Dodge Ram headlights problems

Filed May 13, 2012 · Electrical, Lights · 109,000 miles · CT

The ram 1500 had a failure of the tipm that controls the head lights leaving the truck with inadequate illumination.

Filed Jan 24, 2012 · Lights · 128,000 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 dodge ram. The contact was driving 40 MPH when the front passenger side headlight failed. The contact then pulled over to check the headlights but only the high beams were operable. The vehicle was not diagnosed for the failure. The bulb was replaced but the headlights were still inoperable.the dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 128,000 and the current mileage was 128,100.

Filed Sep 18, 2011 · Electrical, Lights · 45,000 miles · MI

Multi switch malfuntions while driving with head lights on...the head lights go out..the wipers will quit also.

Filed Mar 9, 2011 · Electrical · 68,762 miles · NY

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.

Filed Jan 5, 2011 · Lights · ID

This is not a complaint based on a specific occurrence. I am a professional driver who operates a variety of passenger vans and busses between various cities. In recent years it has become increasingly more difficult to drive during non-daylight hours do to the type of headlights that are now allowed on passenger and truck vehicles. The intensity and brightness level of headlights has increased to a point where the glare and blinding effect of oncoming headlights has become a significant safety factor, especially on two lane highways. Furthermore, many vehicles are now equipped with a four headlight system as their regular night time running lights. The optional "fog lights" for severe weather conditions is now standard lighting protocol. The other option on these vehicles is their "bright" option which creates an even more hazardous situation for oncoming traffic due to their blinding effect. This "upgraded" headlight, fog light, and bright light trend needs to be toned back down to intensity and brightness levels that existed a few years ago and are reasonable for oncoming traffic to adjust to. It is a simple matter of fact that these high level headlight options are the cause of more unnecessary accidents and casualties than ever before.

Filed Oct 20, 2009 · Electrical, Lights · 200,000 miles · MI

Poor reliability of electrical control and distribution system causes numerous and sometimes intermittent failures of exterior safety-related lighting such as headlamps (low beam and high beam), taillamps, turn signals, brake lamps, and trailer lamps. Problems seem to be exacerbated if vehicle is not operated for a few weeks. Dealer is quoting repair cost in excess of $2000 for replacement of the power distribution center, which is reportedly not a serviceable unit. This high repair cost will undoubtedly cause owners to "take their chances" and continue operating vehicles in an unsafe condition because the repair is so costly and the problems are intermittent. Some users have reported needing to complete this repair more than once over the vehicle lifetime, which further confirms there is an inherent reliability problem with this vehicle's electrical system. Other users report similar issues with windshield wipers reportedly due to the same unit failure. Because dodge ram pickup trucks have at least ten different model categories and multiple model years for reporting in the federal safety agency online reporting structure, the complaints are spread out and the concentration of problems endemic to this vehicle may not be readily apparent to odi investigators. Complaints may be reported under "1500", "2500", "3500", "ram", "ram 1500", "ram 2500", "ram 3500", "ram quad cab", "ram pickup", "dodge truck", ... , all due to the same module failure. Complaints are also spread out among many different complaint categories, further diluting the recognition that there is one fundamental root cause of a dozen or more different failure modes.

Filed Jan 28, 2009 · Electrical · 180,000 miles · WI · fire

Tl*the contact owns a 1996 dodge ram. The contact noticed a chemical odor coming from the dashboard and the heater. The headlights flickered and the instrument panel lighting suddenly dimmed. The headlights went completely dim. The contact turned everything back on, but the headlights only illuminated for a few minutes. After driving without headlights, he noticed smoke coming from the vents on the driver's side. He pulled into his residence and turned off the vehicle, but the headlights remained illuminated. He attempted to turn the headlights off, but was unsuccessful. Smoke filled the vehicle and produced an awful odor. He removed the lamp fuse, but the buzzing noise still indicated that the headlights were illuminated. He reinserted the fuse and the buzzing sound continued. He noticed that the wiring harness was melted. The vehicle has not been repaired and is parked at his residence. The failure and current mileages were 180,000.

Filed Apr 9, 2007 · Lights · 9,900 miles · PA

Tl*- the contact owns a 1996 dodge ram pickup. While driving at 55 MPH the lights turned off. The contact was forced to stop the vehicle while it cooled off, and after approximately 15 minutes, the vehicles lights illuminated. Also, the failure caused the wiring harness to melt. The contact stated that this failure occurred too frequently . It began to occur 1 year after purchasing the vehicle, and he replaced the headlight switches over 12 times. Daimler/chrysler stated that the vehicle had too many miles on it and that it was not related to recall #99v024000 due to the VIN. The contact was aware of the safety risk involved. The failure mileage was 9,900 and the current mileage was 177,000.

Filed Dec 6, 2006 · Lights · 134,000 miles · MN

Dt*: the contact stated while driving at night, the headlights failed intermittently without warning. The vehicle was driven to the dealer on four occasions and the ignition switch was replaced each time. However, the problem recurred. There was a the federal safety agency recall, # 99v024000, regarding the headlight switch. The vehicle was not included in the recall due to the VIN.

Filed Dec 2, 2005 · Electrical, Lights · AR

Dt: the contact stated there was a short in the wiring harness that connected the combination switch to the steering column. This caused the switch to melt and burned the wires. The switch was replaced approximately one year ago. The headlights have since stopped working. The vehicle has not been taken to the dealership for inspection , and no repairs were made. *ak updated 01/19/06.