Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1995 Dodge Ram owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Consumer changed fuses for tail and dash lights. Drove twenty five miles and noticed a smell. Consumer was driving through a grass fire. So the smell was normal. The driving twenty more miles down the road, consumer noticted that smoke coming from the the dashboard. Consumer pulled over, and flames started coming out fast. Entire dashboard and wires melted. The headlight switch started the fire.
The head light switch wiring harness melted. The owner had smelt something burning before but was not sure what or where it was coming from until the other night. Smoke began coming from the head light switch near the console. Please describe details.
After elec. Ingnition harness replaced under recall vehicle has had numerous electrical related faliures. Headlight switch melted in dash 2x's causing smoke and or fire condition. A/C failure, no power to compressor. Bucking, missing, hesitation at idle and all speeds. Buck, miss, hesistation can not be diagnoised by numerous dealers or private mechanics. Have spent over 1700.00 replacing parts (PCM, EGR selonoid, EGR gasket, tps sensor, iat motor, o2 sensor, fuel pump, fuel regulator) to remedy problem. So far no help. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Consumer was traveling in late evening and when turning on headlights, tailights and parking lights didn't come on. Those lights came on after wiggling headlight switch. But, there was a burning smell coming from dashboard. Connector to harness had melted. Recall 97V084000/ transmission cooling lines on Dodge, Ram light duty trucks fits the same description as consumer's problem.
While driving headlight switch overheated and burned up, causing vehicle to be without headlights at night. Vehicle had been taken to dealer, and informed consumer that parts were not covered, and repairs would be done at consumer's cost. Feel free to provide further details.
While driving at night driver's side and passenger's side headlights failed to come on. This caused poor visibility. Consumer tool vehicle to dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that headlight switch needed to be replaced t due to solenoid defect.
Consumer stated the headlight switch was replaced 4 times in the past 2.5 years due to switch burning out. The headlights would flicker intermittently then fail. One occurrence almost caused consumer to have a collision with another vehicle. Ts
Headlamp switch overheats and could lose lights. Has to wait 15 minutes before lights come back on. Took to dealer. He has put on 3 headlamp switches. Consumer is still having the same problem. Also, speedometer goes out when very hot.
Intermittent popping through speakers when radio is off, when headlight switch is pulled on/off, brake pedal depressed, turn signals activated. Replaced 4 way and signal flashers with no improvement. Concerened of possible electrical fire.
While traveling during a snow storm headlights would not work.consumer played with swtich and lights came on . Consumer pulled dashboard off and noticed switch melted. Consumer replaced toggle switch.
Headlight complaints in other Ram years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 1995 Dodge Ram?
NHTSA has 24 complaints about the lights of the 1995 Dodge Ram, 4% of the model year's 619 complaints. The component named most often is headlights › switch (17 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1995 Dodge Ram headlight problems?
No. NHTSA lists no lights recall for the 1995 Dodge Ram, though it has 12 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.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 4 fires and 0 injuries 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.