Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2012 Dodge Ram 1500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2012 Ram 1500. The contact stated that the check engine, air bag, and the fuel pump relay failure warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the exterior lights failed to operate as needed, and the vehicle occasionally failed to start. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle stalled while driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the TIPM was faulty and needed to be replaced. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 160,000.
I had a recall, R36 - NHTSA Recall #15V-459, completed in 2015 for my 2012 Dodge Ram 1500. However, currently, the same issues associated with that recall is causing my Air Bag warning light to turn on. This is surely a safety issue. By the recommendation of Mopar/Stellantis Customer Care, I had it diagnosed by the dealer and was told I have to pay for the cost to repair. I believe this same issue, Clock Spring malfunction, is the same as the recall and should be fixed and the cost to repair not be incurred by the owner. Expired warranty, completed recall, etc. shouldn't be a factor if the same problem is happening, hence the recall.
The seat belt and air bag warning light has stayed on. I have had multiple Mechanics, look at it and even try to inspect it. So the lights will go off and they cannot find a problem. I am just worried that if I getting an accident my seatbelt wont-work correctly and the airbags wont-work correctly. I have tried to do a hard reset and so has the mechanics but the lights stay on.
The dash warning light appeared referring to a possible problem with the airbags. I took vehicle to the local dealer and I was informed after their inspection that I did have a problem the passenger airbag. They said they would need to replace passenger seat airbag and wiring harness associated with that device.
Driver warning light came for airbag, yes it could be if deployed, no dealer has confirmed (but looked up recall # 15V459000), called molar said no recall on my vehicle...., no one else looked at vehicles book says to immediately take to dealer, yes warning light on follow book info and it appeared 9/8/24
I was driving a 2012 Dodge Ram 1500 in motion, traveling south on hwy 20 at 55 MPH. Toyota tundra ran stop sign on mckenzie rd/ hwy 20 and was cited for infraction traveling approximately 45 MPH. Toyota tundra hit passenger side of Dodge Ram cab broadside causing Dodge Ram to rollover twice in ditch eventually landing on wheels and stopping. Driver side airbags and driver front air bag did not inflate in Dodge Ram. Only passenger side airbags inflated in Dodge Ram. I was the driver of the Dodge Ram and received concussion from hitting head on steering wheel and neck and back injuries from hitting driver side door during rollovers. I was wearing a seatbelt. The Dodge Ram and Toyota tundra were declared a total loss by insurance company. The impact of the collision was severe enough to drastically impact speed of the Dodge Ram and cause major vehicle damage during roll over. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Ram 1500. While driving 30 MPH on a two lane road, two vehicles in the left lane were racing. The contact had to swerve to avoid a head on collision. When the contact swerved to the right, the vehicle struck a concrete barrier. The vehicle flipped over onto the passenger side and the front end frame was bent. The driver's and front passenger air bags failed to deploy. The contact suffered injuries to the face, shoulders, and eyes, which required medical attention. The contact also suffered memory loss. The vehicle was towed. The manufacturer investigated the failure and concluded that the vehicle was not traveling fast enough for the air bags to deploy. The manufacturer stated that the vehicle should have been traveling at least 18 MPH for the air bags to deploy. The manufacturer provided case number: 57184099. A police report was filed. …
Had recall 15v-459 completed at jack powell Dodge dealership 06/09/2016. Dealership said they completed recall repair. Airbag light and chime still continuously and intermittently went off while engine running. Truck suffered front end damage in traffic accident 07/29/2016 requiring new bumper, grill and hood. This accident was substantial enough the airbags should have gone off. Airbags did not go off. Still today, airbag chime and sensor light continuously / intermittently goes off. Makes no difference if the transmission is in park or drive; seats occupied or empty. I dont believe the original recall repair was made at dealership.
Tl* the contact owned a 2012 Ram 1500. While driving 60 MPH, the contact's vehicle was struck on the driver's side by another vehicle. As a result, the contact's vehicle struck a wall on the passenger side and then flipped over onto its roof. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. The contact sustained injuries to the back, which required medical attention. The vehicle was towed to a junk yard and deemed destroyed. A dealer was not made aware of the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and performed an investigation. The failure mileage was 139,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Ram 1500. While driving 50 MPH, the contact lost control of the vehicle and crashed into an embankment. Prior to the failure, the contact felt an abnormal jolt in the vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a body shop, but a cause of the failure had not been determined. The contact suffered moderate stiffness, which required medical attention. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified and did not assist. The failure mileage was approximately 54,000.
Related recalls
Air bags › Frontal
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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA investigations
Electrical overstress
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect. During the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags and other restraint system devices in severe crash events.
Airbag complaints in other Ram 1500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2012 Dodge Ram 1500?
NHTSA has 80 complaints about the air bags of the 2012 Dodge Ram 1500, 11% of the model year's 698 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2012 Dodge Ram 1500 airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 15V-459 (frontal, Jul 22, 2015). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2012 Dodge Ram 1500 airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles, and 10% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 16 crashes, 0 fires and 19 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.