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2018 RAM 1500 airbags problems
severe
Owners of the 2018 RAM 1500 have filed 15 NHTSA complaints about the airbags at roughly $1,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of September 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.See airbags across all vehicles →
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Ram 1500 Classic, 2015-2016 Ram 3500, and Ram 2500 vehicles, and 2016 Ram 3500 Cab Chassis with a gross vehicle weight rating less than 10,000 lbs
A separated inflator end cap or inflator rupture can allow compressed gas to escape, resulting in the end cap or other components being propelled into the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury or crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace as necessary, the SABIC assemblies, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on October 4, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 26, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Y55.
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Ram 3500, Ram 1500, 2016-2020 Ram 2500, and 2016 Ram 3500 Cab Chassis vehicles
An inflator rupture may result in sharp metal fragments striking occupants, resulting in injury.
Fix: Dealers will replace one or both side curtain air bags, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 13, 2025. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's numbers for this recall are 05C, 09C, and 10C.
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Ram 1500, Ram 2500, and Ram 3500 vehicles
An inflator rupture may result in sharp metal fragments striking occupants, resulting in injury.
Fix: Dealers will replace one or both side curtain air bags, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 25, 2025. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's numbers for this recall are 83C, 91C, and 92C. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning September 18, 2025.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering airbags on this vehicle — documented
repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall
(it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Service BulletinS1625000005Nov 2020
(Rev. A) Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) Illuminated. Service Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) System ? See Dealer Soon Message on Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) Along With Possible Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) P241D - SCR Inducement - Forced Engine Shutdown.
Transmission Oil Pan, Heater (TMU), Tube or O-ring Applies to vehicles equipped with 8 speed transmissions only; if you have a leak that appears to be at the pan the use of proper leak detection is recommended. The fluid in the 8 speeds can be detected with a black light and there are aftermarket spray on leak detection materials to help ensure that the leak is properly diagnosed and not from another location such as cooler lines, heater tubes, or case porosity. Please note that the transmission pan gasket is available for many of the 8 speed applications FCA offers. Please review the available quick connect and transfer tube parts, as replacement of the TMU may not be required. If a TOC lin
Title Control Module - Air Bag Electronic Control w/side Capability Start Date: 10/19/2015 7:00 AM End Date Message You have been identified as either having stock, or have stock in transit to your dealership. Please return all stock of following part numbers: 68085880AD, 68085880AF, 68085881AE, 68085881AF, 68085881AG. Replacement part numbers are: 68085880AG, and 68085881AH. Please return suspect parts back to your facing depot using Return Code 02, before 09 November, 2015. Return any open orders in process too. Direct all questions via email to mopardmail@fcagroup.com.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of the 2018 RAM 1500 describe two distinct categories of airbag failures. In crash scenarios, multiple owners report complete deployment failure during impacts that should have triggered the system: head-on collisions at 55–60 mph, a T-bone at 25 mph, a high-speed hay bale strike at 65 mph, and barrier impacts at 40–60 mph. One owner hit a deer and then a guard rail head-on; neither impact deployed the bags. Another owner was hit from the side at low speed while airbags deployed in the other vehicle. In these cases, occupants sustained head, neck, shoulder, rib, and back injuries that might have been prevented had the bags functioned. RAM's investigator told one owner the 55 mph crash lacked sufficient G-force, but repair shops and eyewitnesses disputed that conclusion.
Outside of crashes, owners report Service Air Bag warning lights at 39,000 and 120,000 miles—often beyond the 36,000-mile warranty. Dealers quoted $1,200–$1,400 to replace sensors and wiring. One owner also described a spontaneous rear airbag deployment at rest that damaged the roof and door frame. A separate complaint mentions seat belts that refused to unlock after a guard rail impact, trapping occupants.
Airbags fail to deploy in moderate-to-high-speed impacts
Multiple owners report airbags not deploying during crashes at speeds ranging from 18 to 65 mph, including head-on collisions, T-bones, and barrier impacts. Impact severity and damage patterns suggest deployment thresholds may be set too high or sensor systems are not functioning correctly.
When: During various impacts ranging from low-speed (18 mph) to high-speed (65 mph) collisions across model years 2018-2020
Symptoms owners cite: Airbags remain stowed during head-on collisions; Airbags do not deploy during T-bone side impacts; No deployment during single-vehicle barrier/fence impacts; Deployment failure despite severe frontal damage requiring vehicle total loss
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle deemed total loss in most cases; dealer diagnostics not performed in crash scenarios; some owners reported manufacturer investigator evaluation with conclusion that G-force was insufficient
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One owner reported RAM manufacturer investigator concluded 55 mph impact did not generate enough G-force for deployment; vehicle not included in recall per dealer statements
Service Air Bag warning light and steering wheel control failures
Owner reports illuminated Service Air Bag message on instrument panel accompanied by inoperative horn and failed left-side steering wheel controls, suggesting wiring or sensor harness issues affecting multiple steering-wheel-mounted systems.
When: At approximately 120,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Service Air Bag warning light remains illuminated during driving; Horn inoperative; Left-side steering wheel controls failed; right-side operated normally
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle not diagnosed or repaired; owner found reference to unknown recall online
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer stated vehicle was not included in any recall
Spontaneous rear airbag deployment at rest
Rear passenger-side airbag deployed while owner was walking toward parked vehicle, with no collision or triggering event, causing roof damage and door frame dent.
When: At approximately 47,818 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Spontaneous airbag deployment on rear passenger side without collision; Roof damage from unintended deployment; Rear passenger-side door frame dented
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle not diagnosed or repaired
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer contacted and case filed; vehicle stated to be not under recall
Airbag warning light and component failure requiring out-of-warranty repair
Two owners report illuminated airbag warning lights and dealer diagnosis of failed airbag sensors or components, with repair costs of $1,200-$1,400. Both repairs exceed or fall outside factory warranty coverage.
When: At 39,000 miles (exceeds 36,000-mile warranty); at 61,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag warning light illuminated on instrument panel; No reported accident or impact triggering warning
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer recommended airbag sensor and wiring replacement, quoted at $1,400; another quoted $1,200 for driver-side door airbag replacement at 39,000 miles when warranty had expired
Seat belt failure to release after impact
Following a head-on guard rail collision, seat belts remained locked in place after impact, preventing occupant egress.
When: August 2019, during second collision with guard rail
Symptoms owners cite: Seat belts remained in locked position after collision; Occupants unable to disengage seat belts following impact
Synthesized from 15 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer
allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting
1 most recent
airbags
· filed 12/21/2020
Vehicle was in a crash at approx. 40 MPH, on a country road, with significant front end damage. The airbags did not deploy.
Had airbags trouble with your 2018 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 2018 RAM 1500?
It's a meaningful issue. 15 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?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
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/2018/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.