1997 Dodge RAM 3500 headlight problems

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

WHILE DRIVING IN HEAVY RAIN, WATER ENTERED AND NEARLY FILLED THE HEADLAMP ENCLOSURE CAUSING THE HALOGEN LAMP TO BURST.

NHTSA complaint #10776400 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

WAS DRIVING AND HEADLIGHTS UNEXPECTEDLY WENT OUT. TURNED SWITCH OFF AND BACK ON AND LIGHTS WOULD COME BACK ON EACH TIME, BUT WOULD IMMEDIATELY GO BACK OFF. DID SO THREE CONSECUTIVE TIMES. TURNED ON EMERGENCY FLASHERS TO GET HOME. THEY WENT OFF A TOTAL OF 6 TIMES IN A 3 MILE TRIP. I FOUND A RECALL ON LIGHT DUTY ONLY, BUT NOTHING ON MY TRUCK. THEY NEED TO BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THIS IS VERY HAZARDOUS , ALMOST WRECKED THE TRUCK BECAUSE THIS HAPPENED AT 1130 AT NIGHT WHEN I WENT TO PICK UP MY SON FROM A FOOTBALL GAME. I WAS ON VERY DANGEROUS SWITCH-BACK CURVES WHEN THEY WENT OUT THE THREE CONSECUTIVE TIMES.

NHTSA complaint #10643097 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 1997 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE 200,000.

NHTSA complaint #10472573 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH

TL* THE DRIVER OWNS A 1997 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH WITH THE RUNNING LIGHTS ON, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING SHUT OFF. THE INTERIOR LIGHT SWITCH ALSO BEGAN TO SMOKE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 99V024000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA complaint #10434060 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

I OWN A 1997 DODGE RAM 3500 AND THE HEADLIGHTS GO OUT ON IT AFTER HALF AN HOUR OR LESS OF HEADLIGHT USE AND SOMETIMES IT BLOWS A FUSE AND NO TAIL LIGHTS ARE ON AND I HAVE TO PULL OVER AND CHANGE THE FUSE SO I CAN CONTINUE MY COURSE. I SOMETIMES HAVE TO PULL DOWN ON THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH TO GET LIGHTS TO STAY ON. ANOTHER THING IS THAT THE DASHBOARD IS CRACKED AND THE PLASTIC IS FALLING APART AND THIS NEEDS TO GET CORRECTED BEFORE SOME ACCIDENT HAPPENS TO ALL DODGE OWNERS WHO MIGHT NOT HAVE THE KNOWLEDGE OF THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10353133 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH

HEAD LIGHTS GO OUT WIRES GET HOT. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH ON MY MODEL TRUCK ( 1997 DODGE RAM 3500 ) BUT I WAS TOLD MY TRUCK WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL.

NHTSA complaint #10216531 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING FAILED WHILE DRIVING ON TWO OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT HAS NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO BE INSPECTED. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 67,592 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000. UPDATED 12/12/2007 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED HEADLIGHT SWITCH AND PLUG MELTED CAUSING ALL LIGHTS EXCEPT HEADLIGHTS TO FAIL. THE CONSUMER STATED REPLACED SWITCH AND PLUG BUT CAN'T FIND PARK RELAY. UPDATED 12/12/07

NHTSA complaint #10202195 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING FAILED WHILE DRIVING ON TWO OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT HAS NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO BE INSPECTED. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 67,592 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000. UPDATED 12/12/2007 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED HEADLIGHT SWITCH AND PLUG MELTED CAUSING ALL LIGHTS EXCEPT HEADLIGHTS TO FAIL. THE CONSUMER STATED REPLACED SWITCH AND PLUG BUT CAN'T FIND PARK RELAY. UPDATED 12/12/07

NHTSA complaint #10202195 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH

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

NHTSA complaint #10179273 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS:SWITCH

STRONG SMELL IN CAB SEEMINGLY ONLY AT NIGHT. GOT PULLED OVER FOR NO TAIL OR RUNNING LIGHTS BEHIND THE CAB. THEY WERE WORKING EARLIER. HEADLIGHT SWITCH WAS MELTING CAUSING NASTY SMELL WHICH RESULTED IN A BAD HEADACHE.

NHTSA complaint #10178560 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH

STRONG SMELL IN CAB SEEMINGLY ONLY AT NIGHT. GOT PULLED OVER FOR NO TAIL OR RUNNING LIGHTS BEHIND THE CAB. THEY WERE WORKING EARLIER. HEADLIGHT SWITCH WAS MELTING CAUSING NASTY SMELL WHICH RESULTED IN A BAD HEADACHE.

NHTSA complaint #10178560 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH

TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH HAS BURNED OUT TWICE WITHIN THE LAST YEAR. THE DEALER HAS TOLD THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INVOLVED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THE DEALER TOLD THE CONTACT THAT THE REASON HE HAS TO REPLACE THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH WAS BECAUSE HE TOWED A TRAILER. THE CONTACT STATED WEATHER AND ROAD CONDITIONS WERE NOT A FACTOR IN THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH HIMSELF. THE WIRING WAS MELTED TO THE SWITCH.

NHTSA complaint #10177842 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH FOR 30 MINUTES ON THE HIGHWAY, HEAT AND A BURNING SMELL WAS NOTICED COMING FROM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. ON INSPECTION, THE PROBLEM WAS IDENTIFIED AS THE EXTERIOR HEADLIGHT SWITCH. THE SWITCH WAS HOT TO THE TOUCH AND A BURNED RUBBER SMELL WAS NOTICEABLE. THE SERVICE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, AND RECOMMENDED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIR AS THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE EXTERIOR LIGHT; HEADLIGHT SWITCH (99V024000). WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER, IT WAS DISCOVERED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED.

NHTSA complaint #10167369 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

BOTH FRONT HEADLIGHTS PLASTIC LENS BECAME DISCOLORED, AND CAUSED POOR VISIBILITY WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED THAT THIS MAY OBSTRUCT CONSUMER'S VISION AND RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT PARTS WERE NOT COVERED UNDER A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL.*AK *BF

NHTSA complaint #10117281 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH

TAIL LIGHTS FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. *AK THE DEALER REPLACED THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH AND REWIRED THE CONNECTOR. RECALL# 99V024000 WHICH PERTAINED TO 3500 SERIES BUILT THROUGH OCTOBER 21, 1996. THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE WAS BUILT 3 DAYS LATER AND DISPLAYED THE SAME PROBLEM. A REPAIR KIT WAS INSTALLED. *SC

NHTSA complaint #10067398 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

BURNING SMELL, BLINKING OF HEADLIGHTS AND THEN HEADLIGHT FAILURE WHILE ON INTERSTATE. TOOK TO MECHANIC WHO FOUND A RECALL AND ADVISED ME TO CALL A DODGE DEALER. DODGE DEALER SAID THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THAT PARTICULAR VEHICLE. CALLED DAIMLER/CHRYSLER ASSISTANCE CENTER WHO SAID THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THAT PARTICULAR VEHICLE BY VIN NUMBER. MECHANIC IN TOWN WILL BE FIXING. VEHICLE HAS TRAILER TOW PACKAGE.

NHTSA complaint #10058282 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

THE SWITCH FOR THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING MELTED AND CAUSED A BURNING SMELL. *NLM

NHTSA complaint #10018068 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH

VEHICLE'S HEADLAMP SWITCH MELTED WHILE DRIVING, RESULTED IN THE HEADLIGHTS BECOMING INOPERATIVE. *MR TURN SIGNALS, RUNNING LIGHTS LEFT BRAKE LIGHT WERE INOPERATIVE. ALL LIGHTS WORKED EXCEPT RUNNING LIGHTS WHEN TRAILER HOOKED UP. DEALER FOUND CORRODED SOCKET AND HEADLAMP SWITCH WIRING BURNT. REPLACED SOCKET AND REPLACED HEADLAMP SWITCH AND REPLACED BURNT WIRING. THERE WAS A RECALL HOWEVER VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED.

NHTSA complaint #8022273 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH

CONSUMER BROUGHT VEHICLE IN FOR RECALL #819 REPAIR, DEALER REPLACED HEADLIGHT SWITCH, INSTALLED OVERLAY HARNESS AND REPLACED 4 BURNT WIRES IN CONNECTOR, HOWEVER, AFTER RECALL REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED CONSUMER HAD NO TAIL LIGHTS, CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY ANOTHER MECHANIC THAT HEAD LIGHT SWITCH HAD NOT BEEN REPLACED AS REQUIRED BY RECALL.

NHTSA complaint #564284 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH

CONSUMER BROUGHT VEHICLE IN FOR RECALL #819 REPAIR, DEALER REPLACED HEADLIGHT SWITCH, INSTALLED OVERLAY HARNESS AND REPLACED 4 BURNT WIRES IN CONNECTOR, HOWEVER, AFTER RECALL REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED CONSUMER HAD NO TAIL LIGHTS, CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY ANOTHER MECHANIC THAT HEAD LIGHT SWITCH HAD NOT BEEN REPLACED AS REQUIRED BY RECALL.

NHTSA complaint #564284 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH

WHEN DRIVING WITH HEADLIGHTS ON, THERE IS A BURNING SMELL PRESENT. AFTER TURNING THE SWITCH OFF AND THEN TURNING IT BACK ON, HEADLIGHTS DO NOT FUNCTION. DEALER HAS SEEN VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #856813 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH

HEADLAMP SWITCH BURNED OUT, CAUSING CONNECTOR TO BURN, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FIRE HAZARD. THE DEALER WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THERE WAS A RECALL REGARDING HEADLAMP SWITCH, BUT CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.THIS VEHICLE IS ALSO EQUIPPED WITH TRAILOR TOWING PACKAGE. RECALL 99V024000.

NHTSA complaint #838146 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

OWNER STATES THAT WHEN HEADLIGHTS ARE USED HE CANNOT SEE THE ROAD VERY WELL. ALSO, THAT THE DIMMER SWITCH MUST BE USED IN ORDER TO SEE.

NHTSA complaint #808562 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.