Owner-reported complaints naming the exterior lighting system, filed with NHTSA
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Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2009 Dodge 1500 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 19 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed
The left turn signal not working properly. When I put my left turn signal the amber light front of the truck not working instead the high bean works as turn signal also amber running light not working. Is so frustrating getting pulled over by a cop for that reason!!!
THE VEHICLE DIES AND EVERYTHING BECOMES DISABLED INCLUDING ALL OUTSIDE LIGHTS INCLUDING THE EMERGENCY FLASHERS. ENGINE TURNS OFF AND THEN WILL NO RESTART. SOMETIMES THIS PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT BUT LATER COMPLETELY FAILS. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IN 2 YEARS THAT THIS TRUCK HAS DIED. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED ON A FOGGY NIGHT. TH ENGINE AND ALL LIGHTS TURNED OFF AT CRUISING SPEED LEAVING ONLY SOME INSTRUMENT CLUSTER LIGHTS ON WHICH ENDS UP BEIN EVEN MORE OF A DISTRACTION FROM THE SUDDEN OUTSIDE DARKNESS. AFTER TRYING TO FIND THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IN THE DARKNESS, THEN YOUR EMERGENCY FLASHERS DO NOT WORK LEAVING THE TRUCK JUST A DARK TARGET IN THE ROAD. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. RECENTLY THIS SAME TRUCK DIED A SECOND TIME BUT THANKFULLY AFTER FILLING UP A A GAS STATION. AFTER A QUICK SEARCH ONLINE, THIS HAS HAPPENED TO MANY MANY DODGE RAM OWNERS FROM 2009 TO 2016 MAYBE NEWER VEHICLES AND ALSO OTHER MODELS. THE DEALER REFERS TO THE PROBLEM BEING WITH A TOTALLY INTEGRATED POWER MODULE (TIPM). I JUST READ THAT THERE HAVE BEEN MANY COMPLAINTS FILED ALREADY EVEN WITH THE NHTSA. PLEASE CONTINUE TO INVESTIGATE, THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE.
TRUCK SOMETIMES SHOWS LIFE WHEN IN ACCESSORY BUT WHEN PUT TO ON TRUCK DIES COMPLETELY, OBVIOUSLY NOT GOING TO TURN OVER WITH NO SIGN OF LIFE. MINUTES LATER I CAN COME BACK AND START IT NO PROBLEM. HEADLIGHTS WILL CONSISTENTLY STUTTER OR EVEN TURN ON OR OFF WHILE PARKED OR MOVING. LASTLY WHILE DRIVING SOMETIMES ALL POWER AND ELECTRICAL SHUTS OFF AND TRUCK IS COMPLETELY DEAD WHILE GOING ANY SPEED. I HAVE NOT FOUND A CERTAIN SPEED IT DIES BECAUSE IT HAS SHUT OFF IN PARKING LOTS AND GOING DOWN HIGHWAY. POWER STEERING IS GONE AND ITS SCARY TO PULL OF SIDE OF ROAD WHEN SOME ROADS DON'T HAVE MUCH TO WORK WITH OR GOING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND LOSING ALL POWER.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEATER, DEFROSTER, AND AIR CONDITIONER MALFUNCTIONED. IN ADDITION, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS TURNING INTO A DRIVEWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO BUTTE'S MILE HIGH CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE RAM (3883 HARRISON AVE, BUTTE, MT 59701,(406) 565-4410) AND REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY. THE CONTACT HAD TO PAY FOR A LOANER VEHICLE BECAUSE THEY EXCEEDED THE MILEAGE LIMITATION DUE TO THE DISTANCE FROM THEIR HOME TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH DID NOT ACTIVATE THE HEADLIGHTS; THEREFORE, THE CONTACT HAD TO USE THE HIGH BEAMS. THE CONTACT REPAIRED THE HEADLIGHTS THEMSELVES. THE HEATER AND AIR CONDITIONER WERE NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND WERE REPAIRED BY THE CONTACT, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000.
RIGHT FRONT HEAD LIGHT CONTINUES TO GO OUT. BEEN REPAIRED TWICE AND TECH. SAID THE TIPM NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.....DODGE DOES NOT SELL THESE....THEY WILL REPLACE FOR 3-4K!! I'M STUCK WITH A PIECE OF *&^%$## CAN'T DRIVE AT NIGHT VERY FRUSTRATING!
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE HEADLAMPS FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLAMP SWITCH WAS SET TO AUTO-ON AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. ADDITIONALLY, THE HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING UNIT ACTIVATED AND WERE UNABLE TO BE TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BLEND DOOR ACTUATOR WAS REPLACED FIVE TIMES PREVIOUSLY; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED, BUT WAS NOT ABLE TO BE REACHED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,178.
LIGHTING SOCKETS AND OTHER ELECTRICAL PARTS ARE MELTING AND SMOKING CAUSING EVERYTHING NOT WORK. CURRENTLY NOT WORKING AFTER BEING REPLACE IN WITHIN THE LAST 3 MONTHS: HEADLIGHTS, REVERSE LIGHTS, PARKING SENSORS (4), HEATED SEATS, RANDOMLY THE NAVIGATION/MUSIC SYSTEM, UNLOCKING/LOCKING WITH KEY FOB (RANDOMLY), ABS SENSORS, 4 WHEEL DRIVE BEING TURNED OFF AND ON, THE PARKING BRAKE RANDOMLY TURNING OFF AND ON. I WILL BE DRIVING AND THINGS WILL SLOWING START TO NOT WORK. SOMETIMES THE LIGHTS DON'T WORK WHEN I GO TO LEAVE IN THE EARLY MORNING AND I HAVE TO TAKE A DIFFERENT VEHICLE SINCE YOU CANNOT LEGALLY DRIVE WITHOUT WORKING LIGHTS IN THE DARK. MULTIPLE CAR REPAIR SHOPS HAVE TRIED NUMEROUS THINGS TO FIX IT. WE HAVE SPENT UNDER 4K IN REPAIRS ON A TRUCK WE HAVE OWNED LESS THAN A YEAR, AND WE ARE NOW BEING TOLD WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO SPEND 1K PLUS LABOR COSTS TO REPLACE THE TIPM AND ANOTHER COUPLE HUNDRED TO BRING IT TO A DEALERSHIP AFTER AND HAVE IT "REFLASHED"
THE HEADLIGHTS ARE UNEFFECTIVE FOR NIGHT DRIVING. IN ALL PUCKUPS SINCE 2009 AS I HAVE HAD 2009,11,22,24&15 MODEL YEARS WITH STANDARD HEADLIGHTS. THEY HAVE STARTED TO IMPROVE IN 2014 BUT STILL NOT ACCEPTABLE FOR AN OLDER PERSONS EYES AND DEFINITELY NOT AN INEXPERIENCED DRIVERS EYES.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH IN INCLEMENT WEATHER, BOTH HIGH AND LOW BEAM HEADLAMPS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT INDEPENDENTLY REPLACED THE BULBS; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TOTALLY INTEGRATED POWER MODULE (TIPM) NEEDED TO BE RESET. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIPM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000.
PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT INTERMITTANTLY FAILS, BUT BULB IS OK. WINDOWS INTERMITTANTLY ROLL THEMSELVES DOWN. KEY(FOB) GETS STUCK IN RECEPTICALE. PASSENGER SIDE WINDSHIELD SPRAYER DOES NOT SPRAY WATER.
TLA* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE PROPERLY AND CAUSED POOR VISIBILITY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MORE THAN TWO DEALERS AND THEY PERFORMED VARIOUS UNKNOWN REPAIRS, WHICH DID NOT REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A FAILURE WITH THE LOW BEAM AND HIGH BEAM VISIBILITY WHICH CAUSED THE CONTACT TO HAVE TO DRIVE SLOWER DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. *JB 03/21/18 UPDATED 05/17/18*JB
THE REAR AXLE PINION NUT ON MY TRUCK IS RECALLED CAUSING MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. CHRYSLER IS REFUSING TO DO ANYTHING OTHER THAN TELLING PEOPLE TO WAIT AND THEY ARE OK TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE UNTIL IT BREAKS. THIS IS MY ONLY VEHICLE, AND I NEED A SAFE VEHICLE FOR MY FAMILY AND ME TO BE IN. YOURE PUTTING OUR LIVES, AND EVERYONE ELSES AT RISK IS 100%IRRESPONSIBLE OF ME AND CHRYSLER. PLEASE HELP US CONSUMERS. MY LIGHT CAME ON SERVICE 4 WHEEL DRIVE, ESP TRACTION CONTROL, I PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY WHICH IS WHAT SAVED ME, I AM HAVING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE HEADLIGHTS, FIRST THE DRIVERS SIDE AND NOW THE PASSAGER SIDE. I HAVE CALLED DODGE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES TO SCHEDULE THE SERVICE FOR THE REPLACEMENT. THEY DO NOT HAVE THE PART OR DON'T KNOW WHEN THE PART WILL BE THERE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE AT NIGHT WITH THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ACTIVATED, THE LIGHTS WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE BRIGHT ENOUGH FOR THE DRIVER TO SEE THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES AND THE LIGHT BULBS WERE REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000.
HEAD LIGHTS STOP WORKING, AFTER INSPECTION THE CONNECTORS TO THE LIGHTS ARE MALFUNCTIONING , DEFECTIVE . DURING THE 3 YEAR WARRANTY VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER TO REPAIR THIS BUT NOTHING WAS DONE TO REPLACE CONNECTORS , DEALERS CLAIM THAT CONNECTORS WERE CLEAN . PROBLEM STILL EXIST AND LIGHTS BOTH GO ON AN OFF, CONNECTORS ARE CLEAN AND NO CORROSION WAS FOUND, CONNECTORS HAVE TO BE REPLACE IN ORDER TO FIX PROBLEM. IF WIGGLE OR SQUEEZE BY HANDS THEY WORKED EVENDO THEY ARE COMPLETELY INSERTED WITH LOCK IN PLACE . THIS IS A MUST DO WHILE ON THE ROAD AT NIGHT DRIVER GOES BLIND AND CAN AND IT WILL CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *TR
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE HEAD LIGHTS (LOW AND HIGH) WILL GO OFF AND COME ON. IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. I HAVE REPLACE THE BULBS BUT IT IS STILL DOING IT. MAY BE AN ISSUE WITH THE HARNESS PLEASE ADDRESS THE PROBLEM. *TR
DEER RAN INTO ME. MY HEADLIGHTS ON MY RAM ARE SO INFERIOR THAT I COULDN'T SEE THE DEER. I DON'T THINK HE COULD SEE ME EITHER. THE HEADLIGHTS ON THE RAMS ARE SO POOR I HAVE STARTED LOOKING ON WEBSITES TO SEE IF OTHERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS. I HAVE FOUND HUNDREDS OF OTHER RAM OWNERS WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT. WE ALL HAVE COMMENTED HOW WE CAN DRIVE WITH OUR BRIGHTS ON AND NEVER GET FLASHED BACK. APPARENTLY CHRYSLER HAS CORRECTED THE PROBLEM ON THE 2013 MODEL. (FINALLY). CHRYSLER NEEDS TO RECALL THE AFFECTED RAMS AND FIX THE HEADLIGHTS BEFORE PEOPLE ARE INJURED AND KILLED, OR SHOULD I SAY BEFORE MORE ARE INJURED AND KILLED. *TR
THE DOORS THAT SWITCH THE AIR UP TO THE WINDSHIELD OR TO YOUR FEET OR FACE STARTED FLAPPING BACK ANFOURTH AND THEN STUCK ION BLOWING ON YOUR FEET NEVER SWITCHING AGAIN. THEN BEFORE I COULD GET BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP TO GET FIXED THE WHOLE HVAC SYSTEM QUIT WORKING ALL EXCEPT THE FAN SWITCH, IT STILL BLOWS ON YOUR FEET. WHEN THE SYSTEM QUIT IT ALSO STOPPED MY AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHT ON SWITCH TO QUIT. YOU CAN'T DEFROST THE WINDSHIELD HOW IS THAT NOT SAFE. THE TRUCK HAD ABOUT 50000 MILES WHEN THESE STARTED HAPPEN. *TR
PASSENGER SIDE HEAD LAMP FAILURE. BOTH HIGH & LOW BEAM WILL RANDOMLY GO OFF AND WORKING INTERMITTENTLY. COMMON PROBLEM POSTED AMONG 2009+ DODGE RAM OWNERS. CAUSED BY FAULTY GROUND WIRING. *TR
DASHBOARD BEGAN CRACKING AND CAVING IN. LARGE AND SMALL PIECES HAVE FALLEN INTO THE DASH AREA. SOON AFTER, I NOTICED THAT SEVERAL TIMES I HAVE TRIED USING MY HIGH BEAMS, AND WILL LOSE MY HEADLAMPS, AND THE HIGH BEAMS DON'T COME ON EITHER. DIDN'T THINK THEY WERE RELATED BUT RECENTLY HAVE HEARD AND READ OF SEVERAL OTHER OWNERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR DODGE RAMS THAT HAVE BROKEN DASHBOARDS. SOME HAVE OTHER ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS IN THE DASH TOO. I ALSO NOW HAVE SIGNIFICANT WIND WHISTLE COMING FROM THE FRONT WINDSHIELD UNLESS I LEAVE A WINDOW CRACKED OR VENT OPEN WHEN TRAVELLING HIGHWAY SPEEDS. SUSPECT IT IS FROM LOSS OF STRUCTURAL RIGIDITY DUE TO COLLAPSED DASH. *TT
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own
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