FaultScore

1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee airbag problems

36 of the 1,433 complaints about the 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee are about the airbag system — 3% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 135,298 miles.

F

36

Complaints

28

Crashes

2

Fires

13

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Frontal 22 61.1%
AIR Bags 10 27.8%
Sensor/Control Module 2 5.6%
Side/Window 2 5.6%

Airbags across every Jeep Grand Cherokee year

1993 25 1.1%
1994 38 1.7%
1995 30 1.3%
1996 34 1.5%
1997 36 1.6%
1998 36 1.6%
1999 84 3.7%
2000 60 2.7%
2001 26 1.2%
2002 488 21.7%
2003 257 11.4%
2004 328 14.6%
2005 95 4.2%
2006 61 2.7%
2007 29 1.3%
2008 40 1.8%
2009 12 0.5%
2010 10 0.4%
2011 60 2.7%
2012 43 1.9%
2013 33 1.5%
2014 209 9.3%
2015 103 4.6%
2016 11 0.5%
2017 15 0.7%
2018 23 1.0%
2019 19 0.8%
2020 17 0.8%
2021 18 0.8%
2023 10 0.4%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 120,000 miles Tavares, FL

AIR BAGS

THE HORN ON MY 1997 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE STOPPED WORKING A YEAR AGO, AFFECTING MY ABILITY TO WARN OTHERS OF SAFETY ISSUES. MECHANICS TELL ME THE HORN "BUTTON" IS EMBEDDED IN THE SAFETY AIRBAG IN THE STEERING WHEEL AND CAN ONLY BE FIXED BY REPLACING THE ENTIRE, COSTLY AIRBAG. THAT CAN BE HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS. I BELIEVE THAT HORN SWITCH REPLACEMENT SHOULD BE A RECALL ITEM AND THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD REPLACE THE SWITCH , WHICH REQUIRED REPLACING THE AIR BAG. OR, THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO ADD A SUPPLEMENTAL SWITCH ON THE DASH TO CONTROL THE HORN.

NHTSA complaint #11280884 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 140,000 miles Kingsport, TN Crash 1 killed

AIR BAGS

I HAVE CONTACTED YOUR OFFICE BEFORE FOLLOWING THE JAN. 24, 2014 CRASH THAT TOOK MY WIFE'S LIFE, ON THE VEHICLE INDICATED, IT WAS EQUIPPED WITH MICHELIN TIRES NOTED DURING THE PERIOD BEFORE THE RECALL THIS YEAR. I HAD CONTACTED YOU EARLIER ABOUT THE AIR BAGS ON A 1997 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE THAT FAILED TO DEPLOY IN THIS CRASH. COULD YOU PLEASE GET BACK TO ME TO DISCUSS THIS LATEST DEVELOPMENT IN WHAT COULD HAVE CAUSED THE DEATH OF MY WIFE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

NHTSA complaint #10588412 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 198,000 miles Columbus, NE Crash 2 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED AND THE OTHER DRIVER SUFFERED A BROKEN ARM. THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTIFY THE MANUFACTURER OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 198,000.

NHTSA complaint #10383248 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 224,000 miles NEW Albany, PA Crash

AIR BAGS

1997 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE LARAEDO 4 WHEEL DRIVE.

NHTSA complaint #10375563 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 140,000 miles Junction City, OR Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH HE REAR-ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED, AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. CONSEQUENTLY HE SUSTAINED MAJOR INJURIES TO HIS NECK, CHEST AND LEGS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HIS PLACE OF RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ACCORDING TO RECALL# 97V080000 (AIR BAGS: FRONTAL: SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE) IN 1997. A TECHNICIAN FROM THE DEALER WAS IN THE PROCESS OF DETERMINING THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. A POLICE REPORT WAS AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 140000.

NHTSA complaint #10286372 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 40,000 miles Susanville, CA Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

1997 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *TS ***NO ANS REQUIRED*** THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION WITH A BIG RIG. THE INSURANCE COMPANY DEEMED THE VEHICLE A TOTAL LOSS.

NHTSA complaint #10149744 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 110,000 miles Washington, MO Crash

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

CROSSED INTO INTERSECTION AND HIT A VEHICLE BROADSIDE TRAVELING APROX 55MPH (I WAS ALMOST STOPPED). EXTENSIVE FRONT END IMPACT DAMAGE TO JEEP. WILL PROBABLY BE TOTALED. NEITHER DRIVER, OR PASSENGER AIRBAG DEPLOYED.

NHTSA complaint #10033171 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 135,298 miles Cibolo, TX Crash 2 injured

AIR BAGS

I WAS DRIVING 45MPH WHEN THIS VEHICLE ENTERED THE ROAD WITHOUT LOOKING THE TRAFFIC AND I HIT HER ON THE BACK WITH MY 1997 JEEP. THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT DIDN'T LOCK, CAUSING MY DAUGHTER GOING FORWARD AND INJURING HER NECK; PLUS BOTH AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY.

NHTSA complaint #10025914 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Scranton, PA

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE

THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT DESIGN ALLOWS THE POTENTIAL FOR AN INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT UPON VEHICLE IGNITION SHUT DOWN. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AIR BAG ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED MODULE. THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT RECALLED DUE TO THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER. *AK

NHTSA complaint #10024710 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 55,000 miles Staten Island, NY Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY

NHTSA complaint #10003412 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fullerton, CA Crash

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

WHILE TRAVELING ABOUT 35MPH ON THE HIGHWAY HE T-BONE ANOTHER VEHICLE. AND THE DUAL AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. TS

NHTSA complaint #8023014 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Wickliffe, OH

AIR BAGS

HORN STUCK "ON" APROXIMATELY 6 TIMES OVER THE PAST YEAR.DEALER STATES BAD HORN CONTACTS.HAD HORN CONTACTS REPLACED IN STEERING WHEEL,DEALER SAYS DEFECTIVE AIRBAG PROHIBITS HORN FROM WORKING.HORN NOW STAYS "ON" ALL THE TIME.DEALER WANTS $700.00 TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE AIR-BAG.IN THE PROCESS OF CONTACTING CHRYSLER HOME OFFICE.

NHTSA complaint #765323 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Mandaville, LA Crash 2 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH AND WITHOUT WARNING, VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION. UPON IMACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT TO DEPLOY. CONSUMER SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES, VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK CONSUMER AND PASSENGER OF THE VEHICLE BOTH SUFFERED BACK AND NECK INJURIES. BOTH ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE PHYSICAL THERAPY.

NHTSA complaint #8014368 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Milford, VA 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH ON SMOOTH ROAD BOTH AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. CONSUMER SUFFERED SCRATCHES AND BRUISES.

NHTSA complaint #8010620 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

E. Peona, IL Crash

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION AND UPON IMPACT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. MANUFACTURER WILL BE CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #8009137 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Tampa, FL Crash

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

FRONTAL AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT, CAUSING CONSUMER TO REAR END A VEHICLE. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED.

NHTSA complaint #8004977 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Sunderland, MA Crash

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE 50MPH ACCIDENT OCCURRED, AND FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURHTER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #899876 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Sunderland, MA Crash

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

WHILE DRIVING 50MPH ACCIDENT OCCURRED, AND FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURHTER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #899878 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Jersey City, NJ Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

ALL DAMAGE TO FRONT SECTION, NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED.

NHTSA complaint #753389 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Freemont, IN Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

WHILE TRAVELING AROUND 45 TO 50 MPH CONSUMER'S VEHICLE IMPACTED ANOTHER VEHICLE ENTERING AN INTERSECTION. BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN EXAMINED TO DETERMINE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS. *DRIVER SUFFERED WHIPLASH.

NHTSA complaint #893366 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Tuckerton, NJ Crash

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

DESPITE $7500 IN DAMAGE, THE COLLISION FAILED TO DEPLOY ANY OF THE AIRBAGS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED BUT CHRYSLER CUSTOMER SERVICE EMPLOYEE WAS NOT INTERESTED IN TAKING DOWN THE INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #743414 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

West Paterson, NJ Crash 2 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. CONSUMER HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE WHEN OTHER VEHICLE CROSSED IN FRONT OF HER WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH. IMPACT OCCURRED ON RIGHT FRONT OF CONSUMER'S VEHICLE ,CAUSING $7500.00 IN DAMAGE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.

NHTSA complaint #885549 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Binghamton, NY Crash Fire

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

JEEP IN QUESTION, HIT BLACK ICE AND FLIPPED OVER GUARDRAIL .NEITHER OF AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, FRONT BUMPER TORE OFF. JEEP WAS TURNED OFF AT COMPLETION OF ROLLOVER, AND STILL BROKE INTO FLAMES.

NHTSA complaint #740006 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Columbia, TN Crash

AIR BAGS

VEHICLE HYDROPLANED GOING 70 MPH AND WENT OFF ONE SIDE OF ROAD. VEHICLE JUMPED BACK ONTO ROAD AND JUMPED DITCH IN MIDDLE OF INTERSTATE. VEHICLE CRASHED INTO OPPOSITE BANK OF DITCH AT APPROXIMATELY AN 80 DEGREE ANGLE, CRUSHING IN FRONT END FROM MIDDLE OF HOOD OVER TO DRIVERS SIDE OF VEHICLE. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. VEHICLE PIVOTED TOWARD PASSENGER SIDE, ROLLED OVER ONTO ROOF AND CAME TO A STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS CONSIDERED A TOTAL LOSS BY INSURANCE. JUDGING BY AMOUNT OF DAMAGE TO FRONT END, THE AIR BAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. JEEP WAS CONTACTED AND THEY SENT AN INVESTIGATOR. I CALLED JEEP EARLY ONE MORNING AND THEY STATED THEY DID NOT HAVE ALL THE INFORMATION TO TELL ME WHY THE AIRBAGS FAILED. FIFTEEN MINUTES LATER A JEEP REP. CALLED AND STATED THE AIR BAG SYSTEM IS WORKING PROPERLY AND THEY WERE NOT SUPPOSED TO DEPLOY. HOW DID THEY GET ALL THE INFO NEEDED IN FIFTEEN MINUTES? THE VEHCILE HIT HARD ENOUGH AT THAT ANGLE TO JAR REAR WINDOW ON PASSENGER SIDE LOOSE TO WHERE IT WAS ONLY HANGING ON BY BOTTOM SEAL. I MADE SURE TO TAKE PICTURES SHOWING THE AMOUNT OF DAMAGE TO VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #728840 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Chicago, IL

AIR BAGS

AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON ONLY IN THE WINTER. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY SAID THAT CONSUMER WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE AIRBAG CONTROL MODULE. CONSUMER INSISTED THIS IS PROBLEMS WAS THE SAME PROBLEM AS INDICATED IN RECALL 98V050000.

NHTSA complaint #863424 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Odessa, TX Crash

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW

ON A RAINY EVENING AS VEHICLE WAS APPROACHING A STOP SIGN IT VEERED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE, AND DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY.

NHTSA complaint #861443 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SAN Antonio, TX Crash

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

WHILE TRAVELING 50-55 MPH IN RAIN VEHICLE SKIDDED OUT OF CONTROL, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. UPON IMPACT, AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WITHOUT INDICATION . PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #860634 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Greenbore, MD Crash 2 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. FORCED OFF THE ROAD, VEHICLE STRUCK TWO TREES AND ROLLED OVER THREE TIMES. BOTH AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. DEALER NOTIFIED.

NHTSA complaint #855977 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fayettville, NY Crash

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING IN LIGHT SNOW AND DOING 5-10MPH WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND ABS ENGAGED. VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, CAUSING HIM TO REAREND VEHICLE IN FRONT. NO ONE WAS HURT, BUT THE AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY.

NHTSA complaint #855794 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Dallas, TX Crash

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 35MPH, WHEN VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT WITH THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, NO INJURIES. INSURANCE COMPANY HAD VEHICLE REPAIRED.

NHTSA complaint #833246 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee problems

← Full 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee report