Steeljaw is one of the Autobots who belongs to the group called Cassettes (since he transforms between his lion mode and cassette mode). He and five other Autobot cassettes: Ramhorn, Eject, Rewind, Grandslam and Raindance are carried in the tape deck of Blaster (who transforms into an AM/FM Stereo Cassette Player).

Steeljaw fits he role as Tracker very well as he is a determined hunter who can follow almost any scent (according to his Tech Spec).

The Generation 1 Steeljaw was released together with the Generation 1 Rewind in 1986.