Dodge Ram Pickup Truck Roof Rail Airbag Lawsuit
Automaker Dodge has issued an airbag recall for 260,000 Dodge Ram pickup trucks in model years 2015 through 2020. The recall has been issued over concerns that the roof-rail airbag inflators may malfunction.
Affected models include:
- Dodge Ram 1500 (2015-2019)
- Dodge Ram 2500 (2015-2020)
- Dodge Ram 3500 (2015-2020)
- Dodge Ram Classic (2019-2020)
Dodge is the second automaker that has recalled roof rail airbags in its pickup trucks. People who own or leased a Dodge Ram pickup truck listed in the recall or have been injured by a Dodge Ram roof rail airbag may have been placed at risk of crash, injury or death and may be eligible for compensation through a Dodge Ram Roof Rail Airbag Lawsuit.
Dodge Ram Pickup Truck Airbag Recall
The recent Dodge recall for Dodge Ram trucks involves the roof rail airbag (RRAB) module and potential for catastrophic failure. A roof rail airbag is sometimes also called a side curtain airbag. It is mounted in the roof liner and ejects downward to cover side windows in the event of a crash.
According to Dodge Ram and the National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA), the roof rail airbag inflator end cap in certain Dodge Ram pickup trucks may have been contaminated by moisture during the airbag supplier’s manufacturing process. This may result in degradation of internal mechanisms in the airbag inflater. If damaged, the airbag may detach from the inflator, or the inflator side wall may rupture. Some reports indicate the problems may be worsened in warm or humid climates.
A separated inflator end cap or inflator bag rupture may allow compressed gas to escape and propel the end cap or other components into the cab. This may put driver, occupants and others at increased risk of crash, injury, or death.
Truck Models Included in Recall
The Dodge Ram pickup truck airbag recall affects 212,000 vehicles in the U.S., 42,000 in Canada, and about 8,000 in Mexico and other global locations. The airbag inflators were reportedly manufactured by Joyson Safety Systems at a Mexico manufacturing location.
Involved vehicles include:
- 2015-2019 Dodge Ram 1500 pickup trucks
- 2015-2020 Dodge Ram 2500 pickup trucks
- 2015-2020 Dodge Ram 3500 pickup trucks
- 2019-2020 Dodge Ram Classic (2019-2020)
The recall does not include the new generation of 2019 through 2021 Dodge Ram 1500 pickup trucks.
Though no crashes and no injuries have yet been reported, NHTSA sudden deployment and ejection of airbag parts into passenger compartment may increase the risk of accident or result in serious harm. Drivers have not been advised to stop driving their vehicles and should have been notified of the recall in October 2021.
Prior Airbag Recalls in U.S. Vehicles
This is only the most recent problem that has occurred in vehicle airbags around the U.S. The recall follows a similar GM recall which affected GMC and Chevrolet pickups and SUVs. Dodge Ram has asserted that one airbag explosion has occurred but that it did not cause any injuries.
This is a new and separate issue that is not caused by the Takata airbag or an SDM Calibration problem cited in other recalls and lawsuits. It is also separate from a number of other lawsuits against Chrysler or Dodge including those involving diesel engines, exhaust systems, power train issues and other problems.
Dodge Actions in Recall
Owners, operators, passengers, and others may have been placed at risk of serious injury due to side curtain or roof rail airbag rupture. People who purchased Dodge Ram Trucks may have done so based on expectations of safety and reliability and may have paid more than other vehicles for this perception. Malfunctioning side curtain or roof rail airbags may negatively affect the value of Dodge pickups, resulting in financial losses of owners.
Vehicle owners were to be notified by Dodge Ram in 2021 but can check if their vehicle is involved at the NHTSA website by entering their vehicle identification number (VIN). Dodge indicated that they would be inspecting and replacing parts as needed but have made no mention of other compensation.
People who own or lease certain year models of Dodge Ram pickup trucks or who were placed at risk of injury or harm due to potential for catastrophic roof-rail airbag malfunction may be eligible for compensation.