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 1999 Dodge Ram owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The consumer's vehicle hit a parked car which was shoved into two other parked cars, the consumer then backed up turned around and went through a brick wall, and the air bags failed to deploy.
I was in an auto accident where I rear ended a tractor trailer. I was traveling 70mph and the tractor trailer 55mph. I hit the truck exactly perpendicular and the front of my truck was crushed in about 2 feet. The frame was severly damaged and had to be replaced. I am filing this because the body shop highly recommended we take action. He said the area where the sensors for the airbags are located was mangled and that the airbags should have deployed. The airbag system was checked by john keltner (lic. # 35844). His remarks were that the system test was performed and no problems were found at this time and no repairs were needed. I am aware of some recalls with Dodge and wanted to be sure the airbag systems would be covered. Thank you for your help.
This is the second accident I have reported to you. The first was yesterday. I want to apologize. I switched the VIN numbers. The VIN number for odi # 758677 should have been [redacted]. The accident this current report refers to a sacramento county Dodge Ram 1500 truck that was used by our park rangers. It was traveling down a trail road at high speed when the driver lost control and hit a tree head on. The air bags did not deploy. Please see my comments from my previous report for my worries about the quality of Dodge's investigation.
This is the third airbag failure I have reported to this agency. All of these vehicle's whose air bag failed were late model sport utility vehicles of pick up trucks. Each vehicle was involved in a right angle collision at speeds of 45+ MPH. Each vehicle sustained severe contact damage to the entire front end. In each case the air bags did not deploy. I am employed as an accident reconstructionist for the scottsdale police department in scottsdale arizona. Please feel free to contact me with any questions which you May have.
While driving about 30-35 MPH and making a turn, lost control of vehicle. It went over a enbankment, and had a direct frontal impact with rocks, which totaledthe front end of vehicle. Upon impact, driver's and passenger's airbags did not deploy, and did not protect the occupants. Please provide further information.
Was driving approimately. 35mph when another vehicle ran stop sign. Other vehicle was "t"-boned by Ram. Upon impact with other vehicle, Ram's air bags failed to deploy. Driver suffered injuries from seat belts. No emergency room treatment. Had police report done. Vehicle totaled by insurance co.
On April 12 I was involved in an accident in which I rearended a car in front of me. Approximate speed was 20 MPH. There is extensive front end damage and the back window of the blazer in front of us busted out, but neither the driver or passenger side airbags in my truck deployed.
When driver tried to avoid hitting a deer , he lost control of the truck and crashed into a tree head-on. There was no deployment of the driver's side or passenger's side air bags . Damages will be estimated by insurance company. Please provide any further information.
The consumer's vehicle was traveling 55 MPH when another vehicle hit it head on. Upon impact, the airbags did not deploy. The driver sustained injuries, and was transported by her mother to a hospital. The vehicle was towed and totaled by the insurance.
Was traveling 45-50mph & would apply brakes, and they would lock up. Rear ABS brakes do not work properly. Rear ended another vehicle. Air bags failed to deploy due to a lack of brakes. Vehicle slide 100 ft before the impact happened. There were no injuries.
Related recalls
Air bags
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.
Remedy: 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,…
Airbag complaints in other Ram years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 1999 Dodge Ram?
NHTSA has 44 complaints about the air bags of the 1999 Dodge Ram, 11% of the model year's 412 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (34 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Dodge Ram airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 01V-153 (air bags, May 8, 2001). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1999 Dodge Ram airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 86,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 39 crashes, 0 fires and 37 injuries and 1 death 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.