2003 Dodge RAM 3500 Air Bags Problems

Source: NHTSA · Updated Jul 25, 2024 · 80 complaints analyzed

Owners have filed 80 complaints with NHTSA about air bags problems on the 2003 Dodge RAM 3500, 28% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 102,250 miles. The words owners use most often: “takata air bags” (31% of reports).

What owners describe

Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.

  • Takata air bags: mentioned in 25 of 80 complaints (31%)
  • Give specific become: mentioned in 5 of 80 complaints (6%)

At what mileage do air bags problems happen?

Based on 10 complaints that reported the odometer reading.

Under 10k miles0 · 0%
10k–25k miles0 · 0%
25k–50k miles1 · 10%
50k–75k miles2 · 20%
75k–100k miles0 · 0%
100k–150k miles5 · 50%
150k+ miles2 · 20%

How serious are the reports?

Of 80 complaints, 3 mention a crash, 3 an injury.

Dodge RAM 3500 air bags complaints by model year

Peak: 2003, with 80 complaints
1995: 2199521996: 221997: 4199741998: 991999: 5199952000: 222001: 112001112002: 442003: 802003802004: 43432005: 332005332006: 33332007: 362007362008: 18182009: 122009122010: 332011: 2201122012: 1515

n = 314 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Model yearAir Bags complaintsShare of that yearMedian miles
2012 RAM 3500154%105,000
2011 RAM 350021%123,476
2010 RAM 350032%150,000
2009 RAM 35001211%58,000
2008 RAM 35001810%62,776
2007 RAM 35003617%32,000
2006 RAM 35003313%135,302
2005 RAM 35003317%119,000
2004 RAM 35004320%107,500
2003 RAM 35008028%102,250
2002 RAM 350049%17,000
2001 RAM 3500118%133,000
2000 RAM 350023%686,533
1999 RAM 350055%118,000
1998 RAM 350099%88,000
1997 RAM 350043%198,000
1996 RAM 350022%200,000
1995 RAM 350022%—

When owners reported it

Peak: 2016, with 39 complaints
2006: 2200622010: 1201012011: 1201112013: 1201312015: 302015302016: 392016392017: 4201742018: 1201812020: 120201

n = 80 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Related recalls (1)

Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator moduleDo not driveMay 26, 2015 · NHTSA campaign 15V312000 · 385,686 vehicles

Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2003 Dodge Ram 1500, 2500, and 3500 trucks manufactured August 29, 2002, to July 25, 2003 to address a safety defect in the passenger side frontal air bag inflator which may produce excessive internal pressure causing the inflator to rupture upon deployment of the air bag. This recall addresses both the passenger side frontal air bags that were originally installed in the vehicles, as well as replacement air bags that may have been installed as replacement service parts. A replacement air bag may have been installed, as one example, if a vehicle had been in a crash necessitating the replacement of the passenger side frontal air bag.

Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger’s frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is completed. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag, free of charge. The recall began on March 16, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R26. Note: This recall partially supersedes recall 14V770.

What owners report

Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.

Air ban light is on

Received Feb 11, 2020 · NHTSA complaint 11308625

"takata recall" my vehicle has been recalled twice over this issue, each time the repair has been completed. The current problem with my vehicle relates to the air bag module. My air bag warning light came on about a month ago at which time i took it to my local dodge dealership thinking the…

Received Sep 14, 2018 · NHTSA complaint 11129504

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 dodge ram 3500. The contact stated that while driving at 25 mph, the vehicle suddenly crashed into the rear of another vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. The front passenger sustained bruises and cuts that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The…

Received Nov 21, 2017 · NHTSA complaint 11047848

Frequently asked questions

Do all 2003 Dodge RAM 3500s have air bags problems?

No. NHTSA has 80 owner complaints about air bags for the 2003 Dodge RAM 3500 (28% of the 286 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.

Was there a recall on the 2003 Dodge RAM 3500 air bags?

Yes: 1 safety recall list air bags. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.

At what mileage do air bags problems start?

The median reported mileage is 102,250 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.

What do owners say about air bags problems on the 2003 Dodge RAM 3500?

The most frequent phrase is “takata air bags”, in 25 of 80 complaints, followed by “give specific become” (5).

Other 2003 Dodge RAM 3500 problems

See all 2003 Dodge RAM 3500 problems or air bags problems across all RAM 3500 years.