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2021 Ram 1500: airbags did not deploy in a crash

10 of the 690 complaints about the 2021 Ram 1500 describe airbags did not deploy in a crash.

owner complaints
10
of this car's complaints
1%
recalls
2
Is there a fix? There are 2 recalls and 20 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below

Airbags did not deploy in a crash by model year

What owners say

Filed Apr 13, 2026 · Brakes, Steering · IN · crash

While driving, a deer entered the roadway. I applied the brakes to avoid hitting the deer and lost traction due to icy road conditions. The vehicle spun out and struck a utility pole. I later became aware of an open recall involving the ABS and/or electronic stability control (ESC) system for this vehicle. There were no warning lights, messages, or alerts before or after the incident. The vehicle did not maintain stability as expected during braking on ice. I am unsure whether the ABS/ESC system functioned properly at the time of the incident. The crash resulted in vehicle damage and property damage. To my knowledge, the vehicle has not yet been inspected by the manufacturer. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. After crash, airbags did not deploy no fluids leaked no warning lights ever came on dash before or after crash

Filed Jan 5, 2026 · Airbags · ME · crash · 1 injury

High impact vehicle accident, with major damage. Drivers airbag did not deploy.

Filed Dec 2, 2025 · Airbags · 49,000 miles · VT · crash · 1 injury

The contact owns a 2021 RAM 1500. The contact stated that while driving at 47 MPH, towards a four-way intersection, the vehicle coming off the road on the left side of the vehicle ran a stop causing another vehicle to collide with his vehicle. The contact stated that no air bags deployed. The contact stated that he sustained whiplash and bruises to the head. Medical attention was required via hospital. The contact mentioned that the vehicle was towed to an auto body center. The contact stated that a police report was filed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 49,000

Filed Aug 8, 2023 · Driver assistance, Steering · 36,000 miles · CT · crash · 1 injury

The contact owns a 2021 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the contact noticed that the wheel became stiff and was unable to turn. The contact attempted to pull over but crashed into the side of the road. The air bags did not deploy. The contact was unaware of how fast they were driving at the time of the crash. The contact sustained a shoulder and neck injury from the seatbelt. Physical therapy and MRI medical treatment were needed for the injury. No police report was filed. The vehicle displayed warning messages for power steering wheel unavailable suspension system unavailable and electronic stability control unavailable. The vehicle was towed to a dealer. The dealer was not able to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was not repaired as of yet. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and sent a Team to inspect the vehicle but the failure was not detected. The failure mileage was 36,000.

Filed Apr 30, 2023 · Driver assistance, Electrical · NY · crash

I had issues with the electrical systems on various occasions. There were times when the vehicle shut down in middle of driving while other times some functions such as keyless entry or auto braking didn't work. I took the vehicle to the dealership on 3 separate occasions and they said that they could not recreate the issues but rewired the system. I still had issues and was told that as long as the engine light is not blinking it is safe to drive. On 4/11/2023 while driving full speed on the highway, the electrical system stopped and i lost brakes and steering. This caused me to crash into the car in front of me. In addition, the auto braking did not engage and the airbags did not deploy

Filed Jan 25, 2023 · Airbags · CO · crash · 1 injury

The airbags failed to deploy with an offset front end collision going 42 mph. My husband was in an accident and now has a brain injury. The airbags did not go off. The vehicle has been inspected by the body shop but no one will tell me why the airbags did not go off. I have called the manufacturer, a dealership, the body shop, my insurance company everyone just passes the buck to each other and I’m going in circles. They are fixing the truck now and it needs a new frame along with thousands of dollars in damage. No one can tell me whether it is safe to drive my family in at this point We have been through a ton of trauma because of my husbands injury and this just adds to it. There were no warning lamps or symptoms prior to the accident. I first emailed Ram and they said the would need to inspect it. Then I heard nothing so I called and talked to a customer service representative who said my insurance company would contact them and I was told by my insurance co that I needed to contact the manufacturer. Then I was hung up on

Filed Dec 6, 2021 · Airbags · CT · crash · 1 injury

In an effort to avoid deer, driver swerved and crashed into woods where small trees were hit with the truck crashing and stopping in a small ravine. As a result of the front end damage (bumper, grill, etc.) and impact, front Air bags failed to deploy. Injuries incurred were a broken nose, left knee injury, left elbow injury, mid to lower right back injury, possible heart Afib (not previously known or detected prior to accident could have been exacerbated).

Filed Aug 31, 2021 · Airbags · MA · crash · 1 injury

Car accident just occurred that yielded in the truck being totaled (with driver injury) and air bags did not deploy. It is currently at the tow yard awaiting the insurance company's visit. It has not yet been inspected. There were no messages on the dash regarding the air bags prior to this accident.

Filed Jul 30, 2021 · Airbags · 1,500 miles · MI · crash · 2 injuries

The contact owns a 2021 RAM 1500. The contact stated that while his son-in-law was driving at 30 MPH, another vehicle had rear ended his vehicle. The force of the collision then propelled the vehicle into the vehicle in front of him. Due to the force of the collision, his son-in-law's head hit the steering wheel which caused him to black out.The vehicle was then hit by two other vehicles on both the passenger and the driver side as the vehicle was in the middle of an intersection. The air bags did not deploy at anytime during the collision. The contact's son- in-law was taken to hospital and treated for a fractured right side knee and ankle as well as several bruises to various parts of his body. The contact stated that an occupant in another vehicle was transported by ambulance however, injuries were unknown. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed from the scene and impounded by the police. An insurance agent inspected the vehicle to assess the damage and an agreement was made to repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was initially notified of the failure and a complaint was filed. The contact was also informed that a case manager would contact him; however, he never received a call. Months later, the contact called back the manufacturer and was informed that since the vehicle had been repaired; no further action from the manufacturer would be taken. The dealer was also notified of the failure and they also offered no assistance. The vehicle had been repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 1,500.

Filed May 12, 2021 · Airbags · 10,700 miles · IL · crash · 2 injuries

While nearly completing a right turn into a private driveway with a speed under 3 MPH and approximate 20 degree incline I was struck by gmc terrain just behind the right rear tire with posted speed of 40 MPH on the street. The force of impact pushed my truck into a telephone pole next to the driveway impacting the rear door on the driver side the rear door glass shattered and landed 10 to 15 ft in the yard, the truck came to rest facing 180 degrees the opposite direction of travel in the center of a four lane street, the SUV that stuck me continued approximately 330 ft. Across 3 lanes coming to rest in a yard. No airbags deployed nor seat belt tensioning was apparent, driver weight 185lbs passenger approximately 150 lbs. The driver received back and neck injury while the passenger suffered several from striking head on passenger window more than once and side against center console due to no deployment . Policed report states the SUV airbags deployed. No skid mark on pavement were apparent from the SUV. My vehicle had no known issues, body repair shop checked computer and it showed no faults in system prior to accident

Service bulletins that may apply

Related recalls

Air bagsReported May 8, 2025 · 71 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2024 Ram 1500 vehicles. The driver's side air bag may not be connected properly, which can cause the air bag not to deploy as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Risk
A driver's side air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy
Dealers secured the connectors for the air bag, free of charge. All vehicles have been remedied. Owner notification letters were mailed May 27, 2025. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 800‑853‑1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is 08C.

Recall number 25V298000 · Recall details

Air bags: side/window: curtainReported November 24, 2021 · 376 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Ram 2500, Ram 3500, and 2021 Ram 1500 Classic pickup trucks. The side air bag inflatable curtain (SABIC) assemblies may have been manufactured with the incorrect amount of compressed gas, which can result in an improper air bag deployment.
Risk
An air bag that deploys improperly can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy
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.

Recall number 21V925000 · Recall details

Questions about the 2021 Ram 1500 no deployment

Is airbags did not deploy in a crash a common problem on the 2021 Ram 1500?

10 of 690 owner complaints about the 2021 Ram 1500 (1%) mention airbags did not deploy in a crash. The model year with the most reports is 2019.

Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2021 Ram 1500?

There are 2 recalls and 20 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.

Other symptoms on the 2021 Ram 1500

Stalling 132Check engine light 51Loss of power 34Fuel pump 28ABS 21Power steering loss 19Water leak 19Backup camera 18Engine failure 17Won't start 17Key fob 12Screen failure 9Jerking 8Start-stop 8Warning lights 8Airbag light 7Grinding brakes 7Fuel smell 7Won't shift 7Battery drain 6Overheating 6Adaptive cruise 5Fire or smoke 5Hesitation 5Steering lock-up 5Whining noise 5

All model years of the Ram 1500

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