PASSENGER AIR BAG DEACTIVATION.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2005 Dodge Magnum airbags problems
severe 122 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
122
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
13crashes
20injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 122 airbags complaints filed for the 2005 Dodge Magnum, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 4 model years of Dodge Magnum we track for airbags problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 122.
Owners have filed 122 airbags complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering airbags on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION IS NOW OFFERING A PASSENGER AIRBAG DEACTIVATION WIRING PACKAGE. TO INCLUDE 2006 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY AND 300/TOURING.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2005 Dodge Magnum's airbag system generates three classes of owner complaints: persistent warning light issues that dealers cannot permanently fix, documented non-deployment during actual collisions, and severe delays in Takata recall execution.
The warning light problem is widespread and frustrating. Owners take their vehicles to dealerships where technicians replace the clock spring—the rotating electrical connector under the steering wheel—or recalibrate the occupant classification module. The light goes off temporarily, then comes back on within days or weeks. Some owners have had the clock spring replaced three or more times without lasting resolution. Dealers have tried wire wiggle tests, computer resets, and software updates; one owner was told after seven repair attempts that the issue was a faulty squib cable, leaving the airbag inoperable.
Several owners report airbags failing to deploy in actual crashes. In one incident, a vehicle was struck head-on at 100 mph with no airbag deployment; three occupants were injured. A second owner's vehicle rolled multiple times after a side-impact collision with no airbag deployment and injuries to the driver, passenger, and three children. A third had a frontal collision at approximately 40 mph with the same result. These are unverified allegations, but they align with the documented inflator hazard addressed by Takata recalls.
The Takata recall itself became a source of complaint. Owners received notice in 2014–2016 that their inflators might rupture, but dealerships had no replacement parts and provided no timeline for repair. Owners called repeatedly, were told to wait for contact that never came, or heard that parts were "on back order" indefinitely. Some waited over a year before parts arrived. FCA told one owner that franchised dealers operate independently and the manufacturer has no control over recall logistics, while simultaneously stating they cannot predict when parts will be available.
Same Dodge Magnum airbags reports on nearby years: 2006 · 2007
Failure modes owners describe
Airbag warning light illumination with repeated unsuccessful repairs
The airbag warning light turns on and stays on, or recurs after multiple repair attempts. Dealers replace the clock spring, recalibrate the occupant classification module (OCM), or perform wire wiggle tests, but the light comes back on within days or weeks. Some owners report dealers cannot identify the root cause and resort to resetting the computer or recalibrating sensors without lasting resolution.
When: Early in ownership or after months of use; mileage ranging from 3,500 to 150,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag warning light illuminates on dashboard; Light comes back on after repair; Light recurs after adjusting tilt steering wheel; Light stays on continuously; Incessant dinging accompanying the warning light
Codes mentioned: Lost communication with occupant classification module, OCM out of calibration
Repairs/costs cited: Clock spring replacement (multiple times on some vehicles); OCM recalibration; wiring inspection; computer reset; steering column connector replacement. Some owners paid out-of-pocket for first repair before further attempts at dealership.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No formal recall issued for clock spring defect. Takata recall (15V313000, 16V352000, 14V770000) addresses inflator rupture but does not resolve airbag light issues in many cases.
Airbags fail to deploy in actual crashes
When the vehicle is involved in a collision, the driver-side or passenger-side airbags do not deploy despite impact severity that should trigger them. Occupants sustain injuries that could have been reduced or prevented by airbag deployment. Some vehicles had airbag warning lights illuminated at the time of the crash; others had no warning light but airbags still failed.
When: During active crash events at varying speeds (25 mph rear-end collision, head-on collision at 100 mph, side-impact rollovers, frontal crashes)
Symptoms owners cite: No airbag deployment on driver side during frontal or side impact; No airbag deployment on passenger side during frontal or side impact; Occupants striking steering wheel, dashboard, or other interior components without airbag cushioning; Multiple occupants (driver, passenger, children) sustaining injuries in crashes
Repairs/costs cited: One mechanic shop attempted repair but damaged inflator; dealership then refused to repair driver side, claiming it was for the deflater and not the bag itself.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Takata recall (15V313000, 16V352000, 14V817000, 14V354000) targets inflator rupture hazard. No manufacturer guidance provided to owners when airbags fail to deploy; some police reports filed but no follow-up from manufacturer documented in narratives.
Takata recall parts unavailable for extended periods
Owners receive recall notices for airbag inflator replacement but dealerships cannot schedule repairs because replacement parts are not in stock and no delivery timeline is provided. Dealers place owners on waiting lists with no follow-up contact. Owners wait months or over a year without resolution, continuing to drive vehicles with acknowledged safety defects. Manufacturer cannot provide estimated repair dates.
When: 2014–2017; some owners waiting from June to September or longer; delays exceeding 3–12 months reported
Symptoms owners cite: Recall notice received in mail; Dealership claims parts are on back order; No contact from dealership after initial inquiry; Phone calls to dealership go unanswered or routed to automated systems; No specific delivery date provided by dealership or manufacturer
Repairs/costs cited: No repair completed during waiting period. One owner eventually obtained parts after over one year of waiting.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Takata recall 14V770, 15V313000, 16V352000. FCA (Fiat Chrysler Automobiles) stated franchised dealers are independent and Chrysler has no control over recall installation procedures. Manufacturer unable to provide parts availability timeline. Parts distribution disconnect documented by NHTSA.
Airbag light persists after Takata recall repair
After dealership completes the Takata recall airbag inflator replacement, the airbag warning light remains illuminated or illuminates shortly after repair. Dealership informs owner that the recall repair does not address the warning light issue, suggesting a separate and unrelated problem. Owner left uncertain whether airbags will function in a crash and unable to obtain further diagnosis or repair.
When: Within days to weeks after Takata recall service (2017)
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag warning light illuminates after airbag recall service; Light does not extinguish despite recall repair completion; Dealership claims replacement airbag did not fix the light
Repairs/costs cited: Takata airbag inflator replaced under recall; light issue unresolved.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Takata recall (NHTSA 15V313000, 16V352000). FCA customer service advised that dealers are franchised and Chrysler has no control over recall installations. No guidance provided on separate diagnostic for warning light.
Passenger-side airbag occupant sensor malfunction
The passenger-side airbag sensor does not function correctly. Even when an occupant of sufficient weight is sitting in the passenger seat, the sensor indicates that the airbag is off, preventing deployment. Dealership diagnostic testing cannot find a fault and claims the sensor is working as designed, leaving the passenger without airbag protection.
When: From early in vehicle ownership (3,500 miles)
Symptoms owners cite: Passenger airbag off light illuminates when passenger is seated; Sensor indicates airbag off despite passenger weight meeting deployment threshold; Intermittent sensor malfunction
Repairs/costs cited: No repair performed; dealership stated sensor is working as designed.
Secondary damage and issues following airbag recall repair
After dealership performs airbag recall service, unintended side effects occur. Turn signals fail to turn off automatically, steering wheel emits popping noises during turns, interior panels are scratched and dash components rattle from improper disassembly. One vehicle also experienced a broken evaporative emission system following concurrent fuel tank service.
When: Immediately after or within days of recall service
Symptoms owners cite: Turn signals remain on and do not self-cancel; Steering wheel produces popping noise when turning; Scratched interior dashboard components and kick panels; Rattling dash and interior trim; Broken evaporative (EVAP) system after fuel tank service
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer scratched lower kick panels and caused rattling dash during airbag work. Charcoal canister replacement needed ($419) for EVAP system broken during fuel tank recall service.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No warranty coverage or acknowledgment of dealer-caused damage documented in narratives.
Clock spring defect causing intermittent airbag light
The clock spring, which provides electrical continuity to the airbag system as the steering wheel turns, is defective. It causes the airbag warning light to illuminate intermittently or when the steering wheel is adjusted. The part fails again after replacement or repair does not resolve the issue permanently.
When: From early ownership through high mileage; failures occurring up to 102,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag light illuminates when steering wheel is adjusted or tilt column is lowered; Light comes on without obvious trigger; Light recurs after clock spring replacement; Intermittent illumination and extinguishing of warning light
Repairs/costs cited: Clock spring replacement; some owners paid $100+ for first replacement before warranty coverage. Multiple replacements required on some vehicles (up to 3 times). Wiring issues suspected in some cases but not conclusively diagnosed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall issued for clock spring defect. Owners requested recall; NHTSA advised this is a known issue with the model year.
Synthesized from 122 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Dodge magnum. The contact received a notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14v354000 (air bags) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Updated 02/18/15*lj…
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2005 Dodge magnum. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15v313000 (air bags) and stated that the part needed for the repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Part…
The airbag light came on just after purchase and upon lowering the tilt wheel and did so after every supposed repair. I had this in for repair 7 times 5 of which were done at warrensburg Chrysler in warrensburg, missouri. By the time they had tried 5 times and torn my dash apart scratching all the lower kick panels and leaving me with a dash that rattles the vehicle was out of warranty and…
Had airbags trouble with your 2005 Dodge Magnum?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the airbags problem on the 2005 Dodge Magnum?
It's a meaningful issue. 122 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,100.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Across the 45 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 42,000 and 114,521 miles, with the median around 91,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 42,000; a quarter make it past 114,521. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,100 for airbags repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to airbags?
No active recalls currently cover airbags issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2005/Dodge/Magnum.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.