Recall 15V459 covers 1,059,444 2012-2014 Dodge Ram trucks for a steering-wheel wiring short. Free repair at any franchised Ram dealer.
Dodge is recalling 1,059,444 2012-2014 Ram 1500, Ram 2500, Ram 3500, Ram 4500, and Ram 5500 trucks under recall 15V459 because a steering wheel wiring harness can rub against the driver air bag retainer spring. The abrasion can short the wiring and trigger an unexpected driver air bag deployment, raising injury and crash risk; Ram dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The steering wheel wiring harness in these 2012-2014 Dodge Ram trucks carries electrical signals through the steering wheel. On trucks equipped with the Electronic Vehicle Information Center option, that wiring sits near the driver air bag module, the air bag unit in the center of the steering wheel. A retainer spring helps hold that module in place.
The defect is a routing and contact problem inside the steering wheel. The wiring harness rubs against the driver air bag module retainer spring during normal use. That contact wears on the harness and damages the wiring path where the driver air bag circuit depends on clean electrical contact.
There is no warning sign before failure. The problem is hidden inside the steering wheel, so an owner is not expected to see rubbing, loose wiring, or other visible damage before the harness fails.
Who's affected?
Spans Dodge Ram 1500, 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 trucks across the 2012-2014 model years, all tied to the front air bag component.
| 2012 Dodge Ram 5500 | front air bag |
|---|---|
| 2014 Ram 4500 | front air bag |
| 2012 Dodge Ram 4500 | front air bag |
| 2012 Dodge Ram 3500 | front air bag |
| 2014 Ram 3500 | front air bag |
| 2014 Ram 5500 | front air bag |
| 2013 Ram 4500 | front air bag |
| 2013 Ram 5500 | front air bag |
| 2013 Ram 1500 | front air bag |
| 2012 Dodge Ram 1500 | front air bag |
| 2012 Dodge Ram 2500 | front air bag |
| 2014 Ram 1500 | front air bag |
| 2013 Ram 3500 | front air bag |
| 2013 Ram 2500 | front air bag |
| 2014 Ram 2500 | front air bag |
| Units affected | 1,059,444 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific truck is included.
What's the safety risk?
Abrasion in the steering wheel wiring can create an electrical short and trigger an unexpected driver's frontal air bag deployment. An air bag that deploys without warning increases injury risk and raises the chance of a crash. Schedule the inspection and wiring harness repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised Ram dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2012-2014 Dodge Ram 1500, Ram 2500, Ram 3500, Ram 4500, or Ram 5500 truck is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Ram dealer to schedule the free steering-wheel wiring-harness repair and air bag retainer spring cap installation.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it. If not, reference recall number 15V459 when you call.
- Call Dodge customer service at 1-800-853-1403 with questions, and ask the dealer to reference Dodge recall R36.
- Avoid driving if the driver air bag warning light is on or the steering wheel area shows damage. Ask the Ram dealer for guidance before moving the truck.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Ram technician inspects the steering wheel wiring harness, repairs it as needed, secures it so it does not rub the driver air bag module retainer spring, and adds protective caps to the retainer spring ends. The recall repair is free, with parts and labor covered. If you have already paid for this same problem, the manufacturer says to send the original receipt or other proof of payment so the expense can be confirmed for reimbursement.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| July 22, 2015 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| September 18, 2015 | Owner notification mailed |
| September 19, 2015 | Dealer notification began |
| September 19, 2015 | Dealer notification ended |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 15V459?
Recall 15V459 covers 1,059,444 2012-2014 Dodge Ram trucks with a steering wheel wiring harness that can rub against the driver air bag retainer spring. The harness can short and deploy the driver's frontal air bag unexpectedly. Dealers inspect, repair, secure the harness, and add protective caps for free.
What should I do if my 2012-2014 Dodge Ram truck is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific truck is included in recall 15V459. If it is, contact a franchised Ram dealer to schedule the steering wheel wiring harness inspection and repair. Reference recall number 15V459 or Chrysler recall R36 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and the recall remedy states that these repairs are free. A franchised Ram dealer will inspect, repair as needed, secure the steering wheel wiring harness, and add protective caps.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is unexpected deployment of the driver's frontal air bag. If the steering wheel wiring harness rubs through and shorts, the air bag can deploy without a crash, increasing injury risk and the possibility of a vehicle crash. The free dealer repair addresses the harness and retainer spring ends.
What if I bought this Dodge Ram truck used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall eligibility follows the VIN, not the original owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific truck is included, then give the dealer recall number 15V459 or Chrysler recall R36 when you schedule service.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/15V459000 |
|---|---|
| Dodge customer service | 1-800-853-1403 |
| NHTSA recall # | 15V459 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 15V459000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Misc. Document (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 31, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →