2016 Ram 1500 Airbag Problems

49 owners have reported air bags problems with the 2016 Ram 1500 to NHTSA — 3% of all 1,554 complaints for this model year. The typical failure happened around 34,000 miles. That ranks #6 of 14 1500 model years for airbag complaints (a typical year has 21). 3 related recalls have been issued.

49complaints
34ktypical miles
3related recalls
31crashes
0fires
44injuries

Mileage when the problem started

  • Under 25k
    1144%
  • 25k–50k
    624%
  • 50k–75k
    312%
  • 75k–100k
    28%
  • 100k–150k
    312%
  • 150k+
    00%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2016 Ram 1500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owned a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while making a right turn onto a main road, a passing vehicle crashed into the front driver's side quarter panel of the contact's vehicle. No property damage was reported, the vehicles came to a stop upon impact, and the air bags did not deploy. The speed of the other vehicle at the time of the crash was unknown. The contact's vehicle was towed to a local tow yard. No warning lights were illuminated. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The contact, seated in the driver's seat, and a passenger seated in the front passenger seat were both injured. No one outside the vehicle was reported to be injured. …

120,000 miles · Jul 2025 · crash · 2 injuries

The contact owned a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, her vehicle was crashed into on the passenger side front by a vehicle that had run a red light. The contact stated that the impact threw her into the driver's side door. The contact stated that she was knocked unconscious. The contact stated that she was transported by ambulance to a hospital and was treated for lacerations on her left ear and left side of her face. The contact stated that she had suffered a concussion and damage to her neck vertebra. The contact stated that the police were on scene and had written a report. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot. The contact stated that she when she saw the vehicle none of the air bags had deployed. The contact stated that her insurance provider had declared the vehicle a total loss. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. …

116,000 miles · Jul 2024 · crash · 1 injury

The contact owned a 2016 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that the air bags failed to deploy. The contact stated that when driving at 55 mph in the right lane, a vehicle leaving a gas service station entered the traffic and failed to yield to the right of way, the vehicle entered the contact's lane and the contact was unable to stop and crashed into the vehicle's rear end. The driver's air bag failed to deploy upon impact. The contact's face hit the steering wheel causing the contact injury to the mouth and caused the contact to lose a top and button tooth, the contact's nose was fractured, his face was swollen, and he also suffered injuries to the neck. The contact was taken by ambulance. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard. The contact was advised by the insurance company that the vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not contacted. …

57,000 miles · Aug 2021 · crash · 1 injury

The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 mph, the driver lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a tree. During the incident, the front end sustained severe damage but the airbag did not deploy. The driver sustained an injured neck and back which required medical treatment. A police report was taken at the scene and the vehicle was towed away. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified. The failure mileage was 96,000.

96,000 miles · Dec 2021 · crash · 1 injury

I was driving down the highway when my truck suddenly throws its self into park while traveling at 55 mph. My stuck started spinning causing me to bounce off the safety rails on both sides of the highway. My truck took a front end hit to a concrete wall and my airbags did not deploy. Once my truck came to a stop sideways in the middle of the highway it wouldn't come out of park because it was shut off. I started the truck and placed it in drive and was able to move a few feet from the center of the highway. The truck was towed. No warning lights had went off nothing. I'm having bad neck pain from the residual effects of the accident.

Sep 2022 · crash · 1 injury

Was involved in a crash where an SUV ran a red light and out in front of me, I was driving 40mph she was going faster and when we hit her SUV flipped and all her airbags deployed but none of mine did and the whole front was pushed back about a foot also both frame rails were bent and cracked from the impact but none of my airbags deployed and I just bought this truck one month ago and the dealership said everything checked out good and there were no service lights on at the time prior to or after the wreck.

Mar 2022 · crash

Driver hit a tree at 55mph, air bags did not deploy, insurance company determined vehicle was total loss, and body shop (Caliber Collision at 3061 US-42 Delaware OH 43015, phone # [phone]) questioned why the air bags did not deploy.

Aug 2025 · crash

I was in two separate major accidents and the airbags did not deploy. I got injuries due to this. They have been looked at by shops when repairs were made. No indication before or after of any kind regarding air bags.

Jul 2022 · crash · 2 injuries

The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The vehicle was serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V632000 (AIR BAGS), but the failure occurred. The inflator end cap failed in September 2024 and failed again in February 2025. Most recently, the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the ABS warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the code was cleared; however, the failure persisted. The dealer retrieved a fault code for "Failure to Communicate with ABS Module". The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer informed the contact that parts were not available to repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Nov 2025

Transmission won't shift out of second gear,and a code showed up U0402 in order for it to shift gear you have to disconnected the battery cable wait a few minutes then connect the battery back this will reset the computer then it will shift gear, while driving at 45 the truck suddenly stop making it feel like the transmission was about to fall out Now the EPS system while driving the steering wheel lock up, when I took it to dealership it sat in the shop about 45 minutes to and hour and they said ok you ready to go don't give me a copy of what was supposed to be done

Aug 2025

Related recalls

Air bags › Side/window › Curtain › Inflator

NHTSA recall 25V-010 · Jan 16, 2025 · 6,066 vehicles

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.

Remedy: 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.

Air bags › Side/window › Curtain › Inflator

NHTSA recall 21V-632 · Aug 12, 2021 · 212,373 vehicles

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.

Remedy: 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.

Air bags › Side/window › Curtain

NHTSA recall 17V-302 · May 9, 2017 · 1,021,279 vehicles

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).

Remedy: 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.

Airbag complaints in other 1500 years

’09’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25’269412561495319932127126463
Airbag complaints per model year, Ram 1500.

Frequently asked questions

How common are airbag problems on the 2016 Ram 1500?

NHTSA has 49 complaints about the air bags of the 2016 Ram 1500, 3% of the model year's 1,554 complaints.

Is there a recall for 2016 Ram 1500 airbag problems?

Yes — NHTSA recall 25V-010 (inflator, Jan 16, 2025); NHTSA recall 21V-632 (inflator, Aug 12, 2021); NHTSA recall 17V-302 (curtain, May 9, 2017). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

At what mileage do 2016 Ram 1500 airbag problems start?

Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 34,000 miles, and 44% before 25,000 miles.

Is it dangerous?

Owners linked 31 crashes, 0 fires and 44 injuries and 4 deaths 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.