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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

What owners actually said

366 reports
Mileage unknown · Oct 5, 2001
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WHILE TRAVELING WITH ABS INDICATOR LIGHT VEHICLE STOPPED NORMALLY. HOWEVER, WHILE ABS INDICATOR LIGHT WAS OFF AND WHEN DEPRESSING BRAKES, IT RESULTED IN EXTENDED STOOPPING DISTANCE. SPEED ODOMETER AND ABS INDICATOR IS LINKED TOGETHER. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ODI #897412

Mileage unknown · Sep 28, 2001
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrash

WHILE TRAVELING AT 50 MPH AND AS A RESULT OF A COLLISION AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, AND SEAT BELTS CAME UNLATCHED, CAUSING INJURIES TO DRIVER. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INOFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ODI #897028

Mileage unknown · Sep 10, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling

WAS TOLD BY DEALER SEVERAL OF THE SAME YEAR MAKE AND MODELS HAVE BEEN BROUGHT IN WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #752041

Mileage unknown · Sep 6, 2001
Seats

CONSUMER FOR SECOND TIME IS HAVING A HARD TIME LOCKING SEAT IN PLACE ON PASSENGER'S SIDE. CONSUMER HAS TO SLAM SEATBACK TO LOCK, OTHERWISE IT SLIDES BACK AND FORTH. SEAT WILL LOCK, BUT SEAT WILL NOT RETRACT. VEHICLE IS UNDER WARRANTY.*AK

NHTSA ODI #895895

Mileage unknown · Sep 2, 2001
Power Train

SAFETY ISSUE MY TWO CHILDREN CAN NOT BE IN THE TRUCK IF IT IS RUNNING BECAUSE IT WITH SHIFT INTO DRIVE BY PULLING THE LEVER. SAFETY INTERLOCK IS COMPLETLY BROKEN. *AK

NHTSA ODI #751562

Mileage unknown · Aug 22, 2001
Exterior Lighting

WHILE TRAVELING AT NIGHT WITH HIGH BEAMS DIMMERD HIGH LIGHT FOR ANOTHER VEHICLE TO PASS. HOWEVER, HEADLIGHT SYSTEM FAILED WITHOUT ANY INDICATION, CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY, AND RESULTING IN LOSS CONTROL OF VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ODI #894948

Mileage unknown · Aug 17, 2001
Exterior Lighting

FOG LIGHTS HAVE QUIT WORKING. REPLACED FOG LIGHTS AND RELAY BUT NOW THAT I HAVE NOTICED THE HOT SWITCH AND HAVE LEARNED THAT OTHER OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM I FEEL THAT THIS IS A SAFETY HAZZARD/ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #750688

Mileage unknown · Aug 5, 2001
Air BagsCrashInjury

I WAS IN AN AUTO ACCIDENT WHERE I REAR ENDED A TRACTOR TRAILER. I WAS TRAVELING 70MPH AND THE TRACTOR TRAILER 55MPH. I HIT THE TRUCK EXACTLY PERPENDICULAR AND THE FRONT OF MY TRUCK WAS CRUSHED IN ABOUT 2 FEET. THE FRAME WAS SEVERLY DAMAGED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. I AM FILING THIS BECAUSE THE BODY SHOP HIGHLY RECOMMENDED WE T…

Read full complaint

I WAS IN AN AUTO ACCIDENT WHERE I REAR ENDED A TRACTOR TRAILER. I WAS TRAVELING 70MPH AND THE TRACTOR TRAILER 55MPH. I HIT THE TRUCK EXACTLY PERPENDICULAR AND THE FRONT OF MY TRUCK WAS CRUSHED IN ABOUT 2 FEET. THE FRAME WAS SEVERLY DAMAGED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. I AM FILING THIS BECAUSE THE BODY SHOP HIGHLY RECOMMENDED WE TAKE ACTION. HE SAID THE AREA WHERE THE SENSORS FOR THE AIRBAGS ARE LOCATED WAS MANGLED AND THAT THE AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. THE AIRBAG SYSTEM WAS CHECKED BY JOHN KELTNER (LIC. # 35844). HIS REMARKS WERE THAT THE SYSTEM TEST WAS PERFORMED AND NO PROBLEMS WERE FOUND AT THIS TIME AND NO REPAIRS WERE NEEDED. I AM AWARE OF SOME RECALLS WITH DODGE AND WANTED TO BE SURE THE AIRBAG SYSTEMS WOULD BE COVERED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP.*AK

NHTSA ODI #749903

Mileage unknown · Jul 26, 2001
Power TrainSuspension

I LEASED THIS VEHICLE NEW , AND FOR THE LAST THREE YEARS, EVERY 10,000 MILES APPROXIMATELY, I HAVE HAD TO TAKE IT INTO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE TRACKER BAR REPLACED, TIE ROD ENDS HAVE ALSO BEEN REPLACED. THE FRONT END STILL SHIMMIES TERRIBLE, AND IT IS DIFFICULT TO CONTROL AT TIMES. I ALSO HAVE HAD TRANSMISSION TROUBLE, AND ENG…

Read full complaint

I LEASED THIS VEHICLE NEW , AND FOR THE LAST THREE YEARS, EVERY 10,000 MILES APPROXIMATELY, I HAVE HAD TO TAKE IT INTO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE TRACKER BAR REPLACED, TIE ROD ENDS HAVE ALSO BEEN REPLACED. THE FRONT END STILL SHIMMIES TERRIBLE, AND IT IS DIFFICULT TO CONTROL AT TIMES. I ALSO HAVE HAD TRANSMISSION TROUBLE, AND ENGINE SKIPPING CONSTANTLY. I AM VERY UPSET WITH THE WAY I AM TREATED AT THE DEALER ALSO. THEY WERE VERY NICE TO ME WHEN THEY WANTED TO SELL THE VEHICLE BUT EVERY TIME I BRING IT IN TO THEM AND ASK WHY THEY CAN'T FIX IT, THEY GET HUFFY AND TRY TO PUT THE BLAME ON ME. NOW I COULD SEE IF THE VEHICLE WERE OLD, BUT IT HAS HAD PROBLEMS SINCE I GOT IT! I WAITED ALONG TIME TO BE ABLE TO AFFORD A DODGE PICKUP, AND I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED, I SHOULD HAVE GOTTEN A CHEVY. I TRIED TO TALK TO THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT LEMON LAWING IT BUT THEY WON'T TALK TO ME .

NHTSA ODI #749241

Mileage unknown · Jul 26, 2001
Fuel System, Gasoline

PLASTIC GAS TANK IS RUBBING, CAUSING SQUEAKING NOISE. DEALER WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE CONTACT, WHICH NEVER HAPPENED. TRUCK HAS BEEN IN SHOP 6 TIMES FOR PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ODI #749210

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.