Total Complaints
146 filings
DODGE RAM 3500 · model year
146 NHTSA complaints, 11 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1999DODGERAM 3500 carries 146 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 11 crashes, 6 fires, 2 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 3500 is power train:manual transmission with 11 filings, followed by structure (11) and steering (9). 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 3500, 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.
Total Complaints
146 filings
Crashes Reported
11 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION | 11 |
| STRUCTURE | 11 |
| STEERING | 9 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 7 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 6 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 5 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 4 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 4 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 4 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL | 4 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL | 4 |
| SUSPENSION | 3 |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 3 |
| POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY | 3 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS | 3 |
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD BEGAN TO FRACTURE AND WAS CURRENTLY IN SEVERAL PIECES. THE CONTACT CALLED I-10 MAC HAIK DODGE CHRYSLER (LOCATED AT 12111 KATY FWY, HOUSTON, TX 77079, 713-538-2700) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE DASHBOARD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO NHTSA TO FILE A COMPLAINT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Mileage: 100,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPARE TIRE CABLES UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE WERE RUSTED. THE FAILURE PREVENTED THE CONTACT FROM PLACING THE TIRE BACK IN THE SPARE TIRE COMPARTMENT, AS IT COULD FALL WHILE DRIVING. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 240,000.
Mileage: 240,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE RAM 3500. WHILE THE CONTACT'S SPOUSE WAS DRIVING 30 MPH, SHE TURNED A CORNER AND CRASHED INTO A BAND OF TREES THAT WERE COVERING THE ROAD. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT CALLED GOSS DODGE CHRYSLER AT (802) 658-0120 (LOCATED AT 1485 SHELBURNE RD, SOUTH BURLINGTON, VT 05403), BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 196,000.
Mileage: 196,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE RAM 3500. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE HOOD OPENED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO A SHOULDER LANE SO THAT THE CONTACT COULD CLOSE THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE LOCAL DEALER (FLEMINGTON CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE RAM (204 ROUTES 202-31N. FLEMINGTON, NJ 08822) CONFIRMED THAT THERE WERE NO OPEN RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 220,000.
Mileage: 220,000
DASH IS NO GOOD BREAKING UP IF AIRBAG IS INFLATED THE PARTS OF DASH WOULD PUT OUT YOUR EYES COULD EVEN DO MORE ALL THE DODGE DASHES ARE BREAKING THEY NEED TO BE FIXED.
EVER SINCE WE PURCHASED THE TRUCK USED FROM DODGE DEALER IN TUCSON ARIZONA WE HAVE HAD CONCERNS WITH SUSPENSION AND STEERING OF THE TRUCK. WHEN DRIVING THE TRUCK STEERING IS BOUNCY AND UNSTABLE. WE THOUGHT IT WAS ALIGNMENT SO WE TOOK IT IN AND TRUCK CONTINUES THE SAME. WHEN PULLING OUT 34' 5TH WHEEL STEERING IS VERY SHAKY AND VIBRATES A LOT. AFTER YEARS OF BRINGING UP CONCERN WITH DODGE DEALER WE TOOK TO ANOTHER SHOP WHERE THEY GAVE US A HUGE LIST OF THINGS NEEDING TOO GET FIXED. WE WENT BACK TO DODGE DEALER WHERE THEY GAVE US A 2ND OPINION AND CAME UP WITH ADDITIONAL CONCERNS WITH TRUCK. WE HAVE CHANGED SHOCKS, STRUTS, BE ALL JOINTS AND OTHER THINGS WITH THE SUSPENSION AND TRUCK CONTINUES TO RUN THE SAME WAY. BUT RECENTLY WE GOT BRAKES, DRUMS, AND MASTER CYLINDER SINCE WE RAN OUT OF BRAKES WHILE PULLING OUT 34' 5TH WHEEL. ALL THIS THINGS WERE RECOMMENDED SO THAT THE TRUCK WOULD RUN WELL. WE HAVE SPENT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS AND ISSUE IS STILL UNRESOLVED. WE WOULD LIKE SOMEONE TO HELP U
Mileage: 168,000
EVER SINCE WE PURCHASED THE TRUCK USED FROM DODGE DEALER IN TUCSON ARIZONA WE HAVE HAD CONCERNS WITH SUSPENSION AND STEERING OF THE TRUCK. WHEN DRIVING THE TRUCK STEERING IS BOUNCY AND UNSTABLE. WE THOUGHT IT WAS ALIGNMENT SO WE TOOK IT IN AND TRUCK CONTINUES THE SAME. WHEN PULLING OUT 34' 5TH WHEEL STEERING IS VERY SHAKY AND VIBRATES A LOT. AFTER YEARS OF BRINGING UP CONCERN WITH DODGE DEALER WE TOOK TO ANOTHER SHOP WHERE THEY GAVE US A HUGE LIST OF THINGS NEEDING TOO GET FIXED. WE WENT BACK TO DODGE DEALER WHERE THEY GAVE US A 2ND OPINION AND CAME UP WITH ADDITIONAL CONCERNS WITH TRUCK. WE HAVE CHANGED SHOCKS, STRUTS, BE ALL JOINTS AND OTHER THINGS WITH THE SUSPENSION AND TRUCK CONTINUES TO RUN THE SAME WAY. BUT RECENTLY WE GOT BRAKES, DRUMS, AND MASTER CYLINDER SINCE WE RAN OUT OF BRAKES WHILE PULLING OUT 34' 5TH WHEEL. ALL THIS THINGS WERE RECOMMENDED SO THAT THE TRUCK WOULD RUN WELL. WE HAVE SPENT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS AND ISSUE IS STILL UNRESOLVED. WE WOULD LIKE SOMEONE TO HELP U
Mileage: 168,000
EVER SINCE WE PURCHASED THE TRUCK USED FROM DODGE DEALER IN TUCSON ARIZONA WE HAVE HAD CONCERNS WITH SUSPENSION AND STEERING OF THE TRUCK. WHEN DRIVING THE TRUCK STEERING IS BOUNCY AND UNSTABLE. WE THOUGHT IT WAS ALIGNMENT SO WE TOOK IT IN AND TRUCK CONTINUES THE SAME. WHEN PULLING OUT 34' 5TH WHEEL STEERING IS VERY SHAKY AND VIBRATES A LOT. AFTER YEARS OF BRINGING UP CONCERN WITH DODGE DEALER WE TOOK TO ANOTHER SHOP WHERE THEY GAVE US A HUGE LIST OF THINGS NEEDING TOO GET FIXED. WE WENT BACK TO DODGE DEALER WHERE THEY GAVE US A 2ND OPINION AND CAME UP WITH ADDITIONAL CONCERNS WITH TRUCK. WE HAVE CHANGED SHOCKS, STRUTS, BE ALL JOINTS AND OTHER THINGS WITH THE SUSPENSION AND TRUCK CONTINUES TO RUN THE SAME WAY. BUT RECENTLY WE GOT BRAKES, DRUMS, AND MASTER CYLINDER SINCE WE RAN OUT OF BRAKES WHILE PULLING OUT 34' 5TH WHEEL. ALL THIS THINGS WERE RECOMMENDED SO THAT THE TRUCK WOULD RUN WELL. WE HAVE SPENT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS AND ISSUE IS STILL UNRESOLVED. WE WOULD LIKE SOMEONE TO HELP U
Mileage: 168,000
I JUST GOT THE TRUCK AND HAVE HAD BRAKES ACT FUNNY FRONT BRAKES SOME TIMES LOCK UP PULLS TO THE RIGHT, ACTS LIKE YOUR ON ICE, AND SOME TIMES LIKE YOU STEP ON A BRICK SO I LOOK IT UP ON THE INTERNET TO SEE THEY HAVE HAD THIS GOING ON FROM 1997 TO TODAY ALL THE SAME THINGS NOT 100 BUT 10000S OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME THING WHY HAS THERE NOT BEEN A RECALL ON THIS PLUS I HAVE READ OF 100S HAVING ACCIDENTS WHEN THIS HAPPENS I BELIEVE THIS IS A ABS ISSUE FOR A LONG TIME WITH ALL DODGE TRUCKS 1500,2500 3500, PICKUPS I HAVE LOOK AT THE BRAKE SYSTEM BUT DON'T SEE WHY THIS IS GOING ON I HAVE HAD THIS GO ON AT ALL SPEEDS 15 TO 65 IT COMES AND GO'S
Mileage: 147,000
RUNS OUT OF FUEL AT 1/4 TANK,BREAKS ACT LIKE FRONT BREAKS OR ON ICE WHEN COMING TO STOP DRY ROAD , CRUSE CONTROL DONT WORK WITH VACUUM LEAK
Mileage: 147,000
RUNS OUT OF FUEL AT 1/4 TANK,BREAKS ACT LIKE FRONT BREAKS OR ON ICE WHEN COMING TO STOP DRY ROAD , CRUSE CONTROL DONT WORK WITH VACUUM LEAK
Mileage: 147,000
RUNS OUT OF FUEL AT 1/4 TANK,BREAKS ACT LIKE FRONT BREAKS OR ON ICE WHEN COMING TO STOP DRY ROAD , CRUSE CONTROL DONT WORK WITH VACUUM LEAK
Mileage: 147,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE PARK LAMPS, FOG LIGHTS, EXTERIOR ROOF LIGHTS AND THE TAIL LIGHTS FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO REPLACE THE HEADLAMP SWITCH, HE NOTICED THAT THE SWITCH AND WIRING HARNESS HAD MELTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 99V024000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 288,000.
Mileage: 288,000
07/21/2015 VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY VEERED RIGHT LEAVING HIGHWAY RESULTING IN A CRASH
Mileage: 149,312
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1999 DODGE RAM 3500. WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED PULLING TO THE LEFT. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE VEHICLE, THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES FAILED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE LEFT THE ROADWAY AND CRASHED INTO A RETAINING WALL. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, KNOCKING THE CONTACT UNCONSCIOUS. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED LACERATIONS TO THE NOSE AND FACE, A CONCUSSION, BRUISING OF THE LEFT SHOULDER, A HEAD INJURY AND A WRIST INJURY THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 149,312.
Mileage: 149,312
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE RAM 3500 EQUIPPED WITH BF GOODRICH COMMERCIAL TIRES, SIZE: TA LT215/85/R16. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, SHE NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS SHAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC TO HAVE THE TIRES BALANCED BUT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRES TREAD WAS SEPARATING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED WITH THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE OF THE TIRE WAS 20,000. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 194,044. THE DOT NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Mileage: 194,044
DASH BEGAN CRACKING IN 2003, AND HAS CONTINUED UNTIL NOW IT IS FALLING IN. I AM AFRAID THAT THE PIECES WILL CAUSE AN UNKNOWN HAZARD IN THE PARTS HOUSED UNDER THE DASH. *TR
Mileage: 62,856
THE DASHBOARD ON MY RAM 3500 CRACKED AND IT IS FALLING THROUGH. THERE IS A POTENTIAL HAZARD WITH THE SMALL PLASTIC PIECES. *TR
Mileage: 65,500
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS CRACKED AND SHARP SHARDS WERE EXPOSED. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN, BUT THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 289,000. ...UPDATED 10/19/12 *BF
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MAIN ENGINE COMPUTER EXHIBITED A SHORT, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ENGAGE FULL THROTTLE WHEN STARTING THE ENGINE. NEITHER THE MANUFACTURER NOR THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 132,000.
Mileage: 132,000
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.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.