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.
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.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaigns 15V313000 and 16V352000 issued for airbag inflator defects; Takata airbag inflator recall; multiple narratives cite TK Holdings bankruptcy filing
Dash cracking during recall repair
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 174 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer
allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.