The contact owns a 1996 Dodge Ram 2500. While driving approximately 50 mph, the low beam headlights suddenly shut off. The contact examined the vehicle and discovered that the headlight switch overheated and melted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 68,000.

- Bonnie Lake, WA, USA

Normal driving. Truck has 138K miles. Headlights fail. Initially they go off, come on, then go off permanently. Can smell smoke from dash wiring harness. Manufacturer has a recall #819 that covers the 3500 series trucks with identical wiring and headlight switch part numbers, but will not cover the 2500 series trucks. This is a safety hazard and I have found multiple instances on the internet of other people having the same exact problem. Left unchecked, I'm certain this will result in a dash fire, property damage, and possibly death.

- Gainesville, FL, USA

- 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.

- Stoneborough, PA, USA

I drive quite a bit during the night time with my vehicle. There seems to be a very serious issuse with the wiring over heating at the headlight switch. I have replaced 5... going to be 6 headlight switches. There is a dangerous amount of head being put out at the switch itself. So much that it actually melts the pigtail at the light switch connection. The light switch itself is destroyed. Its bad especcially when driving down the road and your headlamps, marker lights and dash light all go out. If I do not have a replacment part in my truck at the time, I have to find a spot in between switch position just to get my lights operational to "limp" my truck home. My choice of positions when the switch fails is headlamps with out markers and no dash lights or fog lamps markers and dash lights. Being Dodge has such terrible headlamps I use fog lights to drive when this happenes. Believe it or not he fog lights are better than the driving lights. I recently saw a recall for Dodge durangos with a under dash electrical problem. I would think that this wiring/headlamp switch problem should be a recall! thank you.

- Duluth, MN, USA

: 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 NHTSA recall, # 99V024000, regarding the headlight switch. The vehicle was not included in the recall due to the VIN.

- Iron, MN, USA

: the contacted stated when stopped on the side of the road, a burning odor was noticed and the parking/running lights had failed to illuminate. The fuses were checked and found to be good. The vehicle was taken to an independent service mechanic. On inspection, the problem was identified as a failure to the headlight switch, due to melted wiring. The service dealer and manufacturer were contacted. Updated 12/05/06.

- Tillamook, OR, USA

Subject:recall on Dodge Ram 2500 comments: In 1999 you had a recall on all Dodge Ram 3500 pickups, 1994-1997 for the headlight switch, lights may go out, recall # 819. My 1996 Dodge Ram 2500 has the exact same switch and my headlights did go out and I almost had an accident. Why was this pickup by-passed on this recall. It is very dangerous for the lights to go out at 65 mph on a dark night. From NHTSA web site.

- Ben Wheeler, TX, USA

While driving at night, the headlights went out. Dealer determined the headlight switch burned out.

- Toledo, WA, USA

Headlights failed at night. Cycled switch several times before lights came back on. Repaired at dealer on 06/08/01. Dealer found some burnt wires from headlight switch, thru plastic multipin connector, to firewall. 1st report to Dodge via internet on 06/05/01, ref # 8723405; ticket # 369336. Dodge response on 06/06/01, take it to the dealer for evaluation. On 06/08/01 dealer had to replace headlight switch and some of the wiring harness because of burnt wires, going thru connector to the dash. On 06/11/01, re-notified Dodge via internet of this potential safety/fire issue since no fuse "opened" to prevent the burnt wires under the dash. And the fact that dealer personnel (mechanic) said they've seen this before but have had no problems with replacement switches. No response from Dodge. Called 1-800 number 06/26/01 and was told there was only one message in file, customer service rep (derek) would not acknowledge 2nd msg inspite of fact I have automated response confirmation of receipt on 6/11/01. Derek? said if its part of a recall, I am contacting the wrong department and if its not part of recall, "its a five year old truck, its customer responsibility". there is a recall (#819) on Dodge Ram 3500 for exactly the failure I experienced (eg overheat headlamp switch can cause fire and or cause sudden loss of headlights...). cust omer service rep (derek) refused to discuss further...its a customer responsibility..help

- Kennewick, WA, USA

When switching from high beam to low beam headlights go out completely. After wiggling switch lights come back on. Problem has been mentioned to the dealership. Headlight switch was replaced 6 months ago under recall. The problem reoccured recently. The customer thinks the dimmer switch failure is the cause not off-on switch.

- Temple, GA, USA

Headlight switch keeps overheating due to faulty wiring. Consumer replaced switch 4 times. Dodge is aware of defect, and has designed new part which includes an extra relay.

- Claremore, OK, USA