2021 Ram 1500 · symptom sheet
Airbag warning light or recall
- 27owner reports
- 49,000median miles
- 13involved a crash
Newest report Sep 13, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
27 of the 679 complaints on this car describe airbag.
Tick what matches of 27 reports
Airbag on other 1500 years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2018, 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026.
What this problem usually is
Airbag complaints split into a few kinds. The most common is an airbag warning light that won't go out. Others involve the passenger seat sensor switching the passenger bag off with an adult sitting there, an airbag that didn't deploy in a crash, or one that went off without a crash at all. A large share also come from owners waiting on a recall part.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the occupant sensor (10 reports) and the module (3 reports).
Recalls and investigations
3 recalls on the airbags cover the 2021 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
The steering column control module may cause the driver's side air bag not to deploy as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
The driver's side air bag may not be connected properly, which can cause the air bag not to deploy as intended.
The side air bag inflatable curtain (SABIC) assemblies may have been manufactured with the incorrect amount of compressed gas, which can result in an improper air bag deployment.
All 15 recalls on the 2021 Ram 1500, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into the airbags on the 1500
Electrical overstress. Closed sep 19, 2024, led to recall 20V-024.
None of these investigations covers the 2021 model year.
When it happens
Too few of these reports state a mileage to give a range.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 4 service bulletins or notices for the 2021 Ram 1500 that deal with this problem. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Water Leak At Headliner Near Driver Microphone
A/C Performance Not As Hot/Cold On Driver Side - DTC's B11CB-92, B11CB-11
Check Engine Lamp On, P2504 Charge System Output High
Front Brake (Chirp/Squeak) Noise This bulletin involves applying grease to the anti-rattle clips on both sides ofthe front brakes. The customer may comment on the following: A chirp and/or squeak from front of vehicle over bumps when the brakesare not applied.
What owners wrote
“Unknown, my Ram has a glue issue with the dashboard especially the passenger side of the vehicle which may affect the airbag operating correctly the dashboard is coming apart do to glue not properly installed on 2021 Ram truck.”
Filed Sep 13, 2026
“air bags, warning lamps on, it could be dangerous. don't know if it's been checked no accidents yet.”
Filed May 7, 2026
“My husband went down into a 15 ft embankment fully in the air side bags deployed driver and passenger did not”
Filed Feb 17, 2026
“My air bag alert keeps coming on at different times. And my drivers side seat belt doesn't always stay clicked.”
Filed Mar 14, 2024
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 13 of 27 reports involved a crash and 11 people were hurt. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works
Other problems on this car
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 199 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 73 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 58 reports
- Battery dies or the car will not start 42 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 32 reports
- Brakes on its own (automatic emergency braking) 29 reports
- Fuel pump failure 27 reports