RAM 1500 Exterior Lighting Problems

Source: NHTSA · Updated Oct 15, 2026 · 290 complaints analyzed

Owners have filed 290 complaints with NHTSA about exterior lighting problems on the RAM 1500 across 15 model years. The 2025 model year has the most (59). The words owners use most often: “lighting electrical” (11% of reports).

What owners describe

Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.

  • Lighting electrical: mentioned in 31 of 290 complaints (11%)
  • Turn signal: mentioned in 26 of 290 complaints (9%)
  • Side headlight: mentioned in 15 of 290 complaints (5%)

At what mileage do exterior lighting problems happen?

Based on 130 complaints that reported the odometer reading.

Under 10k miles47 · 36%
10k–25k miles23 · 18%
25k–50k miles20 · 15%
50k–75k miles20 · 15%
75k–100k miles8 · 6%
100k–150k miles9 · 7%
150k+ miles3 · 2%

How serious are the reports?

Of 290 complaints, 6 mention a crash, 3 a fire, 1 an injury.

RAM 1500 exterior lighting complaints by model year

Peak: 2025, with 59 complaints
2009: 1200912013: 31312014: 392014392015: 26262016: 182016182017: 12122018: 102018102019: 23232020: 202020202021: 13132022: 132022132023: 15152024: 1202412025: 59592026: 920269

n = 290 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Model yearExterior Lighting complaintsShare of that yearMedian miles
2026 150099%82,000
2025 15005916%7,250
2024 150011%—
2023 1500157%52,600
2022 1500132%46,898
2021 1500132%29,300
2020 1500203%4,000
2019 1500232%7,750
2018 1500102%20,060
2017 1500121%19,512
2016 1500181%6,265
2015 1500262%16,000
2014 1500392%24,500
2013 1500312%45,000
2009 150013%—

When owners reported it

Peak: 2026, with 69 complaints
2013: 2201322014: 112014112015: 112015112016: 262016262017: 142017142018: 152018152019: 232019232020: 152020152021: 122021122022: 9202292023: 182023182024: 302024302025: 352025352026: 69202669

n = 290 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Related recalls (6)

Exterior lighting:headlightsJul 1, 2026 · NHTSA campaign 26V421000 · 12,592 vehicles

Model years: 2026

Problem: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2026 Ram 1500 vehicles. The headlight wiring may cause the parking lights and daytime running lights to flicker on and off, or fail. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Risk: Parking lights and daytime running lights that fail to illuminate properly reduce the vehicle's visibility to other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the headlight assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 17, 2026. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is 62D. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning July 9, 2026.

Exterior lighting:brake lights; exterior lighting:turn signal; electrical system: integrated trailer brake controlFeb 2, 2026 · NHTSA campaign 26V059000 · 456,287 vehicles

Model years: 2025, 2026

Problem: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2024-2026 Jeep Wagoneer S, 2025-2026 Ram 1500 Pickup, Ram 2500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Cab Chassis, Ram 4500 Cab Chassis, Ram 5500 Cab Chassis, and 2026 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. Due to an improperly designed trailer tow module, the trailer lights may fail to illuminate and the trailer brakes may fail.

Risk: Trailer brake lights and turn signals that do not illuminate reduce visibility to other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, trailer brakes that fail increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will replace the trailer tow module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning March 17, 2026. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 03D. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on February 10, 2026.

Electrical system:software; exterior lighting:headlightsDec 19, 2024 · NHTSA campaign 24V942000 · 53 vehicles

Model years: 2025

Problem: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2025 Ram 1500 pickup trucks. Incorrect headlight module software may cause the headlights to become inoperative. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Risk: Inoperative headlights can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will update the headlight module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 6, 2025. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is D4B.

Exterior lighting:turn signal; steering:steering control moduleOct 1, 2024 · NHTSA campaign 24V729000 · 129,313 vehicles

Model years: 2023, 2024

Problem: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Ram 1500 vehicles. The turn signal self-canceling feature may not function properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective devices, and Associated Equipment."

Risk: Turn signals that do not function properly may fail to indicate the driver's intention to change vehicle direction, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the steering column control module as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 23, 2024. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is A1B.

Steering:steering control module; exterior lightingNov 28, 2023 · NHTSA campaign 23V799000 · 185,251 vehicles

Model years: 2023

Problem: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2023 Ram 1500 Classic, Ram 3500 Classic, 3500 Cab Chassis, 2023-2024 Ram 2500, 4500/5500 Cab Chassis, and Ram 3500 vehicles. The steering column control module may cause the high beams to activate when the turn signal is used or activate the turn signal when the high beams are used. In addition, the turn signal self-canceling feature may not function properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Risk: Turn signals and/or high beams that do not function as intended may cause confusion or reduced visibility to other road users, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will update the steering column control module (SCCM) software, and inspect and replace the module, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 19, 2023. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's numbers for this recall are B2A and D5A.

Exterior lighting:turn signalJun 4, 2013 · NHTSA campaign 13V237000 · 17,411 vehicles

Model years: 2013

Problem: Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2013 Ram 1500, 2500, and 3500 trucks manufactured September 9, 2012, through March 5, 2013 and equipped with optional premium tail lamps. In the affected vehicles, the turn signal indicator may not flash at a double rate to give a notification to the driver of a turn signal malfunction. Thus, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."

Risk: Without a warning that the turn signal is malfunctioning, the driver would continue to use the vehicle, unaware that other drivers on the road are not being notified that the vehicle is turning, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Central Body Controller software, free of charge. The recall began June 27, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N35.

What owners report

Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.

Based of this forum [XXX], its a known issues with the 2019-2024 Ram bighorn that the SCCM Fails. causing the left turn signal to no longer function. currently i am having this issue, it has been 3 weeks of checking fuses and relays and module clusters. still nothing has fixed it. wondering if its…

Received Oct 6, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11769477

The contact owns a 2025 Ram 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V059000 (Exterior Lighting, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that the part was not yet available. The dealer…

Received Sep 29, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11767807

The turn signal is malfunctioning in the opposition. It blinks right up. It blinks right down is off

Received Sep 28, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11767552

Occured around midnight 24/25 Sep, 2026. Started vehicle, after using it previously in the day time with no issues, to a blank instrument cluster. All gauges would not move, light up, or function in any way. Further testing shows that the primary front turn lamps were not operating. Cryise control…

Received Sep 26, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11767157

After towing module recall completed, the trailer towing light comes On showing up on the dash board in yellow requesting setup, then fades off. Twice happened. Folding mirror required three depressions of folding mirror button to open. Back up camera fails and shows blue screen, no back up image…

Received Sep 17, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11765150

Frequently asked questions

Do all RAM 1500s have exterior lighting problems?

No. NHTSA has 290 owner complaints about exterior lighting for the RAM 1500. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.

Was there a recall on the RAM 1500 exterior lighting?

Yes: 6 safety recalls list exterior lighting. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.

What do owners say about exterior lighting problems on the RAM 1500?

The most frequent phrase is “lighting electrical”, in 31 of 290 complaints, followed by “turn signal” (26).

Other RAM 1500 problems

See all RAM 1500 problems.