419,035 SUVs potentially involved

$0 Dealer software remedy

NO Do Not Drive advisory

The Jeep Grand Cherokee airbag recall covers 419,035 SUVs in the United States because software in the Occupant Restraint Controller may delay side-airbag deployment in certain crashes. The campaign includes specific 2022-2026 Grand Cherokee vehicles and 2023-2025 Grand Cherokee L vehicles, but model year alone cannot confirm eligibility. Owners need to check the 17-character VIN.

FCA US says dealers will reprogram the controller with updated software at no charge. NHTSA’s filing does not carry a Do Not Drive or Park Outside instruction, but the defect affects occupant protection, so an open recall should be scheduled promptly rather than postponed.

USA RECALL SNAPSHOT
Recall status	Active U.S. safety recall with a dealer software remedy
NHTSA campaign	26V328, also displayed as 26V328000 in some databases
Manufacturer campaign	01D
Potential population	419,035 vehicles
Affected models	Certain 2022-2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee and 2023-2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee L SUVs
Affected component	Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC) software
Safety concern	Side airbags may deploy late in certain crashes, reducing occupant protection
Warning after fault sets	Airbag light remains illuminated and a chime sounds at each ignition cycle
Dealer remedy	Reprogram the ORC with updated software
Owner cost	No charge for the recall repair
Driving advisory	No formal Do Not Drive or Park Outside notice for campaign 26V328
Key contacts	FCA US: 800-853-1403 | NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline: 888-327-4236

What Owners Should Do Today

YOUR SITUATION	WHAT TO DO NEXT
Your model year appears in the recall range	Do not rely on model year alone. Check the VIN for NHTSA campaign 26V328 or FCA campaign 01D.
Your VIN shows an open recall	Call an authorized Jeep dealer, quote campaign 01D, and schedule the free ORC software reprogramming.
The airbag light stays on or a chime sounds at every start	Contact a dealer promptly and describe the warning. Other restraint-system faults can cause similar symptoms, so a diagnosis still matters.
Your VIN shows no unrepaired recall	Save the result. If you recently bought the SUV or received a letter that conflicts with the result, ask Jeep or NHTSA to verify the VIN.

Which Vehicles Are Included?

The Jeep Grand Cherokee airbag recall is not a blanket recall of every SUV in the listed model years. FCA used vehicle production and supplier records to identify the suspect population, and similar vehicles built after the suspect periods or with door impact pressure sensors from a different supplier were excluded. A VIN result is the final practical test for an individual vehicle.

MODEL	MODEL YEARS	SUSPECT PRODUCTION DATES	VEHICLES	SHARE
Jeep Grand Cherokee (non-L)	2022-2026	May 16, 2022 to Aug. 19, 2025	140,130	33.4%
Jeep Grand Cherokee L	2023-2025	May 16, 2022 to Oct. 9, 2025	278,905	66.6%
Total	VIN-specific	Combined suspect population	419,035	100%

Why the dates can look confusing: A model year does not have to match the calendar year in which a vehicle was assembled. For example, the affected Grand Cherokee L range begins with 2023 model-year vehicles even though the suspect production period began in May 2022.

A 2026 Grand Cherokee L is not named in this campaign’s model-year range, while a 2026 non-L Grand Cherokee may be included. A 2021 vehicle is not part of campaign 26V328. None of those statements replaces a VIN check, because the same vehicle may have other open recalls or service campaigns.

What Went Wrong Inside the Airbag System?

The Occupant Restraint Controller is the electronic decision unit that monitors parts of the supplemental restraint system. Door pressure sensors help the vehicle identify a side-impact event. According to FCA’s filing, the suspect ORC software can cause a temporary door airbag pressure-sensor fault to stay active for the remaining life of the sensor.

STAGE	NORMAL ROLE	RECALL CONDITION
Door pressure sensor	Provides information used to recognize certain side impacts	A transient sensor fault can occur
ORC software	Evaluates restraint-system information and controls deployment decisions	Software may keep the transient fault active
Side airbag response	Deploys at the timing needed for occupant protection	Deployment may be delayed in certain crash types

This is not an airbag-inflator rupture recall, and the filing does not describe an airbag deploying without a crash. It is a software and sensor-fault handling problem that can affect how quickly the side airbags respond. It is also separate from the older Takata inflator campaigns.

How Serious Is the Safety Risk?

NHTSA’s report says delayed side-airbag deployment may reduce protection in certain crashes and increase the risk of injury. FCA also identified a possible failure to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 214, which covers side-impact protection.

QUESTION	OFFICIAL STATUS	PRACTICAL OWNER TAKEAWAY
Can the side airbags deploy late?	Yes, in certain crash types if the fault condition is present	Complete an open recall promptly
Is there an injury concern?	Yes, reduced protection can increase injury risk	Do not treat the update as optional maintenance
Is this a Do Not Drive recall?	No formal Do Not Drive advisory is listed	Driving is not prohibited by the filing, but repair should not be delayed
Must the SUV be parked outside?	No Park Outside advisory is listed	This is not a fire-risk parking instruction
Does FCA estimate every recalled SUV has the defect?	No, the filing estimates 1% of the population may have the defect	Every VIN with an open campaign is still eligible for the remedy

The 1% estimate is not an owner-level diagnosis. Drivers cannot tell from appearance, mileage, trim, engine, or normal operation whether the software condition will occur. If the VIN shows an open recall, the correct response is to complete the free update.

Warning Signs to Watch For

The recall documentation says there is no warning before the fault sets. Once it sets, the airbag warning light will remain continuously illuminated in the instrument cluster, and a chime will sound at each ignition cycle.

WHAT YOU SEE OR HEAR	WHAT IT MAY MEAN	RECOMMENDED RESPONSE
Airbag light appears briefly at startup, then turns off	Normal system self-check in many vehicles	Still check the VIN because the absence of a warning does not rule out the recall
Airbag light stays on continuously	A restraint-system fault has been detected	Contact an authorized Jeep dealer promptly
Airbag light plus chime at every ignition cycle	Consistent with the warning described after this recall fault sets	Mention campaign 01D when booking service
Warning remains after recall service	The update may not have been recorded, or another restraint-system issue may exist	Return to the dealer and keep the repair paperwork

Important: Do not wait for the dashboard light before checking eligibility. The official filing specifically says there is no warning before failure.

How to Check Your VIN in Three Minutes

1. Find the 17-character VIN. Look through the lower driver-side corner of the windshield, or check the registration card, title, insurance card, or driver-door label.
2. Search the complete VIN, not only the year, make, and model. A VIN search identifies whether that exact SUV has an unrepaired recall.
3. Look for NHTSA campaign 26V328 or manufacturer campaign 01D. Save a screenshot or printout for your records.

Use NHTSA’s official recall lookup to enter the VIN or license plate. NHTSA explains that a VIN result shows unrepaired recalls, while a recall that has already been completed may no longer appear as open.

If the result says “0 unrepaired recalls,” it means the database does not show a currently open recall for that VIN at the time of the search. It does not prove the vehicle was never included, and it does not replace repair documentation. If a mailed notice or dealer record conflicts with the online result, ask FCA US or NHTSA to verify the VIN.

What the Jeep Dealer Will Do

The official remedy is to reprogram the Occupant Restraint Controller with updated software. The filing describes a software repair rather than replacement of the side airbags, pressure sensors, or controller hardware as the standard campaign remedy.

STEP	WHAT TO EXPECT
Before the visit	Provide the VIN, quote recall 01D, confirm that the dealer can perform the update, and ask for an estimated appointment time.
At the dealership	A technician reprograms the ORC using the approved recall procedure. The recall repair is provided at no charge.
Before leaving	Request a repair order showing the VIN, mileage, campaign number, completion date, and work performed.
After the visit	Confirm that the airbag warning light completes its normal startup check and does not remain on. Keep the paperwork with the vehicle records.

Do not assume that a routine Uconnect or infotainment update completed the recall. The campaign documentation calls for dealer reprogramming of the ORC. Appointment length can vary with dealer workload, equipment availability, and any unrelated diagnostic work.

Can You Keep Driving Before the Repair?

NHTSA’s Part 573 report leaves the Do Not Drive and Park Outside advisory boxes unchecked. That means campaign 26V328 does not carry either formal instruction. It does not mean the defect is harmless or that an owner should ignore an open recall.

SITUATION	SENSIBLE NEXT STEP
VIN is open, but no airbag warning is present	Arrange the free update at the earliest practical appointment.
Airbag light remains on or chime repeats at startup	Call the dealer promptly, describe the warning, and ask for vehicle-specific guidance.
Vehicle has recent collision or restraint-system repair history	Tell the dealer before the recall visit because additional diagnosis may be appropriate.
Dealer cannot schedule immediately	Ask for the earliest opening, call another authorized Jeep dealer, and document your attempts.

An authorized dealer can give advice based on the warning lights, stored fault codes, and condition of the specific vehicle. Owners should follow any newer instruction from FCA US or NHTSA if the campaign guidance changes after this article is published.

Recall Timeline

DATE	DEVELOPMENT
February 2023	FCA engineering and supplier quality became aware of a small number of warranty incidents involving door airbag pressure sensors.
June 6, 2024	FCA’s safety and regulatory organization opened an investigation into possible delayed side-airbag deployment.
April 22, 2026	FCA recognized a vehicle-build issue that could create noncompliance with the side-impact standard.
May 14, 2026	FCA decided that a federal safety-standard noncompliance existed in certain vehicles.
May 21, 2026	FCA submitted Part 573 recall report 26V328 to NHTSA.
May 28, 2026	Dealers were scheduled to be notified, and affected VINs were scheduled to become searchable.
June 11-19, 2026	Owner remedy letters were scheduled to be mailed in phases.
July 20, 2026	This guide was checked against the available recall filing and owner-action information.

The supplied Car and Driver report provides the original news overview of the 419,035-vehicle campaign and the affected Grand Cherokee versus Grand Cherokee L split.

What If You Already Paid for Related Work?

FCA’s NHTSA filing states that the manufacturer has a general reimbursement plan on file. That does not guarantee that every prior airbag-light diagnosis, sensor replacement, software update, towing charge, or rental expense will qualify. Eligibility depends on the work performed, the dates, the recall condition, and FCA’s reimbursement rules.

• Keep the original repair invoice and proof of payment.
• Record the VIN, mileage, repair date, dealer or shop name, diagnostic codes, and parts or software listed.
• Contact FCA US or an authorized Jeep dealer and ask specifically about reimbursement under campaign 01D.
• Do not surrender original documents unless you retain clear copies.

Advice for Used-Grand-Cherokee Shoppers

A used SUV may fall within the model-year range but already have the recall completed, or it may still have an open campaign. Check the VIN yourself rather than relying only on a listing, history report, window sticker, or verbal statement from the seller.

• Run the VIN before placing a deposit or taking delivery.
• Ask for the dealer repair order if the seller says campaign 01D was completed.
• Confirm that the airbag warning light comes on for its normal startup check and then turns off.
• Recheck the VIN after purchase and register the vehicle with current contact information so future recall letters reach you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is every 2022-2026 Grand Cherokee recalled?

No. The listed model years describe the potential population, but the recall is VIN-specific. Similar vehicles built outside the suspect period or using a different sensor supplier were excluded.

Does the recall include the Grand Cherokee L?

Yes. It includes certain 2023-2025 Grand Cherokee L vehicles. The L accounts for 278,905 of the 419,035 potentially involved SUVs.

Is a 2026 Grand Cherokee L included?

The NHTSA filing lists 2023-2025 for the Grand Cherokee L. Owners of any model year should still run the VIN because other recalls may apply.

Does the airbag light need to be on for the VIN to qualify?

No. The filing says there may be no warning before the fault sets. Recall eligibility comes from the VIN, not the presence of a dashboard light.

What exactly is delayed?

The concern is delayed deployment of the side airbags in certain crash types when the relevant sensor fault is active.

Is this the same as a Takata airbag recall?

No. Campaign 26V328 concerns ORC software and the handling of a door pressure-sensor fault, not a Takata inflator.

Is the repair free if the SUV is out of warranty?

The campaign remedy is a safety-recall repair and is listed as free of charge. Confirm the open VIN and appointment details with an authorized Jeep dealer.

Can an independent repair shop perform the official recall?

The no-charge campaign remedy is administered through authorized Jeep dealers. An independent shop may diagnose other issues, but owners should use a Jeep dealer to record completion of campaign 01D.

Will a software update replace any airbag parts?

The standard remedy described by FCA is ORC reprogramming. A dealer may recommend separate work only if it finds an unrelated or additional fault.

What should I do if the warning remains after the update?

Return to the dealer, describe when the light or chime appears, and ask for written documentation of the diagnosis. Keep both the recall repair order and any follow-up records.

Final Owner Checklist

Priority: Check the VIN now, schedule an open recall promptly, and keep proof that campaign 01D was completed.

• Locate the full 17-character VIN.
• Search for NHTSA 26V328 or FCA 01D.
• Book an authorized Jeep dealer if the campaign is open.
• Mention any continuously illuminated airbag light or repeated ignition chime.
• Get a dated repair order showing the recall was completed at no charge.
• Return for diagnosis if the warning remains after service.

The most important distinction is simple: matching a model-year range means the SUV may be involved, while the VIN confirms whether the individual vehicle has an open recall. Owners do not need to diagnose the software themselves. They need to verify the VIN, arrange the free dealer reprogramming, and preserve the completion record.