end collision and rolled over. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a salvage yard where it was deemed destroyed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and did not assist. There was one injury that required medical attention. The contact suffered a concussion and severe upper body pain. The vehicle experienced a complete loss of power. The failure occurred without warning. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000. See also odi 11048288.
Related recalls
Air bags
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Sebring and 200 vehicles manufactured June 28, 2011, through December 13, 2012; model year 2011-2013 Dodge Avenger vehicles manufactured June 25, 2011, through January 14, 2013; model year 2011-2012 Dodge Nitro vehicles manufactured June 17, 2011, through December 15, 2011; and…
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will flash the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM) or replace the occupant restraint control module, as needed, free of charge. The recall began on November 19, 2013.
NHTSA investigations
Occupant Restraint Controller Failure
The Office of Defects Investigation opened this Preliminary Evaluation to investigate VOQ complaints alleging a failure of the Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC) module in model year (MY) 2012 Jeep Liberty.The purpose of the investigation was to understand Vehicle Owner Questionnaire (VOQ) complaints stating that the air bag warning light remained illuminated while the vehicle was in operation.In many cases the…
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.
Electrical overstress
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect. During the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags and other restraint system devices in severe crash events.
Airbag complaints in other Liberty years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2012 Jeep Liberty?
NHTSA has 169 complaints about the air bags of the 2012 Jeep Liberty, 44% of the model year's 385 complaints. The component named most often is frontal › sensor/control module (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2012 Jeep Liberty airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 13V-282 (air bags, Jul 2, 2013). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2012 Jeep Liberty airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 45,000 miles, and 17% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 15 crashes, 1 fire and 20 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.