Dodge RAM Air Bags Problems
Owners have filed 322 complaints with NHTSA about air bags problems on the Dodge RAM across 14 model years. The 1998 model year has the most (66). The words owners use most often: “air bag” (31% of reports).
- 322air bags complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 254mention a crash
- 152mention an injury
- 3related recalls
- 33%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Air bag: mentioned in 101 of 322 complaints (31%)
- Upon impact: mentioned in 58 of 322 complaints (18%)
- Bags deploy: mentioned in 52 of 322 complaints (16%)
- Frontal collision: mentioned in 38 of 322 complaints (12%)
At what mileage do air bags problems happen?
Based on 29 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 322 complaints, 254 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 152 an injury.
Dodge RAM air bags complaints by model year
| Model year | Air Bags complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 RAM | 4 | 15% | 6,000 |
| 2008 RAM | 1 | 4% | 6,400 |
| 2006 RAM | 3 | 12% | 27,249 |
| 2005 RAM | 1 | 3% | 8,956 |
| 2004 RAM | 5 | 9% | 60,000 |
| 2003 RAM | 4 | 8% | 8,400 |
| 2002 RAM | 15 | 13% | 23,000 |
| 2001 RAM | 46 | 14% | 36,000 |
| 2000 RAM | 23 | 16% | 133,500 |
| 1999 RAM | 40 | 11% | 66,500 |
| 1998 RAM | 66 | 14% | 97,400 |
| 1997 RAM | 38 | 10% | — |
| 1996 RAM | 38 | 6% | 52,000 |
| 1995 RAM | 38 | 6% | — |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (3)
Air bags
Model years: 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001
Problem: Vehicle description: pickup trucks. Sound deadener material inside the steering wheel could become detached from the cover and housing. Note: the ram pickup trucks were built at the warren assembly plant ("s" in the 11th vin position) from may 16, 2000 through october 23, 2000; st. Louis north assembly plant ("j" in the 11th vin position) from may 19, 2000 through october 23, 2000; lago alberto assembly plant ("m" in the 11th vin position) from may 23, 2000 through october 23, 2000; and saltillo assembly plant ("g" in the 11th vin position) from may 23, 2000 through october 23, 2000. Important: vehicles that have already had the proper clockspring installed, according to warranty records, have been excluded from this recall. In addition, 1997-2000 model year vehicles that have had a suspect replacement clockspring installed, according to warranty records, have been added to this recall.
Risk: When this occurs, the material could interfere with the clockspring ribbon and cause an open circuit. The driver air bag system will become disabled, and the air bag warning lamp will illuminate on the instrument panel.
Fix: Dealers will replace the clockspring assembly. Owner notification began june 18, 2001. Also some 1997-200 model year vehicles that, according to warranty records, have had a suspect replacement clockspring installed, will also be included in this campaign. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Air bags:frontal
Model years: 1995, 1996, 1997
Problem: Vehicle description: van and wagon model passenger vehicles. If water/road salt gets on the interior floor of the vehicle in the proximity of the air bag electronic control module (aecm), the aecm can corrode. The resulting corrosion can cause the driver side air bag to deploy inadvertently.
Risk: Deployment of the air bag without warning could cause a driver to lose vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash and personal injury.
Fix: Dealers wil replace the aecm with an aecm that is sealed from moisture intrusion.
Air bags
Model years: 1998
Problem: Vehicle description: vans and vans used for conversion. If a heavy object impacts the metal casing of the air bag electronic control module (aecm), located under the driver seat, the module could inadvertently deploy the air bags.
Risk: Unexpected air bag deployment can result in occupant injury.
Fix: Dealers will replace the aecm with a module that incorporates revised hardware and software on all affected vehicles.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2010 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power with no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was able to restart however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the…
The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram Quad Cab. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V352000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The…
The contact owned a 2004 Dodge Ram. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at 30 MPH, another driver in an unknown truck ran a red light and crashed into the vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. The driver sustained injuries to his thigh; medical attention was provided, but he later…
2010 dodge ram. Consumer stated that the airbag did not deploy during collision.
The contact owns a 2006 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that after the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V352000 (Air Bags), the airbag warning light remained illuminated after starting the vehicle. Additionally, the contact stated that whenever the airbag light was…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Dodge RAMs have air bags problems?
No. NHTSA has 322 owner complaints about air bags for the Dodge RAM. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Dodge RAM air bags?
Yes: 3 safety recalls list air bags. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
What do owners say about air bags problems on the Dodge RAM?
The most frequent phrase is “air bag”, in 101 of 322 complaints, followed by “upon impact” (58).
Other Dodge RAM problems
See all Dodge RAM problems.