Recall 16V953 covers 1 2017 Ram Promaster City vehicle for side curtain air bags that do not inflate properly. The free dealer inspection is complete.
Ram is recalling 1 2017 Promaster City vehicle under recall 16V953 because the side curtain air bags can fail to inflate properly in a crash. That failure increases injury risk for occupants, and the dealer repair will be free once Ram makes the remedy available.
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What's wrong?
The side curtain air bags in the 2017 Ram Promaster City are mounted along the upper side of the cabin. In a side impact or rollover-type crash, they are designed to deploy downward near the side windows and help protect occupants' heads from the glass, door frame, and outside objects.
The defect is that the side curtain air bags do not inflate properly when they are needed. The recall description does not name a separate root cause, so the key owner-level issue is the failure mode: in a crash, the bag does not fill as designed, which reduces the protection the air bag system is supposed to provide.
There is no warning sign before failure. The air bag system is hidden until a crash, so the vehicle can look and drive normally while the defect is still present.
Who's affected?
| 2017 Ram Promaster City | side air bag |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 1 |
Not every 2017 Ram Promaster City van is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific van is included.
What's the safety risk?
If the side curtain air bags fail to inflate properly during a crash, occupants face a higher risk of injury. Confirm the VIN, then arrange dealer inspection or repair if this recall applies to your Promaster City. Repair will be free at any franchised Ram dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2017 Ram Promaster City is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Ram dealer and ask whether the side-curtain-air-bag inspection is open for your VIN.
- Reference recall number 16V953 when you call, and mention that the side curtain air bags can fail to inflate properly in a crash.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it, along with your registration and keys for dealer intake.
- Drive with extra care until the dealer confirms the side curtain air bags have been inspected.
What happens at the repair
Ram's remedy for recall 16V953 was handled through owner notice and dealer inspection. At the dealer, a Ram technician inspected the side curtain air bags to confirm they were installed correctly and able to inflate as intended in a crash. That inspection was free of charge. The recall began January 17, 2017. If your VIN is included and the inspection has not been completed, ask a Ram dealer to confirm the open recall status and perform the recall inspection at no cost when the remedy is available for your vehicle.
Timeline
| December 28, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| January 17, 2017 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V953?
Recall 16V953 covers 1 2017 Ram Promaster City with side curtain air bags that can fail to inflate properly in a crash. If that happens, occupants face increased injury risk. A Ram dealer inspected the side curtain air bags for free.
What should I do if my 2017 Ram Promaster City is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific van is included in recall 16V953. If it is, contact a franchised Ram dealer and ask whether the side curtain air bag inspection was already completed. Reference recall number 16V953 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair covered safety defects at no cost, and the remedy for recall 16V953 was a free dealer inspection of the side curtain air bags. Parts and labor are covered when recall work is needed.
What is the safety risk?
The risk is that the side curtain air bags fail to inflate properly during a crash. If that happens, occupants have less side-impact protection and face increased injury risk. The recall remedy is a dealer inspection of the side curtain air bags.
What if I bought this Ram Promaster City used?
The free recall remedy still applies. Recall coverage follows the VIN, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether this specific Promaster City is included, then ask a franchised Ram dealer to verify the side curtain air bag inspection status.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V953000 |
|---|---|
| Ram customer service | 1-800-853-1403 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V953 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V953000 |
Source documents
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 →