2002 DODGE RAM 1500 Exterior Lighting Problems

The contact owns a 2002 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed at night, he became aware that the external lights and turn signal lights were not functioning properly. The lamp out warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

WHILE DRIVING ALL OF THE GAUGES HAVE QUIT WORKING HEADLIGHTS STAY ON WILL NOT TURN OFF.

INTERMITTENT TURN SIGNAL FAILURE. TURN LEFT SIGNAL ON, AND FLASH THEN RIGHT SIGNAL WILL OCCASIONALLY FLASH. SOMETIMES LEFT AND RIGHT WILL ALTERNATE. THIS IS NOT THE SAME AS EMERGENCY FLASHERS WHERE BOTH LIGHTS ARE ON AT THE SAME TIME. THIS IS DANGEROUS, I'M IN A LEFT TURN LANE WITH MY LEFT BLINKER ON BUT MY TRUCK IS TELLING OTHER DRIVERS THAT I WANT TO TURN RIGHT. THE FAILURE, ERRATIC BEHAVIOR IS RANDOM AND INTERMITTENT.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, ANOTHER DRIVER ALERTED THAT THE TAIL LIGHTS AND PARK LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE WHEN ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED BECAUSE THE PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 158,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH AND ACTIVATING THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL, THE RIGHT INDICATOR ACTIVATED. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH PLASTIC HEADLIGHT COVERS WERE OXIDIZED AND REDUCED THE VISIBILITY WHENEVER DRIVING AT NIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. UPDATED 03/10/16*LJ UPDATED 03/16/16*JB

THE DRIVERS SIDE HEADLIGHT DIMS AND WILL GO OFF COMPLETELY. THE HARNESS HAS BEEN CHANGED BUT HAS NOT FIXED THE PROBLEM. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WERE REPLACED AND CAUSED ALL OF THE EXTERNAL LIGHTS TO FAIL INTERMITTENTLY, MAKING IT DANGEROUS TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AT NIGHT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

2002 DODGE RAM 1500 SLT 2WD 5.9 V8 (GAS) WITH 86,000 MILES. TURN SIGNALS HAVE SUDDENLY BECOME DANGEROUSLY INTERMITTENT. ALSO, OCCASIONALLY WHEN SIGNALING 'LEFT' THE RIGHT DASH INDICATOR FOR THE TURN SIGNALS WILL FLASH INSTEAD. IT HAPPENED TWICE TODAY, WE TURNED THE SIGNAL OFF THEN BACK 'ON' AND IT WORKED PROPERLY. BECAUSE THIS IS INTERMITTENT WE CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM TO DETERMINE IF THE OUTSIDE BULBS ARE FLASHING LEFT OR RIGHT, THEREFORE WE WORRY THEY MIGHT BE INCORRECTLY SIGNALING OUR INTENTIONS TO OTHER DRIVERS. WHILE SEARCHING ON-LINE FOR A SOLUTION BEFORE WE DETERMINE A REPAIR COURSE OF ACTION, WE DISCOVERED THIS IS COMMON TO THE DODGE RAM TRUCKS FROM 2002 THROUGH AT LEAST 2008 MODEL YEAR TRUCKS, BUT THE DEALER DID NOT MENTION OR ADDRESS IT IN ADVANCE OF FAILURE. WE PAID IN ADVANCE FOR A SEVEN YEAR 100% WARRANTY WITH NO DEDUCTIBLE, WHICH HAS NOT EXPIRED. WE BELIEVE DODGE...

WHEN TURNING LEFT AND SIGNAL IS APPLIED, THE RIGHT BLINKER COMES ON INSIDE & OUTSIDE AND WHEN RIGHT SIGNAL IS APPLIED NOTHING HAPPENS INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. *TR

SEVERELY CRACKED DASH BOARD. PARTS FALLING DOWN INTO THE ELECTRICAL WIRING INCLUDING AIRBAG AREA. CONTINUES TO CRACK IN DIFFERENT AREAS. MAJOR PORTIONS OF THE DASH IS CAVING IN. COULD CAUSE GAUGE, LIGHTING, AIRBAG AND HEATING/COOLING PROBLEMS. *TR

ABOUT 50% OF THE TIME WHEN I TURN THE TURN SIGNAL TO THE LEFT THE RIGHT SIDE BLINKS. I HAVE TO TURN THEM OFF AND TRY AGAIN AND IT WILL WORK. THE OTHER DAY I WAS ENTERING A ON RAMP AND I SIGNALED TO THE LEFT AND NO ONE WOULD LET ME IN. I HAD TO SLOW DOWN SO I WOULDN'T GET RAN OFF THE ROAD BUT ALMOST GOT REAR ENDED. I LOOKED DOWN AND THE RIGHT SIGNAL WAS ON BUT THE LEVER WAS TO THE LEFT. I COULD HAVE DIED. I HAVE ALSO NOTICED THAT THE HAZARD BUTTON WILL NOT STAY DOWN. IT IS ALWAYS POPPED UP AND THE HAZARD FLASHERS STAY ON AND RUN THE BATTERY DOWN. I HAVE TO TAKE THE BUTTON DOWN SO THE BATTERY WONT DRAIN. *TR

OUR DODGE RAM 1500 WAS WORKING FINE ONE DAY THE NEXT DAY THE HEADLIGHTS, TURN SIGNALS, AND BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT FUNCTIONING. WE CHECKED FUSES AND ANYTHING ELSE OBVIOUS. THE NEXT DAY WE TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC, AFTER HALF A DAY OF CHECKING HE FOUND THAT THE FUSE AND RELAY CENTER (INTEGRATED POWER MODULE) WHICH IS LOCATED UNDER THE HOOD WAS CORRODED. THIS BOX IS NOT AIR TIGHT AND ALLOWS WATER TO GET INSIDE AND CORRODE THE INSIDES. DODGE DEALER ADVISED THEY REPLACE THE FUSE AND RELAY CENTER AND FCM (FRONT CONTROL MODULE) TOGETHER. THE FCM IS CONNECTED TO THE IPM (INTEGRATED POWER MODULE). COME TO FIND OUT THE IPM IS NOT SEALED FROM THE ELEMENTS. THE CIRCUIT BOARD IS EXPOSED FROM THE BOTTOM WHICH ALLOWS WATER TO SPLASH INTO THE MODULE THEREBY SHORTING THE FCM. I BELIEVED DODGE KNOWS THIS IS A POOR DESIGN AND IS UNSAFE BECAUSE...

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TURN SIGNALS WOULD EITHER NOT FUNCTION, OR THE OPPOSITE SIGNAL WOULD ILLUMINATE WHENEVER THEY WERE TURNED ON. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 112,000. UPDATED 8/29/11 *CN UPDATED 09/28/11

LEFT BRAKE LIGHT FAILED AROUND END OF JANUARY 2011. 1 1/2 WEEKS LATTER THE RIGHT BRAKE LIGHT FAILED. REPLACED BULBS. DID NOT FIX PROBLEM. REPLACED STOP LIGHT SWITCH. DID NOT FIX PROBLEM. MADE PHONE CALLS AND WAS TOLD THAT DODGE WAS HAVING ALOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS, THAT IT WAS THE (TAIL LIGHT TREE COMPONENT) AND THAT IT WAS LEFT UP TO THE CONSUMER TO HAVE THIS FIXED AND TO PAY FOR IT THEMSELVES. THAT'S NOT FAIR, IT'S NOT THE CONSUMERS FAULT IT QUIT WORKING, IT'S A PART MALFUNCTION AND SHOULD BE REPAIRED BY DODGE @ THEIR COST BEINGS THEY HAVE ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND HAVE NOT DONE A RECALL ON IT. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS TO THE CONSUMER AND COULD KILL SOMEONE. *TR

STOPPED SEVERAL TIMES FOR NO TAILLIGHTS. WAS ADVISED THAT I COULD BE RAN OVER FOR NOT HAVING TAIL LIGHTS. LAMP OUT INDICATOR WAS NOT LIT. MECHANIC TRACED PROBLEM DOWN TO FCM (FRONT CONTROL MODULE). *TR

NO PARKING LIGHTS. THE FUSE BOX IS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *TR

RECENTLY I HAD TO REPLACE THE MAJOR FUSE BOX IN MY 2002 DODGE RAM1500. THE OLD BOX SHORTED OUT AND AS A RESULT I LOST MY PARK LIGHTS, DRIVING LIGHTS, AS WELL AS MY LICENSE PLATE LIGHTS. I WAS FIRST MADE AWARE OF IT BY THE POLICE WHEN I WAS OUT DRIVING WITH NO TAIL LIGHTS. IT WAS A GOOD THING I WAS STOPPED OR I COULD HAVE BEEN REARENDED OR IN A MAJOR ACCIDENT BEFORE I NOTICED THEY WERE NOT WORKING. I ENDED UP REPLACING THE FUSE BOX AT A COST OF 600.00. I GUESS THIS WAS A CONCERN OF DODGE BECAUSE THEY HAD FUSE BOXES ONHAND AND AVAILABLE. *TR

I HAVE A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500 4DR 4WD.I JUST HAD MY TRUCK INSPECTED AND ALL LIGHTING WORKED FINE. I WAS PULLED OVER EASTER EVENING BY A NEW YORK STATE TROOPER AND NOTIFIED THAT MY REAR LIGHTS WERE OUT INCLUDING PARRKING, RUNNING, AND LICENSE PLATE LIGHTS, AS WELL AS FRONT RUNNING LIGHTS.I WAS INFORMED TO TURN 4 WAY FLASHERS ON WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT TO MY DESTINATION. AFTER CHECKING ALL FUSES,B BULBS, RELAYS AND WIRING ARE ALL GOOD. WHEN I CHECKED FOR SIMILIAR PROBLEMS VIA INTERNET AND MY LOCAL MECHANIC AND A DODGE DEALER I WAS NOTIFIED THAT THE FUSE BOX WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED AND THE FRONT CONTROL MODULE. THIS IS A PART THAT SHOULD NOT GO BAD AS YOU HAVE TO CHANGE THE WHOLE BOX FOR JUST LIGHTS GOING OUT,WHICH DODGE SAYS IS AN UNSERVICEABLE PART THAT CORRODES WITHIN A SEALED BOX?AND THAT HAS TO BE CHANGED...

DRIVING THROUGH A PUDDLE AFTER A RAIN STORM, SEVERAL SAFETY FEATURES STOPPED FUNCTIONING: WIPERS, TURN SIGNALS, HORN, HEADLIGHT CONTROL. I'M NOT SURE WHAT ELSE IS NOT FUNCTIONING BUT THESE HAVE BEEN VERIFIED. NARROWED THE PROBLEM DOWN TO THE FCM (FRONT CONTROL MODULE). THE FCM IS CONNECTED TO THE IPM (INTEGRATED POWER MODULE). COME TO FIND OUT THE IPM IS NOT SEALED FROM THE ELEMENTS. THE CIRCUIT BOARD IS EXPOSED FROM THE BOTTOM WHICH ALLOWS WATER TO SPLASH INTO THE MODULE THEREBY SHORTING THE FCM. I BELIEVED DODGE KNOWS THIS IS A POOR DESIGN AND IS UNSAFE BECAUSE I'VE READ THAT THEY'VE DESIGNED A REPLACEMENT IPM WHICH IS SEALED FROM THE ELEMENTS. THIS IS DANGEROUS BECAUSE OF OBVIOUS REASONS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500. IN 2006, THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED IN THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. WHEN HE STARTED THE VEHICLE, THE HEADLIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED AND THE TURN SIGNALS, HORN, AND BRAKE LIGHTS NO LONGER WORKED. HE CALLED DAIMLER CHRYSLER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TAIL LIGHTS DID NOT WORK WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. HE FEELS THESE ARE ALL SAFETY ISSUES. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 138,844 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000.

THE DASH BOARD ON MY 2002 DODGE RAM IS CRACKING AND IN DANGER OF COLLAPSING EXPOSING THE WIRING AND ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS REQUIRED FOR SAFE OPERATION. *TR

I DROVE TO A FOOTBALL GAME ONE EVENING, WHEN I PULLED IN THE PARKING LOT, A MAN ASKED IF I KNEW THAT MY TAIL LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING. HE TOLD ME THE TURN SIGNALS AND BRAKE LIGHTS WORKED, BUT NO TAIL LIGHTS. I HAD TO DRIVE HOME THAT NIGHT ON THE INTERSTATE WITH NO TAIL LIGHTS. THE ONLY WAY I HAD TO NOTIFY PEOPLE COMING UP BEHIND ME THAT I WAS ON THE ROAD WAS TO TURN ON MY CARGO LIGHT. THIS POSED A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM ON THE INTERSTATE WITH NOT ONLY PASSENGER VEHICLES BEHIND ME BUT ALSO SEMI TRUCKS THAT WOULD NOT SEE ME UNTIL THEY WERE RIGHT ON TOP OF ME. I HAD NO CLUE THAT THE LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING BECAUSE ALL THE DASH LIGHTS WERE WORKING. I HAD ALL THE FUSES CHECKED AND THE RELAY AND EVERYTHING WAS OK THERE. THE GARAGE TOLD ME I...

INTERMITTENT LAMP FAILURES INTERNALLY, LAMP OUT CIRCUIT MALFUNCTIONING, REAR DIFFERENTIAL FAILED (APPROACHING THE SECOND FAILURE IN 40,000 MILES), REAR UNIVERSAL JOINT HAS FAILED TWICE, WITH A THIRD REPLACEMENT TO OCCUR SOON, TRANSMISSION FAILURES. ANY ONE OF THESE SYSTEMS FAILING WHILE ON THE ROAD COULD CAUSE A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE, FOR MYSELF, MY PASSENGERS, AND OTHER DRIVERS. SO FAR, IT HAS BEEN IN AND OUT OF THE SHOP, OLD PARTS ARE NO LONGER AVAILABLE, HOWEVER IF REQUIRED I WILL RETAIN THEM NEXT TIME THEY FAIL. I'VE CONTACTED DODGE, THE FIRST REPLY WAS A "SPAM MAIL" OF COUPONS FOR OIL CHANGES, AND TIRE ROTATIONS (THE MESSAGE I SENT THEM WAS PROFESSIONAL AND EXTENSIVE TO THE ISSUES I WAS HAVING), AFTER COPYING THE MESSAGE AGAIN THE NEXT DAY, A REPRESENTATIVE TOLD ME THAT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT. I'VE RETAINED THE MESSAGE IF ANY PARTIES ARE INTERESTED. *TR

OUR DODGE RAM 1500 WAS WORKING FINE ONE DAY THE NEXT DAY THE HEADLIGHTS, TURN SIGNALS, AND BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT FUNCTIONING. WE CHECKED FUSES AND ANYTHING ELSE OBVIOUS. THE NEXT DAY WE TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC, AFTER HALF A DAY OF CHECKING HE FOUND THAT THE FUSE AND RELAY CENTER WHICH IS LOCATED UNDER THE HOOD WAS CORRODED. THIS BOX IS NOT AIR TIGHT AND ALLOWS WATER TO GET INSIDE AND CORRODE THE INSIDES. I BELIEVE THIS IS A DESIGN DEFECT AND SHOULD BE RECALLED FOR IT IS VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE THIS WAY. THE TRUCK IS A 2002 AND IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY BUT I THINK THIS IS BESIDE THE POINT. MY HUSBANDS BUSINESS PARTNER HAS THE SAME TRUCK ONLY A 2003 AND AFTER HEARING ABOUT THE PROBLEM HE POPPED THE HOOD OF HIS TRUCK AND FOUND THE VERY SAME THING WAS HAPPENING. WHEN CONTACTING DODGE...