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 Wrangler owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The airbag clock spring has failed causing an airbag light and shut down of airbag system. The part, Airbag clock spring with speed control has been discontinued by Jeep and nobody makes the 2001-2002 clock springs aftermarket.
Dt*: the contact stated the vehicle was involved in a crash and the driver side air bag failed to deploy. Upon exiting a blind curve at 40 MPH, in normal weather conditions, the contact was blinded by headlights from another vehicle. The contact lost control of the vehicle and hit a telephone pole head on. The driver was wearing a seat belt, however suffered a laceration to the face that required stitches. The police filed a report at the scene. The vehicle was inspected by the insurance company and will be repaired.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that while driving at various speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to jacksonville Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram arlington (9600 atlantic blvd, jacksonville, fl 32225) where it was diagnosed that the passenger air bag needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, years later the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 56,468.
Tl contact owns a 2001 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that his vehicle was involved in a frontal rollover crash while driving 45 MPH. The air bags failed to deploy. The rear seat was thrown from the vehicle. Ford stated that the air bags should not have deployed because it was a rollover crash. The driver sustained a concussion. A police report was filed. The current and failure mileages were 62,000.
Tl-contact owns a 2001 Jeep Wrangler--- spoke with Chrysler --- chrsyler stated no recalls on vehicle---horn in vehicle does not work at all and airbag light is on... Contact was given number to Jeep regarding air bag light....0 recalls associated with this VIN
As of 10-05 the air bag failure light intermittently remained lit after turning on the vehicle and the horn & cruise control items have failed to function at all. These items are all under the control of the clock spring mechanism located in the front steering, common to the Jeep Wrangler and Chrysler Mini-vans. Chrysler Mini-vans were recalled for this failure. When I asked how long it would take for this item to come in, I was told by the Chrysler/Jeep dealer that this mechanism gets replaced in mass volume and they keep them as a stock item at the dealership because of it. The dealers service rep also added that they would like to see this become a safety recall item. As of 12-05 the safety items will be restored by replacing the clock spring mechanism at a charge to the owner. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that while driving over water, the vehicle hydroplaned and caused the contact to crash into a tree. The frame was severely fractured and the vehicle was crumpled as a result of the severe impact. The air bags did not deploy. The contact sustained a severe concussion at the level two degree. The police arrived on scene to assist and stated that due to the severity and force of the impact, the air bags should have deployed. The vehicle was towed to a local repair facility who also stated that the air bags should have deployed. The vehicle was not repaired and the VIN was not available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not inspected for the cause of the hydroplaning failure or the air bags failure. The VIN was not available. The failure and the current mileages were unknown.
My wife lost control of vehicle on city streets. She was going approximately 20 - 25 MPH. She went into a resident yard where she hit a 8 to 10" dia. Tree and went over it. She then continued across side street and into another yard where she came to a stop against another tree approx- 6 to 8" dia. The seat belt appears to have worked as expected but the airbag did not deploy. She hit her lip on the steering wheel and required many stitches to repair it. She also had large contusions on both of her shins. The bumper was pushed into the radiator. The grill was pushed into the radiator. Both front fenders were buckled as was the hood. Why didn't the airbag deploy?
2001 Jeep Wrangler se . Air bags warning light failure. Intermittent illumination of the air bag warning light occurred when vehicle was operating in reverse gear.when operating the vehicle in reverse gear , 5-sp manual transmission , the airbag warning light illuminates, after going forward a short distance, warning light went out. It has occurred 3 times over 3 day period. Airbag has not deployed; no corrective action has been performed; dealership has not been notified.
Refer to odi id number : 10185714; airbag warning light now stays on constantly; horn no longer works; dealership where pruchased notified; service scheduled; appears to be common problem with the air bags frontal sensor/control module where water and/or road salt in the proximity of the air bag control module could lead to corrosion ,and such corrosion can lead to illumination of the air bag warning light or could allow inadvertent deployment of the air bags.
Airbag complaints in other Wrangler years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2001 Jeep Wrangler?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the air bags of the 2001 Jeep Wrangler, 12% of the model year's 170 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (7 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Jeep Wrangler airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2001 Jeep Wrangler, though it has 3 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 Wrangler airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 55,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 11 crashes, 0 fires and 10 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.