Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
02/27/2012120000
 Tl* the contact owns a 2002 dodge ram 1500. the contact stated that the headlights were replaced and caused all of the external lights to fail intermittently, making it dangerous to drive the vehicle at night. the manufacturer was not contacted. the dealer was notified of the failure, but denied any assistance with repairs to the vehicle. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure and the current mileage was 120,000.
02/27/2012120000
 Tl- the contact owns a 2002 dodge ram 1500. the contact stated that the headlights were replaced and caused all of the external lights to fail intermittently, making it dangerous to drive the vehicle at night. the manufacturer was not contacted. the dealer was notified of the failure, but denied any assistance with repairs to the vehicle. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure and the current mileage was 120,000. kmj
02/27/2012120000
 Tl- the contact owns a 2002 dodge ram 1500. the contact stated that the headlights were replaced. once the headlights were repaired, all of the external lights would operate intermittently, making it dangerous to drive the vehicle at night. the manufacturer was not contacted. the dealer was notified, but denied any assistance with repair to the failure. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure and current mileage was 120,000. nw
10/01/2011143000
 About 50% of the time when i turn the turn signal to the left the right side blinks. i have to turn them off and try again and it will work. the other day i was entering a on ramp and i signaled to the left and no one would let me in. i had to slow down so i wouldnt get ran off the road but almost got rear ended. i looked down and the right signal was on but the lever was to the left. i could have died. i have also noticed that the hazard button will not stay down. it is always popped up and the hazard flashers stay on and run the battery down. i have to take the button down so the battery wont drain.
07/28/2011104000
 Our dodge ram 1500 was working fine one day the next day the headlights, turn signals, and brake lights were not functioning. we checked fuses and anything else obvious. the next day we took it to a mechanic, after half a day of checking he found that the fuse and relay center (integrated power module) which is located under the hood was corroded. this box is not air tight and allows water to get inside and corrode the insides. dodge dealer advised they replace the fuse and relay center and fcm (front control module) together. the fcm is connected to the ipm (integrated power module). come to find out the ipm is not sealed from the elements. the circuit board is exposed from the bottom which allows water to splash into the module thereby shorting the fcm. i believed dodge knows this is a poor design and is unsafe because the new parts have been redesigned which is sealed from the elements. this is dangerous because of obvious reasons. i believe this is a design defect and should be recalled because the wiring system problems result in loss of lighting. for it is very dangerous to drive this way. per nhtsa info: when is a recall necessary?
07/01/2011112000
 Tl- the contact owns a 2002 dodge ram150. the contact stated the turn signals either do not work or they point in the opposite direction of the turn the contact is trying to make. the vehicle had not been inspected. the failure mileage and current mileages were 112,000.rl
01/23/201158680
 Left brake light failed around end of january 2011. 1 1/2 weeks latter the right brake light failed. replaced bulbs. did not fix problem. replaced stop light switch. did not fix problem. made phone calls and was told that dodge was having alot of problems with this, that it was the (tail light tree component) and that it was left up to the consumer to have this fixed and to pay for it themselves. thats not fair, it's not the consumers fault it quit working, it's a part malfunction and should be repaired by dodge @ their cost beings they have already known about this problem and have not done a recall on it. this is very dangerous to the consumer and could kill someone.
10/14/2010100980
 No parking lights. the fuse box is needed to be replaced
04/05/2010112000
 I have a 2002 dodge ram 1500 4dr 4wd.i just had my truck inspected and all lighting worked fine.i was pulled over easter evening by a new york state trooper and notified that my rear lights were out including parrking,running,and license plate lights,as well as front running lights.i was informed to turn 4 way flashers on while driving at night to my destination.after checking all fuses,bulbs,relays and wiring are all good.when i checked for similiar problems via internet and my local mechanic and a dodge dealer i was notified that the fuse box would have to be replaced and the front control module.this is a part that should not go bad as you have to change the whole box for just lights going out,which dodge says is an unserviceable part that corrodes within a sealed box?and that has to be changed as a whole unit.there are numerous complaints via internet etc of this problem and that dodge will not budge to fix the problem that they are very aware of occuring.the consumer should not have to pay for this repair estimates are anywhere from $250 to over a $1000 dollars just to replace the defect.and also that dodge has a back order of these because of the numerous problems with them. the consequences are that the lights will go out without notice or a bulb out light being signalled theeby causing another vehicle to rearend or seriously injure someone without these lights at night.the trooper stated also that he has seen this before on dodge trucks.
07/01/2009830001
 Driving through a puddle after a rain storm, several safety features stopped functioning: wipers, turn signals, horn, headlight control. i'm not sure what else is not functioning but these have been verified. narrowed the problem down to the fcm (front control module). the fcm is connected to the ipm (integrated power module). come to find out the ipm is not sealed from the elements. the circuit board is exposed from the bottom which allows water to splash into the module thereby shorting the fcm. i believed dodge knows this is a poor design and is unsafe because i've read that they've designed a replacement ipm which is sealed from the elements. this is dangerous because of obvious reasons. *tr
05/01/200684000
 Tl*the contact owns a 2002 dodge ram 1500. in 2006, the battery was replaced in the contact's vehicle. when he started the vehicle, the headlights remained illuminated and the turn signals, horn, and brake lights no longer worked. he called daimler chrysler and was informed that there were no recalls for the vehicle. the contact stated that the tail lights did not work when the vehicle was purchased. he feels these are all safety issues. the vehicle has not been repaired. the current mileage was 138,844 and failure mileage was 84,000.
10/07/2006360001
 The dash board on my 2002 dodge ram is cracking and in danger of collapsing exposing the wiring and electrical components required for safe operation. *tr
10/17/20081495001
 I drove to a football game one evening, when i pulled in the parking lot, a man asked if i knew that my tail lights were not working. he told me the turn signals and brake lights worked, but no tail lights. i had to drive home that night on the interstate with no tail lights. the only way i had to notify people coming up behind me that i was on the road was to turn on my cargo light. this posed a very dangerous problem on the interstate with not only passenger vehicles behind me but also semi trucks that would not see me until they were right on top of me. i had no clue that the lights were not working because all the dash lights were working. i had all the fuses checked and the relay and everything was ok there. the garage told me i would have to take it to the dealer so they could check the front control module. i am scheduled to take it in to the dealer in two days. i have found alot of people saying they had the same problem with the module malfunctioning. this causes a very dangerous situation while driving since the drive has no idea that they are out and if driving on roads that are not lighted after dark the vehicle behind you has no idea that you are there until they get right on top of you. fog, rain or snow could compound this situation. *tr
09/15/2007450001
 Intermittent lamp failures internally, lamp out circuit malfunctioning, rear differential failed (approaching the second failure in 40,000 miles), rear universal joint has failed twice, with a third replacement to occur soon, transmission failures. any one of these systems failing while on the road could cause a serious safety issue, for myself, my passengers, and other drivers. so far, it has been in and out of the shop, old parts are no longer available, however if required i will retain them next time they fail. i've contacted dodge, the first reply was a spam mail of coupons for oil changes, and tire rotations (the message i sent them was professional and extensive to the issues i was having), after copying the message again the next day, a representative told me that there is nothing they can do about it. i've retained the message if any parties are interested. *tr
07/21/2006580003
 Our dodge ram 1500 was working fine one day the next day the headlights, turn signals, and brake lights were not functioning. we checked fuses and anything else obvious. the next day we took it to a mechanic, after half a day of checking he found that the fuse and relay center which is located under the hood was corroded. this box is not air tight and allows water to get inside and corrode the insides. i believe this is a design defect and should be recalled for it is very dangerous to drive this way. the truck is a 2002 and is no longer under warranty but i think this is beside the point. my husbands business partner has the same truck only a 2003 and after hearing about the problem he popped the hood of his truck and found the very same thing was happening. when contacting dodge they told us there is nothing they can do. i don't believe this is true i believe they must recall this part. it is dangerous driving without headlights, brake lights, and turn signals and we have been unable to even get the part to have it fixed. i wonder how many other owners have this problem. *jb
EXTERIOR LIGHTING - BRAKE LIGHTS
03/10/20053
 While driving at night driver noticed that the tail lights, cruise control, and brake lights were inoperative. this caused poor visibility to the driver. vehicle was taken to a garage for inspection, but mechanic could not duplicate the problem. *ak
04/09/200446874208/01/2002
 First there was an intermittant failure of brake lights then one failed completly and the other failed the following day. i had a close call (rear ended)when i took it to the dealer they knew right away what was wrong , and replaced tail light tree componet, that fixed the problem. the dealer was aware of this and had told me theyhad alot of them failing, iwas out of warranty and was charged full price for diagnostic and replacement parts etc. i was unhappy with the way they treated this safety problem.*ak
EXTERIOR LIGHTING - FOG LIGHTS - SWITCH
03/07/20056496812
 1.sparks from dashboard area near headlight switch were seen by my wife when she borrowed the vehicle. 2.now the headlights will not turn off, when the switch is turned to the off position the fog lights come on, head lights also will not completely come on.3. so far, $49 dianostic, switch needed (had to be special ordered b/c the part has been changed three times already)(doesn't that constitute a recall?)anyway it is going to cost me $79 for the new switch and they are not even sure that will fix the problem.*ak
EXTERIOR LIGHTING - HEADLIGHTS - SWITCH
03/07/20056496812
 1.sparks from dashboard area near headlight switch were seen by my wife when she borrowed the vehicle. 2.now the headlights will not turn off, when the switch is turned to the off position the fog lights come on, head lights also will not completely come on.3. so far, $49 dianostic, switch needed (had to be special ordered b/c the part has been changed three times already)(doesn't that constitute a recall?)anyway it is going to cost me $79 for the new switch and they are not even sure that will fix the problem.*ak
EXTERIOR LIGHTING - TAIL LIGHTS
03/10/20053
 While driving at night driver noticed that the tail lights, cruise control, and brake lights were inoperative. this caused poor visibility to the driver. vehicle was taken to a garage for inspection, but mechanic could not duplicate the problem. *ak
EXTERIOR LIGHTING - TAIL LIGHTS - SWITCH
03/07/20056496812
 1.sparks from dashboard area near headlight switch were seen by my wife when she borrowed the vehicle. 2.now the headlights will not turn off, when the switch is turned to the off position the fog lights come on, head lights also will not completely come on.3. so far, $49 dianostic, switch needed (had to be special ordered b/c the part has been changed three times already)(doesn't that constitute a recall?)anyway it is going to cost me $79 for the new switch and they are not even sure that will fix the problem.*ak
EXTERIOR LIGHTING - TURN SIGNAL
01/01/2005800005005/14/2002
 Dt: the consumer was driving on a city street in january when he turned the turn signal to the turn right, he looked down and saw that the turn signal was flashing to the left. this problem recurred repeatedly. there were times when the left turn signal was on, the indicator would show that the turn signal was to the right. the owner said that sometimes if he'd accidentally hit the steering wheel, the indicator would switch to the other direction. the consumer had taken the vehicle to the dealership and they could not find cause of the problem. the owner contacted dodge, who said that the consumer could take the vehicle to another dealership. the consumer thought that this did not make sense. the problem intermittent. when the problem did occur, it seemed to repeat itself then it wouldn't happen for a while. there were no warning lights or any other warnings when the problem occurred. *ak (11/21/05) *sc
02/25/20052
 The turn signals do not operate, which is making it difficult to inform other drivers when the vehicle is making turns. owner will take vehicle to dealer for repairs for the second time.*ak
EXTERIOR LIGHTING - TURN SIGNAL - FLASHER UNIT
11/30/2001111/01/2001
 Have had several problems with this vehicle. some haven't been reported to the dealer yet. the transmission problem has been happening since i've had the vehicle. it shifts hard at about 2200 rpm's or around 25-30mph. dealer can't duplicate. i've had other problems that were not listed including brakes and alternator. the drivers side door mirror has recently broken and now flops in the wind on the free way and is unusable. i filed a claim with my insurance company, then found that it was a huge problem with other owners of the same vehicle. the ventilation from the panel is aslo sent to the floor vents despite the dial being set to panel not floor. the tailgate cables are mismatched. the dealer told me that it was normal. i won't place anything on the tailgate in fear that the cable might break. the exterior turn signals are not synched with the displayed trun signals. the simultaneous flash is not there. also, the alternator was found to be defective at around 600 miles. it was causing a high pitched squeaking sound similar to what a defective belt may sound like. it was replaced, but started doing it again at 6750 miles. the hood has slight dents in it like someone hit it with a ball pen hammer. apparently chrysler knows about this. i'll be taking it in the first chance i get to try to have it fixed. i've had this truck a 3 different dealers in hope that the next one would be more help than the previous. no such luck. i've had to take time off from work (about 6 days total; had to wait at dealership since it was an out of town purchase ) and rent cars 5 times while having it worked on at a local dealership in order to get to work. i've had nothing but bad luck with this vehicle. daimler-chrysler has dreadful quality control and i can't say much more for the dealers. i hope i can get the issues with this truck resolved someday. dt
EXTERIOR LIGHTING - TURN SIGNAL - SWITCH
02/24/20042
 Intermittent while driving 30 mph vehicle stalled. this caused loss of steering and brakes. dealer replaced turn signal switch, but problem recurred. *ak *nm