NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
26 reportsClear category filter198,000 miles · Sep 21, 2004
Electrical System
HEADLIGHT SWITCH REPLACED (3) THREE TIMES. THE LAST TIME HAD TO REPLACE THE CANNON PLUG ALSO DUE TO IT BURNING WIRES ALONG WITH HEADLIGHT SWITCH TERMINALS BURNED. TALKED WITH OTHER 1994 THROUGH 1997 DODGE RAM 2500 OWNERS AND TURNS OUT THAT THIS PROBLEM OCCURS FREQUENTLY. IS THERE ANYWAY SOMETHING CAN BE DONE, THIS COULD POSSIBLY…
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HEADLIGHT SWITCH REPLACED (3) THREE TIMES. THE LAST TIME HAD TO REPLACE THE CANNON PLUG ALSO DUE TO IT BURNING WIRES ALONG WITH HEADLIGHT SWITCH TERMINALS BURNED. TALKED WITH OTHER 1994 THROUGH 1997 DODGE RAM 2500 OWNERS AND TURNS OUT THAT THIS PROBLEM OCCURS FREQUENTLY. IS THERE ANYWAY SOMETHING CAN BE DONE, THIS COULD POSSIBLY CAUSE A FIRE AN PEOPLE INJURED OR KILLED! REFERENCE: 854783. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10091411
Mileage unknown · Jun 14, 2004
Electrical SystemFire
THIRD ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE ON 1996 DODGE P/U W/ DEISEL ENGINE. I REPORTED TO DOT ON 11-JUL-2000 AFTER THE SECOND FIRE. SEE YOUR REFERENCE NO 865223. THIS MAKES THREE TIMES THE DRIVER COULD NOT TURN ENGINE OFF, WIRING HARNESSES OVERHEATED CAUSING ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10075364
90,000 miles · May 3, 2004
Electrical SystemFire
WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH AND WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER RUNNING SMOKE DRIFTED OUT OF THE VENTS. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC, WHO DETERMINED THAT WIRES WERE BURNT IN THE STEERING COLUMN. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10071968
70,043 miles · May 20, 2003
Electrical SystemFire
DODGE 1996 2500 CUMMINS DIESEL - VIN - [XXX]. STARTED TRUCK, STARTER REMAINED ENGAGED, TURNED KEY OFF, STARTER REMAINED ON AND ENGINE RUNNING, SMOKE ROSE FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, ONLY WAY ENGINE COULD BE STOPPED WAS TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERIES. BY THE TIME BATTERIES WERE DISCONNECTED, THE STARTER, FUEL SHUTDOWN SOLENOID, S…
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DODGE 1996 2500 CUMMINS DIESEL - VIN - [XXX]. STARTED TRUCK, STARTER REMAINED ENGAGED, TURNED KEY OFF, STARTER REMAINED ON AND ENGINE RUNNING, SMOKE ROSE FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, ONLY WAY ENGINE COULD BE STOPPED WAS TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERIES. BY THE TIME BATTERIES WERE DISCONNECTED, THE STARTER, FUEL SHUTDOWN SOLENOID, SOME WIRING WERE BURNT UP, HAD TO BE REPLACED. LUCKILY ELECTRICAL FIRE WENT OUT BEFORE IGNITING DIESEL FUEL. *NLM INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10018958
Mileage unknown · Mar 12, 2003
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling
OCCASIONALLY, EXPERIENCE DIFFICULTY IN STARTING THE ENGINE, STALLS IMMEDIATELY AFTER STARTING AND DURING LONG DISTANCE DRIVING, EXPERIENCE INTERMITTENT FIRING, LIKE TREMBLING.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10010351
Mileage unknown · Aug 27, 2002
Electrical SystemFire
STARTER CAME ON WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE AT 40 MPH. I PARKED VEHICLE AND TURNED OFF THE IGNITION SWITCH AND REMOVED THE KEY, AND STARTER KEPT RUNNING. SMOKE WAS COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD FROM THE BATTERY CABLES. I DISCONNECTED THE BATTERIES AND THE STARTER STOPPED. THE DEALER SAID THE RECALL FOR THE IGNITION SWITCH WIRING HAD…
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STARTER CAME ON WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE AT 40 MPH. I PARKED VEHICLE AND TURNED OFF THE IGNITION SWITCH AND REMOVED THE KEY, AND STARTER KEPT RUNNING. SMOKE WAS COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD FROM THE BATTERY CABLES. I DISCONNECTED THE BATTERIES AND THE STARTER STOPPED. THE DEALER SAID THE RECALL FOR THE IGNITION SWITCH WIRING HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE STARTER. I BELIEVE THERE WAS A SHORT IN THE IGNITION WIRING THAT CAUSED THE STARTER TO COME ON. I CAN NOT IMAGINE HOW A STARTER SOLENOID COULD GET POWERED WITHOUT TURNING THE IGNITION SWITCH OR A SHORT.*AK
NHTSA ODI #766336
Mileage unknown · Apr 26, 2002
Electrical SystemPower Train
HEAT IS ON THE MODULE AND WILL CATCH ON FIRE.*AK THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND WAS REBUILT. CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE MONEY HE PAID TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REBUILT. *YD
NHTSA ODI #8008690
Mileage unknown · Apr 15, 2002
Electrical SystemTrailer Hitches
WHEN PUTTING VEHICLE IN REVERSE AND THERE IS A TRAILER ON BACK, TRAILER BLOWS THE FUSE ON REVERSE LIGHTS OF TRUCK. CONSUMER FEELS THIS IS VERY UNSAFE, COULD BE REAR ENDED. ALL LIGHTS REPLACED WERE FACTORY INSTALLED. *JG
NHTSA ODI #8007617
Mileage unknown · Oct 30, 2001
Electrical System
HEADLIGHTS GO ON AND OFF OVER EVERY BUMP IN THE ROAD. ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO I REPLACED THE SWITCH BODY TO FIX THE SAME PROBLEM, I DID NOT NOTICE IF THE LOOM WAS ALREADY FAILING AT THAT TIME. WHEN THE SAME PROBLEM HAPPENED AGAIN I INVESTINGATED A BIT FURTHER AND FOUND THE CENTER SECTION OF THE WIRE LOOM WAS MELTED AND DEFORMED AROUN…
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HEADLIGHTS GO ON AND OFF OVER EVERY BUMP IN THE ROAD. ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO I REPLACED THE SWITCH BODY TO FIX THE SAME PROBLEM, I DID NOT NOTICE IF THE LOOM WAS ALREADY FAILING AT THAT TIME. WHEN THE SAME PROBLEM HAPPENED AGAIN I INVESTINGATED A BIT FURTHER AND FOUND THE CENTER SECTION OF THE WIRE LOOM WAS MELTED AND DEFORMED AROUND 2 OF THE CONNECTORS. TESTING WITH A VOLT METER INDICATES ONE OF THE CONNECTORS (GREEN WIRE) IS WIRED TO THE HEADLIGHTS. THE WIRE ALSO SHOWS SIGNS OF EXCESSIVE HEAT BUILDUP. I SUSPECT THE REAL PROBLEM IS A BUSTED RELAY SOMEWHERE ELSE, BUT HAVENT SEARCHED FOR THAT YET. THIS IS CURIOUSLY SIMILAR TO RECALL 99V024000.*AK
NHTSA ODI #753885
Mileage unknown · Apr 12, 2000
Electrical SystemPower TrainSuspension
FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE, WHICH CAUSED FRONT END TO DROP. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM, BUT THIS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED ALTHOUGH IT HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. ALSO, OCCUPANT RECEIVED A RECALL FOR THE WIRING HARNESS WHICH HE NEVER HAD REPAIRED, AND LOST THE RECALL NOTICE. MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLU…
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FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE, WHICH CAUSED FRONT END TO DROP. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM, BUT THIS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED ALTHOUGH IT HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. ALSO, OCCUPANT RECEIVED A RECALL FOR THE WIRING HARNESS WHICH HE NEVER HAD REPAIRED, AND LOST THE RECALL NOTICE. MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN WIRING HARNESS RECALL. ALSO, 5TH GEAR QUIT FOR THE SECOND TIME, FIRST TIME COVERED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY, THIS TIME OWNER MUST PAY FOR REPAIR. CHRYSLER HAS ISSUED AN UPDATED NUT FOR THIS PROBLEM. *AK *ML
NHTSA ODI #860158
NHTSA investigations
2DP03006 · 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.
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.
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