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 2016 Jeep Patriot owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
On 12/26/2020 I was driving down the interstate and my son lightly touched his headrest and it exploded open. I didn't realize at the time it was covered under the "x-86" extended warranty, and attempted in January 2021 to buy a replacement. Mopar canceled my order and told me to go through the dealership since it is a known issue. I did just that, and the order has been on hold since January or February of 2021. Chrysler customer service doesn't have a resolution for me, and won't talk to me anymore. Their department that specifically deals with this "x-86" issue won't even call or update my dealership Stew Hansen's, which is located at 12103 Hickman Rd, Urbandale, IA 50323. I am appalled and just want my headrest replacement. The parts manager found one in stock, but coincidentally it doesn't have the correct part number that Chrysler wants to honor to fix this for me. …
Brought Jepp Patriot 2016 to a car shop in Suisun City, CA and they did a thorough diagnostics of my Patriot and couldn't find out why my battery light was coming on. They checked the alternator and battery and they said they were fine. I was on a main street in Suisun City and as I was turning to the left the car died on me and completely shut off. It was hard to turn wheels and hard to push the brakes and I had people push me out of the street into a sidewalk near a house. I then decided to try start it and it started and I was able to make it to my daughter's house. My son-in-law and granddaughter used my car and hasn't had the battery light come on yet but that has happened to me several times where it would come on and turn back off. There was only one incident where it died on me so far and I'm hoping it won't do it again especially on a busier street. …
The driver headrest deployed without being in an accident. Took my vehicle to Phillips Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram dealership on November 24, 2025 and the associate informed of the recalls/warranty I have. The invoice comment from the dealership "Performed inspection driver side front headrest has failed cannot replace due to part being discontinued." This results in driving a vehicle that is unsafe. I spoke with Chrysler hotline regarding the issue 12/2, 12/3, 12/8, 12/17 and was given a case # 94878288 which was closed without the problem being fixed/repaired. Just trying to get this issue resolved while the part is a recall and covered through the warranty.
This vehicle had an air bag indicator light come on. After taking it to the dealer for diagnosis. It has a Restraint System Control Module that has quit responding and as a result has no Restraints that are operable. The part has been on order for over a month and the latest update from Chrysler says there is no ETA available due to the global microchip shortage. I am driving the vehicle out of necessity, but consider it unsafe.
The front passenger AHR unexpectedly deployed while the vehicle was parked. The vehicle was not involved in an accident. This incident happened on or about 05/12/2022. The driver AHR has not deployed, however, I am very concerned that an unexpected deployment might occur any time in the near or distant future.
The airbag light came on about 35 times, and I went to the dealer, they told me to come back later because the light wasn't illuminated, then I was told a sensor was broken, and they couldn't fix it, so that meant I would have zero airbags that worked.
The air bag in the drivers head rest exploded while my daughter was driving away at college, thankfully she was stopped at a red light she only had a mild concussion, this head rest exploded all on its on without warning or being in a wreck,
My air bag light keeps blinking off and on and my hood keeps rattling from coming loose in the front. And just like everyone my transmission doesn't act right they should have done recalled this car it was totally not worth 25000 dollars
Tl* the contact owns a 2016 Jeep Patriot. While attempting to turn into a parking lot, the contact removed her foot from the accelerator pedal to depress the brake pedal and the vehicle accelerated at rapid speed without warning. The contact attempted to depress the brake pedal, but the vehicle accelerated faster. As a result, the contact crashed into a medical building and injured another person. The other person sustained bruising to the chest that required medical attention. The contact sustained an injury to the left arm that required medical attention. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to klamath falls Honda (2810 washburn way, klamath falls, or 97603 [phone]), but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 11,000.
Takata recall. I was involved in a accident on March 14, 2016. I was stopped at a stop sign when a SUV was making a right turn to the street I was stopped waiting to make my right turn. The gentleman was speeding and took a hard right, he lost control of his vehicle and hit me full impact on the driver side. The entire driver side had to be replaced. The airbags did not inflate, the airbag lights did not turn on. At the impact that I was hit they should have gone off and no one knows or could explain why they didn't deploy. When my vehicle was repaired and I went to pick up, then the airbag lights were on and had to be reset and the seatbelt was not properly working (that had to be replaced)
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.
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 Patriot years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2016 Jeep Patriot?
NHTSA has 33 complaints about the air bags of the 2016 Jeep Patriot, 7% of the model year's 458 complaints. The component named most often is side/window › head (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2016 Jeep Patriot airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2016 Jeep Patriot, though it has 1 recall 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 2016 Jeep Patriot airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 18,000 miles, and 58% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 14 crashes, 1 fire and 13 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.