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 3500. The headlights flickered on and off and the contact noticed a burning smell. The light switch also overheated. The vehicle was previously serviced at 63,557 miles for NHTSA campaign id number 99V024000 (exterior lighting:headlights:switch). The manufacturer would not service the vehicle again under the recall. The current and failure mileages were 201,135.
- 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.
: 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.
Consumer pulled over to shoulder 0ff road and left vehicle running to assist another motorist. When he returned to vehicle, there was smoke inside coming from underneath dashboard. Vehicle was towed to dealership. Mechanic told him that headlight switch needed to be replaced.
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
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.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Kalamazoo, MI, USA