RAM 1500 Air Bags Problems
Owners have filed 572 complaints with NHTSA about air bags problems on the RAM 1500 across 14 model years. The 2014 model year has the most (125). The words owners use most often: “air bags deploy” (10% of reports).
- 572air bags complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 251mention a crash
- 186mention an injury
- 16related recalls
- $1,300typical repair cost reported by owners
- 40%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 bags deploy: mentioned in 56 of 572 complaints (10%)
- Medical attention: mentioned in 48 of 572 complaints (8%)
- Airbags deployed: mentioned in 34 of 572 complaints (6%)
- Seat belts: mentioned in 33 of 572 complaints (6%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical air bags repair on the RAM 1500 at $1,300, and half of them between $800 and $3,800.
Based on 12 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2015–2026), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do air bags problems happen?
Based on 297 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 572 complaints, 251 mention a crash, 5 a fire, 186 an injury.
RAM 1500 air bags complaints by model year
| Model year | Air Bags complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 1500 | 3 | 3% | — |
| 2025 1500 | 6 | 2% | — |
| 2024 1500 | 4 | 5% | — |
| 2023 1500 | 6 | 3% | — |
| 2022 1500 | 12 | 2% | 57,570 |
| 2021 1500 | 27 | 4% | 49,000 |
| 2020 1500 | 21 | 3% | 38,800 |
| 2019 1500 | 93 | 6% | 22,300 |
| 2018 1500 | 19 | 3% | 28,000 |
| 2017 1500 | 53 | 6% | 35,000 |
| 2016 1500 | 48 | 3% | 33,980 |
| 2015 1500 | 61 | 4% | 55,850 |
| 2014 1500 | 125 | 7% | 47,000 |
| 2013 1500 | 94 | 7% | 54,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (16)
Air bags:side/window
Model years: 2026
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2026 Ram 1500 vehicles. A connector for the driver and front passenger side air bags may not be secured properly, which can cause the air bags not to deploy as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection" and 214, "Side Impact Protection."
Risk: A side air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury in a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and repair the sensor connections, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed October 27, 2026. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is 94D. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 6, 2026.
Air bags:side/window:curtain:inflator
Model years: 2019
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2019 Ram 1500 Classic, Ram 2500, and Ram 3500 vehicles. The right and left side curtain air bag inflators may rupture due to a manufacturing defect.
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in sharp metal fragments striking occupants, resulting in injury.
Fix: Dealers will replace one or both side curtain air bags, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 18, 2025. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's numbers for this recall are C2C, C7C, and C8C. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning December 4, 2025.
Steering:steering control module; air bags:frontal
Model years: 2021, 2022
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Ram 1500, Ram 2500, Ram 3500, Ram 4500, and Ram 5500 vehicles. The steering column control module may cause the driver's side air bag not to deploy as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Risk: A driver's side air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury in a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the steering column control module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning December 11, 2025. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is 14C. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning November 13, 2025.
Air bags:side/window:curtain:inflator
Model years: 2018
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Ram 1500, Ram 2500, and Ram 3500 vehicles. The right and left side curtain air bag inflators may rupture due to a manufacturing defect.
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in sharp metal fragments striking occupants, resulting in injury.
Fix: Dealers will replace one or both side curtain air bags, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 25, 2025. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's numbers for this recall are 83C, 91C, and 92C. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning September 18, 2025.
Air bags; electrical system:wiring
Model years: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2024 Ram 1500 vehicles. The driver's side air bag may not be connected properly, which can cause the air bag not to deploy as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Risk: A driver's side air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury in a crash.
Fix: Dealers secured the connectors for the air bag, free of charge. All vehicles have been remedied. Owner notification letters were mailed May 27, 2025. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is 08C.
Air bags:side/window:curtain:inflator
Model years: 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Ram 3500, Ram 1500, 2016-2020 Ram 2500, and 2016 Ram 3500 Cab Chassis vehicles. The right and left side curtain air bag inflators may rupture due to a manufacturing defect.
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in sharp metal fragments striking occupants, resulting in injury.
Fix: Dealers will replace one or both side curtain air bags, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 13, 2025. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's numbers for this recall are 05C, 09C, and 10C.
Air bags:frontal:driver clockspring/spiral cassette; steering:column
Model years: 2023, 2024
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) (Stellantis) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Ram 1500, Jeep Wrangler, Jeep Wagoneer, Jeep Grand Wagoneer, Chrysler Pacifica, Ram 3500, Ram 3500 cab chassis, Ram 2500, Ram 4500 cab chassis, Ram 5500 cab chassis, 2023 Jeep Gladiator, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Grand Cherokee L, Ram 3500 Cab Chassis with a GVWR less than 10,000 lbs., and Chrysler Voyager vehicles. The steering column control module may not be welded properly, which can prevent the driver's air bag from deploying in a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Risk: An air bag that does not deploy in a crash can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the steering column control module, as necessary free of charge. Some owner notification letters were mailed April 11, 2024 through June 20, 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's numbers for this recall are 14B, 33B, 34B, 35B, 36B.
Air bags:sensor:side impact
Model years: 2022
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2022 Ram 1500 vehicles. The B-pillar impact sensors may be missing, which can result in delayed air bag deployment or non-deployment.
Risk: Air bags that do not deploy as intended increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, install the B-pillar impact sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 4, 2023. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 33A.
Air bags:side/window:curtain
Model years: 2021
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Ram 2500, Ram 3500, and 2021 Ram 1500 Classic pickup trucks. The side air bag inflatable curtain (SABIC) assemblies may have been manufactured with the incorrect amount of compressed gas, which can result in an improper air bag deployment.
Risk: An air bag that deploys improperly can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the SABIC assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 17, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Y99.
Air bags:side/window:curtain:inflator
Model years: 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Ram 1500 Classic, 2015-2016 Ram 3500, and Ram 2500 vehicles, and 2016 Ram 3500 Cab Chassis with a gross vehicle weight rating less than 10,000 lbs. The side air bag inflatable curtain (SABIC) inflator end cap may detach from the inflator, or the inflator sidewall may rupture.
Risk: A separated inflator end cap or inflator rupture can allow compressed gas to escape, resulting in the end cap or other components being propelled into the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury or crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace as necessary, the SABIC assemblies, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on October 4, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 26, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Y55.
Air bags
Model years: 2020
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2020 Ram Promaster vans and 1500 pickups. The affected vehicles may have an improperly crimped diffuser in the side curtain airbag which may result in the diffuser detaching from the inflator in the event of an air bag deployment.
Risk: In the event of a crash, if the diffuser detaches from the inflator during air bag deployment, the air bag may not inflate properly, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: FCA US will notify owners, and dealers will replace the side curtain air bag assemblies, free of charge. The recall began July 16, 2020. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US's number for this recall is W52.
Air bags: air bag/restraint control module; seat belts:pretensioner
Model years: 2019, 2020
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ram 1500 vehicles. The flash memory of the Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC) may become corrupted, disabling the vehicle's air bags and seat belt pretensioners.
Risk: Disabled air bags and seat belt pretensioners increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the ORC or replace it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 20, 2019. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's numbers for this recall are V61 and V71.
Air bags:side/window:curtain
Model years: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2013-2016 Ram 1500, Ram 2500, and 2014-2016 Ram 3500 vehicles. Certain driving conditions, such as driving off-road or debris striking the vehicle may cause the roll rate sensor to trigger a fault within the Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC). If this fault occurs, the rollover side curtain air bag and the seat belt pretensioner will be disabled from deploying.
Risk: If the rollover side curtain air bags and seat belt pretensioners are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a crash that necessitates activation of these safety systems.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the ORC software, free of charge. The recall began June 26, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T25.
Air bags:side/window
Model years: 2014, 2015
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Ram 1500 Quad Cab trucks manufactured August 26, 2013, to August 8, 2015. The affected vehicles are equipped with side air bag inflatable curtains (SABIC) that may not fully overlap the C-pillars in the event of a vehicle crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 226, "Ejection Mitigation."
Risk: In the event of a vehicle crash, if a SABIC does not inflate as intended, there is an increased risk of injury to the rear seat occupant.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, dealers will inspect the right and left side air bag inflatable curtains (SABIC) for proper orientation and a foil patch will be installed on both sides of the headliner. One or both of the air bag inflatable curtains (SABIC) will be replaced if necessary. The recall began on October 7, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R47.
Air bags:side/window; seat belts
Model years: 2013, 2014, 2015
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Ram 1500, 2500, and 3500 trucks manufactured June 20, 2012, to January 26, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the side impact sensor calibrations may be overly sensitive, and as a result, the side air bag inflatable curtains and seat air bags may unexpectedly deploy and the seat belt pre-tensioners may activate.
Risk: Air bags that unexpectedly deploy increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the Occupant Restraint Control module calibration, free of charge. The recall began on September 8, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R23.
Air bags:frontal
Model years: 2013, 2014
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Ram 1500, 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 trucks manufactured January 18, 2011, to October 7, 2014, and equipped with the Electronic Vehicle Information Center option. The affected vehicles have a steering wheel wiring harness that may rub against the driver air bag module retainer spring.
Risk: This abrasion may result in an electrical short that could cause driver's frontal air bag to unexpectedly deploy. Inadvertent deployment of the air bag may increase the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, repair as necessary, and secure the steering wheel wiring harness. Additionally, protective caps will be added to the air bag retainer spring ends. These repairs will be done free of charge. The recall began on September 18, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R36.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The leather covering on the upper dashboard of my 2019 Ram 1500 Limited is coming unglued from the dashboard and bubbling/lifting up. The problem is getting worse over time. The dashboard and affected material are still installed on the truck and are available for inspection if requested. My safety…
Iâm getting a service air bag/disabled, seat belt disconnected and auto park disengaged light on the dash. The lights come on after start up sometimes or randomly while driving, it clears itâs self after a few minutes occasionally and sometimes it doesnât at all.
I hit a tree head on dodging a deer going between 35 and 40mph and none of my air bags deployed.
The contact owned a 2019 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while the vehicle was stationary and turned off, the driverâs side side-curtain air bag deployed while the rear passengerâs side seat was occupied. The security camera video footage displayed smoke and there was the sound of an…
I am reporting a catastrophic, cascading electrical and mechanical safety defect involving the central electronic network, hydraulic braking system, and the supplemental restraint system (SRS) on a 2024 Ram TRX.In the week leading up to the collision, the vehicle exhibited persistent electrical…
Frequently asked questions
Do all RAM 1500s have air bags problems?
No. NHTSA has 572 owner complaints about air bags for the RAM 1500. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the RAM 1500 air bags?
Yes: 16 safety recalls list air bags. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix air bags problems on the RAM 1500?
Owners report a typical cost of $1,300 (half paid between $800 and $3,800), from 12 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about air bags problems on the RAM 1500?
The most frequent phrase is “air bags deploy”, in 56 of 572 complaints, followed by “medical attention” (48).
Other RAM 1500 problems
- Steering problems (2,661)
- Engine problems (2,391)
- Electrical System problems (2,372)
- Power Train problems (1,447)
- Service Brakes problems (1,092)
- Fuel/propulsion System problems (1,072)
- Vehicle Speed Control problems (537)
- Suspension problems (434)
See all RAM 1500 problems.