RoadVitals

2012 Dodge 1500 Exterior lighting Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the exterior lighting system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Exterior lighting reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
45
Latest Aug 6, 2026
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
6%
of 695 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
2
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2012 Dodge 1500 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 45 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.

Owner reports naming exterior lighting

The 25 most recent of 45, in the owner's own words

ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Aug 6, 2026
Fire reported

While the vehicle was sitting in the driveway not running, the back of the headlight caught on fire. There wasn't any incedents (e.i. any collision, repairs) prior to the indecent. It is available for inspection. No dealership report yet, but have an appointment with local dealership Tuesday to get an itemized estimate for the repairs.

NHTSA ID
11755251
Incident
Aug 4, 2026
AirbagsElectricalExterior lighting
Filed May 13, 2025

The contact owns a 2012 Ram 1500. The contact stated that the check engine, air bag, and the fuel pump relay failure warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the exterior lights failed to operate as needed, and the vehicle occasionally failed to start. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle stalled while driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the TIPM was faulty and needed to be replaced. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 160,000.

NHTSA ID
11660592
Incident
May 13, 2023
Mileage
160,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Sep 29, 2023

My headlights (specifically on the driver side) keeps going out randomly. I have replaced the high and low beam bults 3 times and the wiring harness twice. I can be driving down the road and they it will go out and 10 minutes later it will just come back on all on it's on. I looked on all of the Dodge discussion forums and this seems to be a very common issue with this make/model of the Dodge Ram 1500 I recieve no error messages on my dash console telling me that this has occurred. However, every other bulb that has ever went out gave an error on the dash.

NHTSA ID
11547363
Incident
Apr 1, 2023
Exterior lighting
Filed Dec 11, 2021

I went out to start my truck and there was only one headlight working. After replacing the left driver's side bulb multiple times and it still didn't work I had a mechanic look at it and he figured out it was a wiring connector problem.

NHTSA ID
11443472
Incident
Dec 11, 2021
Exterior lighting
Filed Sep 30, 2020

THE PASSENGER SIDE HEAD LIGHT GOES OFF AND ON PERIODICALLY SOMETIMES WHEN YOUR DRIVING DONE THE ROAD IT FLICKERS AND GOES OFF WE HAVE TRIED REPLACEMENTS PARTS AND THE PROBLEM CONTINUES

NHTSA ID
11361958
Incident
Sep 29, 2020
Mileage
100,000 mi
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Dec 18, 2018

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER LIGHTS FLICKER WHEN STATIONARY AND IN MOTION.

NHTSA ID
11162369
Incident
Dec 1, 2018
Mileage
50,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Sep 8, 2018

FOR YEARS NOW, WHILE DRIVING, SOME OF MY DASHBOARD LIGHTS WOULD BE OFF, BUT NOT ALL OF THE TIME. NOW ALL OF THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS ARE OFF EXCEPT FOR THE SPEEDOMETER. I CAN'T SEE THE GAS GAGE OR TACHOMETER OR TEMPERATURE READINGS. THIS DOESN'T MATTER IF I AM STOPPED OR MOVING.

NHTSA ID
11128296
Incident
Sep 7, 2018
Mileage
18,990 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Apr 15, 2018

PASSENGER SIDE MIRROR, COVER AROUND SEAM DRY ROTTED, PLASTIC COVER THEN CHROME COVER BLEW OFF.

NHTSA ID
11085175
Incident
Oct 10, 2017
Mileage
55,000 mi
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Mar 4, 2018

PASSENGER SIDE HIGH AND LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS WILL GO OUT AT ANY TIME. WAS TOLD THE PROBLEM IS THE TCIM. MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE IF THEY GO OUT WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD IN THE DARK. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE TCIM IS VERY EXPENSIVE AND MAY ONLY SOLVE THE PROBLEM TEMPORARILY.

NHTSA ID
11076156
Incident
Mar 4, 2018
Mileage
50,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Dec 23, 2017

DRIVERS SIDE HEADLIGHTS, BOTH HIGH BEAM AND LOW BEAM , WILL NOT WORK. I HAVE REPLACED 3 TIMES IN 6 MONTHS, RESET THE TIPM ONCE, AND WILL HAVE TO AGAIN. THIS IS A CHRONIC ISSUE WITH RAM TIPM. (GOOGLE IT, PAGES OF RESULTS) I AM DRIVING WITHOUT A HEADLIGHT HALF THE TIME NOW, KEEPING BULBS IN MY TRUCK, BUT IT IS NOT EASY ACCESS TO CHANGE BULBS ON THE FLY ALONG THE HIGHWAY.

NHTSA ID
11056188
Incident
Jun 5, 2017
Mileage
94,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Dec 14, 2017

HEADLIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING. WAS TOLD IT IS A FAILED TIPM. WAS HEADED HOME FROM THE STORE AT DUSK. TURNED THE LIGHT SWITCH AND NO LIGHTS. HAD TO DRIVE HOME WITH FLASHERS.

NHTSA ID
11054816
Incident
Dec 12, 2017
Exterior lighting
Filed Dec 12, 2017

RIGHT OR LEFT HEADLIGHT GOS OUT AND ON WELL DRIVING. TIPM ???? WIRE HARNESS HAS BEEN REPLACED, DID NOT FIX

NHTSA ID
11054196
Incident
Feb 22, 2016
Exterior lighting
Filed Dec 5, 2017

MY HEADLIGHTS ON MY 2012 RAM 1500 ST ARE HORRIBLE. MY FOG LIGHTS ARE BRIGHTER THEN THE LOW BEAM ON THE VEHICLE WHICH MAKES IT DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AT NIGHT. I ALMOST GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE THE HEADLIGHTS, BOTH LOW AND HIGH ARE NOT BRIGHT ENOUGH TO SEE PAST 10 FEET.

NHTSA ID
11052549
Incident
Dec 5, 2015
Mileage
20 mi
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Nov 3, 2017

WHEN I TURNED ON THE HI BEAMS (VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY), THE HEADLIGHTS FLICKERED, ALL THE DASH LIGHT CUT IN AND OUT, ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS LIT UP, AND THE DOOR AJAR/LIGHTS ON WARNING BELLS WENT OFF. I DIMMED THE HEADLIGHTS AND IT STOPPED. THE DEALER FIRST SAID THE ALTERNATOR WAS BAD, AND IT WAS ONLY CHARGING AT 12 VOLTS, SO THEY REPLACED IT, BUT THAT DIDN'T SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THEN THEY SAID IT WAS THE TIPM. 17 DAYS AND $1351 LATER, I HAVE MY TRUCK BACK.

NHTSA ID
11042863
Incident
Oct 19, 2017
Mileage
48,035 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Oct 9, 2017

THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT ALLOWS WATER TO ENTER THE REAR SEAT AREA WHEN VEHICLE IS STATIONARY OR IN MOTION. THE ISSUE OCCURS DURING RAIN AND WHEN THE VEHICLE IS BEING WASHED.

NHTSA ID
11032343
Incident
Sep 21, 2017
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Sep 21, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE REPEATEDLY EXPERIENCED A FAILURE WITH THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING. WHEN THE LOW BEAMS CUT OFF, IT DISABLED THE HIGH BEAM LIGHT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE HEADLIGHT BULBS A COUPLE OF TIMES, BUT EACH TIME THE FAILURE RECURRED WITHIN TWO WEEKS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (HUMES CHRYSLER IN WATERFORD, PA, 814-796-2666) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 58,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED. UPDATED 11/01/17*LJ UPDATED 7/19/18*JB

NHTSA ID
11024786
Incident
Dec 10, 2016
Mileage
58,000 mi
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Mar 24, 2017

HEADLIGHT FLICKERING WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT ON WAY HOME FROM WORK DEALER SAID WAS FAULTY TIPM MODULE

NHTSA ID
10968385
Incident
Mar 21, 2017
Exterior lighting
Filed Dec 21, 2016

DRIVING AT NIGHT WITH HEADLIGHT SWITCH IN AUTO POSITION, WEATHER WAS COLD, HAD FOR LIGHTS ALSO ENABLED, HEATER WAS IN DEFROST POSITION WITH FAN ON HIGH SPEED, HEADLIGHTS AND FOG LIGHTS SUDDENLY WENT OUT WITHOUT WARNING AND THE STREET HAD NO STREET LIGHTS, ALMOST HIT A MAILBOX AND WENT OFF THE WINDING ROAD BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO MAKE A COMPLETE STOP, THIS HAS OCCURRED 3 MORE TIMES SINCE FIRST OCCURRENCE ABOUT A MONTH AGO. I HAVE TALKED TO THE ELECTRICAL ENGINEER AT AUBURN HILLS, MI. AND WAS TOLD HE IS NOT AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM. I SEE OTHER COMPLAINTS WITH SAME ISSUE ON THIS WEBSITE, OBVIOUSLY THERE IS A PROBLEM WHICH INVOLVES A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10936766
Incident
Nov 24, 2016
Mileage
38,500 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Sep 27, 2016

TOOK TRUCK THROUGH CAR WASH. NOTICED WATER ALL OVER BACK SEAT AND THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR CORNER OF THE HEADLINER. TOOK TO DEALER. THEY SAID IT WAS THE THIRD BREAK LIGHT THAT WAS LEAKING. IT'S GOING TO COST ME $70 FOR THEM TO REPLACE THE SEAL.

NHTSA ID
10910010
Incident
Sep 27, 2016
Mileage
63,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Jul 31, 2016

HEADLIGHTS WILL UNEXPECTEDLY GO OUT WHILE DRIVING. HAS HAPPENED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. REPLACED BOTH BULBS AND WAS OK FOR ABOUT A WEEK, BUT STARTED DOING IT AGAIN. SOMETIMES IF HOOD IS SLAMMED, LIGHTS WILL COME BACK ON. DEALER CLAIMS THERE IS NOT A CONNECTION/ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. VERY DANGEROUS. MANY OWNERS HAVE COMPLAINED OF THE SAME PROBLEM. RECALL SHOULD HAVE BEEN ISSUED ALREADY.

NHTSA ID
10891882
Incident
Sep 22, 2015
Mileage
78,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Apr 27, 2016

SEVERAL MONTHS AGO THE PASSENGER HEADLIGHT (LOW AND HIGH BEAMS) NOT WORKING INTERMITTENTLY.

NHTSA ID
10861703
Incident
Mar 1, 2016
Exterior lighting
Filed Mar 19, 2016

THE HEAD LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING ON THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE TRUCK HIGH AND LOW BEAMS DO NOT WORK TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THEY SAID THE BULBS WERE NOT BURNED OUT THE TRUCK ONLY HAS 35000 MILES ON IT I HAVE SEEN ON RAM FORUM .COM THAT A LOT OF TRUCKS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM

NHTSA ID
10850542
Incident
Mar 6, 2016
Mileage
35,000 mi
ElectricalEngineExterior lighting
Filed Jan 7, 2016

DURING 2014/2015 THE 2012 DODGE RAM 1500 WOULD FAIL TO START INTERMITTENTLY ESPECIALLY ON COLDER DAYS. DURING JANUARY OF 2015 THE PROBLEM BECAME MORE COMMON ON A DAILY BASIS AND WOULD TAKE 10-15 TIMES TO START THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKE TO DODGE UNDER WARRANTY FOR REPAIR MULTIPLE TIMES AND ACCORDING TO DODGE THE STARTER WAS REPLACED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD START. AFTER OBTAINING THE VEHICLE FROM THE DODGE REPAIR SHOP THE LEFT HEAD LIGHT BEGAN TO GO ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS AGAIN TAKING TO THE DODGE SERVICE SHOP FOR REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY. DODGE INDICATED THAT IT WAS A FAULTY TIPM AND THAT IT WAS REPLACED AND THAT THE LEFT HEADLIGHT SHOULD WORK APPROPRIATELY. AFTER OBTAINING THE TRUCK ONCE AGAIN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND RETURNED TO THE DODGE SHOP WHERE THEY INDICATED THAT IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION SENSOR WHICH WAS REPLACED. SEVERAL MONTHS LATER THE DRIVER'S HEADLIGHT BEGAN TO GO ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING AND SITTING STILL. THE DODGE WAS RETURNED TO THE DODGE REPAIR SHOP WHO STATED THAT THE PREVIOUS REPAIR WAS DONE UNDER WARRANTY AND SINCE THE VEHICLE IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY THEY WOULD NOT COVER ANY REPAIRS EVEN THOUGHT THEY HAVE A 24 MONTH PART POLICY FOR REPAIRS PAID FOR BY THE CUSTOMER. SUSPECTED TO BE A TIPM ISSUE.

NHTSA ID
10818673
Incident
Jan 21, 2015
Mileage
14,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Dec 24, 2015

PASSENGER HEADLIGHT LOW AND HIGH BEAMS NOT WORKING INTERMITTENTLY. REMOVE POWER FROM TIPM AND WAIT 12 HOURS THEM RECONNECT WILL WORK FOR A LITTLE WHILE.

NHTSA ID
10812049
Incident
Nov 18, 2015
Mileage
48,125 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Dec 23, 2015

THE HEADLIGHTS ON THIS VEHICLE ARE VERY DIM. IT IS HARD TO SEE WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT. DEALER CLAIMS THERE IS NO PROBLEM WITH THE LIGHTS IN THESE VEHICLES, BUT WILL THEN STATE THE PROBLEMS WERE FIXED IN THE 2013 MODEL.

NHTSA ID
10812005
Incident
Oct 31, 2012

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.

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Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .