1996 Jeep Cherokee Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 26about this part
- Share
- 6%of 447 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 100,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 26 complaints about the air bags of the 1996 Jeep Cherokee, 6% of the 447 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 100,000 miles. 21 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Re: follow-up letter from frank seales, jr., chief counsel, NHTSA, dated4/15/99. My 1996 Jeep Cherokee is not listed as having an available airbag switch. Furthermore, after scanning the list of five middle atlantic states, I found no chrysler corporation dealers listed.”
NHTSA complaint #706071, filed 1999-04“The contact owns a 1996 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while sitting idle at a complete stop, a truck crashed into the rear of the contact's vehicle, pushing the vehicle into a foregoing vehicle. The contact's air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained injuries to the neck and back. A police report was filed. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact was also concerned that the fuel tank location could be a greater danger if there was another rear end crash. …”
NHTSA complaint #10519511, filed 2013-06, 100,000 miles“Jeep was struck on passengers side, Jeep struck another truck head-on, hitting more of the front passengers side, causing hood damage/broken windshield, and drivers gears to come out. Driver broke sternum in two places due to safety belt not working and airbags not coming out. Jeep was totalled out. ( DOT number: tire size: p225/70r16 )”
NHTSA complaint #715813, filed 1999-12“Wife is 4 feet tall and cannot drive without sitting closer than 10 inches to the wheel. Afraid driver's side air bag may explode, causing injury to wife. Wants to install the disconnect switch. Concern about safety of short person and air bag; posted on 09-07-1999. Also, concern about safety of short person and air bag; posted on 09-07-1999.”
NHTSA complaint #780231, filed 1998-09“First instance, while driving slipped on ice, hit head first into guard rail, driver's air failed to deploy, driver sustained 3 crushed discs in back/broken finger. In second instance, while driving at 57 MPH, violent deployment of passenger's air bag, distracted driver, causing a major collision. Passenger suffered a broken neck and died.”
NHTSA complaint #819310, filed 1997-11Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 3 | 6% |
| 2021 | 9 | 5% |
| 2020 | 7 | 2% |
| 2019 | 42 | 3% |
| 2018 | 16 | 2% |
| 2017 | 26 | 2% |
| 2016 | 31 | 2% |
| 2015 | 41 | 2% |
| 2014 | 49 | 2% |
| 2001 | 21 | 9% |
| 2000 | 26 | 7% |
| 1999 | 38 | 10% |
| 1998 | 52 | 13% |
| 1997 | 28 | 7% |
| 1996 | 26 | 6% |
| 1995 | 41 | 7% |
| 1994 | 8 | 2% |
| 1993 | 9 | 2% |
| 1985 | 1 | 6% |
Other parts of the 1996 Jeep Cherokee
93 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
60 complaintsEngine cooling
54 complaintsBody and structure
47 complaintsElectrical system
43 complaintsSteering
37 complaintsSuspension
31 complaintsFuel system
28 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
16 complaintsSeats
15 complaintsTires
14 complaintsSeat belts
13 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1996 Jeep Cherokee
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology