DODGE RAM VAN · model year

1999 DODGE RAM VAN

56 NHTSA complaints, 11 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1999DODGERAM VAN carries 56 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 11 crashes, 11 fires, 9 injuries, and 0 fatalities. 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 VAN is electrical system:wiring:front underhood with 6 filings, followed by electrical system (5) and air bags:frontal (4). 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 VAN, 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.

56
Complaints
11
Crashes
11
Fires
9
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

56 filings

Crashes Reported

11 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD6
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM5
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL4
STEERING4
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH2
UNKNOWN OR OTHER2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS2
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE2
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS2
STRUCTURE:BODY2
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS2
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE1
AIR BAGS:ON-OFF SWITCH ASSEMBLY1

Recent Complaints

20160326STRUCTURE:BODY

VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE, FRAME AROUND STEERING COMPONENTS VERY RUSTY

Mileage: 100,000

20140616SUSPENSION

SEVERE RUSTING IN UNIBODY CONSTRUCTION. HAS RUSTED SO SEVERELY VAN IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. VEHICLE HAS 133513 MILES ON IT. RUST ON UNDER CARRIAGE IS EXTREMELY EXCESSIVE. *TR

Mileage: 133,513

20140616STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS

SEVERE RUSTING IN UNIBODY CONSTRUCTION. HAS RUSTED SO SEVERELY VAN IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. VEHICLE HAS 133513 MILES ON IT. RUST ON UNDER CARRIAGE IS EXTREMELY EXCESSIVE. *TR

Mileage: 133,513

20140427STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS

WHILE DRIVING THE VAN THE STEERING BECAME UNCERTAIN, THE VAN WOULD NOT RESPOND TO THE WHEEL. INSPECTION REVEALED THAT THE FRAME IN FRONT OF THE FRONT WHEELS HAD RUSTED AWAY LEAVING NOTHING FOR THE STEERING BOX TO ATTACH TO AND ALLOWING IT TO TURN WHEN IT SHOULD HAVE REMAINED FIXED. THIS PREVENTED THE WHEELS FROM STEERING. I ALSO HAD A BRACKET WHICH WAS PART OF THE STEERING GEAR RUST SO THAT IT BROKE OFF THE FRAME EARLIER. THE CORRESPONDING LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WAS VERY DISTURBING AND I AM THANKFUL THAT NO INJURY OR ACCIDENT RESULTED. I HAVE OWNED MANY VEHICLES WITH RUST PROBLEMS WHICH AFFECTED THE APPEARANCE OF THE VEHICLE, BUT NOT THE SAFETY IN A CATASTROPHIC MANNER. THIS VAN IS NO LONGER ABLE TO BE DRIVEN EVEN THOUGH THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH EVERY OTHER PART OF THE CAR. LOOKING ONLINE I HAVE FOUND MANY OTHERS WITH COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME SITUATION. OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES SHOULD BE WARNED BEFORE A TRAGEDY OCCURS. *TR

Mileage: 131,462

20140427STEERING

WHILE DRIVING THE VAN THE STEERING BECAME UNCERTAIN, THE VAN WOULD NOT RESPOND TO THE WHEEL. INSPECTION REVEALED THAT THE FRAME IN FRONT OF THE FRONT WHEELS HAD RUSTED AWAY LEAVING NOTHING FOR THE STEERING BOX TO ATTACH TO AND ALLOWING IT TO TURN WHEN IT SHOULD HAVE REMAINED FIXED. THIS PREVENTED THE WHEELS FROM STEERING. I ALSO HAD A BRACKET WHICH WAS PART OF THE STEERING GEAR RUST SO THAT IT BROKE OFF THE FRAME EARLIER. THE CORRESPONDING LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WAS VERY DISTURBING AND I AM THANKFUL THAT NO INJURY OR ACCIDENT RESULTED. I HAVE OWNED MANY VEHICLES WITH RUST PROBLEMS WHICH AFFECTED THE APPEARANCE OF THE VEHICLE, BUT NOT THE SAFETY IN A CATASTROPHIC MANNER. THIS VAN IS NO LONGER ABLE TO BE DRIVEN EVEN THOUGH THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH EVERY OTHER PART OF THE CAR. LOOKING ONLINE I HAVE FOUND MANY OTHERS WITH COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME SITUATION. OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES SHOULD BE WARNED BEFORE A TRAGEDY OCCURS. *TR

Mileage: 131,462

20130528STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE RAM B1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED HOLES IN THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000. *TR

Mileage: 77,000

20130121CrashSTEERING

I AM THE OWNER OF A 1999 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WITHOUT ANY WARNING. BEING UNABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE THE VEHICLE HEADED INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A DITCH. THE DRIVER RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES TO HER HAND. THE POLICE WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TOWED AND HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING LINKAGE FRACTURED DUE TO THE FRAME BEING RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED HOWEVER, THERE WAS NO RESPONSE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 136,000. MY WIFE AND OTHER DRIVERS COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. RESEARCH OF THIS VEHICLE ONLINE SHOWS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND SHOULD FORCE A RECALL FOR REPAIR. MY VAN IS A RAM 1500 AND I HAVE FOUND THIS COMPLAINT FILED UNDER RAM 1500 TRUCKS AND RAM VANS. *TR

Mileage: 136,000

20121223STRUCTURE:BODY

SEVERAL MONTHS AGO I BOUGHT A 1999 DODGE RAM 1500 VAN WITH APPROXIMATELY 88,000. AFTER DRIVING ON SEVERAL TRIPS WE TOOK IT TO THE SHOP BECAUSE THE STEERING WAS LOOSE AND WOULD OCCASIONALLY MAKE NOISE. THE FIRST MECHANIC WE TALKED TO SAID THE FRONT OF THE FRAME IS ALMOST 80% RUSTED THROUGH ON ONE SIDE AND WHERE THE STEERING BOX WAS ATTACHED TO THE FRAME WAS RUSTED TO THE POINT THAT HE THOUGHT IT WAS UNREPAIRABLE AND HE WAS CONCERNED WITH US EVEN DRIVING IT HOME. WE CONTACTED A SECOND BUSINESS THAT DEALS WITH FRAME ISSUES AMONG OTHER THINGS. THEY WERE ALSO CONCERNED ABOUT THE VEHICLE BEING DRIVEN MORE THAN A FEW MILES. HE SAID THAT THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH METAL TO WELD TO MAKE IT SAFE AND THE ONLY WAY HE SAW TO FIX IT WAS TO GET ANOTHER FRAME AND BASICALLY REMOVE THE FRAME FROM MY VEHICLE AND ATTACH THE NEW FRAME BUT HE THOUGHT THAT WE WOULD HAVE PROBLEMS FINDING A FRAME THAT WASN'T RUSTED AND IT WOULD BE VERY EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR EVEN IF THEY DID. AFTER SEARCHING THE INTERNET I HAVE

Mileage: 94,000

20121223STEERING

SEVERAL MONTHS AGO I BOUGHT A 1999 DODGE RAM 1500 VAN WITH APPROXIMATELY 88,000. AFTER DRIVING ON SEVERAL TRIPS WE TOOK IT TO THE SHOP BECAUSE THE STEERING WAS LOOSE AND WOULD OCCASIONALLY MAKE NOISE. THE FIRST MECHANIC WE TALKED TO SAID THE FRONT OF THE FRAME IS ALMOST 80% RUSTED THROUGH ON ONE SIDE AND WHERE THE STEERING BOX WAS ATTACHED TO THE FRAME WAS RUSTED TO THE POINT THAT HE THOUGHT IT WAS UNREPAIRABLE AND HE WAS CONCERNED WITH US EVEN DRIVING IT HOME. WE CONTACTED A SECOND BUSINESS THAT DEALS WITH FRAME ISSUES AMONG OTHER THINGS. THEY WERE ALSO CONCERNED ABOUT THE VEHICLE BEING DRIVEN MORE THAN A FEW MILES. HE SAID THAT THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH METAL TO WELD TO MAKE IT SAFE AND THE ONLY WAY HE SAW TO FIX IT WAS TO GET ANOTHER FRAME AND BASICALLY REMOVE THE FRAME FROM MY VEHICLE AND ATTACH THE NEW FRAME BUT HE THOUGHT THAT WE WOULD HAVE PROBLEMS FINDING A FRAME THAT WASN'T RUSTED AND IT WOULD BE VERY EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR EVEN IF THEY DID. AFTER SEARCHING THE INTERNET I HAVE

Mileage: 94,000

20120725STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE B-VAN STATION WAGON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENTIRE FRONT FRAME WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED AND HAD BEEN EATEN AWAY BY CORROSION. IN ADDITION THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL A FULL 360 DEGREES. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE WHEN THE STEERING COLUMN COLLAPSED AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE ENTIRE FRONT FRAME WAS COMPLETELY CORRODED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 71,000.

Mileage: 71,000

20120725STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE B-VAN STATION WAGON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENTIRE FRONT FRAME WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED AND HAD BEEN EATEN AWAY BY CORROSION. IN ADDITION THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL A FULL 360 DEGREES. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE WHEN THE STEERING COLUMN COLLAPSED AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE ENTIRE FRONT FRAME WAS COMPLETELY CORRODED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 71,000.

Mileage: 71,000

20100505ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

APRIL 2004 A LOSS OF OIL PRECLUDED PREMATURE ENGINE FAILURE AT 46,000 MILES IN MY 1999 DODGE RAM 2500 VAN. MAY 1, 2010 THE REPLACEMENT ENGINE WITH 36,000 MILES EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN LOSS OF OIL THAT REGISTERED ON MY OIL PRESSURE GAUGE. THREE QUARTS OF OIL WERE REQUIRED TO BRING THE OIL TO NORMAL VOLUME. I HAVE CONTINUED REGULAR OIL CHANGES AND ENGINE MAINTENANCE. THE REBUILT ENGINE I WAS SOLD REPLACED THE FAILED ENGINE. UPON INSPECTION OF THE FAILED ENGINE I WAS TOLD THAT I FOLLOWED ALL MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES AND THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. I FEAR THIS IS A RE-OCCURRENCE OF THE ORIGINAL PROBLEM THAT WILL LEAD AND MAY BE INHERENT IN THE ENGINES USED IN THIS VEHICLE. IMPROPER LUBRICATION IN AN ENGINE CAN LEAD TO PREMATURE ENGINE FAILURE. NHTSA ITEM 610005 AND 606035 SHOWS THAT CHRYSLER/DODGE KNOWS OF A DEFECT IN THE ENGINE THAT LEADS TO OIL LOSS. *TR

Mileage: 46,000

20090127FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THIS VEHICLE BELONGS TO VERIZON COMMUNICATIONS. THE VAN HAD AN UNDER HOOD FIRE THAT ORIGINATED IN THE ABS MODULE AREA WHILE PARKED. THE VAN IS DECLARED A "TOTAL LOSS". DAIMLERCHRYSLER ISSUED SAFETY RECALL D20 IN 2004 TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM BUT THE RECALL REPAIR HAS NOT CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. VERIZON HAS HAD 30 UNDER HOOD FIRE INCIDENTS THAT OCCURRED AFTER THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED. THIS IS AN UNSAFE CONDITION THAT WARRANTS FURTHER INVESTIGATION AND ACTION. *TR

Mileage: 97,675

20080928FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THIS VEHICLE BELONGS TO VERIZON COMMUNICATIONS. THE VAN HAD AN UNDER HOOD FIRE THAT ORIGINATED IN THE ABS MODULE AREA. THE DRIVER COMPLAINED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER WAS NOT WORKING CORRECTLY. WHEN DIAGNOSING THE COMPLAINT THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THE ABS MODULE CONNECTOR AND WIRING WERE BURNT. DAIMLERCHRYSLER ISSUED SAFETY RECALL D20 IN 2004 TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM BUT THE RECALL REPAIR HAS NOT CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. VERIZON HAS HAD 29 INCIDENTS THAT OCCURRED AFTER THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED. THIS IS AN UNSAFE CONDITION THAT WARRANTS FURTHER INVESTIGATION AND ACTION. *TR

Mileage: 67,979

20080928FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THIS VEHICLE BELONGS TO VERIZON COMMUNICATIONS. THE VAN HAD AN UNDER HOOD FIRE THAT ORIGINATED IN THE ABS MODULE AREA WHILE IT WAS PARKED AT A JOBSITE. DAIMLERCHRYSLER ISSUED SAFETY RECALL D20 IN 2004 TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM BUT THE RECALL REPAIR HAS NOT CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. VERIZON HAS HAD 29 INCIDENTS THAT OCCURRED AFTER THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED. THIS IS AN UNSAFE CONDITION THAT WARRANTS FURTHER INVESTIGATION AND ACTION. *TR

Mileage: 75,321

20080928FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THIS VEHICLE BELONGS TO VERIZON COMMUNICATIONS. THE VAN HAD AN UNDER HOOD FIRE THAT ORIGINATED IN THE ABS MODULE AREA. DAIMLERCHRYSLER ISSUED SAFETY RECALL D20 IN 2004 TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM BUT THE RECALL REPAIR HAS NOT CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. VERIZON HAS HAD 29 INCIDENTS THAT OCCURRED AFTER THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED. THIS IS AN UNSAFE CONDITION THAT WARRANTS FURTHER INVESTIGATION AND ACTION. *TR

Mileage: 81,731

20080927FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THIS VEHICLE BELONGS TO VERIZON COMMUNICATIONS. THE VAN HAD AN UNDER HOOD FIRE THAT ORIGINATED IN THE ABS MODULE AREA. THE DRIVER COMPLAINED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER AND INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WERE NOT WORKING CORRECTLY. WHEN DIAGNOSING THE COMPLAINT THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THE ABS MODULE CONNECTOR AND WIRING WERE BURNT. DAIMLERCHRYSLER ISSUED SAFETY RECALL D20 IN 2004 TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM BUT THE RECALL REPAIR HAS NOT CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. VERIZON HAS HAD 29 INCIDENTS THAT OCCURRED AFTER THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED. THIS IS AN UNSAFE CONDITION THAT WARRANTS FURTHER INVESTIGATION AND ACTION. *TR

Mileage: 56,769

20060405SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE EXTERIOR METAL ON THE BRAKE LINES RUSTED THROUGH. THIS WAS NOTICED WHILE BEING INSPECTED BY THE CONTACT. THE DEALERSHIP WAS ALERTED, BUT THE CONTACT REPLACED THE METAL BRAKE LINES. UPDATRED 05/02/06. *JB

Mileage: 60,000

20060131CrashUNKNOWN OR OTHER

1999 DODGE RAM VAN. *TS THE CONSUMER TRIED TO AVOID REAR ENDING ANOTHER VEHICLE WHO DIDN'T HAVE ON ANY LIGHTS BY OVER CORRECTING TO THE RIGHT. THE CONSUMER DROVE OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD AND HIT A DITCH. THE CONSUMER THEN ROLLED OVER TWO TIMES AND LANDED ON THE ROOF . (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT) *JB

20060102ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

WHILE DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY MY OIL PRESSURE GAUGE DROPPED TO 0 PSIG. IT HAD BEEN APPROXIMATELY 2000 MILES SINCE MY LAST OIL CHANGE. WHEN I STOPPED AT THE GAS STATION TO CHECK THE OIL, I DISCOVERED MY OIL WAS ABOUT 3 QUARTS LOW. I PURCHASED 3 QTS OF OIL AND INSTALLED IT IN THE ENGINE AND CONTINUED TO HAVE PROBLEMS THE REST OF THE WAY HOME (GAUGE DROPPING TO 0 PSI, BUT NO REAL NOTICEABLE CLACKING OF LIFTERS). I EXPERIENCED THIS SORT OF PROBLEM IN 2002 WHEN MY 1999 DODGE RAM VAN (318 CI) WENT ON A TRIP TO NY AND USED ABOUT 12 QUARTS OF OIL WITH LESS THAN 30,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. TWO MONTHS OUT OF WARRANTY AND HAD TO FIGHT LIKE CRAZY WITH CHRYSLER TO COVER IT (I ENDED UP HAVING TO PAY A DEDUCTIBLE TO GET THIS PROBLEM RESOLVED). I AM NOT SURE WHAT TO DO AT THIS POINT WITH THE VAN WHICH IS NOW ALMOST SEVEN YEARS OLD WITH 55,000 MILES. NOT A VERY DEPENDABLE MACHINE AND PROMISE TO NEVER OWN ANOTHER CHRYSLER PRODUCT AS LONG AS I LIVE. *NM

Mileage: 55,980

Compare 1999DODGERAM VAN to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 1 Open

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1999 DODGE RAM VAN have?
The 1999 DODGE RAM VAN has 56 NHTSA complaints, 11 crashes, 11 fires, 9 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1999 DODGE RAM VAN?
The most-complained component for the 1999 DODGE RAM VAN is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD with 6 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ELECTRICAL SYSTEM and AIR BAGS:FRONTAL.
Is the 1999 DODGE RAM VAN 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.