1996 Dodge RAM 2500 Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 11about this part
- Share
- 4%of 291 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 257,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the air bags of the 1996 Dodge RAM 2500, 4% of the 291 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 257,000 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“- the contact owns a 1996 Dodge 2500 diesel. The air bag light turned on and stayed on. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle as needing an air bag module. This part has been discontinued and the airbag is inoperative. The failure mileage was 75,345. The contact called the manufacturer and they stated they do not deal with this type of complaint and that he should call the local dealer.”
NHTSA complaint #10185801, filed 2007-03, 75,345 miles“The contact owns a 1996 Dodge RAM 2500. The contact stated that while making a turn in the driveway, the driver side air bag deployed. As a result, the contact sustained shoulder, arm, jaw, and head injuries that required medical attention. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 291,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10670912, filed 2015-01, 291,000 miles“The contact owns a 1996 Dodge Ram 2500. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the air bag warning light suddenly activated, and moments later the front driver’s side air bag erroneously deployed. During the failure, the driver sustained various facial injuries and injuries to the nose. The contact also sustained an injury to the right arm which required medical attention. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 330,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11527189, filed 2023-06, 330,000 miles“The contact owns a 1996 Dodge RAM 2500. When the contact placed the key into the ignition, the air bag deployed. The vehicle and engine was still in the off position. The contact sustained cuts and lacerations on his face and neck. Nhtsa campaign id number 99v023000 (air bags:frontal) was referenced. The dealer and manufacturer have not yet been notified. The failure and current mileages were 223,000. Updated 03-31-08 updated 03/31/08”
NHTSA complaint #10218037, filed 2008-02, 223,000 miles“Symptoms: air bag warning lamp illuminates randomly, horn sounds intermittently, cruise control has stopped working. A casual search of the internet shows these three symptoms occur quite frequently on chrysler/Dodge and plymouth vehicles. The cause is a faulty clockspring. The risk is having the airbag disengage, I.e. Will not deploy. Chrysler has issued recalls for a number of vehicles for this defect, the problem is they refuse to repair many more vehicles that have this safety defect. …”
NHTSA complaint #10159760, filed 2006-06Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 11 | 4% |
| 2011 | 1 | 0% |
| 2010 | 2 | 1% |
| 2009 | 16 | 7% |
| 2008 | 30 | 9% |
| 2007 | 46 | 13% |
| 2006 | 77 | 11% |
| 2005 | 76 | 18% |
| 2004 | 90 | 15% |
| 2003 | 138 | 21% |
| 2002 | 6 | 4% |
| 2001 | 18 | 4% |
| 2000 | 10 | 5% |
| 1999 | 18 | 6% |
| 1998 | 18 | 8% |
| 1997 | 9 | 4% |
| 1996 | 11 | 4% |
| 1995 | 7 | 3% |
| 1994 | 11 | 7% |
| 1992 | 1 | 3% |
Other parts of the 1996 Dodge RAM 2500
80 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
44 complaintsElectrical system
26 complaintsTires
24 complaintsFuel system
23 complaintsSuspension
23 complaintsSteering
20 complaintsExterior lighting
16 complaintsVehicle speed control
16 complaintsEngine cooling
14 complaintsBody and structure
13 complaintsEquipment
8 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1996 Dodge RAM 2500
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology