# 1997 DODGE RAM 2500 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
> NHTSA complaint `511483` · 2004-12-11 · Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
## Severity
- **Deaths:** 0
- **Injured:** 0
- **Fire:** Yes
- **Crash:** No
- **Police report:** No
- **Medical attention:** No
- **Vehicle towed:** No
## Vehicle
- **Make:** DODGE
- **Model:** RAM 2500
- **Year:** 1997
- **Manufacturer:** Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
- **Component:** ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
- **Miles at failure:** 248,000
- **Speed:** 55 mph
## Narrative
WHILE DRIVING HOME LATE ONE EVENING IN LATE NOVEMBER 2004, THE LIGHTS ON MY DODGE RAM 2500 WENT COMPLETELY OUT.  WITH THIS LOSS OF LIGHTING I WAS FORCED OFF THE ROAD, FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY STOP THE VEHICLE WITHOUT SERIOUS CONSEQUENCE.  THE FAULT WAS THE MAIN LIGHT SWITCH FAILURE (SHORTING OUT) CREATING A SHORT AND SMALL FIRE IN THE DASH.  THIS IS THE THIRD SWITCH I HAVE REPLACED IN THIS VEHICLE.  *JB  I RESEARCHED THIS TYPE OF FAILURE AND HAVE FOUND THAT IS A FAIRLY COMMON OCCURRENCE IN THE RAM TRUCKS.  I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE IS ANYTHING WHICH CAN BE DONE TO MAKE THIS A SAFER VEHICLE TO OPERATE.  *JB
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*Source: [NHTSA ODI](https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/downloads/) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*