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2005 Dodge Ram 1500 airbags problems
critical
Owners of the 2005 Dodge Ram 1500 have filed 175 NHTSA complaints about the airbags, typically surfacing around 82,000 miles at roughly $1,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.See airbags across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Q1 40kmed 82kQ3 128kn=63
Complaints
175
Recalls
3
Avg fix
$1,100
airbags complaints on the Dodge Ram 1500, by model year
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2004-2005 Dodge Ram 1500, 2500, and 3500, 2004-2005 Dodge Durango, 2005 Dodge Dakota, 2005 Dodge Magnum and 2005 Chrysler 300, 300C and 300 SRT8 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in geographic locations associated with high absolute humidity
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passengers frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. For vehicles that were sold, or are currently registered, in Florida, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, owners were notified and the recall began on December 5, 2014. For all other vehicles, Chrysler notified owners and the recall began on February 3, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P40 Expanded. Note: This recall has been superseded by recall 16V-352. This recall superseded the passenger air bag portion of recall 14V-354.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) expanded the affected population to include 73,712 2005-2009 RAM 2500 trucks produced at the St
These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. These inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and RAM owners. Mitsubishi owners will be notified by their company. Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on March 27, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S43. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V-7700.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Dodge Ram 2500, 2004-2008 Dodge Ram 1500 and Durango, 2006-2009 Dodge Ram 3500, 2008-2010 Dodge Ram 4500 and 5500, 2007-2008 Chrysler Aspen, 2005-2010 Chrysler 300, 300C, 300S, and SRT8, 2006-2010 Dodge Charger, 2005-2008 Magnum, 2005-2011 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify the affected Chrysler and Dodge owners and Mitsubishi will notify the affected Raider owners. Dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began for Chrylser on June 8, 2015. The recall for Mitsubishi started on June 24, 2015. Chrysler and Dodge owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Mitsubishi owners may call 1-888-648-7820. Chrysler's number for this recall is R25. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V817 in its entirety. Vehicles that have had their driver side frontal air bag replaced previously need to have their air bag replaced under this recall as well.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners describe two main airbag problems: non-deployment in crashes and years-long recall delays.
Multiple owners report airbags that failed to deploy during serious impacts—head-on collisions, rollovers, and high-speed crashes into fixed objects—causing injuries that might have been prevented. In one fatal rollover, the airbags did not deploy despite the truck flipping four to five times. Another owner hit a brick column at sufficient force to push the hood through the windshield; neither front airbag deployed, and the driver suffered a cracked sternum and concussion. A third owner lost control at 55 mph, hit a median, and sustained ankle and shoulder injuries with no airbag protection.
The recall itself created a separate problem: Takata airbag inflator recalls (NHTSA 15V313000 and 16V352000) have been impossible to complete. Owners received recall notices but dealers had no parts. Many owners waited six months to over a year with no firm timeline for repair. Some owners rescheduled multiple appointments only to be turned away repeatedly. One owner reported a dealer charged $140 for diagnosis and then $289.95 more for work related to a newly installed recalled airbag. Another owner discovered a year later that their recall repair was never actually completed because parts were unavailable. One owner's dashboard cracked during recall work; the dealership had obtained a liability waiver, and Dodge refused to repair it, calling the part "obsolete." A few owners unable to complete the recall couldn't trade in their trucks because of the open safety defect.
Same Dodge Ram 1500 airbags reports on nearby years: 2006 · 2007 · 2008
Failure modes owners describe
Airbag failure to deploy in crash
Airbags did not deploy during accidents with impact force sufficient to damage vehicles, including head-on collisions, rollover crashes, and high-speed impacts. Multiple owners reported no airbag deployment despite significant structural damage and occupant injury.
When: At time of crash; mileage ranges from 20,000 to 180,000 miles reported in various incidents
Symptoms owners cite: No airbag deployment during collision; Vehicle sustained severe structural damage; Driver and/or passenger sustained injuries (head, chest, neck, spine injuries reported); Vehicle totaled or deemed destroyed
Codes mentioned:NHTSA 15V313000, NHTSA 16V352000
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle destruction in most cases; no repair attempted or possible. One narrative mentioned recall repair performed at 15V313000 but airbag still failed to deploy in subsequent crash.
Dashboard sustained cracks during airbag recall service work at dealerships. Owner reported 8.5-inch crack appeared after recall repair and before/after photos confirmed no cracks existed prior to service.
When: During airbag recall repair service (February 2023 reported)
Symptoms owners cite: 8.5-inch crack in dashboard appeared after service; Service manager informed customer there is a possibility of dash cracking during work; Photos documented pre-work condition (no cracks) and post-work condition (crack present)
Repairs/costs cited: Dodge discontinued the dash and declared it 'OBSOLETE,' refusing to offer repairs or replacement
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership obtained liability waiver from customer prior to work; Dodge stated dash is obsolete and no replacement available
Airbag recall parts unavailability/delay
Owners received recall notices for Takata airbag inflator defects (campaigns 15V313000 and 16V352000) but dealers repeatedly informed them that parts were not available. Many owners waited months or over a year without receiving recall service, unable to complete the repair.
When: Multiple recalls issued 2015–2017; some parts still unavailable years later (narratives mention 6+ months to over 1 year wait periods)
Symptoms owners cite: Recall notice received but parts unavailable at dealer; Repeated dealer appointments scheduled and cancelled due to parts shortage; Manufacturer unable to provide estimated date for parts availability; Owners afraid to drive vehicle pending recall completion; Some owners unable to trade in vehicle due to open recalls
Codes mentioned:NHTSA 15V313000, NHTSA 16V352000
Repairs/costs cited: No parts available; some dealers charged diagnostic fees ($140–$289.95 cited) for recall work already covered under recall; one owner reported airbag recall completed but subsequent diagnostic fees charged for switch replacement on newly installed airbag
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TK Holdings (Takata) filed for bankruptcy; FCA unable to provide remedy timeline; some dealers obtained liability waivers from customers; one dealership refused to perform recall repair based on prior service history dispute
Airbag warning light remains after recall repair
After airbag recall service was completed, the airbag warning light remained illuminated on the instrument panel, indicating the repair did not resolve the underlying issue.
When: After recall repair completion at approximately 135,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag warning light illuminated on instrument panel; Warning light persisted after dealer performed recall repair
Codes mentioned:NHTSA 15V313000
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle was not repaired; neither dealer nor manufacturer offered further assistance
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No further response from manufacturer or dealer after initial recall repair
Recall repair failure/incomplete remedy
One narrative reported that a vehicle was serviced for airbag recall (campaign 15V313000) but the inflator defect was never actually repaired, discovered only when a subsequent recall notice arrived months or over a year later.
When: Discovered approximately 1 year after initial recall repair attempt
Symptoms owners cite: Recall repair work documented as completed but inflator never actually replaced; Second recall notice revealed original repair was not performed
Codes mentioned:NHTSA 15V313000
Repairs/costs cited: No parts replaced despite completion paperwork; parts unavailable when original repair attempted
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Second recall notice issued; dealership did not communicate parts shortage to customer at time of original service
Synthesized from 175 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer
allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting
2 most recent
airbags
· filed 12/29/2014
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Dodge Ram 1500. 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 made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
airbags
· filed 12/28/2016
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v352000 (air bags) and stated that the part was not available within a reasonable time frame to schedule the recall repair. The dealer did not give a specific date for when the part would become available. The contact was unable to determine when the vehicle would be repaired.…
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Common questions
How serious is the airbags problem on the 2005 Dodge Ram 1500?
It's a serious issue. 175 complaints have been filed, including 46 reports involving a crash and 4 fatality(ies). We've classified it as critical based on NHTSA's reported outcomes.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Across the 63 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 40,000 and 127,500 miles, with the median around 82,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 40,000; a quarter make it past 127,500. 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?
Yes — 3 active recall(s) cover airbags issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.
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/Ram 1500.
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.