While driving at 40 MPH an accident occurred, consumer's vehicle hit a tree head on. Upon impact, air bags did not deploy. Contacted the dealer, and was told this was normal, and that there was nothing wrong with the vehicle. *ak... The other driver, a lady was cited for improper backing out. Consumer's grand son first hit her, then went through a yard, hitting a tree.
1996 Dodge Ram: airbags did not deploy in a crash
27 of the 622 complaints about the 1996 Dodge Ram describe airbags did not deploy in a crash.
- owner complaints
- 27
- of this car's complaints
- 4%
- recalls
- 1
Airbags did not deploy in a crash by model year
What owners say
Consumer states engine stalled while traveling down a mountain, consumer lost all control of vehicle and went off a 300 ft revene, vehicle finally stopped after striking a tree head on, air bag did not deploy, consumer sustained injuries, a month after purchasing vehicle, recall repairs were completed on vehicle regarding blower and igntion, consumer was later informed of additional recalls that needed to be repaired on vehicle, however consumer was never given any specific details about what was repaired/replaced.
Vehicle was involved in a frontal collision at 35 MPH. Upon impact, driver's air bag did not deploy. Dealer was notified, and was unwilling to assist in this matter. Feel free to provide any further information on this matter.
Vehicle was involved in a frontal collision at 55mph. Upon impact, air bags did not deploy, resulting in minor injuries. Vehicle was totaled.
Vehicle was involved in a 50 MPH frontal collision in which driver's and passenger's air bags did not deploy, cause unknown.*ak
Consumer had a head-on collision with a pole and air bags did not deploy. Automobile ended up in a "v" shape. Consumer was sore, but had no major injuries.
Front impact and air bags did not deploy
I rear ended another pickup truck at approximately 35 MPH. There was extensive damage to the nose and possible frame damage also. The driver side airbag did not deploy. Although I was wearing the seatbelt, my head still made contact with the steering wheel. A fellow firefighter in town had a similar experiance, in that he hit an auto at speed, and his air bag did not deploy either. Is this a common problem with the new style dodge pickups?
Chrysler customer relations was notified that the air bag did not deploy upon a frontal impact and agreed to send a special investigations crew to look at the vehicle. There conclusion was that the impact was not in the direct center of the vehicle and that the air bag system still showed to be functional and ready. None of the people who have seen this vehicle could believe that the air bag did not deploy, especially with the damaged incurred! This includes the insurance claims adjuster and the body shop who repaired the vehicle ! In my opinion this is false advertisement by the vehicle manufacturer that states the air bag will deploy in a frontal impact over 20 MPH. It doesnt state that the impact has to be dead center of the vehicle !
Vehicle hit another vehicle from the front at 45mph and the driver's side airbag did not deploy. Dealer has not seen the vehicle.
The vehicle was rear ended, and then ran into telephone pole and was totaled. The airbag did not deploy. Dealer has done nothing.
While driving at 20 MPH the defective ABS braking system malfunctioned causing the wheels to lock up and skid. Having extended stopping distance, causing a frontal impact. The defective driver's side airbag did not deploy.
Service bulletins that may apply
Related recalls
Air bags: frontal
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: van and wagon model passenger vehicles. If water/road salt gets on the interior floor of the vehicle in the proximity of the air bag electronic control module (aecm), the aecm can corrode. The resulting corrosion can cause the driver side air bag to deploy inadvertently.
- Risk
- Deployment of the air bag without warning could cause a driver to lose vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash and personal injury.
- Remedy
- Dealers wil replace the aecm with an aecm that is sealed from moisture intrusion.
Recall number 99V023000 · Recall details
Questions about the 1996 Dodge Ram no deployment
Is airbags did not deploy in a crash a common problem on the 1996 Dodge Ram?
27 of 622 owner complaints about the 1996 Dodge Ram (4%) mention airbags did not deploy in a crash. The model year with the most reports is 1998.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 1996 Dodge Ram?
There is 1 recall and 1 service bulletin for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 1996 Dodge Ram
ABS 70Brake failure 34Pulling 21Tire blowout 18Fire or smoke 15Headlights 15Transmission failure 14Stalling 12Won't shift 12Fuel pump 10Slipping 10Overheating 9Ball joint 8Fuel gauge 8Loss of power 7Power steering loss 7Premature wear 6Sudden acceleration 6Adaptive cruise 5Grinding brakes 5Harsh shifting 5
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 1996 Dodge Ram?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history