When airbags made their debut in the US in the mid-1970s, they took the automotive world by storm. Today, airbags are standard safety equipment in every vehicle, providing much-needed protection to drivers and passengers in the event of an accident. Unfortunately, airbags don’t always function exactly as designed.
Have there been any Dodge RAM airbag recalls?
Yes; several major recalls have been issued on these trucks over the years, with specific issues including:
- Improperly installed airbag diffusers
- Occupant restraint controller defects
- Unexpected airbag deployment
If you drive a Dodge RAM truck (whether it be a 1500, 3500, or any other model), you’ll want to be aware of these recalls. Now may also be a good time to check your own truck for open recalls so you can have repairs made as needed.
2020 Dodge RAM Side Curtain Airbag Recall
NHTSA Recall ID: 20V374000
With this recall, which was issued in June of 2020, it was discovered that the side curtain airbag on some 2020 Dodge RAM 1500 models may have an improperly crimped diffuser. As a result, the diffuser may detach from the inflator in the event of a crash, which may prevent the airbag from properly inflating.
Ignoring this recall could increase the risk of a serious injury or even death in the event of an accident, as the affected side curtain airbag may not inflate correctly.
Chrysler is addressing this recall by fully replacing the side curtain airbag assemblies on all affected vehicles. Fortunately, this recall is only believed to affect just over 100 vehicles and is therefore not a widespread issue.
2019-2020 Dodge RAM ORC Recall
NHTSA Recall ID: 19V407000
This Dodge RAM airbag recall, on the other hand, affects up to 295,981 2019 and 2020 Dodge RAM 1500 trucks. Vehicles affected by this recall may have Occupant Restraint Controllers (ORCs) that can become easily corrupted due to an issue with the built-in flash memory.
If ignored, this can create a dangerous situation in the event of a crash because a corrupted ORC may incorrectly disable the truck’s airbags and seat belt pretensioners. This prevents them from operating as they should.
Chrysler’s remedy for this recall is to inspect the ORC on all potentially affected trucks. From there, the ORC will be either reprogrammed or replaced entirely at no charge to the owner.
2013-2015 Dodge RAM Side Airbag Recall
NHTSA Recall ID: 15V460000
This airbag recall affects up to 667,441 Dodge RAM 1500, 2500, and 3500 trucks made from 2013 through 2015.
With this recall, the side impact sensor calibrations controlling the side airbag curtains and seat airbags may be overly sensitive. As a result, the airbags and seatbelt pretensioners may deploy inadvertently.
If this recall is ignored, an airbag that deploys unexpectedly while driving could increase the risk of causing a crash with serious injuries.
To address this issue, Chrysler will recalibrate the Occupant Restraint Control (ORC) module on all recalled trucks to the proper sensitivity.
2013-2016 Dodge RAM Side Curtain Airbag Rollover Recall
NHTSA Recall ID: 17V302000
This large airbag recall affects more than one million Dodge RAM vehicles made from 2013 through 2016.
It was found that under certain conditions, a fault may occur within the Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC), preventing the rollover side-curtain airbag and seatbelt pretensioners from engaging.
This, in turn, can increase the risk of serious injury or death in the event of a crash.
In most cases, this issue is triggered when the truck is in certain road conditions, such as in off-road conditions with high levels of debris striking the vehicle.
Chrysler is addressing this recall by updating the ORC software on all affected trucks to prevent a fault from being triggered on the roll rate sensor.
How Do You Handle an Open Recall on a Dodge RAM?
You can find out whether your Dodge RAM is involved in any open safety recalls by entering your truck’s VIN on the NHTSA recall page. This database is updated regularly and contains all safety recalls issued within the past 15 years.
If your truck ends up having any recalls, you can contact Dodge customer service at 1-800-423-6343 for further instruction. A representative can help you find a local service center so you can schedule your covered recall repair and get back on the road with confidence.
