Should I buy a 2008 Dodge Ram 1500 with documented airbags problems?

Depends on the price and the specific vehicle. Documented airbags issues should be priced into the purchase — if the seller is asking full retail, negotiate down by the expected repair cost. A pre-purchase inspection from an independent shop tells you whether THIS specific vehicle has already shown the symptoms or not.

2008 Dodge Ram 1500 airbags problems

severe Owners of the 2008 Dodge Ram 1500 have filed 152 NHTSA complaints about the airbags, typically surfacing around 69,000 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

Complaints

152

Recalls

Avg fix

$1,100

airbags complaints on the Dodge Ram 1500, by model year
Model year	airbags complaints
2005 Ram 1500	175
2006 Ram 1500	174
2007 Ram 1500	160
2008 Ram 1500 (this page)	152
2009 Ram 1500	27
2010 Ram 1500	9

21crashes

24injuries

What stands out

All 2 active airbags recalls on this vehicle are classified critical — based on documented crash, fire, or fatality outcomes in NHTSA's record.

Airbags accounts for 26% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 12 categories tracked.

Related recalls

critical NHTSA 15V313000 May 27, 2015

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.

critical NHTSA 16V352000 May 24, 2016

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.

The failure pattern owners describe

Owners report widespread issues with Takata airbag inflators on 2008 Dodge Ram 1500s, spanning two major recalls (15V313000 and 16V352000). The dominant complaint across 152 claims is unavailability of replacement parts. Owners received official recall notices stating parts were under testing with no estimated delivery date—some waited months or years without resolution. Multiple owners purchased used vehicles unaware of open recalls or discovered too late that repair parts weren't available, leaving them stuck with unsafe vehicles they couldn't fix.

Failure-to-deploy is the second critical pattern. In multiple crashes—head-on collisions, rear-end impacts, tree strikes at speeds between 30 and 55 mph—airbags did not deploy when they should have. Some owners sustained serious injuries (spinal injuries, broken bones, concussions, collapsed lung) that might have been mitigated had airbags functioned. One owner reported delayed deployment with metal fragment ejection causing facial injuries.

A separate failure mode involves the driver-side airbag light staying illuminated. Owners took vehicles to dealers multiple times; technicians ordered replacement parts that never arrived. One dealer informed the owner the part was unavailable and couldn't be replaced.

One owner reported both airbags deploying spontaneously at 45 mph without impact, causing facial burns. Another reported a broken clock spring disabling the airbag system entirely.

Dealer conduct also emerges as a complaint: improper installation, damaged steering wheel covers, and refusal to perform recall repairs without parts availability.

Same Dodge Ram 1500 airbags reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2009

Failure modes owners describe

Takata Airbag Inflator—Parts Unavailability

Owners received official recall notices (NHTSA 15V313000 and 16V352000) requiring driver and/or passenger airbag inflator replacement. Replacement parts remained unavailable for extended periods—sometimes years—despite notifications stating parts were 'under testing.' Dealers could not provide estimated delivery dates. Multiple owners were unable to obtain repairs and remained driving vehicles flagged as defective.

When: Recalls issued 2015–2016; complaints span 2015–2018 and beyond

Symptoms owners cite: Recall notice received with no parts availability; Dealer unable to schedule repair due to parts shortage; No estimated date provided by manufacturer for parts delivery; Vehicle remains unrepaired months or years after recall issuance

Codes mentioned: 15V313000, 16V352000

Repairs/costs cited: Replacement airbag inflators required but unavailable; owners unable to complete repairs

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler/Dodge recall issued (15V313000, 16V352000); parts initially unavailable, testing ongoing with no estimated completion date

Airbag Failure to Deploy in Crashes

In multiple documented crash scenarios—front-end collisions, rear-end impacts, and tree strikes at moderate speeds (30–55 mph)—driver and/or passenger airbags failed to deploy on impact. Owners sustained significant injuries (broken bones, spinal injuries, concussions, collapsed lung, facial lacerations) that might have been prevented or reduced had airbags functioned.

When: Crashes reported at 37,000–256,000 miles; incidents span 2010–2022

Symptoms owners cite: Airbags did not deploy on frontal impact; Airbags did not deploy on rear-end impact; Vehicle destruction despite moderate-speed crashes where deployment expected; Occupant injuries including head trauma, spinal injury, and internal injury

Codes mentioned: 15V313000, 16V352000

Repairs/costs cited: Vehicles destroyed; repair not attempted; investigation of cause typically inconclusive

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall issued post-failure in some cases; one owner reported recall work performed in 2016 yet airbag still failed in 2022 crash

Driver-Side Airbag Light—Illuminated; Part Unavailable

Driver-side airbag warning light remains illuminated. Owners took vehicles to dealerships where technicians diagnosed airbag failure and ordered replacement parts. Parts never arrived despite multiple visits to different dealers. One dealer eventually informed owner the part was unavailable and could not be replaced, leaving the system non-functional and unrepaired.

When: Failure mileage 13,000–26,000 miles; complaint filed when light first appeared

Symptoms owners cite: Airbag warning light illuminated on dashboard; Light remains illuminated intermittently or continuously; Technician confirms airbag failure requiring part replacement

Repairs/costs cited: Complete airbag unit replacement needed; parts ordered but never supplied; vehicle remains unrepaired

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None documented; part unavailable per dealer

Spontaneous Airbag Deployment

Both driver and passenger airbags deployed without any collision or impact while vehicle was being driven at low speed. Occupant sustained burn injuries to the face. Vehicle continued to be drivable after deployment but remained undiagnosed and unrepaired.

When: Deployment speed approximately 45 mph; mileage and exact date not specified

Symptoms owners cite: Both driver and passenger airbags deployed without impact; Deployment occurred during normal driving; Occupant sustained burn injuries to face

Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle not diagnosed or repaired; owner received airbag recall notice after the failure

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Airbag recall issued after incident; repairs not attempted

Clock Spring Failure—Airbag System Disabled

Clock spring in steering column failed, disabling the airbag system. Owner was informed airbags would not deploy in a crash. Repair cost approximately $400. This failure was reported as common across multiple vehicle makes.

When: Failure discovered during service for intermittent airbag warning light

Symptoms owners cite: Airbag warning light coming on intermittently; Clock spring broken

Repairs/costs cited: Clock spring replacement; cost approximately $400

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None documented

Delayed Airbag Deployment with Metal Fragment Ejection

During a tree-impact crash at 35 mph, airbag deployed with significant delay and emitted metal fragments. Occupant sustained severe injuries including collapsed lung and multiple facial abrasions. Vehicle was destroyed. Owner received recall notice two days after the crash.

When: Failure mileage approximately 218,000 miles

Symptoms owners cite: Delayed airbag deployment; Metal fragments emitted from airbag; Collapsed lung and facial injuries; Seat belt did not restrain properly

Codes mentioned: 15V313000

Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle destroyed; repair not performed

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 15V313000 issued; parts unavailable at time of failure; owner experienced second accident where airbag again failed to deploy

Defective Installation—Steering Wheel Damage; Improper Airbag Install

Dealership performed airbag recall installation and damaged the steering wheel cover in the process. Upon completion, dealer claimed the cover damage was pre-existing despite owner documentation showing it was undamaged at drop-off. Airbag installation itself was performed incorrectly, leaving the system appearing defective. Dealership filled the steering wheel with newspaper and cardboard before installation.

When: During recall service appointment

Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel cover torn/destroyed; Airbag improperly installed; Debris (newspaper, cardboard) found in steering wheel

Repairs/costs cited: Dealership caused damage and installed airbag improperly; dealer refused responsibility

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: FCA called for conference; manager initially denied airbag was present, then blamed debris; no resolution or compensation offered

Synthesized from 152 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.

What owners are reporting 3 most recent

airbags · filed 12/30/2016

Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 15v313000 (air bags) and 16v352000 (air bags). The part to do the repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts…

airbags · filed 12/28/2016

Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v352000 (air bags); however, the parts to do the recall repair were not yet available. 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…

airbags · filed 12/24/2015

Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15v313000 (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. Parts…

Had airbags trouble with your 2008 Dodge Ram 1500? 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 2008 Dodge Ram 1500?

It's a meaningful issue. 152 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 32 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 37,000 and 131,000 miles, with the median around 69,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 37,000; a quarter make it past 131,000. 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 — 2 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/2008/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.