2021 RAM 1500 Air Bags Problems

22 NHTSA complaints on file

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Air Bags Issues in the 2021 RAM 1500

22 air bags complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2021 RAM 1500. Of these, 13 involved a crash, 1 involved a fire, and 12 resulted in injury.

22
Complaints
13
Crashes
1
Fires
12
Injuries
0
Deaths

All Air Bags Complaints

#11718418 | Crash
My husband went down into a 15 ft embankment fully in the air side bags deployed driver and passenger did not
#11708759 | Crash
High impact vehicle accident, with major damage. Drivers airbag did not deploy.
#11707858 |
I own a 2021 Ram 1500 (“Build to Serve” edition). The airbag/SRS warning light came on around January 2025. The message states that the airbag system needs service. This indicates that the airbags may not deploy properly in the event of a crash, putting my safety and the safety of my passengers at risk. I took the vehicle to the Ram dealership and they confirmed an airbag system failure. They stated the part needed for repair is unavailable and have repeatedly told me there is a parts shortage and a manage allocation part. This has gone on for approximately 1 years, and the problem has not been repaired. The airbag warning remains on continuously. This issue has been documented by the dealer, but the manufacturer has not provided a remedy or replacement part. I am being forced to drive a vehicle with a known airbag safety defect because Ram/Stellantis has...
#11702581 | Crash
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
#11685973 | Crash
The contact owned a 2021 RAM 1500. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, another vehicle collided with his vehicle on the front passenger side of the vehicle after running a red light. The driver's side air bags did deploy but failed to inflate. The contact stated that he sustained injuries to his right rib, left ankle, purple bruises from whiplash to his left leg, and a hand. He also suffered a concussion to the head which required medical Attention. The contact stated that a police report was filed. The vehicle was deemed a total loss by the insurance company. The vehicle was totaled by Allstate to Co Parts. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 85,000..
#11685990 | Crash
Driving when a drunk driver ran a red light hitting me
#11675137 | Crash
Vehicle Info: 2021 Dodge Ram 1500 Big Horn VIN: [XXX] Date of Incident: [XXX] Location: Exit ramp of [XXX] and [XXX] Problem Description: On [XXX], I was involved in a front-end collision with a tree while driving approximately 50 mph in my 2021 Dodge Ram 1500 Big Horn. The impact caused significant damage to the front of the vehicle, and around the vehicle, yet none of the airbags deployed. I experienced back and neck pain as a result of the crash. I believe this may indicate a failure or defect in the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS), crash sensors, or airbag control module. Injuries: Back pain and neck pain Thank you for your attention to this matter. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
#11661147 | Crash
I am writing to formally report a serious safety concern involving my partner’s 2021 Dodge Ram Bighorn, which was involved in a collision on May 9, 2025. The vehicle was severely damaged and deemed a total loss, yet none of the airbags deployed at the time of the crash. This incident raises significant questions about the safety and reliability of the airbag system in this vehicle. Given the severity of the impact, it is our belief that the airbags should have deployed in accordance with the vehicle’s safety design. Thankfully, my partner survived, but had the circumstances been slightly different, the consequences could have been far more serious.
#11654203 | Fire
My truck caught fire after I got a service airbag system alert on my dashboard
#11616127 |
The contact owns a 2021 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the air bag warning light illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle to a dealer who diagnosed that one of the air bag systems needed to be replaced. The contact was unsure which air bag was replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred, and the air bag warning light was illuminated again. The contact returned to the same dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the air bag had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact stated he was not advised which air bag was replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that after he had taken possession of the vehicle the air bag warning light was again illuminated. The contact took the vehicle back to the same dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed and was not repaired. The manufacturer was...
#11577273 |
My air bag alert keeps coming on at different times. And my drivers side seat belt doesn't always stay clicked.
#11572943 |
Occupant Classification Module
#11546267 |
Manufacturer failed to complete repair on recall for HPFP and airbag in a timely manner with no timeline or remedy available.
#11520118 |
Dealer reporting leaking and water intrusion at rear window seal. Water intrusion causing significant water damage and mold. Water intrusion potentially disrupts vehicle BCM and other electrical components including airbag function, lighting controls, infotainment and navigation systems. Radio infotainment system has faulted, radio speakers crackling, guage clusters lights randomly illuminate. Mold significantly creating adverse health affect. Excessive moisture causing window fogging and visibility issues. Problem reproduced by Crown motors in Redding, CA.
#11503595 | Crash
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...
#11461836 |
AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON.
#11442925 | Crash
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).
#11433202 | Crash
I was involved in an accident in North Carolina in bumper to bumper traffic. At one point I had to hit my brakes when the peddle went to the floor and did not stop which caused me to hit a tanker vehicle in the rear end. I crunched up the front grill, hood, 2 quarter panels, radiator and undetermined other damages.. Just an FYI, the air bags also did not deploy. Consumer contacted the dealer and the mechanic came out to inspect the vehicle and claimed it was due to braking failure and the not deployment of air bags.
#11431166 | Crash
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.
#11427155 | Crash
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....
#11420980 |
Air bags sensor error light is on (red light)
#11416232 | Crash
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...

Other 2021 RAM 1500 Problem Areas

Engine 257 complaints Electrical System 172 complaints Unknown Or Other 90 complaints Power Train 87 complaints Fuelpropulsion System 63 complaints Service Brakes 50 complaints Forward Collision Avoidance Automatic Emergency Braking 44 complaints Steering 41 complaints Vehicle Speed Control 28 complaints Structurebody 26 complaints Fuel System Gasoline 24 complaints Service Brakes Hydraulic 18 complaints Electronic Stability Control Esc 16 complaints Visibilitywiper 15 complaints Exterior Lighting 11 complaints Forward Collision Avoidance Warnings 8 complaints Suspension 7 complaints Lane Departure Blind Spot Detection 6 complaints Back Over Prevention Camera System 5 complaints Back Over Prevention Rearview System Braking 4 complaints Back Over Prevention Warnings 3 complaints Electrical Systemalternatorgeneratorregulator 3 complaints Seat Belts 3 complaints Wheels 3 complaints Back Over Prevention 2 complaints Forward Collision Avoidance Adaptive Cruise Control 2 complaints Parking Brake 2 complaints Structure 2 complaints Visibilitywindshield Wiperwasher 2 complaints Electrical Systemadashill Descent Assistsoftware 1 complaint Electrical Systemignition 1 complaint Engine And Engine Cooling 1 complaint Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust System 1 complaint Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust Systemmanifoldheadermufflertail Pipe 1 complaint Equipment 1 complaint Exterior Lightingbrake Lights 1 complaint Fuel System Diesel 1 complaint Fuel System Dieseldeliveryfuel Pump 1 complaint Hybrid Propulsion System 1 complaint Latcheslockslinkages 1 complaint Power Trainautomatic Transmission 1 complaint Power Trainautomatic Transmissioncontrol Module Tcmpcmtecm 1 complaint Power Traindrivelinedriveshaft 1 complaint Power Traintransfer Case 4 Wheel Drive 1 complaint Steeringhydraulic Power Assistpower Steering Fluid 1 complaint Structurebodyhood 1 complaint Structurebodyroof And Pillars 1 complaint Suspensionfrontwheel Bearing 1 complaint Tiressidewall 1 complaint Trailer Hitchesfifth Wheel Assembly 1 complaint Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac System 1 complaint
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