46 of the
980 complaints about the 2012 Dodge RAM 1500 are about the
lighting — 5% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
37,750 miles.
While the vehicle was sitting in the driveway not running, the back of the headlight caught on fire. There wasn't any incedents (e.i. any collision, repairs) prior to the indecent. It is available for inspection. No dealership report yet, but have an appointment with local dealership Tuesday to get an itemized estimate for the repairs.
NHTSA complaint #11755251 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 160,000 milesWest Palm Beach, FL
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
The contact owns a 2012 Ram 1500. The contact stated that the check engine, air bag, and the fuel pump relay failure warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the exterior lights failed to operate as needed, and the vehicle occasionally failed to start. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle stalled while driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the TIPM was faulty and needed to be replaced. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 160,000.
NHTSA complaint #11660592 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Toomsboro, GA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
My headlights (specifically on the driver side) keeps going out randomly. I have replaced the high and low beam bults 3 times and the wiring harness twice. I can be driving down the road and they it will go out and 10 minutes later it will just come back on all on it's on. I looked on all of the Dodge discussion forums and this seems to be a very common issue with this make/model of the Dodge Ram 1500 I recieve no error messages on my dash console telling me that this has occurred. However, every other bulb that has ever went out gave an error on the dash.
NHTSA complaint #11547363 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Marine, IL
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I went out to start my truck and there was only one headlight working. After replacing the left driver's side bulb multiple times and it still didn't work I had a mechanic look at it and he figured out it was a wiring connector problem.
NHTSA complaint #11443472 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesMauston, WI
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE PASSENGER SIDE HEAD LIGHT GOES OFF AND ON PERIODICALLY SOMETIMES WHEN YOUR DRIVING DONE THE ROAD IT FLICKERS AND GOES OFF WE HAVE TRIED REPLACEMENTS PARTS AND THE PROBLEM CONTINUES
NHTSA complaint #11361958 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,000 milesFort Polk, LA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER LIGHTS FLICKER WHEN STATIONARY AND IN MOTION.
NHTSA complaint #11162369 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 18,990 milesBrick, NJ
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
FOR YEARS NOW, WHILE DRIVING, SOME OF MY DASHBOARD LIGHTS WOULD BE OFF, BUT NOT ALL OF THE TIME. NOW ALL OF THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS ARE OFF EXCEPT FOR THE SPEEDOMETER. I CAN'T SEE THE GAS GAGE OR TACHOMETER OR TEMPERATURE READINGS. THIS DOESN'T MATTER IF I AM STOPPED OR MOVING.
NHTSA complaint #11128296 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 55,000 milesSomerset, KY
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
PASSENGER SIDE MIRROR, COVER AROUND SEAM DRY ROTTED, PLASTIC COVER THEN CHROME COVER BLEW OFF.
NHTSA complaint #11085175 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,000 milesWappingers Falls, NY
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
PASSENGER SIDE HIGH AND LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS WILL GO OUT AT ANY TIME. WAS TOLD THE PROBLEM IS THE TCIM. MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE IF THEY GO OUT WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD IN THE DARK. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE TCIM IS VERY EXPENSIVE AND MAY ONLY SOLVE THE PROBLEM TEMPORARILY.
NHTSA complaint #11076156 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 94,000 milesRice, MN
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
DRIVERS SIDE HEADLIGHTS, BOTH HIGH BEAM AND LOW BEAM , WILL NOT WORK. I HAVE REPLACED 3 TIMES IN 6 MONTHS, RESET THE TIPM ONCE, AND WILL HAVE TO AGAIN. THIS IS A CHRONIC ISSUE WITH RAM TIPM. (GOOGLE IT, PAGES OF RESULTS) I AM DRIVING WITHOUT A HEADLIGHT HALF THE TIME NOW, KEEPING BULBS IN MY TRUCK, BUT IT IS NOT EASY ACCESS TO CHANGE BULBS ON THE FLY ALONG THE HIGHWAY.
NHTSA complaint #11056188 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Oakland, OR
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
HEADLIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING. WAS TOLD IT IS A FAILED TIPM. WAS HEADED HOME FROM THE STORE AT DUSK. TURNED THE LIGHT SWITCH AND NO LIGHTS. HAD TO DRIVE HOME WITH FLASHERS.
NHTSA complaint #11054816 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Toms River, NJ
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
RIGHT OR LEFT HEADLIGHT GOS OUT AND ON WELL DRIVING. TIPM ???? WIRE HARNESS HAS BEEN REPLACED, DID NOT FIX
NHTSA complaint #11054196 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 20 milesOakland, ME
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
MY HEADLIGHTS ON MY 2012 RAM 1500 ST ARE HORRIBLE. MY FOG LIGHTS ARE BRIGHTER THEN THE LOW BEAM ON THE VEHICLE WHICH MAKES IT DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AT NIGHT. I ALMOST GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE THE HEADLIGHTS, BOTH LOW AND HIGH ARE NOT BRIGHT ENOUGH TO SEE PAST 10 FEET.
NHTSA complaint #11052549 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 48,035 milesPoplar Bluff, MO
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
WHEN I TURNED ON THE HI BEAMS (VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY), THE HEADLIGHTS FLICKERED, ALL THE DASH LIGHT CUT IN AND OUT, ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS LIT UP, AND THE DOOR AJAR/LIGHTS ON WARNING BELLS WENT OFF. I DIMMED THE HEADLIGHTS AND IT STOPPED. THE DEALER FIRST SAID THE ALTERNATOR WAS BAD, AND IT WAS ONLY CHARGING AT 12 VOLTS, SO THEY REPLACED IT, BUT THAT DIDN'T SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THEN THEY SAID IT WAS THE TIPM. 17 DAYS AND $1351 LATER, I HAVE MY TRUCK BACK.
NHTSA complaint #11042863 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Odenville, AL
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT ALLOWS WATER TO ENTER THE REAR SEAT AREA WHEN VEHICLE IS STATIONARY OR IN MOTION. THE ISSUE OCCURS DURING RAIN AND WHEN THE VEHICLE IS BEING WASHED.
NHTSA complaint #11032343 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 58,000 milesUnion City, PW
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE REPEATEDLY EXPERIENCED A FAILURE WITH THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING. WHEN THE LOW BEAMS CUT OFF, IT DISABLED THE HIGH BEAM LIGHT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE HEADLIGHT BULBS A COUPLE OF TIMES, BUT EACH TIME THE FAILURE RECURRED WITHIN TWO WEEKS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (HUMES CHRYSLER IN WATERFORD, PA, 814-796-2666) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 58,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED. UPDATED 11/01/17*LJ UPDATED 7/19/18
NHTSA complaint #11024786 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tahlequah, OK
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
HEADLIGHT FLICKERING WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT ON WAY HOME FROM WORK DEALER SAID WAS FAULTY TIPM MODULE
NHTSA complaint #10968385 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 38,500 milesBridgman, MI
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
DRIVING AT NIGHT WITH HEADLIGHT SWITCH IN AUTO POSITION, WEATHER WAS COLD, HAD FOR LIGHTS ALSO ENABLED, HEATER WAS IN DEFROST POSITION WITH FAN ON HIGH SPEED, HEADLIGHTS AND FOG LIGHTS SUDDENLY WENT OUT WITHOUT WARNING AND THE STREET HAD NO STREET LIGHTS, ALMOST HIT A MAILBOX AND WENT OFF THE WINDING ROAD BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO MAKE A COMPLETE STOP, THIS HAS OCCURRED 3 MORE TIMES SINCE FIRST OCCURRENCE ABOUT A MONTH AGO. I HAVE TALKED TO THE ELECTRICAL ENGINEER AT AUBURN HILLS, MI. AND WAS TOLD HE IS NOT AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM. I SEE OTHER COMPLAINTS WITH SAME ISSUE ON THIS WEBSITE, OBVIOUSLY THERE IS A PROBLEM WHICH INVOLVES A SAFETY ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #10936766 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 63,000 milesRockton, IL
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TOOK TRUCK THROUGH CAR WASH. NOTICED WATER ALL OVER BACK SEAT AND THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR CORNER OF THE HEADLINER. TOOK TO DEALER. THEY SAID IT WAS THE THIRD BREAK LIGHT THAT WAS LEAKING. IT'S GOING TO COST ME $70 FOR THEM TO REPLACE THE SEAL.
NHTSA complaint #10910010 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 78,000 milesTemple, TX
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
HEADLIGHTS WILL UNEXPECTEDLY GO OUT WHILE DRIVING. HAS HAPPENED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. REPLACED BOTH BULBS AND WAS OK FOR ABOUT A WEEK, BUT STARTED DOING IT AGAIN. SOMETIMES IF HOOD IS SLAMMED, LIGHTS WILL COME BACK ON. DEALER CLAIMS THERE IS NOT A CONNECTION/ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. VERY DANGEROUS. MANY OWNERS HAVE COMPLAINED OF THE SAME PROBLEM. RECALL SHOULD HAVE BEEN ISSUED ALREADY.
NHTSA complaint #10891882 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Reno, NV
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
SEVERAL MONTHS AGO THE PASSENGER HEADLIGHT (LOW AND HIGH BEAMS) NOT WORKING INTERMITTENTLY.
NHTSA complaint #10861703 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 35,000 milesMagnolia, MS
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE HEAD LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING ON THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE TRUCK HIGH AND LOW BEAMS DO NOT WORK TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THEY SAID THE BULBS WERE NOT BURNED OUT THE TRUCK ONLY HAS 35000 MILES ON IT I HAVE SEEN ON RAM FORUM .COM THAT A LOT OF TRUCKS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM
NHTSA complaint #10850542 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 14,000 milesEagle, ID
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
DURING 2014/2015 THE 2012 DODGE RAM 1500 WOULD FAIL TO START INTERMITTENTLY ESPECIALLY ON COLDER DAYS. DURING JANUARY OF 2015 THE PROBLEM BECAME MORE COMMON ON A DAILY BASIS AND WOULD TAKE 10-15 TIMES TO START THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKE TO DODGE UNDER WARRANTY FOR REPAIR MULTIPLE TIMES AND ACCORDING TO DODGE THE STARTER WAS REPLACED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD START. AFTER OBTAINING THE VEHICLE FROM THE DODGE REPAIR SHOP THE LEFT HEAD LIGHT BEGAN TO GO ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS AGAIN TAKING TO THE DODGE SERVICE SHOP FOR REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY. DODGE INDICATED THAT IT WAS A FAULTY TIPM AND THAT IT WAS REPLACED AND THAT THE LEFT HEADLIGHT SHOULD WORK APPROPRIATELY. AFTER OBTAINING THE TRUCK ONCE AGAIN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND RETURNED TO THE DODGE SHOP WHERE THEY INDICATED THAT IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION SENSOR WHICH WAS REPLACED. SEVERAL MONTHS LATER THE DRIVER'S HEADLIGHT BEGAN TO GO ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING AND SITTING STILL. THE DODGE WAS RETURNED TO THE DODGE REPAIR SHOP WHO STATED THAT THE PREVIOUS REPAIR WAS DONE UNDER WARRANTY AND SINCE THE VEHICLE IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY THEY WOULD NOT COVER ANY REPAIRS EVEN THOUGHT THEY HAVE A 24 MONTH PART POLICY FOR REPAIRS PAID FOR BY THE CUSTOMER. SUSPECTED TO BE A TIPM ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #10818673 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 48,125 milesDecatur, IL
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
PASSENGER HEADLIGHT LOW AND HIGH BEAMS NOT WORKING INTERMITTENTLY. REMOVE POWER FROM TIPM AND WAIT 12 HOURS THEM RECONNECT WILL WORK FOR A LITTLE WHILE.
NHTSA complaint #10812049 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Blue JAY, CA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE HEADLIGHTS ON THIS VEHICLE ARE VERY DIM. IT IS HARD TO SEE WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT. DEALER CLAIMS THERE IS NO PROBLEM WITH THE LIGHTS IN THESE VEHICLES, BUT WILL THEN STATE THE PROBLEMS WERE FIXED IN THE 2013 MODEL.
NHTSA complaint #10812005 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Goose Creek, SC
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WATER WAS LEAKING FROM THE BRAKE LIGHT INTO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000. ...UPDATED 02/08/16 *BF
NHTSA complaint #10789238 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,000 milesWashington, DCCrash
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE INADEQUATE LIGHTING PREVENTED DRIVER OF SEEING DEER ON SHOULDER OF ROAD AND AS DEER WALKED OUT INTO LANE TRUCK HIT THE ANIMAL WITH LEFT FRONT CORNER OF PICKUP. HAVING DRIVEN DODGE PICKUPS SINCE 07 THERE HEADLIGHTS ARE HORRIBLE FOR DRIVING AT NIGHT. THEY NEED RECALLED AND ESPECIALLY UPTO 2014. THEY HAVE SLIGHTLY IMPROVED BUT ARE NO WHERE NEAR SAFE.
NHTSA complaint #10788208 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 40,000 milesHurst, TX
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
MY 2012 RAM 1500 HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP SEVEN TIMES IN THE PAST YEAR FOR ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THE ORIGINAL PROBLEMS WERE RELATED TO THE PCM WHICH WOULD SHORT OUT AND CAUSE MY VEHICLE TO OPERATE IN ONLY ONE GEAR. THIS PROBLEM WAS FIXED FINALLY BY REPLACING THE PCM AND VARIOUS OTHER PARTS. MY TRUCK RECENTLY HAD THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE SENSOR, RIGHT HEADLIGHT, AND FUEL PUMP CONTROL GO OUT ALL AROUND THE SAME TIME WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT FOR MY TRUCK TO START AND WHEN IT DID START IT SOUNDED ANEMIC AND WOULD OFTEN HAVE ALERTS GOING OFF. THE DEALERSHIP CLAIMED THAT THE TIPM WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FUEL PUMP PROBLEMS AND NOW I AM WONDERING IF IT IS THE ROUTE OF ALL THE OTHER PROBLEMS. THIS MOST RECENT REPAIR COST ME $1000 DOLLARS AND WELL OVER $100 IN ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION ARRANGEMENTS. MY TRUCK IS ONLY TWO AND A HALF YEARS OLD WITH 50K MILES ON IT. I SHOULD NOT BE HAVING THIS MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS NEW OF A VEHICLE. CHRYSLER AND RAM HAVE A WELL DOCUMENTED HISTORY OF RECENT PROBLEMS WITH THE TIPM ACROSS VARIOUS VEHICLES AND AN INVESTIGATION NEEDS TO BE CONDUCTED AND CUSTOMERS NEED TO BE COMPENSATED FOR THE PROBLEMS THIS PART HAS CAUSED.
NHTSA complaint #10780136 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 32,000 milesNorth Reading, MA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
WHEN STEERING AT ANY SPEED THE STEERING WHEEL SEEMS TO STUD-ER OR GET STICKY AT TIMES AS YOU TURN LEFT OR RIGHT. DEALER SAID THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE STEERING BUT THEY GREASED THE FRONT END, SEEMS TO BE BETTER. WHEN AT LOW OR HIGH HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND APPLYING THE BRAKES NORMALLY NOT IN A EMERGENCY STOPPING SITUATION, THE FRONT END AND STEERING WHEEL SHAKE VIOLENTLY. STATED AROUND 30,000 MILES THE DRIVER SIDE PARKING LIGHTS OR RUNNING LIGHTS FRONT AND REAR ARE OFF AND NOT WORKING, DIRECTIONAL AND BRAKE LIGHTS SEEM FINE.
NHTSA complaint #10745869 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 37,000 milesDagsboro, DE
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHTS GO OUT WHILE RIDING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. OCCURS IN COLD WEATHER MORE THAN WARM WEATHER DEALERSHIP CANNOT FIND PROBLEM NEVER HAPPENS WHEN TAKEN IN.
NHTSA complaint #10732838 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.