The 2014 RAM 1500 has a documented pattern of airbag system failures affecting both deployment and non-deployment. Multiple owners describe serious crashes—head-on collisions, rollovers, side impacts at 45–80 mph—where airbags never deployed, leaving occupants with broken bones, spinal injuries, head trauma, and bruising. Police reports and insurance investigations confirmed non-deployment in several incidents.
Conversely, some owners report airbags deploying without any crash, including while the vehicle was parked or during door closure, with dust and debris that caused secondary collisions. An intermittent SRS warning light affects many owners; it comes on randomly and goes off the same way, making diagnosis difficult. Dealers charged $120–$150 just to scan the system, then declined warranty coverage. Root causes cited by shops include open-circuit wiring, faulty connectors, and failed clock-springs in the steering column.
Water intrusion through roof seams has soaked side curtain airbags and harnesses, risking electrical shorts. Recall parts (15V460000, 15V459000, 15V534000, 17V302000) remained unavailable for months or years, with manufacturers unable to provide delivery timelines or loaner vehicles. In one case, a driver retained a lemon-law attorney after eight repair orders failed to resolve the airbag light. Post-recall repairs sometimes broke steering wheel controls, which dealers declined to address. Owners out-of-pocket costs ranged from $295–$1500 for harness and module replacement when warranty was exhausted.
Failure modes owners describe
Airbags fail to deploy in crashes
Multiple owners report airbags not deploying during serious collisions—head-on crashes, rollover accidents, high-speed impacts, and side-impact collisions. Drivers experienced severe injuries including broken bones, spinal damage, head trauma, and bruising when airbags remained inert despite crash severity. Police reports and insurance investigations documented the failures.
When: During crashes at 25-80 mph; mileage 12,000-139,000
Symptoms owners cite: No airbag deployment in head-on collision; Curtain airbags failed to deploy in rollover; Driver-side airbag did not deploy despite severe impact; All airbags inoperable in multi-vehicle collision; Front airbags failed during 50+ mph crashes; Side curtain airbags non-functional in side-impact
Codes mentioned: B0028-13, Open circuit on front driver squib #2
Repairs/costs cited: Some owners report crashes totaled vehicles or required major repairs. One owner mentions crash data retrieval confirmed ORC module failure; Bosch ORC module involved. Replacement airbags cited at $795 each. Dealer inspections in some cases declined further testing.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 17V302000 (airbags, seat belts) issued June 2017. Recall 15V459000 and 15V534000 (airbags). FCA investigators inspected some vehicles but denied responsibility in multiple cases. No loaner vehicles offered. One owner retained lemon-law attorney; Chrysler refused buyback and offered limited settlement ($2000).
Airbag warning light illumination—intermittent or constant
SRS/airbag warning light comes on intermittently or continuously without driver awareness of actual failures. Lights appear randomly during driving or at startup, then disappear. Dealers cite no fault codes during some visits, requiring owners to wait for persistent illumination before diagnosis.
When: Random occurrences; mileage 44,000-126,611
Symptoms owners cite: SRS light comes on randomly, goes off same way; Service airbag system message on dash; Airbag warning light illuminates at startup; Light intermittent—on for a day, off for days; Service air bag systems warning light continuously illuminated; Warning indicator illuminates at various driving speeds
Codes mentioned: Open circuit fault, Airbag failed code (generic)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers charged $120–$150 diagnostic fee to investigate. One owner's OBDII scanner read 'open circuit on front driver squib #2.' Clock-spring replacement cited at $295; airbag replacement $795. Some owners declined service due to cost. One owner paid $1500 module replacement that did not resolve issue.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recalls directly addressing intermittent warning light. Dealers declined warranty coverage in most cases. One dealership installed new module; problem persisted and owner out-of-pocket $1500.
Airbags deploy unexpectedly without crash
Airbags deploy spontaneously while vehicle is parked, during minor incidents (closing a door), or at very low speeds without collision. Some deployments occur while exiting the vehicle or during engine shutdown. Dust and metal debris from deployment cloud cabin; in one case caused secondary crash.
When: While parked; during door closure; at 25 mph in minor sideswipe; mileage 80,000–116,000
Symptoms owners cite: Airbags deploy when closing driver-side door while parked; Driver-side, seat belt, and driver seat airbags deployed without warning; Airbags deployed at low-speed sideswipe (minor impact); Dust and metal debris in cabin from deployment; Unintended deployment during vehicle shutdown attempt; Spontaneous deployment caused secondary crash into guardrail
Codes mentioned: No codes cited; event triggered ORC module malfunction
Repairs/costs cited: One owner injured back from unexpected deployment. Another driver blinded by dust/debris, crashed into guardrail. Vehicle in second case totaled by insurance. ORC module (Bosch) suspected in unintended deployments.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 15V460000 (seat belts, airbags) and 17V302000 (airbags) reference unintended deployment issues. One owner noted recall parts unavailable at time of incident. FCA did not assist in one case with unexpected deployment during parked condition.
Airbag wiring harness open circuit or connector failure
Open circuits in airbag wiring harnesses, faulty connectors under seats, and seat-back harness failures prevent proper airbag function detection. One instance involved steering wheel wiring harness rubbing against driver airbag module retainer, breaking the module.
When: Discovered at 53,000–94,000 miles; one at 14,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Open circuit on seat-back airbag harness; Open circuit on front driver squib wiring; Plug connector under front passenger seat failing; Airbag light triggered by harness fault; Steering wheel harness rubbing and breaking airbag module retainer
Codes mentioned: B0028-13 (seat-back airbag harness open circuit), Open circuit codes on squib lines
Repairs/costs cited: Harness replacement $295–$350 out-of-pocket. One owner replaced driver airbag twice and wiring harness twice, problem recurred. Steering wheel harness rubbing case identified as validated recall on other models but not appearing under owner's VIN (Recall 15V459000 noted).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 15V459000 addresses airbag-related wiring. Warranty declined by Chrysler in multiple cases citing airbags not covered. One owner submitted documentation to Chrysler Care for reimbursement and was denied.
Water intrusion into airbag and wiring systems
Roof seam leaks at rear headliner allow water to intrude into cabin, soaking side curtain airbags and wiring harnesses. Water damage causes corrosion and electrical shorts that can prevent deployment or cause unintended deployment. Dealers decline repair as cosmetic.
When: Discovered during inspection; affects 2012–present RAM models
Symptoms owners cite: Water soaking side curtain airbags and wiring; Water intrusion at roof rear corners; Corrosion and electrical shorts from wet harnesses; Risk of unintended deployment or non-deployment
Repairs/costs cited: Owner self-diagnosed via visual inspection. Dealers declined repair, calling it cosmetic. One owner planning immediate DIY fix. Roof seam rubber strips have unsealed small holes.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall issued. Dealers declining to honor as warranty claim.
Recall parts unavailable; extended repair delays
Owners received recall notices (15V460000, 15V459000, 15V534000, 17V302000) but dealers unable to source parts for months or longer. Manufacturers could not provide delivery estimates. Some owners waited a year or more without remedy; no loaner vehicles provided.
When: Recall notices issued 2014–2017; delays extended 1+ years
Symptoms owners cite: Parts backordered indefinitely; Dealer unable to provide timeframe for parts arrival; Manufacturer unable to confirm parts availability; No loaner vehicle option offered; Recall repairs not completed within reasonable timeframe
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple owners reported parts distribution disconnect. One owner had 7 dealer visits without resolution.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Multiple recalls: 15V460000 (seat belts, airbags), 15V459000 (airbags), 15V534000 (airbags), 17V302000 (airbags, seat belts). Chrysler/FCA unable to provide parts timeline. One owner's recall repair at Auffenberg Ford O'Fallon (IL) stalled; manufacturer contacted multiple times without resolution.
Seat belt failure to retract or deploy (related to airbag system)
Front and rear seat belts fail to retract or deploy properly during crashes, often coinciding with airbag failures. Some unlatched during collisions; pre-tensioners did not activate.
When: During crashes at 35–75 mph; mileage 39,000–80,000
Symptoms owners cite: Seat belts failed to retract after deployment; Belts did not latch properly during collision; Pre-tensioner did not activate; Children sustained bruising from seat belt failure; Driver unable to restrain due to failed belt
Repairs/costs cited: One child sustained broken collarbone and side bruising from improper belt restraint during crash where airbags also failed. Vehicle totaled in multiple cases.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 17V302000 addresses airbags and seat belts. Recall 15V460000 covers both systems. Manufacturer notified in some cases; no assistance provided in others.
Secondary damage from airbag deployment or smoke/dust
When airbags deploy (either appropriately or unexpectedly), the dust/smoke and bag in driver's face prevents vehicle control, leading to secondary crashes into poles, trees, or other obstacles.
When: During deployment events; mileage varies
Symptoms owners cite: Smoke/dust from airbag clouds vision; Airbag in face prevents steering control; Driver unable to see after deployment; Secondary collision due to post-deployment blindness
Repairs/costs cited: One driver hit utility pole and multiple trees after sideswipe deployment caused vision loss. Another driver crashed into guardrail after unexpected low-speed deployment.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No specific response cited for secondary damage prevention.
Steering wheel controls inoperable after airbag recall repair
Following airbag recall repairs (particularly clock-spring or steering column work), horn and electronic steering wheel controls become inoperable. Dealership diagnosed electrical short in clock-spring but declined repair responsibility.
When: After recall repair; mileage 56,945–94,000
Symptoms owners cite: Horn does not function; Electronic steering wheel buttons inoperable; Instrument panel functions inoperable; Service airbag warning light remains illuminated
Codes mentioned: Electrical short in clock-spring
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer diagnosed electrical short in steering wheel clock-spring but refused to repair, claiming it was not related to recall work. Owner cost unknown; repair not completed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership declined to address as related issue despite occurring post-recall repair.
Synthesized from 94 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer
allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.