Electrical complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 6 | 22% | 171,000 miles |
| 2008 | 3 | 12% | 20,000 miles |
| 2007 | 1 | 6% | 45,000 miles |
| 2006 | 6 | 24% | 28,000 miles |
| 2005 | 3 | 8% | 20,000 miles |
| 2004 | 10 | 17% | 44,000 miles |
| 2003 | 16 | 8% | 34,000 miles |
| 2002 | 35 | 10% | 48,000 miles |
| 2001 | 27 | 6% | 42,000 miles |
| 2000 | 14 | 9% | 30,000 miles |
| 1999 | 20 | 5% | 122,000 miles |
| 1998 | 51 | 10% | 132,000 miles |
| 1997 | 23 | 6% | 133,000 miles |
| 1996 | 47 | 7% | 180,000 miles |
| 1995 | 75 | 12% | 133,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owned a 2010 Ram 1500. The contact stated while approaching their parked vehicle, the contact noticed black smoke coming in from the inside of the vehicle. The contact open the front driver side door and noticed that the driver side door control panel and the front driver seat and floor panel had melted. The contact stated there was no fire in the vehicle and cleared all the black smoke in the interior of the vehicle by having all four doors open in the vehicle. No one was injured. No fire department report. The contact was able to start the vehicle and drive to their independent mechanic who had their insurance provider come to the mechanic shop to deem the vehicle a loss due to an electrical wiring issue. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 171,000.
The contact owns a 2010 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated while exiting out of the vehicle they mistakenly noticed that they were able to take the key out of the ignition while the engine was still running. The contact stated the failure occurred several times but the last time the vehicle battery warning light illuminated. The contact was not able to start the vehicle. The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the failure as the bottom of the fuse box connection wiring had melted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacture was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 200,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Dodge Ram 3500. The vehicle was parked at the residence driveway. There were no occupants in the vehicle. The vehicle rolled away without warning into the garage door post. After reversing from the garage post, there was smoke coming from underneath of the hood. The battery cables were removed, and the smoke stopped immediately. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer for inspection. The vehicle will be repaired under the service warranty. However, the dealer refused to pay for the body damages sustained as a result of the failure. The failure and current mileages were 20,000. The VIN was unavailable.
Tl contact owns a 2008 Dodge Ram. While driving various speeds, the instrument panel gauges and lighting will flicker and the vehicle shuts off. Occasionally, the vehicle becomes very difficult to start. The most recent failure was noticed at 25 MPH. The dealer replaced the control module at least five times, but the failure still persists. The contact feels that the vehicle is unsafe to drive and a crash could occur. The current mileage was 14,300 and failure mileage was 8,000.
The contact owns a 2006 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that after the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V352000 (Air Bags), the airbag warning light remained illuminated after starting the vehicle. Additionally, the contact stated that whenever the airbag light was illuminated, there were other electrical failures with the vehicle. The contact stated that the A/C and the heater would become inoperable. The contact drove the vehicle to a local dealer who diagnosed and determined that there was an electrical short underneath the driver's side airbag sensor wiring harness. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.
Tl contact owns a 2006 Dodge Ram. While sitting in the vehicle, the contact noticed smoke and flames in the electrical harness that hangs behind the plates, where the trailer lights are hooked. He believed that a short circuit occurred. The contact doused the flames with water and took the vehicle to a repair shop. A mechanic cut off the harness wire and stated that the wires were touching other wires in the harness, which is how the fire started. There were no recalls for this vehicle. Chrysler kept transferring the contact to people within Chrysler, asking questions, and giving him the run around. Initially, the contact spoke with the assistant manager at one of the dealers and was provided with the number to Chrysler. The contact stated that he was never informed to bring his vehicle to a dealer. The failure and current mileages were 5,300. Updated 7/23/09 updated 07/30/09.
20,000 miles on truck. Was driving approx 70mph on freeway when truck just died. All dash lights came on. Pulled truck over and turned ignition off then restarted. Truck started back up and check engine light stayed on. Was leaving for airport within 2 hours so couldn't take to shop before I left. I made 2 stops (completely turning off ignition) before I left for weekend and each time I started truck, engine light came on. Dropped off truck on following Monday evening and noticed no more engine light when I started truck. Drove to dealer with no problems. Dealer said found code in computer relating to cam sensor. Also said electronic throttle body needed to be replaced. They replaced cam sensor & etb and changed/updated computer under warranty. So far no issues...have only put about 200 miles on truck since all work performed.
(2) failure and its consequences and are that we are purchasing a 2005 Dodge Ram 1500 series truck that has been taken back to the dealer union Chrysler Dodge in union, sc for service due to the engine will cut off while driving.....it has been taken back several times for this problem and the mechanic cannot seem to locate the problem.....it was a near call the other week when the truck cut off as crossing a railroad track---what would the consequences would have been with it cutting off on the track-----lost of life and limb.......
Related recalls (6)
Electrical system › Ignition › Module
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2010 Chrysler 300, Dodge challenger, charger, Jeep commander, grand cherokee and Dodge Ram vehicles. These vehicles May have been built with a wireless ignition node (win) module exhibiting a binding condition of the solenoid latch.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the win module free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or before August 23, 2010. Owners May contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulator
On certain pick-up trucks equipped with 4.7l engines, the generator wiring harness May short circuit due to contact with a valve cover stud.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the alternator wiring insulation for damage and repair and add a tie-strap clip to the valve cover stud to retain the wiring. This recall began on August 13, 2004.
Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulator
On certain pickup trucks, the alternator wire connection to the power distribution center (pdc) can loosen.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the installation of the alternator wire connection to the pdc and if necessary, reposition the wire so that the crimp connection will face upward and tighten the fastener to the correct torque…
Electrical system › Wiring
Vehicle description: vans and wagons not equipped with power front seats. In the presence of road salt, water, and possibly other debris, the power seat connector located beneath the driver's seat could develop a high resistive short circuit that cycles the circuit breaker.
Remedy: Owners will receive instructions for removing the circuit breaker from the fuse panel. If an owner desires, their dealer can perform the repair. Owner notification began August 27, 2001.
Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks. The affected vehicles were built with an ignition switch and wiring that could overheat. High electrical current loads pass through the switch when the blower motor is operated on high for an extended periods of time.
Remedy: Dealers will install a relay and overlay harness.
Show 1 more recall
Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulator
The fasteners which secure the generator cartridge fuse to the power distribution center May have an improper clamp load. Improper clamping can result in arcing at the connection.
Remedy: Dealers will tighten the generator cartridge fuse fasteners properly.
NHTSA investigations
Engine compartment electrical fires
Frequently asked questions
Which Dodge Ram years have electrical problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1995 (75), 1998 (51), 1996 (47), 2002 (35) and 2001 (27) model years. Electrical complaints make up 12% of all complaints for the 1995.
Is there a recall for Dodge Ram electrical problems?
Yes — 6 recalls, including 10V-200 (module, May 11, 2010); 04V-385 (alternator/generator/regulator, Aug 3, 2004); 02V-042 (alternator/generator/regulator, Feb 7, 2002). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Dodge Ram electrical problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 58,000 miles; 51% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the ignition › switch (44 mentions), followed by the horn (39).
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.