NHTSA Complaint #10353594 — 2006 DODGE RAM 2500

2006 DODGE RAM 2500 CUMMINS DIESEL-FAILED LEFT TURN SIGNAL/BRAKE LIGHT ON FACTORY INSTALLED TRAILER PLUG. MY PARENTS PURCHASED THIS TRUCK NEW IN 2007 THAT HAPPENED TO HAVE THE TRAILER PACKAGE INCLUDED. I RECENTLY TRIED TO HOOK UP A TRAILER TO MY PARENTS TRUCK. I NOTICED THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL AND STOP LIGHT ON THE TRAILER DID NOT WORK. I WENT THROUGH THE TRAILER AND FOUND ALL WIRING TO FUNCTION CORRECTLY. I TESTED THE FACTORY INSTALLED TRAILER PLUG ON THE TRUCK BUMPER AND FOUND THE METAL PIN THAT SENDS THE SIGNAL TO THE LEFT SIGNAL/BRAKE LIGHT OF THE TRAILER NON-FUNCTIONING. I TESTED THE WIRE UNDER THE TRUCK AND FOUND THE SAME WIRE THAT ATTACHES TO THE TRAILER PLUG HAD NO ELECTRICAL CURRENT. I CHECKED THE FUSE BOX AND ALL FUSES WERE FUNCTIONING. I CHECKED THE INTERNET AND FOUND MANY PEOPLE WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT. THE COMMON CAUSE FOR THE PROBLEM LISTED WAS THE FUSE BOX(AKA TIPM). THERE ISN'T A SEPARATE FUSE FOR THE TRAILER SIGNAL FOR A ISSUES LIKE A SHORT. THE WHOLE CIRCUIT FOR THE LEFT LIGHT IS CLOSED BY THE SOFTWARE. INSTEAD OF JUST REPLACING A FUSE THE WHOLE FUSE BOX NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE AVERAGE COST IS $1,000 TO FIX. I CALLED THE DEALER AND HE SAID THE USUAL SERVICE LINE, "JUST BRING IT IN AND FOR $99 WE'LL DIAGNOSE IT FOR YOU. I CALLED THE DODGE CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD GET BACK TO ME AND IT'S BEEN 3 DAYS. I EMAILED DODGE CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY SAID THE SAME AS THE DEALER DID. I REPLIED ASKING IF DODGE WAS GOING TO HELP PAY FOR THE PROBLEM. I ALSO ASKED IF THERE WAS SOMEONE ELSE OF HIGHER AUTHORITY TO COMMUNICATE WITH. THEY REPLIED OKAY AND THAT IT'S BEEN PASSED ON. THIS IS A BIG SAFETY HAZARD FOR MY FAMILY AND THE PUBLIC. IF I CAN'T SEE A DRIVER BEHIND ME OR THEM CAN'T SEE ME AND AN ACCIDENT OCCURS, WHO'S GOING TO PAY FOR IT AND CAN YOU REALLY PUT A PRICE OF THE SAFETY OF YOUR LOVED ONES? UPDATED IVOQ 12/01/10 *TR