Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
1.sparks from dashboard area near headlight switch were seen by my wife when she borrowed the vehicle. 2.now the headlights will not turn off, when the switch is turned to the off position the fog lights come on, head lights also will not completely come on.3. So far, $49 dianostic, switch needed (had to be special ordered b/c the part has been changed three times already)(doesn't that constitute a recall?)anyway it is going to cost me $79 for the new switch and they are not even sure that will fix the problem.
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 contact owns a 2002 Dodge 1500. The tail lights and parking lights malfunctioned. The repair shop stated that the relay for the fuses were burned and could not find the part to make the repair. The VIN, engine size, and number of cylinders were unknown. The current and failure mileages were 91,000.
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 would have to take it to the dealer so they could check the front control module. I am scheduled to take it in to the dealer in two days. …
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 as a whole unit. …
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. …
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. …
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 they told us there is nothing they can do. …
Dt: the consumer was driving on a city street in January when he turned the turn signal to the turn right, he looked down and saw that the turn signal was flashing to the left. This problem recurred repeatedly. There were times when the left turn signal was on, the indicator would show that the turn signal was to the right. The owner said that sometimes if he'd accidentally hit the steering wheel, the indicator would switch to the other direction. The consumer had taken the vehicle to the dealership and they could not find cause of the problem. The owner contacted Dodge, who said that the consumer could take the vehicle to another dealership. The consumer thought that this did not make sense. The problem intermittent. When the problem did occur, it seemed to repeat itself then it wouldn't happen for a while. There were no warning lights or any other warnings when the problem occurred. …
Headlight complaints in other Ram 1500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 2002 Dodge Ram 1500?
NHTSA has 35 complaints about the lights of the 2002 Dodge Ram 1500, 4% of the model year's 815 complaints. The component named most often is turn signal (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 headlight problems?
No. NHTSA lists no lights recall for the 2002 Dodge Ram 1500, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 98,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 2 fires and 1 injury to lights problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.