Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
05/25/20121410001
 In the 1994-2001 model year dodge ram 1500, 2500 and 3500 trucks there is no relay in the wiring circuitry use for the headlights. when the ram was redesigned in 1994, the engineers did not find it necessary to change the 40-year old design for the headlight system; feeling only the need to use a larger gauge wire to handle the excessive heat of the halogen bulbs. unfortunately, neither the wires nor the switch or internal rheostat (for the instrument panel lighting) could handle this load and the following near tragic even has been an all too common occurrence. a recall (or at the very least a tsb has been issued for the 3500 model dodge rams, which are comprised of the exact same switch and wiring, but nothing has been noted about the 1500 or 2500 models. i cannot understand this, and this is the very reason i feel compelled to be writing this complaint in the first place. one night i was driving along the freeway at about 55-mph when the headlight switch, relay and connected wiring all became overheated, causing them to melt. becoming frantic, i was able to quickly wiggle the dimmer switch (combination/turn signal switch), then the headlight switch until i got them to come back on. during that episode i had them go out on me about 4 times that i recall. currently the vehicle remains unfixed and is not drivable at night. being a mechanic, my first thought was to check the relays and fuses to see if they were blown or bad. to my dismay, i could not find any relays! this was how i discovered, through some online research, about the recurring problem with the headlight switch- how i was not alone in this situation and the rest of the aforementioned paragraph. i will gladly be available for phone calls, questions, and to take pictures of the parts in question. *tr
05/25/2012141000
 In the 1994-2001 model year dodge ram 1500, 2500 and 3500 trucks there is no relay in the wiring circuitry use for the headlights. when the ram was redesigned in 1994, the engineers did not find it necessary to change the 40-year old design for the headlight system; feeling only the need to use a larger gauge wire to handle the excessive heat of the halogen bulbs. unfortunately, neither the wires nor the switch or internal rheostat (for the instrument panel lighting) could handle this load and the following near tragic even has been an all too common occurance. a recall (or at the very least a tsb has been issued for the 3500 model dodge rams, which are comprised of the exact same switch and wiring, but nothing has been noted about the 1500 or 2500 models. i cannot understand this, and this is the very reason i feel compelled to be writing this complaint in the first place. one night i was driving along the freeway at about 55-mph when the headlight switch, relay and connected wiring all became overheated, causing them to melt. becoming frantic, i was able to quickly wiggle the dimmer switch (combination/turn signal switch), then the headlight switch until i got them to come back on. during that episode i had them go out on me about 4 times that i recall. currently the vehicle remains unfixed and is not driveable at night. being a mechanic, my first thought was to check the relays and fuses to see if they were blown or bad. to my dismay, i could not find any relays! this was how i discovered, through some online research, about the recurring problem with the headlight switch- how i was not alone in this situation and the rest of the aforementioned paragraph. i will gladly be available for phone calls, questions, and to take pictures of the parts in question.
05/09/2007110/14/1996
 The dashboard in the dodge ramwas cracked and caved in. this created a safety issue as it exposed electrical systems to damage.*ak
08/03/20021
 When headlights are turned on there is a burning smell and smoke coming from dash near windshield. once headlights are turned off the smoke stops. vehicle has not been examined by dealer.*jb
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - BATTERY
04/01/1999503/01/1996
 5 core plugs replaced...intake manifold gasket replaced......throttle positioning senesor replaced...two batteries replaced
05/26/1999111/01/1998
 My truck would not start. first i was told it needed a new battery, then a fuel pump and finally a new ecu. it is impossible for all of these components to fail simultaneously while the vehicle is parked and shutdown. i was told by the parts man at dallas dodge that the ecus are designed to fail prmaturely. another customer also stated that the same computer in my turck is installed in a number of chrylser products and that it fails when other components fail (in his case when the abs failed).
02/11/1997103/03/1996
 Battery failed.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
07/07/2007143085111/27/1995
 Turn signals failed, checked fuse, replaced flasher relay, replaced multi-function turn/dimmer/wiper switch and checked all bulbs and still no turn signals. hazard flashers working correctly. problem still exist. *tr
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION - MODULE
05/26/1999111/01/1998
 My truck would not start. first i was told it needed a new battery, then a fuel pump and finally a new ecu. it is impossible for all of these components to fail simultaneously while the vehicle is parked and shutdown. i was told by the parts man at dallas dodge that the ecus are designed to fail prmaturely. another customer also stated that the same computer in my turck is installed in a number of chrylser products and that it fails when other components fail (in his case when the abs failed).
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION - SWITCH
08/24/2003159000106/08/2002
 I took my 1996 dodge ram to the dealer for an ignition switch wiring recall. after the recall parts were replaced, my truck was not fixed. the wiring harness had overheated and damaged my ignition switch. this cost more money. there was also a special tool that my husband had to purchase to change the ignition switch. the plastic cover on my steering column had aslo melted. i would say my truck was very close to going up in flames. this is very upsetting to me because i feel this part should have been replaced along with the harness since the defective wiring caused this part to be damaged. i think dodge should add this part to the list of parts changed when they service vehicles from this recall. i also believe they should reimburse me and anyone else who has had this problem. there was almost a fire, i know this because i have the old ignition switch and the plastic part on my steering column has a hole where it was hot, since i did not see a fire (my husband did smell something burning), i cannot answer yes to the question below that asked was there a fire?. any help would be greatly appreciated. i think something should be done before someone is seriously injured or killed. something similar happened to a friend of mine who had a different make car, her son burned to death in a car. i shiver to think what might have happened if i had not found out about the recall on this vehicle.*ak
01/08/20012
 Consumer took vehicle to receive recall repair 00v135, however consumer had to wait a lengthy time due to dealership not having trained technicians, when consumer picked up vehicle, wires were hanging from steering wheel and vehicle would not go into 1st or 2nd gear, consumer took vehicle back and it ran fine the first day, the next morning it wouldn't crank again, consumer found battery cable loose and the fuse compartment cover fell off in his hands. *slc
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING
06/03/2005112/01/2004
 Dt: consumer states he owns a 1996 dodge ram 1500 pick up truck. while hauling a trailer, the wires from the trailer became caught between the trailer and the trailer hitch of the vehicle. this caused the wiring harness system to burn out. this caused the fuel gauge to fail, it shorted out the fuse to the fuel pump causing the engine to stall. the consumer has contacted the service dealer. he stated this was a serious problem with the vehicle. the service dealer stated the wiring harness came with a 40 amp fuse. the consumer asked for a 30 amp fuse to be installed but the service dealer would not install this type of fuse. the consumer contacted the manufacturer; they said they would consider refunding the consumers money for repairing the vehicle. a new harness has been installed in the vehicle. there was a recall issued for the wiring harness, the recall service was performed august 2, 1999. *jb
04/01/1999503/01/1996
 5 core plugs replaced...intake manifold gasket replaced......throttle positioning senesor replaced...two batteries replaced
07/25/19960
 Driving car; engine suddenly died; car caught on fire & was engulfed in flames; driver's side door failed to open; fire department arrived & put flames out; manufacturer's representative looked at car; insurance company had private representative look at car; fire originated under car due to location of electrical wires. driver/passengers escaped unharmed. *ak
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING - FRONT UNDERHOOD
04/15/1998104/10/1996
 Electrical fire originating under the hood. vehicle was totaled.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING - INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
07/14/20071
 1996 dodge ram 1500 caught fire in the air conditioning unit. *kb the cause of fire was determined to be electrical under the dashboard. ohio traffic crash report. *jb
01/15/2000
 Vehicle was not properly repaired after being invoved in a under dash fire caused by an electrical short.manufacturer//dealer were not notified at this time. please feel free to provide any further details on this matter,. *ak
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING - REAR COMPARTMENT/TRUNK
05/01/2001102/26/1996
 The backup light on the driver's side is not working due to faulty wiring harness. nlm