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Air bagsPart report

2021 Jeep Cherokee Air bags Problems

Complaints
9about this part
Share
5%of 176 total for the year
Median mileage
34,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the air bags of the 2021 Jeep Cherokee, 5% of the 176 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 34,000 miles. 7 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“We were in a front impact vehicle accident. Airbags didn't deploy, brakes failed after impact and the engine didn't shut down. I had to disconnect the ecu power relay for the engine to stop.”

NHTSA complaint #11402644, filed 2021-03, 1,400 miles

“Car accident on 1/24 hit tree head on around 35 mph with NO airbags deploying. Suffered from concussion and whiplash, and potential of more serious injury. Insurance will be inspecting vehicle in the next week to determine total loss. No warning lamps, messages or other issues to the car prior to the accident”

NHTSA complaint #11713613, filed 2026-01, 85,541 miles

“I was involved in an accident on May 27, 2021 with my brand new Jeep Cherokee Latitude 2021, less than 3 k miles. Another driver ran a red light and I t-boned him, all of his air bags went off, but none of my air bags deployed. Hit the steering wheel with my chest, arms, hit the under dash area with knees and ankles as a result and am pretty bruised up.”

NHTSA complaint #11419036, filed 2021-05

“I entered my vehicle and noted the panel below the steering column was sagging. Upon closer inspection, it appeared to be an airbag, specifically the driver-side knee bolster air bag. I took the vehicle in for service at the dealership, and two technicians stated the air bag was partially deployed. The panel was continuing to sag and the air bag was more visible. My vehicle was not involved in an accident - the dealership technicians also verified this by inspecting my vehicle's bumpers. …”

NHTSA complaint #11769343, filed 2026-10

“Was driving down hwy and vehicle pulled out directly in front of me. Nothing i could do but hit the brakes. Severe front end damage done to my 2021 Jeep Cherokee. Airbags did not deploy. There were injuries. No one can figure out why the airbags didn't deploy on either the passenger side nor the driver side. Thankfully no one was killed. I believe there to be a defect in the airbags on this vehicle of not deploying. The collision was fast enough and enough front end damage to deploy. The airbags in the other vehicle that was involved deployed just fine. Ours however didn't. …”

NHTSA complaint #11513670, filed 2023-03

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Air bags: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202236%
202195%
202072%
2019423%
2018162%
2017262%
2016312%
2015412%
2014492%
2001219%
2000267%
19993810%
19985213%
1997287%
1996266%
1995417%
199482%
199392%
198516%

Other parts of the 2021 Jeep Cherokee

Transmission and drivetrain
103 complaints
Engine
28 complaints
Other or unknown
27 complaints
Electrical system
23 complaints
Brakes
14 complaints
Forward collision avoidance
11 complaints
Fuel system
5 complaints
Suspension
5 complaints
Lane departure
3 complaints
Steering
3 complaints
Seat belts
2 complaints
Vehicle speed control
2 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2021 Jeep Cherokee

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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