2021 RAM 1500 Airbags Problems

NHTSA Vehicle Safety Complaint I am submitting this complaint to request that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration investigate a potential safety defect involving the dashboard on my 2021 Ram TRX. The dashboard on my vehicle has developed significant bubbling and delamination in the area of the passenger-side airbag deployment seam. While the manufacturer and dealership have characterized this condition as a cosmetic issue, I believe this assessment fails to address the potential safety implications associated with deformation of the dashboard in a critical airbag deployment zone.The passenger airbag is engineered to deploy through a designated seam in the dashboard. When the dashboard material bubbles, separates, warps, or delaminates in this area, there is a reasonable concern that the airbag's intended deployment path could be altered or obstructed. Any interference with the airbag's deployment could reduce its effectiveness or create an additional hazard to vehicle occupants during a collision.I recognize that I cannot determine whether my specific vehicle's airbag performance has been affected without engineering analysis or crash testing. However, I believe the condition presents a legitimate safety concern that warrants investigation because it involves a safety-critical component designed to protect occupants during a crash.I have also become aware that numerous owners of Ram trucks have reported similar dashboard bubbling and delamination, suggesting this may not be an isolated incident but rather a recurring defect. If this condition is widespread and occurs in the airbag deployment area, it raises concerns that extend beyond appearance and into occupant safety.The purpose of this complaint is not simply to seek a cosmetic repair. My concern is that a defect affecting the dashboard in the passenger airbag deployment zone has the potential to compromise the proper operation of a federally required safety system.

NHTSA ID

11751363

Incident

Jul 19, 2026

The leather-wrapped dashboard on my 2021 Ram 1500 is bubbling and delaminating on both the driver and passenger sides. The material is lifting and separating from the base, creating glare and reflections that impair forward visibility while driving. It also raises potential concerns with passenger airbag deployment due to the distorted/bubbling surface over the airbag module area. This is a widespread known defect on 2019–2021 RAM trucks with leather dashboards. I have an open case with Ram Customer Care (#96620269) where only partial coverage was offered. Attached are photos showing the bubbling/delamination on both sides. This defect affects safe vehicle operation. Please investigate.

NHTSA ID

11746001

Incident

Jan 2, 2026

air bags, warning lamps on, it could be dangerous. don't know if it's been checked no accidents yet.

NHTSA ID

11736338

Incident

May 31, 2025

My husband went down into a 15 ft embankment fully in the air side bags deployed driver and passenger did not

NHTSA ID

11718418

Incident

Feb 13, 2026

High impact vehicle accident, with major damage. Drivers airbag did not deploy.

NHTSA ID

11708759

Incident

Jan 3, 2026

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 failed to supply the necessary repair parts in a reasonable time. I am requesting NHTSA assistance because this is a major safety concern and the manufacturer has not resolved it despite repeated contacts. Vehicle and part are available for inspection if requested.

NHTSA ID

11707858

Incident

Jan 24, 2025

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

NHTSA ID

11702581

Incident

Nov 30, 2025

Mileage

49,000 mi

Driving when a drunk driver ran a red light hitting me

NHTSA ID

11685990

Incident

Aug 27, 2025

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..

NHTSA ID

11685973

Incident

Aug 27, 2025

Mileage

85,000 mi

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)

NHTSA ID

11675137

Incident

Jul 16, 2025

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.

NHTSA ID

11661147

Incident

May 9, 2025

My truck caught fire after I got a service airbag system alert on my dashboard

NHTSA ID

11654203

Incident

Jan 20, 2025

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 not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 51,000.

NHTSA ID

11616127

Incident

Jan 24, 2024

Mileage

51,000 mi

My air bag alert keeps coming on at different times. And my drivers side seat belt doesn't always stay clicked.

NHTSA ID

11577273

Incident

Mar 13, 2024

Occupant Classification Module

NHTSA ID

11572943

Incident

Feb 5, 2024

Manufacturer failed to complete repair on recall for HPFP and airbag in a timely manner with no timeline or remedy available.

NHTSA ID

11546267

Incident

Oct 13, 2022

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.

NHTSA ID

11520118

Incident

Apr 27, 2023

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 and they said the would need to inspect it. Then I heard nothing so I called and talked to a customer service representative who said my insurance company would contact them and I was told by my insurance co that I needed to contact the manufacturer. Then I was hung up on

NHTSA ID

11503595

Incident

Nov 22, 2022

AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON.

NHTSA ID

11461836

Incident

Apr 22, 2022

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).

NHTSA ID

11442925

Incident

Nov 24, 2021

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.

NHTSA ID

11433202

Incident

Sep 12, 2021

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.

NHTSA ID

11431166

Incident

Aug 28, 2021

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. The vehicle was towed from the scene and impounded by the police. An insurance agent inspected the vehicle to assess the damage and an agreement was made to repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was initially notified of the failure and a complaint was filed. The contact was also informed that a case manager would contact him; however, he never received a call. Months later, the contact called back the manufacturer and was informed that since the vehicle had been repaired; no further action from the manufacturer would be taken. The dealer was also notified of the failure and they also offered no assistance. The vehicle had been repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 1,500.

NHTSA ID

11427155

Incident

Nov 16, 2020

Mileage

1,500 mi

Air bags sensor error light is on (red light)

NHTSA ID

11420980

Incident

May 23, 2021

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 PASSENGER WINDOW MORE THAN ONCE AND SIDE AGAINST CENTER CONSOLE DUE TO NO DEPLOYMENT . POLICED REPORT STATES THE SUV AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. NO SKID MARK ON PAVEMENT WERE APPARENT FROM THE SUV. MY VEHICLE HAD NO KNOWN ISSUES, BODY REPAIR SHOP CHECKED COMPUTER AND IT SHOWED NO FAULTS IN SYSTEM PRIOR TO ACCIDENT

NHTSA ID

11416232

Incident

May 2, 2021

Mileage

10,700 mi