What 2,369 owners told NHTSA about the 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk

The Active Head Restraint system, which is integrated into the headrest unexpectedly deployed while I was safely operating the vehicle on the highway. The impact to the back of my head caused a concussion. The vehicle was not involved in a collision or other kind of accident that would trigger the system to deploy. After parking the vehicle and inspecting the headrest, it was observed that several plastic fastening components failed causing the unintended deployment of the system. It was also observed that the plastic around the metal fastening pin had failed. Internet research shows that this is a known problem with Fiat Chrysler automobiles. A Federal investigation is ongoing relating to this issue. Further, there is a class action lawsuit in the state of California.

NHTSA ODI 11467926

Vehicle was parked when the front passenger headrest exploded.

NHTSA ODI 11467075

Passenger Headrest safety feature deployed while a passenger and I were driving hitting him in the back of the neck.

NHTSA ODI 11465798

The drivers active headrest deployed while sitting parked in driveway. Came out the the jeep this morning and the clips that hold it together broke. This is a part of the safety system.

NHTSA ODI 11462926

My 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee automatic headrest deployed. My wife was driving as normal and she was hit over the head by the headrest. It was deployed under normal driving conditions. There was no accident. This is very dangerous because of the sudden surprise. She could have been killed!!!!!

NHTSA ODI 11458705

I have a 2014 SRT jeep I was at the car wash and my passenger head rest system deployed I look inside and saw that the clips were broken.

NHTSA ODI 11442592

PASSENGER HEAD RESTRAINT HEADREST DEPLOYS WITHOUT COLLISION. WHILE PARKED IN DRIVEWAY OVERNIGHT, (POPPED OPEN AND FORWARD). DEALERSHIP FOUND NO FAULTS

NHTSA ODI 11442449

Deployed head rest while vehicle was in parked and engine was off.

NHTSA ODI 11440336

While driving my vehicle on an interstate, I felt something hit the back of my head against my hairclip. Once stopped at a light, I tried to adjust my power seat thinking that it had somehow readjusted itself (I have been waiting over 6 months for a new PCM and lots of little power gremlins have shown up with the engine and other systems). When that did not help the issue, I reached to my headrest to see if I could adjust it when I realized that it had popped open. There was no incident/accident to cause this.

NHTSA ODI 11438196

The driver's side headrest exploded forward when no one was in it. 10/12/21 the Jeep was taken to the Buffalo airport. Early Afternoon, 10/13/21 it was picked up. When the car was picked up, it was found with the headrest exploded. After close inspection of the car, no damage was found to indicate a collision had happened. The safety of others is an issue because it inhibits the driver from properly seeing the road after it exploded. The problem is being solved by our own mechanic. No inspection has been made by any authorities or insurance reps. No warning lights, messages or symptoms were observed before the headrest exploded. You can see pictures attached.

NHTSA ODI 11437752

Driver head restraint for 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee deployed while sitting at the airport between July 13, 2021 and July 18th 2021. Car was not in motion. Took car to Jeep dealership for inspection and replacement. It was determined by the dealership "Internal latch will not reset and hold properly". Head restraint was replaced with a new one. Mileage was 89,883. No warning messages or symptoms. Dealership stated they could not replace the passenger head restraint until it also "fails".

NHTSA ODI 11435018

Upon performing a quick brake to avoid hitting a dog that ran into my neighborhood street the headrest on the passenger seat sprang out forward and will not reset into place even after pulling it back. It springs back out forward.

NHTSA ODI 11434198

driver seat heard rest deployed and cannot be reset. this almost caused a serious accident

NHTSA ODI 11433466

Sitting in the driver seat parked. The active headrest suddenly deployed . No collision detetected and the latch is still holding the release pin in place, no chassis codes showing deployment. Upon furthur investigation the plastic brackets holding the pin on either side seemed to have broken as if the plastic had aged or was under to much stress. Thankfully i was leaning forward enough that it barely hit the back of my head and the cushioning absorbed much of the impact pressure.

NHTSA ODI 11433122

The contact owns a 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 mph when the vehicle's driver seat headrest suddenly deployed. The contact had spoken to the dealer however the appointment for the repair had not occurred as of yet. The contact stated the driver received neck injuries however no medical attention was needed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that there were no recalls on the vehicle. A case was opened regarding the matter. The approximate failure mileage was 147,000. Case number is [XXX]. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).”

NHTSA ODI 11430368

Front passenger active headrestraint defective. Headrest activated erroneously when plastic brackets holding steel bar broke. This caused the headrest to forcefully extend/deploy forward. Driver side headrest was not affected. Steel bar remained captured in claw which would have released steel bar if vehicle should be rear ended thus causing active headrestraint to engage (note: vehicle was not hit in this case). Should this occur with passenger in seat or to driver side while vehicle in motion it can cause an accident or injury to seat occupant.

NHTSA ODI 11430004

May 3,2021 while driving on Route 93 south I drove over a rough patch on the road as soon as I felt the bump in the road I heard a very loud pop. I pulled into a gas station and inspected my car that's when I discovered the passenger headrest deployed, fortunatley I was alone at the time. No one was hurt.

NHTSA ODI 11429377

While driving the drivers side headrest blew forward causing my head to violently push forward, contacted a dealership but no response as of yet.

NHTSA ODI 11429502

UNKNOWN I was parked when out of no where i heard a poping noise and i lucky no to have my head on the head rest at the moment of it popping , till when i tried putting my head on it i felt something off and thats when i saw that the head rest poped . I was not in a crash i didnt not hit anyone or was hit by anyone as well just happened on its own .

NHTSA ODI 11428282

While driving, I heard a loud explosion, and my head/ neck jerked forward to the steering wheel. I immediately thought someone hit me from the back. My daughter in the passenger seat shouted, “Are you Ok?” She told me that the back head rest exploded. I was shaking and tears filled my eyes as I pulled over to the side of the road. The driver’s headrest deployed for NO reason! I was so lucky that this did not cause a major accident! That evening (and for the next 4-5 days), I had a headache and lower neck pain. Today, it still feels sore. Even though the dealer fixed it, the salesmanager could not confirm if the new head restraint had the same faulty parts inside. My daughter is 15 1/2…She is scared to death of learning to drive in my Jeep. She witnessed the restraint deploying, and doesn’t want that to happen to her. Me either! I have been a Jeep owner for 22 years. Sad to say that I might not be much longer :-/,

NHTSA ODI 11427352

Driver’s Car seat headrest pop out while running almost causing an accident.

NHTSA ODI 11426440

The active head restraint on the passenger side deployed on its own with no outside influence

NHTSA ODI 11424867

The headrest on my 2014 jeep grand cherokee deployed on its own while driving. The headrest is pushed so forward that i am unable to drive my car safely.

NHTSA ODI 11423853

While driving with my husband and me sitting in the passenger seat the passenger head rest deployed hitting me in the back of my head

NHTSA ODI 11422240

I was preparing to stop at a stop sign when I heard a pop/burst. It was startling. I thought some glass or something broke but couldn’t see where. I looked over and I noticed my car seat headrest was open. Thank God no one was sitting there. And no one has for months now. So I’m unsure why it would have done that.

NHTSA ODI 11422357