Airbag complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 4 | 15% | 9,000 miles |
| 2008 | 1 | 4% | 6,000 miles |
| 2006 | 3 | 12% | 27,000 miles |
| 2005 | 1 | 3% | 9,000 miles |
| 2004 | 5 | 9% | 60,000 miles |
| 2003 | 15 | 8% | 43,000 miles |
| 2002 | 30 | 8% | 49,000 miles |
| 2001 | 54 | 12% | 58,000 miles |
| 2000 | 24 | 15% | 194,000 miles |
| 1999 | 44 | 11% | 86,000 miles |
| 1998 | 72 | 14% | 120,000 miles |
| 1997 | 38 | 9% | — |
| 1996 | 38 | 6% | 52,000 miles |
| 1995 | 39 | 6% | 184,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
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 ignition switch failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. was provided to the contact. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle is not associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V373000 (Electrical System, Air Bags). The contact was referred to the NHSTA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was not available.
Warning lite for air bag deployment stays on. In shop for two weeks at this time and the auto tech and factory tech have no idea how what to repair. Wires from the dash, console, door panels (factory wire loom) are open for tracing. Dodge did not send out the proper wire schematic for the 2010 Ram. Last report was that they are guessing at a repair.
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 illuminated, there were other electrical failures with the vehicle. The contact stated that the A/C and the heater would become inoperable. The contact drove the vehicle to a local dealer who diagnosed and determined that there was an electrical short underneath the driver's side airbag sensor wiring harness. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.
Tl* - the contact owns a 2006 Dodge Ram. The contact received two safety recall notices. The first recall reference the air bag and the second recall reference the seat belts. The contact's appointment was scheduled for today per the mechanic it should have taken 3 hours. However when the contact picked up the vehicle the dealer stated they were unsure how long the recall repair would be. The contact stated that the dealer doesn't have the parts. Currently, the vehicle isn't experiencing any failures.
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 succumbed to his injuries. A police report was filed. There was no reported fire. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was deemed a total loss by the insurance company. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V313000 (Air Bags). The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
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 dealer was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the recall was not completed. The manufacturer was not contacted. Parts distribution disconnect.
The consumer lost control of vehicle while driving on an icy road between 30 - 35 MPH. When this occurred, the vehicle hit a pole head on. Upon impact, none of the frontal air bags deployed, and the passenger side seat belt unbuckled. The passenger sustained serious head injuries when his head had come in contact with the windshield. Odi followed up with consumer and learned that the passenger side seat belt buckle did not release as earlier stated in the crash. The complaint was on the performace of the retractor. The passenger side seat belt retractor May not have locked up during the impact. The vehcile was totaled and taken away. The consumer could not inspect the retractor for odi during the follow up call. Cw
Tl* the contact owned a 2003 Dodge Ram quad cab. While driving approximately 50-55 MPH, the contact attempted to avoid crashing into a deer and lost control of the vehicle. As a result, the vehicle crashed into a corn field. The air bags did not deploy. The contact sustained injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed and the vehicle was destroyed. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V312000 (air bags). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Related recalls (3)
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,…
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.
Air bags
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.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the aecm with a module that incorporates revised hardware and software on all affected vehicles.
Frequently asked questions
Which Dodge Ram years have airbag problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1998 (72), 2001 (54), 1999 (44), 1995 (39) and 1996 (38) model years. Airbag complaints make up 14% of all complaints for the 1998.
Is there a recall for Dodge Ram airbag problems?
Yes — 3 recalls, including 01V-153 (air bags, May 8, 2001); 99V-023 (frontal, Feb 5, 1999); 99V-002 (air bags, Jan 7, 1999). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Dodge Ram airbag problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 65,000 miles; 45% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the frontal (259 mentions), followed by the side/window (9).
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.