Chrysler is recalling 4,336 model year 2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Commander and Jeep Wrangler vehicles. Wiring may be reversed on the steering column control module driver airbag squib connector. (The squib is the component within the air bag inflator that begins the deployment process.) The driver’s airbag may not deploy as intended. In the event of a crash, the driver’s airbag will not deploy and will not be able to properly protect an occupant, increasing the risk of injuries.
On February 25, 2009 a defective Steering Column Control Module (SCCM) was found at a Chrysler instrument panel supplier. Analysis determined that wiring was reversed on the driver air bag squib connector. Investigation determined that the SCCM supplier manufacturing process locates the driver air bag squib wires into a fixture by hand and a vision system checks for correct wire color and position prior to soldering. It was also determined that if the fixture is in program mode, the squib wires can be soldered even if not correctly positioned.
The affected vehicles all utilize multi-stage driver airbags, and reversed squib wires may result in improper driver air bag deployment performance as the inflator stages fire in reverse order. This condition is not detectable by vehicle on-board diagnostics, and no malfunction indicator lamp will illuminate. The component was supplied by TRW Automotive Electronics Group. The recall is expected to begin during May 2009. 09V-118.
This recall illustrates two main problems with airbag recalls. First, the quality control can sometimes be lacking, and allows defective components to slip through the production system and into unsuspecting consumers’ hands. Second, the airbag warning lamp does not detect all defects, including this one. This means you may not know that you have a defective airbag until it’s too late and you’re involved in a crash where you needed your airbag.
Great blog, yet another great post!
Thanks. We continually try to keep it updated to include all types of information about airbags and airbag safety, including airbag recalls, airbag laws, common airbag defects, how airbags work, different airbag safety features, airbag problems, and many other types of information drawn from my background as an airbag engineer and airbag lawyer.
what about air bags for 2001 jeep 4 wheel drive?
The recall above applies only to the 2009 model year of Jeep Grand Cherokee, Commander and Wrangler vehicles. It did not apply to the 2001 model year. However, there may be other issues with the air bag system for the 2001 Jeeps. Please feel free to call me for details.
I was in a car accident in 2008 . I was driving a brand new jeep grand cherokee (2008) and rear ended the car in front of me so hard that I was sent forward and my hand went through the windshield, resulting in major damage and surgery. Anyhow, the airbag did not deploy.
I had an accident in a 2007 Grand Cherokee, $7500 damage to the front of the vehicle. Hit an object at about 55 mph. The entire front end including the radiator and fan were damaged. The airbag did not deploy. The body shop said the sensors did not touch anything. How can that be? What does one have to hit and at what speed for the airbag to deploy? This seems like a very big problem for Jeep and I no longer feel safe in it.
If a body shop tells you that the air bags are not supposed to deploy unless the sensors “touch” something or are crushed, they are simply wrong! In order to get the air bags inflated before you hit your head on the steering wheel or other hard surface, the sensors must predict the severity of the crash. They do this by analyzing the deceleration of the vehicle, and processing that information through their software to determine whether they should deploy the air bags. If they are functioning properly, in most cases the sensors make the deployment decision long before they ever “touch” anything or are crushed; in many cases requiring air bag deployment, the sensors never “touch” anything and are not among the crushed components. I have seen numerous Chrysler vehicles, including Jeeps, where the air bags did not deploy but should have. Sometimes this has even caused the death of a driver. I definitely recommend that you report this issue to the federal agency responsible for monitoring this, and also directly to Chrysler. I also recommend that you get the system checked out by a qualified individual, because next time the outcome can be far worse.
My mom owns a 2008 Chrysler Town and Country minivan. My sister and her young son were riding in the vehicle along with my mom when the airbag deployed for no apparent reason. My moms arm is all cut up and will be permanently scarred and the airbag drove my sisters head through the side window of the van. She has had a constant headache since the accident. They were fortunate that they were on a sidestreet and traffic was light. Had they been on the freeway people could have been killed.
Chrysler corporation was contacted but have been slow to respond to the situation.
My daughter was in a wreck on 5-13-11 in a grand cherkoee larado 1995. The impact was so hard that it bent the frame on the front and move the motor back 2 inches. It broke her nose from hitting the steering wheel. The airbags never deployed, the airbag light was not on prior to crash.