FaultScore

Dodge RAM 1500 headlight problems

521 of the 16,087 complaints filed about the Dodge RAM 1500 are about the lighting — 3% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2006.

521

Complaints

3%

Share of all complaints

6

Crashes

11

Fires

Lights complaints by model year

1991 RAM 1500 1 0.2%
1993 RAM 1500 1 0.2%
1994 RAM 1500 8 1.5%

Median failure at 142,367 miles

1995 RAM 1500 13 2.5%

Median failure at 160,000 miles

1996 RAM 1500 15 2.9%

Median failure at 142,042 miles

1997 RAM 1500 19 3.6%

Median failure at 104,000 miles

1998 RAM 1500 8 1.5%

Median failure at 98,000 miles

1999 RAM 1500 10 1.9%

Median failure at 141,000 miles

2000 RAM 1500 9 1.7%

Median failure at 84,000 miles

2001 RAM 1500 19 3.6%

Median failure at 109,804 miles

2002 RAM 1500 42 8.1%

Median failure at 88,037 miles

2003 RAM 1500 20 3.8%

Median failure at 67,500 miles

2004 RAM 1500 31 6.0%

Median failure at 69,500 miles

2005 RAM 1500 23 4.4%

Median failure at 60,000 miles

2006 RAM 1500 140 26.9%

Median failure at 50,800 miles

2007 RAM 1500 39 7.5%

Median failure at 64,000 miles

2008 RAM 1500 18 3.5%

Median failure at 64,500 miles

2009 RAM 1500 19 3.6%

Median failure at 84,000 miles

2010 RAM 1500 10 1.9%

Median failure at 65,250 miles

2011 RAM 1500 30 5.8%

Median failure at 62,000 miles

2012 RAM 1500 46 8.8%

Median failure at 37,750 miles

What owners said

2012 Dodge RAM 1500 Warrensburg, MO Fire

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

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.

2009 Dodge RAM 1500 Meriden, CT

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

The left turn signal not working properly. When I put my left turn signal the amber light front of the truck not working instead the high bean works as turn signal also amber running light not working. Is so frustrating getting pulled over by a cop for that reason!!!

NHTSA complaint #11674783 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2012 Dodge RAM 1500 at 160,000 miles West 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.

2002 Dodge RAM 1500 North Vernon, IN

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

The contact owns a 2002 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed at night, he became aware that the external lights and turn signal lights were not functioning properly. The lamp out warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA complaint #11594041 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2012 Dodge RAM 1500 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.

2011 Dodge RAM 1500 Burnet, TX

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

The exhaust manifold cracked, the electrical system, supplying gas to the engine, is built into the fuse box, which is unfixable without replacing the entire fuse box. Valve on engine became extremely noisy and I’ve had to be replaced

NHTSA complaint #11528801 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Dodge RAM 1500 Parlier, CA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

I'm always having issues with the airbag light coming on while driving it goes away then come back when there is a sudden move and causes something to trigger. also, I'm having issues with my headlight low mode not working I did a lot of research stating that many people are having the same issue and the problems have to do with the fuse box close to the battery. I'm also having an issue with the brake lamp going off on my dashboard not sure what that could be tried so many repairs and nothing seems to work.

NHTSA complaint #11503652 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2007 Dodge RAM 1500 Waco, TX

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

The air bag light is on and it has a recall the lights behind the gages went out and the engine has a knock at times

NHTSA complaint #11502546 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 Dodge RAM 1500 Nipomo, CA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

I want to make a complaint because the engine in my 2005 dodge ram 1500 Magnum stalling very often, engine stalling on the traffic freeway couple of times that I have to restart the vehicle quick, good thing cars going slow. The most scary time was when I was making a right turn on this busy avenue and the engine stalled and almost got hit by other's cars the engine stalling very often that already know when it dies I put it on P and restart it as quick as I can before I get hit by other car. The next issue. It makes a grinding sound underneath when taking off at very low speed. I not sure if it is the differential or a wheel but it something there I took it to the mechanic he fix something that was woren it connects to the differential but still makes the noyse. Too many problems with this truck.

NHTSA complaint #11447980 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2012 Dodge RAM 1500 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.

2007 Dodge RAM 1500 Baxley, GA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

2007 Dodge Ram 1500 Quad Cab 4WD - No interior lighting, No dashboard lighting. The interior lighting and dashboard illumination affects day and evening driving for different reasons. No ability to drive vehicle during evening hours or when there is no natural day lighting. Unable to see the speedometer, gas level indicator and temperature gauges. Exterior lights work, but inside the vehicle it is completely dark. There were no warning lamps or messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to discovery during evening hours due to dashboard not displaying or illuminating the warning lamps during day hours. So if something were to go wrong while driving during the day there is no way of knowing the issue and/or troubleshooting prior to failure. Replaced blown fuse in the Integrated Power Module - Cavity 35 - Mini fuse 15 Amp Blue - Description Cabin Compartment Node (CCN) Illumination. This course of action restored the interior lights and the dashboard lighting appeared to be working, however the warning lamps were displaying false information. For example, emergency brake light was on, but the emergency brake was not engaged. There is no way of knowing if the warning lamps are reporting accurate or inaccurate information. The vehicle was purchased used on 8/31/2021 - mileage 204,836. The information reported in this text above was not disclosed by the dealership. As of 9/1/2021 in process of having vehicle inspected by dealership to determine course of action. To date all communication has been verbal.

NHTSA complaint #11431613 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2009 Dodge RAM 1500 at 166,000 miles Victoria, TX

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

THE VEHICLE DIES AND EVERYTHING BECOMES DISABLED INCLUDING ALL OUTSIDE LIGHTS INCLUDING THE EMERGENCY FLASHERS. ENGINE TURNS OFF AND THEN WILL NO RESTART. SOMETIMES THIS PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT BUT LATER COMPLETELY FAILS. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IN 2 YEARS THAT THIS TRUCK HAS DIED. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED ON A FOGGY NIGHT. TH ENGINE AND ALL LIGHTS TURNED OFF AT CRUISING SPEED LEAVING ONLY SOME INSTRUMENT CLUSTER LIGHTS ON WHICH ENDS UP BEIN EVEN MORE OF A DISTRACTION FROM THE SUDDEN OUTSIDE DARKNESS. AFTER TRYING TO FIND THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IN THE DARKNESS, THEN YOUR EMERGENCY FLASHERS DO NOT WORK LEAVING THE TRUCK JUST A DARK TARGET IN THE ROAD. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. RECENTLY THIS SAME TRUCK DIED A SECOND TIME BUT THANKFULLY AFTER FILLING UP A A GAS STATION. AFTER A QUICK SEARCH ONLINE, THIS HAS HAPPENED TO MANY MANY DODGE RAM OWNERS FROM 2009 TO 2016 MAYBE NEWER VEHICLES AND ALSO OTHER MODELS. THE DEALER REFERS TO THE PROBLEM BEING WITH A TOTALLY INTEGRATED POWER MODULE (TIPM). I JUST READ THAT THERE HAVE BEEN MANY COMPLAINTS FILED ALREADY EVEN WITH THE NHTSA. PLEASE CONTINUE TO INVESTIGATE, THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE.

NHTSA complaint #11397467 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1994 Dodge RAM 1500 Riverside, CA Crash

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

I HAVE HAS ISSUES WITH ELECTRICAL ONY DODGE TRUCK, THE LIGHT SWITCH FOR HEADLIGHTS BURNING WIRES FROM NOWHERE WHEN DRIVING FROM LIGHT SWITCH.ARIL OF 2020 I WAS INVOLVED IN AN AUTO ACCIDENT WHICH WAS A RESULT OF MY AIR BAG STEERING WHEEL WENT OFF BY ITSELF, THE LIGHT FOR THE AIR BAG WAS ON FOR AIR BAG WAS INTERMITTENT, BUT LATELY IT WOULDN'T TURN OFF ANYMORE A MECHANIC CHECKED SAID EVERYTHING WAS FINE,AND WOULD ERASE THE LITE, BUT WOULD COME BACK ON, I CALLED DODGE AND WAS TOLD IT WOULD AT THE TIME A LOT OF MONEY TO ME TO HAVE ALL THE ELECTRICAL CHECKED AT MY EXPENSE AND THE LIGHT SWITCH WAS AN ISSUE FROM MFC.I WAS DRIVING AROUND 30 MILES MORE OR LESS AN HOUR WHEN THE BAG WENT OFF AND I WAS STRUCK IN THE FACE, AND COLLIDED WITH AN ON COMMING CAR ON A 2 LANE STREET.I WANT TO KNOW IF THERE IS A RECALL ON THE 94 DODGE RAM TRUCK. THANK YOU

NHTSA complaint #11365590 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2012 Dodge RAM 1500 at 100,000 miles Mauston, 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.

2000 Dodge RAM 1500 at 125,000 miles Byron, GA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

THE LIGHTS DO NOT ILLUMINATE WELL ENOUGH TO DRIVE AT NIGHT. I KNOW THAT WHEN I SEARCH BY MAKE AND MODEL, THERE ARE 17 RECALLS IN WHICH THE LIGHTS ARE RECALLED, YET MY TRUCK ISN'T SHOWING THE RECALLS BY THE VIN.

NHTSA complaint #11353516 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2009 Dodge RAM 1500 at 120,000 miles Windham, ME

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

TRUCK SOMETIMES SHOWS LIFE WHEN IN ACCESSORY BUT WHEN PUT TO ON TRUCK DIES COMPLETELY, OBVIOUSLY NOT GOING TO TURN OVER WITH NO SIGN OF LIFE. MINUTES LATER I CAN COME BACK AND START IT NO PROBLEM. HEADLIGHTS WILL CONSISTENTLY STUTTER OR EVEN TURN ON OR OFF WHILE PARKED OR MOVING. LASTLY WHILE DRIVING SOMETIMES ALL POWER AND ELECTRICAL SHUTS OFF AND TRUCK IS COMPLETELY DEAD WHILE GOING ANY SPEED. I HAVE NOT FOUND A CERTAIN SPEED IT DIES BECAUSE IT HAS SHUT OFF IN PARKING LOTS AND GOING DOWN HIGHWAY. POWER STEERING IS GONE AND ITS SCARY TO PULL OF SIDE OF ROAD WHEN SOME ROADS DON'T HAVE MUCH TO WORK WITH OR GOING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND LOSING ALL POWER.

NHTSA complaint #11348450 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2011 Dodge RAM 1500 at 115,000 miles Weirton, WV

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

THE ELECTRICAL WIRING HAS SHORTED OUT THE HEADLIGHTS ON THE DRIVER SIDE AND MELTS ALL WIRING IN THE AREA. THIS IS A HUGE ISSUE WITH RAM IN THE 2011 YEARS. THE OTHER ISSUE IS THE TRANSMISSIONS START SHIFTING SUPER HARD INTO GEAR AND JERKS THE WHOLE TRUCK REALLY BAD.

NHTSA complaint #11341432 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2004 Dodge RAM 1500 at 195,000 miles Alpena, MI

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

THE HEADLAMP ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING HOME. I REPLACED IT WITH A NEW ONE. IT WOULD NOT WORK. I GOT A SECOND BULB AND TRIED TO REPLACE THE LIGHT AGAIN. STILL WOULD NOT WORK. I TOOK THE TRUCK TO THREE DIFFERENT REPAIR SHOPS AND NONE OF THEM COULD FIX IT. I WAS TOLD IT MIGHT BE THE FUSE BOX.

NHTSA complaint #11287000 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2002 Dodge RAM 1500 at 194,000 miles Seale, AL

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

WHILE DRIVING ALL OF THE GAUGES HAVE QUIT WORKING HEADLIGHTS STAY ON WILL NOT TURN OFF.

NHTSA complaint #11228709 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2010 Dodge RAM 1500 at 130,000 miles Phoenix, AZ

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

HEADLIGHT GREEN CONNECTOR CLIP FOR LOW BEER FAILS TO MAKE CONNECTION CAUSING HEADLAMP OUT.. CLEANING PRONGS INSIDE CLIP FIXES IT TEMPORARILY 2. TIRE PRESSURE SENSORS VAVLES DO NOT READ PROPERLY AND ARE EXTREMELY ANNOYING

NHTSA complaint #11220286 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other Dodge RAM 1500 problems