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)
Ram 1500 headlights problems
152 of the 11,912 owner complaints about the Ram 1500 describe headlights failing or too dim, most of them for the 2013 model year.
- owner complaints
- 152
- worst model year
- 2013
- typical repair cost reported
- $2,000
- typical mileage
- 14,900
By model year
Often reported together
Wipers 14Stalling 7Check engine light 6Backup camera 5Warning lights 4Won't start 3Power steering loss 3Overheating 3
Trouble codes mentioned
U1401 1P0336 1
What owners say
The vehicle develops a severe film/haze on the interior windshield that cannot be adequately cleared during normal operation. At night, oncoming headlights and streetlights cause extreme glare and significantly impair visibility. The condition has resulted in headaches and dizziness while driving due to eye strain. Visibility is reduced to a dangerous level, creating a safety hazard and increasing the risk of a crash. Repair estimates exceed $2,000. With colder weather approaching, driving with the windows down is not a reasonable or safe workaround.
The HVAC heater core assembly failed internally. The machic mentioned that this componet is "going out" in these vehicals. He refered me to the dealership. This should be a recall. I was put at severe risk because the the vehicle had a sudden, severe loss of forward visibility while in motion. The failure caused an oily, chemical mist of ethylene glycol coolant to spray out of the defroster vents directly onto the windshield. This film could not be cleared by windshield wipers or standard defogging functions or whiping the windshield internally. It smeared across the glass, causing catastrophic blinding glare from oncoming headlights and traffic, creating an immediate and extreme risk of a collision. Simultaneously, the failure flooded the sealed cabin with toxic, atomized antifreeze fumes. Inhaling these chemical vapors caused immediate, acute coughing and dizziness while I was actively driving, physically impairing my ability to safely operate and control the vehicle and drastically increasing the risk of a collision Also, it was raining and I couldn't roll the windows down. Yes, the defect and cabin contamination were diagnosed by Priority One in Waterloo, IA No, the component has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police or insurance. There were no warning sign or dash light indicators.
In certain instances while breaking during the day and night the headlights flash on and off. This has happened several times during the day and twice at night while my family was in the truck.
The contact owns a 2021 RAM 1500. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds, the high beam headlights failed to illuminate while the button was depressed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was diagnosed and determined that the CSSM needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 147,000.
Truck went off when braking in traffic. Numerous times. Dealer unable To duplicate. Video was Sent to them. Headlights flash off sometimes at night when applying brakes.
The contact owns a 2022 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front driver’s side turn signal was intermittently inoperable. No warning light was illuminated. An unknown dealer was contacted, and the contact was informed that the headlight assembly needed to be replaced; however, the vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 62,000.
Truck started on its own. Engine ran for 34 minutes until I realized that it was running and I shut it off. The truck was in a closed garage at home. In the attached photos/screenshot from my garage camera, the camera came on when motion was detected. The trucks headlight can be seen on.
The contact owns 2023 Ram 1500. The contact stated that upon purchase of the vehicle, the vehicle was serviced for the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V799000(Steering, Exterior Lighting). Despite the recall repair, the contact stated that the failure continued to occur as the high beams would active when using the turn signals. The contact stated that the failure was most prominent at night as the high beams would become so bright that it would blind other drivers. The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was given a diagnostic fee to have the vehicle inspected, the contact denied the service. The manufacturer was then notified multiple times about the failure and the contact was given two case numbers regarding the defect. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 52,600.
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
Related recalls
Exterior lighting: headlights
- What is wrong
- Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2026 Ram 1500 vehicles. The headlight wiring may cause the parking lights and daytime running lights to flicker on and off, or fail. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
- Risk
- Parking lights and daytime running lights that fail to illuminate properly reduce the vehicle's visibility to other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and replace the headlight assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 17, 2026. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 800‑853‑1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is 62D. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on beginning July 9, 2026.
Recall number 26V421000 · Recall details
Exterior lighting: turn signal
- What is wrong
- Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Ram 1500 vehicles. The turn signal self-canceling feature may not function properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective devices, and Associated Equipment."
- Risk
- Turn signals that do not function properly may fail to indicate the driver's intention to change vehicle direction, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and replace the steering column control module as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 23, 2024. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is A1B.
Recall number 24V729000 · Recall details
Exterior lighting: turn signal
- What is wrong
- Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2013 Ram 1500, 2500, and 3500 trucks manufactured September 9, 2012, through March 5, 2013 and equipped with optional premium tail lamps. In the affected vehicles, the turn signal indicator may not flash at a double rate to give a notification to the driver of a turn signal malfunction. Thus, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
- Risk
- Without a warning that the turn signal is malfunctioning, the driver would continue to use the vehicle, unaware that other drivers on the road are not being notified that the vehicle is turning, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Central Body Controller software, free of charge. The recall began June 27, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1‑800‑853‑1403. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N35.
Recall number 13V237000 · Recall details
Questions about the Ram 1500 headlights
Which Ram 1500 years have headlights failing or too dim problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2013 (26 complaints), 2014 (26 complaints) and 2015 (25 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix headlights failing or too dim on the Ram 1500?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $2,000 (median of 9 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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