Air Bag Warning Lamp Illumination Customers may experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination. Upon further investigation the technician may find one or more of the following Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) has been set: ? B0050-1D - Driver Front Buckle Switch - Out of Range (Active or Stored). ? B0050-13 - Driver Front Buckle Switch - Circuit open (Active or Stored). This bulletin involves replacing the inline seat connector.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2016 Jeep Renegade airbags problems
severe Owners of the 2016 Jeep Renegade have filed 11 NHTSA complaints about the airbags 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 →
Complaints
11
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
| Model year | airbags complaints |
|---|---|
| 2015 Renegade | 4 |
| 2016 Renegade (this page) | 11 |
| 2017 Renegade | 12 |
| 2018 Renegade | 9 |
| 2019 Renegade | 7 |
| 2020 Renegade | 5 |
2crashes
3injuries
What stands out
Among the 8 model years of Jeep Renegade in our records for airbags problems, this one ranks #2 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.
Air Bag Warning lamp Illumination Customers may experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination. Upon further investigation the technician may find one or more of the following Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) has been set: ? /B0050-1D - Driver Front Buckle Switch - Out of Range (Active or Stored). ? B0050-13 - Driver Front Buckle Switch - Circuit open (Active or Stored). This bulletin involves replacing the inline seat connector.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Flash: Radio Frequency Hub Module (RFHM) Enhancements This bulletin involves reprogramming the RFHM with the latest available software. Customers may experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination. Upon further investigation the technician may find that the following Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) has been set:B1053-64 RFHM (Keyless Ignition Node (KIN) Communication) - Signal Plausibility Failure (Software has been updated to better address this DTC). In addition, the customer may notice the following condition(s): Service Passive Entry Light" on cluster and MIL code B1053-64. Vehicle will not shut off with DTC B1053-64. Vehicle may not start with DTC B1053-64. With the ignition i
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Flash: Radio Frequency Hub Module (RFHM) Enhancements This bulletin involves reprogramming the RFHM with the latest available software. Customers may experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination. Upon further investigation the technician may find that the following Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) has been set:B1053-64 RFHM (Keyless Ignition Node (KIN) Communication) - Signal Plausibility Failure (Software has been updated to better address this DTC). In addition, the customer may notice the following condition(s): Service Passive Entry Light" on cluster and MIL code B1053-64. Vehicle will not shut off with DTC B1053-64. Vehicle may not start with DTC B1053-64. With the ignition i
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Flash: BCM Diagnostic And System Improvements This bulletin involves reprogramming the Body Control Module (BCM) with the latest available software. The customer may describe one or more of the following: · **Rear interior overhead lamps remain illuminated after exiting vehicle and locking from the driver's or passenger's door lock buttons. This is causing the vehicle battery to go dead.** · The door locks are inoperative when locking/unlocking remotely. · False activation of the vehicle security alarm. · False exterior light failure messages being displayed in the instrument cluster.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Eleven owners of 2016 Renegades have reported airbag system problems, most involving a recurring pattern of service airbag lights illuminating alongside seatbelt warnings and electronic parking brake alerts. Owners say these warnings appear randomly—at startup, during highway driving, or while parked—and sometimes clear after a restart, but more often persist for 20+ minutes. Multiple dealership visits have yielded no resolution; dealers report no fault codes and cannot reproduce the issue during diagnostics. One owner reports a temporary fix using a 40-minute battery cable disconnect that lasted a single day before warnings returned.
Two owners describe more serious failures. One's vehicle was totaled in a collision with significant structural damage yet airbags never deployed, despite the engine running and a passenger aboard; an insurance adjuster and body shop stated deployment should have occurred, but the manufacturer refused to share investigation results. Another owner reports an airbag light paired with loss of power steering and an ignition that won't turn off—requiring battery cable disconnection to regain vehicle control.
A third reports all frontal airbags deployed during a minor 10 mph fender-tap with no prior warning, resulting in injury. One owner attributes cascading electrical failures to a faulty driver-seat wiring harness; another notes airbag sensor chips are reportedly unavailable for repair.
Same Jeep Renegade airbags reports on nearby years: 2017
Failure modes owners describe
Service Airbag Light with Concurrent Electrical Warnings
Service airbag warning light illuminates, often simultaneously with service electronic parking brake alert and seatbelt warning system activation. Owners report the warnings appear at random times—while driving, at startup, or while parked—and sometimes clear after stopping and restarting, other times persist for extended periods. Dealers cannot reproduce the issue during diagnostics and report no fault codes present.
When: Starting around 1,300–6,000 miles on new vehicles; recurring intermittently on used examples
Symptoms owners cite: Service airbag light illuminates; Service electronic parking brake alert appears simultaneously; Seatbelt warning light flashes or remains on; Warnings appear at random intervals while driving, at startup, or while parked; Warnings may clear after vehicle restart or persist for 20+ minutes; Dealer cannot reproduce issue; no fault codes detected
Codes mentioned: P0128
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reports mechanic disconnected negative battery cable for 40 minutes as a temporary fix; warning lights returned within one day. Another owner had mechanic check sensors with no visible issues found. Multiple dealership visits yielded no permanent resolution.
Driver Seat Electrical Wiring Assembly Malfunction
Intermittent malfunction of the driver-side seat electrical wiring assembly that disables multiple vehicle safety and comfort systems. The problem occurs after the seatbelt is secured and develops during normal body movement in the driver seat while the vehicle is in motion. The failure cascades to affect the airbag system, electronic parking brake system, seatbelt warning system, and driver seat power controls.
When: Recurring intermittently during normal operation
Symptoms owners cite: Temporary or permanent disabling of driver seat power controls; Airbag system malfunction; Electronic parking brake system malfunction; Seatbelt warning system malfunction; Issue triggered by normal body movement in driver seat
Airbag Non-Deployment in Accident
Vehicle involved in a collision with significant structural damage (crushed rear and driver side) did not deploy frontal airbags despite the engine running and a buckled-in passenger aboard. Insurance adjuster and body shop assessed that the impact severity warranted airbag deployment. FCA conducted an investigation but refused to share results with the owner, citing proprietary information.
When: October 4th accident; vehicle mileage not stated
Symptoms owners cite: Airbags failed to deploy despite significant impact (crushed rear and driver side); Vehicle engine was running at time of impact; Passenger was buckled in and sustained injuries; Insurance adjuster and body shop assessed deployment should have occurred
Repairs/costs cited: FCA conducted investigation; results not shared with owner.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: FCA investigation conducted but results withheld from owner; manufacturer stated inspection report is proprietary.
Airbag Deployment at Minor Impact
All frontal airbags deployed during a minor collision at approximately 10 mph while the vehicle was attempting to avoid other vehicles and made slight contact with the rear driver's side of another vehicle. No warning indicator was illuminated prior to deployment. The contact sustained injuries requiring medical attention.
When: Approximately 40,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: All frontal airbags deployed during minor impact; No warning indicator illuminated before deployment; Owner sustained injuries requiring medical attention; Vehicle slightly damaged
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle was not diagnosed; undetermined if totaled.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failure.
Airbag Light with Power Steering and Ignition Malfunction
Airbag warning light illuminates concurrently with loss of power steering and ignition that will not turn off. Owner must disconnect the battery cable to regain control of the vehicle. Warnings may stay off for a few days before returning.
When: Intermittent; pattern of occurrence not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Service airbag light illuminates; Power steering goes out; Ignition will not turn off; Requires battery cable disconnection to reset
Repairs/costs cited: Owner must disconnect battery cable to address the issue; warnings may reappear within days.
Synthesized from 11 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had airbags trouble with your 2016 Jeep Renegade?
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 Jeep Renegade?
It's a meaningful issue. 11 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?
Based on the 11 complaints filed, airbags issues most often appear around 28,414 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
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/Jeep/Renegade.
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.