Ram Pickup Truck Side Airbag Explosion Risk Results in Recall For 212K Vehicles

More than 212,000 Ram 3500, 2500 and 1500 Classic pickup trucks are being recalled, due to a risk that the side curtain airbag inflators may explode and hurl debris into the passenger compartment.

The Ram airbag recall was announced this week by Stellantis, formerly Fiat Chrysler, warning that the recalled pickup trucks were equipped with airbag inflators that could be prone to rupture without notice, even without the airbags deploying and without an auto accident.

According to the recall notice, Stellantis was notified by its part supplier that inflators used in side curtain airbags on certain 1500, 2500 and 3500 Ram trucks may have been contaminated with moisture, which may cause the airbag to rupture suddenly.

Stellantis is aware of at least one incident in which an airbag exploded, sending debris throughout the cabin of the vehicle. While no injuries were reported, the problem appears similar to a massive Takata airbag inflator recall issued in 2014, which was linked to a number of deaths and debilitating injuries.

The manufacturer warns customers to schedule service on the trucks as soon as possible to prevent additional incidents and potential injury, or death. The Ram pickup truck airbag inflators are not equipped with ammonium nitrate, which was the chemical make-up that sparked the rupturing Takata airbag crisis, which resulted in the largest and most complex recall in automotive history, impacting more than 100 million inflators and 19 automobile manufacturers.

The Ram pickup truck airbag recall includes model year 2015 through 2020 Ram 2500 and Ram 3500 pickups and chassis cabs, and Ram 1500 Classic trucks. The recall does not impact new-generation Ram 1500 series trucks.

Approximately 212,373 impacted vehicles were distributed for sale throughout the United States, while another 42,532 were sold in Canada, 3,802 in Mexico, and an estimated 4,540 were distributed to certain markets outside of North America.

According to Stellantis, customers will begin receiving recall notices with instructions on how to schedule a repair appointment at their local dealer, who will be instructed to replace the side curtain airbags free of charge.