What the Airbag Light on a Jeep Means
Your Jeep airbag light indicates a problem with the airbag system. To ensure the safety of yourself and your passengers, get it fixed as soon as possible.
Written by John Davis
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
If the airbag light appears in your Jeep, it means there's a problem with the car's supplemental restraint system—i.e., your Jeep's airbag system. If you encounter this light, the safest move is to take your Jeep to the dealership or professional mechanic as soon as possible.
As a Jeep owner, you should understand what it means when the airbag light appears on your dash. And even
car repair
beginners can benefit from learning some basic information about this particular warning light. Fortunately, this article will cover all the facts about your Jeep airbag light and how to proceed if yours appears.Compare insurance quotes from 50+ carriers with Jerry in under 45 seconds (Title in payload)
4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ driversWhat does the airbag light mean on a Jeep?
Your Jeep's airbags are part of its supplemental restraint system (SRS) and are critical safety features designed to reduce the risk of serious injury during an accident. When you start your Jeep, the car's computer scans the SRS and other vehicle systems, looking for error codes. When the computer encounters an SRS malfunction, the
airbag light
will appear on the instrument panel. Usually, the light looks like someone buckled in with a large circle in front of their face. When the light appears on your Jeep, you will also hear a single chime to alert you of the light's presence. This light indicates an SRS malfunction and should be addressed as soon as possible.
Many things can cause the SRS light to appear. However, these are the most likely causes for your Jeep:
- Problems with the seatbelts. If your Jeep's seatbelts get stuck or the sensors malfunction, the airbag light may appear as a result.
- Faulty seat sensors. The sensors in your Jeep's front seats detect when someone is sitting there. If these sensors malfunction or the wiring harnesses are faulty, you may notice your airbag light.
- Defective airbag sensors. Your Jeep's crash sensors tell theairbag control modulewhen to inflate and deploy the airbags. If thesesensors are faulty, the airbag light is likely to appear.
- Damaged or worn-out clock spring. Your Jeep has a clock spring inside the steering wheel that is responsible for supplying electric energy to the driver's airbag. If the spring wears out or breaks, the airbag light will probably appear on your dash.
The reasons listed above are not the only things that might cause your Jeep airbag light to appear. The best way to get to the bottom of an airbag light is to take your car to a professional mechanic for diagnosis. Alternatively, if you own or have access to an OBDII scan tool with SRS compatibility, you can check for error codes associated with your Jeep's airbag system.
MORE:
Jeep oil change cost
What you need to know about the Jeep airbag recalls
Jeep has not been spared by the rash of airbag recalls in recent years. This is due to the company's use of Takata airbag inflaters, components known for dangerous defects. Because of this, Jeep issued a recall for Jeep Wranglers produced between 2007 and 2016.
The Takata airbag inflaters in these vehicles are flawed and may explode, sending metal shrapnel throughout the cabin. These are dangerous devices and can cause serious injury or even death. If you own a 2007 to 2016
Jeep Wrangler
and have yet to have the repairs performed, you should contact your local dealership as soon as possible to keep yourself and your passengers safe. How to reset the airbag warning light on a Jeep
If your Jeep airbag light is illuminated, the smartest move is to take your car to a professional mechanic or the Jeep dealership for an accurate diagnosis and the proper repairs. However, if you'd like to try resetting the light on your own before taking a trip to the mechanic, follow these steps:
- Turn your Jeep's ignition to the "ON" position without starting the engine.
- As soon as you see the airbag light appear on the instrument panel, quickly turn the ignition "OFF."
- Wait for around three seconds. Then, turn the ignition to the "ON" position again.
- Repeat steps 1-3 at least three times.
Once you repeat this cycle a few times, your airbag light should disappear. However, if the light remains lit or comes back on shortly after resetting it, you should contact a trusted and experienced technician to ensure the safety of yourself and your passengers.
Is it OK to drive with the Jeep airbag light on?
You can drive your Jeep with the airbag light lit. However, it is unsafe to drive for extended periods with an illuminated airbag light.
Remember, the airbag light is meant to warn you that the SRS has a malfunction. That means that your Jeep's airbags may not deploy during a crash, or if they deploy, they may do so at the wrong time. Both scenarios are dangerous and can result in serious injury.
While it may be a hassle, if your airbag light appears, you should visit a mechanic as soon as possible to keep yourself and your passengers safe.
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