1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 36about this part
- Share
- 4%of 991 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 135,298miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 36 complaints about the air bags of the 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 4% of the 991 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 135,298 miles. 28 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I have contacted your office before following the jan. 24, 2014 crash that took my wife's life, on the vehicle indicated, it was equipped with michelin tires noted during the period before the recall this year. I had contacted you earlier about the air bags on a 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee that failed to deploy in this crash. Could you please get back to me to discuss this latest development in what could have caused the death of my wife. Thank you very much.”
NHTSA complaint #10588412, filed 2014-05, 140,000 miles“The horn on my 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee stopped working a year ago, affecting my ability to warn others of safety issues. Mechanics tell me the horn button is embedded in the safety airbag in the steering wheel and can only be fixed by replacing the entire, costly airbag. That can be hundreds of dollars. I believe that horn switch replacement should be a recall item and the manufacturer should replace the switch , which required replacing the air bag. Or, the manufacturer should be required to add a supplemental switch on the dash to control the horn.”
NHTSA complaint #11280884, filed 2019-11, 120,000 miles“I was driving 45mph when this vehicle entered the road without looking the traffic and I hit her on the back with my 1997 Jeep. The passenger seat belt didn't lock, causing my daughter going forward and injuring her neck; plus both air bags didn't deploy.”
NHTSA complaint #10025914, filed 2003-07, 135,298 miles“1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee air bags did not deploy. ***no ans required*** the vehicle was involved in a head on collision with a big rig. The insurance company deemed the vehicle a total loss.”
NHTSA complaint #10149744, filed 2006-01, 40,000 miles“Crossed into intersection and hit a vehicle broadside traveling aprox 55mph (I was almost stopped). Extensive front end impact damage to Jeep. Will probably be totaled. Neither driver, or passenger airbag deployed.”
NHTSA complaint #10033171, filed 2003-08, 110,000 milesRelated recalls
- 97V080000May 16, 1997The electrical circuit design allows the potential for an inadvertent air bag deployment upon vehicle ignition shut down.Covers: Jeep Grand Cherokee 1997, Wrangler 1997, Dodge Dakota 1997 +3 more
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 5 | 6% |
| 2024 | 1 | 0% |
| 2023 | 12 | 3% |
| 2022 | 9 | 3% |
| 2021 | 20 | 5% |
| 2020 | 17 | 7% |
| 2019 | 19 | 5% |
| 2018 | 24 | 3% |
| 2017 | 15 | 4% |
| 2016 | 12 | 4% |
| 2015 | 104 | 8% |
| 2014 | 211 | 9% |
| 2013 | 33 | 4% |
| 2012 | 43 | 3% |
| 2011 | 60 | 4% |
| 2010 | 11 | 9% |
| 2009 | 11 | 8% |
| 2008 | 40 | 5% |
| 2007 | 29 | 3% |
| 2006 | 60 | 5% |
| 2005 | 95 | 5% |
| 2004 | 326 | 25% |
| 2003 | 256 | 34% |
| 2002 | 486 | 33% |
| 2001 | 26 | 3% |
| 2000 | 59 | 4% |
| 1999 | 83 | 5% |
| 1998 | 36 | 4% |
| 1997 | 36 | 4% |
| 1996 | 34 | 4% |
| 1995 | 30 | 4% |
| 1994 | 37 | 6% |
| 1993 | 24 | 4% |
Other parts of the 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee
305 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
254 complaintsBrakes
173 complaintsEngine cooling
81 complaintsBody and structure
61 complaintsElectrical system
56 complaintsSteering
47 complaintsSuspension
43 complaintsVehicle speed control
36 complaintsEquipment
30 complaintsOther or unknown
30 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
29 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Jeep Grand 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