FaultScore

RAM 3500 airbag problems

45 of the 3,354 complaints filed about the RAM 3500 are about the airbag system — 1% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2014.

45

Complaints

1%

Share of all complaints

19

Crashes

3

Fires

Airbags complaints by model year

2013 3500 3 6.7%

Median failure at 70,000 miles

2014 3500 10 22.2%

Median failure at 75,000 miles

2015 3500 4 8.9%

Median failure at 15,000 miles

2016 3500 8 17.8%

Median failure at 80,562 miles

2017 3500 3 6.7%

Median failure at 69,000 miles

2018 3500 5 11.1%

Median failure at 110,000 miles

2019 3500 3 6.7%

Median failure at 3,000 miles

2020 3500 1 2.2%
2022 3500 2 4.4%
2023 3500 1 2.2%

Median failure at 65,000 miles

2024 3500 5 11.1%

Median failure at 67,000 miles

What owners said

2024 RAM 3500 Albrightsville, PA Crash

AIR BAGS

Vehicle was in a heavy front collision and the airbags did not deploy.

NHTSA complaint #11750867 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2023 RAM 3500 at 65,000 miles Farmville, VA

AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2023 Ram 3500. The contact stated that while driving or while the vehicle was parked, the air bag warning light was intermittently illuminated. Additionally, the check engine warning light was illuminated, and the seat belt warning light was intermittently illuminated while the seat belt was securely buckled. The messages "Service ESC” and “Service Trailer Brake System” were displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.

NHTSA complaint #11746488 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2022 RAM 3500 Austin, TX Crash 2 injured

AIR BAGS

In a 55mph car accident where the vehicle has been totaled and none of the airbags deployed

NHTSA complaint #11731076 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2024 RAM 3500 at 67,000 miles Littlefield, TX

AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2024 Ram 3500. The contact stated that the steering wheel buttons had become inoperable. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with clockspring failure. The contact was informed that the clockspring needed to be replaced. The mechanic related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V199000 (Air Bags, Steering); and referred the contact to the dealer. The dealer was contacted and informed that the VIN was not associated with the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 67,000.

NHTSA complaint #11729671 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2019 RAM 3500 Navassa, NC

AIR BAGS

I lost trailer brakes, hydraulic controller not working. traction control light is on along with my airbag and my abs light comes on at times. NO REPAIRS WERE DONE YET. DEALER STATES ORC MODULE NEEDS REPLACEMENT. I believe this is an reoccurring issue.

NHTSA complaint #11712870 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2024 RAM 3500 Robeline, LA Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

I was towing a 6,000 pound excavator on a 20’ tilt deck trailer and rounded a turn to see a line of traffic stopped waiting on a big truck to turn. I hit the brakes and the truck didn’t start to slow. I swerved to the shoulder and pressed breaks as hard as possible and went past several cars and t boned the big truck that was turning. The only brakes it felt like i had was the trailer brakes. Very severe accident that everyone walked away from but definitely was equipment failure involved.

NHTSA complaint #11704812 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2016 RAM 3500 Caldwell, ID

AIR BAGS

Took vehicle to dealership for repair of heater. Once the repair was complete the dealership called to say the heater was fixed but the airbag light is now on. Once doing more testing they called back to say my steering wheel airbag harness either shorted or was crushed during the heater repair The part is no longer available and no remedy was available. I just have to take my car back compromised I refused the vehicle back and requested management get involved.

NHTSA complaint #11699554 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2024 RAM 3500 Elmendorf, TX Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

While traveling down a hill, about 40mph, applied brakes to stop at a T intersection, truck wasn’t slowing down. Engaged engine brake, truck wasn’t slowing. Slammed brake pedal to the floor, ABS did not engage, no vibrations, wheels didn’t lock up, held for 2-3 seconds then started to release and slam brake pedal repeatedly. Truck went through intersection, hit a lot of trees, dropped down a 6’ embankment, air bags did NOT deploy, trucks frame bent on both sides behind the cab.

NHTSA complaint #11699549 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2019 RAM 3500 Virginia Beach, VA

AIR BAGS

Recurring water intrusion through firewall/wiper cowl causes electrical corrosion and loss of vehicle communication (CAN bus). Dealer repeatedly documented: • 05/19/2022: “Cowl drains clogged; water entering passenger side” (Invoice #XXX). • 08/15/2025: “Water intrusion through firewall due to wiper cowl drains being clogged with organic debris; water found in passenger kick-panel connector” (Invoice #XXX). Resulting failures include: • BCM shorted (02/16/2022 – replaced). • HVAC module failure (10/15/2022 – replaced). • Intermittent CAN bus, loss of gauges while driving (09/04/2025 – Invoice #XXX; dealer suspects internal corrosion from prior water leaks). • 10/16/2025: Dealer states “old water damage to BCM causing corrosion on circuit board and disrupting bus circuits”; BCM replaced again (Invoice #XXX). • 10/20/2025 (current): Dealer states “ORC (airbag module) dead on bus; ABS module loss-comm with ORC; replace airbag module” (Workorder #XXX). The truck has lost instrumentation and safety systems in rain, with airbag and ABS communication currently inoperative. This is a safety defect; seeking investigation and manufacturer remedy/reimbursement. Injuries/Crashes: None, near-miss due to loss of gauges. Dealer: Hall Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, [XXX] . INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11694823 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2017 RAM 3500 at 165,000 miles Gold Beach, OR

AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2017 Ram 3500. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the ABS, traction control, and stability control warning lights remained illuminated. The cause of the failure was not yet determined, and the vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure. The contact was informed that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V896000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC ); however, the parts needed to complete the recall were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The failure mileage was 165,000.

NHTSA complaint #11687661 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2022 RAM 3500 Coarsegold, CA Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2022 RAM 3500. The contact stated while her husband was driving at 65 MPH, coming to a stop the brake pedal was depressed however the vehicle failed to stop in a timely manner rear ending the vehicle in front of him. The contact stated that no air bags deployed. The contact stated that her husband sustained injuries to his shoulders and his head. The vehicle was towed to caliber consultation auto shop. Medical attention was required. The contact stated that a police report was filed. The contact mentioned the vehicle has not been deemed a total by her insurance company yet. The contact stated that the failure was not diagnosed by a dealer or independent mechanic. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.

NHTSA complaint #11666415 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2024 RAM 3500 Canton, GA

AIR BAGS

SCCM Internal failure that the dealer is calling an Air Bag Clock Spring failure. Safety Recall 33B and 14B already exist for my make and year of vehicle, but do not cover my VIN. The turn signal gets stuck leading to a hazard for the operator and those around.

NHTSA complaint #11663759 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2018 RAM 3500 Eugene, OR

AIR BAGS

I had the ABS recall repaired 3 years ago when Ram was refusing to acknowledge this as a defective product. I paid for this repair. Under the recall I'm elgiible for reimbursement but the company is refusing to reimburse me for the repair after I sent them an invoice showing proof of work and my payment. This can't stand. Please force them to issue a refund for the $100 I am owed.

NHTSA complaint #11639921 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2018 RAM 3500 Stafford Springs, CT

AIR BAGS

Hello and good day, I purchased a 2018 DODGE RAM 3500 with 82k miles for $31k back in March 2024 @ Cambridge Truck located 5640 Glenn Hwy, Cambridge, OH 43725; Phone number 740-255-5200. My down payment was $8500 and my financial agreement was for $800 a month. My family and I were moving back to Connecticut and we needed a truck for all of our furniture/belongings, and for my fiancé's new landscaping business. On our way home the shifter wasn't shifting properly into gears but we still made it home, thank GOD. We contacted Capitol Garage Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM which was the closest Dodge. I brought the truck in for a diagnostic and the truck was diagnosed with a faulty/failed transmission. Parts were ordered back in July and expedited in September. I've been in contact with Cambridge Truck and I've been unsuccessful getting anywhere with Cambridge or Dodge even though I purchase an extended warranty the day of purchase. I was having a full blown anxiety attack the day of purchase as well, as I was overwhelmed. I have [XXX] and a [XXX]. I've made every payment including $400 a month for insurance for a vehicle I had on the road for a week. Not to mention I had to extend my Mercedes benz lease as I had no truck to rely on. My Mercedes mileage contract was broken and I was unable to recover my $15,000 down payment. I also had to pay $1200 in lease extension costs, and $800 for insurance. I finally had to purchase another car in October with all of had in my bank $3,700. The truck was for my fiancé's business which has been on hold for 10 mouths, another $100k we're out. This is a huge loss and I'm being ignored and offered nothing. The dealership is well aware of what I'm out as I've requested a refund several times via text to the sales team. After further investigation the 2018 Dodge RAM 3500 has many recalls since 2017. THIS TRUCK CAN'T BE FIXED, THERE'S NO REMEDY OR UPDATES AVAILABLE. I NEED A REFUND! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11637544 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2018 RAM 3500 at 110,000 miles Bellingham, WA

AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2018 Ram 3500. The contact stated that the ABS and traction control warning lights were intermittently illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed, and it was determined that the ABS and air bag control unit had failed. The air bag control unit was replaced, and the brake fluid was refilled. The contact then became aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V896000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) and wanted to know if the VIN was included in the recall. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer had opened a case for reimbursement which had since been closed. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was 110,000.

NHTSA complaint #11630986 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2018 RAM 3500 Whiteville, NC Crash 1 injured 1 killed

AIR BAGS

Frontal collision at 45 mph, totaled truck but airbags did not deploy. The insurance company sent the truck to the auction. My safety was at risk. Not that I am aware of, the insurance company has photos. Inspected by police and insurance adjuster. No symptoms of anything wrong with the vehicle.

NHTSA complaint #11518489 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2016 RAM 3500 at 242,000 miles Harpursville, NY Crash 2 injured

AIR BAGS

The contact owned a 2016 Ram 3500. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, he crashed into another vehicle waiting at a stop light. The driver-side air bag did not deploy upon impact. The other driver was taken to the hospital; however, the driver's whereabouts are unknown. The contact also sustained whiplash which he was treated for days after the accident. A police report was filed. Due to the damage, the contact's vehicle was towed to an independent tow yard where it was deemed a total loss. The contact went to the dealer and notified them about the air bag failure; they then referred him to the manufacturer. The contact filed a claim with the manufacturer and an investigator was assigned to look into the failure. The investigation determined that since the contact did not depress the brake pedal prior to the accident, the air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was destroyed. The failure mileage was approximately 242,000.

NHTSA complaint #11502345 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2015 RAM 3500 Spring Run, PA Fire

AIR BAGS

Driving down turnpike my truck went up in flames, mopar sent investigator to determine cause of fire at dealership never called me to give me a report they emailed me to badly burnt to determine cause of fire.

NHTSA complaint #11496055 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2020 RAM 3500 Tracy, CA Crash 2 injured

AIR BAGS

On 6/28/2022 I was involved in an off-set not-at-fault head on collision at 45+ MPH. My vehicle then careened off the initial collision causing a side impact with a large light standard. My vehicle continued until it collided head on with a building and came to a stop. The front impact and side impact airbags did not deploy at any time. My vehicle and the other vehicle were deemed a total loss.

NHTSA complaint #11473841 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2018 RAM 3500 LAS Vegas, NV Crash

AIR BAGS

9830-2021-10627 police report 12-14-2021 Head on collision with a 18 wheeler trailer. The air bags failed to deploy. My cousin survived. None of the air bags deployed. 2018 Dodge Ram 3500 Diesel dually.

NHTSA complaint #11444869 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other RAM 3500 problems