Problems · by component

2017 Ram 1500 air bags problems

53 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2017 Ram 1500 cite air bags, 6% of all 884 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 2 recalls on this component.

Complaints
53
6% of all complaints
Crashes
43
Reported by owners
Fires
2
Reported by owners
Injuries
53
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the air bags

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“We were involved in an accident and the air bags did not deploy. We were turning left and another vehicle went through a red light and hit my 2017 Dodge RAM 1500. The other vehicle was traveling at a high rate and and collided with the front of our truck. I'm very shocked that the airbags did not deploy.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 19, 2025Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11667945
“I was involved in an accident where a car pulled out in front of me causing my truck to T-bone them. I estimate I was traveling at 40 mph or so at the time of impact. My airbags did not deploy during this impact. I have never had an issue with the air bag system on this vehicle, but believe the dealership had performed a recall or flashed some software within the last 3 years pertaining to the airbag. I'm not sure if the computer detected the impact and decided not to deploy the airbags, or if they should have deployed and the system was faulty? I am a larger man and am glad the seatbelt restrained me, but am afraid someone with smaller stature, or unable to brace themselves before impact would not have faired as well. As it is, I am on day 4 of neck, back and whole body aches and whiplash which has caused a constant unbearable headache with light and sound sensitivity in the harsh summer that probably could have been lessened had the airbag stopped me?”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 15, 2024Air bags, Unknown or otherCrash reportedODI 11594553
“am writing to bring to your attention a serious safety concern regarding my RAM 1500 2017 VIN [XXX] . I am deeply troubled to report that the side airbag in my vehicle has ruptured without any road accident or collision. Oman [XXX]”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 12, 2024Air bagsODI 11582602
“I have water leaking out of both front grip airbags. My warranty started in 2019 as I bought the vehicle new from the dealer. They said this is not covered under the warranty. It is a safety issue and I believe it should be covered.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 20, 2024Air bagsODI 11578591
“WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK ON WET ROADS RAINED THE NIGHT BEFORE AND WAS RAINING THAT MORNING, I ROUNDED THE LAST CURVED ON A 30 MPH ROAD AND I WAS ONLY DOING BETWEEN 25 TO 28 I STARTED SLIDING AND TURNED MY WHEEL LEFT HANDED SO HARD THAT IT BROKE THE MULTI FUNCTION SWITCH AND HIT HEAD ON INTO A TREE IT LIFTED THE REAR OF MY TRUCK UP AND SLAMMED IT BACK DOWN I HAD 300 LBS OF SAND RATCHET STRAPPED WITH 2 RACHET STRAPS THE SAND BAGS ARE NOW AT THE CAB PART OF THE BED. NO MESSAGE LIGHTS OF ANY KIND WERE ON THE DASH PRIOR TO THIS ACCIDENT AND MY FRONT AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW THAT'S POSSIBLE WITH HITTING A FIRM OBJECT AT 25 MPH TO 28 MPH. THE INSURANCE COMPANY IS INVOLVED WITH THE ACCIDENT AND THE TRUCKS WAS TOWED TO A BODY SHOP BUT NO WORK HAS BEEN PERFORM ON IT AS OF YET BECAUSE I REQUESTED THE AIRBAGS BE INVESTIGATED.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 18, 2024Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11578033
“The contact owned a 2017 RAM 1500. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, the vehicle suddenly fishtailed, causing the contact to briefly lose control. As a result, the vehicle collided head-on with a concrete barrier. No other vehicles were involved in the collision. No warning lights were illuminated. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed, and injuries were reported. The contact was transported to an area hospital and treated for various bruising and a concussion. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and later deemed a total loss. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 102,192.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 7, 2023Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11537016

Showing 6 of 53 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

2 recalls on this component

Air bags: side

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported Jan 16, 2025NHTSA 25V010000

Air bags: side

Remedy pending

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.

Air bagsReported Aug 12, 2021NHTSA 21V632000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 3, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.