FaultScore

2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee airbag problems

23 of the 1,211 complaints about the 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee are about the airbag system — 2% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 14,777 miles.

F

23

Complaints

10

Crashes

0

Fires

8

Injuries

Exactly what failed

AIR Bags 23 100.0%

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.

Westaugusta, VA Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

I was traveling south on Lee Jackson hwy in Staunton Va at about 40 to 45 mph and was t-boned on the right passenger side with the impact just in front of the passenger door and front quarter panel. The damage ended up being all the way to the right rear passenger door. None of the air bags or side curtain airbags deployed.

NHTSA complaint #11747166 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bradenton, FL

AIR BAGS

While driving my 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited 4x2, the driver side Active Head Restraint deployed without any collision, rear impact, crash, or other triggering event. There was a sudden loud bang directly behind my head, which startled me and created an immediate safety distraction while the vehicle was in motion. I did not know what had happened at the time. The head restraint remains deployed/open and cannot be reset. The vehicle was not involved in a crash, there was no rear impact, and there was no airbag deployment. FCA/Stellantis has issued an X88 Active Head Restraint warranty extension for certain Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles involving inadvertent deployment of the front Active Head Restraint where it cannot be reset due to internal damage. My vehicle appears to have experienced the same failure mode, but Jeep/Stellantis has advised that my VIN does not qualify for X88 coverage, apparently because the vehicle was built after the selected warranty extension population. My vehicle build date is January 2018, with MDH 011623. I am filing this complaint because this was a safety related head restraint failure that occurred while driving without a collision. The sudden deployment caused a loud impact immediately behind my head and created a dangerous distraction. I am concerned that vehicles outside the current X88 warranty population may still be experiencing the same inadvertent Active Head Restraint failure. The vehicle was factory ordered and delivered in February 2018, which may explain the later January 2018 build date, but it is still a 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee and appears to have experienced the same inadvertent Active Head Restraint failure mode described in FCA’s X88 warranty extension.

NHTSA complaint #11743217 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Antioch, IL

AIR BAGS

While driving my Jeep Grand Cherokee, the front passenger headrest suddenly deployed forward with a loud popping/exploding sound. There was no collision, no impact, and no warning before it happened. Fortunately, no one was sitting in the passenger seat at the time. If a passenger had been seated there, the headrest could have struck them in the back of the head or neck and potentially caused serious injury. This appears to be a dangerous safety defect involving the Active Head Restraint system. Based on information I found from other Jeep Grand Cherokee owners reporting similar failures, the issue may involve a faulty plastic bracket or internal component in the Active Head Restraint that can fail under pressure and cause the headrest to deploy unexpectedly. Other owners have reported injuries such as head, neck, and concussion-type injuries from similar incidents. I am concerned that this failure happened during normal driving conditions and without any crash or trigger event. This creates a serious risk to vehicle occupants and could also startle the driver, potentially causing a crash. I am requesting that NHTSA review this issue and determine whether my vehicle is affected by an existing recall or whether additional investigation or recall action is needed.

NHTSA complaint #11740448 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

League City, TX

AIR BAGS

The active head restraint on my driver seat deployed and pushed my head forward suddenly. I could not push my head back into position. This happened while driving on the evening of May 3. I have a 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo. I was not able to reset the head rest position. I took the vehicle to the dealership. They said that the whole headrest needed to be replaced. It could not be reset because the molded plastic piece was degraded. From a search online this appears to be common in the 2014-2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee with active head restraints. Even though this is a failure of the equipment, and other Jeep Grand Cherokees from 2014 -2018 received a 10-year extension on their head restraints, the dealership and Jeep Customer Care said that my vehicle is not covered. Nor will they let me buy a seat from them that does not use the active head restraint. They said that because My vehicle's VIN specifies a vehicle with active head restraints, they cannot sell me otherwise. I will not be comfortable driving this vehicle again with an active head restraint that could randomly fail and punch my head forward while I am in rush hour traffic. I believe this is a safety risk as it is disorienting to not know why your head is suddenly pushed down and forward while you are driving at 45 mph. Distracting the driver in such a way endangers the driver, passengers, and other vehicles' occupants on the same roadway. It throws off your view of the roadway and your mirrors. There were no warnings ahead of time.

NHTSA complaint #11739582 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Waterford, MI

AIR BAGS

AIR BAG LIGHT LIGHT IS ON DOES NOT SHOW UP ON DIAGNOSTIC

NHTSA complaint #11719086 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Draper, UT

AIR BAGS

My passenger headrest is coming apart spontaneously. It has an active airbag system. Apparently my vin is just outside a known recall range. I have called Jeep and the dealership, both stated i needed to report to NHTSA. The Jeep will be serviced tomorrow at the dealership for diagnosis and repairs.

NHTSA complaint #11695718 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Alma, AR

AIR BAGS

My ACC/FCW LIGHT IS ON, I HAVE NOT BEEN IN A CRASH. AND WHILE DRIVING AFTER THIS LIGHT CAME ON MY PASSENGER HEADREST AIRBAG BROKE APART. AND MY CRUISE CONTROL IS OUT, ALONG WITH TRACTION CONTROL. MY CAR JUST WENT HAYWIRE.

NHTSA complaint #11693209 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Silverton, OR

AIR BAGS

Active head restraint went off while parked in a parking lot with individual sitting in affected seat. No accident/collision happened, no warning lights or other symptoms prior.

NHTSA complaint #11610723 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Taylorsville, UT

AIR BAGS

There is a faulty connection so the airbags may not deploy

NHTSA complaint #11608860 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Mchenry, IL Crash 2 injured

AIR BAGS

Air Bags Failed to Deploy During An Accident Vehicle Hit A Tree No Warning Lamps Prior To Accident Vehicle Towed Due To Damage Vehicle Deemed Totaled By Insurance Company

NHTSA complaint #11601592 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Chillicothe, OH Crash

AIR BAGS

Brakes failed when attempting to slow down, ABS kicked in on dry blacktop with no lights on dash before locking up and throwing the vehicle off of the road. Caused me to wreck into a tree head on at 50 mph. Seatbelt did not lock up and airbags did not deploy. Vehicle was totaled with heavy front end damage including a bent and snapped frame. Prior to incident had issues with low beam headlights not working/going out prematurely. Was told by Herrenstein Jeep in Chillicothe this was not an electrical issue. Low beam headlights failed again 2 weeks prior to incident.

NHTSA complaint #11587975 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Pendleton, IN

AIR BAGS

Airbag warning light came on. Took to Jeep dealership and they did diagnostic . Their finding: Code ORC-B0028-13, right side seat diployment squib 1 circuit open dx. Found wiring is not damaged in connectors . Needs new front seat passenger air bag. Car has never had front end damage.

NHTSA complaint #11570392 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 70,000 miles Carson City, NV

AIR BAGS

The contact's daughter owns a 2018 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, her daughter closed the driver's door and the passenger's side frontal air bag deployed inadvertently. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the air bag needed to be replaced due to the rollover sensor being alerted. The contact stated that the vehicle was not in an accident. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

NHTSA complaint #11560170 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 24,000 miles Schaumburg, IL Crash 2 injured

AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at 70 MPH, she rear-ended another vehicle. The air bags did not deploy upon impact. The contact hit her head and her left leg on the steering wheel. The other driver was treated at the scene for unknown injuries. The contact sought medical attention at the hospital; no injuries were treated. A police report was filed. The contact was instructed by the police officer that she was able to drive the vehicle home; however, several warning lights appeared on the instrument panel. As she attempted to resume normal driving, the vehicle downshifted upon the depression of the accelerator pedal; she then pulled over and had the vehicle towed to her home. The next day, the vehicle was initially towed to an independent mechanic; but was then towed to a second independent mechanic by her insurance where the vehicle was deemed a total loss. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and an investigation was performed on the vehicle; the investigation concluded that since the brakes were depressed, the vehicle was not traveling at a rate of speed for the airbags to deploy. The failure mileage was approximately 24,000.

NHTSA complaint #11470891 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Upland, CA 1 injured

AIR BAGS

On October 23, 2021 my daughter and I got into our vehicle a 2018 jeep grand cherokee and as I started the vehicle the passenger side headrest deployed unexpectedly striking my daughter in the back of the head causing severe pain which ultimately turn to a very bad headache , this is the second occurrence of this issue the first being back in mid 2020 on the drivers side headrest which I also sustained a very intense blow to the back unexpectedly. I also filed a report on that incident with the NHTSA. This is not acceptable and I am almost positive that their are many people out there that have experienced the same issue but have not reported it! Now being there is no recall of this issue its not right for me or anyone to have to pay out of pocket for a clearly defective issue! This repair should be the Jeep Corporation and not the consumer perhaps I should look into some Law firm for help on this matter!

NHTSA complaint #11438686 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Glenwood, IL Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

In accident 2/23/21, vehicle was T- boned in intersection which sent me into cement overpass. No airbags dash or side deployed. Vehicle was total loss.

NHTSA complaint #11421914 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Upland, CA

AIR BAGS

On May 24,2021 while in vehicle the headrest deployed for no reason at all striking me in the back of the head, had i been actively moving this i feel could have been dangerous. fortunately i was at a stop. I have since then contacted my local dealership and will be taking vehicle in for repair. My concern now is could this happen again? I had no clue this was affecting other vehicles as well until it happened to me, i went online to research headrest deployment and found this is a huge problem! I'm not comfortable with fact that when my wife is driving this vehicle that the possibility of headrest deployment exist!

NHTSA complaint #11418667 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 17,554 miles Ashland, KY Crash

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2018 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN AND UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. WHILE SHIFTING INTO PARK, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A POLE AND THE POLE ENDED UP UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE SHIFTED INTO REVERSE TO VIEW THE DAMAGE. THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO PARK A SECOND TIME, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A BUILDING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WITH THE IMPACT THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT DID NOT SUSTAIN INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER YET. THE INSURANCE DEEMED THE VEHICLE AS TOTALED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 17,554. Consumer stated manufacturer has been notified. An independent investigator was hired, and report made.

NHTSA complaint #11348779 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 18 miles Seattle, WA

AIR BAGS

I HAVE PROBLEM AND I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THIS VEHICLE

NHTSA complaint #11342485 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 18,400 miles Prattville, AL Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

A PERSON HIT MY FRONT LEFT PANEL NEAR MY DRIVER DOOR AND I WAS THROWN AROUND LIKE A RAG DOLL EVEN THOUGH I HAD MY SEAT BELT ON. THIS IS EXTREMELY JUST AWFUL SINCE WE BOUGHT THIS BECAUSE THE NUMBER OF AIRBAGS. THIS DRIVER OF THE OTHER VEHICLE RAN A LIGHT AND PLOWED INTO ME. I WAS DRIVING 40MPH AND DON'T KNOW HOW FAST HE WAS GOING.*DT

NHTSA complaint #11342158 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 12,000 miles Fairfield, CT Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. WHILE THE CONTACT'S WIFE WAS STOPPED IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC, A TRACTOR TRAILER CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS IN ECONOMY MODE AT THE TIME OF THE CRASH. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE DRIVER STRUCK HER HEAD ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND SUSTAINED HEAD INJURIES. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS RECEIVED. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE CONTACT CALLED NORTHWEST HILLS CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE RAM (2033 E MAIN ST, TORRINGTON, CT 06790, (860) 482-0700), BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000. *DT *DT THE CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY.

NHTSA complaint #11193676 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 3,000 miles Madisonville, KY Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

ON 01/09/19 MY WIFE WAS INVOLVED IN A SINGLE VEHICLE ACCIDENT IN WHICH HER VEHICLE RAN OFF THE ROADWAY DOWN AN EMBANKMENT RESULTING IN THE VEHICLE SUSTAINING A TOTAL LOSS OF THE VEHICLE DUE TO DAMAGES. THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED AS IT HIT SOME TYPE OF BARRIER WHICH DESTROYED THE UNDER CARRIAGE STRIKING TWO TREES BEFORE IT CAME TO REST ABOUT 300 YARDS OFF THE ROADWAY. MY CONCERN IS THAT NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED IN THIS HORRIFIC ACCIDENT WHICH FORTUNATELY MY WIFE ONLY SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES.

NHTSA complaint #11166806 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 195 miles Somerville, MA Crash

AIR BAGS

I WAS TRAVELING SOUTH ON CAMBRIDGE RD. AS I WAS APPROACHING A SHOPPING PLAZA, A VEHICLE WAS ATTEMPTING TO EXIT THE PARKING LOT OF THE PLAZA ALSO HEADING SOUTH. AS THE VEHICLE WAS ATTEMPTING TO MAKE THE LEFT HAND TURN, IT PULLED IN FRONT OF MY CAR, DRIVING ME OFF THE ROAD. I HAD TO SWERVE OUT OF THE WAY TO AVOID HITTING THAT CAR, AND WHEN I DID I CRASHED INTO AN ELECTRICAL POLE, DESTROYING THE ENTIRE FRONT END AND TOTALING THE CAR. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THIS IS WHY I'M FILING THIS REPORT.

NHTSA complaint #11144724 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee problems

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