DODGE RAM · model year

1999 DODGE RAM

496 NHTSA complaints, 52 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1999DODGERAM carries 496 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 52 crashes, 9 fires, 51 injuries, and 1 fatality. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1999 RAM is service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip with 44 filings, followed by air bags:frontal (32) and power train:automatic transmission (24). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 20 investigation files overlapping the 1999 RAM, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

496
Complaints
52
Crashes
9
Fires
51
Injuries
1
Deaths

Total Complaints

496 filings

Crashes Reported

52 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP44
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL32
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION24
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC17
TIRES16
SUSPENSION15
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE15
STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)14
SUSPENSION:FRONT14
UNKNOWN OR OTHER13
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE12
TRAILER HITCHES11
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR10
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS10
STRUCTURE10

Recent Complaints

20220817FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:FUEL GAUGE SYSTEM

The contact owns a 1999 Dodge Ram 2500. The contact stated he noticed a strong odor of gasoline inside the vehicle and the gasoline was leaking from the fuel pump. The contact stated he diagnosed the failure himself and noticed the rubber cap was defective. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The contact stated he replaced several different rubber caps but none rectified the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but the part could not be sold. The failure mileage was 180,000

Mileage: 180,000

20120426FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE RAM . THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED, ON THERE WAS A VERY STRONG FUEL ODOR. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THERE WAS FUEL LEAKING FROM THE FUEL HOSE THAT CONNECTED BETWEEN THE LEFT AND RIGHT FUEL INJECTOR RAILS. . THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE ENTIRE FUEL ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 115,000. UPDATED 07/05/12*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED FUEL WAS LANDING ON THE MANIFOLD WHICH QUICKLY HEATED UP. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED CHRYSLER AND WAS INFORMED THERE WAS NO REPLACEMENT HOSE AND HE WOULD HAVE TO PURCHASE BOTH RAILS WITH THE HOSE INSTALLED FOR ALMOST $500. UPDATED 07/10/12

Mileage: 115,000

20120426FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE RAM . THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED, ON THERE WAS A VERY STRONG FUEL ODOR. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THERE WAS FUEL LEAKING FROM THE FUEL HOSE THAT CONNECTED BETWEEN THE LEFT AND RIGHT FUEL INJECTOR RAILS. . THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE ENTIRE FUEL ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 115,000. UPDATED 07/05/12*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED FUEL WAS LANDING ON THE MANIFOLD WHICH QUICKLY HEATED UP. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED CHRYSLER AND WAS INFORMED THERE WAS NO REPLACEMENT HOSE AND HE WOULD HAVE TO PURCHASE BOTH RAILS WITH THE HOSE INSTALLED FOR ALMOST $500. UPDATED 07/10/12

Mileage: 115,000

20110803STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE RAM. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE FRAME WAS EXTREMELY CORRODED. THE CONTACT STATED THE STEERING BOX, SWAY BAR, PITMAN ARM, SPRING AND SHOCK ASSEMBLY, AND BUMPER WERE ALL CONNECTED TO THE SECTION OF THE FRAME THAT WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

Mileage: 100,000

20110726STRUCTURE

CRACK IN DASH PANEL STARTED ABOUT AUG 2009, IT HAS NOW BECAME A FULL BLOW MESS AS LARGE PIECES HAVE FALLEN INTO THE WIRING HARNESS INSIDE THE DASH. THIS COULD BE A HAZARD IF YOU ROLL DOWN THE WINDOW AND SOME SMALLER PIECES FLY UP INTO YOUR FACE, OR COULD SET ON WIRES AND CATCH FIRE. I KNOW OF AT LEAST TWO OTHER 1500'S THAT ARE 98 AND 2000 MODELS DOING THE SAME THING AS MINE. *TR

Mileage: 120,000

20110719STRUCTURE

1999 DODGE RAM 1500. DASHBOARD HAS NUMEROUS CRACKS IN IT. PIECES ARE FALLING DOWN INSIDE FRONT COMPARTMENT AND COULD CAUSE OTHER ISSUES (ELECTRICAL, ETC.). THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR ~5-7 YEARS. *KB

20110515STRUCTURE

I NOTICED A VERY SMALL CRACK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DASH, BY THE DOOR, LAST SUMMER AND DIDN'T THINK MUCH OF IT. NOW IT IS COMPLETELY CRACKED, FRONT TO BACK, TO THE MIDDLE OF THE PASSENGER SEAT. *TR

Mileage: 85,000

20100305SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE RAM. THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELTS DO NOT RETRACT. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER WHO ADVISED THEY WOULD REPAIR THE VEHICLE FREE OF CHARGE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT BE REPAIRED DUE TO THE VEHICLE HAVING PREVIOUS OWNERS. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS ADVISED TO PAY FOR THE VEHICLE REPAIR OUT OF POCKET DUE TO THE VEHICLE BEING PREVIOUSLY OWNED. THE CURRENT MILES WERE 91,200. THE FAILURE MILES WERE 91,000.

Mileage: 91,000

20100103STRUCTURE

THE DASH IN MY 99 DODGE RAM IS SEVERLY CRACKED AND I BELIEVE THAT DOD GE SHOULD BE MADE TO REPLACE THEM THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM IN ALOT OF DODGES IF THE DASH IS CRAKED REAL BAD AND THE AIR BAG DEPLOYS IT CAN BECOME A DEATHLY SITUATION. *TR

20100103EQUIPMENT

THE DASH IN MY 99 DODGE RAM IS SEVERLY CRACKED AND I BELIEVE THAT DOD GE SHOULD BE MADE TO REPLACE THEM THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM IN ALOT OF DODGES IF THE DASH IS CRAKED REAL BAD AND THE AIR BAG DEPLOYS IT CAN BECOME A DEATHLY SITUATION. *TR

20090921SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE RAM WHICH WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW IN 1999. WHILE THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO SECURE THE SEAT BELT INTO THE BUCKLE AND IT FAILED TO LOCK IN PLACE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SOLENOID FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT A COSTS OF $600. ALTHOUGH THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE FAILURE FOR HIS MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLE, HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 01V119000, SEAT BELT RETRACTOR IS DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE FAILURE. NO REPAIRS HAD BEEN MADE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE UNDER 70,000. UPDATED 10/27/09 *CN THE SEAT BELT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE WAS FULLY RETRACTED AND WOULD NOT RELEASE. THE CONSUMER WAS QUOTED A PRICE OF $634.00 UPDATED 10/28/09*JB

Mileage: 70,000

20081010UNKNOWN OR OTHER

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE RAM. THE CONTACT NOTICED FINE LINE FRACTURES IN THE DASHBOARD OF THE VEHICLE. SHE WENT TO LIGHTLY WIPE DOWN THE DASHBOARD AND A HUGE CHUNK OF IT CAME APART. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND REFERRED HER TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT IT WOULD COST $90 TO HAVE THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

Mileage: 80,000

20070918LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE RAM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SECONDARY LATCH ON THE HOOD FAILED. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH AND GREATER, THE VIBRATIONS FROM THE UNEVEN PAVEMENT CAUSE THE HOOD TO OPEN A COUPLE OF INCHES. THE LATCH HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 01V040000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH) IS RELATED TO THE FAILURE, HOWEVER, THE DEALER STATED THAT HE WAS A MONTH LATE FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE VIN, PURCHASE DATE, AND ENGINE SIZE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 163,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 162,000.

Mileage: 162,000

20070814LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE RAM. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH THE FRONT DOORS SWUNG OPENED WITHOUT WARNING. HE STATED THAT THE OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLE WOULD REMAIN IN THE OPEN POSITION AND THE DOOR WOULD NOT LATCH. THE DEALER HAS NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 154,000.

Mileage: 120,000

20070812STRUCTURE

VEHICLE'S DASH HAS CRACKED IN NUMEROUS PLACES (10+) SOME SURROUNDING THE PASSENGER AIRBAG. IN AN ACCIDENT THE AIRBAG COULD BE DAMAGED OR CUT BY THE DASH FAILURES. IN A WORSE CASE, PARTS OF THE DASH COULD IMPALE THE PASSENGER OR DRIVER IN AN ACCIDENT. *TR

Mileage: 82,000

20070524STRUCTURE

1999 DODGE RAM. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE DASH BOARD IS BREAKING UP. *MC *JB

20070516STRUCTURE

1999 DODGE RAM CUSTOMER STATES THAT THE DASHBOARD IS DEFECTIVE BECAUSE OF CRACKING AND NEEDS INFO ABOUT THE WEB SITE**CC *JB

20060106LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE IS NHTSA RECALL 01V040000 REGARDING THE HOOD LATCH. THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH FAILED AND ALLOWED THE HOOD TO OPEN STRIKING THE WINDSHIELD AND BLOCKING THE CONTACT'S VIEW WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH. WITH VERY LIMITED VISIBILITY THE CONTACT MANAGED TO PULL OVER. THE CONTACT TIED THE HOOD DOWN WITH ROPE BECAUSE THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH WAS INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER ,IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN SEEN BY A DEALER. AK UPDATED 1/25/2006 - *NM

Mileage: 78,000

20050923STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

DT: THE CONSUMER STATES THAT 1999 DODGE RAM HAD A HOOD LATCH PROBLEM. THE LATCH RUSTED AND FLEW UP WHILE DRIVING AND CRACKED THE WINDSHIELD. THE HOOD IS NOW ONE SIDED AND MASHED. THE WINDSHIELD AND THE HOOD WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN ON THE PHONE WITH CHRYSLER, AND VEHICLE DID NOT FALL UNDER THE RECALL. CHRYSLER WILL NOT LOOK AT LATCH BECAUSE IT WAS AFTER THE RECALL DATE. THE CONSUMER WAS 26 DAYS PAST THE RECALL DATE AND THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF IT. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE TRUCK TO THE DEALER, AND THEY TOLD HER THAT THE LATCH WAS RUSTED. THE CONSUMER WAS GOING TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED. THE SPEED WAS 5-10 MPH. *AK

Mileage: 104,000

20050829POWER TRAIN

1999 DODGE RAM ROLLED BACKWARDS INTO A POND WHEN THE TRANSMISSION WAS RELEASED FROM PARK.*MR THE CONSUMER 2 YEAR OLD SON RELEASED THE VEHICLE FROM PARK WITH THE ENGINE STILL RUNNING. THE CONSUMER WAS INJURED. THE TRANSAXLE IGNITION INTERLOCK SYSTEM WAS NOT WORKING AS IT WAS DESIGNED TO. *JB

Compare 1999DODGERAM to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 1 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1999 DODGE RAM have?
The 1999 DODGE RAM has 496 NHTSA complaints, 52 crashes, 9 fires, 51 injuries, and 1 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1999 DODGE RAM?
The most-complained component for the 1999 DODGE RAM is SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP with 44 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include AIR BAGS:FRONTAL and POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.
Is the 1999 DODGE RAM safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.