Skip to content
Exterior lightingPart report

1994 Dodge RAM 1500 Exterior lighting Problems

Complaints
8about this part
Share
7%of 116 total for the year
Median mileage
142,367miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 1994 Dodge RAM 1500, 7% of the 116 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 142,367 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“Lights would not come on jiggled knob they came on we drove about 4 miles turned on left turn signal lights flickered and top of dash and vent on driver side was smoking smelt like rubber burning touched top of dash it burned my hand pulled over shut engine and lights off boyfriend/husband took dash off to stop fire it was the light switch burned completely inside.”

NHTSA complaint #10455302, filed 2012-04, 142,367 miles

“I was driving my 1994 Dodge RAM 1500 on the morning of march 24, 2007 when smoke came out of the dash. The running lights, taill ights and dash lights then went out. I was drving in the fog, and it was not yet light out. Fortunately, I still had headlights. The headlamp switchwas bad and the wiring connector melted. I have not had it fixed yet. Itwas the exact condition described in recall #99v024000 , except that my truck was a 1500, not a 3500. I had to replace the switch for this same thing a little over a year ago, and I'm sure that I am not the only one that has experienced it.”

NHTSA complaint #10186173, filed 2007-03, 114,500 miles

“Headlights, when I turned on my headlights they flashed and went off while I was driving at night I had to stop dead in the middle of the road because I could not see. The next day when I went to get the truck I turned them on during the day and smelled something burning, I assume it was the lights.”

NHTSA complaint #10355696, filed 2010-09

“I have has issues with electrical ony Dodge truck, the light switch for headlights burning wires from nowhere when driving from light switch.aril of 2020 I was involved in an auto accident which was a result of my air bag steering wheel went off by itself, the light for the air bag was on for air bag was intermittent, but lately it wouldn't turn off anymore a mechanic checked said everything was fine,and would erase the lite, but would come back on, I called Dodge and was told it would at the time a lot of money to me to have all the electrical checked at my expense and the light switch was…”

NHTSA complaint #11365590, filed 2020-10

“When turning on headlights lights did not come on. Prior to the headlights not coming on, owner was smelling a electrical burning smell , for about a month. When pulling off the dash cover and removing light switch, switch was very hot. Dealer was called about having the swtich replaced. Owner was informed that the switch had been upgraded, and replacement part would cost $102. 46, plus $65.00 labor. Switch has not been replaced.”

NHTSA complaint #869116, filed 2000-08

Exterior lighting: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2012467%
2011294%
2010102%
2009193%
2008173%
2007377%
200613918%
2005222%
2004293%
2003182%
2002354%
2001172%
200092%
199991%
199861%
1997175%
1996124%
1995136%
199487%
1993117%
1991114%

Other parts of the 1994 Dodge RAM 1500

Electrical system
22 complaints
Steering
17 complaints
Suspension
16 complaints
Brakes
11 complaints
Body and structure
8 complaints
Air bags
7 complaints
Fuel system
7 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
7 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
7 complaints
Engine cooling
5 complaints
Latches, locks and linkages
5 complaints
Tires
5 complaints

← All problems reported for the 1994 Dodge RAM 1500

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology