Recall 16V947 covers 12,691 2009-2010 Dodge Durango, Aspen, and 3500 vehicles for driver air bag inflators that can rupture. Do not drive. Free dealer repair.
In a crash that deploys the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator can rupture and send metal fragments toward the driver or passengers, causing serious injury or death. Do not drive the vehicle, even for short trips. Arrange towing if it must move. Repair will be free at any franchised Dodge dealer once available.
Dodge is recalling 12,691 2009-2010 Durango, Aspen, and 3500 vehicles under recall 16V947 because the dual-stage driver frontal air bag can take in moisture over time, causing the inflator to rupture during deployment. Metal fragments can strike the driver or passengers, causing serious injury or death. Do not drive an included vehicle; the dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The driver frontal air bag inflator in these 2009-2010 Dodge Durango, Redundant Ram 3500, Aspen, and 3500 vehicles sits inside the steering-wheel air bag module. In a crash, the inflator is supposed to create gas that fills the driver air bag so it cushions the driver instead of staying folded in the wheel.
The problem is moisture getting into the inflator over time. After extended exposure to high absolute humidity and heat aging, the inflator material can degrade. If the air bag deploys in a crash, that weakened inflator can rupture instead of opening in a controlled way, sending the air bag system outside its intended design.
There is no warning sign before failure. The inflator can sit unnoticed until a crash command deploys the air bag, so an owner should not expect a dashboard light, sound, or change in how the vehicle drives.
Who's affected?
Spans the Durango, Redundant Ram 3500, Aspen, and 3500 across the 2009 and 2010 model years, all tied to the same driver-side front air bag inflator module.
| 2009 Dodge Durango | front air bag |
|---|---|
| 2010 Dodge Redundant Ram 3500 | front air bag |
| 2009 Chrysler Aspen | front air bag |
| 2010 Ram 3500 | front air bag |
| Units affected | 12,691 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included.
What's the safety risk?
In a crash that deploys the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator can rupture and send metal fragments toward the driver or passengers, causing serious injury or death. Do not drive the vehicle, even for short trips. Arrange towing if it must move. Repair will be free at any franchised Dodge dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2009-2010 Dodge Durango, Redundant Ram 3500, Aspen, or 3500 is included in this recall.
- Do not drive the vehicle until the driver's frontal air bag inflator recall repair is complete.
- Arrange a tow if the vehicle has to be moved to the dealer; do not drive it there yourself.
- Contact a franchised Dodge dealer to schedule the free driver's frontal air bag inflator replacement.
- Bring the recall notice if Dodge has mailed one. If not, reference recall number 16V947 when you call.
What happens at the repair
Do not drive the vehicle until the recall repair is complete. The known dealer repair is replacement of the driver's frontal air bag inflator, with parts and labor covered under the recall once the repair is available. At the dealer, a Dodge technician removes the affected inflator and installs the replacement inflator for the driver's frontal air bag. Owners who already paid for this problem can request reimbursement by sending the original receipt or other adequate proof of payment to the company for expense confirmation.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| December 22, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| January 7, 2017 | Dealer notification began |
| January 7, 2017 | Dealer notification ended |
| January 11, 2017 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V947?
Recall 16V947 covers 12,691 2009-2010 Dodge Durango, Redundant Ram 3500, Aspen, and 3500 vehicles with driver frontal air bag inflators susceptible to moisture intrusion. In a crash, the inflator can rupture and send metal fragments into occupants. Do not drive the vehicle until the free repair is complete.
What should I do if my 2009-2010 Dodge Durango, Redundant Ram 3500, Aspen, or 3500 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 16V947. If it is, do not drive it. Contact a franchised Dodge dealer and ask how to complete the driver frontal air bag inflator replacement without driving the vehicle. Reference recall number 16V947 and Chrysler recall number S92 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. For recall 16V947, the dealer will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator free of charge. Parts and labor are covered at a franchised Dodge dealer.
What does do not drive mean for this recall?
Do not drive the vehicle for any trip until the recall repair is complete. The concern is the driver frontal air bag inflator, which can rupture during deployment after moisture intrusion. Ask the dealer how the vehicle should be moved for service, including towing or another no-drive arrangement.
What if I bought this Dodge vehicle used?
The free recall repair still applies if you bought the vehicle used. Recall eligibility follows the VIN, not the original owner. Check your VIN, and if recall 16V947 is open on your vehicle, contact a franchised Dodge dealer to arrange the free air bag inflator replacement.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V947000 |
|---|---|
| Dodge customer service | 1-800-853-1403 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V947 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V947000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Report (PDF) - Download Misc. Document (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (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 →