1999 Dodge RAM 1500: headlights failing or too dim

Filed Nov 2, 2018 · Lights · TN

When driving at night the headlights are not bright enough, the plastic has been cleaned, the light bulbs have been replaced and we still can not see the road at night. We have hit deer twice, and wife hit a light pole in a parking lot because it was not working and the lights on the truck didn't light it up so my wife could not see where she was turning, I am trying to see if anyone else has had the same problems with headlights.

Filed Apr 8, 2015 · Body, Brakes · 168,859 miles · IN

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 dodge ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle suddenly stalled. After restarting the engine, the vehicle would operate as normal. The contact also indicated that the headlights would intermittently dim and the rear passenger side tail light failed causing the bulb to be replaced. In addition, the contact indicated that when applying the brakes, the vehicle would sometimes jerk forward and a section of the dashboard would detach and fall to the floor. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 168,859.

Filed Jun 7, 2011 · 50,000 miles · AL

Dashboard cracking issue. I have a 1999 dodge ram 1500 sport. Two years after purchasing the vehicle I noticed a crack in my dashboard. I took it to dodge and they said that I broke it and there was nothing they could do. Over time since the dash has cracked it has gotten worse. There are several large cracks in the dash as well as a huge chunk missing right above the instrument cluster. This causes a glare in the windshield that is dangerous and may cause a wreck. There is exposed wiring in the dash that may short out, due to parts of the dash falling on it or the heat of the sun. This may cause either the air bag to deploy, wipers not to function properly during use in rainy conditions, or the headlights not working during the night that could result in a crash injuring an occupant. I have already noticed sun fading on the wiring. I keep it covered with a towel to reduce the risk of sun exposure. The vehicle has been keep in my garage most of its life. There are 5 dodge ram's in my family and they all have this issue. This is not a isolated incident with these trucks and is not my fault. I paid over 22,000 dollars for this truck in 2000 and it only has 135,000 miles on it. I keep my vehicle very well maintained and clean . Every dodge ram on the road that I see has this issue. So there are thousands of trucks out there with this issue. They are all hazardous to operate in the present condition . I hope that it does not take someone getting hurt by this issue for it to get resolved. The resolution: it is my opinion that the ntsb make dodge issue a recall for the dashboard problem. The consumer should be able to make an appointment with their local dealer. The part should be replaced with not cost to the owner of the vehicle. This is a very dangerous situation for the driver/passenger of the vehicle as well as other motorist around the subject vehicle.

Filed Jan 13, 2010 · Electrical · 113,871 miles · PA

1999 dodge ram 1500 pickup has electrical problems with headlights. When switching from high beams to low beams. The high beams go off but the low beams do not come back on. I have had two dodge dealers plus another garage look into fixing this problem. Both dodge dealers say they could not verify my complaint. The last dodge dealer performed another electrical wiring trace diag and claims all circuit operating as designed. Yet they continue guessing at what might cause the problem and charge me for replacing parts they cannot verify where ever bad or even causing the failure of the low beams to come back on. The normal event is that when an oncoming vehicle is coming at me and I need to turn off the high beams. The high beams are turned off without any low beams coming on. This creates an immediate threat to life and property of both autos operating on the same section of roadway. This problem currently has been going on for about two months. After this second dodge dealer charged me for replacing another switch (another guess by their mech). It took me less than 30 seconds to show a witness driving with me what the problem is as the low beams failed to come on after only three attempts of switching high beams to low beams. Yet dodge dealers still says everything is working as designed. There is clearly a defect here in design. To date it has not resulted in a crash but there is no telling when the low beams will fail to come on when driving and they are needed. The first time I had this problems was at mileage 77,439 back on 11/08/05. The problem seems to clear up after the first dodge dealer had replaced the multi-function switch. But now the problem is back again. So the second dodge dealer did not feel this switch would of gone bad again after just 37,000 miles of use on this switch.

Filed Jan 9, 2010 · Body, Lights · 160,000 miles · GA

Dash cracked and fell apart causing headlight wire to melt and headlights to go out while driving down interstate at 70 MPH.

Filed Dec 28, 2008 · Body, Electrical · 63,000 miles · KY

1999 dodge laramie 1500 quad 4x4. Dash has cracked and broke into pieces and fallen into dash wiring harnesses. Currently has only affected the front speakers. Concerns about the airbag and headlamp wires located in the same area.

Filed Oct 13, 2008 · Body · FL

1999 dodge ram 1500 pick up. Dash board is collapsing, I'm worried that this could lead to electrical problems. I.e headlights going out or something worse. This seems to be a huge problem for dodge truck owners. There needs to be a recall.

Filed Jun 29, 2008 · Airbags, Body · 56,000 miles · CA

1999 dodge ram dash cracking which could lead to failure of electrical safety functions such as air bags, headlights and windshield wipers. Dodge and dodge dealerships are aware of this problem due to the tremendous number of complaints. Reports of large chunks falling into electrical wiring.

Filed Oct 23, 2007 · Body · 57,000 miles · TX

The vehicle's upper dash has developed six major and separate cracks which poses a possible hazard. It is an apparent defect most likely within the process of molding the dash. In the molding process, if the molten plastic is not the proper temperature, or formulated properly, then the dash will develop "stress cracks", which are straight lines, not webbing. Additionally, these cracks are neither caused by sun or protectorant nor heavy use or environment. Main concern: further cracking can and will lead to the dashboard failing and falling into the wiring, possibly causing a short or fire. Electrical failure could cause a fatality due to the deploying of the air bags in a manner not related to an automobile accident via a short (two wires touching), or the failure of the headlamps during darkness, or the failure of the windshield wipers at speed during heavy rain. I have contacted the manufacturer to see if they will address this inherent flaw in the product.

Filed May 5, 2007 · Body, Electrical · 45,000 miles · FL

I have a 1999 dodge ram 1500 the dashboard in it is cracking and falling in leaving wires exposed to the hot sun it is cracked all around passenger air bag I don't know if air bag still works the exposed wiring looks like fire hazard and headlight possible head or tail light failure this vehicle only has 60,400 miles on it still a lot of life left in this truck except for the dash problem. The last dodge I will buy unless they stand behind there product good or bad.

Filed Apr 24, 2004 · Lights · CT

My problem or complaint is this. One night I was driving my 1999 dodge ram 1500 quad cab to work. I was on the highway when my lights failed. The driving lights, low and high beams just went out. I have a 23 mile commute one way. Working at night I was placed in a bad situation. The only thing I had was my parking lights and flashers. I pulled over and waited for the state police, since they did not come. I drove to work with my flashers on. The good newsis my luck did not run out I made it to work unharmed. In the morning I drove my truck home and looked up the electrical system and found there is no fuses in this circuit. I spoke with my cousin who also has a ram and found out that he has gone through 3 switches. Would this be considered a safety hazard? If I had been driving on a winding road at night and the same thing had happened, I would be replacing my truck and not just the $75.00 dealer only switch. I know their are a lot of these trucks out there and to find out that there has been 4 switches replaced in just 2 trucks. Isn't this a little high. Also, the dealer has plenty of this on hand. Which to me means, this item is a highly consumed item.

Filed May 27, 2003 · Lights · 114,000 miles · KY

The truck I just purchased when you are driving at night all of a sudden the headlights just go out. All you are left with are parking lights.