2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee Airbags Problems

Driver's steering wheel airbag malfunctioned and deployed unexpectedly while backing into a parking space. Safety of passengers through potential of bodily injury and car crash due to lack of sight and sudden explosion/deployment of airbag while car is actively being driven could have been causedby this malfunction. Various incidents of this safety issue have been reported, but no recalls have been officiated yet for this specific year and model. Vehicle has not inspected yet, it just occurred this morning. Insurance was notified, but said it needed to be inspected by a mechanic or dealership. Airbag light came on today for the first time while driving home and then airbag malfunctioned/deployed while parking.

NHTSA ID

11716413

Incident

Feb 7, 2026

While driving down the interstate at approximately 75mph to 80 mph, the driver side air bag curtain deployed with no warning or indication. There was no impact or bump in the road to cause vibration or a false signal to trigger the activation of the air curtain. I was simply driving the vehicle as normal when it deployed. When the airbags deployed, it caused me to swerve due to fear of the load noise, physical impact of air curtain, and visual interference. Fortunately, there was no traffic in the adjacent lanes, and I was able to get to the shoulder of the interstate. After I assessed the situation and calmed my nerves I navigated to my destination under the risk of visual impedance on the driver side. Emergency services was not contacted. The vehicle was not inspected by a professional however it was discussed with certified mechanics. In addition, I contacted the manufacturer in which they responded with..."There are no recalls for this vehicle, the vehicle is 16 years old with over 150K miles therefore they will do nothing. Regardless of the mileage and vehicle age, this should NOT have happened as there was no cause for it to happen. Luckily no additional damage took place or any major injury or fatality.

NHTSA ID

11607188

Incident

Jul 20, 2024

Tboned in an intersection, jeep rolled over multiple times, no airbags deployed. checked online, no recalls in effect so they should have gone off.

NHTSA ID

11536137

Incident

Jul 29, 2023

At approximately 12:05 pm on Monday, 6/12/23, I was making a right turn into a parking spot in front of Golden1 Credit Union, at 1040 E. Cypress Avenue. I was halfway into the turn when my driver's airbag deployed, striking me in the stomach and right hand and forearm. Despite being startled by the loud explosion, I managed to finish parking without hitting either the vehicle next to me or the curb. Approximately 1-2 minutes later, there was a second explosion from the airbag that sprayed small particles at me, again striking my right forearm. The incident left three superficial burn marks on my hand and arm. (I did not photograph them until this moment; only one mark is still visible.) My first thought when the airbag deployed was that I had been shot, as I heard a loud bang, smelled what I thought was gunpowder, and felt pain in my arm and stomach. I happened to be on a phone call with my spouse when it occurred (via hands-free stereo Bluetooth), so he heard the explosion followed by my shriek, and he also heard the second explosion. I had the vehicle towed to my trusted mechanics at Advanced Automotive. My service advisor was curious whether my vehicle (which I purchased used, in 2020) had been part of a safety recall in the past. In addition to his own research, he contacted a colleague at the local Jeep Chrysler dealer regarding same. Neither of them found any recall for my specific VIN, or for my specific vehicle year. He expressed his concern that even if they were to replace the airbag module, there was no guarantee that it would fix whatever had caused it to inadvertently deploy, and he recommended that I seek service from a Jeep/Chrysler dealer and implore them to take accountability for the issue. Prior to this incident, there was never any indication that anything was wrong with any safety system on the vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11527112

Incident

Jun 12, 2023

Clockspring has gone bad and caused my airbag light to come on and off. A recall has already been placed for Jeep Wrangler but Grand Cherokee should have been included with the same issue.

NHTSA ID

11522757

Incident

May 3, 2023

My air bag light has been lit up like a Christmas tree for since June. I have not been in an accident and the wipers are not responding properly when turned on.

NHTSA ID

11443303

Incident

Jun 5, 2021

The air bag deployed without the vehicle being in an accident. I was traveling on I80 heading East at 70mph when the airbag deployed. I have not taken it to a dealer, I can't afford the repair bill at this time. No one other than family has inspected the vehicle. It is not an insurance issue. There was no warning that the airbag was going to go off. However there is now a light on in my dash. I do not know what caused the malfunction. I was in the vehicle alone thankfully. It was the passenger side airbag. I have contacted Jeep and they are not accepting any responsibility. They declined the claim as they put it in like 2 hours via e-mail.

NHTSA ID

11429977

Incident

Aug 17, 2021

The airbag sensor is on. I had it checked at a independent mechanic shop the name of the shop is Magic AutoCenter, also my esp and abs sensor is on to. A lot of times I have to manually touch the esp button to turn off the traction.

NHTSA ID

11420361

Incident

Jun 9, 2021

THE IGNITION WON'T TURN TO ON WHEN I PUT THE FOB IN THE IGNITION. THERE WAS A RECALL # P57 BUT IT SEEMS THAT MY VIN # DOESN'T FALL UNDER THIS RECALL. WHO CAN I SPEAK WITH REGARDING THIS? THANK YOU. *TR

NHTSA ID

11329347

Incident

Jun 9, 2020

Mileage

91,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,000.

NHTSA ID

11321340

Incident

Apr 15, 2020

Mileage

150,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER'S AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING OR AN IMPACT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: [XXX]. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE CASE WAS CLOSED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 124,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED ANY ASSISTANCE. LOCAL BODY SHOPS AND DEALERSHIPS REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE DUE TO BEING UNABLE TO INSURE THE FAILURE WOULD NOT RECUR. *JS PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ID

11241382

Incident

Aug 1, 2019

Mileage

124,000 mi

AIR BAG LIGHT ON- OFF WHILE DRIVING.. CHIMING BLINKING, MOSTLY SOLID ON . DRIVER SIDE AIR BACK DISABLED, CODE B1B02,. JEEP DEALER/ SERVICE CHARGED A FEE FOR AIR BAG LIGHT DIAGNOSTIC PROVIDED ONLY CODE

NHTSA ID

11233641

Incident

Jul 1, 2019

Mileage

223,000 mi

BACKED UP IN STORE PARKING LOT, PUT IN DRIVE AND AIR BAG ON STEERING WHEEL EXPLODED. DID NOT HIT ANYTHING, NO OTHER VEHICLES NEAR, BAG JUST EXPLODED. CAUGHT ON STORE SECURITY TAPE, 2 EYE WITNESSES, POLICE REPORT FILED.

NHTSA ID

11110995

Incident

Jul 11, 2018

Mileage

104,200 mi

AIR BAG LIGHT KEEPS GOING OFF & ON, WHEN DRIVING, LOCAL COUNTY ROAD

NHTSA ID

11099401

Incident

Jun 3, 2018

Mileage

103,680 mi

THE FOBIK WHEN INSERTED DOES NOT TURN VEHICLE ON (ACTS LIKE VEHICLE BATTERY IS DEAD) BUT WHEN KEY IS REMOVED AND REINSTALLED IT WILL THEN CRANK. THEN OTHER TIMES IT CRANKS BUT IS LIKE IT'S IN OFF POSITION (INSIDE LIGHTS NOR RADIO COMES ON) ALSO, AFTER ACTING UP THE AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON WITHOUT FLASHING OR GOING OFF. WINDSHIELD WIPERS "MOTOR" DOESN'T FUNCTION PROPERLY (WORKS BUT STOPS IN FROM OF DRIVERS WINDOW AREA) UNTIL IT'S PUT ON HIGH SPEED. THESE ISSUES OCCUR BEFORE AND AFTER VEHICLE IS STARTED. BOTH AREAS OF CITY STREET AND HIGHWAY.

NHTSA ID

11096773

Incident

Apr 1, 2018

Mileage

126,000 mi

THERE WAS A WIRE COMING OUR OF THE STEERING COLUMN AND THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. I CALLED NYLE MAXWELL JEEP TO ASK TO BRING IN MY CAR AND THEY COULD NOT SCHEDULE ME UNTIL 4 DAYS LATER. I ASKED IF IT WAS SAFE TO DRIVE IT AND THEY SAID YES. THE FOLLOWING MORNING MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING TO THE STORE AND THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON AS HE WAS TURNING INTO A PARKING SPACE. THIS HAPPENED ON APRIL 14TH. IT IS MAY 11TH AND I STILL DO NOT HAVE ANY ANSWERS FROM JEEP OTHER THAN IT WAS INSPECTED BY THEM. I HAVE NOT BEEN CONTACTED FURTHER AND HAVE CALLED EVERY OTHER DAY TO CHECK ON MY CASE NUMBER. THEY TELL ME THEY WILL PUT A MESSAGE IN THE NOTES AND SOMEONE WILL CONTACT ME ASAP AND I STILL HAVE NOT BEEN CONTACTED.

NHTSA ID

11093388

Incident

Apr 14, 2018

Mileage

95,000 mi

TAKATA RECALL (POSSIBLY). THE JEEP WAS TRAVELING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON FOR ABOUT 30 SECONDS AND THE SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON. AN EMBER CAME OUT OF IT AND FELL ON THE CARPET IN THE BACK AND BURNED A HOLE ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE METAL, NOW MY CLUSTER PANEL IS GOING NUTS AND ALL OF MY ELECTRICAL IS MALFUNCTIONING. THERE IS NO DAMAGE TO THE OUTSIDE OF MY JEEP TO CAUSE THE AIRBAG TO DEPLOY. *TT

NHTSA ID

11076240

Incident

Mar 3, 2018

Mileage

144,000 mi

AIR BAG LITE KEEPS GOING ON AND OFF,WHEN DRIVING.

NHTSA ID

11065997

Incident

Sep 20, 2017

THE IGNITION SWITCH HAVE PROBLEM SOMETIME PUP OUT BY SELF. AND AIR BAG LIGHT IT'S ON AND BEEP TO MUCH.

NHTSA ID

11045265

Incident

Aug 5, 2017

MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON, JUNE 28,2017, AND THE LIGHT WILL NOT GO OUT. I PURCHASED THE JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE IN 2008 USED. FROM ENTERPRISE, I HAD COUPLE OF ACCIDENTS, IN THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AND THE AIRBAG NEVER CAME OUT. BUT NOW MY LIGHT IS ON. IS THIS JEEP UP FOR RECALL. THE VIN NUMBER IS [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID

11002921

Incident

Jun 28, 2017

Mileage

2 mi

AFTER 5 MINUTES OF DRIVING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHT (E-BRAKE WAS NOT ON), THE ABS MODULE LIGHT, AND THE ESP BAS LIGHT CAME ON SIMULTANEOUSLY AND WOULD NOT TURN OFF. I TRIED TO RESET THE COMPUTER MANUALLY MULTIPLE TIMES TO SEE IF THE LIGHTS WOULD EVENTUALLY TURN OFF BUT EVERY TIME THEY CAME ON. I THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO A REPAIR SHOP THAT SPECIALIZES IN JEEP REPAIR AND THEY RAN DIAGNOSTICS AND TOLD ME THAT I REQUIRED A NEW ABS MODULE ASSEMBLY, PASSENGER SEAT BELT LATCH AND A CLOCK-SPRING ASSEMBLY FOR THE DRIVERS SIDE AND R/F BRAKE CALIPER THAT HAD BROKEN OFF FOR NO REASON. I WAS TOLD THAT IF I WERE TO GET IN AN ACCIDENT NOT ONLY WOULD MY BRAKES NOT LOCK PREVENTING FURTHER DAMAGE BUT MY DRIVER AIR BAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY AS WELL CAUSING INEVITABLE INJURY. THIS HAD COST ME ALMOST $1400 NOT TO MENTION I WAS WITHOUT A VEHICLE FOR SEVERAL DAYS.

NHTSA ID

10965901

Incident

Mar 9, 2017

Mileage

155,500 mi

TAKATA RECALL PLUS ELECTRICAL AIR BAG CODE, KEY FOB REPLACEMENT AND CONNECTION, TROTTLE AND HOSE.BROKEN BACK WIPER ARM

NHTSA ID

10944052

Incident

Nov 20, 2016

MY AIRBAG DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON. DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD IT JUST CAME OUT. ALL POWER IS GONE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10935637

Incident

Dec 11, 2016

Mileage

155,000 mi

OUR 2008 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE STRUCK AN OLDER MODEL CAR IN THE SIDE AS THE OTHER VEHICLE ROLLED THROUGH A RED LIGHT. WE WERE TRAVELING BETWEEN 40-45 MPH. THE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WAS ENOUGH TO SUFFER A TOTAL LOSS, BUT THE FRONT AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. BOTH VEHICLES WERE IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET.

NHTSA ID

10862065

Incident

Apr 9, 2016

Mileage

166,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. WITHIN A MONTH OF OWNING THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE HEATER MOTOR, FUEL PUMP, BELTS, AND THE AIR BAG AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS RANDOMLY FLASHED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT AND INDICATED THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT FLASHED BECAUSE OF THE WEATHER CHANGES, WHICH WAS NOT A DIAGNOSIS. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED THE VEHICLE BEING DIFFICULT TO START UPON TURNING THE KEY OVER. THE DEALER REPLACED AND REPROGRAMMED THE KEYS, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA ID

10860046

Incident

Apr 24, 2015

Mileage

90,000 mi