2002 Dodge RAM 1500: headlights failing or too dim

Filed Jul 1, 2019 · Electrical, Engine · 194,000 miles · AL

While driving all of the gauges have quit working headlights stay on will not turn off.

Filed Apr 12, 2018 · Electrical, Steering · 161,000 miles · TX · crash

The fcm and pdc are extremely bad on the 2002 dodge. They corrode causing your brake lights, blinkers, headlights and emergency flasher not to work. Dodge should have been mandated to recall and replace both parts on every truck. The corrosion is do to the poor design of the pdc "fuse box" with holes in the bottom allowing water and moisture to enter the pdc and start to corrode. This in turn causing the fcm " front control module" to short out. This is a severe danger to the truck owner as well as other motorists and pedestrians on the road. This is a very serious matter and needs to be looked in to and fixed. I have personally experience this and have almost been hit several times by motorists behind me do to the fact my taillights quit working and my blinkers did as well. I have replaced my fcm and pdc 4 times already and each one shorts out after a year. That's $600-$1200 each time. Dodge is responsible for this problem.

Filed Jun 20, 2014 · Lights · 70,000 miles · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 dodge ram 1500. The contact stated that both plastic headlight covers were oxidized and reduced the visibility whenever driving at night. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000. Updated 03/10/16*lj updated 03/16/16

Filed Jul 29, 2013 · Lights · 70,000 miles · TX

The drivers side headlight dims and will go off completely. The harness has been changed but has not fixed the problem.

Filed Jul 15, 2012 · Body · IL

Cracks begin to appear in the dashboard in april 2009 just below the windshield and have now began to show up in the main dashboard cap. A large gaping slit near the instrument display appear on july 5, 2012. On july 11, 2012 power was lost to the gauges on the instrument panel which also included the hazards, turning signals, brake lights and one head light. Requested electronically through the chrysler/dodge, official website possible recalls and I was contacted via phone 24 hours later with a confirmation that no pending or missed recalls were in place for the truck. When asked if there were any solutions to the complaints of cracked dashboards in the dodge ram 1500 made in 2002, the representative indicated that there were no known complaints listed for the dashboard and provided no resource in better replacement part. Scheduled to have vehicle check the week of july 16,2012.

Filed Mar 19, 2012 · Lights · 120,000 miles · WV

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 dodge ram 1500. The contact stated that the headlights were replaced and caused all of the external lights to fail intermittently, making it dangerous to drive the vehicle at night. The manufacturer was not contacted. The dealer was notified of the failure, but denied any assistance with repairs to the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 120,000.

Filed Aug 16, 2011 · Electrical, Lights · 104,000 miles · MI

Our dodge ram 1500 was working fine one day the next day the headlights, turn signals, and brake lights were not functioning. We checked fuses and anything else obvious. The next day we took it to a mechanic, after half a day of checking he found that the fuse and relay center (integrated power module) which is located under the hood was corroded. This box is not air tight and allows water to get inside and corrode the insides. Dodge dealer advised they replace the fuse and relay center and fcm (front control module) together. The fcm is connected to the ipm (integrated power module). Come to find out the ipm is not sealed from the elements. The circuit board is exposed from the bottom which allows water to splash into the module thereby shorting the fcm. I believed dodge knows this is a poor design and is unsafe because the new parts have been redesigned which is sealed from the elements. This is dangerous because of obvious reasons. I believe this is a design defect and should be recalled because the wiring system problems result in loss of lighting. For it is very dangerous to drive this way. Per the federal safety agency info: when is a recall necessary? When a motor vehicle or item of motor vehicle equipment (including tires) does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. When there is a safety-related defect in the vehicle or equipment. What is a safety-related defect? The united states code for motor vehicle safety (title 49, chapter 301). Examples of defects considered safety-related--wiring system problems that result in a fire or loss of lighting.

Filed Feb 13, 2011 · Electrical · 130,000 miles · MA

Started truck turned on headlight switch ,was on high beam so pulled lever to dim an lights would not dim then wipers come on and wouldnt shut off and wiper sprayer come on and would not shut off but if I held lever back all went off so have to drive holding lever back.when I got home and shut truck off all of the problems would not shut off even with key out of ignition so had to tie lever back.

Filed Aug 18, 2010 · Body · 40,000 miles · TN

The dash boards on the 2002 dodge ram 1500 is made from an inferior plastic that cracks,busts,and eventually just falls into a gaping hole. This results in electrical malfunctions. I did not realize what a wide spread problem this was until I did some research of my own. There are thousands of websites dedicated to this very problem and dodge is aware it exists but thusfar has not submitted a recall. I have been trying to replace my dash for this very reason but the cost is very high and I feel as a consumer it should not be my responsibility since the material was inferior to begin with. Rightnow my dash is glued together and I am sure this isn't a long term fix but I have no other choice. The electrical problems I have read that others have had are numerous including but not limited to headlights going out while driving in dark conditions. I am afraid my dash too will collapse if not replaced. Please consider the ramifications if this problem isn't taken care of.

Filed Oct 8, 2009 · Electrical · 95,000 miles · IL

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 dodge ram. While driving at night the headlights failed. He stated that water entered the power distribution center box and caused it to short circuit. No repairs were made. The failure and current mileages were 95,000.

Filed Jul 27, 2009 · Electrical, Lights · 83,000 miles · AZ

Driving through a puddle after a rain storm, several safety features stopped functioning: wipers, turn signals, horn, headlight control. I'm not sure what else is not functioning but these have been verified. Narrowed the problem down to the fcm (front control module). The fcm is connected to the ipm (integrated power module). Come to find out the ipm is not sealed from the elements. The circuit board is exposed from the bottom which allows water to splash into the module thereby shorting the fcm. I believed dodge knows this is a poor design and is unsafe because I've read that they've designed a replacement ipm which is sealed from the elements. This is dangerous because of obvious reasons.

Filed Mar 24, 2009 · Electrical, Lights · 84,000 miles · TN

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 dodge ram 1500. In 2006, the battery was replaced in the contact's vehicle. When he started the vehicle, the headlights remained illuminated and the turn signals, horn, and brake lights no longer worked. He called daimler chrysler and was informed that there were no recalls for the vehicle. The contact stated that the tail lights did not work when the vehicle was purchased. He feels these are all safety issues. The vehicle has not been repaired. The current mileage was 138,844 and failure mileage was 84,000.