Recall 15V046 covers 752,644 2002-2004 Jeep Liberty, Grand Cherokee, and Viper vehicles for unintended air bag deployment. Free repair at any franchised Jeep dealer.
Jeep recall 15V046 covers 752,644 2002-2004 Liberty, Grand Cherokee, and Viper vehicles because electrical noise can damage the air bag electronic control module, causing air bags or seatbelt pretensioners to deploy while driving. Inadvertent deployment can injure occupants and contribute to a crash; the dealer repair is free.
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What's wrong?
The air bag electronic control module is the control box that decides when the airbags and seatbelt pretensioners fire. In affected 2002-2004 Liberty, Grand Cherokee, and Viper vehicles, it monitors crash signals and sends the command that deploys the front air bags, side air bags, or pretensioners when a crash meets the trigger conditions.
On these Jeep vehicles, electrical noise can exceed what the module is built to tolerate. That stress can damage one of the internal circuits that controls the airbag deployment squibs, which are the small igniters that start deployment. When that circuit fails, the airbags or seatbelt pretensioners can deploy while the vehicle is being driven, even without a crash.
Owners have reported an airbag warning lamp or warning chime shortly before an unintended deployment. Treat that warning as a sign that the restraint control system needs dealer attention.
Who's affected?
Spans Liberty, Grand Cherokee, and Viper vehicles across the 2002-2004 model years, all tied to the front air bag component.
| 2003 Jeep Liberty | front air bag |
|---|---|
| 2002 Jeep Liberty | front air bag |
| 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee | front air bag |
| 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee | front air bag |
| 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee | front air bag |
| 2004 Dodge Viper | front air bag |
| 2003 Dodge Viper | front air bag |
| Units affected | 752,644 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle.
What's the safety risk?
An unintended air bag deployment raises the risk of injury and a crash. If the airbag warning lamp or chime turns on, stop in a safe place and contact a Jeep dealer before continuing. Repair is free at any franchised Jeep dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm whether your 2002-2004 Jeep Liberty, Grand Cherokee, or Viper is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Jeep dealer to schedule the free air bag control module and side impact sensor replacement that corrects unintended air bag and seatbelt pretensioner deployment.
- Bring the recall notice if Jeep mailed one. If not, reference recall number 15V046 when you call.
- Call Jeep customer service at 1-800-853-1403 with questions about repair status or dealer scheduling.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Jeep technician replaces the air bag control module and side impact sensors when the recall inspection shows those sensors need replacement. The recall repair is free, and this same remedy was used in earlier safety recalls 12V527 and 13V040. If you have already paid for this repair, Jeep's reimbursement process asks owners to send the original receipt or other proof of payment so the expense can be confirmed.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| January 28, 2015 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| December 18, 2015 | Dealer notification began |
| December 18, 2015 | Dealer notification ended |
| December 29, 2015 | Owner notification mailed |
| December 29, 2015 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 15V046?
Recall 15V046 covers 752,644 2002-2004 Jeep Liberty, Grand Cherokee, and Viper vehicles with an air bag control module issue. Electrical noise can cause front air bags, side air bags, or seatbelt pretensioners to deploy unexpectedly while the vehicle is being operated, increasing injury and crash risk.
What should I do if my 2002-2004 Jeep Liberty, Grand Cherokee, or Viper is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 15V046. If it is, contact a franchised Jeep dealer and ask for the R06 recall repair. The dealer will replace the air bag control module and side impact sensors as required for free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Jeep dealers will replace the air bag control module and side impact sensors as required, free of charge. The same remedy was used under earlier safety recalls 12V527 and 13V040 for vehicles that already received that repair.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is unintended air bag or seatbelt pretensioner deployment while the vehicle is being driven. That deployment can injure occupants and increase the chance of a crash. If your VIN is included, arrange the free dealer repair before relying on the vehicle for regular driving.
What if I bought this vehicle used?
The free recall repair still applies to a used vehicle. Recall coverage follows the VIN, not the first owner. Check your VIN, then give the dealer recall number 15V046 and Jeep recall number R06 when you schedule the air bag control module repair.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/15V046000 |
|---|---|
| Jeep customer service | 1-800-853-1403 |
| NHTSA recall # | 15V046 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 15V046000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Misc. Document (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 1, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →