2009 Dodge RAM 1500 Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 19about this part
- Share
- 3%of 670 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 84,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 19 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2009 Dodge RAM 1500, 3% of the 670 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 84,000 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The rear axle pinion nut on my truck is recalled causing major safety issue. Chrysler is refusing to do anything other than telling people to wait and they are ok to continue to drive the vehicle until it breaks. This is my only vehicle, and I need a safe vehicle for my family and me to be in. Youre putting our lives, and everyone elses at risk is 100%irresponsible of me and chrysler. Please help us consumers. …”
NHTSA complaint #10747077, filed 2015-08, 70,000 miles“Truck sometimes shows life when in accessory but when put to on truck dies completely, obviously not going to turn over with no sign of life. Minutes later I can come back and start it no problem. Headlights will consistently stutter or even turn on or off while parked or moving. Lastly while driving sometimes all power and electrical shuts off and truck is completely dead while going any speed. I have not found a certain speed it dies because it has shut off in parking lots and going down highway. …”
NHTSA complaint #11348450, filed 2020-08, 120,000 miles“Deer ran into me. My headlights on my ram are so inferior that I couldn't see the deer. I don't think he could see me either. The headlights on the rams are so poor I have started looking on websites to see if others are having the same problems. I have found hundreds of other ram owners with the same complaint. We all have commented how we can drive with our brights on and never get flashed back. Apparently chrysler has corrected the problem on the 2013 model. (finally). …”
NHTSA complaint #10496232, filed 2013-02, 2,000 miles“Dashboard began cracking and caving in. Large and small pieces have fallen into the dash area. Soon after, I noticed that several times I have tried using my high beams, and will lose my headlamps, and the high beams don't come on either. Didn't think they were related but recently have heard and read of several other owners who have experienced the same problem with their Dodge rams that have broken dashboards. Some have other electrical problems in the dash too. …”
NHTSA complaint #10445824, filed 2012-01, 92,000 miles“The doors that switch the air up to the windshield or to your feet or face started flapping back anfourth and then stuck ion blowing on your feet never switching again. Then before I could get back to the dealership to get fixed the whole HVAC system quit working all except the fan switch, it still blows on your feet. When the system quit it also stopped my automatic headlight on switch to quit. You can't defrost the windshield how is that not safe. The truck had about 50000 miles when these started happen.”
NHTSA complaint #10466579, filed 2012-07, 50,000 milesExterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 46 | 7% |
| 2011 | 29 | 4% |
| 2010 | 10 | 2% |
| 2009 | 19 | 3% |
| 2008 | 17 | 3% |
| 2007 | 37 | 7% |
| 2006 | 139 | 18% |
| 2005 | 22 | 2% |
| 2004 | 29 | 3% |
| 2003 | 18 | 2% |
| 2002 | 35 | 4% |
| 2001 | 17 | 2% |
| 2000 | 9 | 2% |
| 1999 | 9 | 1% |
| 1998 | 6 | 1% |
| 1997 | 17 | 5% |
| 1996 | 12 | 4% |
| 1995 | 13 | 6% |
| 1994 | 8 | 7% |
| 1993 | 1 | 17% |
| 1991 | 1 | 14% |
Other parts of the 2009 Dodge RAM 1500
231 complaintsElectrical system
97 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
56 complaintsOther or unknown
53 complaintsEngine
50 complaintsWheels
50 complaintsFuel system
43 complaintsBody and structure
41 complaintsTires
36 complaintsAir bags
34 complaintsBrakes
34 complaintsSuspension
34 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2009 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