Vehicle was involved in a front end collision resulting in a total loss. the air bags did not deploy.
Ram 1500 no deployment problems
198 of the 11,934 owner complaints about the Ram 1500 describe airbags did not deploy in a crash, most of them for the 2019 model year.
- owner complaints
- 198
- worst model year
- 2019
- typical mileage
- 35,000
By model year
Often reported together
Seat belt 9Airbag light 8Brake failure 6Power steering loss 4Sudden acceleration 3Steering lock-up 3Rollaway 3Engine failure 3
What owners say
The contact owned a 2023 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH in the rain, the contact lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a ditch. The contact became aware that the frame was bent. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard. The contact stated that the air bag did not deploy. The contact sustained knots on the head and face, and a sore shoulder after striking the steering wheel. Additionally, the contact’s shoulder was hurting. The passenger sustained a back injury and received medical attention. A Police report was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 17,100. The contact obtained records that the air bag was previously repaired. The contact took possession of the vehicle from the salvaged company, but the vehicle was deemed a total loss.
While drive northbound on [XXX] departing [XXX] and entering [XXX], the rear passenger wheel snapped off of the truck carrying sing loss of control and the truck hit a concrete median damaging the the front driver’s side bumper and forcing it into the front driver’s side wheel flattening it. Upon colliding into the concrete median no airbags deployed. Myself as the driver suffered soft tissue damage to the neck, back and arms. My service dog was also in the truck but fortunately did not suffer any injury. Fortunately no other vehicles in either direction were involved. Upon getting the vehicle onto a crossroad ([XXX]), I went into the roadway to retrieve the rear passenger wheel and disc brake to avoid any dangers to other vehicles. At the time of the accident I was only able to obtain pictures of the passenger rear damage. I was taken to hospital before I could obtain the front bumper and driver’s side front wheel damage. An insurance adjuster has not provided a copy of their inspection. Additional photos and information will be provided upon receipt. No warning lights, lamps or other symptoms were present before this catastrophic incident. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Vehicle was in a front end collision and the air bags never deployed. Approximate speed 40-45 mph
The contact owns a 2019 RAM 1500. The contact stated while driving at 45 MPH, occupied with four other passengers, the contact mention deer ran across the road, and he attempted to turn the vehicle to attempt not hit the deer and the contact lost control of the vehicle causing the vehicle to merge through bruises crashing into a tree. The contact stated that no air bags deployed in his vehicle and his bumper was detached. The contact stated that he sustained injuries to his neck, back, head and leg and he stated the others sustained injuries as well, however the driver has no information on their injuries at this time. Medical attention was required. The contact mention the vehicle was towed by a collision center and was deemed a total loss by the insurance company. The contact stated that a police report was filed. The contact mentioned that the vehicle seat belts did not retract. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 67,000.
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
The contact owns a 2025 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving downhill in the mountains at approximately 50 MPH and pulling a 2024 Ember 190MSL Overland RV, the brake pedal was depressed, and the vehicle decelerated as intended; however, the trailer brakes failed to engage, causing the RV to roll sideways and to crash into the rear of the vehicle. The RV's weight distribution was fractured, causing the front end of the vehicle to spin against the guard rail and to face the opposite direction. The contact shifted to Park(P). The RV's weight distribution pinned the muffler, and the bed panel of the vehicle was damaged during the crash. Additionally, the vehicle sustained front-end damage. The check engine warning light was illuminated after the crash. The air bags did not deploy. The were no reported injuries. The vehicle was towed to an autobody repair shop, where it was being repaired. The RV was towed and totaled. The insurance company accident reconstruction specialist confirmed that the accident had occurred due to trailer brakes failure. The contact learned about the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 26V059000(Exterior Lighting, Electrical System) in the news and confirmed that the VIN was included. The contact related the failure to the recall. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was contacted and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 3,290.
Vehicle collided into another and airbags did not deploy on the Ram 1500.
Hello! car in question was involved in a car accident 12/23/2025- with over $38,000 in repairs, damage frame and heavy front end damage the air bags DID NOT deploy. We are extremely concerned and honestly upset that the unit that is meant to protect didnt do its job. Although there was no injuries but the amount of force of the impact is concerning
Component or system that failed or malfunctioned: The vehicle’s airbag restraint system failed to deploy during a severe single-vehicle crash. This includes the front airbags and any associated crash sensors. The vehicle is currently available for inspection upon request. How safety was put at risk: The failure of the airbag system significantly increased the risk of serious injury. Due to the airbags not deploying during a high-impact collision with a fixed object (tree), the driver sustained a serious head injury. Proper airbag deployment could have reduced or prevented the severity of the injury. Confirmation or reproduction of the problem: At this time, the issue has not yet been reproduced or formally confirmed by a dealer or independent service center. Investigation is pending. Vehicle or component inspection: The accident has been documented by law enforcement and insurance representatives. The vehicle has not yet been inspected by the manufacturer, but is available for inspection. Insurance evaluation is in progress. Warning lamps, messages, or prior symptoms: There were no warning lights, messages, or symptoms indicating an airbag or restraint system malfunction prior to the accident. No airbag warning indicators were illuminated before the crash. If applicable: UNKNOWN whether any fault codes were present prior to the accident. Description of incident: The crash occurred at night in heavy fog conditions. While traveling around a curve, the driver encountered an oncoming vehicle in the opposite lane and took evasive action to avoid a collision. The vehicle left the roadway and struck a tree. The impact caused significant damage to the entire vehicle. Despite the severity of the collision, no airbags deployed. The driver sustained a serious head injury that may have been mitigated had the airbag system functioned as designed.
Related recalls
Air bags: side/window
- What is wrong
- Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2026 Ram 1500 vehicles. A connector for the driver and front passenger side air bags may not be secured properly, which can cause the air bags 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" and 214, "Side Impact Protection."
- Risk
- A side air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury in a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and repair the sensor connections, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 27, 2026. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 800‑853‑1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is 94D. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on on October 6, 2026.
Recall number 26V622000 · Recall details
Air bags: side/window: curtain: inflator
- What is wrong
- Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2019 Ram 1500 Classic, Ram 2500, and Ram 3500 vehicles. The right and left side curtain air bag inflators may rupture due to a manufacturing defect.
- Risk
- An inflator rupture may result in sharp metal fragments striking occupants, resulting in injury.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace one or both side curtain air bags, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 18, 2025. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. FCA's numbers for this recall are C2C, C7C, and C8C. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on beginning December 4, 2025.
Recall number 25V824000 · Recall details
Air bags: side/window: curtain: inflator
- What is wrong
- Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Ram 1500, Ram 2500, and Ram 3500 vehicles. The right and left side curtain air bag inflators may rupture due to a manufacturing defect.
- Risk
- An inflator rupture may result in sharp metal fragments striking occupants, resulting in injury.
- Remedy
- 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 beginning September 18, 2025.
Recall number 25V592000 · Recall details
Air bags
- 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: curtain: inflator
- What is wrong
- Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Ram 3500, Ram 1500, 2016-2020 Ram 2500, and 2016 Ram 3500 Cab Chassis vehicles. The right and left side curtain air bag inflators may rupture due to a manufacturing defect.
- Risk
- An inflator rupture may result in sharp metal fragments striking occupants, resulting in injury.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 25V010000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal: driver clockspring/spiral cassette
- What is wrong
- Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) (Stellantis) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Ram 1500, Jeep Wrangler, Jeep Wagoneer, Jeep Grand Wagoneer, Chrysler Pacifica, Ram 3500, Ram 3500 cab chassis, Ram 2500, Ram 4500 cab chassis, Ram 5500 cab chassis, 2023 Jeep Gladiator, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Grand Cherokee L, Ram 3500 Cab Chassis with a GVWR less than 10,000 lbs., and Chrysler Voyager vehicles. The steering column control module may not be welded properly, which can prevent the driver's air bag from deploying in a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
- Risk
- An air bag that does not deploy in a crash can increase the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and replace the steering column control module, as necessary free of charge. Some owner notification letters were mailed April 11, 2024 through June 20, 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. FCA US, LLC's numbers for this recall are 14B, 33B, 34B, 35B, 36B.
Recall number 24V199000 · Recall details
Air bags: sensor: side impact
- What is wrong
- Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2022 Ram 1500 vehicles. The B-pillar impact sensors may be missing, which can result in delayed air bag deployment or non-deployment.
- Risk
- Air bags that do not deploy as intended increase the risk of injury in a crash.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 23V264000 · Recall details
Air bags: side/window: curtain
- 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
Air bags: side/window: curtain: inflator
- What is wrong
- 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. The side air bag inflatable curtain (SABIC) inflator end cap may detach from the inflator, or the inflator sidewall may rupture.
- Risk
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 21V632000 · Recall details
Air bags
- What is wrong
- Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2020 Ram Promaster vans and 1500 pickups. The affected vehicles may have an improperly crimped diffuser in the side curtain airbag which may result in the diffuser detaching from the inflator in the event of an air bag deployment.
- Risk
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 20V374000 · Recall details
Questions about the Ram 1500 no deployment
Which Ram 1500 years have airbags did not deploy in a crash problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2019 (33 complaints), 2014 (32 complaints) and 2017 (31 complaints).
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used Ram 1500?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history