Throttlebook

2012 RAM 2500 exterior lighting problems

8 owner reports

What owners report

  • “My passenger headlights keeps going in and out. The wiring harness has been replaced twice and it still does it. My check engine light keeps coming on for the evap system even though its been replaced.”

    NHTSA complaint · filed 01/04/2026

  • “MY PASSENGER HEADLIGHT WORKS INTERMITTENTLY. THE BULB IS GOOD. THE WIRING HARNESS INSIDE OF THE HOUSING HAS BEEN CHANGED AND DID NOT SOLVE THE ISSUE. IT WILL WORK FOR A MONTH OR SO THEN NOT WORK.”

    NHTSA complaint · filed 09/20/2017

  • “BEGAN HAVING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THE MOST SERIOUS, WHILE DRIVING AFTER DARK, THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT. AIRBAG LIGHT INDICATOR GOES ON INTERMITTENTLY. RADIO GOES DEAD. REPLACED HEADLIGHT BULBS AND HAD TIPM FLASHED BUT OCCURRED AGAIN. *TR”

    NHTSA complaint · filed 12/26/2016

  • “THE AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHTS SHUT OFF IN THE DARK FOR NO REASON. I WAS DRIVING ON A BACK ROAD WITH NO STREET LIGHTS. I WAS COMING INTO A TURN AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE HEADLIGHTS SHUT OFF. IT WAS PITCH BLACK AND THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH WAS IN THE AUTO FEATURE. I QUICKLY REACHED AND TURN THEM ON MANUALLY. THIS WAS VERY DANGEROUS. IF I WASN'T ON A ROAD I NORMALLY TRAVEL I WOULD HAVE WRECKED. *TR”

    NHTSA complaint · filed 10/31/2016

  • “WHEN I TRIED TO SWITCH MY HEADLIGHTS FROM DIM TO BRIGHT, THEY WOULDN'T STAY IN BRIGHT. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS THE BRIGHTS WOULD NOT COME ON. WHEN I SIGNALLED TO TURN LEFT, THE LEFT HEADLIGHT WENT OUT. WHEN I SIGNALLED RIGHT, THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT WENT OUT. WHEN I STOPPED AND SET THE PARKING BRAKE, BOTH HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT. SEEMS LIKE MY TRUCK HAS A GHOST ONBOARD!”

    NHTSA complaint · filed 08/17/2015

  • “TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE RAM 2500. WHILE DRIVING AT DUSK AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS ACTIVATED AND THEN INDEPENDENTLY DISENGAGED. THE HEADLIGHTS WERE MANUALLY ENGAGED IN ORDER TO CONTINUE DRIVING. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, THE TAIL LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. IN ADDITION, THE THREE BRAKE STOP LIGHTS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE TWICE DEALER, WHO INFORMED THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL SHORTAGE WITHIN THE FUSE BOX AND THE CIRCUIT BOARD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS R…”

    NHTSA complaint · filed 05/18/2015

  • “THE HEADLIGHTS ARE NOT ADEQUATE TO SEE SAFELY AT NIGHT. THE LIGHTS DO NOT SHINE FORWARD OF THE VEHICLE ENOUGH TO BE ABLE TO SEE WHAT IS AHEAD AT NIGHT, SUCH AS CURVES IN THE ROAD. ALSO, THE LIGHTS DO NOT PROJECT TO THE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE ENOUGH TO SEE WHEN MAKING A HARD TURN TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT. THEY DO NOT PROVIDE ANY LIGHT AT ALL WHEN TURNING. I SOMETIMES HAVE TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOW AND STICK MY HEAD OUT TO SCAN FOR OBSTACLES AS BEST AS I CAN ON DIMLY LIT ROADWAYS. I CAN USE MY HIGH BEAM L…”

    NHTSA complaint · filed 12/09/2013

  • “THE HEADLIGHTS ON THIS MODEL DODGE RAM (2500 SLT MEGA CAB) DO NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE ILLUMINATION AT NIGHT. MY HEADLIGHTS ARE ADJUSTED PROPERLY FOR ALIGNMENT BY THE DEALER BUT THE BULBS JUST DO NOT PROVIDE ENOUGH LIGHT AHEAD OR TO THE SIDE OF THIS VEHICLE. THE DEALER CAN ONLY "CHECK THE CONNECTORS FOR PROPER INSTALLATION" UNDER WARRANTY. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET A RESPONSE FROM CHRYSLER. *TR”

    NHTSA complaint · filed 11/21/2013

Unverified owner reports from NHTSA's public complaint database.

Check the one you're looking at

A free VIN report shows recalls that may apply, the 5-year cost, and whether it fits your budget. Then ask our AI about this exact problem.

How common are 2012 RAM 2500 exterior lighting problems?
8 owners reported exterior lighting issues to NHTSA for the 2012 RAM 2500. Counts scale with how many were sold.
Is there a recall for 2012 RAM 2500 exterior lighting problems?
No matching recall is on file. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the latest.

← Full 2012 RAM 2500 report