1997 JEEP TJ Recalls — Canada & USA

The 1997 Jeep TJ has two recalls, both affecting the airbag system: one can disable the driver's airbag entirely, and another can delay deployment in a crash, raising the risk of injury to front-seat occupants. The first issue involves the clock spring, a coiled wiring connector behind the steering wheel that allows the wheel to turn while keeping electrical connections intact. When the suspension is fully articulated and the wheel is turned to the lock position, that wiring can break, cutting power to the driver's airbag and also disabling the horn and cruise control. The second recall involves a software error in the airbag control module that can slow the airbag's response time in certain crash scenarios, meaning the bag deploys too late to provide full protection.