1996 Dodge RAM Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 38about this part
- Share
- 6%of 625 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 52,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 38 complaints about the air bags of the 1996 Dodge RAM, 6% of the 625 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 52,000 miles. 28 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I rear ended another pickup truck at approximately 35 MPH. There was extensive damage to the nose and possible frame damage also. The driver side airbag did not deploy. Although I was wearing the seatbelt, my head still made contact with the steering wheel. A fellow firefighter in town had a similar experiance, in that he hit an auto at speed, and his air bag did not deploy either. Is this a common problem with the new style Dodge pickups?”
NHTSA complaint #704144, filed 1999-03“While driving at 40 MPH an accident occurred, consumer's vehicle hit a tree head on. Upon impact, air bags did not deploy. Contacted the dealer, and was told this was normal, and that there was nothing wrong with the vehicle. ... The other driver, a lady was cited for improper backing out. Consumer's grand son first hit her, then went through a yard, hitting a tree.”
NHTSA complaint #10113662, filed 2005-03“Vehicle was involved in a frontal collision at 35 MPH. Upon impact, driver's air bag did not deploy. Dealer was notified, and was unwilling to assist in this matter. Feel free to provide any further information on this matter.”
NHTSA complaint #894030, filed 2001-08“Consumer states engine stalled while traveling down a mountain, consumer lost all control of vehicle and went off a 300 ft revene, vehicle finally stopped after striking a tree head on, air bag did not deploy, consumer sustained injuries, a month after purchasing vehicle, recall repairs were completed on vehicle regarding blower and igntion, consumer was later informed of additional recalls that needed to be repaired on vehicle, however consumer was never given any specific details about what was repaired/replaced.”
NHTSA complaint #898967, filed 2001-11“Consumer totaled vehicle by hitting a tree head on, consumer sustained injuries due to the airbags experiencing no deployment, consumer injured lower back and knees and is still recovering.”
NHTSA complaint #558176, filed 2000-11Related recalls
- 99V023000Feb 5, 1999Vehicle description: van and wagon model passenger vehicles. If water/road salt gets on the interior floor of the vehicle in the proximity of the air bag…Covers: Dodge RAM 1995–1997
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 4 | 15% |
| 2008 | 1 | 4% |
| 2006 | 3 | 12% |
| 2005 | 1 | 3% |
| 2004 | 5 | 9% |
| 2003 | 4 | 8% |
| 2002 | 15 | 13% |
| 2001 | 46 | 14% |
| 2000 | 23 | 16% |
| 1999 | 40 | 11% |
| 1998 | 66 | 14% |
| 1997 | 38 | 10% |
| 1996 | 38 | 6% |
| 1995 | 38 | 6% |
| 1994 | 27 | 6% |
Other parts of the 1996 Dodge RAM
173 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
135 complaintsEngine cooling
57 complaintsSuspension
49 complaintsElectrical system
47 complaintsSteering
43 complaintsFuel system
37 complaintsVehicle speed control
30 complaintsTires
29 complaintsBody and structure
24 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
24 complaintsExterior lighting
18 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1996 Dodge RAM
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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