Owners of the 2015 Ram 1500 describe front airbags failing to deploy during frontal collisions at speeds from 30 mph to 65 mph, including head-on crashes, rear-end impacts, and tree strikes. In several cases, side curtain airbags deployed while front driver and passenger bags remained inactive. No warning lights appeared before most crashes, and some owners sustained injuries that might have been mitigated by proper airbag deployment—head trauma, chest injuries, broken ribs, and lacerations documented in crash reports and emergency transport records.
Separately, owners report intermittent or persistent airbag warning lights and "service airbag" messages appearing on the dashboard during normal driving. One case involved frayed wiring in the passenger-side curtain airbag; another revealed a failed restraint control module (TCM). Replacement of airbags did not always resolve the warning light.
A widespread complaint concerns recall delays. Multiple owners received recall notices (17V-302, 21V632000) but dealers and Ram confirmed parts were unavailable for months, delaying repair. One owner in rural Alaska reported a dealership's broken promise to send a technician to complete the recall work. Owners cite the manufacturer exceeding a reasonable timeframe for remedy despite safety-critical components being affected.
Failure modes owners describe
Front Airbags Failed to Deploy in Crashes
Owner narratives report repeated instances where front airbags failed to deploy during moderate to severe frontal impacts, including head-on collisions, frontal crashes into barriers and trees, and rear-end impacts at speeds ranging from 30 mph to 65 mph. Some incidents involved multiple vehicle impacts or rollovers where only side airbags deployed while front bags remained inactive.
When: At time of crash; mileage at failure ranged from 5,000 to 155,041 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Airbags did not deploy during frontal collision; Front driver and passenger airbags inoperative while side curtain airbags deployed (some cases); No warning lights prior to accident in most cases; Service airbag message appeared on dash after some incidents
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle available for inspection in multiple cases; some owners report dealer had no ability to retrieve accident data from restraint system module; collision centers and insurance evaluations conducted
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Recalls 15V-460 and 17V-302 mentioned in narratives; recall 17V-302 addresses occupant restraint control module (ORC) reprogramming for rollover sensing; recall 21V632000 addresses airbags but parts shortages reported
Airbag Warning Light / Service Messages—Intermittent or Persistent
Owners report illuminated airbag warning indicators on the instrument cluster, either continuously or intermittently. In one case, the warning light cycled on and off multiple times per trip. In another, the light reappeared after replacement of passenger-side curtain airbags. One owner describes a continuous 'service airbag' message appearing while driving.
When: During normal operation; one case noted at 90,000 miles, another at 98,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag warning light illuminated on dashboard; Service airbag message on instrument panel; Warning light intermittently on and off during single trip; Light reappeared after previous repair; Chime heard at startup with warning light
Codes mentioned: TCM failure noted in one case causing airbag warning
Repairs/costs cited: Frayed wiring found in passenger-side curtain airbag assembly in one case (wiring and assembly replacement scheduled); TCM (transmission control module or similar restraint controller) replacement required in another; independent mechanic replaced curtain airbags but issue recurred
Recall Parts Unavailable / Delayed Recall Completion
Numerous owners received recall notices (primarily 21V632000 and 17V-302) but dealers and manufacturers could not provide parts to complete the repair. Multiple complaints state the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable timeframe for recall remedy. In one case, an owner in rural Alaska reported the dealership promised to send a technician to complete the recall but later denied making that commitment, and the cost to transport the vehicle for repair ($5,000+ with 2–3 month downtime) was prohibitive.
When: Recall notices issued; cases span from 2015 to 2021+ with delays of 6+ months after recall issuance reported
Symptoms owners cite: Recall notice received but parts unavailable; Dealer stated parts on order or not yet in stock; Manufacturer confirmed parts unavailable; Multiple rescheduling of repair appointments due to missing parts; No actual airbag failure experienced by owners in these cases
Repairs/costs cited: Recall 21V632000 requires airbag component replacement; recall 17V-302 requires ORC module reprogramming; parts distribution delays confirmed by VIN tool in multiple narratives
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recalls 21V632000 and 17V-302 issued; however, parts supply issues prevented completion of remedy; manufacturer confirmed unavailability in several cases and could not provide estimated availability date
Restraint System Data / Sensing Failures Post-Crash
In cases where crash data was retrieved or examined, module download reports showed inconsistent pre-crash data (e.g., reporting zero vehicle speed and zero RPMs when vehicle was clearly in motion) and failure of rollover-activated airbags to signal deployment during a highway-speed rollover. One narrative references an ODI investigation and notes the truck was not covered by FCA's recall despite the failure.
When: At time of rollover / crash; data retrieved post-incident
Symptoms owners cite: Rollover-activated curtain airbags failed to deploy during highway rollover; Module download report contained nonsense pre-crash data; Crash event recorded but with conflicting sensor data; Vehicle not flagged as recall-eligible despite documented failure
Repairs/costs cited: Module download report examined; dealer unable to interpret or action the data
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall coverage status questioned by owner; no recall action identified for affected vehicle
Synthesized from 52 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer
allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.