← New search

2017 Jeep Wrangler

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2017 Jeep Wrangler do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 265.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

159 reports with mileage · 150 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 75 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 62 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 50 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

19 crash reports21 fire reports15 injury reports

What owners actually said

309 reports
20,144 miles · Dec 5, 2018
StructureUnknown Or Other

WHEN DRIVING HOME FROM LUBBOCK AT POSTED SPEEDS OF 70 AND 75 MPH MY HOOD STARTED TO FLUTTER AND JUMP. I WAS ON 2 LANE ROADS AND IF A TRACTOR TRAILER PASSED ME THE HOOD WOULD ACTUALLY RAISE UP. I PULLED OVER AT A CONVENIENCE STORE AND CHECKED TO ENSURE MY HOOD STRAPS WERE ON AND THAT THE HOOD WAS CLOSED AND IT WAS. I TOOK MY J…

Read full complaint

WHEN DRIVING HOME FROM LUBBOCK AT POSTED SPEEDS OF 70 AND 75 MPH MY HOOD STARTED TO FLUTTER AND JUMP. I WAS ON 2 LANE ROADS AND IF A TRACTOR TRAILER PASSED ME THE HOOD WOULD ACTUALLY RAISE UP. I PULLED OVER AT A CONVENIENCE STORE AND CHECKED TO ENSURE MY HOOD STRAPS WERE ON AND THAT THE HOOD WAS CLOSED AND IT WAS. I TOOK MY JEEP TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THAT THE HOOD IS WAY OUT OF ALIGNMENT, WAY OUT OF FACTORY SPECS HOWEVER THEY CANNOT FIX IT BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE A FRAME STRAIGHTENER (MY TERM NOT THEIRS). THE DEALERSHIP ALSO TRIED TO BLAME IT ON A FENDER BENDER WHERE THE FRONT PLASTIC BUMPER GUARD IS DENTED IN AND I TOLD THEM THAT HAPPENED IN THE PROCESS OF PARKING AND BELOW 10 MPH. THE DEALERSHIP ALSO FOUND MY DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR OUT OF ALIGNMENT WHICH WAS LEAKING ALONG WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR, FRONT WINDOW AND ROOF HOWEVER THESE WERE LEAKING BEFORE THE FENDER BENDER. THERE IS ALSO A RATTLE IN MY DRIVER'S SIDE BACK DOOR THAT THE DEALERSHIP CANNOT SEEM TO HEAR THEREFORE CANNOT FIX. I PULL OUT OF THE DEALERSHIP AND HEAR IT RIGHT AWAY!

NHTSA ODI #11156428

8,500 miles · Nov 30, 2018
Exterior Lighting

OEM LED HEADLIGHTS ARE USELESS WHIL DRIVING AT NIGHT DURING A SNOW STORM. IF I HAD NOT HAD ADDITIONAL HALOGEN LIGHTS I COULD NOT HAVE GONE ANYWHERE SAFELY. IN THE ATTACHED PHOTOS THE HEADLIGHTS ARE ON HIGH-BEAM AND HAD BEEN DURING MY 10 MILE DRIVE HOME FROM WORK.

NHTSA ODI #11154890

47,000 miles · Nov 6, 2018
Visibility/wiper

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER NOZZLE WAS FRACTURED AND ALLOWED WATER TO BE SQUIRTED INSIDE THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER DID NOT CLEAR THE WINDSHIELD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NO…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER NOZZLE WAS FRACTURED AND ALLOWED WATER TO BE SQUIRTED INSIDE THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER DID NOT CLEAR THE WINDSHIELD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 47,000.

NHTSA ODI #11149738

6,000 miles · Oct 24, 2018
SteeringCrash

WHILE DRIVING MY 2017 JEEP RUBICON OFF ROAD, IN THE MIDDLE OF AN OBSTACLE, THE STEERING WHEEL BECOMES FROZEN. WITH ALL MY MIGHT I CAN NOT TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. I WAS SLOWLY ROLLING BACK DOWN OFF AN OBSTACLE, THE FRONT AND REAR AXLES WERE LOCKED. AS I BACKED UP THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT WHEEL STARTED TO GET LIGHT SO I WAS TRY…

Read full complaint

WHILE DRIVING MY 2017 JEEP RUBICON OFF ROAD, IN THE MIDDLE OF AN OBSTACLE, THE STEERING WHEEL BECOMES FROZEN. WITH ALL MY MIGHT I CAN NOT TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. I WAS SLOWLY ROLLING BACK DOWN OFF AN OBSTACLE, THE FRONT AND REAR AXLES WERE LOCKED. AS I BACKED UP THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT WHEEL STARTED TO GET LIGHT SO I WAS TRYING TO STEER SO THE JEEP LEVELED BACK OUT, BUT WITH ALL MY MIGHT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT MOVE AND BEFORE I NEW IT THE JEEP WAS LAYING ON ITS PASSENGER SIDE. THE STEERING LOCKING IN THIS MANNER HAS HAPPEN THREE TIMES IN MY NEW RUBICON AND ALSO HAPPENED IN MY 2003 RUBICON. I UNDER STAND THE STEERING BEING HARD OR BEING ERRATIC WITH THE FRONT BEING LOCKED, BUT TO NOT BE ABLE TO MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL AT ALL EVEN WHEN THE TIRES ARE ROLLING DOES NOT SEEM RIGHT. IS THIS A FACTORY DEFECT OR BAD ENGINEERING ON JEEPS BEHAVE?

NHTSA ODI #11142441

Mileage unknown · Oct 7, 2018
Power Train

VEHICLE PURCHASED USED 09-09-18 1ST STALL 09-25-18 DEALER SERVICED AND ONLY FOUND A COMPUTER UPDATE WAS NEEDED. CAR PICKED UP FROM DEALER AFTER 1ST REPAIR ON 10-05-18. WE PICKED UP THE CAR ON 10-05-18 & DROVE IT HOME AND IT WASN'T UNTIL THE NEXT DAY WHEN THE 2ND STALL OCCURRED. SAME EXACT THING BUT THIS TIME WE WERE ON A BU…

Read full complaint

VEHICLE PURCHASED USED 09-09-18 1ST STALL 09-25-18 DEALER SERVICED AND ONLY FOUND A COMPUTER UPDATE WAS NEEDED. CAR PICKED UP FROM DEALER AFTER 1ST REPAIR ON 10-05-18. WE PICKED UP THE CAR ON 10-05-18 & DROVE IT HOME AND IT WASN'T UNTIL THE NEXT DAY WHEN THE 2ND STALL OCCURRED. SAME EXACT THING BUT THIS TIME WE WERE ON A BUSY STREET AND COULD HAVE BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. 2ND STALL INCIDENT WAS ON 10-06-18 EARLY AFTERNOON I WAS ON WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND IT STARTED TO MAKE THIS WEIRD NOSE LUCKILY I WAS ALMOST HOME SO I CAME TO STOP TO MAKE A LEFT TURN AND WAITED FOR TRAFFIC TO CLEAR AS I LET GO OF THE BRAKE AND PRESSED THE GAS TO ACCLERATE THE CAR STALLED WOULDNT MOVE OR GO FORWARD. I THEN TRIED TO SEE IF IT WOULD GO IN REVERSE AND CHANGED GEARS BUT IT WOULDN'T THIS TIME THERE WAS NO ERROR OF "VEHICLE NOT IN PARK" THE VEHICLE JUST WOULDNT MOVE, GO FORWARD EVEN THOUGH IT WAS IN DRIVE AND I WAS STUCK ON A BUSY STREET WAITING FOR TRAFFIC TO CLEAR TO MAKE A LEFT TURN. I THANK GOD IT DIDNT GO FORWARD JUST A LITTLE CAUSE IT COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL. I THEN TRIED SHUTTING OFF THE CAR TO SEE IF I COULD BE GET IT TO MOVE AND PUT IT BACK TO DRIVE AND IT STILL WOULDN'T ACCELERATE. I HAD TO SHUT IT OFF A COUPLE OF TIMES BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE. THERE WAS A RECALL ON OTHER 2017 VEHICLES FOR AN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD WHERE THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE MAY BE EQUIPPED WITH A VOLTAGE REGULATOR CHIP IN THE CIRCUIT BOARD THAT MAY FAIL, CAUSING A STALL OR A NO START CONDITION. CAN YOU PLEASE CHECK IF THIS IS SIMILAR BECAUSE WE JUST PICKED UP THE VEHICLE ON 10-05-18 AFTER NOTHING WAS FOUND WRONG AND ONLY A COMPUTER UPDATE WAS DONE. WE HAD THE CAR FOR A DAY AND IT IS ON ITS WAY BACK TO ONTARIO JEEP TO SEE IF THEY CAN FIND OUT WHATS WRONG. PLEASE ADVISE WHAT COULD BE DONE.

NHTSA ODI #11138894

16,800 miles · Oct 4, 2018
Service BrakesCrashInjury

CONSISTENTLY "SPONGY BRAKES" HAVING CONTINUED DECREASED STOPPING ABILITY FOR 6 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE. ON 06/05/2018 HAD BRAKES INSPECTED BY DEALERSHIP AND TOLD THEY WERE FINE. ON 06/14/2018 VEHICLE WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP AT DRIVE-THRU RESTAURANT WITH BRAKE PEDAL COMPLETELY ENGAGED AND VEHICLE MOVED AND ROLLED FORWARD INTO THE …

Read full complaint

CONSISTENTLY "SPONGY BRAKES" HAVING CONTINUED DECREASED STOPPING ABILITY FOR 6 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE. ON 06/05/2018 HAD BRAKES INSPECTED BY DEALERSHIP AND TOLD THEY WERE FINE. ON 06/14/2018 VEHICLE WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP AT DRIVE-THRU RESTAURANT WITH BRAKE PEDAL COMPLETELY ENGAGED AND VEHICLE MOVED AND ROLLED FORWARD INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT, CAUSING DAMAGE. UNAWARE OF A PROBLEM THINKING IT WAS DRIVER ERROR EVEN THOUGH DRIVER STATED "FOOT WAS ON BRAKE THE WHOLE TIME" THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED MINIMAL DAMAGE AND WAS CONTINUED TO BE DRIVEN. ON JULY 7, 2018, WITH DIFFERENT DRIVER, BRAKE FULLY ENGAGED AT STOP LIGHT AND ON CITY ROAD AND VEHICLE "ROLLED FORWARD" AND HIT VEHICLE IN FRONT. ON JULY 9, 2018 VEHICLE WAS DELIVERED TO DEALERSHIP WITH THIRD DRIVER AND BRAKES FAILED TO STOP AT STOP SIGN GOING INTO TRAFFIC ON CITY ROAD WITH BRAKE BEING ENGAGED AND THEN GOING TO THE "FLOOR" OF VEHICLE. ON JULY 17, 2018 DEALERSHIP STATE MASTER CYLINDER HAS INTERNAL FAILURE AND IT WAS READY TO BE PICKED UP. UPON TEST DRIVING, BRAKES CONTINUED TO "GO TO THE FLOOR" AFTER BRAKING AND STOPPING. DEALERSHIP KEPT VEHICLE AND "FOUND INTERNAL LEAK AT THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER THAT LEAKED INTO BRAKE BOOSTER AND HCU NOT RESPONDING AND FOUND INTERNAL FAILURE INT HE HCU. VEHICLE WAS PICKED UP AUGUST 15, 2018. VEHICLE APPEARED TO BE OPERATING EFFICIENTLY; BUT, SEEMED TO STILL HAVE "PLAY" IN THE BRAKES. HAD FOURTH DRIVER TEST DRIVE, THAT IS EXPERIENCE IN CAR/MOTORCYCLE REPAIR AND STATED THAT BRAKES STOPPED VEHICLE; BUT, WHEN SLAMMED TO "LOCK" THEY NEVER LOCKED BEFORE ABS KICKED IN. ALL 3 DRIVERS OF JEEP NOTICED BRAKES STARTING TO DEVELOP THE SAME ISSUE AS PREVIOUSLY EXPERIENCED. TRADED JEEP IN ON NEW VEHICLE AS 17 YR. OLD DRIVER WAS MAIN DRIVER ON VEHICLE AND FELT TOO DANGEROUS TO RISK THIS ISSUE AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI #11133265

Mileage unknown · Oct 2, 2018
Unknown Or Other

17 WRANGLER WITH LESS THAN 50000 MILES. THE RADIATOR STARTED LEAKING COOLANT. NOT UNDER WARRANTY. DOING SOME RESEARCH THIS IS A PRETTY COMMON THING. DEALER REFUSED TO FULLY COVER THIS. TRYING TO GET THE WORD OUT

NHTSA ODI #11132903

Mileage unknown · Sep 24, 2018
Service Brakes

ATTEMPTED TO SCHEDULE SAFETY RECALL REPAIRED AT OSMOOR CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM IN LOUISVILLE KY IN JULY. THEY SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT FOR SEPTEMBER 7TH. WHEN ARRIVING FOR THE APPOINTMENT, WAS NOTIFIED THAT THE PART REQUIRED WAS NOT AVAILABLE. ATTEMTED TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL THE SECOND TIME, AND WAS TOLD THAT THE NEXT APPROIN…

Read full complaint

ATTEMPTED TO SCHEDULE SAFETY RECALL REPAIRED AT OSMOOR CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM IN LOUISVILLE KY IN JULY. THEY SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT FOR SEPTEMBER 7TH. WHEN ARRIVING FOR THE APPOINTMENT, WAS NOTIFIED THAT THE PART REQUIRED WAS NOT AVAILABLE. ATTEMTED TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL THE SECOND TIME, AND WAS TOLD THAT THE NEXT APPROINTMENT WAS OCTOBER 15TH. COULD NOT GET THE DEALERSHIP I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM TO REPAIR A SAFETY RECALL ITEM FROM JULY THROUGH OCTOBER.

NHTSA ODI #11131002

7,700 miles · Sep 21, 2018
Electrical SystemEngine

THE VEHICLE STARTED BY ITSELF WHILE PARKED. THE IGNITION HAD BEEN TURNED OFF AND KEYS REMOVED FOR SEVERAL HOURS. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE. I DISCOVERED THE VEHICLE RUNNING, DOORS LOCKED AND IGNITION IN THE OFF POSITION. TO TURN OFF THE ENGINEI INSERTED THE KEY, TURNED IT TO THE ON POSITION AND THEN OFF. THIS OCCURRED ONCE IN MY G…

Read full complaint

THE VEHICLE STARTED BY ITSELF WHILE PARKED. THE IGNITION HAD BEEN TURNED OFF AND KEYS REMOVED FOR SEVERAL HOURS. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE. I DISCOVERED THE VEHICLE RUNNING, DOORS LOCKED AND IGNITION IN THE OFF POSITION. TO TURN OFF THE ENGINEI INSERTED THE KEY, TURNED IT TO THE ON POSITION AND THEN OFF. THIS OCCURRED ONCE IN MY GARAGE, CAUSING CARBON MONOXIDE EXHAUST TO ENTER THE LIVING QUARTERS. IT HAPPENED A SECOND TIME WHILE PARKED AWAY FROM HOME, WITH THE KEYS REMOVED. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, BECAUSE IT WAS PLACED IN PARK WHEN THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF.

NHTSA ODI #11130714

4,433 miles · Sep 12, 2018
Seats

AT ABOUT 4,433 MILES, MY PASSENGER COMPLAINED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WOULD NOT RECLINE. I INSPECTED BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER FRONT RECLINERS, AND FOUND BROKEN PLASTIC PIECES UNDERNEATH BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER INBOARD RECLINERS. THE DEALERSHIP INSPECTED AND REPLACED BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATBACKS. AT ABOUT 8,05…

Read full complaint

AT ABOUT 4,433 MILES, MY PASSENGER COMPLAINED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WOULD NOT RECLINE. I INSPECTED BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER FRONT RECLINERS, AND FOUND BROKEN PLASTIC PIECES UNDERNEATH BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER INBOARD RECLINERS. THE DEALERSHIP INSPECTED AND REPLACED BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATBACKS. AT ABOUT 8,052 MILES, THE PASSENGER SEAT INBOARD RECLINER FAILED AGAIN. THE DEALERSHIP INSPECTED AND REPLACED THE PASSENGER SEATBACK. AT ABOUT 20,000 MILES, THE DRIVER INBOARD RECLINER FAILED AGAIN. TO DATE, THE DEALERSHIP HAS NOT REPLACED THE FOURTH FAILED RECLINER. I HAVE PROVIDED FCA WRITTEN NOTICE OF THESE FAILURES. SINCE FOUR SEAT RECLINERS HAVE FAILED WITHIN THE FIRST 20,000 MILES, I AM CONCERNED THAT A DESIGN, MATERIAL, OR WORKMANSHIP DEFECT EXISTS. I AM ALSO VERY CONCERNED HOW THESE FAILED SEAT RECLINERS WILL PERFORM IN A CRASH. UPON RESEARCH, IT APPEARS THAT OTHERS HAVE HAD MULTIPLE FAILURES WITH THESE SPECIFIC MODEL YEAR SEAT RECLINERS AS WELL. SEE NHTSA ID NUMBER 11074326.

NHTSA ODI #11139789

Official recalls

5

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.

18V524000 · Electrical System:wiring:front Underhood

Aug 9, 2018

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Renegade, Compass and Grand Cherokee, RAM 1500 and Promaster, Fiat 500x, Dodge Journey, Challenger, Charger and Durango and Chrysler 300x vehicles, 2017-2018 Jeep Wrangler, Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country vehicles and 2018-2019 Jeep Cherokee and 2018 Chrysler Pacifica and Pacifica Hybrid vehicles. The powertrain control module may be equipped with a voltage regulator chip in the circuit board that may fail, causing a stall or a no start condition.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A vehicle stall can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began October 2, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U87.

18V098000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch

Feb 8, 2018

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2017 Dodge Caravan and Jeep Wrangler vehicles. The brake switches on these vehicles may malfunction, keeping the brake lights illuminated and/or allowing the vehicle to be shifted out of the PARK position without the brake pedal being pushed.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Having the brake lamps continuously illuminated or being able to shift the vehicle out of PARK when the brake pedal is not pressed (and the ignition is in the RUN mode) can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake switches, free of charge. The recall began March 22, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U09.

16V849000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly

Nov 23, 2016

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2017 Jeep Wrangler vehicles manufactured November 1, 2016, to November 3, 2016. The affected vehicles may have a fuel tank that has a cracked or broken control valve, possibly resulting in a fuel leak in a rollover event, debris in the fuel tank and/or the potential of over fueling the vehicle.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and Jeep dealers will inspect the fuel tank and replace fuel tank and sending unit, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 12, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S90.

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.

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

3

EA21002 · 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.

Go deeper into Jeep Wrangler problems