For about 30k miles now my service airbag light is on. Chrysler wants to charge $100 to look at it and then charge much, much more to "fix" the airbags. Why are airbags that have never been deployed not always covered under a warranty? I have been told by a third party tech that the airbags will not deploy with this light on. This problem is widely known and Chrysler seems to think our safety is…
2016 Chrysler 200 airbags problems
severe 66 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
66
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
12crashes
1fire
15injuries
What stands out
Owners have filed 66 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.
Airbags accounts for 19% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 10 categories tracked.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2016 Chrysler 200 has a well-documented airbag system problem affecting warning light circuits and sensor connections, with repair costs ranging $1,200–$1,800 if out of warranty. More critically, multiple owners report airbags failing to deploy in crashes at various speeds, resulting in serious injuries; this pattern demands inspection and testing before purchase.
The 2016 Chrysler 200 airbag complaints cluster around two main issues: persistent warning light faults and failure to deploy in crashes.
On the warning-light side, owners report the "Service Airbag System" message illuminates frequently—sometimes constantly, sometimes intermittently—at mileages as low as 5,464 and as high as 97,000. The light often comes on when a passenger sits in the front seat, while braking, or while driving at any speed. Dealer diagnostics find either no fault code, or point to loose or failed wiring harnesses under the driver or passenger seat. Multiple owners have had the same harness replaced multiple times, only to see the light return. One mechanic reported receiving several 2016 Chrysler 200s in a single month with the identical passenger-side airbag jumper harness failure. Repairs run $1,200–$1,800 and are typically not covered beyond the factory warranty period.
The more serious complaint pattern: airbags did not deploy in collisions. Owners describe T-bone hits, rear-end crashes, front-end impacts, and lane departure accidents at speeds from 5 mph to 70 mph. In each case, frontal or side airbags remained stowed while occupants struck the steering wheel, dashboard, or doors, sustaining head lacerations, concussions, bruises, and fractured bones. No manufacturing defect or design issue was documented by the manufacturer in response to these failures.
Same Chrysler 200 airbags reports on nearby years: 2013 · 2014 · 2015
Failure modes owners describe
Service airbag warning light illuminates; system diagnostics inconclusive or wiring harness fault
The dashboard 'Service Airbag System' or 'Service Air Bag' warning light comes on, often intermittently or persistently. Owners report taking vehicles to dealers where diagnostics either find no fault code, find a wiring harness problem under the passenger or driver seat, or identify issues with the occupant classification module/seat sensor. Multiple owners report the light returns after dealer repair.
When: Occurs at various mileages (5,464 to 97,000 miles reported); some owners report it within the first few months of ownership, others after several years. Light may illuminate while driving at any speed or while parked.
Symptoms owners cite: Service airbag warning light on dashboard comes on or blinks; Message 'Service Airbag System' or 'Service Air Bag' displayed on instrument panel; Light may be intermittent, on consistently, or on approximately 90% of the time while driving; Light often illuminates when passenger sits in front passenger seat or when seat is moved; Light may appear while slow-braking, coming to a stop, or during highway driving
Codes mentioned: B0028-13, DTC B002813
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers have replaced: front passenger seat wiring harness, driver-side seat wiring harness, occupant classification module (OCM), seat cushion foam, electrical components, SRS air bag sensors, front passenger seat assembly with updated wiring harness. One owner cited $1,200 repair; another $1,800 for seat removal, disassembly, and harness install. Repairs are often not covered under warranty if vehicle is outside factory coverage period. Some owners report the problem reoccurs after dealer repair.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 15V-259 (2015 Chrysler 200, April 7, 2014 to August 3, 2015 build dates) for occupant classification module/seat cushion foam mismatch causing airbag to deploy improperly; affected vehicles to receive OCM-SCF seat service kit. Technical Service Bulletin 10-002-18 issued but not classified as a full recall. Some 2016 vehicles built August 18, 2015 do not qualify for the 2015 recall despite matching build window. Chrysler has stated some vehicles are 'not eligible' for recall; manufacturer referred some owners to file NHTSA complaints when no recall was available.
Passenger-side occupant sensor or module malfunction; airbag may not deploy properly
Right passenger airbag sensor malfunctions or becomes inoperative. One owner's vehicle had a faulty sensor that dealer could not diagnose. Occupant classification system may not be properly calibrated, particularly if seat cushion foam and OCM were not replaced as a matched set during prior service.
When: Reported after service work or independently; one case noted at 59,306 miles with jumper harness failure.
Symptoms owners cite: Passenger-side airbag warning light illuminates; Passenger airbag sensor detected as faulty or broken; Airbag sensor jumper harness becomes disabled, rendering airbag ineffective; Sensor may fail when passenger enters or exits vehicle
Codes mentioned: B0028-13
Repairs/costs cited: Passenger seat wiring harness replacement; one dealership cited as source for technical service bulletin 10-002-18 reference. Cost estimates not provided by owners reporting this specific failure mode.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Technical Service Bulletin 10-002-18 referenced by mechanic calling on behalf of owner; dealership confirmed it is a TSB issue, not a recall. Manufacturer referred to NHTSA when contacted.
Airbags fail to deploy in crash; front end damage sustained without deployment
In multiple collision scenarios at various impact speeds (5 mph, 15 mph, 35 mph, 45 mph, 70 mph), the front airbags do not deploy when they should. Owners sustained head injuries, bruises, lacerations, and concussions without airbag protection. One owner reported side airbag failed to deploy in a T-bone collision. In one case, driver airbag did not deploy despite hitting light pole and other door/side airbags deploying.
When: During accidents at speeds ranging 5–70 mph; one crash at 50 mph with front-end impact; another at 5 mph low-speed collision.
Symptoms owners cite: Frontal airbags do not deploy on impact; Driver airbag does not deploy while other airbags (side, door) may deploy; Side airbag does not deploy in T-bone collision; Occupants strike steering wheel, dashboard, or sustain head/chest injuries without airbag cushioning; Smoke may come from engine compartment after collision
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicles were towed after collisions; some were not repaired or diagnosed. One owner's vehicle was assessed as destroyed. Another was taken to independent mechanic where assessment was pending. Repairs not completed in most cases provided.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer sent technician to one incident who stated impact did not warrant deployment; however, owner described severe front-end damage. Manufacturer notified of failures in some cases; in others, no contact made. No recalls or solutions offered. One case: manufacturer stated 'no air bag recalls' and provided no remedy.
Loose or disconnectable plug/harness under driver or passenger seat; repeatedly unplugs with road vibration or passenger movement
The airbag wiring harness plug located under the driver or passenger seat is not adequately secured. The plug disconnects independently due to road conditions, vibration, or passenger entering/exiting vehicle. Multiple owners report unplugging and replugging the harness as temporary fix; one mechanic noted this is 'a common issue' with the model and shop performs the procedure repeatedly.
When: Road vibration and passenger movement cited as causes; one owner reported 70,000 miles mileage; another noted repeated occurrences over 2–3 year period.
Symptoms owners cite: Service airbag light illuminates when harness becomes unplugged; Light reappears intermittently after being cleared; Plug detaches when passengers enter/exit vehicle; Plug becomes loose with road vibration
Repairs/costs cited: Temporary fix: unplug and replug harness underneath seat. Permanent solution would involve redesigning connector or securing mechanism. One owner reported dealer acknowledged the issue and recommended not digging under driver seat to prevent further loosening. One shop (Gerber mentioned) uses unplug/replug method repeatedly.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer informed one owner vehicle was 'not subjected to a recall.' No redesign or permanent fix offered.
Synthesized from 66 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Had airbags trouble with your 2016 Chrysler 200?
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 2016 Chrysler 200?
It's a meaningful issue. 66 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,100.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Across the 43 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 27,000 and 65,000 miles, with the median around 45,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 27,000; a quarter make it past 65,000. 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/2016/Chrysler/200.
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.