FaultScore

Dodge RAM electrical problems

399 of the 5,489 complaints filed about the Dodge RAM are about the electrical system — 7% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 1995.

399

Complaints

7%

Share of all complaints

8

Crashes

101

Fires

Electrical System complaints by model year

1979 RAM 2 0.5%
1984 RAM 1 0.3%
1985 RAM 1 0.3%
1986 RAM 3 0.8%
1987 RAM 2 0.5%
1989 RAM 1 0.3%
1990 RAM 2 0.5%
1991 RAM 5 1.3%
1992 RAM 7 1.8%
1993 RAM 4 1.0%
1994 RAM 69 17.3%

Median failure at 87,608 miles

1995 RAM 79 19.8%

Median failure at 216,325 miles

1996 RAM 50 12.5%

Median failure at 180,000 miles

1997 RAM 23 5.8%

Median failure at 109,200 miles

1998 RAM 49 12.3%

Median failure at 123,608 miles

1999 RAM 22 5.5%
2000 RAM 17 4.3%

Median failure at 15,150 miles

2001 RAM 22 5.5%

Median failure at 35,000 miles

2002 RAM 5 1.3%

Median failure at 60,000 miles

2003 RAM 4 1.0%

Median failure at 137,000 miles

2004 RAM 10 2.5%

Median failure at 44,000 miles

2005 RAM 4 1.0%

Median failure at 20,000 miles

2006 RAM 6 1.5%

Median failure at 28,053 miles

2007 RAM 1 0.3%

Median failure at 45,000 miles

2008 RAM 3 0.8%

Median failure at 14,000 miles

2010 RAM 7 1.8%

Median failure at 171,000 miles

What owners said

1996 Dodge RAM Adelanto, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 1996 Dodge Ram. The contact became aware that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 97V068000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic), 01V037000 (Vehicle Speed Control), and 00V135000 (Electrical System); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA complaint #11627321 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2010 Dodge RAM Helena, MT

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2010 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power with no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was able to restart however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the ignition switch failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. was provided to the contact. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle is not associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V373000 (Electrical System, Air Bags). The contact was referred to the NHSTA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was not available.

NHTSA complaint #11625299 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2004 Dodge RAM Danville, VA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500 used to haul a 2018 Keystone Passport Ultra Lite Grand Touring. The contact stated that the thermostat in the RV failed to operate as needed. The RV was taken to the dealer, where the thermostat was replaced; however, the failure recurred. The RV was taken back to the dealer, where the thermostat was replaced a second time. Additionally, the contact stated that the RV interior structure had detached in several areas, and the RV was leaking an unknown substance. The contact stated that a nearby camper repair facility inspected the RV and opened the release valve, where water had accumulated underneath the RV. The RV was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown

NHTSA complaint #11537871 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Dodge RAM at 180,000 miles Los Angeles, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2006 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that after the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V352000 (Air Bags), the airbag warning light remained illuminated after starting the vehicle. Additionally, the contact stated that whenever the airbag light was illuminated, there were other electrical failures with the vehicle. The contact stated that the A/C and the heater would become inoperable. The contact drove the vehicle to a local dealer who diagnosed and determined that there was an electrical short underneath the driver's side airbag sensor wiring harness. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.

NHTSA complaint #11477869 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2010 Dodge RAM at 171,000 miles Hiram, GA Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owned a 2010 Ram 1500. The contact stated while approaching their parked vehicle, the contact noticed black smoke coming in from the inside of the vehicle. The contact open the front driver side door and noticed that the driver side door control panel and the front driver seat and floor panel had melted. The contact stated there was no fire in the vehicle and cleared all the black smoke in the interior of the vehicle by having all four doors open in the vehicle. No one was injured. No fire department report. The contact was able to start the vehicle and drive to their independent mechanic who had their insurance provider come to the mechanic shop to deem the vehicle a loss due to an electrical wiring issue. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 171,000.

NHTSA complaint #11446302 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2010 Dodge RAM at 171,000 miles Hiram, GA Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

The contact owned a 2010 Ram 1500. The contact stated while approaching their parked vehicle, the contact noticed black smoke coming in from the inside of the vehicle. The contact open the front driver side door and noticed that the driver side door control panel and the front driver seat and floor panel had melted. The contact stated there was no fire in the vehicle and cleared all the black smoke in the interior of the vehicle by having all four doors open in the vehicle. No one was injured. No fire department report. The contact was able to start the vehicle and drive to their independent mechanic who had their insurance provider come to the mechanic shop to deem the vehicle a loss due to an electrical wiring issue. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 171,000.

NHTSA complaint #11446302 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2010 Dodge RAM at 200,000 miles Mcdonough, GA Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

The contact owns a 2010 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated while exiting out of the vehicle they mistakenly noticed that they were able to take the key out of the ignition while the engine was still running. The contact stated the failure occurred several times but the last time the vehicle battery warning light illuminated. The contact was not able to start the vehicle. The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the failure as the bottom of the fuse box connection wiring had melted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacture was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 200,000.

NHTSA complaint #11422128 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2010 Dodge RAM at 109,000 miles Petaluma, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

The contact owns a 2010 Dodge Ram. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds the key fob released from the ignition without warning. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed the key fob released from the ignition while driving and reversing as the ignition module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 109,000. The contact stated that the failure was similar to NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V200000 (Electrical System).

NHTSA complaint #11421307 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2003 Dodge RAM at 65,000 miles Green River, WY

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE VENTILATION SYSTEM FAILED AS IS COMMON WITH THESE VEHICLES. DUE TO WEAL PARTS, THE, "DOORS" THAT CONTROL AIR FLOW THROUGH THE VENTILATION DUCTS BROKE. I HAVE SLOWLY REPLACE EACH OF THE FOUR DOORS AS THEY FAILED. AS THEY WENT OUT IT AFFECTED EVERY ASPECT OF VENTILATION, INCLUDING THE DEFROST. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH IT IS EVIDENT DODGE WAS FULLY AWARE OF THIS ISSUE BUT MADE NO IMPROVEMENTS TO THE SYSTEM, CONTINUING TO SELL THESE VEHICLES TO AN UNSUSPECTING PUBLIC FOR SEVERAL YEARS.

NHTSA complaint #10472710 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Dodge RAM at 109,000 miles Mystic, CT

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE RAM 1500 HAD A FAILURE OF THE TIPM THAT CONTROLS THE HEAD LIGHTS LEAVING THE TRUCK WITH INADEQUATE ILLUMINATION.

NHTSA complaint #10458261 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2002 Dodge RAM at 60,000 miles Locust Grove, GA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1) ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. LIGHTS KEPT GOING IN AND OUT 2) DASH CRACKING AND CRUMBLING. PIECES FALLING INTO AIR VENTS AND PREVENTING WINDSHIELD FROM DEFROSTING! DANGEROUS! COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. DASH IS IN SUCH BAD SHAPE THAT IF PASSENGER AIR BAG WERE TO BE DEPLOYED IT COULD KILL SOMEONE DUE TO FLYING PIECES OF HARD PLASTIC ALL OVER THE VEHICLE. MAKE DODGE RECALL THIS PRODUCT! WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? YOU ALREADY HAVE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS FOR THIS PROBLEM!

NHTSA complaint #10444610 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2000 Dodge RAM at 30,000 miles Liberal, KS

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE RAM. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 97,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

NHTSA complaint #10443215 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Dodge RAM at 28,053 miles Trussville, AL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE MULTI FUNCTION SWITCH WAS DEFECTIVE IN MY VEHICLE. THIS CAUSED THE FOLLOWING SAFETY CONCERNS WITH THE VEHICLE: 1) THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS DID NOT WORK, 2) THE TURN SIGNALS DID NOT WORK, AND 3) THE HAZZARD LIGHTS DID NOT WORK. I HAVE TWO PROBLEMS WITH THE SITUATION: 1) WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE DURING A RAIN STORM ON 9/26/2011, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS DID NOT WORK. THIS CAUSED A SAFETY CONCERN AND COULD HAVE CAUSED A POTENTIAL ACCIDENT AND 2) WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE TURN SIGNALS DID NOT WORK. THIS CAUSED A SAFETY CONCERN AND COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. AFTER TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL DODGE DEALERSHIP, I WAS INFORMED THAT THE MULTI FUNCTION SWITCH WAS ON BACK ORDER. TO BE EXACT, FOUR THOUSAND MULTI FUNCTION SWITCHES WERE ON BACK ORDER PER THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND CHRYSLER GROUP CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE. NEITHER THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP OR THE CHRYSLER GROUP CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE HAD ANY IDEA WHEN THE PART WOULD BE AVAILABLE. I ASKED BOTH PARTIES WHY THE PART IS ON BACK ORDER SINCE THIS IS A MATTER OF SAFETY. NO ANSWER WAS GIVEN. AFTER FURTHER RESEARCH VIA THE INTERNET, IT WAS DETERMINE THAT OTHER DODGE RAM TRUCK OWNERS HAD THE SAME TYPE ISSUE WITH THEIR MULTI FUNCTION SWITCH BEING DEFECTIVE. IT WOULD BE GREAT IF DODGE WOULD NOTIFY ALL OWNERS OF THE PROBLEM WITH THE MULTI FUNCTION SWITCH AND HAVE THEM REVIEWED AND/OR REPLACED IF NEEDED. THIS COULD POTENTIALLY SAVE SOMEONE FROM SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH FROM THE THE MULTI FUNCTION SWITCH BEING DEFECTIVE WHILE DRIVING. MY HOPE AND PRAYER IS TO HAVE OTHER DODGE RAM TRUCK OWNERS UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS PROBLEM. IT COULD POTENTIALLY SAVE THEIR LIFE.

NHTSA complaint #10427768 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2007 Dodge RAM at 45,000 miles Hubbardston, MI

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

MULTI SWITCH MALFUNTIONS WHILE DRIVING WITH HEAD LIGHTS ON...THE HEAD LIGHTS GO OUT..THE WIPERS WILL QUIT ALSO.

NHTSA complaint #10425948 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2003 Dodge RAM at 137,000 miles Otwell, IN Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE RAM. THE CONTACT STATED THE WIRE CONNECTING THE IGNITION WIRE MELTED CAUSING THE WINDSHIELD DEFROSTER TO MALFUNCTION. THE WIRE MELTED DUE TO THE SIZE OF THE TERMINALS TO THE CONNECTOR. THE LACK OF A DEFROSTER MADE DRIVING VERY DIFFICULT FOR THE CONTACT. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER STATED THE WIRE THAT CONNECT THE IGNITION TO THE BLOWER MOTOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO TO DRIVE DUE TO THE IMPAIRED VISION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 137,000.

NHTSA complaint #10419214 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2004 Dodge RAM at 68,762 miles Porter Corners, NY

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE RAM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE INSTRUMENT PANEL, BRAKE LIGHTS AND HEADLIGHTS WERE FAILING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE FAILURE WAS DIAGNOSED AS A DEFECTIVE FUSE BOX WHICH WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 68,762.

NHTSA complaint #10386975 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Dodge RAM OAK Grove, MO

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

2006 DODGE RAM. CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN AND WENT INTO SAFE MODE.*TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRUCK WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY FOUND A PROBLEM WITH SOME OF THE INJECTOR. EIGHT INJECTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED WITHIN THE PAST YEAR AND SOME OF THE WIRES WERE REPLACED. WHEN THE CONSUMER CONTACTED CHRYSLER, HE WAS INFORMED REPAIRS WERE NOT GOING TO BE AUTHORIZED BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WA PERFORMING AS DESIGNED. CHRYSLER ADVISED THE CONSUMER TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE UNTIL IT MALFUNCTIONS AGAIN.

NHTSA complaint #10385063 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2010 Dodge RAM Towson, MD

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INTEGRATED TRAILER BRAKE CONTROL

2010 DODGE RAM. CONSUMER WRITES REGARDING TRAILER BRAKING SYSTEM *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN PULLING A TRAILER, THE FACTORY INSTALLED TRAILER BRAKE CONTROL WILL DELIVER UP TO 10 VOLTS TO THE TRAILER BRAKES ONLY WHEN OPERATING THE HAND CONTROL. BY CONTRAST, THE BRAKE PEDAL WILL NOT DELIVER ANY MORE THAN A FEW VOLTS TO THE TRAILER AND IS INADEQUATE TO STOP THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #10368832 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Dodge RAM Camden, DE

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

SPEEDOMETER CLUSTER PANEL THE WARNING LIGHTS BLEED THROUGH WHEN THERE IS NOTHING TO WARNED ABOUT.

NHTSA complaint #10367003 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2004 Dodge RAM at 84,000 miles Mulberry, KS

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE RAM 2500. AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT NONE OF THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS WOULD FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 84,000.

NHTSA complaint #10359454 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other Dodge RAM problems