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1999 Dodge RAM

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most RAM years

Owner complaints for the 1999 Dodge RAM are substantially higher than the model-year median of 27.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 39 of 366 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 82 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 53 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 40 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

46 crash reports6 fire reports32 injury reports

Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints

82 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jan 17, 2001
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WHILE DRIVING THEN STEPPING ON BRAKE PEDAL ANDCOMING TO A STOP BRAKES LOCK UP ON RIGHT FRONT TIRE UNTIL WEARING IT OUT.*AK THE PROPORTIONAL VALVE WAS REPLACED AND THE PROBLEM WAS SOLVED. *YH

NHTSA ODI #878378

Mileage unknown · Dec 30, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE MY FRONT BRAKES, THE FIRST TIME WAS APPROIMATELY. 4 MONTHS BEFORE THIS TIME. WHILE CHANGING THESE BRAKES I DISCOVERED THAT THE RIGHT SIDE HAD WORN A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT MORE THAN THE LEFT, THE LEFT ONE DIDNT NEED REPLACING. *AK

NHTSA ODI #738501

Mileage unknown · Dec 27, 2000
Electrical SystemService Brakes, HydraulicCrash

BRAKE PROBLEMS; CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER 4 TIMES, BUT DEALER COULDN'T FIND CAUSE. WHEN APPLYING BRAKES PEDAL WENT DOWN TO FLOORBOARD, BUT THERE WAS NO BRAKING ACTION. ACCIDENT OCCURRED WITH $4100 DAMAGE. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT THE HORN IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #877027

Mileage unknown · Dec 11, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

AT A SPEED OF 5 MPH APPLIED BRAKE , PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR, NO BRAKING ACTION. BEING REPAIRED AT THIS TIME. *AK

NHTSA ODI #876304

Mileage unknown · Nov 24, 2000
Power TrainService Brakes, HydraulicTires

TIRES, THOUGH WE HAVEN'T EXPERIENCED A BLOW OUT OR TREADS PEELING OFF, THE TIRES ARE WEARING MUCH QUICKER THAN THEY SHOULD. WITH ONLY 12,000 MILE ON THE VEHICLE, THE TIRES LOOK LIKE IT'S BEEN DRIVEN 50,000 MILES. MID OCTOBER WE CALLED CHRSYLER IN AUBURN HILLS, TO LET THEM KNOW HOW UNSAFE WE FEEL DRIVING THIS TRUCK. WE HAVE HA…

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TIRES, THOUGH WE HAVEN'T EXPERIENCED A BLOW OUT OR TREADS PEELING OFF, THE TIRES ARE WEARING MUCH QUICKER THAN THEY SHOULD. WITH ONLY 12,000 MILE ON THE VEHICLE, THE TIRES LOOK LIKE IT'S BEEN DRIVEN 50,000 MILES. MID OCTOBER WE CALLED CHRSYLER IN AUBURN HILLS, TO LET THEM KNOW HOW UNSAFE WE FEEL DRIVING THIS TRUCK. WE HAVE HAD THIS TRUCK BROUGHT BACK TO THE DEALER ELEVEN TIMES FOR WARRANTY WORK, EIGHT OF WHICH WERE FOR BRAKE PROBLEMS. *AK (DOT NUMBER: M32KERHX TIRESIZE: P245/75R16)

NHTSA ODI #736826

Mileage unknown · Oct 21, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEM WITH THE FRONT BRAKES ON MY DODGE TRUCK. WHEN YOU BRAKE THE TRUCK PULLS TO THE RIGHT. TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT, IN A PANIC STOP I HAD TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL 3/4 TO THE LEFT TO KEEP FROM JUMPING INTO THE RIGHT LANE. I'VE HAD THIS MACHINE IN FOR REPAIRS 8 PLUS TIMES. THE FRONT ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLAC…

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I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEM WITH THE FRONT BRAKES ON MY DODGE TRUCK. WHEN YOU BRAKE THE TRUCK PULLS TO THE RIGHT. TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT, IN A PANIC STOP I HAD TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL 3/4 TO THE LEFT TO KEEP FROM JUMPING INTO THE RIGHT LANE. I'VE HAD THIS MACHINE IN FOR REPAIRS 8 PLUS TIMES. THE FRONT ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES RESURFACED AT LEAST 9 TIMES. SIX SETS OF NEW BRAKE PADS ON THE FRONT NEW DRUMS ON THE FRONT. THREE SETS OF REAR DRUMS. TWO NEW SETS OF REAR SHOES. THIS MACHINE IS A HAZARD. I'VE TALKE TO OTHER OWNERS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND IT SEEMS I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE THIS IS HAPPENING TO. I NEED HELP GETTING THIS CORRECTED THE DEALER AND DODGE CAN'T SEEM TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #734867

Mileage unknown · Oct 16, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

I HAVE HAD 3 FAILURES OF MY FRONT BRAKES. THE FIRST TIME WAS WITHIN A WEEK OF PURCHASING THE TRUCK. THE SECOND BRAKE FAILURE WAS 6 MONTHS LATER AT APPROX. 18,000 MILES AND THE THIRD FAILURE WAS AT APPROX. 34,000 MILES ON OCT. 1ST 2000. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE BACK TO DODGE AND THEY HAVE REPORTED NOTHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKE…

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I HAVE HAD 3 FAILURES OF MY FRONT BRAKES. THE FIRST TIME WAS WITHIN A WEEK OF PURCHASING THE TRUCK. THE SECOND BRAKE FAILURE WAS 6 MONTHS LATER AT APPROX. 18,000 MILES AND THE THIRD FAILURE WAS AT APPROX. 34,000 MILES ON OCT. 1ST 2000. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE BACK TO DODGE AND THEY HAVE REPORTED NOTHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKES. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC LOOKED AT THE BRAKES AND SAID THERE APPEARS TO BE SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE CALIPERS. THE TRUCK PULLS VIOLENTLY TO THE LEFT WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED AND I'VE ALSO HAD THE FRONT BRAKES LOCK UP.

NHTSA ODI #734440

Mileage unknown · Oct 13, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

DEFECTIVE ROTORS AND PADS/EXCESSIVE WEAR OF FRONT ROTORS AND PADS AT 18,000 MILES. INFORMED THAT POSSIBLE REPLACEMENT MAYBE NEEDED. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT WAS A NORMAL CONDITION FOR THAT VEHICLE. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #872935

Mileage unknown · Oct 12, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

EXCESSIVE WEAR OF BRAKE PADS; AT 20,000 MILES, DEALER TURNED FRONT ROTORS AND REPLACED PADS AT CONSUMER'S COST. PROLEM CONTINUED TO REOCCUR A 24,700 MILES, 51,209 MILES AND AT 58,000 MILES. BRAKES PADS WERE REPLACED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #872901

Mileage unknown · Oct 7, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN PULLING TO EITHER THE LEFT OR THE RIGHT WHEN STOPPING. THIS HAPPENS AT ALL SPEEDS BUT IS ALWAYS WORSE AT HIGHER SPEEDS OR WHEN LOADED. THEY HAVE REPLACED THE PADS THREE TIMES, ROTERS TWICE AND HAVE ALIGNED THE REAR WHEELS, AND THE PROBLEM CONTINUES TO BE THE SAME. THE BRAKES ARE SLUGGISH AND WHEN STOPPING…

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THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN PULLING TO EITHER THE LEFT OR THE RIGHT WHEN STOPPING. THIS HAPPENS AT ALL SPEEDS BUT IS ALWAYS WORSE AT HIGHER SPEEDS OR WHEN LOADED. THEY HAVE REPLACED THE PADS THREE TIMES, ROTERS TWICE AND HAVE ALIGNED THE REAR WHEELS, AND THE PROBLEM CONTINUES TO BE THE SAME. THE BRAKES ARE SLUGGISH AND WHEN STOPPING QUICKLY CAUSES SEVERE PULLING AND SEEMS TO NOT STOP AS QUICKLY AS COULD BE.

NHTSA ODI #733685

Official recalls

9

04V185000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

Apr 12, 2004

ON CERTAIN VAN AND WAGON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4-WHEEL ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEMS (ABS), AFTERMARKET BATTERIES MAY LEAK ELECTROLYTE ONTO THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR, WHICH CAN COMPROMISE SEALING INTEGRITY OF THE CONNECTOR.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS MAY ALLOW DEVELOPMENT OF A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE CONNECTOR, WHICH COULD EVENTUALLY LEAD TO A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR FOR ELECTROLYTE DAMAGE AND REPLACE THE CONNECTOR AS NECESSARY. THE RECALL WILL BEGIN ON SEPTEMBER 27, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

01V153000 · Air Bags

May 8, 2001

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP TRUCKS. SOUND DEADENER MATERIAL INSIDE THE STEERING WHEEL COULD BECOME DETACHED FROM THE COVER AND HOUSING. NOTE: THE RAM PICKUP TRUCKS WERE BUILT AT THE WARREN ASSEMBLY PLANT ("S" IN THE 11TH VIN POSITION) FROM MAY 16, 2000 THROUGH OCTOBER 23, 2000; ST. LOUIS NORTH ASSEMBLY PLANT ("J" IN THE 11TH VIN POSITION) FROM MAY 19, 2000 THROUGH OCTOBER 23, 2000; LAGO ALBERTO ASSEMBLY PLANT ("M" IN THE 11TH VIN POSITION) FROM MAY 23, 2000 THROUGH OCTOBER 23, 2000; AND SALTILLO ASSEMBLY PLANT ("G" IN THE 11TH VIN POSITION) FROM MAY 23, 2000 THROUGH OCTOBER 23, 2000. IMPORTANT: VEHICLES THAT HAVE ALREADY HAD THE PROPER CLOCKSPRING INSTALLED, ACCORDING TO WARRANTY RECORDS, HAVE BEEN EXCLUDED FROM THIS RECALL. IN ADDITION, 1997-2000 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES THAT HAVE HAD A SUSPECT REPLACEMENT CLOCKSPRING INSTALLED, ACCORDING TO WARRANTY RECORDS, HAVE BEEN ADDED TO THIS RECALL.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE MATERIAL COULD INTERFERE WITH THE CLOCKSPRING RIBBON AND CAUSE AN OPEN CIRCUIT. THE DRIVER AIR BAG SYSTEM WILL BECOME DISABLED, AND THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP WILL ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 18, 2001. ALSO SOME 1997-200 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES THAT, ACCORDING TO WARRANTY RECORDS, HAVE HAD A SUSPECT REPLACEMENT CLOCKSPRING INSTALLED, WILL ALSO BE INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

01V119000 · Seat Belts:front:retractor

Apr 11, 2001

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN VAN, WAGON, PICKUP TRUCKS, PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES." THE FRONT SEAT BELT RETRACTOR MAY NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE RETRACTOR DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY, IT WILL NOT ADEQUATELY PROTECT OCCUPANTS IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 20, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

01V040000 · Latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch

Feb 12, 2001

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING "SALT BELT" STATES: MAINE, NEW HAMPSHIRE, VERMONT, MASSACHUSETTS, RHODE ISLAND, CONNECTICUT, NEW YORK, NEW JERSEY, PENNSYLVANIA, DELAWARE, MARYLAND, THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, WEST VIRGINIA, OHIO, INDIANA, MICHIGAN, ILLINOIS, WISCONSIN, MINNESOTA, IOWA, AND MISSOURI. CORROSION OF THE RETURN SPRING ON THE HOOD SECONDARY LATCH COULD CAUSE THE MECHANISM TO BIND IN THE "RELEASE POSITION."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE PRIMARY LATCH IS NOT ENGAGED, THE HOOD COULD OPEN UNEXPECTEDLY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 17, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

00V107000 · Trailer Hitches

Apr 11, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH OPTIONAL TRAILER HITCH. THE TRAILER HITCH SIDE BRACKETS WERE MANUFACTURED USING MATERIAL WITH INSUFFICIENT STRENGTH.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: BRACKETS BUILT WITHOUT PROPER MATERIAL COULD FATIGUE AND FRACTURE IN THE AREA WHERE THE TRAILER HITCH MOUNTS TO THE FRAME.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TRAILER HITCHES AND REPLACE ANY TRAILER HITCH SHOWING SIGNS OF FATIGUE CRACKING. IF NO EVIDENCE OF CRACKING EXISTS, THE DEALER WILL INSTALL TWO REINFORCEMENT BRACKETS.

99V190000 · Power Train:clutch Assembly

Jul 16, 1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH GASOLINE ENGINES AND MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS. THE UNDERBODY HYDRAULIC CLUTCH LINE HEAT SHIELD IS TOO SHORT, ALLOWING THE PLASTIC CLUTCH LINE MATERIAL TO BE DIRECTLY EXPOSED TO EXHAUST TEMPERATURES. IT IS POSSIBLE TO EXCEED THE MELTING TEMPERATURE OF THE CLUTCH LINE MATERIAL.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE LINE MELTS, HYDRAULIC FLUID CAN LEAK ONTO THE VEHICLE EXHAUST AND CAUSE AN UNDERBODY FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE PROPER LENGTH HEAT SHIELD.

99V115000 · Power Train:clutch Assembly

May 6, 1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSION, V10 ENGINES AND FOUR-WHEEL-DRIVE TRANSFER CASES. UNDER SUSTAINED MAXIMUM RATED VEHICLE LOAD, WHILE DRIVING UP A STEEP GRADE IN FOUR-WHEEL-DRIVE LOW RANGE IN HOT AMBIENT CONDITIONS, THE LOCAL EXHAUST TEMPERATURE PROXIMATE TO THE HYDRAULIC CLUTCH LINE CAN GENERATE LINE TEMPERATURES THAT EXCEED THE TEMPERATURE LIMIT OF THE CLUTCH LINE MATERIAL. IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS AND THE CLUTCH IS DEPRESSED, THE LINE COULD RUPTURE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE FLUID COULD IGNITE ON THE HOT EXHAUST POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HYDRAULIC CLUTCH ASSEMBLY.

99V044000 · Fuel System, Other:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

Mar 11, 1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VANS AND WAGONS EQUIPPED WITH COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS (CNG). THE FUEL HOSE THAT CONNECTS THE LEFT AND RIGHT FUEL RAILS MAY SHRINK AND LEAK FUEL IF EXPOSED TO HIGH ENGINE OPERATING TEMPERATURES.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL RAIL ASSEMBLY.

99V034000 · Fuel System, Other:storage:tank Assembly

Feb 24, 1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: VANS EQUIPPED WITH COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS (CNG) FUEL TANKS. INCORRECT FUEL TANK STRAPS WERE INSTALLED ON THE SMALL FUEL TANK. AS A RESULT, THE FUEL TANK MAY NOT BE SECURELY ATTACHED TO THE VEHICLE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE FUEL TANK COULD MOVE INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE AND/OR EXPLOSION.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE MOUNTING STRAPS FOR THE SMALL FUEL TANK.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.