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2009 Jeep Wrangler airbags problems

104 complaints (28% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 64,000. 4 crashes reported.

owner complaints
104
of this car's complaints
28%
typical mileage
64,000
crashes
4
recalls
5

Which part fails

  • Frontal
    2

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Jeep Wrangler airbags problems in other years

1994200020052010201520202026

Specific symptoms reported on the 2009 Jeep Wrangler airbags

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Airbag light 68

Related recalls

Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator moduleReported January 9, 2018 · 328,177 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Challenger and Dodge Charger vehicles, and 2009-2011 Dodge Dakota vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, Chrysler is recalling certain 2009-2010 RAM 4500 Cab Chassis, RAM 5500 Cab Chassis, RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Dakota, Dodge Challenger, and Dodge Charger vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Chrysler is also recalling certain 2009 RAM 3500, RAM 2500, RAM 4500 Cab Chassis, RAM 5500 Cab Chassis, Dodge Durango, Chrysler Aspen, RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Dakota, Dodge Challenger, and Dodge Charger vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these passenger air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
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. The recall began February 28, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U03.

Recall number 18V021000 · Recall details

Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator moduleReported May 24, 2016 · 4,648,270 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) expanded the affected population to include 73,712 2005-2009 RAM 2500 trucks produced at the St. Louis North Assembly Plant. With this change, Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2010 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2010 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2009 Dodge Durango, 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2012 Jeep Wrangler, 2008-2012 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2012 Chrysler 300, 2006-2012 Dodge Charger, 2005-2011 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Chrysler is also recalling 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2009 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2009 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2009 Dodge Durango, 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2009 Jeep Wrangler, 2008-2009 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2009 Chrysler 300, 2006-2009 Dodge Charger, 2005-2009 Dodge Dakota and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in AZ, AR, DE, Washington D.C., IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV, or "Zone B." Lastly, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Chrysler is recalling certain 2005-2008 RAM 2500, 2006-2008 RAM 3500, 2007-2008 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2008 Dodge Durango, 2007-2008 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2008 Jeep Wrangler, 2008 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2008 Chrysler 300, 2006-2008 Dodge Charger, 2005-2008 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2008 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or registered, in AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY.
Risk
These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. These inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy
Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and RAM owners. Mitsubishi owners will be notified by their company. Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on March 27, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S43. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V-7700.

Recall number 16V352000 · Recall details

Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator moduleReported May 11, 2016 · 388,532 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Jeep Wrangler JK vehicles manufactured March 2, 2006, to August 13, 2010. The clockspring assembly may become contaminated with dust and cause the air bag circuit to fail.
Risk
Failure of the air bag circuit may prevent the driver's frontal air bag from deploying in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the clockspring, wheel back cover, and column shroud, free of charge. The recall began on December 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S33.

Recall number 16V290000 · Recall details

Air bagsReported May 7, 2013 · 5,440 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 Jeep Wrangler right-hand drive vehicles manufactured February 1, 2007, through October 10, 2011. The affected vehicles have airbag clockspring assemblies that could experience broken airbag circuits.
Risk
In the event of a crash necessitating airbag deployment, a broken electrical circuit in the airbag clockspring wiring assembly can lead to non-deployment of the driver-side frontal airbag and will not be able to properly protect the driver, increasing the risk of injuries.
Remedy
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the clockspring and add a steering wheel dust shield, free of charge. The recall began on June 10, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1‑800‑247‑9753. This recall supercedes the federal safety agency recall 11V‑528. Chrysler's recall campaign number is M31.

Recall number 13V176000 · Recall details

Air bags: frontalReported November 2, 2011 · 5,437 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 right hand drive (rhd) jeep wrangler vehicles manufactured from february 1, 2007, through october 10, 2011. Some vehicles may be equipped with driver's airbag clockspring assemblies that could experience a compromised airbag circuit resulting in an airbag lamp illumination, which indicates that the airbag may not deploy.
Risk
A broken electrical circuit in the airbag clockspring wiring assembly can lead to non-deployment of the driver frontal airbag and will not be able to properly protect the driver in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injuries.
Remedy
Chrysler will notify owners and remedy the vehicles as necessary free of charge. Chrysler will mail to owners an interim notification during march 2012. Owners may contact chrysler at 1‑800‑853‑1403.

Recall number 11V528000 · Recall details

Related investigations

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator RuptureOpened September 17, 2021, still open

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. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

EA21002

Air Bag Clockspring Wiring FailureOpened December 4, 2015, closed July 6, 2016

On May 10, 2016, Fiat Chrysler America (FCA) submitted a Part 573 Defect Information Report announcing the federal safety agency recall 16V290 involving 394,258 model year (MY) 2007-2010 Jeep Wrangler vehicles.Under the recall FCA will replace the clockspring and install a steering wheel back cover and steering wheel column shroud.This recall also includes approx. 4,524 MY2007-2010 right hand drive (RHD) Jeep Wrangler vehicles commonly used for rural postal delivery services.In addition 7,180 MY 2011-2016 right hand drive Jeep Wrangler vehicles were also recalled under 16V288, the same remedy repair will be used.Upon review of the 1,942 MY 2007-2010 Jeep Wrangler consumer complaints, 17,195 warranty reports and field returned parts assessment, FCA concluded that a defect exists in the driver side clockspring assembly, a device that both connects (electrically) the driver air bag to the control module and allows rotational movement between the steering wheel and fixed steering column.Clockspring failure may compromise the air bag circuit causing illumination of the air bag warning lamp, and may result in non-deployment of the driver air bag in a frontal crash.FCA identified a contributing factor in that the recalled vehicles may be subjected to off-road dusty environments and/or usage with the vehicle roof top/doors removed thus allowing dust and moisture to enter the clockspring assembly.FCA advised that the MY 2011 and later Wrangler vehicles had an improved steering column cover/shroud that may reduce the amount of dirt/moisture that can enter the clockspring assembly.During the investigation FCA and the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) also reviewed 193 MY 2011-2012 Jeep Wrangler consumer complaints, 3,918 warranty reports and field returned parts along with reports from other FCA vehicles that use the same clockspring assembly.Based on this review, the rate of repair and the failure mode does not indicate a defect trend at this time in the later MY Wrangler or other FCA vehicles.During the field return parts review, FCA found a significant number of MY 2011-2012 Wrangler returned parts that operated normally, the so called ?no trouble found? or NTF parts where no fault could be identified through bench testing.On June 10, 2016, FCA informed ODI of its intention to conduct a 15-yr, 150k mile extended warranty program due to the NTF issue and the MY 2011 and later vehicles having a somewhat elevated level of warranty replacement.Consumers will be notified of the program in writing.FCA will collect clocksprings replaced under the warranty extension program to further examine and study the root cause failure.ODI will monitor FCA?s analysis to determine if any further field action is warranted.Based on the actions taken by FCA to recall the MY 2007-2010 Jeep Wrangler vehicles and the MY 2008-2016 right hand drive Wrangler vehicles, this investigation is closed.FCA has also agreed to conduct a warranty extension and further evaluation of the MY 2011-2016 Wrangler.At the time of FCA's field data submission in PE 15-025 (September 2015), ODI was aware of a total of 416 MY 2007-2010 and 23 MY 2011-2012 VOQs relevant to this issue.In addition, there have been an additional 90 and 16 VOQs (respectively) received since the recall announcement (i.e., thru May 2016).The reports noted above can be viewed at under the reference (ODI) numbers cited on the attached listing.

EA15007

Air Bag Clockspring Wiring FailureOpened June 19, 2015, closed December 7, 2015

In it's response to ODI's PE15-025 Information Request letter, FCA identified 1,703 consumer complaints, field reports and legal claims responsive to the subject defect condition on the subject Wrangler vehicles.Six of these reports alleged an air bag non-deployment in a crash in which either the air bag warning light was allegedly on or came on afterward the crash, one of which also alleged injuries as a result of the non-deployment.FCA also provided data on other make, model and model year vehicles using the same clockspring.Additionally FCA provided 16,955 warranty claims related to the replacement of the air bag clockspring wiring assembly.It should be noted that FCA initiated an Extended Warranty Program on the left hand drive MY 2007 Wrangler in late calendar year 2011.6,777 of these claims are from the MY 2007 left hand drive Wrangler.FCA advises that some of the warranty claims involved clockspring failures that would not affect the air bag operation, for example due to noise, cruise control and/or radio operation issues.Many of these claims involved newer model year subject vehicles.FCA also noted that Wrangler's removable roof and door configuration may make it more susceptible to outdoor water/moisture and dust ingress.ODI investigated the right hand drive Wrangler in calender year 2011 for a similar clockspring issue under PE11-019.That investigation lead to the federal safety agency Safety Recall 11V258 on right hand drive model year (MY) 2008-2012 Wranglers.FCA redesigned the remedy clockspring to improve its durability and environmental protection and revised the design of the steering wheel to column shroud.Base on the data reviewed, this Preliminary Analysis (PE) is being upgraded to an Engineering Analysis (EA).The reports cited above are listed in the public investigative file available at under this investigation ID.

PE15025

What 2009 Jeep Wrangler owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Sep 17, 2026 · Airbags · NV · crash · 1 injury

oN 5-22-26 I was involved in a MVA. I was in a head on collision. My airbags did not deploy. I suffered a brain bleed and now have an aneurysm thought to have been caused by the trauma. My head hit the windshield. The vehicle is in my warehouse and has not been tampered with since the accident. I feel that the airbag should have deployed and in the very least the seatbelt should have kept me from hitting the windshield.

Filed Aug 27, 2026 · Airbags, Electrical · OH

Crinkling noise when turning the wheel either way, horn randomly honks, red air bag on, bas esp light on

Filed Aug 27, 2026 · Airbags, Electrical · OH

horn honks on its own, crinkling while turning wheel, airbag light on dash, esp, bas lights on dash

Filed Apr 17, 2026 · Airbags, Brakes · NY

The contact owns a 2009 Jeep Wrangler. The contact received notifications of the federal safety agency Campaign Numbers: 10V236000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic), 16V290000 (Air Bags), and 18V021000 (Air Bags); however, the parts required to complete the recall repairs were not available. The contact stated that the dealer had been contacted several times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer confirmed that parts were not yet available and were on back order. The dealer informed the contact that parts for the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 10V23600 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); had been discontinued. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that the parts were discontinued. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The contact had not experienced a failure.

Filed Apr 2, 2026 · Airbags · NY

The contact owns a 2009 Jeep Wrangler. The contact received notifications of the federal safety agency Campaign Numbers: 18V021000 (Air Bags) and 16V290000 (Air Bags); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not yet available. The dealer had been waiting for parts for over a month and a half for parts to repair another vehicle. The contact called several other dealers; however, parts were not available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

Filed Jan 21, 2026 · Airbags · MI · crash · 1 injury

I was driving approximately 55mph 10/22/2024 on a two-lane roadway in my 2009 Jeep Wrangler X (VIN: [XXX] ) when another vehicle pulled out in front of me. I struck that vehicle in a frontal collision. The force of the impact caused my Jeep to ride up and over the vehicle, enter the opposite lane of travel, and roll over a second vehicle before continuing to roll down the road. Despite the high-speed frontal impact and subsequent rollover, none of the airbags in my vehicle deployed, including the driver frontal airbag. The other vehicles involved in the crash did experience airbag deployment. The crash resulted in significant vehicle damage, including roof deformation consistent with rollover forces. Given the severity of the impact and rollover, I believe the airbags should have deployed. The failure of the airbag system may have contributed to the injuries I sustained. I am concerned that there was a failure of the airbag or restraint system in my vehicle. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Dec 27, 2022 · Airbags · AZ

The contact owns a 2009 Jeep Wrangler. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency 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 had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

Filed Jan 26, 2022 · Airbags · 120,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2009 Jeep Wrangler. The contact received a recall notification for the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 16V290000 (Air Bags) however, the dealer informed the contact that the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, the cruise control was engaged but failed to respond. The contact stated that the cruise control button was located on the side of the steering wheel. The contact also stated that the steering wheel would make abnormal clicking and grinding sounds while turning. The ABS warning light, stability control warning light, and the parking brake warning light were illuminated. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the failures were related to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 16V290000 (Air Bags). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

Filed Mar 1, 2020 · Airbags · AK

Manufacturer jeep and my local dealership are aware of the safety recall on my vehicle. I have been trying get the issue taken care of for over 6 months now, and jeep and the local dealership (anchorage chrysler center) refuse to fix the safety issue. I brought in my jeep to the local dealership for a scheduled recall fix. They said they couldn't fix it at that time because they needed to order a part they weren't aware the recall required. They informed me the part would arrive in about 4 days and they contact me. That was over two months ago. They haven't contacted me and on the rare instances I get a hold of them they just say they need to order the part every time. So they have never ordered the part and clearly have no intention of doing so. I have been driving an unsafe vehicle for over a year now because of jeep and it's dealerships unwillingness to fulfill their legal obligations.

Filed Feb 16, 2020 · Airbags · 173,000 miles · NC

I have reached out to gerry wood chrysler jeep dodge several times regarding the recall post card I receive every couple months regarding a recall on s 33 airbag clock spring. I also called dodge headquarters with no results because the transferred my call back to jerry would chryslerjeep dodge. The jeep airbag light is on intermittently. They tell me the part is not in they will call me when it is delivered. I never hear back from anyone. It has been a year going back and forth about this. I'm hesitant to drive the jeep because I could possibly be injured or injure others. I need help.

Questions about the 2009 Jeep Wrangler airbags

Does the 2009 Jeep Wrangler have airbags problems?

Owners have filed 104 complaints about the airbags of the 2009 Jeep Wrangler, 28% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.

At what mileage do 2009 Jeep Wrangler airbags problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 64,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2009 Jeep Wrangler airbags?

Yes, 5 recalls: 18V021000, 16V352000, 16V290000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Jeep Wrangler have bad airbags?

The Jeep Wrangler model years with the most airbags complaints are 2008 (309 complaints), 2010 (158 complaints) and 2011 (146 complaints).

Other 2009 Jeep Wrangler problems

Fuel system 80Steering 65Suspension 63Electrical 35Transmission 34Engine 23Brakes 14Wheels 13Driver assistance 9Lights 9Body 8Visibility 8Acceleration 7Tires 7Locks 2Seat belts 1

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