This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
The contact owns a 1996 Dodge Ram 2500. The contact stated that while driving at night with the high beam on, a strong burning odor was detected inside the cabin of the vehicle. The contact stated that he thought the burning odor was coming from outside not the vehicle as no warning lights were illuminated and the vehicle was functioning normally. The contact stated that the next morning the headlight switch did not feel normal as the switch was easily pulled out. The contact stated he removed the instrument panel and noticed that wires and connectors were melted. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for a diagnosis or repairs. The contact stated that he ordered the parts himself and would do the repairs. The contact stated that he found manufacturer recall number: 918 for the 1994-1997 Dodge Ram 3500 online, however, his vehicle was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and confirmed that the vehicle was not included in a recall. The approximate failure mileage was 54,900.
The contact owns a 1996 Dodge Ram 2500. The contact stated that the headlights failed to illuminate at night time. The contact mentioned that the high beam headlights turned off after ten minutes and the low beam headlights flickered. The contact mentioned that the failure occurred periodically. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was 300,000.
The contact owns a 1996 Dodge Ram 2500. While driving approximately 70 mph, a burning odor and smoke emitted inside the cabin. The headlight switch ignited into small flames. The vehicle was maneuvered to the side of the road where the contact extinguished the flames. A fire and police report were not filed. There were no injuries. The contact was able to drive the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who stated that the fire was contributed to a faulty headlight switch. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000. The VIN was unvailalbe.
When towing a trailer the headlights shut off for a few min. Then come back on. With the brights on the shut offs happen earlier in the drive and more frequently. Dodge did a recall on the 3500 trucks with the same headlight system, but they did not recall the 2500 trucks. All the electrical power for the headlights is routed threw the headlight switch. The switch heats up and the headlights are shut off or the headlight switch melts from the heat and they never come back on. Dodge even sells a fix for the problem which uses relays, which they should have used when they built the truck.
Attempted to turn on headlights. Headlight switch pulled out from dis-integrated instrument panel plastic. Had to release steering wheel and hold body of headlight switch with one hand while operating switch control with other hand. This Dodge Ram's dash cover has completely cracked away several years ago. Now, the actual instrument panel is dis-integrating. Currently the headlight switch, the overdrive switch and auxiliary power outlet are hanging by wires. The drink holder and radio are removed as their mounting support is gone.
- Mesa, AZ, USA
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Early morning, dark, some fog, mountain roads, 45 to 55 speed limits. Using high beams as needed but not constantly due to fog and some oncoming traffic. Headlights went out, flashed back on and off, seemed to happen a couple of times as I was breaking and trying not to hit something or go into a ditch. Hit dimmer switch and low beam lights came on. Stopped at next available safe pullout. Checked truck over, found nothing. Resumed trip. Lights went out again, using high beams, finished trip with only low beams and had no other problem. Checked out headlight switch, and found overheated wiring that could result in fire.
After using headlights on high beam for approximately 15 minutes, went to switch to low beam and lost all lighting. Upon examination, headlight switch was melted. This is the second switch that has done this.
Numerous headlight switches replaced due to them burning up to include several inches of the existing wiring harness to switch. I cannot believe that this type of safety issue is not being addressed. You dam sure have knowledge of the problem since the aftermarket auto parts O reilys etc. Carry the switch or switch with wiring harness as an option. After reading here all switches go out about the same... the headlights start going on and off then look for smoke coming from around dash where switch mounted. You can feel the heat from under when switch is burning up. Need a simple relay to stop this show how much Dodge loves its customers!
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.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Tucson, AZ, USA