FaultScore

RAM 1500 airbag problems

561 of the 16,530 complaints filed about the RAM 1500 are about the airbag system — 3% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2014.

561

Complaints

3%

Share of all complaints

247

Crashes

5

Fires

Airbags complaints by model year

2013 1500 94 16.8%

Median failure at 54,000 miles

2014 1500 126 22.5%

Median failure at 47,800 miles

2015 1500 60 10.7%

Median failure at 55,850 miles

2016 1500 47 8.4%

Median failure at 33,980 miles

2017 1500 53 9.4%

Median failure at 35,000 miles

2018 1500 19 3.4%

Median failure at 28,000 miles

2019 1500 88 15.7%

Median failure at 22,150 miles

2020 1500 20 3.6%

Median failure at 38,800 miles

2021 1500 25 4.5%

Median failure at 49,000 miles

2022 1500 12 2.1%

Median failure at 57,570 miles

2023 1500 6 1.1%
2024 1500 3 0.5%
2025 1500 6 1.1%
2026 1500 2 0.4%

What owners said

2026 RAM 1500 Bellaire, MI

AIR BAGS

Windshield wipers turned on by themselves and will not turn off, odometer is flashing, service airbag message on dash and airbag warning light flashing on dash and blinkers do not work. Stellantis cannot fix the problem and refuse to take truck back. Truck only has 3100 miles on it. Truck has been at Charlevoix Auto Ram Dealership Service since June 1, 2026. Multiple cases have been opened with auto manufacturer by dealership and us, the owner. Auto manufacturer will not buy back vehicle and put us new vehicle. We hadn't had vehicle for 3 months when this happened.

NHTSA complaint #11756039 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2023 RAM 1500 Zion, IL

AIR BAGS

Turn signal lever wouldn’t return to neutral position after completing a left turn. There was already a recall for this but my truck somehow passed inspection and so the component was never replaced. Since it ‘passed’ the recall was closed. I will have to pay out of pocket ($1,099) to replace. The component is the clock spring. According to dealer’s diagnosis: Air Bag - Clockspring Assembly / Spiral Cable: Clock Spring Not retracting turn signal lever back to position This assembly consists of a clock spring, which is a coil that retracts and expands inside its housing as the steering wheel turns. Its function is to maintain electrical continuity for all the components on the drivers airbag.

NHTSA complaint #11753456 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2021 RAM 1500 Midland, TX

AIR BAGS

NHTSA Vehicle Safety Complaint I am submitting this complaint to request that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration investigate a potential safety defect involving the dashboard on my 2021 Ram TRX. The dashboard on my vehicle has developed significant bubbling and delamination in the area of the passenger-side airbag deployment seam. While the manufacturer and dealership have characterized this condition as a cosmetic issue, I believe this assessment fails to address the potential safety implications associated with deformation of the dashboard in a critical airbag deployment zone.The passenger airbag is engineered to deploy through a designated seam in the dashboard. When the dashboard material bubbles, separates, warps, or delaminates in this area, there is a reasonable concern that the airbag's intended deployment path could be altered or obstructed. Any interference with the airbag's deployment could reduce its effectiveness or create an additional hazard to vehicle occupants during a collision.I recognize that I cannot determine whether my specific vehicle's airbag performance has been affected without engineering analysis or crash testing. However, I believe the condition presents a legitimate safety concern that warrants investigation because it involves a safety-critical component designed to protect occupants during a crash.I have also become aware that numerous owners of Ram trucks have reported similar dashboard bubbling and delamination, suggesting this may not be an isolated incident but rather a recurring defect. If this condition is widespread and occurs in the airbag deployment area, it raises concerns that extend beyond appearance and into occupant safety.The purpose of this complaint is not simply to seek a cosmetic repair. My concern is that a defect affecting the dashboard in the passenger airbag deployment zone has the potential to compromise the proper operation of a federally required safety system.

NHTSA complaint #11751363 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2014 RAM 1500 Miami, FL

AIR BAGS

I am reporting a safety concern with my 2014 Ram 1500, which recently reached 100,000 miles. The ABS module has failed, and replacement parts are not available to repair this critical safety system. Many other Ram owners appear to be experiencing the same issue. Additionally, my airbag warning light is on, creating further concerns about vehicle safety. A failure of essential safety systems with no available repair solution is unacceptable. I urge Ram/Stellantis to make parts available and resolve this issue as soon as possible to ensure the safety of drivers and passengers.

NHTSA complaint #11751211 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2019 RAM 1500 Cabot, AR

AIR BAGS

Service air bag light came on. Code read Passenger Seat belt Retractor Pretensioner Deployment Control - Circuit Open

NHTSA complaint #11749752 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2026 RAM 1500 Fall City, WA

AIR BAGS

Service Airbag System warning came on 1500 miles in while on vacation. Pregnant wife and 2 year old in the truck. Took the truck to the dealer and the Occupant Classification Control Module was shorted out. Vehicle has been in the shop for 12 days and counting.

NHTSA complaint #11749480 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2016 RAM 1500 Richmondville, NY Crash

AIR BAGS

Vehicle was in a front end collision and the air bags never deployed. Approximate speed 40-45 mph

NHTSA complaint #11746444 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2021 RAM 1500 Pensacola, FL

AIR BAGS

The leather-wrapped dashboard on my 2021 Ram 1500 is bubbling and delaminating on both the driver and passenger sides. The material is lifting and separating from the base, creating glare and reflections that impair forward visibility while driving. It also raises potential concerns with passenger airbag deployment due to the distorted/bubbling surface over the airbag module area. This is a widespread known defect on 2019–2021 RAM trucks with leather dashboards. I have an open case with Ram Customer Care (#96620269) where only partial coverage was offered. Attached are photos showing the bubbling/delamination on both sides. This defect affects safe vehicle operation. Please investigate.

NHTSA complaint #11746001 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2019 RAM 1500 San Antonio, TX

AIR BAGS

The passenger airbag in my 2019 RAM 1500 (VIN: [XXX] LP: [XXX]) is completely missing. The dashboard was cosmetically repaired to hide the absence, and the warning light was tampered with so no airbag/SRS alert appears. This was only discovered during a recent inspection; I had no prior warning. Inspection by an independent service center is scheduled and I can provide the vehicle for examination upon request. This creates a severe safety hazard, for years I've driven with no passenger airbag protection and false reassurance from a working dashboard. The issue was not disclosed by the selling dealer. I have photographic evidence and can provide all records upon request. Problem has not been addressed by the manufacturer, dealer, or police/insurance representatives yet. Safety of all occupants was unknowingly put at serious risk. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11744850 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2019 RAM 1500 Sun City West, AZ

AIR BAGS

Airbag switch in seat was partially faulty, depending on drivers weight. Dealership pulled code and replaced the new battery with a new battery, then did the steering wheel clockspring, but the final outcome was the weight of the driver and the seat switch for the airbag. The truck is currently in the shop waiting for the seat airbag switch. I believe this to be a safety recall. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11744097 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2019 RAM 1500 at 67,000 miles Danville, VA Crash 5 injured

AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2019 RAM 1500. The contact stated while driving at 45 MPH, occupied with four other passengers, the contact mention deer ran across the road, and he attempted to turn the vehicle to attempt not hit the deer and the contact lost control of the vehicle causing the vehicle to merge through bruises crashing into a tree. The contact stated that no air bags deployed in his vehicle and his bumper was detached. The contact stated that he sustained injuries to his neck, back, head and leg and he stated the others sustained injuries as well, however the driver has no information on their injuries at this time. Medical attention was required. The contact mention the vehicle was towed by a collision center and was deemed a total loss by the insurance company. The contact stated that a police report was filed. The contact mentioned that the vehicle seat belts did not retract. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 67,000.

NHTSA complaint #11739381 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2023 RAM 1500 Marseilles, IL Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

Ram 1500 Big Horn Limited 2023 was totaled in accident. Front end collision. None of the air bags deployed.

NHTSA complaint #11739256 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2021 RAM 1500 El Paso, TX

AIR BAGS

air bags, warning lamps on, it could be dangerous. don't know if it's been checked no accidents yet.

NHTSA complaint #11736338 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2013 RAM 1500 Athens, TN

AIR BAGS

Recently purchased the truck an warning light of low beam headlight out keeps coming on, but light is working fine, also horn and left controls on steering wheel dont work. Found There was a recall 15V459000 dealer said was completed in 2015 so is no longer warranty but the issue is happening now and it says it can cause a wire short that can cause airbag deployment

NHTSA complaint #11728150 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2019 RAM 1500 Stanton, TX

AIR BAGS

I am the owner of a 2019 Ram 1500. An airbag deployment incident occurred and Stellantis initiated an investigation into the airbag system. During that investigation, Stellantis and/or its contractor Bosch extracted Event Data Recorder (EDR) crash data from the vehicle's airbag control module using Bosch Crash Data Retrieval (CDR) equipment. Despite multiple requests, Stellantis has refused to provide the extracted EDR data to the vehicle owner. Under Texas Transportation Code §547.615, information recorded by an Event Data Recorder in a motor vehicle is the property of the vehicle owner. The data was taken from my vehicle, yet the manufacturer is refusing to release the information. Because this data relates directly to the airbag system and crash safety systems of the vehicle, I am requesting that NHTSA review this matter and determine whether the manufacturer is improperly withholding safety-related crash data from the vehicle owner.

NHTSA complaint #11723107 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2018 RAM 1500 at 120,000 miles Muskegon, MI

AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2018 Ram 1500. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the “Service Air Bag” message was displayed on the instrument panel. The air bag warning light remained illuminated while driving. Additionally, the horn was inoperable while depressed, and the controls on the left side of the steering wheel failed to operate as intended; however, the right side of the steering wheel operated as intended. The dealer was contacted for recall information and informed that the vehicle was not included in a recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure was associated with an unknown recall found online. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.

NHTSA complaint #11721810 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2017 RAM 1500 Goodlettsville, TN

AIR BAGS

Air bag light is on and doesn't disappear. It says service air bags soon.

NHTSA complaint #11721114 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2014 RAM 1500 Plains, PA

AIR BAGS

1. Front fuel tank strap bracket has corroded and strap no longer attaches, my vehicle is available for inspection upon request. (appears this was a problem for 2009-2012 ram trucks) 2. If the tank falls, fuel will let loose with the opportunity for fire. 3. Yes, (independent service center). My mechanic wants me to ratchet strap the tank up to run the fuel low (because the tank will need to be dropped to repair/replace). He can't do the work. I need to contact a welding shop to weld new brackets to my truck frame. 4. No, there was no physical accident up to this point. The strap is hanging and unable to reattach because the frame bracket is rotted out. 5. No, just saw the strap hanging under the truck. (Additionally, my truck doesn't come up as having a current recall for airbags but i have the airbag light on the dash. I see NHTSA recall #'s 17V302000, 16EO41000, 15V534000 and 15V460000 all apply to airbags with my trucks year)

NHTSA complaint #11721044 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2020 RAM 1500 at 61,590 miles Wetumpka, AL

AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2020 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light unexpectedly illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and it was determined that the air bag had failed and needed to be repaired. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 61,590

NHTSA complaint #11720936 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2014 RAM 1500 Davenport, FL

AIR BAGS

There was a previous recall for my vehicle July 21, 2015 R36 15V•459. The recall was handled at the dealership to fix the recall. But now I'm experiencing the exact symptoms of Recall R36. Steering Wheel: •Ghost right blinker - When engaged, all lights are on and in working condition and blink at a normal rate on the outside of the vehicle. •No menu navigation •No cruise control •Can't control radio •Can't control phone calls •No working horn •Active airbag light Symptoms are constant all angles of the steering wheel. There is no noise coming from the steering column. Airbag light is on all the time. Yes, the vehicle is available for inspection upon request. My safety is put at risk for having a failed horn, I cannot alert others. And with the airbag light on, either the airbag can spontaneously deploy causing an accident or if I'm in an accident, they won't deploy at all. If I can't access my menu, I'm unable to see any vehicle notifications or alerts for my engine, transmission, and safety systems, including Perform Service reminders, tire pressure warnings, oil life percentage, low oil pressure and potential emissions or electrical issues. No, it has not been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center yet. No, it has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others. There were no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure. First appeared February 2, 2026

NHTSA complaint #11719586 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other RAM 1500 problems