2008 Jeep Wrangler Airbag Problems

Which parts fail

• Frontal
  8
• Frontal › Driver clockspring/spiral cassette
  1

Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  61%
• 25k–50k
  8017%
• 50k–75k
  15133%
• 75k–100k
  12527%
• 100k–150k
  8719%
• 150k+
  102%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2008 Jeep Wrangler owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owns a 2008 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the air bag clockspring had failed. The vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V176000 (Air Bags). The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring while driving. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V290000 (Air Bags) however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the clock spring was replaced. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring and the turn signal switches were no longer responding. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who informed the contact that she would be responsible for the cost of the repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. …

The contact owns a 2008 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V290000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated that MOPAR was contacted regarding parts availability and the contact was informed that approval had not been granted to distribute the parts for the repair through the parts hub. The failure mileage was 111,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

Car was purchased 1 hour prior to incident from a dealership. Car was in idle and was shifted to drive and automatically accelerated rapidly without foot on gas pedal and breaks did not work when breaks were forcefully applied during the incident. The car crashed into a house deck and went off the cement pad and crashed into trees in the yard. Unable to remove key from ignition, had to be placed in neutral to remove key. We had the car for less than an hour after purchase. Damage was sustained to the deck and significant damage to car, air bags did not deploy. Claim was immediately filed with insurance.

The contact owns a 2008 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that the horn, alarm, windows, and windshield wipers spontaneously engaged. There were several unknown warning lights flashing. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the clockspring needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The contact was then informed that the TIPM needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified if the failure, however, no additional assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 125,000. The VIN was not available.

The RHD Jeep Wranglers had a recall on all the clock springs. I had mine fixed, it lasted a year and then broke again. Every mail carrier I know has the same issue. I believe the recall needs to become a lifetime recall, not a singular recall. They are all failing again causing postal employees to be at risk for fatality with the airbag failing to deploy.

Have tried twice by phone to request the closest Jeep dealership recommended on the numerous recall cards mailed to have recalls fixed at Williams Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, 1100 E Main st., Stigler, OK. 74462. Each contact with dealership to get appointment to fix recalls fixed the individual asks "what is the VIN number?" give requested info then ask "Did you purchase at our location?" No we did not was purchased in Texas when husband was on R&R from being deployed in Middle East. The person then states"Give good contact number and when the parts arrive will call to make appt to fix recalls." This has been over six month period with no calls or resolution. I am [redacted] and need to have reliable and above all safe transportation for my spouse who retired 24 yrs active army to drive me. …

"On March 4, 2022, Customer Satisfaction Notification S33 (Airbag Clockspring Recall Remedy) was performed on my 2008 Jeep Wrangler by an authorized dealer at 123,314 miles. The vehicle now has 137, 347 miles. The replacement clockspring provided as the official safety remedy has completely failed after only roughly 15,000 miles of driving, illuminating the SRS airbag warning light and completely disabling the supplemental restraint system. The manufacturer's mandated remedy has failed to permanently correct the safety defect, creating a recurring hazard." Tom O'Brian dealership and Stellanis have both refused to repair clockspring which is either defective repair item. "Stellantis corporate directed me to speak with you directly regarding a safety component failure. Tom O'Brien Jeep performed the S33 clockspring campaign on my Wrangler at 123,314 miles. …

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that the brake pedal was slow to respond and the slippery road warning light flashed while driving during inclement weather. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 MPH, the brake pedal was applied but failed to respond causing the contact to crash into the rear of another vehicle. The air bags did not deploy and the contact did not sustain any injuries. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 10V236000 (service brakes, hydraulic) and 08V202000 (service brakes, hydraulic). The vehicle was towed to an unknown location and was not diagnosed or repaired. . The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 95,000.

July 10, 2015: driving to work approximately 8:15 am cst. Car in front of me stopped suddenly and I felt the breaks were not slowing the vehicle down enough to avoid impact. With a vehicle on my right, my only option was to go left. I never saw the truck in the oncoming lane and hit head on. The airbag did not deploy on the driver's side. It did deploy on the passenger side, but no one else was in the vehicle with me. The upper body portion of the seat belt did not restrain me and I slammed face first into the steering wheel. I suffered a broken and dislocated wrist that required surgery, severe bruising of face, arms, chest, hips and legs. I feel this is a huge safety concern and should be rectified immediately.

Tl* the contact owned a 2008 Jeep Wrangler. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the steering wheel suddenly and erroneously turned to the left. As a result, the contact drove into the opposite lane facing oncoming traffic. A second vehicle crashed into the passenger side door of the contact's vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. The front seat passenger sustained a fractured right leg, and injuries to the ribs, head, and right hip. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 150,000.

Related recalls

NHTSA investigations

Airbag complaints in other Wrangler years