RoadVitals

2016 Jeep Patriot Airbags Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the airbag system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Airbags reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
33
Latest Mar 4, 2026
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
7%
of 456 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
15
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
13

What this page shows

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2016 Jeep Patriot submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 33 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming airbag

The 25 most recent of 33, in the owner's own words

Airbags
Filed Mar 4, 2026

Air bag light is on and I havent been in a accident or anything.

NHTSA ID
11722097
Incident
Mar 4, 2026
Airbags
Filed Dec 17, 2025

The driver headrest deployed without being in an accident. Took my vehicle to Phillips Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram dealership on November 24, 2025 and the associate informed of the recalls/warranty I have. The invoice comment from the dealership "Performed inspection driver side front headrest has failed cannot replace due to part being discontinued." This results in driving a vehicle that is unsafe. I spoke with Chrysler hotline regarding the issue 12/2, 12/3, 12/8, 12/17 and was given a case # 94878288 which was closed without the problem being fixed/repaired. Just trying to get this issue resolved while the part is a recall and covered through the warranty.

NHTSA ID
11705627
Incident
Oct 14, 2025
Airbags
Filed Aug 7, 2025

The air bag in the drivers head rest exploded while my daughter was driving away at college, thankfully she was stopped at a red light she only had a mild concussion, this head rest exploded all on its on without warning or being in a wreck,

NHTSA ID
11678992
Incident
Feb 1, 2025
AirbagsPowertrain (other)
Filed Feb 3, 2025

My air bag light keeps blinking off and on and my hood keeps rattling from coming loose in the front. And just like everyone my transmission doesn't act right they should have done recalled this car it was totally not worth 25000 dollars

NHTSA ID
11640262
Incident
Oct 20, 2023
AirbagsInterior & seats
Filed Jul 3, 2024

While parked the passenger side head rest opened up exposing the air bag ect stuff

NHTSA ID
11598589
Incident
Jun 29, 2024
Airbags
Filed Apr 5, 2024

Brought Jepp Patriot 2016 to a car shop in Suisun City, CA and they did a thorough diagnostics of my Patriot and couldn’t find out why my battery light was coming on. They checked the alternator and battery and they said they were fine. I was on a main street in Suisun City and as I was turning to the left the car died on me and completely shut off. It was hard to turn wheels and hard to push the brakes and I had people push me out of the street into a sidewalk near a house. I then decided to try start it and it started and I was able to make it to my daughter’s house. My son-in-law and granddaughter used my car and hasn’t had the battery light come on yet but that has happened to me several times where it would come on and turn back off. There was only one incident where it died on me so far and I’m hoping it won’t do it again especially on a busier street. I can’t afford to bring it to dealership to see if they can find the reason why the battery lights comes off and on sporadically. I don’t know if any other Jeeps are having this issue but am asked to report it in case it does to happen to someone else.

NHTSA ID
11581262
Incident
Mar 27, 2024
Airbags
Filed Apr 24, 2023

While sitting PARKED in a car port, the passenger seat headrest deployed, without the vehicle being bumped, jostled, shaken, or otherwise having any reason for the headrest to deploy.

NHTSA ID
11518673
Incident
Jun 22, 2022
Airbags
Filed Dec 9, 2022

This vehicle had an air bag indicator light come on. After taking it to the dealer for diagnosis. It has a Restraint System Control Module that has quit responding and as a result has no Restraints that are operable. The part has been on order for over a month and the latest update from Chrysler says there is no ETA available due to the global microchip shortage. I am driving the vehicle out of necessity, but consider it unsafe.

NHTSA ID
11496793
Incident
Nov 1, 2022
Airbags
Filed Aug 17, 2022
Crash reported1 injury reported

On 8/11/22 I was involved in a behicle accident where my air bag didn't deploy. Due to this I had injuries

NHTSA ID
11479869
Incident
Aug 11, 2022
Airbags
Filed May 17, 2022

The front passenger AHR unexpectedly deployed while the vehicle was parked. The vehicle was not involved in an accident. This incident happened on or about 05/12/2022. The driver AHR has not deployed, however, I am very concerned that an unexpected deployment might occur any time in the near or distant future.

NHTSA ID
11464993
Incident
May 12, 2022
Airbags
Filed Apr 25, 2022

On 12/26/2020 I was driving down the interstate and my son lightly touched his headrest and it exploded open. I didn't realize at the time it was covered under the "x-86" extended warranty, and attempted in January 2021 to buy a replacement. Mopar canceled my order and told me to go through the dealership since it is a known issue. I did just that, and the order has been on hold since January or February of 2021. Chrysler customer service doesn't have a resolution for me, and won't talk to me anymore. Their department that specifically deals with this "x-86" issue won't even call or update my dealership Stew Hansen's, which is located at 12103 Hickman Rd, Urbandale, IA 50323. I am appalled and just want my headrest replacement. The parts manager found one in stock, but coincidentally it doesn't have the correct part number that Chrysler wants to honor to fix this for me. Chrysler is unwilling to make an exception for the part number and rectify this defective part. I want answers now. Please note that I have gotten married since this incident, and the dealership has my case filed under my maiden name [XXX], not [XXX]. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ID
11462135
Incident
Dec 26, 2020
Airbags
Filed Nov 22, 2021
Crash reported1 injury reported

I was hit on the front end of the car by another car going about 30 mph. It totaled the car but the airbags did not deploy.

NHTSA ID
11441243
Incident
Nov 6, 2021
Airbags
Filed Jul 13, 2021

The airbag light came on about 35 times, and I went to the dealer, they told me to come back later because the light wasn't illuminated, then I was told a sensor was broken, and they couldn't fix it, so that meant I would have zero airbags that worked.

NHTSA ID
11424575
Incident
Jul 6, 2017
Airbags
Filed Mar 12, 2021

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 JEEP PATRIOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHCILE WAS TAKEN TO EXTREME DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP RAM (2300 SEYMOUR RD, JACKSON, MI 49201, (517) 783-6200) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE AIR BAG WAS DISABLED AND THAT THE PASSENGER HEADREST AIR BAG NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000.

NHTSA ID
11402635
Incident
Aug 1, 2019
Mileage
58,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jan 18, 2021

THE AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ONCE IN 2017. THEN IT WENT OFF AND CAME BACK ON 4 YEARS LATER. ON JANUARY 15, 2021 IT CAME ON ABOUT 20 TIMES. AND THEN ALL WEEKEND. I WAS TOLD BY MY DEALER IT WAS A SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. IN THIS CASE THE PASSENGER SIDE DOESN'T HAVE A FULLY OPERATIONAL PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN, AS SOMEONE COULD GET HURT OR POSSIBLY KILLED. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON ALL ACCOUNTS ON CITY STREETS.

NHTSA ID
11388761
Incident
Jan 15, 2021
Mileage
99,736 mi
AirbagsEngine
Filed Dec 15, 2020
Crash reported

MY MALFUNCTIONING JEEP PATRIOT EXPERIENCED SUDDEN UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION WHICH RESULTED IN A TOTALED CAR, 2 DAMAGED BUILDINGS, AND A FCA LETTER STONEWALLING AND WASHING THEIR HANDS OF. THIS ACCIDENT CAME WITHIN A WHISKER OF TAKING OUR LIVES. ACCIDENT HAPPENED AS I DESCENDED OUR DRIVEWAY TO OUR HOUSE. DEEP SKID TIRE MARKS IN GRAVEL THEY CHOSE TO IGNORE. THEIR "INVESTIGATION" WAS VERY VERY SHALLOW. I HAVE A DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ALL THAT HAPPENED THAT DAY AND POLICE REPORT WHICH I CAN FAX TO YOU. I AM A VERY ANGRY AND FRUSTRATED VETERAN I NEED YOU. THANKS.*DT*DT*JP*DT*JB*JB

NHTSA ID
11383533
Incident
Jul 29, 2020
Mileage
40,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Dec 3, 2020
Crash reported1 injury reported

HELLO . MY WIFE WAS INVOLVED IN CAR ACCIDENT . SHE WAS IN HER 2016 JEEP PATRIOT. WHICH THE ACCIDENT WAS PRETTY BIG. WHICH CAUSED AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY. AIRBAG FROM STEERING WHEEL DIDN'T DEPLOY PROPERLY AND ALSO THE AIRBAG FROM THE DASHBOARD ON PASSENGER SIDE. THE AIRBAGS RELEASED A LOT OF WHITE POWDER AND SMOKE WHICH MADE HER HAVE A HARD TIME BREATHING. SHE IS IN THE HOSPITAL NOW DUE TO THE LACK OF HELP FROM THE AIRBAG AND ALSO INHALING THE SUBSTANCE FROM THE AIRBAG

NHTSA ID
11377824
Incident
Dec 2, 2020
Mileage
21,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Oct 29, 2020

MY VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE. WHEN I WENT TO ENTER THE VEHICLE, I NOTICED MY DRIVER SIDE HEAD HAD EXPLODED.

NHTSA ID
11372316
Incident
Oct 29, 2020
Mileage
13,269 mi
AirbagsBrakesSeat belts
Filed Mar 12, 2020
Crash reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 JEEP PATRIOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH AN UNKNOWN VEHICLE VEERED IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AND CUT HER OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS UNCONTROLLABLY, SWERVED ACROSS THE ROAD AND CRASHED INTO THE HILLSIDE. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE DRIVER'S SIDE CURTAIN BAG DEPLOYED BUT THE PASSENGERS SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY COMPLETELY. THERE WERE NO REPORTED INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 24,300. *DT*JB

NHTSA ID
11317673
Incident
Mar 8, 2020
Airbags
Filed Mar 10, 2020

AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON ALL THE TIME WHETHER RUNNING OR STATIONARY, THE PROBLEM STARTED AFTER BATTERY CHANGE AT DEALERSHIP. DEALER SAYS THAT IT NEEDS NEW IPM INTEGRATED POWER MODULE $918 + TAX??

NHTSA ID
11317187
Incident
Nov 30, 2019
Mileage
39,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Dec 11, 2018
Crash reported1 injury reported

WHEN INVOLVED IN A CAR ACCIDENT, THE AIRBAGS DELAYED DEPLOYMENT. THIS HAPPENED ON A DOWNTOWN STREET WITH SPEED OF 25 MPH. THE CAR WAS IN MOTION - SOMEONE FAILED TO YIELD RIGHT AWAY AND ACCIDENT COULDN'T BE AVOIDED.

NHTSA ID
11160698
Incident
Dec 3, 2018
Mileage
25,000 mi
AirbagsInterior & seats
Filed Jul 10, 2018
Crash reported1 injury reported

ON MONDAY 07/09/2018, WHILE STOPPED ON A CITY STREET WAS REAR-ENDED BY A TRUCK WHICH DIDN'T STOP GOING APPROXIMATELY 40 -50 MPH. IT SMASHED MY CAR INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT WHICH WAS A CAR LENGTH AWAY. THE SEAT BROKE BACKWARDS, THE CENTER CONSOLE BETWEEN THE SEATS FLEW OFF, AND NONE OF THE AIRBAGS IN THE VEHICLE DEPLOYED, KNEES WENT FORWARD INTO THE DASH.

NHTSA ID
11110422
Incident
Jul 9, 2018
Mileage
18,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jul 7, 2018

I BELIEVE THE CLOCKSPRING IS FAULTY. AIR BAG LIGHT ON, HORN NOT WORKING AND THE STEP/RESET BUTTON ON STEERING WHEEL STOPPED WORKING. SCARED THE AIR BAG WONT DEPLOY IF IN A ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ID
11110047
Incident
Jul 2, 2018
Mileage
38,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jul 2, 2018

AIR BAG ALARM AND LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND OFF.

NHTSA ID
11105246
Incident
Jul 1, 2018
Mileage
37,300 mi
AirbagsInterior & seatsSeat belts
Filed Jun 19, 2018

THE SYSTEM THAT MONITORS WHETHER A PASSENGER IS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT MALFUNCTIONS AND CAUSES THE SEATBELT TO SHOW UNBUCKLED THEREFORE TURNING THE AIRBAG OFF IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. THIS SPECIFIC PIECE OF EQUIPMENT HAS BEEN RECALLED ON SIMILAR VEHICLES IN THE SAME YEAR BUT MY VIN WAS NOT SELECTED AND MY DEALERSHIP WANTED ME TO PAY IN ORDER TO FIX IT BECAUSE IT WAS A SAFETY RISK.

NHTSA ID
11102516
Incident
Jan 22, 2018
Mileage
51,000 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .