2013 Ram 1500 Airbags Problems
NHTSA lists 94 airbag complaints for the 2013 Ram 1500, about 7% of that year's 1,276 total complaints, tied to 21 crashes and 27 injuries. Three related recalls (17V302000, 15V459000, 15V460000) address occupant restraint control and side impact sensor calibration issues.
- Airbags complaints
- 94
- 7% of 1,276
- Crashes reported
- 21
- Fires reported
- 0
- Injuries reported
- 27
- Median mileage
- 54,000 mi
- Related recalls
- 3
Typical airbag symptoms owners report
- Airbags fail to deploy during moderate-speed frontal or T-bone collisions, including impacts near 35-45 mph.
- Front and side airbags do not deploy even when the vehicle is struck on the side and sustains door damage.
- Airbags fail to deploy during rollover or hydroplaning crashes where the truck flips or slides off the road.
- Airbags fail to deploy in low-speed rear-end or backed-into collisions, sometimes paired with seat belts that owners say did not restrain occupants.
- In at least one case, airbags deployed unexpectedly without a crash, after which the driver lost control and crashed.
When 2013 Ram 1500 airbag complaints were filed
First complaint Apr 25, 2014, latest Mar 30, 2026.
Airbags recalls for the 2013 Ram 1500
- NHTSA 17V302000May 9, 2017Airbags1,021,279 vehicles
Air bags:side/window:curtain
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2013-2016 Ram 1500, Ram 2500, and 2014-2016 Ram 3500 vehicles. Certain driving conditions, such as driving off-road or debris striking the vehicle may cause the roll rate sensor to trigger a fault within the Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC). If this fault occurs, the rollover side curtain air bag and the seat belt pretensioner will be disabled from deploying.
Risk: If the rollover side curtain air bags and seat belt pretensioners are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a crash that necessitates activation of these safety systems.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the ORC software, free of charge. The recall began June 26, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T25.
- NHTSA 15V459000Jul 22, 2015Airbags1,059,444 vehicles
Air bags:frontal
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Ram 1500, 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 trucks manufactured January 18, 2011, to October 7, 2014, and equipped with the Electronic Vehicle Information Center option. The affected vehicles have a steering wheel wiring harness that may rub against the driver air bag module retainer spring.
Risk: This abrasion may result in an electrical short that could cause driver's frontal air bag to unexpectedly deploy. Inadvertent deployment of the air bag may increase the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, repair as necessary, and secure the steering wheel wiring harness. Additionally, protective caps will be added to the air bag retainer spring ends. These repairs will be done free of charge. The recall began on September 18, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R36.
- NHTSA 15V460000Jul 22, 2015Airbags667,441 vehicles
Air bags:side/window
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Ram 1500, 2500, and 3500 trucks manufactured June 20, 2012, to January 26, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the side impact sensor calibrations may be overly sensitive, and as a result, the side air bag inflatable curtains and seat air bags may unexpectedly deploy and the seat belt pre-tensioners may activate.
Risk: Air bags that unexpectedly deploy increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the Occupant Restraint Control module calibration, free of charge. The recall began on September 8, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R23.
Airbags complaints by 1500 model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How many airbag complaints does NHTSA have for the 2013 Ram 1500?
- NHTSA lists 94 airbag complaints for the 2013 Ram 1500, which is about 7% of the 1,276 total complaints filed for that model year.
- Are airbag failures linked to crashes or injuries?
- Yes. The 94 airbag complaints are associated with 21 crashes and 27 injuries, with a median mileage at failure of 54,000 miles.
- Is there a recall for the 2013 Ram 1500 airbags?
- Yes, three recalls cover airbag-related components: 17V302000 (occupant restraint control software), 15V459000 (steering wheel wiring harness), and 15V460000 (side impact sensor calibration).
- What do owners describe most often in airbag complaints?
- Most sample complaints describe airbags failing to deploy during frontal, side-impact, or rollover crashes, sometimes alongside seat belts that did not restrain occupants.
- Do airbag complaints happen at low mileage?
- The median mileage at failure is 54,000 miles, though some sample complaints report failures at mileages as low as 2,000 and 6,000 miles.