FaultScore

2015 RAM 1500 headlight problems

27 of the 1,963 complaints about the 2015 RAM 1500 are about the lighting — 1% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 17,000 miles.

A

27

Complaints

0

Crashes

0

Fires

0

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Exterior Lighting 23 85.2%
Headlights 2 7.4%
Switch 1 3.7%
Bulbs 1 3.7%

Lights across every RAM 1500 year

2013 33 12.2%
2014 39 14.4%
2015 27 10.0%
2016 18 6.7%
2017 12 4.4%
2018 10 3.7%
2019 22 8.1%
2020 19 7.0%
2021 13 4.8%
2022 13 4.8%
2023 13 4.8%
2025 51 18.9%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 60,000 miles East Pittsburgh, PA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:BULBS

The contact owns a 2015 Ram 1500. The contact stated that the driver's side and passenger’s side front headlight bulbs burned out. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the bulbs were replaced, but the failure persisted. The mechanic informed the contact that the wiring harness and the socket had melted. The contact was referred to the dealer. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.

NHTSA complaint #11554310 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Norton, OH

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Shortly after the purchase we received a TSB for dim low beams. We took it to our dealer and they increased the voltage to the low beams using a scanner. They seemed ok but still seemed dim compared to our other vehicles. Since the purchase of this truck we have replaced the low beam headlamps 7 times. Doing research on this problem it is wide spread with no remedy or fix from RAM. Just google dim headlights 2015 RAM it will fill the screen. This is a major safety issue and needs to be addressed.

NHTSA complaint #11543553 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Wytheville, VA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

The rear passenger tail light assembly keeps shorting out. The bulb has been replaced, the assembly has been replaced, no water is leaking into the assembly, and repair/replacement only temporarily fixes the problem. Vehicle has been inspected by a mechanic who had seen this problem before, but was unaware of an actual fix for the problem. We have been advised that this reoccurring problem could potentially cause a fire from electrical malfunction.

NHTSA complaint #11448080 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Negaunee, Michigan, MI

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

I have observed that the headlights and fog lights flicker about every 1 minute while driving. Nothing running in the cab that would affect the voltage or amps to draw to cause this. I have read several online threads of dozens if not hundreds of others having the same issue with no solution or any dealership to help.

NHTSA complaint #11447682 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 100,000 miles Cross Plains, TN

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

The contact owns a 2015 Ram 1500. The contact stated that water was leaking from the headlamps. The contact called the local dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA. The failure mileage was approximately 100.000. The VIN was not available

NHTSA complaint #11432955 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Nineveh, NY

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

The fog light brackets are worn out, resulting in the light bouncing and blinding oncoming traffic.

NHTSA complaint #11430255 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Amityville, NY

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

WATER IS LEAKING INTO THE LEFT HEADLIGHT HOUSING WHICH CAUSES THE TURN SIGNAL TO MALFUNCTION, SIGNIFICANT FOGGING AND CONDENSATION IN THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY UNIT WHICH REDUCES VISIBILITY FROM THE HEADLIGHT AND CAUSES AN ERROR MESSAGE. THIS ISSUE IS CONSTANT SINCE IT BEGAN AND HAS NOT IMPROVED. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE AND IS A DEFECT IN THE DESIGN OR MANUFACTURE OF THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #11355529 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Groveland, FL

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

DRIVERS SIDE HEADLIGHT HAS A BROKEN SEAL AND HAS FILLED WITH CONDENSATION. HEADLIGHT HAS REDUCED PERFORMANCE AND DOES NOT OFFER THE PROPER LEVEL OF LIGHTING FOR NIGHT DRIVING. I HAVE SEEN A DOZEN OF THESE DODGE RAMS WITH THE SAME CONDITION. THE DEALER SAID THEY HAVE NO DIRECTION FROM DODGE TO REPAIR THIS ISSUE.

NHTSA complaint #11318817 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 100,000 miles Yulee, FL

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

LEAKING THRU THIRD BRAKE LIGHT ON ROOF, DRIVING IN HEAVY RAIN, DEALER STATES HAS SEEN SEVERAL CASES OF THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #11244339 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 15,000 miles Waxhaw, NC

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT FILLS WITH WATER. THE WATER HAPPENS WHEN EVER THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN. THE CONDENSATION NEVER DISSIPATES AND KEEPS THE LIGHT LENS FOGGED UP. THIS HINDERS VISIBILITY. I HAVE ASKED THE DEALER IF THERE WAS A RECALL AND TO FIX THIS PROBLEM TO NO AVAIL.

NHTSA complaint #11204501 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 32,984 miles Groton, CT

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

HEADLIGHTS WILL SHUT OFF THEN TURN BACK ON SO FAST IF YOU BLINK YOU MISS IT. HAVE NOT NOTICED A PATTERN IN WHEN IT HAPPENS. ONLY TIME I HAVE NOT NOTICED IT HAPPENING IS WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS ARE ON WHILE VEHICLE IS NOT RUNNING. HAVE TALKED TO FOUR DIFFERENT DEALERS AND CALLED THE MANUFACTURER DIRECTLY STILL NO HELP.

NHTSA complaint #11143699 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 20,400 miles Spring Grove, PA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

NO HIGH BEAMS NO REVERSE LIGHTS NO LICENSE PLATE LIGHTS

NHTSA complaint #11131575 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 50,000 miles Newton, IA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

REAR CAB 3RD BRAKE LIGHT LEAKS EXTREME AMOUNT OF WATER WHEN RAINING HARD. THERE ARE HUNDARDS OF VIDEO THAT HIGHLIGHT THIS ISSUE. WATER ENTERING THE CAB COULD POTENTIALLY START A FIRE OR SOME KIND OF ELECTRIC SHORT. CHRYSLER/RAM DOESN'T OFFER A SOLUTION TO FIX AT THEIR COST.

NHTSA complaint #11079825 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 50,000 miles Newton, IA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

REAR CAB 3RD BRAKE LIGHT LEAKS EXTREME AMOUNT OF WATER WHEN RAINING HARD. THERE ARE HUNDARDS OF VIDEO THAT HIGHLIGHT THIS ISSUE. WATER ENTERING THE CAB COULD POTENTIALLY START A FIRE OR SOME KIND OF ELECTRIC SHORT. CHRYSLER/RAM DOESN'T OFFER A SOLUTION TO FIX AT THEIR COST.

NHTSA complaint #11079825 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 103,790 miles Lakewood, CA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

ONE DAY LAST WEEK I WOKE UP AND MY LEFT REAR STEERING WHEEL CONTROL BUTTON STOPPED FUNCTIONING. (TURNS THE RADIO STATION TUNING DOWN) ALSO THE HIGH MOUNTED REVERSE LIGHTS DO NOT WORK WHEN IN REVERSE. I ALSO HAD A BLOWN HIGH MOUNTED REAR BRAKE LIGHT BULB OUT WHICH WAS REPLACED. HORN WORKS NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. I HAVE NOT TAKEN IT TO DO TO DIAGNOSTIC COST.

NHTSA complaint #11032985 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 5,700 miles Mint Hill, NC

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

MY RADIO SCREEN WENT BLACK WHERE YOU COULD SEE NOTHING ON IT NO MATTER WHAT CONTROLLERS YOU TRIED TO SWITCH. THIS HAPPENED ALMOST ON EVERY TRIP. THE ONLY WAY TO GET IT ON WAS TO PULL OVER AND LET THE VEHICLE STAND FOR A LITTLE BIT UNTIL IT COOLS DOWN, THEN IT WOULD TURN BACK ON. BROUGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP WAS TOLD THAT IT COULD HAVE BEEN RELATED TO THE RADIO SECURITY RECALL. GOT THE RADIO SOFTWARE UPDATED. THE PROBLEM DID NOT COMPLETELY DISAPPEAR. THE RADIO SCREEN LIGHT STARTED DIMMING FOR SEVERAL MINUTES, AND THEN GETTING BRIGHTER. OFF AND ON, NO MATTER WHAT TIME OF DAY AND HOW DARK OR BRIGHT IT IS OUTSIDE. IT IS VERY DISTRACTING ESPECIALLY WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT. I ADDRESSED THE PROBLEM AT THE DEALERSHIP BUT THEY TOLD ME IT DOES THAT FOR SAFETY REASONS. WONDER WHY IT DIDN'T HAPPEN TO THE RENTAL TRUCK THAT THEY HAD ME DRIVE WHILE MY TRUCK WAS IN THE SHOP?? ANOTHER ISSUE I HAD WAS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON FOR A FULL DAY. CALLED THE DEALERSHIP, THEY SAID THAT THEY DID NOT GET ANY SIGNAL OR A MALFUNCTION CODE. AT THE END OF THE DAY IN TURNED OFF.

NHTSA complaint #11024132 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Malabar, FL

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

2015 DODGE RAM 1500. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT UNABLE TO REPAIR VEHICLE HEADLIGHT ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD FLICKER AND GO OUT WHILE ON HIGH OR LOW BEAMS. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE.

NHTSA complaint #10959230 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Forest Hills, NY

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

THIS VEHICLE WAS LEASED FROM MID COUNTRY CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP ON 12/16/2015 AS PART OF AN EIGHT VEHICLE FLEET. ON 10/5/2016, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND JUMPER CABLES WERE REQUIRED TO START THE ENGINE. VEHICLE OPERATOR IS CURRENTLY DELIVERING THE VEHICLE TO THE MID COUNTY DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS. THE OPERATOR REPORTS THAT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS ERRATIC - THE SPEEDOMETER IS NOT WORKING, THE TACHOMETER IS NOT WORKING, THE ODOMETER IS NOT WORKING, INDICATOR PANEL LIGHTS ARE FLICKERING, AND SEAT BELT ALERT SYSTEM IS TURNING ON WITHOUT CAUSE. MECHANICS REPORT WILL BE PROVIDED AS IT BECOMES AVAILABLE. WHILE THIS IS THE FIRST MALFUNCTION ON THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE, IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT OUR FLEET CONSISTS SOLELY OF RAM 1500S, WITH SEVEN BEING 2016 MODELS AND ONE 2015. BATTERY AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE HAS BEEN PERVASIVE THROUGHOUT OUR ENTIRE FLEET.

NHTSA complaint #10913982 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 600 miles Palmdale, CA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

I HAD STANDARD HEADLIGHT, 9012 HALOGEN, AND LIVING OUT IN THE COUNTRY THE LIGHTING IS VERY POOR, I HAVE TOO USE MY FOG LIGHTS TO SEE APPROPRIATELY, I TRIED TO CHANGE IT TO SILVERSTAR ULTRA HIGH PERFORMANCE HALOGEN HEADLIGHT, AND STILL NO IMPROVEMENT, ALSO CAUSES THE AUTO HEADLIGHT NO TO FUNCTION ANYMORE. THIS TRUCK COST OVER 50K, AND THE LIGHTING IS VERY POOR.

NHTSA complaint #10891515 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 17,000 miles Mcminnville, TN

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT THE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER START BLINKING FROM DIM TO BRIGHT, THIS MAKE IT EXTREAMLY DIFFICULT TO SEE. THE ONLY WAY TO GET IT TO STOP IS TO PULL OFF THE ROAD AND TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTART IT. THIS IS EXTREAMLY DANGEROUS WHEN YOU HAVE TO PULL OFF THE SIDE OF A HIGHWAY.

NHTSA complaint #10854961 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 550 miles Cincinnati, OH

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW BEAMS WERE VERY DIM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 550. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10839694 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 20,000 miles White Bear Lake, MN

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS VERY WEAK. POOR VISIBILITY DOWN THE ROAD. DANGEROUS LEVEL OF VISIBILITY COMPARED TO THE OTHER VEHICLES I HAVE OWNED.

NHTSA complaint #10825872 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 400 miles Cinncinati, OH

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH AT NIGHT, THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE BRIGHT ENOUGH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 400.

NHTSA complaint #10809287 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 100 miles Billings, MT

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

THE LOW BEAM PROJECTOR HEAD LIGHTS DO NOT PUT OUT ENOUGH LIGHT TO DRIVE SAFELY AT NIGHT. EVEN ON A CLEAR NIGHT I HAVE TO PUT MY FOG LIGHTS ON TO BE ABLE TO SEE THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, IF THE ROAD IS WET WITH ON COMING TRAFFIC I JUST POINT THE TRUCK AND HOPE FOR THE BEST. I WILL NOT DRIVE AT NIGHT ANY MORE IF I CAN HELP IT. I HAVE FOUND AN AFTER MARKET REPLACEMENT BULB THAT MAY HELP.

NHTSA complaint #10807728 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 543 miles Boise, ID

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

BOUGHT NEW LAST WEEK. DROVE AT NIGHT AND THE HEADLIGHTS ARE SO DIM I HAVE TO USE HIGH BEAMS RATHER THAN THE STANDARD HEADLIGHTS. SAFETY ISSUE FOR NIGHT DRIVING.

NHTSA complaint #10785367 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 4,900 miles Lerona, WV

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

I HAVE OWNED THIS TRUCK FOR SEVERAL MONTHS WITH NO ISSUES AND I HAVE NOT DRIVEN WHEN IT HAS BEEN DARK OUTSIDE. BUT ON THIS OCCASION IT WAS NIGHT AND I NOTICED THE HEADLIGHTS WERE EXTREMELY DIM AND SEEMED TO BE ADJUSTED TO LOW SO STOPPED FOUND THE LEVEL ADJUSTMENT FOR THE HEAD LIGHTS AND MADE AN ADJUSTMENT WHICH RAISED THEM BUT MADE LITTLE OR NO DIFFERENCE. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND IT IS A WELL KNOWN ISSUES AND IS ONE OF THE FIRST UPGRADES DONE... AMAZINGLY LIKE MYSELF ON NEW TRUCKS... I THEN WENT AND PURCHASED A COMPLETE SET OF SYLVANIA SILVER STAR ULTRA LOW AND HIGH BEAM AND FOG LIGHT REPLACEMENTS. THAT COMPLETELY CURED THE ISSUE. NOW I HAVE LIGHTS THAT WORK AND ARE SAFE TO DRIVE AT NIGHT I HAVE ALSO MADE RAM AWARE THROUGH AN EMAIL. I REALIZE PROFIT MARGINS ARE DRIVING FORCE TODAY BUT THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED

NHTSA complaint #10732091 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 5,000 miles Ballston Lake, NY

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH POOR HEADLIGHTS IN MY RAM. WE WERE ON OUR WAY BACK TO NEW YORK FROM FLORIDA AND WENT FROM LEWIS DELAWARE TO CAPE MAY ON THE FERRY. WHEN WE GOT OFF THE FERRY IT WAS AFTER 9:00 PM AND WAS VERY DARK. WE PROCEEDED TO HEAD FOR THE BEACH AREA OF CAPE MAY AND MY WIFE TOLD ME TO TURN THE HEADLIGHTS ON TO WHICH I RESPONDED THEY ARE ON. I AM 66 YEARS OLD AND HAVE HAD 6 TRUCKS STARTING IN 1998 AND MANY SUV'S. I HAVE NEVER HAD HEADLIGHTS THAT WERE ANYTHING LIKE THESE. ON THE WAY DOWN I DROVE FOR A SHORT TIME IN THE DARK LOOKING FOR A MOTEL. FROM THE MOTEL THE NEXT MORNING I CONTACTED RAM WHO GAVE ME A DEALER TO CHECK OUT THE LIGHTS. I STOPPED AND HE AGREED WITH ME THAT THEY WERE NOT VERY BRIGHT AND THAT'S THAT. WHEN I RETURNED HOME I BROUGHT THE TRUCK TO THE DEALER I PURCHASED IT FROM AND THEY TOLD ME THEY WERE WORKING AS DESIGNED, WHICH BY NOW I KNOW IT WAS A BAD DESIGN. I CONTACTED RAM AGAIN AND HERE IS THERE RESPONSE WAS WE APPRECIATE THE TIME AND EFFORT YOU TOOK TO TELL US OF YOUR DISSATISFACTION IN OUR PRODUCT. COMMENTS LIKE YOURS ARE ONE WAY TO LEARN OF PROBLEMS THAT DEVELOP AND THE IMPROVEMENTS DESIRED. WE HAVE DOCUMENTED YOUR COMMENTS AND WILL PROVIDE THEM TO THE PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT TEAM FOR REVIEW. THE TRUCK IS A SEVERE SAFETY HAZARD TO DRIVE AT NIGHT AND THE RAM MESSAGE BOARDS HAVE MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE HEADLIGHTS.I NEED BRIGHTER, SAFER HEADLIGHTS NOW AND NOT WHEN THERE DEVELOPMENT TEAM FIGURE IT OUT. YOU WOULD THINK FOR A TRUCK THAT COSTS $50000 COULD BE DRIVEN SAFELY AT NIGHT.

NHTSA complaint #10700947 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2015 RAM 1500 problems

← Full 2015 RAM 1500 report