Look — RAM's airbag story is well-documented in the NHTSA file, and it ain't pretty. 488 complaints across 22 year-model entries from 2013 to 2025. Not a small number. 2014 RAM 1500 leads the list, but the same issue shows up across multiple years on the same platform. 12 fatality reports on file with NHTSA tied to this category on RAM vehicles. That elevates this from nuisance to safety-critical. Average shop fix runs about $1,100 — not catastrophic, but it adds up over time. Across the 221 complaints reporting odometer mileage, the median failure lands at about 41,706 miles. Run the VIN through the NHTSA recall lookup before you buy. Takata-era inflators are still being recalled. The dealer fixes them free.
ProblemsByVin RAM / AIRBAGS
22 model-year entries · 2013–2025
RAM airbags problems
488 owner complaints filed with NHTSA against RAM vehicles for airbags issues. 9 active recall campaigns. See airbags across all makes →
Complaints
488
Recalls
9
Year-models
22
Avg fix
$1,100
252crashes
5fires
292injuries
12fatalities
Worst-affected RAM model-years for airbags Top 22 by complaint volume
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22
2014 RAM 1500
94 complaints · 1 recall · ~$1,100 severe
2013 RAM 1500
70 complaints · ~$1,100 severe
2019 RAM 1500
69 complaints · 1 recall · ~$1,100 critical
2015 RAM 1500
52 complaints · 1 recall · ~$1,100 critical
2017 RAM 1500
49 complaints · ~$1,100 critical
2016 RAM 1500
37 complaints · 1 recall · ~$1,100 critical
2021 RAM 1500
21 complaints · ~$1,100 severe
2018 RAM 1500
15 complaints · 1 recall · ~$1,100 severe
2020 RAM 1500
14 complaints · 3 recalls · ~$1,100 severe
2014 RAM 2500
9 complaints · ~$1,100 severe
2016 RAM 2500
8 complaints · ~$1,100 critical
2016 RAM 3500
7 complaints · ~$1,100 severe
2015 RAM 2500
7 complaints · ~$1,100 severe
2019 RAM 2500
5 complaints · ~$1,100 severe
2014 RAM 3500
5 complaints · ~$1,100 severe
2025 RAM 1500
4 complaints · ~$1,100 severe
2021 RAM 2500
4 complaints · ~$1,100 severe
2018 RAM 3500
4 complaints · ~$1,100 critical
2017 RAM 2500
4 complaints · ~$1,100 severe
2013 RAM 2500
4 complaints · ~$1,100 moderate
2024 RAM 1500
3 complaints · 1 recall · ~$1,100 severe
2013 RAM 3500
3 complaints · ~$1,100 moderate
Active recalls — RAM airbags 12 on file
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ram 1500 vehicles
Disabled air bags and seat belt pretensioners increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the ORC or replace it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 20, 2019. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's numbers for this recall are V61 and V71.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling one model year 2017 RAM ProMaster City vehicle manufactured on November 5, 2016
If the side curtain air bags do not inflate properly, the vehicle occupants are at an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler has notified the owner, and a dealer inspected the side curtain air bags, free of charge. The recall began January 17, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S95.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2020 Ram Promaster vans and 1500 pickups
In the event of a crash, if the diffuser detaches from the inflator during air bag deployment, the air bag may not inflate properly, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: FCA US will notify owners, and dealers will replace the side curtain air bag assemblies, free of charge. The recall began July 16, 2020. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US's number for this recall is W52.
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Ram 2500, Ram 3500, and 2021 Ram 1500 Classic pickup trucks
An air bag that deploys improperly can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the SABIC assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 17, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Y99.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Ram 1500, 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 trucks manufactured January 18, 2011, to October 7, 2014, and equipped with the Electronic Vehicle Information Center option
This abrasion may result in an electrical short that could cause driver's frontal air bag to unexpectedly deploy. Inadvertent deployment of the air bag may increase the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, repair as necessary, and secure the steering wheel wiring harness. Additionally, protective caps will be added to the air bag retainer spring ends. These repairs will be done free of charge. The recall began on September 18, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R36.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Ram 1500 Quad Cab trucks manufactured August 26, 2013, to August 8, 2015
In the event of a vehicle crash, if a SABIC does not inflate as intended, there is an increased risk of injury to the rear seat occupant.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, dealers will inspect the right and left side air bag inflatable curtains (SABIC) for proper orientation and a foil patch will be installed on both sides of the headliner. One or both of the air bag inflatable curtains (SABIC) will be replaced if necessary. The recall began on October 7, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R47.
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2025 Ram 2500 Pickup, 3500 Pickup, 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 Cab Chassis, and 5500 Cab Chassis trucks
Driving with a disabled electronic stability control system increases the risk of a crash. Additionally, a driver's side air bag or seat belt pretensioner that does not deploy increases the risk of injury in a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the occupant restraint controller module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 15, 2026. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is C3C. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on December 19, 2025.
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 2022 Ram 1500 vehicles
Air bags that do not deploy as intended increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, install the B-pillar impact sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 4, 2023. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 33A.
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 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.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2013-2016 Ram 1500, Ram 2500, and 2014-2016 Ram 3500 vehicles
If the rollover side curtain air bags and seat belt pretensioners are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a crash that necessitates activation of these safety systems.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the ORC software, free of charge. The recall began June 26, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T25.
Common questions
How many RAM airbags complaints are on file with NHTSA?
488 complaints across 22 model-year entries from 2013 to 2025. 9 active recall campaigns cover airbags issues across the RAM lineup.
Which RAM model has the most airbags complaints?
The 2014 RAM 1500 leads with 94 complaints in this category. Next: 2013 1500 (70) and 2019 1500 (69).
What does it cost to fix RAM airbags problems?
Independent shops average $1,100 for airbags repairs across the RAM lineup. Dealer pricing tends to run twenty to forty percent higher. Specific cost depends on the failure mode and parts availability.
Are there RAM airbags recalls?
Yes — 12 active recall campaigns cover airbags on RAM vehicles. Recall fixes are free regardless of mileage or warranty status. The list below shows current campaigns with their NHTSA numbers.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database.
Editorial commentary written by Tony Marino, an independent contributor to ProblemsByVin
and not affiliated with RAM.
Severity ratings derive from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities on the NHTSA complaint and recall record.
Repair cost averages reflect independent-shop pricing and may differ in your area.