2021 Ram 1500 Airbag Problems

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  240%
• 25k–50k
  120%
• 50k–75k
  120%
• 75k–100k
  120%
• 100k–150k
  00%
• 150k+
  00%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2021 Ram 1500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owns a 2021 RAM 1500. The contact stated that while his son-in-law was driving at 30 MPH, another vehicle had rear ended his vehicle. The force of the collision then propelled the vehicle into the vehicle in front of him. Due to the force of the collision, his son-in-law's head hit the steering wheel which caused him to black out.The vehicle was then hit by two other vehicles on both the passenger and the driver side as the vehicle was in the middle of an intersection. The air bags did not deploy at anytime during the collision. The contact's son- in-law was taken to hospital and treated for a fractured right side knee and ankle as well as several bruises to various parts of his body. The contact stated that an occupant in another vehicle was transported by ambulance however, injuries were unknown. A police report was filed. …

The contact owned a 2021 RAM 1500. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, another vehicle collided with his vehicle on the front passenger side of the vehicle after running a red light. The driver's side air bags did deploy but failed to inflate. The contact stated that he sustained injuries to his right rib, left ankle, purple bruises from whiplash to his left leg, and a hand. He also suffered a concussion to the head which required medical Attention. The contact stated that a police report was filed. The vehicle was deemed a total loss by the insurance company. The vehicle was totaled by Allstate to Co Parts. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 85,000..

The contact owns a 2021 RAM 1500. The contact stated that while driving at 47 MPH, towards a four-way intersection, the vehicle coming off the road on the left side of the vehicle ran a stop causing another vehicle to collide with his vehicle. The contact stated that no air bags deployed. The contact stated that he sustained whiplash and bruises to the head. Medical attention was required via hospital. The contact mentioned that the vehicle was towed to an auto body center. The contact stated that a police report was filed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 49,000

The airbags failed to deploy with an offset front end collision going 42 mph. My husband was in an accident and now has a brain injury. The airbags did not go off. The vehicle has been inspected by the body shop but no one will tell me why the airbags did not go off. I have called the manufacturer, a dealership, the body shop, my insurance company everyone just passes the buck to each other and I'm going in circles. They are fixing the truck now and it needs a new frame along with thousands of dollars in damage. No one can tell me whether it is safe to drive my family in at this point We have been through a ton of trauma because of my husbands injury and this just adds to it. There were no warning lamps or symptoms prior to the accident. I first emailed Ram and they said the would need to inspect it. …

The contact owns a 2021 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the air bag warning light illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle to a dealer who diagnosed that one of the air bag systems needed to be replaced. The contact was unsure which air bag was replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred, and the air bag warning light was illuminated again. The contact returned to the same dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the air bag had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact stated he was not advised which air bag was replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that after he had taken possession of the vehicle the air bag warning light was again illuminated. The contact took the vehicle back to the same dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed and was not repaired. …

I am writing to formally report a serious safety concern involving my partner's 2021 Dodge Ram Bighorn, which was involved in a collision on May 9, 2025. The vehicle was severely damaged and deemed a total loss, yet none of the airbags deployed at the time of the crash. This incident raises significant questions about the safety and reliability of the airbag system in this vehicle. Given the severity of the impact, it is our belief that the airbags should have deployed in accordance with the vehicle's safety design. Thankfully, my partner survived, but had the circumstances been slightly different, the consequences could have been far more serious.

I was involved in an accident in North Carolina in bumper to bumper traffic. At one point I had to hit my brakes when the peddle went to the floor and did not stop which caused me to hit a tanker vehicle in the rear end. I crunched up the front grill, hood, 2 quarter panels, radiator and undetermined other damages.. Just an FYI, the air bags also did not deploy. Consumer contacted the dealer and the mechanic came out to inspect the vehicle and claimed it was due to braking failure and the not deployment of air bags.

In an effort to avoid deer, driver swerved and crashed into woods where small trees were hit with the truck crashing and stopping in a small ravine. As a result of the front end damage (bumper, grill, etc.) and impact, front Air bags failed to deploy. Injuries incurred were a broken nose, left knee injury, left elbow injury, mid to lower right back injury, possible heart Afib (not previously known or detected prior to accident could have been exacerbated).

Car accident just occurred that yielded in the truck being totaled (with driver injury) and air bags did not deploy. It is currently at the tow yard awaiting the insurance company's visit. It has not yet been inspected. There were no messages on the dash regarding the air bags prior to this accident.

I own a 2021 Ram 1500 ("Build to Serve" edition). The airbag/SRS warning light came on around January 2025. The message states that the airbag system needs service. This indicates that the airbags may not deploy properly in the event of a crash, putting my safety and the safety of my passengers at risk. I took the vehicle to the Ram dealership and they confirmed an airbag system failure. They stated the part needed for repair is unavailable and have repeatedly told me there is a parts shortage and a manage allocation part. This has gone on for approximately 1 years, and the problem has not been repaired. The airbag warning remains on continuously. This issue has been documented by the dealer, but the manufacturer has not provided a remedy or replacement part. …

Related recalls

Airbag complaints in other 1500 years