Owners report the airbag warning light staying on or flashing, often with an accompanying chime, typically tied to clockspring failure. The clockspring is a spring-loaded electrical contact in the steering column that conducts signals between the airbag system and steering wheel controls. Many complaints describe control buttons on the steering wheel—horn, cruise control, radio, menu functions—becoming inoperable or working only intermittently, often temporarily working when the steering wheel is turned to a specific angle or position.
Several owners report spontaneous airbag deployment while the vehicle was parked with no collision involved. One owner describes the driver-side airbag deploying in heavy rain with the top and doors off, causing smoke and fire in the garage. Another reports deployment while parked in a store lot during heavy rain, with no apparent cause.
A significant complaint pattern centers on exclusion from recalls despite having identical part numbers and failure symptoms. Owners with left-hand-drive vehicles describe being told their VINs are not covered by clockspring recalls targeting right-hand-drive models or specific year ranges, even though the same part number fails in their vehicles. Owners also report extended parts-availability delays for recall repairs, with some dealers quoting months-long waits. Out-of-pocket repair costs quoted range from roughly $90 to $700 for clockspring replacement. One owner reports that after the recall repair was completed, the airbag light remained on and the system still did not function.
Failure modes owners describe
Clockspring open circuit / airbag warning light illumination
The clockspring assembly develops an open circuit, causing the airbag warning light to illuminate on the dashboard, often with periodic chiming. This indicates the airbag system may not deploy in a crash.
When: Reported across wide mileage range: 20,000 to 167,000 miles; some at low mileage (~27,000–50,000 miles); failure timing varies.
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag warning light stays on or flashes intermittently; Chiming sound accompanying light; Light sometimes extinguishes temporarily when steering wheel is turned to specific angle; Concern that airbag will not deploy in accident
Codes mentioned: B1B02 (driver airbag open circuit), DTC for driver-side airbag failure
Repairs/costs cited: Clockspring replacement quoted at $90–$700 depending on dealership; one owner paid $150 diagnostic fee; parts availability delays of 4 months to over 1 year reported at several dealers.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Multiple recalls issued (11V528000, 13V176000, 16V288000, 18V021000, 19V018000) but many 2013 LHD models report exclusion despite identical part numbers and symptoms; Chrysler Canada reportedly honored warranty for one owner; extended warranty mentioned in one complaint; many owners report recall parts unavailable.
Steering wheel control buttons inoperable / horn failure
Control buttons on the steering wheel—cruise control, radio, menu, and horn—become intermittently or fully inoperable, typically linked to clockspring failure. Horn may work only when wheel is in specific position.
When: Reported after several thousand miles to 115,000 miles; one owner noted gradual onset over ~6 months.
Symptoms owners cite: Cruise control stops working; Radio and menu controls inoperable; Horn becomes inoperable; Controls work only intermittently or when steering wheel is turned to certain angle; Airbag warning light illuminates concurrent with button failure
Codes mentioned: Diagnostic codes not retrieved at some dealers; one dealer unable to retrieve codes despite electrical warning
Repairs/costs cited: One owner paid $150 diagnostic fee; another had EVIC switch replaced but controls remained inoperable; clockspring replacement recommended as ultimate repair.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall (S40 / 16V-288) exists but VINs not included for LHD vehicles despite identical symptoms; one owner noted extended warranty exists for clockspring.
Spontaneous airbag deployment while parked
Driver-side airbag deploys with no collision, impact, or occupant in vehicle. Two cases involve heavy rain and one involves unclear cause; one deployment accompanied by smoke and fire from steering column.
When: One case at 6,300 miles after parking in rain; one case parked in store lot during heavy rain; timing unclear for one case.
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag deploys loudly with no impact; Smoke from steering column; Fire in garage (in one case); Noise described as gunshot or loud bang
Codes mentioned: No codes mentioned; Jeep inspector inspected but results not disclosed to owner
Repairs/costs cited: One owner's vehicle still awaiting repair; parts authorization issued but vehicle on dealership waiting list; Takata recall initially suspected by owner.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: FCA recall inspector investigated one case; Jeep refused to disclose reason for deployment or accept responsibility; Takata recall mentioned in complaint header.
Airbag non-deployment during accident
Airbag did not deploy during multi-vehicle collision with significant vehicle damage despite frontal and rear impact.
When: At time of accident (date: July 19, 2013); vehicle damage reported as $17,000+.
Symptoms owners cite: No airbag deployment during multi-vehicle accident (front and back impacts); Passenger injured in collision
Codes mentioned: Chrysler technician extracted sensor data but report not released to owner without legal representation
Repairs/costs cited: Chrysler stated airbag design deploys only when impact severity and crush energy meet threshold; owner unable to obtain repair cost or full diagnostic details.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler investigated per owner complaint; determined vehicle did not meet deployment threshold; refused to release technical report without legal representation.
Recall parts unavailability
Multiple owners received recall notification but dealers could not complete repair due to extended parts unavailability.
When: Recalls 16V288000, 18V021000, 19V018000; timeframe varies from months-long delays to over one year.
Symptoms owners cite: No failure yet experienced by some complainants, but recall issued
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers quoted waits of 4 months to 1+ year; one dealer said February 2020 availability (approximately 1 year out); another dealer confirmed parts unavailable with no confirmed availability date.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Multiple NHTSA campaigns: 16V288000, 18V021000, 19V018000; manufacturer unable to confirm parts availability timeline; VIN tool confirmed parts unavailable for some vehicles.
Airbag warning light with no clear diagnosis / recall exclusion
Airbag warning light illuminates but vehicle is not included in applicable recalls despite matching manufacture date range and symptoms described in recall notice.
When: Various mileages; some at low mileage (44,000–70,000 miles); one at 27,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag warning light illuminates; Owner researches and finds matching recall that excludes their VIN; Dealership quotes repair cost of $520–$700 when same repair covered under recall for similar models
Codes mentioned: Mentioned in one recall but not retrieved for most
Repairs/costs cited: Quoted repairs: $520–$700; one owner paid $150 diagnostic fee; several owners report dealerships unable or unwilling to explain exclusion from recall.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler stated LHD 2013 models not included in recalls targeting 2007+ RHD or 2011+ RHD despite same part number; owner of 2007 LHD had same clockspring part recalled; inconsistent recall scope cited as source of owner frustration.
Synthesized from 54 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer
allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.