YearToAvoid

2016 Ram 1500 Airbags Problems

NHTSA lists 47 airbag complaints for the 2016 Ram 1500, about 3% of that year's 1,541 total complaints, tied to 30 crashes and 43 injuries. Three related airbag recalls exist, covering side curtain inflators, side impact SABIC assemblies, and rollover-sensing software.

Airbags complaints
47
3% of 1,541
Crashes reported
30
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
43
Median mileage
33,980 mi
Related recalls
3

Typical airbag symptoms owners report

  • Airbags fail to deploy during rollover collisions, leaving the airbag control module without recorded pre-crash data.
  • Front and side airbags do not deploy in head-on or T-bone crashes, causing drivers to strike the steering wheel with the head or chest.
  • Seat belts fail to lock or retract at the same time airbags fail to deploy, so occupants are not restrained during the impact.
  • Airbags stay inactive during high-speed rear-end crashes that roll the truck over a guardrail, with no warning light illuminated.
  • Owners connect non-deployment to the Takata inflator recall and report the airbag warning light flashing after a crash.
  • Injuries reported after non-deployment range from bruising and whiplash to traumatic brain injury and spinal injury.

When 2016 Ram 1500 airbag complaints were filed

First complaint May 18, 2016, latest Jun 25, 2026.

2016 Ram 1500 airbags complaints: complaints filed per month3May 2016Jun 2017Mar 2018Jan 2019Jul 2020Nov 2021Sep 2022Aug 2025
47 complaints filed with NHTSA from May 2016 to Jun 2026; peak Feb 2019 (3).

Airbags recalls for the 2016 Ram 1500

  1. NHTSA 25V010000Jan 16, 2025Airbags6,066 vehicles

    Air bags:side/window:curtain:inflator

    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.

  2. NHTSA 21V632000Aug 12, 2021Airbags212,373 vehicles

    Air bags:side/window:curtain:inflator

    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.

  3. 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.

Airbags complaints by 1500 model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 20090 (0%)
  2. 201394 (7%)
  3. 2014125 (7%)
  4. 201561 (4%)
  5. 201647 (3%)
  6. 201753 (6%)
  7. 201819 (3%)
  8. 201991 (6%)
  9. 202020 (3%)
  10. 202127 (4%)
  11. 202212 (2%)
  12. 20236 (3%)
  13. 20244 (5%)
  14. 20256 (2%)

Frequently asked questions

How many airbag complaints does NHTSA have for the 2016 Ram 1500?
NHTSA lists 47 airbag complaints for the 2016 Ram 1500, which is about 3% of the 1,541 total complaints filed for that model year.
Are there airbag recalls for the 2016 Ram 1500?
Yes. Three recalls tied to airbags apply to the 2016 Ram 1500: campaign 25V010000 for side curtain inflator rupture, campaign 21V632000 for side impact SABIC assemblies, and campaign 17V302000 for rollover software affecting deployment.
Do the airbag complaints involve crashes and injuries?
Yes. Of the 47 airbag complaints, 30 involved crashes and 43 involved injuries, with no fires reported.
At what mileage do airbag problems typically get reported?
The median mileage at failure for airbag complaints on the 2016 Ram 1500 is 33,980 miles.
Is the 2016 Ram 1500 worse than other years for airbag complaints?
The 3% share for 2016 is lower than 2013 (7%), 2014 (7%), and 2019 (6%), but similar to 2015 (4%), 2018 (3%), and 2020 (3%).

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.