IllustrationDEALER REFUSES TO MAKE RECALL REPAIRS FREE OF CHARGE, WANT US TO PAY HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS TO REMOVE AND REINSTALL WENCH. TRIED LAST SUMMER AS WELL SAME RESULT.
2016 Jeep Wrangler
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2016 Jeep Wrangler do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 265.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Wrangler years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
790–25K
6425–50K
5950–75K
2075–100K
11100–150K
5150K+
238 reports with mileage · 222 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Service Brakes. Review the 119 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine. Review the 88 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Air Bags. Review the 77 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
28 crash reports15 fire reports28 injury reports
Air Bags complaints
77 reportsINVOLVED IN FRONT-END IMPACT WITH A SIGN AND TREE, RESULTING IN SEVERE DAMAGE TO BUMPER AND FRAMEWORK. THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED SEVERE INJURIES TO HEAD. VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED AFTER THE ACCIDENT. *DT *TR *JB *DT*JB *DT *DT *DT *TR
AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ON, BUT NO CURRENT RECALLS
RECEIVED SEVERAL RECALL LETTERS FROM FCA. FINALLY CALLED THE DEALER TO SCHEDULE WHAT YOU SAY IS A 2 HOUR REPAIR. FIRST PROBLEM, THEY SAY THEY HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY PARTS TO EFFECT A REPAIR ON ANY OF THE EFFECTED VEHICLES . THAT HAS BEEN OVER ONE YEAR. NOW THAT YOU ARE SENDING OUT THE NOTICES FOR A YEAR, MY WIFE IS CONCERN…
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RECEIVED SEVERAL RECALL LETTERS FROM FCA. FINALLY CALLED THE DEALER TO SCHEDULE WHAT YOU SAY IS A 2 HOUR REPAIR. FIRST PROBLEM, THEY SAY THEY HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY PARTS TO EFFECT A REPAIR ON ANY OF THE EFFECTED VEHICLES . THAT HAS BEEN OVER ONE YEAR. NOW THAT YOU ARE SENDING OUT THE NOTICES FOR A YEAR, MY WIFE IS CONCERNED THAT IF SHE WERE TO BE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, THE AIR BAGS MAY NOT DEPLOY AS DESIGNED. THERE HAS TO BE SOME KIND OF TIME FRAME FOR THE MANUFACTURER TO MAKE NEEDED REPAIRS OR WHAT GOOD IS YOUR DEPARTMENT?
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, WHILE IT WAS RAINING, ANOTHER VEHICLE ATTEMPTED TO MAKE AN ILLEGAL U-TURN AND COULD NOT MAKE THE FULL TURN, THE OTHER VEHICLE REVERSED INTO THE LEFT LANE WHERE THE CONTACT WAS LOCATED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, WHILE IT WAS RAINING, ANOTHER VEHICLE ATTEMPTED TO MAKE AN ILLEGAL U-TURN AND COULD NOT MAKE THE FULL TURN, THE OTHER VEHICLE REVERSED INTO THE LEFT LANE WHERE THE CONTACT WAS LOCATED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE OTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES THE LEFT SHOULDER, THE HEAD, THE RIGHT ANKLE, SWELLING IN THE GAUL BLADDER AND TO HER BACK THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT CALLED CERRITOS DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP RAM AT (562) 402-5335 LOCATED AT 18803 STUDEBAKER RD, CERRITOS, CA 90703 WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT SHE WOULD RECEIVE A CALL BACK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY FURTHER ASSISTANCE AND THE CONTACTOR WAS PROVIDED CASE NUMBER 2548689. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 800. ...UPDATED 10/17/17 *BF UPDATED 7/27/18*JB
I RECEIVED THE RECALL FOR NHTSA 16V-734 AND THE DEALER REFUSED TO PERFORM RECALL WITH OUT ME PAYING MORE THAN $300 BECAUSE MY AFTER MARKET BUMPER WITH INTEGRATED CRUSH CANS WOULD BE TOO HARD FOR THEM TO WORK ON. IT IS AN ARB BUMPER
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 JEEP WRANGLER. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE SWITCHED LANES IN FRONT OF THE CONTACT AND ABRUPTLY DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE OTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NECK AND BACK INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATT…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 JEEP WRANGLER. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE SWITCHED LANES IN FRONT OF THE CONTACT AND ABRUPTLY DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE OTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NECK AND BACK INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. A DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,800.
ON JANUARY 30, 2017 ANOTHER VEHICLE PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME AND STOPPED. I HIT THAT VEHICLE WITH MY 2016 JEEP WRANGLER AT ABOUT 30-35MPH. THE IMPACT TOTALED BOTH VEHICLES. MY JEEP'S FRAME WAS BUCKLED AND TWISTED ALL OF THE WAY TO THE REAR BUMPER. THE REAR BODY MOUNT BOLT WERE EVEN BENT. THE AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY AND THE SEAT B…
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ON JANUARY 30, 2017 ANOTHER VEHICLE PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME AND STOPPED. I HIT THAT VEHICLE WITH MY 2016 JEEP WRANGLER AT ABOUT 30-35MPH. THE IMPACT TOTALED BOTH VEHICLES. MY JEEP'S FRAME WAS BUCKLED AND TWISTED ALL OF THE WAY TO THE REAR BUMPER. THE REAR BODY MOUNT BOLT WERE EVEN BENT. THE AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELTS DIDN'T PRETENSION. I HIT THE DASH WITH BOTH KNEES AND GOT ABDOMINAL MUSCLE INJURIES AS WELL AS SEVERE WHIPLASH. I AM STILL UNDER A DOCTOR'S CARE FOR MY INJURIES INCLUDING A PINCHED NERVE BETWEEN C5-C6. FCA OPENED AN INVESTIGATION AND SENT ME A LETTER STATING THAT "THE RATE OF DECELERATION NECESSARY TO ACTIVATE THE AIR BAG AND AIR BAG SYSTEM WAS NOT PRESENT DURING THIS ACCIDENT". THE IMPACT BUCKLED MY FRAME AND TOTALED A 5 MONTH OLD VEHICLE, BUT FCA WANTS ME TO BELIEVE THAT IT WASN'T SEVERE ENOUGH FOR THE AIR BAGS TO DEPLOY. FCA IS EITHER BEING DECEPTIVE OR THEIR VEHICLES ARE SIMPLY UNSAFE. EITHER WAY, DUE TO THEIR DECEPTIVE ACTIONS, IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO KNOW HOW MANY ACCIDENTS ARE TRULY RELATED TO THIS VEHICLE DEFECT. I FOUND OUT ABOUT THE RECALL (S76) THE WEEK AFTER MY ACCIDENT WHEN I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH FCA. MY VEHICLE WAS IN THE DEALERSHIP FOR ITS FIRST OIL CHANGE TWO WEEKS AFTER THIS RECALL WAS ISSUED, BUT IT WASN'T REPAIRED AND I WASN'T INFORMED OF A RECALL. I RECEIVED MY RECALL NOTICE TODAY, 74 DAYS AFTER MY ACCIDENT. I HAVE THE POLICE REPORT, PICTURES OF THE JEEP AND THE FRAME, THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER'S CELL PHONE NUMBER AS WELL AS ALL CORRESPONDENCE WITH FCA, SHOULD YOU WANT IT...UPDATED 05/09/17 *BF UPDATED 9/27/18*JB
CURRENTLY A RECALL FOR A SENSOR OF THE AIRBAGS. I INSTALLED MOPAR LED HEADLIGHTS. THEY SAY THE HEADLIGHTS GET DESTROYED DURING THE FIX AND THEY PUT STOCK HEADLIGHTS BACK IN, NOT WHAT I CURRENTLY HAVE. THEY ARE FACTORY MADE MOPAR HEADLIGHTS THAT COST APPROX $950.00. I DON'T WANT TO GET THIS RECALL DONE BECAUSE I DON'T THINK I …
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CURRENTLY A RECALL FOR A SENSOR OF THE AIRBAGS. I INSTALLED MOPAR LED HEADLIGHTS. THEY SAY THE HEADLIGHTS GET DESTROYED DURING THE FIX AND THEY PUT STOCK HEADLIGHTS BACK IN, NOT WHAT I CURRENTLY HAVE. THEY ARE FACTORY MADE MOPAR HEADLIGHTS THAT COST APPROX $950.00. I DON'T WANT TO GET THIS RECALL DONE BECAUSE I DON'T THINK I SHOULD LOSE OUT ON THAT MUCH MONEY. CHRYSLER DESIGNED THESE HEADLIGHTS SO THAT CAN ONLY BE PUT IN ONCE. THEY SHOULD SUFFER THE CONSEQUENCES OF THAT DESIGN BY REPLACING THEM FOR A SAFETY RECALL, NOT HAVE ME LOSE OUT ON THE MONEY I SPENT MAKING MY VEHICLE SAFER.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 JEEP WRANGLER. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 JEEP WRANGLER. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V734000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000.
Official recalls
524V196000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Clockspring/spiral Cassette
Mar 14, 2024
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An air bag that does not deploy in a crash can increase the risk of injury.
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. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 27B.
19V680000 · Seat Belts:front:anchorage
Sep 26, 2019
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2011-2018 Jeep Wrangler right hand drive vehicles. The driver's seat belt buckle mounting strap may fracture and separate from the seat frame.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A separated or severed seat belt buckle strap will result in an inoperable seat belt, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy: FCA US will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's seat belt buckle, free of charge. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk were mailed November 19, 2019. Owners will received a second letter and the recall began March 26, 2020. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is VA6.
19V018000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
Jan 15, 2019
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially 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 4, 2019. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is V01.
16V734000 · Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE
Oct 13, 2016
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).
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the ORC module does not receive a signal from the front impact sensor, both frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners will not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
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. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S76.
16V288000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
May 11, 2016
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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 August 11, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S40.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
3EA21002 · Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Opened Sep 17, 2021 · No close date supplied
Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module; Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
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 www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, 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 nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
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 www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, 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 nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
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 www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, 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 nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.
PE19008 · Seat Belt Buckle Bracket Failure
Opened Jul 29, 2019 · Closed Dec 12, 2019
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly
On July 17, 2019, NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation (PE) 19-008 after receiving three Vehicle Owner Questionnaire (VOQ) reports alleging the driver's side seat belt buckle separated from the seat frame, rendering the seat belt non-functional. The VOQs involved model year (MY) 2015 and 2016 Jeep Wrangler (JK platform) that were configured for right-hand drive (RHD) use. On August 8, 2019, ODI issued an information request (IR) letter to FCA.The scope of the IR included all JK Wrangler produced for sale in the U.S. (both left- and right-hand drive), and amongst other things, requested any reports or allegations of driver's seat belt bracket failures on these vehicles. In its review of FCA's response, ODI determined that approximately 1.7 million JK Wrangler were produced from MY 2007 to 2018, about 16,000 of which were configured for RHD. ODI notes that the RHD Wrangler are typically used for rural postal delivery which often experience a more severe duty cycle. Also RHD JK was was not produced in MY 2007.As explained in the IR response, FCA identified three distinct populations of JK Wrangler concerning the driver's seat belt bucket bracket; specifically the MY 2007-2018 LHD (~1.7M units), the MY 2008-2010 RHD (4,563 units), and the MY 2011-2018 RHD (11,463 units) populations.FCA provided details on the designs used in each of these populations, identifying specific differences deemed pertinent to the strength and durability of each unique bracket design. FCA further reviewed its analysis of the complaint and warranty data identified under the IR, and noting that it had not identified any allegations of bracket failures on the LHD population, and only one allegation on the MY 2008-2010 RHD vehicles. By comparison, FCA identified 24 allegations of bracket failure for the MY 2011-2018 RHD JK, including two reports duplicative of the VOQs. Neither the FCA nor the VOQ reports allege an injury or fatality due to bracket failure. Based on this analysis, FCA decided to conduct a safety recall for the MY 2011-2018 RHD JK population. On September 30, 2019, FCA submitted a Defect Information Report initiating NHTSA Safety Recall 19V-680 (FCA No. VA6). Under the recall action, FCA will replace the driver's seat belt bracket on MY 2011-2018 RHD Jeep JK Wrangler. The repair will be conducted free of charge.In view of FCA's recall action, and its explanations of the scope of that action, ODI is closing PE19-008. ODI will continue to monitor the non-recalled RHD, and the LHD JK Wrangler for evidence of seat belt bracket failure and will take further action if warranted.The three VOQ reports cited above can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under the following reference numbers:11190251, 11218472, 11231639.
EA19001 · Electrical Overstress
Opened Apr 19, 2019 · Closed Sep 19, 2024
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags: Air Bag/restraint Control Module
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. The subject vehicles may be equipped with an airbag control unit (ACU) for the supplemental restraint system (SRS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) manufactured by ZF-TRW. The ECU receives signals from crash sensors mounted in the vehicle and deploys the vehicle air bags and seat belt pretensioners in accordance with manufacturer design specifications. The ECU in the subject vehicles contains a model DS84 application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) which controls the communication of the crash sensor signal, firing commands (i.e., when to deploy the airbag(s) and/or pretensioners), and fault information (e.g., diagnostic trouble codes). In September 2016, FCA announced recall 16V-668 for certain model year (MY) 2010 to 2014 Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep products manufactured with the subject ZF-TRW ACU. In this recall, FCA discussed an EOS condition that resulted in a failure of the subject DS84 ASIC, which caused air bag non-deployment. FCA noted that the defect condition had only been observed in vehicles equipped with sensor harnessing routed across the front of the vehicle. Other FCA vehicles that also used the subject ACU, but were not equipped with cross-car harnessing, had not experienced EOS failures, despite similar time in service. During the course of this investigation, ODI sent two separate Information Request (IR) letters to six vehicle manufactures (including FCA, Hyundai, Honda, Kia, Mitsubishi, and Toyota) and one IR letter to ZF-TRW. These IR letters resulted in ODI receiving comprehensive data from these manufacturers and suppliers. Studies of this data found that the DS84 ASIC does not have sufficient protection against negative electrical transients or electrical overstress (“EOS”) that can be generated in certain severe crashes. An electrical transient occurs when the electrical power supplied to a circuit changes momentarily over a short duration of time. In these severe crash cases, the crash sensors and other powered wiring can be damaged and short circuited so as to create a negative electrical transient of sufficient intensity and duration (that are outside the vehicle manufacturer's specification) to damage the ASIC before the restraint device deployment signal is received by the SRS ECU. This damaged signal can lead to incomplete or nondeployment of the air bags and/or pretensioners. Airbag non-deployment and/or lack of pretensioner operation can increase the risk or severity of injury in a crash.A total of 8 fatalities and 14 injuries were associated with known EOS events. The common element in all investigated manufacturers vehicles is the SRS ECU containing a DS84 ASIC manufactured by ZF-TRW. The risk associated with the ASIC is equally shared among all OEMS involved in the investigation. The actual real-world risk can be mitigated by other factors which were assessed by ODI during this investigation. The first mitigating factor involves protections built into the ACU design which protect the DS84 ASIC from damage. There are multiple strategies and levels of protection employed by different OEMs that provide effective EOS mitigation. The two most common strategies at the ACU level are circuit protection diodes on the remote senor signal lines, and current limiting resistors that protect critical components. The second mitigating factor is found at the vehicle level and involves the location and routing of the wires leading from the crash sensors to the SRS ECU. If the wires are well protected in a crash and are not routed with other power wires carrying large currents, the risk for an EOS event is significantly reduced or eliminated. These design specific factors combine to produce a spectrum of risk for the vehicles equipped with ACUs using the DS84 ASIC. Given the many of years of field exposure, it is possible to divide the subject population into two groups; vehicles which have experienced EOS events, and vehicles which have not experienced EOS field events. Four of the six OEMs involved in this investigation have experienced EOS field events on at least one of their models equipped with a DS84 ASIC. All vehicle models (including the Toyota models identified in the Failure Report Summary of the opening resume for this investigation) with field events have been recalled. In an abundance of caution, ODI kept this investigation open five years to monitor field performance and did not identify any field events on vehicles not included in existing safety recalls. Given the spectrum of risk identified in this investigation and that all vehicles with a demonstrated unreasonable risk have been recalled, ODI is closing this investigation. ODI is closing this investigation with the following manufacturer safety recalls: 16V-668, 18E-043, 18V-137, 18V-363, and 20V-024. With the recall actions taken by the subject vehicle and equipment manufacturers, this investigation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exists on other model or model year vehicles outside of the recall scopes. The agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.