NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
25 reportsClear category filter202,000 miles · Feb 17, 2016
Electrical System
I PURCHASED THIS TRUCK THIS PAST SUMMER. I FOUND RECENTLY THAT SEVERAL SAFETY RECALLS HAD NOT BEEN PERFORMED ON THE TRUCK. I TOOK THE TRUCK TO THE DEALER. THEY REFUSED TO COMPLETE THE IGNITION SWITCH WIRING RECALL UNTIL I PAID THEM TO TRACE ALL OF THE WIRING THAT COULD BE AFFECTED BECAUSE ONE OF THE WIRES ON THE IGNITION SWIT…
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I PURCHASED THIS TRUCK THIS PAST SUMMER. I FOUND RECENTLY THAT SEVERAL SAFETY RECALLS HAD NOT BEEN PERFORMED ON THE TRUCK. I TOOK THE TRUCK TO THE DEALER. THEY REFUSED TO COMPLETE THE IGNITION SWITCH WIRING RECALL UNTIL I PAID THEM TO TRACE ALL OF THE WIRING THAT COULD BE AFFECTED BECAUSE ONE OF THE WIRES ON THE IGNITION SWITCH HARNESS HAD MELTED. THEY DID NOT KNOW HOW MUCH THIS MIGHT COST ME. THE DEALER CONTACTED FCA TO SEE IF THE FACTORY WOULD "CONTRIBUTE" TO THE COST. FCA DECLINED. I CONTACTED FCA AND THEY TOLD ME ON A VEHICLE OF THIS AGE THEY WERE NO LONGER RESPONSIBLE FOR ANYTHING BEYOND THE EXTENT OF THE RECALL REPAIR. I SAID THAT WAS FINE - JUST DO THE RECALL. THEY REFUSED TO AUTHORIZE THE RECALL REPAIR UNLESS I AGREED TO ALLOW THE DEALERSHIP TO TRACE ALL OF THE WIRING THEY SUSPECTED COULD BE DAMAGED. I'M AT A LOSS HERE. WHO CAN I CONTACT FOR HELP? FCA KNOWS THE WIRING FOR THE IGNITION SWITCH WILL MELT AND POSSIBLY CAUSE A FIRE. IT IS QUITE EVIDENT THE WIRING HAS MELTED - EVEN BURNT OFF. HOW IS IT THAT THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COMPLETE REPAIR OF DAMAGE CAUSED BY THIS KNOWN DEFECT? THEY SEEM TO BE SAYING THEY ARE NO LONGER RESPONSIBLE DUE TO THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE. THEY ARE CALLING THE SERVICE ADVISER AT THE DEALERSHIP THEIR "TRAINED EXPERT". AND HE CANNOT CONFIRM THAT THE FAILURE IS NOT JUST "WEAR AND TEAR". IS THIS TRUE? DOES NHTSA ALLOW MANUFACTURERS TO USE THIS AS AN EXCUSE TO NOT PERFORM A RECALL?
NHTSA ODI #10836788
203,000 miles · Dec 26, 2012
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
NHTSA # EA198010 HEADLIGHT SWITCH RECALL EXCLUDED THE B1500 AND B2500 SERIES STATING THAT THE POWER DRAW IS NOT AS GREAT AS THE B3500 SERIES. THIS IS IN ERROR. MY 1995 B2500 BURNED OUT THIS SAME LIGHT SWITCH AND LEFT ME WITH NO HEADLIGHTS. (I HAVE NOT ADDED ANY ADDITIONAL LIGHTING). I REQUEST THAT EA98010 BE REOPENED TO INC…
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NHTSA # EA198010 HEADLIGHT SWITCH RECALL EXCLUDED THE B1500 AND B2500 SERIES STATING THAT THE POWER DRAW IS NOT AS GREAT AS THE B3500 SERIES. THIS IS IN ERROR. MY 1995 B2500 BURNED OUT THIS SAME LIGHT SWITCH AND LEFT ME WITH NO HEADLIGHTS. (I HAVE NOT ADDED ANY ADDITIONAL LIGHTING). I REQUEST THAT EA98010 BE REOPENED TO INCLUDE THE B1500 AND B2500 SERIES TRUCKS AS THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD WHICH IS THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE B3500 SERIES. I REPLACED THE SWITCH AT MY EXPENSE AND CAN SEND YOU THE OLD ONE IF YOU NEED IT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10490140
120,000 miles · Apr 16, 2007
Electrical SystemFire
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 DODGE RAM 2500. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH BELOW THE STEERING COLUMN BURNED. THEREWAS A CLOSED INVESTIGATION , EA99027 AND RECALL # 00V135000 RELATING TO THIS FAILURE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 120,000.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10188043
17,000 miles · Oct 28, 2003
Electrical SystemExterior LightingFire
LIGHT SWITCH CIRCUITRY BURNED INSIDE DASH AND CAUSED HEAT DAMAGE TO DASH AND WIRING INSIDE. VEHICLE WAS RECALLED FOR WIRING AND WHEN RECALL WAS COMPLETE, FUEL GUAGE AND TEMPERATURE GUAGE FAILED TO OPERATE NORMALLY. LIGHT SWITCH FAILURE AND IGNITION SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS BELIEVED TO BE RELATED.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10043756
234,000 miles · Aug 23, 2003
Electrical System
SHORTLY AFTER TURNING ON HEADLAMPS, ODOR AND SMOKE CAME FROM THE DASH. THIS OCCURRED WHILE PULLING A TRAILER. HEADLAMPS WERE TURNED OFF, BUT HAD DIFFICULTY GETTING DASH LIGHTS AND TRAILER LIGHTS TO TURN OFF ALSO. KEPT HAVING TO TURN THE KNOB LEFT/RIGHT NUMEROUS TIMES TO GET ALL LIGHTING TO TURN OFF. ALSO, WHEN THE DOOR IS OP…
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SHORTLY AFTER TURNING ON HEADLAMPS, ODOR AND SMOKE CAME FROM THE DASH. THIS OCCURRED WHILE PULLING A TRAILER. HEADLAMPS WERE TURNED OFF, BUT HAD DIFFICULTY GETTING DASH LIGHTS AND TRAILER LIGHTS TO TURN OFF ALSO. KEPT HAVING TO TURN THE KNOB LEFT/RIGHT NUMEROUS TIMES TO GET ALL LIGHTING TO TURN OFF. ALSO, WHEN THE DOOR IS OPENED WITH THE IGNITION/HEADLAMPS OFF, THE BUZZER SOUNDS INDICATING THAT HEADLAMPS WERE LEFT ON, BUT NO HEADLAMPS WERE ON. I AM DRIVING A 95 DODGE RAM 2500 DIESEL 4 X 4 AND PULLING A 23FT SUNDOWNER GOOSENECK HORSE TRAILER.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10033375
69,624 miles · Dec 28, 2002
Electrical SystemFire
STARTER STAYED ENGAGED WHILE DRIVING (DODGE DIESEL 95') RESULTING IN ENGINE FIRE.
NHTSA ODI #10000409
Mileage unknown · Sep 11, 2002
Electrical System
WITH CAMPER ON TRUCK, FOG LIGHTS ON AND ALL OTHER LIGHTS, HEAD,LIGHTS, TAIL LIGHTS, AND CLEARANCE LIGHTS ON AN ODOR WAS COMING FROM THE DASH. AT ABOUT THE SAME TIME A TRUCKER INFORMED ME BY CB RADIO THAT I HAD NO CLEARANCE LIGHTS OR TAIL LIGHTS AND I NOTICED THAT MY FOG LIGHTS ALSO WENT OUT. UPON REPLACING THE LIGHT SWITCH THE B…
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WITH CAMPER ON TRUCK, FOG LIGHTS ON AND ALL OTHER LIGHTS, HEAD,LIGHTS, TAIL LIGHTS, AND CLEARANCE LIGHTS ON AN ODOR WAS COMING FROM THE DASH. AT ABOUT THE SAME TIME A TRUCKER INFORMED ME BY CB RADIO THAT I HAD NO CLEARANCE LIGHTS OR TAIL LIGHTS AND I NOTICED THAT MY FOG LIGHTS ALSO WENT OUT. UPON REPLACING THE LIGHT SWITCH THE BLOCK WHICH ATTACHES THE WIRES TO THE LIGHT SWITCH HAD MELTED, THAT IS WHAT CAUSED THE ODOR. WHAT CAUSED THE OVERHEATING OF THE SWITCH I DO NOT KNOW. DODGE HAS A RECALL ON THE 3500 SERIES LIGHT SWITCH BUT NOT 2500.*AK
NHTSA ODI #767050
Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 2002
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed Control
CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE IN TO DEALERSHIP TO HAVE RECALL REPAIR WORK PERFORMED ON VEHICLE, AFTER RECEIVING VEHICLE BACK CONSUMER STATED THE RADIO, DOME LIGHTS, MAP LIGHTS AND DOOR CHIME DID NOT WORK, AFTER VEHICLE WAS LOOKED AT, CONSUMER WAS INFORMED BY DEALERSHIP THAT WHEN THEY WERE WELDING THE REINFORCEMENTS A SPARK HIT THE GROUN…
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CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE IN TO DEALERSHIP TO HAVE RECALL REPAIR WORK PERFORMED ON VEHICLE, AFTER RECEIVING VEHICLE BACK CONSUMER STATED THE RADIO, DOME LIGHTS, MAP LIGHTS AND DOOR CHIME DID NOT WORK, AFTER VEHICLE WAS LOOKED AT, CONSUMER WAS INFORMED BY DEALERSHIP THAT WHEN THEY WERE WELDING THE REINFORCEMENTS A SPARK HIT THE GROUND BOX.*JB
NHTSA ODI #564233
Mileage unknown · Dec 18, 2001
Electrical System
YOU HAVE A RECALL LISTED FOR THE 3500 SERIES, BUT NOT THE 2500. NO SAFETY DEFECT STATED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #755773
Mileage unknown · Nov 19, 2001
Electrical System
VEHICLE CAB WAS FILLING UP WITH SMOKE. LOSS OF HEADLIGHTS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, WHICH NEARLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
NHTSA ODI #899254
NHTSA investigations
6DP03006 · Seat Back Failure
Opened Sep 23, 2003 · Closed Apr 8, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seats; Seats:front Assembly:recliner
ODI HAS IDENTIFIED 30 INCIDENTS WHERE IT IS ALLEGED THE SEAT BACK COLLAPSED IN A REAR IMPACT CRASH.THESE INCIDENTS ARE ALLEGED TO HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO 23 INJURIES AND TWO DEATHS.THE DATA PRESENTED TO ODI SHOW THAT THE SEAT BACK STRENGTH OF THE FRONT SEATS COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 207. SEATING SYSTEM.ACCORDING TO DAIMLERCHRYLSER THE FRONT SEATS WERE DESIGNED TO COLLAPSE REARWARD IN REAR IMPACT CRASHES AS PART OF THE ENERGY ABSORPTIONCAPABILITIES OF THE SEATING SYSTEM TO REDUCE THE CHANCE OF SERIOUS INJURY TO THE OCCUPANT.RATES OF OCCURANCE WERE COMPARED TO PEER VEHICLES, AND IT WAS SHOWN THAT THE PERFORMACE OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLE WAS COMPARABLE TO THOSE VEHICLES.IN VIEW OF THE FORGOING, IT IS UNLIKELY THAT NHTSA WOULD ISSUE AN ORDER FOR THE NOTIFICATION REMEDY OF A SAFETY DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AS DEFINED BY THE PETITIONER AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE INVESTIGATION REQUESTED IN THE PETITION.THERFORE, IN VIEW OF THE NEED TO ALLOCATE AND PRIORITIZE THE NHTSA'S LIMITED RESOURCES TO BEST ACCOMPLISH THE AGENCY'S MISSION, THE PETITION IS DENIED.FOR FURTHER DETAILS, REFER TO ODI'S RESPONSE TO THE PETITION PUBLISHED IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER VOL.69, NO. 60 , DATED MARCH 29, 2004.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Seats
ODI HAS IDENTIFIED 30 INCIDENTS WHERE IT IS ALLEGED THE SEAT BACK COLLAPSED IN A REAR IMPACT CRASH.THESE INCIDENTS ARE ALLEGED TO HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO 23 INJURIES AND TWO DEATHS.THE DATA PRESENTED TO ODI SHOW THAT THE SEAT BACK STRENGTH OF THE FRONT SEATS COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 207. SEATING SYSTEM.ACCORDING TO DAIMLERCHRYLSER THE FRONT SEATS WERE DESIGNED TO COLLAPSE REARWARD IN REAR IMPACT CRASHES AS PART OF THE ENERGY ABSORPTIONCAPABILITIES OF THE SEATING SYSTEM TO REDUCE THE CHANCE OF SERIOUS INJURY TO THE OCCUPANT.RATES OF OCCURANCE WERE COMPARED TO PEER VEHICLES, AND IT WAS SHOWN THAT THE PERFORMACE OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLE WAS COMPARABLE TO THOSE VEHICLES.IN VIEW OF THE FORGOING, IT IS UNLIKELY THAT NHTSA WOULD ISSUE AN ORDER FOR THE NOTIFICATION REMEDY OF A SAFETY DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AS DEFINED BY THE PETITIONER AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE INVESTIGATION REQUESTED IN THE PETITION.THERFORE, IN VIEW OF THE NEED TO ALLOCATE AND PRIORITIZE THE NHTSA'S LIMITED RESOURCES TO BEST ACCOMPLISH THE AGENCY'S MISSION, THE PETITION IS DENIED.FOR FURTHER DETAILS, REFER TO ODI'S RESPONSE TO THE PETITION PUBLISHED IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER VOL.69, NO. 60 , DATED MARCH 29, 2004.
Seats:front Assembly:recliner
ODI HAS IDENTIFIED 30 INCIDENTS WHERE IT IS ALLEGED THE SEAT BACK COLLAPSED IN A REAR IMPACT CRASH.THESE INCIDENTS ARE ALLEGED TO HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO 23 INJURIES AND TWO DEATHS.THE DATA PRESENTED TO ODI SHOW THAT THE SEAT BACK STRENGTH OF THE FRONT SEATS COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 207. SEATING SYSTEM.ACCORDING TO DAIMLERCHRYLSER THE FRONT SEATS WERE DESIGNED TO COLLAPSE REARWARD IN REAR IMPACT CRASHES AS PART OF THE ENERGY ABSORPTIONCAPABILITIES OF THE SEATING SYSTEM TO REDUCE THE CHANCE OF SERIOUS INJURY TO THE OCCUPANT.RATES OF OCCURANCE WERE COMPARED TO PEER VEHICLES, AND IT WAS SHOWN THAT THE PERFORMACE OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLE WAS COMPARABLE TO THOSE VEHICLES.IN VIEW OF THE FORGOING, IT IS UNLIKELY THAT NHTSA WOULD ISSUE AN ORDER FOR THE NOTIFICATION REMEDY OF A SAFETY DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AS DEFINED BY THE PETITIONER AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE INVESTIGATION REQUESTED IN THE PETITION.THERFORE, IN VIEW OF THE NEED TO ALLOCATE AND PRIORITIZE THE NHTSA'S LIMITED RESOURCES TO BEST ACCOMPLISH THE AGENCY'S MISSION, THE PETITION IS DENIED.FOR FURTHER DETAILS, REFER TO ODI'S RESPONSE TO THE PETITION PUBLISHED IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER VOL.69, NO. 60 , DATED MARCH 29, 2004.
DP03002 · Steering Column Separation
Opened May 7, 2003 · Closed Jul 22, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering:column
MR. LARRY A. SACKEY SUBMITTED A PETITION TO THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) BY LETTER DATED APRIL 18, 2003, REQUESTING THAT NHTSAFURTHER INVESTIGATE THE DEFECTIVE COLLAPSIBLE STEERING SHAFT SYSTEM ON 1987-1995 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BY THE DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION.IN PART BECAUSE OF 49 CFR ? 30120(G), NHTSA HAS DECIDED TO LIMIT THE SCOPE OF THE PETITION VEHICLES TO 1993-1995 MODELS, EXCLUDING THE 1993 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE AND 1994-1995 DODGE RAM SERIES TRUCKS THAT WERE RECALLED (93V210 & 96V230) FOR STEERING COLUMN FAILURE.IF THE ANALYSIS OF THESE VEHICLES HAD IDENTIFIED A POTENTIAL PROBLEM, THE SCOPE COULD HAVE BEEN EXPANDED IN AN INVESTIGATION.A REVIEW OF ODI'S DATA BASE SHOWS NO RECENT COMPLAINTS AND A LACK OF A COMPLAINT TREND CONCERNING THE SUBJECT ISSUE ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AS A WHOLE OR BY INDIVIDUAL MODELS.THEREFORE, THE PETITION IS DENIED.FOR DETAILS, SEE FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICE VOLUME 68, NO. 130, JULY 8, 2003.
PE00048 · Loss Of Throttle Control
Opened Dec 11, 2000 · Closed Mar 7, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
ALLEGED THAT THE THROTTLE CABLE CAN FRAY OR SEVER DURING NORMAL USE RESULTING IN THE THROTTLE NOT RETURNING TO IDLE OR AN INABILITY TO ACCELERATE.
PE99026 · Front Suspension Spring/shock Absorber
Opened Apr 16, 1999 · Closed Aug 31, 1999
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension
ALLEGE FAILURE OF THE COIL SPRING/SHOCK ABSORBER BRACKET AT ITS ATTACHMENT TO THE VEHICLE FRAME MAY ALLOW COLLAPSE OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION, AND POTENTIALLY AFFECT STEERING OR BRAKING SYSTEM PERFORMANCE
EA98010 · Headlight Circuit
Opened May 8, 1998 · Closed Dec 10, 1999
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting
THE HEADLAMP SWITCH IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES CAN OVER-HEAT AND FAIL RESULTING IN LOSS OF HEAD LAMPS AND POSSIBLY OTHER LIGHTS.DAIMLERCHRYSLER CONDUCTED A SERIES OF TESTS AND DETERMINED THAT THE 3500 SERIES IS PRONE TO GENERATING HEAD LAMP SWITCH TEMPERATURES IN EXCESS OF THE SWITCH LUBRICANT THRESHOLD OF 100 DEGREES CENTIGRADE.WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE LUBRICANT SOLIDIFIES AND ADHERES TO THE SWITCH CONTACH SURFACES INCREASING INTERNAL RESISTANCE AND THERFORE, TEMPERATURE.DAIMLERCHRYSLER INFORMED THE NHTSA THAT IT WOULD INITIATE A RECALL OF 79,3665 MODEL YEAR 1994-1997 DODGE 3500 SERIES RAM TRUCKS ONLY BASED ON ADDITIONAL TESTING FROM WHICH IT DETERMINED THAT THE 1500/2500 SERIES VEHICLES NOMINALLY OPERATE SIGNIFICANTLY BELOW THE TEMPERATURE THRESHOLD OF THE SWITCH LUBRICANT.OWNERS OF 1500/2500 SERIES TRUCKS WERE SENT A NOTIFICATION LETTER ADVISING OF THE PROPER METHODS FOR ADDING AFTERMARKET LIGHTING ACCESSORIES.
PE98002 · Headlight Circuit Failure
Opened Jan 14, 1998 · Closed May 8, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting
There is no summary currently available