2013 Ram 1500: headlights failing or too dim

Filed Nov 2, 2026 · Electrical · GA

i was driving and the headlights dimmed and went out, almost causing accident. I brought it to my mechanic and at [XXX] it says the alternator on your vehicle may experience a rapid alternator failure due to diode thermal fatigue. Variability in the failure mode ranges from no output, reduced output, and/or a fully shorted to ground condition. Depending on the alternator failure mode and timing, the vehicle electrical system voltage may drop to critical level, disabling systems such as ABS, ESC, and ECM and/ or the Central Body COntroller. the driver will have limited or no detection of the alternator failing, which can result in vehicle shutdown while driving, increasin the risk of a crash and/or an underhood electrical fire. I can't reach anyone to help me with this problem with the FCA Recall Assistance Center. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Mar 30, 2026 · Airbags · TN

Recently purchased the truck an warning light of low beam headlight out keeps coming on, but light is working fine, also horn and left controls on steering wheel dont work. Found There was a recall 15V459000 dealer said was completed in 2015 so is no longer warranty but the issue is happening now and it says it can cause a wire short that can cause airbag deployment

Filed Apr 24, 2024 · Lights · AZ

DEFECTIVE headlamps. Excessive moisture builds up in housing effecting performance of lights in evening. Was stopped by DPS for having bad headlamps. Dealership says it normal, no its not. It's very unsafe to drive at night with moisture in lamps. Had it looked at or inspected by independent shop and DPS. My safety is at risk for you can't see at night with all the moisture in lamps. This is a common problem with Ram 1500 all over the internet.

Filed Apr 16, 2023 · Brakes, Steering · LA

I parked at a house where I was doing a service call for a plumbing issue. The house has a 45 degree driveway. I killed the truck and I exited the vehicle and started my work inside. I needed my headlamp from the visor of the truck. I came out to the truck to get my headlamp. I put my right knee onto the driver seat and grabbed my headlamp. My elbow hit my shifter and my truck took off rolling backwards. I was able to get away from the truck, the truck jumped the curb across the street and came to a stop in an open grassy spot. I walked to the truck to see if I could tell what happened. The truck was not cranked at the time and I had the keys in my pocket. I tried to put the truck into park and couldn’t do so. I put the key into the ignition and turned the key so that I could put the truck into park and crank it. Couldn’t shift it up. I called my friend who is s master mechanic and he removed the steering wheel cover and pushed a yellow button down in which then he was able to shift it back into park. I drove the truck home which was very tough bc there was no longer any power steering. Very hard to do. I got the truck home and i haven’t used it because it no longer has assisted steering which was working fine before this happened.

Filed Dec 14, 2020 · Electrical, Lights · GA

First thing that happened dashboard and radio lights were glitching on and off then warning indicator stated my rear brakes lights were out then my turn signals,then it stated my headlights were out but none of these lights or signals were out. A month later my turn signal was blinking very fast so I checked it and my left turn signal was out but the indicator didn't inform me I replaced bulb it started back working then I noticed driving home at night my headlights weren't as bright as usual so I checked it and my right side headlight was out so I replaced the bulb but it didn't look burned out but I replaced it any way with a new one it didn't come back on so I put the old bulb back in then searched for the fuse even contacted dodge dealership they stated that that didn't know where the fuse was located neither so then like 3days later the headlight comes back on so now today 2months later my same turn signal and headlight went back out again dashboard is glitching again as well I changed bulbs again still no lights alot of people with the same dodge ram have been asking me if I've been having problems with my lights like they have I stated yes indeed people have been saying to not to deal with dodge ram 1500 because of the electrical problems I need some assistance or I might not be purchasing another dodge

Filed Dec 7, 2020 · Steering · 70,000 miles · CA · crash

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 dodge ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving and he stopped to make a left hand turn. The power steering malfunctioned and continued to turn the vehicle to the left. The contact attempted to correct the turn since oncoming traffic was headed that way and vehicle crashed into a parked vehicle. There were no injuries that required hospitalizing. A police report was not filed. The vehicle's entire front was damaged with the fender. The grill, the headlights, the bumper and the two front control arms were damaged. The vehicle was towed to the contact's home. The dealer balley car planet 14329 victory blvd, van nuys, ca 91401 (818) 892-1422 denied any help because they said the vehicle's warranty had expired. The manufacturer offered a tradein to the contact for a new truck. The failure mileage was 70,000. There were three other recalls on the vehicle. The vehicle was being repaired by the contact. *dt

Filed Nov 16, 2020 · Lights · 155,000 miles · NV

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the headlamps and turn signals failed to operate properly. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to chapman las vegas dodge chrysler jeep ram (3175 e sahara ave, las vegas, nv 89104) where the vehicle was diagnosed and it was determined that condensation entered the headlamps causing the failure to the LED lights and turn signals. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact mentioned tsb: 23-105-18 as a possible solution to the failure however, was informed from the manufacturer that the tsb had expired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 155,000.*ln

Filed Sep 1, 2020 · Electrical · 130,000 miles · TN

The wiring harness for the driver's side headlight is faulty. It has been repaired and reconnected several times and the headlight continue to turn off while driving. If it's unplugged and reconnected it will work for a while. This is a known issue amongst ram owners based on my internet research. I can't believe ram has not already issued a recall for this as they should know, based on their repairs, that this wiring harness is faulty.

Filed Dec 20, 2019 · Lights · NC

Front headlight assemblies condensation, will not go away

Filed Jul 13, 2019 · Brakes, Lights · 89,741 miles · NM

The passenger front headlight keeps burning out its happened 3 times while I was driving. The dash screen keeps saying services tire pressure system these things have been happening for about 4 months . The vehicle was in motion on a highway at night.

Filed Feb 11, 2019 · Lights · 133,000 miles · TN

Both headlamps are experiencing substantial amounts of moisture entering the sealed beam areas, causing a "fog-like" effect over the interior of the headlamps and reducing the effectiveness of night time visibility while driving. The moisture does not go away on its own after a few days as fca engineers say it should.

Filed Nov 19, 2018 · Lights · SC

2013 ram passenger side headlight won't work due to inferior wiring and computer problem. Dealership and several mechanics have confirmed this problem. No one can afford the 'fix" for this issue. I have no problem replacing burned out headlights but see the poor design of this electrical system as a safety issue that can not be resolved reasonably. I have a 1995 truck with no headlight problems now or ever. If the dealership can't come up with an easy fix than the vehicle should be recalled. Or discounted for daylight only.