Dodge Airbag Failed to Deploy

The driver of a 1999 Dodge Ram 1500 pickup truck was involved in a single-vehicle accident.  The front of the Dodge pickup struck a large tree, causing significant damage to the vehicle. 

Dodge Pickup Airbag Failure

Dodge Pickup Airbag Failure

However, the driver airbag failed to deploy.  As a result of the airbag non-deployment, the driver suffered fatal blunt chest trauma injuries.

Our investigation also revealed that Chrysler had received hundreds and hundreds of complaints from other consumers indicating that the airbags had failed to deploy in their pickup trucks too.  This case focused on the lack of an air bag sensor at the front of the pickup, even though previous models of the pickup had used such a front sensor.  Our research also revealed that the Dodge pickup truck’s existing sensor was not calibrated properly for the vehicle’s structure, allowing it to be “fooled” especially in crashes involving trees and utility poles.

11 Responses to “Dodge Airbag Failed to Deploy”

  1. Sonia says:

    I was just involed in a head on Collision…i hit the passanger side from other diver…bounced back and my air bags, and seat belts did not lock or deploy…then my truck shut down and i was not able to break…it was non responsive so it kept going until i struck a brick wall…it was horrible..My truck is a 2008 Dodge Ram 1500…

  2. RW says:

    My 05 Dodge Ram Quad Cab hit a retaining wall almost head on. The entire front of the bumper impacted an interstate retaining wall from the middle to the far left side at 55 miles an hour. The air bags didn’t deploy. I hit the wall bounced off did a 540 and came to a stop blocking all three lanes of traffic. The engine had died. The impact was so hard it buckled the frame. The seat belt did lock though so I walked away without a scratch.

  3. Taras says:

    Thanks for your input. In my opinion, Dodge pickups have had significant problems with airbag non-deployments in crashes during which consumers expect their airbags to deploy. I encourage you and other consumers to report this problem both to Chrysler and to the federal agency who monitors such issues, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The more people complain, the more likely it is that something will be done about this.

  4. Sarah says:

    I was recently involved in a t-bone type collision. The airbag did not deploy. I am not sure if it should have or not. I was driving a 2001 dodge intrepid. The woman who hit me was driving at 40-45 mph. I have spoken with several people whose airbags did not work in similar crashes.

  5. p says:

    My fiancee and I were just involved in front-end crash.
    My 2005 Dodge Dakota Quad-cab’s air-bags did deploy on either side.
    Have their been any other Dakota’s with this problem?

  6. Richard says:

    I just had a collision at 25mph into a parked car. I have a 2007 Dodge Ram 2500 and airbag failed to deploy on it.

  7. John says:

    My wife was struck by a 06 camry traveling 50 miles an hour head on into our 08 dodge ram 1500 4×4 and the air bags did not deploy. This can’t be correct.

  8. darlene says:

    On Dec 20, 2009 I also slid and hit a tree head on. We drive a 2007 Dodge Ram 1500 4×4. The driver air bag DID NOT deploy. I fractured several bones in my face, ribs and fractured vertebraes in my back that required immediate surgery. My recovered is expected to take 6 weeks. The truck was totalled by the insurance company. We are having a Chrysler Rep come in to see the vehicle and try to figure out why the air bag did not deploy. This is a very seriours defect and needs to be addressed soon, so no one else is hurt because of this defect.

  9. Kathleen says:

    Just days before my husband deployed for again he was t-boned in our 6 week ownership Dodge Ram 1500 and the airbag did not deploy either and the wheel was completely broke off the axle. I was seriously worried that the airbags didnt’ deploy what if it had been an even worst wreck.. Aren’t they suppose to deploy? how is that safe?

  10. Jonathan says:

    I was just involved in a head on collision two days ago. due to the severe snow we have been having in the area. the other vehicle involved in the accident deployed its front airbags but my 04 dodge dakota did not. speed was minimal due to the weather but was still great enough to warrent airbags to deploy.

  11. rodney says:

    just hit a tree in my 02 dakota 4×4 head on and the airbags DID NOT DEPLOY

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