RoadVitals

2017 RAM 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.
12
Latest Oct 11, 2024
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.
1%
of 863 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.
1
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 2017 RAM 1500 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 12 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

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

ElectricalEngineExterior lighting
Filed Oct 11, 2024

Loss of dash display engine shuts down and no control of anything including steering very dangerous

NHTSA ID
11619284
Incident
Sep 4, 2024
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Nov 1, 2023

Vehicle was brought in several times for loose headlights. Each time fastners were replaced. By dealership. Larry Miller boise, ID. Called ram cares they stated nothing was reported to them nor were there any recall. This is a major safety issue and on forums many people state they cannot pass state inspection because the headlights are falling out.

NHTSA ID
11553012
Incident
Oct 30, 2023
Exterior lighting
Filed Jan 25, 2023

During the rainstorms here in sacramento California water was coming inside the truck. At the dealer it was diagnosed with the 3rd brake light and flapper vents needed replacement that was the cause of water leaks. water was entering on the back cabin and baseboards were flooded. It’s a safety hazard because mold started forming real bad. We didn’t catch it right away.

NHTSA ID
11503732
Incident
Jan 2, 2023
Exterior lighting
Filed Jul 8, 2021

Third brake leaks into the cab under the seat through the sound proofing causing mold in the cab. Vehicle has approximately 29k miles and I would not have notice if I did not lift the seat up where I found some of my items with moldy and wet. If not notice if could cause respiratory issues to occupants. The manufacturer and dealer does not want to cover the repairs. Upon further inquiries, many older models had the same problem. This is a serious health hazard.

NHTSA ID
11423992
Incident
Jul 1, 2021
AirbagsElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Mar 3, 2021

FAILURE OF AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM MULTIPLE TIMES WHILE STILL UNDER WARRANTY, FAILURE OF BACKUP CAMERA, FAILURE OF OTHER ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS LIKE FRONT HEADLIGHT AND INDOOR DOME LIGHT.

NHTSA ID
11398923
Incident
Feb 15, 2021
Exterior lighting
Filed Oct 1, 2020

DRIVING DOWN A ROAD AT 55MPH AND HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT AND COULD NOT SEE ANYTHING FOR SEVERAL SECONDS AS IT WAS NIGHT TIME AND IT WAS PITCH BLACK. FRANTICALLY TRIED ALL THE LIGHT OPTIONS AND TURNED THE LIGHT KNOB ALL THE WAY TO THE RIGHT AND HAD SOME LIGHT JUST IN TIME TO SLAM MY BRAKES TO NOT HIT A DEER. MADE IT HOME AND CHECKED THE LIGHTS. HIGH BEAMS WORKED BUT BOTH LOW BEAMS DID NOT. REPLACED BULBS AND STILL DIDN'T WORK. LOOKED FOR A FUSE/RELAY BUT DOESN'T SEEM TO HAVE ONE. AUTO SENSING AND LOW BEAM DOES NOT WORK, SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL ON TIPM OR WHATEVER DEVICE IS MALFUNCTIONING.

NHTSA ID
11362279
Incident
Sep 30, 2020
Mileage
217,000 mi
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Jun 20, 2019
Fire reported

HAVE HAD MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL ISSUES REGARDING INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR LIGHTS SINCE PURCHASING NEW. TAKEN TO DEALER UNABLE TO REPLICATE THE ISSUE'S, HAD RECALL FIXED FOR SHIFTER KNOB. ADDITIONAL ISSUES WITH THE KEYLESS REMOTE NOT LOCKING OR UNLOCKING ALL THE DOORS OR LATCHES. NEWEST ELECTRICAL ISSUE IS A SHORT IN THE RAMBOX WIRING CAUSING A FIRE WHILE TRAVELING DOWN THE ROAD. COMPLETELY BURNED AND DESTROYED WIRING IN REAR OF RAMBOX BURNED THROUGH THE PLASTIC AND WARPED THE BOX DOOR.

NHTSA ID
11221542
Incident
Jun 20, 2019
Mileage
19,512 mi
Body & structureExterior lighting
Filed Feb 28, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT REAR SEATS WERE DRENCHED WITH WATER, WHICH CAUSED A FOUL ODOR INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MULTIPLE UNKNOWN INDEPENDENT MECHANICS WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SEAL ON THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT WAS FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE CAUSED WATER TO ENTER THE VEHICLE. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, THE "REAR BRAKE LIGHT OUT" AND "KEY FOB LEFT THE VEHICLE" WARNING MESSAGES ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT WAS INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,320.

NHTSA ID
11183262
Incident
Jan 1, 2017
Mileage
26,320 mi
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Nov 29, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE THAT THE HEADLIGHTS AND REAR PASSENGER SIDE TAIL LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ELMWOOD CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM (LOCATED AT 625 TAUNTON AVE, EAST PROVIDENCE, RI 02914, (410) 438-0400) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BOLTS OF THE REAR AND FRONT PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK NUMEROUS TIMES TO THE SAME DEALER. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND HAD IT TOWED TO PRIORITY CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM OF SALISBURY (LOCATED AT 158 ELM ST, SALISBURY, MA 01952, (978) 961-3300) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BATTERY FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 57196259. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,900.

NHTSA ID
11154792
Incident
Apr 11, 2018
Mileage
14,900 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Mar 9, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AT NIGHT, THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ILLUMINATED VERY DIMLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED IN THAT MANNER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,000.

NHTSA ID
11078391
Incident
Oct 31, 2017
Mileage
9,000 mi
EngineExterior lightingSteering
Filed Nov 6, 2017

HAD BEEN EXPERIENCING TRANSMISSION WARNING LIGHTS BUT ENGINE DIDN'T PRODUCE ANY CODES.I TOOK TO 2 DIFFERENT DEALERS AND THEY SAID NOTHING WE COULD DO ABOUT SENSOR PROBLEMS UNTIL CODE APPEARS. WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT ABOUT A HALF MILE FROM HOME MY TRUCK SHUT DOWN. MY ENGINE TURNED OFF AND LOST MY STEERING,LIGHTS,AND DASH LIGHTS. THE ONLY THING THAT REMAINED ON WAS THE FULLY ILLUMINATED 8' RADIO COMMAND CENTER AND GEAR SELECT KNOB.THE SATELLITE RADIO REMAINED PLAYING BUT COULDN'T ADJUST VOLUME. I LUCKILY PULLED TO SIDE OF ROAD. I COULDN'T RESTART VEHICLE TO MOVE IT. I THEN TOOK MY KEY FOB AND LOCKED AND OPENED THE TRUCK.THE LIGHTS FLASHED AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE TO MOVE. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE TO HAVE IT TOWED TO DEALER. DURING THE TIME OF TURNING VEHICLE BACK ON THE DASH DISPLAYED A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. I THEN RECEIVED A VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION REPORT EMAILED TO ME THAT ENGINE/TRANSMISSION SERVICE NEEDED. THIS INCIDENT WITH A NEW TRUCK WITH 23,000 MILES IS VERY CONCERNING IN LOSING POWER,LIGHTS AND STEERING. THE PROBLEMS STATED WERE OVER A MONTH AGO AS NOTED WITH PICTURES

NHTSA ID
11043613
Incident
Nov 6, 2017
Mileage
23,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed May 3, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF A FAILURE. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN. UPDATED 06/28/17*LJ *AS

NHTSA ID
10983241
Incident
Mar 30, 2017
Mileage
82 mi

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 .