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Ram airbag recalls: inflators that rupture and airbags that don't deploy
Ram's airbag recalls fall into two repeating families. The larger is side curtain inflators: ruptures or a detaching end cap affect 2015-2020 Ram 1500 Classic and 2016-2020 Ram 2500 and 3500 trucks, with 2018 and 2019 model years named in more than one action, plus a mis-crimped diffuser on 2020 Ram 1500s and ProMasters and the wrong amount of compressed gas in 2021-2022 SABIC assemblies. The second family is a driver's airbag that may not deploy — corrupted Occupant Restraint Controller memory on 2019-2020 Ram 1500s, a faulty steering column control module on 2021-2024 trucks, improperly connected driver airbags on 2019-2024 Ram 1500s, and an ORC software error on 2025 heavy duties. A 2018 ProMaster door sensor rivet rounds out the group.
Warning signs to watch for
- In most of these recalls there is nothing you can see or feel — the truck drives normally and the defect only shows up in a crash.
- On 2019-2020 Ram 1500s, corrupted occupant restraint controller memory can disable the airbags and the seat belt pretensioners.
- An airbag or seat belt pretensioner that fails to deploy in a crash, which is how the steering column control module and connector faults show themselves.
- A side curtain inflator that ruptures can send metal fragments into the cabin and injure the people it was meant to protect.
Is it safe to keep driving?
None of these twelve Ram airbag recalls carries a do-not-drive or park-outside order, and the trucks drive and brake normally — the danger only appears in a crash. Priority still matters. The side curtain inflator rupture recalls are the most urgent, because the airbag can throw metal fragments into the cabin instead of protecting you. The driver airbag non-deployment recalls leave you unprotected in a crash, so book them promptly. On the 2019-2024 Ram 1500 connector recall, Chrysler says all affected trucks have already been remedied; confirm by VIN.
What the free repair involves
Across these recalls dealers inspect and replace one or both side curtain airbag or SABIC assemblies, replace both ProMaster front door impact sensors using the correct rivets, reprogram or replace the occupant restraint controller, update the ORC software on 2025 heavy duties, inspect or replace the steering column control module, and secure the driver airbag connectors. Every repair is free of charge.
Severity at a glance
| Severity | Recalls |
|---|---|
| critical | 1 |
| high | 10 |
| medium | 1 |
Models affected most
Every recall in this group
| Date | Recall | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| 2025-12-18 | Ram 3500 and 5500 driver airbag may not deploy | high |
| 2025-12-01 | Ram 1500, 2500 and 3500 side airbag inflators can burst | high |
| 2025-11-06 | Ram 1500 through 5500 driver airbag may not deploy | high |
| 2025-09-11 | Ram 1500, 2500 and 3500 side airbags can burst apart | critical |
| 2025-05-08 | Ram 1500 driver airbag may not be connected | high |
| 2025-01-16 | Ram trucks: side curtain airbag inflators may rupture | high |
| 2024-03-14 | Jeep, Ram and Chrysler vehicles: driver airbag may not deploy | high |
| 2021-11-24 | Ram pickups' side curtain airbags may deploy improperly | medium |
| 2021-08-12 | Ram Truck Side Curtain Airbag Inflator Can Rupture | high |
| 2020-06-25 | Ram 1500 and ProMaster side curtain airbags may not inflate | high |
| 2019-05-31 | Ram 1500 airbags may shut off without working | high |
| 2017-11-14 | Ram ProMaster side airbag sensor may crack in doors | high |
Common questions
Why has my 2018 or 2019 Ram been recalled more than once for side curtain airbags?
Those model years fall inside several overlapping inflator recalls — the end cap detachment action, and later rupture recalls covering 2016-2019 and 2019 trucks. Each is a separate campaign, so check your VIN against all open recalls, not just the newest letter.
Can I tell whether my truck's airbag is defective?
Not from the driver's seat. These defects sit inside the inflator, the restraint controller, the steering column control module or a connector, and the truck drives normally. A VIN lookup or your dealer is the only reliable way to know.
One recall says all vehicles have been remedied. Do I still need to do anything?
That is the 2019-2024 Ram 1500 driver airbag connector recall, where dealers secured the connectors and Chrysler states every affected truck has been fixed. Still run your VIN, since your truck may be open on one of the other airbag recalls.
A recall applies only to specific vehicles. Check your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.