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 Wrangler owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Wrangler. The contact recently replaced the windshield wiper motor due to a failure of the intermittent speed settings not functioning properly. The contact stated that after replacing the wiper motor, the contact was only able to use the wipers on the fast speed setting. An independent mechanic informed the contact that the vehicle was taken to the shop for repair, or he could replace the wiper blade switch on the steering column. The contact repaired the vehicle himself. The contact stated that after the repair was completed, while driving out of the driveway at approximately 2 MPH, the driver's side front air bag deployed. The contact followed the instructions to install the wiper blade switch carefully. The contact was still only able to use the wipers on the fast speed setting. The vehicle was not repaired. …
The airbags did not go off when I was struck from the front. Impact was 40 to 50MPH. AAA insurance carrier says its a complete loss with over $31,000 worth or repairs. They are salvaging the Jeep. The Jeep is at my home and available for inspection until AAA insurance takes it away. I was the only one in the Jeep when it was hit. With only the seatbelt to restrain me it severely twisted my body to the left. I have head, neck, back pain with 6 herniated disks. I have dizziness, nausea and loud nonstop ringing in the ears. Airbags have not been inspected by anyone. Only the damages were inspected by the insurance carrier. No warning lights, messages or symptoms prior to the accident.
The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that upon attempting to alert a gateman using the horn, the horn failed to function. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the clock spring. The contact was informed that the clock spring needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V288000 (Air Bags), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 106,000.
The contact owned a 2016 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, another vehicle driving at high speeds rear-ended the contact's vehicle, causing her vehicle to flip over twice; however, no air bags were deployed. The contact sustained a fractured tibia, fibula, and pelvis that required 6 surgeries with 1 surgery pending medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard. The vehicle was deemed totaled by the insurance company. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated while driving at undisclosed speeds, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the dealer retrieved DTC: B1B06 (faulty air bag located in the steering wheel). The contact was informed that the air bag in the steering wheel needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHSTA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 71,368.
The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the traction control warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was not skidding at the time. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a failing clock spring. The contact was informed that the clock spring needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 34,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer and diagnosed with needing the clock spring replaced however, the vehicle was not repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V288000 (Air Bags) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 69,000.
was in a 4way stop approaching it actually .I was going eastbound the other motorist was going south bound. He made a right turnouts west bound lane but he took it without slowing down for stop sign he didn't stop at all .he drove onto my front bumper side head on at a fast rate ofspeed.his airbags deployed my did not. I had my seat belt on but my airbags did go off.i got jerked around violently my head has not stopped from hurting and been dizzy and nauseous lately
I recently got into an accident in my 2016 Jeep Wrangler. My airbags never deployed however. Also my buttons on the left side of my steering wheel do not work and my horn does not work. After realizing all this I believe it is an issue with the clock spring. I did research and found in 2024 there was a recall for the clock spring but only in the RHD model. My car is a LHD model but it seems the same issue has occurred and my clock spring failed.
My wife was involved in an injury accident 12/02/2023 due to failure of the ABS Module not activating and the Air bag system not deploying. She was cut off by a hit and run driver. She slammed on the brakes went into an uncontrollable skid lost control on the Highway went off the road tumbled end over end 4 times no air bag deployment. No ABS or Air bag warning lights were on both systems failed.
Related recalls
Air bags › Frontal › Driver clockspring/spiral cassette
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) (Stellantis) is recalling certain right hand drive 2016 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. Debris contamination may cause the clockspring to fail, preventing the driver's air bag from deploying in a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the clockspring, steering wheel back cover, and steering column shrouds, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 4, 2024.
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2010 Dodge Ram 3500, Ram 4500/5500, 2010-2011 Dodge Dakota, 2010-2014 Dodge Challenger, 2010-2015 Dodge Challenger, Chrysler 300, and 2010-2016 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge.
Air bags › Frontal › Sensor/control module-inactive
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Jeep Wrangler vehicles manufactured June 16, 2015, to August 14, 2016. In certain crash conditions, the front impact sensor wiring may be pulled until it detaches before a signal can be received by the Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC).
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will reroute the front impact sensor wiring and relocate the impact sensor branch, free of charge. The recall began on November 10, 2016.
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2016 Right Hand Drive Jeep Wrangler vehicles manufactured February 16, 2010, to May 2, 2016. The clockspring assembly may become contaminated with dust and cause the air bag circuit to fail.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the clockspring, wheel back cover, and column shroud, free of charge. The recall began on August 11, 2016.
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 Wrangler years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2016 Jeep Wrangler?
NHTSA has 77 complaints about the air bags of the 2016 Jeep Wrangler, 17% of the model year's 462 complaints. The component named most often is frontal › driver clockspring/spiral cassette (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2016 Jeep Wrangler airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 24V-196 (driver clockspring/spiral cassette, Mar 14, 2024); NHTSA recall 19V-018 (inflator module, Jan 15, 2019); NHTSA recall 16V-734 (sensor/control module-inactive, Oct 13, 2016). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2016 Jeep Wrangler airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 64,000 miles, and 29% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 20 crashes, 1 fire and 27 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.