Ram 1500 exterior lighting problems, 2016–2027
69 of the 7,221 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Ram 1500 2016–2027 name the exterior lights (NHTSA’s “Exterior Lighting” heading — as ODI groups the complaints it receives). The loudest years: 2025 (60), 2026 (9). Filed under the same heading across these years: 4 recall campaigns. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.
Ram 1500 exterior lighting problems by model year
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsOne row per model year on file, newest first. A year marked in depth has its own page: the complaints, the owners’ words and every document under this heading for that year.
| Model year | Complaints naming the exterior lights | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2026 | 9 | 9% | — | 2 recalls | the year → |
| 2025 in depth | 60 | 17% | — | 2 recalls | the record → |
| 2024 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2023 | 0 | — | — | 1 recall | the year → |
| 2022 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2021 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2020 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2019 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2018 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2017 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2016 | 0 | — | 10k | — | the year → |
Two things the counts carry that are not the car: how many of each year were sold, and how long each has been on the road — an older year out-counts a newer one before anything is wrong with it. The share column is the honest comparison across years: what part of that year’s complaints named the exterior lights. Nothing here is a rate.
When the exterior lighting complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2024: 2 · 2025: 13 · 2026: 54
Across the model years, half of the 62 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the exterior lighting problem between 5,000 and 48,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the exterior lights, from the model years with the most to say. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
The contact owns a 2025 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving out of the driveway of the residence at an undisclosed speed, several unknown warning lights illuminated related to the trailer control module; however, a trailer was not attached to the vehicle during the failure. The warning lights were continuously illuminated.
The contact owns a 2025 Ram 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V059000 (Exterior Lighting, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted.
The contact owns a 2026 Ram 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V059000 (Exterior Lighting, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted.
On August 20 i received an update for the Uconnect blue screen in reverse recall. In doing this update it created a new problem with the u connect screen creating a blinding/distracting light in night time driving. They removed a setting theme mode which would keep the screen in dark mode.
What is on file about the exterior lights, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall campaigns filed under this heading, any model year
- 26V421000 MinorJul 1, 2026 · 12,592 vehicles
- Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2026 Ram 1500 vehicles. The headlight wiring may cause the parking lights and daytime running lights to flicker on and off, or fail. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
- 26V059000 HighFeb 2, 2026 · 456,287 vehicles
- Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2024-2026 Jeep Wagoneer S, 2025-2026 Ram 1500 Pickup, Ram 2500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Cab Chassis, Ram 4500 Cab Chassis, Ram 5500 Cab Chassis, and 2026 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. Due to an improperly designed trailer tow module, the trailer lights may fail to illuminate and the trailer brakes may fail.
- 24V942000 HighDec 19, 2024 · 53 vehicles
- Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2025 Ram 1500 pickup trucks. Incorrect headlight module software may cause the headlights to become inoperative. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
- 23V799000 MinorNov 28, 2023 · 185,251 vehicles
- Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2023 Ram 1500 Classic, Ram 3500 Classic, 3500 Cab Chassis, 2023-2024 Ram 2500, 4500/5500 Cab Chassis, and Ram 3500 vehicles. The steering column control module may cause the high beams to activate when the turn signal is used or activate the turn signal when the high beams are used. In addition, the turn signal self-canceling feature may not function properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Other systems with a record on the Ram 1500
Source: the same filesCommon questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsWhich Ram 1500 years have the most exterior lighting complaints?
2025, 60; 2026, 9. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2025 (17%).
Is there a recall for the exterior lights on the Ram 1500?
Yes — 4 campaigns are filed under this heading across these model years: 26V421000 (2026), 26V059000 (2026), 24V942000 (2025), 23V799000 (2023). A recall is matched by VIN, and applies to specific years; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do exterior lighting problems show up on the Ram 1500?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 18,000 miles across the model years; half of them between 5,000 and 48,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Exterior Lighting" heading cover?
The area of the vehicle ODI files the complaint under. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.