Owners of certain Jeep Grand Cherokee SUVs should be aware of a newly announced safety defect involving the vehicle’s side airbag system. According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Campaign Number 26V-328, a software issue may delay the deployment of side airbags during certain types of crashes, potentially increasing the risk of injury to vehicle occupants.
The recall affects approximately 419,035 vehicles, including:
- 2022-2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee
- 2023-2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee L
What Is the Problem?
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) has determined that a software error within the Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC) module can affect how the vehicle responds when a door airbag pressure sensor experiences a fault.
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 214, “Side Impact Protection,” requires side airbags to deploy quickly enough to help protect occupants of different sizes in a variety of side-impact crash scenarios. According to FCA’s investigation, a faulted door airbag pressure sensor may cause the Side Air Bag (SAB) to deploy later than intended during certain crashes. While the airbags may still deploy, any delay in deployment could reduce occupant protection during a side-impact collision and increase the risk of injury.
What Causes the Issue?
The issue involves the interaction between the vehicle’s door airbag pressure sensors and the software within the Occupant Restraint Controller.
FCA first became aware of a small number of warranty incidents involving door airbag pressure sensors in February 2023. Engineers spent more than three years investigating the issue by analyzing returned components, reviewing field data, conducting extensive engineering studies, and evaluating potential failure modes involving door wiring, sensors, and software strategies. The company even modified a door wire harness in May 2024 as part of its ongoing investigation.
In June 2024, FCA’s Technical Safety and Regulatory Compliance (TSRC) group launched a formal investigation into reports that certain vehicles could experience delayed side airbag deployment during specific crash conditions. Through continued testing and analysis, FCA eventually determined that a vehicle build issue could result in a failure to comply with FMVSS No. 214.
On May 14, 2026, FCA formally concluded that a safety-related noncompliance existed in certain vehicles.
Are There Any Warning Signs?
According to recall documents, there may be no warning before the condition develops. However, once the fault is detected, drivers may notice:
- The airbag warning light remains illuminated on the instrument cluster.
- An audible chime sounds during each ignition cycle.
If either of these symptoms occurs, owners should have the vehicle inspected promptly.
What Is the Safety Risk?
Side airbags are designed to provide critical protection during side-impact crashes. If deployment is delayed, occupants may not receive the intended level of protection during the initial stages of a collision. As a result, the risk of injury could be higher than expected during certain crash scenarios.
What Is Chrysler’s Fix?
Chrysler dealers will update the Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC) software free of charge. The software update is intended to correct the issue and ensure proper side airbag deployment performance in compliance with federal safety standards.
What Owners Should Do
Owners of affected vehicles should:
- Watch for an illuminated airbag warning light.
- Schedule recall repairs as soon as they become available.
Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed beginning June 11, 2026.
Recall Information
- NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V-328
- Chrysler Recall Number: 01D
- Vehicles Affected: Approximately 419,035
- Component: Air Bags / Occupant Restraint Controller Software
- Remedy: ORC software update performed
