Recall 19V438 affects 869 2019 Jeep Renegade vehicles with Upland trim for incorrect occupant restraint controller calibration. Repair is free at any franchised Jeep dealer.
Jeep is recalling 869 2019 Renegade SUVs with the Upland trim package because an incorrect Occupant Restraint Controller calibration can affect air bag deployment. In a frontal crash, the air bags can deploy incorrectly and raise the risk of injury; Jeep dealers will update the controller software free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The Occupant Restraint Controller in the 2019 Jeep Renegade is the computer that manages the air bag restraint system during a crash. It reads crash sensor information and tells the air bags which deployment stage to use. On Renegades with the Upland trim package, that calibration has to match the way the vehicle is built.
In affected vehicles, the controller was loaded with calibration for a Renegade without the Upland trim package. That software mismatch changes how the air bag system responds in a frontal collision with a change in speed below 16 MPH. The wrong deployment stage can occur because the controller is making the crash decision from the wrong setup.
There is no warning sign before failure. The problem is in the controller software, so the driver will not hear, feel, or see a clear symptom before the restraint system is needed in a crash.
Who's affected?
| 2019 Jeep Renegade | air bag system |
|---|---|
| 2019 Jeep Renegade | air bag system |
| Units affected | 869 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific SUV is included.
What's the safety risk?
A miscalibrated ORC can deploy the air bags incorrectly during a frontal crash, increasing the risk of injury. There is no warning sign before this deployment problem. If your VIN is included, schedule the recall repair soon and drive with extra care until it is complete. Repair is free at any franchised Jeep dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2019 Jeep Renegade is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Jeep dealer to schedule the free ORC replacement that corrects the miscalibrated air bag controller.
- Bring the recall notice if Jeep sent one, or reference recall number 19V438 when you call.
- Call Jeep customer service at 1-800-853-1403 with questions and mention Jeep recall V73.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete, and leave extra following distance to reduce frontal-crash exposure.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Jeep technician replaces the Occupant Restraint Controller, or ORC, covered by the recall. The replacement parts and labor are free under the recall, and the dealer repair is available now. If you already paid for an ORC related repair before the recall notice, Jeep's reimbursement process asks for the original receipt or other proof of payment so the company can confirm the expense.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| June 11, 2019 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| July 31, 2019 | Dealer notification began |
| July 31, 2019 | Dealer notification ended |
| July 31, 2019 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| September 24, 2019 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 19V438?
Recall 19V438 covers 869 2019 Jeep Renegade vehicles with the Upland trim package. The Occupant Restraint Controller was incorrectly calibrated, which can cause incorrect air bag deployment during a frontal crash and increase injury risk.
What should I do if my 2019 Jeep Renegade is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Renegade is included in recall 19V438. If it is, contact a franchised Jeep dealer to schedule the Occupant Restraint Controller replacement. Reference recall number 19V438 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost to owners. A franchised Jeep dealer will replace the Occupant Restraint Controller for free under recall 19V438.
Is it safe to drive my 2019 Jeep Renegade before the repair?
The recall does not include a do not drive instruction. The safety risk is tied to the air bag system in a frontal crash, so confirm your VIN and schedule the free dealer repair if your vehicle is included.
What if I bought my Jeep Renegade used?
The free repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the vehicle, not the first owner. If you never received a notice, check your VIN to confirm whether your specific Renegade is included, then call a franchised Jeep dealer with recall number 19V438.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/19V438000 |
|---|---|
| Jeep customer service | 1-800-853-1403 |
| NHTSA recall # | 19V438 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 19V438000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation 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 May 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →