New Safety Recall Advanced Communication ? N01060613 Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) announced a safety recall on certain 2010 through 2012 model year (MK) Jeep Compass and Patriot vehicles. Some of the above vehicles were built with a software error in the Occupant Restraint Control (ORC) module. The ORC software error may result in delayed or non-deployment of seatbelt pre-tensioner or side airbag curtains involved in certain low-speed rollover events. Chrysler will conduct a voluntary safety recall on all involved vehicles to reprogram the ORC module with the corrected software. Dealers will be notified of the launch of this safety recall by way of established methods used in the past. We a
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2011 Jeep Patriot airbags problems
critical Owners of the 2011 Jeep Patriot have filed 40 NHTSA complaints about the airbags, typically surfacing around 70,000 miles at roughly $1,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See airbags across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
40
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
| Model year | airbags complaints |
|---|---|
| 2008 Patriot | 9 |
| 2009 Patriot | 5 |
| 2010 Patriot | 23 |
| 2011 Patriot (this page) | 40 |
| 2012 Patriot | 50 |
| 2013 Patriot | 32 |
| 2014 Patriot | 140 |
| 2015 Patriot | 18 |
9crashes
6injuries
1fatality
When does it fail?
Of the 40 airbags complaints filed for the 2011 Jeep Patriot, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 40 airbags complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Among the 10 model years of Jeep Patriot in our records for airbags problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering airbags on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
New Safety Recall Advanced Communication ? N01060613 Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) announced a safety recall on certain 2010 through 2012 model year (MK) Jeep Compass and Patriot vehicles. Some of the above vehicles were built with a software error in the Occupant Restraint Control (ORC) module. The ORC software error may result in delayed or non-deployment of seatbelt pre-tensioner or side airbag curtains involved in certain low-speed rollover events. Chrysler will conduct a voluntary safety recall on all involved vehicles to reprogram the ORC module with the corrected software. Dealers will be notified of the launch of this safety recall by way of established methods used in the past. We a
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2011 Patriot's airbag and seat belt system shows two major problems. First, NHTSA recall campaign 16V668000 (occupant restraint system) issued in September 2016 created a widespread parts shortage that locked owners out of repairs for months or years. Dealers repeatedly told owners the necessary parts were unavailable, with no estimated arrival dates. Owners received recall notices but were told to wait indefinitely, some for 6 months or longer, and when dealers eventually got parts in, appointments remained unavailable or were canceled at the last minute.
Second, owners report actual airbag and pretensioner failures in crashes. Multiple incidents show front airbags not deploying on frontal impacts at speeds ranging from 30 to 60 mph. Side curtain airbags failed to deploy in rollover and side-impact scenarios. In one fatal 2017 crash, side curtain airbags deployed but the front airbag did not. Injuries in failed-deployment crashes included concussions, rib fractures, spinal damage, and one fatality. In addition, some vehicles were apparently missed from the original recall entirely—owners later found their VINs excluded despite matching failure codes. One owner's vehicle was marked missing from recall 16V288 and denied repair by the dealer after the recall closed, leaving the safety system unrepaired.
Same Jeep Patriot airbags reports on nearby years: 2010 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014
Failure modes owners describe
Recall Part Unavailability - Campaign 16V668000
Owners notified of NHTSA Campaign 16V668000 (occupant restraint system - airbags and seat belts) faced persistent parts shortages. Dealers repeatedly reported parts unavailable, with no timeline for repair. Multiple owners experienced months-long delays, some reporting 6+ months of waiting without remedy or status updates. Manufacturers acknowledged the issue but could not provide parts.
When: July 2016 - September 2017 (recall issued September 2016, parts unavailable through at least September 2017)
Symptoms owners cite: Parts not in stock at dealerships; No estimated arrival dates provided; Repeated dealer contact yielded no resolution; Owners unable to schedule repairs for extended periods; Some owners placed on wait lists with no follow-up
Codes mentioned: 16V668000
Repairs/costs cited: Recall remedy parts unavailable; no repairs completed in narratives describing part shortages. Some owners quoted waiting 6-9 months with no dealer appointment scheduled.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Recall Campaign 16V668000 issued September 2016 for occupant restraint system. Recall remedy parts remained unavailable for extended period. FCA/Chrysler/Jeep indicated parts would eventually arrive but provided no concrete timelines.
Airbag Non-Deployment in Crashes
Multiple owners reported front and side airbags failing to deploy during vehicle crashes at varying speeds. Events ranged from low-speed collisions to high-impact crashes. Owner injuries included concussions, rib fractures, spinal injury, brain injury, and fatality in one incident. In one fatal crash, side curtain airbags deployed but front airbag did not.
When: Various incidents; mileage ranges from 32,800 to 70,000 miles; some unspecified
Symptoms owners cite: Front airbags did not deploy on frontal impact; Side curtain airbags did not deploy on side/rollover impact; Selective airbag failure (one side deployed, other did not); Owner injuries sustained despite airbag presence; Vehicle destruction without protective deployment
Codes mentioned: 16V668000, 16V288000
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs documented. Vehicles either destroyed, junked, or unrepaired. One incident involved vehicle towed to insurance lot then destroyed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Recall 16V-668 (Occupant Restraint System) addresses airbag/seat belt issues. Some vehicles included in recall campaigns 16V668000 and 16V288000; others reported as not included despite owner expectations.
Airbag Warning Light Illumination
Owners reported airbag warning indicator illuminating on dashboard. In one case, owner diagnosed code B1B06 (Driver Airbag Squib 2 circuit open) matching NHTSA Recall 16V-288. Vehicle was reportedly missed from the recall, and upon failure, dealer refused warranty repair citing the recall as closed. Other cases involved warning light with no diagnostic performed or inconclusive VIN recall eligibility.
When: Various; one case at ~150,000 miles; another case in 2025 (recall from 2016)
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag warning indicator lit on dashboard; Diagnostic code B1B06 (Driver Airbag Squib 2 circuit open) in one case; Vehicle excluded from recall coverage despite matching symptom code; Dealers unable or unwilling to diagnose/repair under closed recall
Codes mentioned: B1B06, 16V288000
Repairs/costs cited: Owner with B1B06 code was denied repair by dealer citing closed recall status. Other cases: vehicle not diagnosed or repair status unknown.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 16V-288 (Driver Airbag Squib circuit). One owner's vehicle was missed from recall; upon failure, Jeep/dealer stated recall was closed and denied repair responsibility.
Seat Belt Pretensioner Non-Deployment
In crashes, seat belt pretensioners failed to lock or activate. One owner reported pretensioner failure alongside non-deploying airbags during 30 mph frontal collision. Another crash victim mentioned seat belt locked but timing unknown relative to impact.
When: Crash incidents at 30 mph and 60,000 miles (one case)
Symptoms owners cite: Seat belt pretensioners did not fire/lock during frontal impact; Owner injuries (concussion, contusions) sustained despite seat belt presence; Pretensioner failure occurred alongside airbag failure
Codes mentioned: 16V668000
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs completed. Vehicle not repaired after failure.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Recall 16V668000 addresses both airbags and seat belt pretensioners. Owner notified but parts unavailable.
Side Curtain Airbag Unintended Deployment
One owner reported passenger-side headrest (integral to side curtain airbag system) deployed while driving normally under common road conditions with no accident. Owner noted online articles mention similar unintended deployment incidents.
When: During normal driving; specific mileage not stated
Symptoms owners cite: Side curtain airbag/headrest deployed without crash or impact; Occurred during smooth, normal driving conditions; Potential hazard if deployment occurred in driver seat
Occupant Restraint Control Module Internal Failure
One owner reported vehicle inspected under NHTSA Recall S61 (16V-668) and found the occupant restraint control (ORC) module internally failed. Owner expressed fear of driving with child, knowing airbags and seat belts would not deploy. Manufacturer could not provide timeline for replacement module.
When: Inspected 2017 (recall issued September 2016)
Symptoms owners cite: ORC module internally failed per inspection; Non-functional airbag and seat belt system despite inspection/recall process; No remedy available due to parts unavailability
Codes mentioned: 16V668000, S61
Repairs/costs cited: Module replacement needed; parts not available. Repair not completed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Safety Recall S61 / 16V-668 (Occupant Restraint System). Module failure diagnosed but no repair remedy available.
Stalling with Illuminated Airbag Sensor Light
One owner reported vehicle stalling at low speeds when automatic transmission and air conditioner both active, with airbag sensor light illuminated. Failure occurred before engine warmed to operating temperature. Manual/Tiptronic transmission did not exhibit stalling. Vehicle not diagnosed or repaired.
When: At 98,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Stalling at low speeds with specific condition (automatic transmission + A/C active); Airbag sensor light illuminated; Stalling occurred during cold-start period; No stalling with manual/Tiptronic transmission option
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle not diagnosed or repaired.
Synthesized from 40 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Safety recall s61- to replace orc. In my vehicle it has already been inspected and the module has internally failed. I fear for my safety driving my vehicle with my child, knowing already that my airbags and seatbelts will not deploy in the event of an accident. Chrysler has no idea when the part will come in and so we just have to "hope" I do not get into a car accident prior to then according…
I was not notified that my patriot was under a major safety recall. I contacted Chrysler corp. And was given the run around. I finally was put into a rental that I did not have to pay for ( I had to pay the first week because they refused to pay for it at first) and as of now my car is sitting in my garage with a full tank of gas, brand new transmission and brand new tires. There is no fix and…
Had airbags trouble with your 2011 Jeep Patriot?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the airbags problem on the 2011 Jeep Patriot?
It's a serious issue. 40 complaints have been filed, including 9 reports involving a crash and 1 fatality(ies). We've classified it as critical based on NHTSA's reported outcomes.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Across the 11 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 49,000 and 98,000 miles, with the median around 70,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 49,000; a quarter make it past 98,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,100 for airbags repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to airbags?
No active recalls currently cover airbags issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2011/Jeep/Patriot.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.