Ignition wiring failed

- Scurry, TX, USA

I received notification from NHTSA of a recall for my Dodge Ram truck. I have tried since June 11, 2015 to make an appointment with crowne Dodge of ventura, California and have received no response. I spent 30 minutes standing in line at the dealership services entrance and no live person came to inquire about my visit. I made an online appointment with crowne Dodge and received an E-mail response they had received my appointment request. I feel this is just another attempt to "Dodge" the responsibility of a safety recall. 1996 Dodge Ram 1500 2wd slt [xxx] ignition switch and electrical wiring. Recall information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). Update 9/15/15

- Ventura, CA, USA

When applying the turn signal, the signal does not illuminate or is erratic or does alternate of what is chosen.

- Keyser, WV, USA

I went out on Friday the 6th of Feb.2015. I got a coffee at wawa everything was fine I left to go to my buddy's house to hangout and I started driving down the road N I noticed smoke coming out the vents when I was driving so I pulled over cuz I thought it was the heater core cuz when they go bad smoke comes out of them so I'm looking N looking N all of a sudden the smoke is getting heavier and darker within 20-25 mins after calling 911 there it happened my truck went up in flames N a total loss. Then that day after I got home N calmed down I looked it up N the first thing that popped up recall for wiring harness in dashboard shorts out N causes fires... I'm like really....

- Leh, NJ, USA

In the 1994-2001 model year Dodge Ram 1500, 2500 and 3500 trucks there is no relay in the wiring circuitry use for the headlights. When the Ram was redesigned in 1994, the engineers did not find it necessary to change the 40-year old design for the headlight system; feeling only the need to use a larger gauge wire to handle the excessive heat of the halogen bulbs. Unfortunately, neither the wires nor the switch or internal rheostat (for the instrument panel lighting) could handle this load and the following near tragic even has been an all too common occurrence. A recall (or at the very least a tsb has been issued for the 3500 model Dodge Ram, which are comprised of the exact same switch and wiring, but nothing has been noted about the 1500 or 2500 models. I cannot understand this, and this is the very reason I feel compelled to be writing this complaint in the first place. One night I was driving along the freeway at about 55-mph when the headlight switch, relay and connected wiring all became overheated, causing them to melt. Becoming frantic, I was able to quickly wiggle the dimmer switch (combination/turn signal switch), then the headlight switch until I got them to come back on. During that episode I had them go out on me about 4 times that I recall. Currently the vehicle remains unfixed and is not drivable at night. Being a mechanic, my first thought was to check the relays and fuses to see if they were blown or bad. To my dismay, I could not find any relays! this was how I discovered, through some online research, about the recurring problem with the headlight switch- how I was not alone in this situation and the rest of the aforementioned paragraph. I will gladly be available for phone calls, questions, and to take pictures of the parts in question.

- Flat Rock, NC, USA

The contact owns a 1996 Dodge Ram. The contact noticed a chemical odor coming from the dashboard and the heater. The headlights flickered and the instrument panel lighting suddenly dimmed. The headlights went completely dim. The contact turned everything back on, but the headlights only illuminated for a few minutes. After driving without headlights, he noticed smoke coming from the vents on the driver's side. He pulled into his residence and turned off the vehicle, but the headlights remained illuminated. He attempted to turn the headlights off, but was unsuccessful. Smoke filled the vehicle and produced an awful odor. He removed the lamp fuse, but the buzzing noise still indicated that the headlights were illuminated. He reinserted the fuse and the buzzing sound continued. He noticed that the wiring harness was melted. The vehicle has not been repaired and is parked at his residence. The failure and current mileages were 180,000.

- Watertown, WI, USA

The dashboard in the Dodge ramwas cracked and caved in. This created a safety issue as it exposed electrical systems to damage.

- Clermont, FL, USA

I have this truck for 2 years and in that 2 years I have many complications with the electrical system. The main problem is the headlight switch melting and burning the wires in the dash. I have had the switch replaced twice and it continues to burn out and melt. I am so scared the truck is going to catch on fire one day that rareley drive the truck. I still have the old parts that were replaced but dont feel it is the switch causing all the problems. I feel it is the whole wiring system. I read the custom reports on mycarstats.com it seems the 1996 Dodge Dakota had the same problems. There were even reports of the truck catching on fire. If this has already been reported on many differnet occaions; why havent they recalled it"?" I would appreciate a response and hopefully Dodge taking care of this problem free of charge. Please help!!! mrfixitup@bellsouth.net

- Shelby, AL, USA

When headlights are turned on there is a burning smell and smoke coming from dash near windshield. Once headlights are turned off the smoke stops. Vehicle has not been examined by dealer.

- Tilghman, MD, USA

Whenever air conditioning & heater switch is turned on it causes the ignition switch to overheat due to an electrical short. Can NHTSA help in this matter.

- Sullivan, ME, USA

Continual electrical shorts causing fuses to blow.

- Newport Ne, VA, USA