Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1996 Dodge Ram owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Chrysler customer relations was notified that the air bag did not deploy upon a frontal impact and agreed to send a special investigations crew to look at the vehicle. There conclusion was that the impact was not in the direct center of the vehicle and that the air bag system still showed to be functional and ready. None of the people who have seen this vehicle could believe that the air bag did not deploy, especially with the damaged incurred! This includes the insurance claims adjuster and the body shop who repaired the vehicle ! In my opinion this is false advertisement by the vehicle manufacturer that states the air bag will deploy in a frontal impact over 20 MPH. It doesnt state that the impact has to be dead center of the vehicle !
Consumer states engine stalled while traveling down a mountain, consumer lost all control of vehicle and went off a 300 ft revene, vehicle finally stopped after striking a tree head on, air bag did not deploy, consumer sustained injuries, a month after purchasing vehicle, recall repairs were completed on vehicle regarding blower and igntion, consumer was later informed of additional recalls that needed to be repaired on vehicle, however consumer was never given any specific details about what was repaired/replaced.
I rear ended another pickup truck at approximately 35 MPH. There was extensive damage to the nose and possible frame damage also. The driver side airbag did not deploy. Although I was wearing the seatbelt, my head still made contact with the steering wheel. A fellow firefighter in town had a similar experiance, in that he hit an auto at speed, and his air bag did not deploy either. Is this a common problem with the new style Dodge pickups?
While driving at 40 MPH an accident occurred, consumer's vehicle hit a tree head on. Upon impact, air bags did not deploy. Contacted the dealer, and was told this was normal, and that there was nothing wrong with the vehicle... The other driver, a lady was cited for improper backing out. Consumer's grand son first hit her, then went through a yard, hitting a tree.
Vehicle was involved in a frontal collision at 35 MPH. Upon impact, driver's air bag did not deploy. Dealer was notified, and was unwilling to assist in this matter. Feel free to provide any further information on this matter.
While driving at 20 MPH the defective ABS braking system malfunctioned causing the wheels to lock up and skid. Having extended stopping distance, causing a frontal impact. The defective driver's side airbag did not deploy.
Air bag did not deploy, dealer said sensor were not triggered due to the exact location of impact on the bumper, damage severe enough to bend the front portion of the frame assembly down on the driver side and back on the passenger side.
Consumer totaled vehicle by hitting a tree head on, consumer sustained injuries due to the airbags experiencing no deployment, consumer injured lower back and knees and is still recovering.
When vehicle was involved in a collision going about (70)-(75) the whole front end was damaged, there was no deployment of driver's side air bag. Vehicle was totalled.
Consumer was rearended and the driver's side air bag didn't deploy, also the seat belt didn't restrain and ABS skidded and went to one side . Please describe .
Related recalls
Air bags › Frontal
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.
Remedy: Dealers wil replace the aecm with an aecm that is sealed from moisture intrusion.
Airbag complaints in other Ram years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 1996 Dodge Ram?
NHTSA has 38 complaints about the air bags of the 1996 Dodge Ram, 6% of the model year's 636 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (27 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1996 Dodge Ram airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 99V-023 (frontal, Feb 5, 1999). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1996 Dodge Ram airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 52,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 28 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.