2017 Ram 1500 airbag problems
53 of the 880 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2017 Ram 1500 name the airbags (NHTSA’s “Air Bags” heading — airbags, their sensors and warning lights). Filed under the same heading: 2 recalls. Every figure below is a document in a federal file, linked; none is a failure rate, and none is a verdict on any one car.
What owners filed about the airbags
Source: NHTSA complaint database43 of the 53 reports a crash · 2 a fire · 53 injuries. Self-reported, unverified.
Filed per year: 2017: 2 · 2018: 12 · 2019: 13 · 2020: 3 · 2021: 9 · 2022: 4 · 2023: 3 · 2024: 4 · 2025: 2 · 2026: 1
Half of the 36 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the airbag problem between 21,000 and 56,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
880 complaints in all about the 2017 Ram 1500, 1 filed in 2026. The whole picture, every system →
Counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many of these were sold; nothing here is a rate. NHTSA groups complaints coarsely, so “Air Bags” means the same area of the vehicle, not one fault.
Across model years: Ram 1500 airbag problems, every year on file →
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the airbags. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
#1. With 21k mi. The service airbag system came on. It it stayed on for 5-7 sec and went off. It was intermittent at first but now it has been doing the same 2 or 3 times per minute. #2 the tailgate latch malfunctions at times and the tailgate falls by itself.
The cruise control accelerated at a huge rate past the desired speed resulting in a hydro plane which caused all sides of the vehicle to impact however only passenger bags deployed not a single driver bag
Air bags didn't deploy on 2017 Ram 1500. Truck is totaled with front end and front corner panel damage, body damage on all sides of vehicle. Hit steering wheel with head causing air bag cover to pop off slightly
The contact owns a 2017 Ram 1500. While driving 65 MPH, the vehicle veered to the right without warning. As a result, the contact lost control of the vehicle and struck a guardrail. The contact stated that the front passenger side tire detached completely and the air bags failed to deploy.
On march 2, 2018, as I was stopped on a highway for a car in front of me stopped, with his blinker on and waiting to turn in a driveway, I was rear-ended by someone doing approx. 50 to 55 MPH.
What is on file about the airbags
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecalls filed under this heading
- 25V010000 CriticalJan 16, 2025 · 6,066 vehicles
- 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.
- 21V632000 CriticalAug 12, 2021 · 212,373 vehicles
- 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.
Other systems with a record on the 2017 Ram 1500
Source: the same files- engine problems 188 complaints
- fuel system problems 129 complaints
- electrical problems 109 complaints
- transmission and drivetrain problems 98 complaints
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsAre airbag problems common on the 2017 Ram 1500?
They are documented: NHTSA holds 53 owner complaints naming the airbags on this model year (6% of everything owners filed about it), and 2 recalls are filed under the same heading. Whether it is a problem on one particular car is a diagnosis, not a count, and a count says nothing about how many were sold.
Is there a recall for the airbags on the 2017 Ram 1500?
Yes — 2 campaigns are filed under this heading: 25V010000, 21V632000. A recall is matched by VIN; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do airbag problems show up on the 2017 Ram 1500?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 36,000 miles; half of them between 21,000 and 56,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Air Bags" heading cover?
Airbags, their sensors and warning lights. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.