1999 Dodge RAM 1500 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
579 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
85,473 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1999 model year. Data snapshot: . 334 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Structure is the most frequently named component, appearing in 210 of 579 complaints (36.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 65 | 11.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 54 | 9.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 36 | 6.2% |
| Steering behavior | 35 | 6.0% |
| Engine operation | 10 | 1.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 7 | 1.2% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Structure | 210 |
| Unknown Or Other | 49 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 37 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 29 |
| Structure:Body | 22 |
| Air Bags | 19 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 19 |
| Electrical System | 18 |
Structure: 210; Unknown Or Other: 49; Air Bags:Frontal: 37; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 29; Structure:Body: 22; Air Bags: 19; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 19; Electrical System: 18
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 19 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 47 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 72 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 80 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 81 |
| 150,000 and above | 35 |
Under 25,000: 19; 25,000 to 49,999: 47; 50,000 to 74,999: 72; 75,000 to 99,999: 80; 100,000 to 149,999: 81; 150,000 and above: 35
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (81). 245 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 47 |
| 2001 | 29 |
| 2002 | 36 |
| 2003 | 44 |
| 2004 | 40 |
| 2005 | 28 |
| 2006 | 37 |
| 2007 | 75 |
| 2008 | 50 |
| 2009 | 29 |
| 2010 | 53 |
| 2011 | 34 |
| 2012 | 7 |
| 2013 | 10 |
| 2014 | 13 |
| 2015 | 20 |
| 2016 | 11 |
| 2017 | 6 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 4 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 1 |
2000: 47; 2001: 29; 2002: 36; 2003: 44; 2004: 40; 2005: 28; 2006: 37; 2007: 75; 2008: 50; 2009: 29; 2010: 53; 2011: 34; 2012: 7; 2013: 10; 2014: 13; 2015: 20; 2016: 11; 2017: 6; 2018: 3; 2019: 4; 2020: 2; 2021: 1
Pattern summary
Structure leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 65 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 54 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 36 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10000379 · 2002-12-26 (December 26, 2002)
MY DODGE PICKUP HAS BEEN INTO THE DEALER MANY TIMES TO TRY TO FIX A REPETITIVE PROBLEM WITH MY FRONT DRIVER SIDE BRAKES. ONE PAD OUT OF THE FOUR UP FRONT WEAR DOWN TO NOTHING WHILE THE OTHER 3 HAVE PRACTICALLY NO WEAR. THE DEALERSHIP HAS CHANGED THE CALIPER, ROTOR, PADS, EVERYTHING THAT HAS TO DO WITH THE FRONT DISC BRAKES TO NO AVAIL. THE SAME FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL AREA HAS HAD THE IDLER ARM REPLACED AND OTHER PARTS TO TRY TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM, BUT NOTHING HAS WORKED. THE DEALERSHIP NOW HAS RUN OUT OF PARTS TO CHANGE TO TRY TO FIX, SO THEY …
Owner-reported narrative. 24,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000379 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10010195 · 2003-03-09 (March 9, 2003)
WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP AND THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED GOING OVER A SERIES OF BUMPS A REDUCED BRAKING AFFECT IS ACHIEVED AND POSSIBILITY OF CRASH IS INCREASED. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10010195 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10013984 · 2003-04-04 (April 4, 2003)
I RECENTLY TOOK MY 1999 DODGE RAM 1500 PICK UP TO MY ALIGNMENT SHOP AND HAD TO PUT A NEW TRACKER BAR ON IT. WHICH I REPLACED ABOUT 8 MONTHS AGO AT ABOUT 40 THOUSAND MILES.. AND NOW I HAVE TO REPLACE MY STEERING BOX AND MY TRUCK HAS JUST OVER 54,100 MILES ON IT AND I THINK THAT IS A LITTLE RIDICULOUS. EVER SINCE I BOUGHT MY TRUCK NEW IN 1999 I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE FRONT END ALIGNED IN THE FIRST YEAR, THE SECOND YEAR, IN THE YEAR 2002 AND NOW ON MARCH 3 RD 2003 I HAD TO HAVE IT AGAIN FOR THE REASONS I STATED IN THE BEGINNING. I HAD SOME ELECTRI…
Owner-reported narrative. 45,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10013984 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10037434 · 2003-09-08 (September 8, 2003)
1998-2001 B-VAN (DODGE FULL SIZE). THE ABS CONTROL MODULE IS PROTECTED WITH A 40 AMP FUSE. A 10 GA. WIRE COMES OUT OF THE CONTROL MODULE AND THEN "Y'S" OUT TO TWO 14 GA. WIRES. IT APPEARS AS THOUGH THE ABS PUMP OR THE RELAY STICKS ON THESE VEHICLES. THEN ONE OF THE 14 GA. WIRES OVERHEATS AND CATCHES THE WIRING HARNESS ON FIRE. THE 40 AMP FUSE DOES NOT BLOW. THE FIRE THEN CONTINUES UNTIL THE VAN IS FULLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THIS VAN IS LOCATED AT THE VERIZON FLEET GARAGE, 8600 REES ST, NEW PORT RICHEY, FLORIDA 346681.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 42,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10037434 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10000431 · 2002-12-30 (December 30, 2002)
I BOUGHT MY TRUCK IN 1999 AND HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION A WEEK AGO. THE MECHANIC WHO REPLACED IT EXPLAINED THERE IS A DEFECTIVE VALVE IN THE TRANSMISSION FLUID LINE THAT STICKS WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY DENYING THE TRANSMISSION FLUID THEREBY BURNING IT UP. CHRYSLER IS AWARE OF THIS DEFECT BUT REFUSES TO OWN UP TO THE DEFECT. THEY REPLACED MY TRANSMISSION WITH ANOTHER DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION WHICH I WAS TOLD THE DAY AFTER INSTALLING THE NEW TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. I CALLED CHRYSLER TO ASK WHAT THEY INTEND TO DO R…
Owner-reported narrative. 76,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000431 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10007530 · 2003-02-15 (February 15, 2003)
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE - VEHICLE STARTED TO SKIP WHEN SHIFTING FROM 1ST GEAR TO SECOND GEAR. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD I WAS 200 MILES OUT OF WARRANTY AND THEY COULD NOT FIX IT UNDER WARRANTY (EVEN THOUGH I HAD BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS FOR A MONTH BEFORE THAT AND HADN'T TIME TO GET IN TO GET IT LOOKED AT). WAS TOLD THAT OTHER TRANSMISSIONS WERE ALSO FAILING, BUT DODGE WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING. I AM A FORMER CHRYSLER EMPLOYEE, AS IS MY FATHER. ALWAYS BEEN LOYAL TO CHRYSLER PRODUCTS, BUT AFTER THIS, I CAN'T TELL ENOUGH PEOPLE TO BUY FOR…
Owner-reported narrative. 34,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10007530 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10002464 · 2003-01-09 (January 9, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER NOTICED VEHICLE PULLING TO THE RIGHT EXCESSIVELY. THE NEXT DAY CONSUMER PULL FORWARD OUT OF DRIVEWAY AND THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL FELL COMPLETELY OFF. THE WHEEL LUG NUTS WERE COMPLETELY SHEARED OFF AT THE ROTOR. THE INCIDENT DAMAGED VEHICLE'S STEERING LINKAGE. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10002464 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10008435 · 2003-03-05 (March 5, 2003)
STEERING SEEMED LOOSE. DEALER REPLACED TRAC BAR, INNER AND LOWER TIE ROD ENDS, AND AN ADDITIONAL BAR. JUST AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRED, MILEAGE 35,982 ON NOVEMBER 21, 2002. AS OF MARCH 5, 2003 FRONT END AND STEERING IS WORSE THAN WHEN IT WENT IN. VERY LOOSE FEELING, FREQUENT STEERING WHEEL CORRECTION NEEDED. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION ESPECIALLY ON SNOW COVERED ROADS. VERY UNSAFE FEELING. DEALER WAS ASKED TO CHECK WORK THAT WAS PERFORMED ON NOVEMBER 0F 2002, ON JANUARY 30, 2003. THEY DID NOT LOOK INTO THE SITUATION. ALSO WOULD LIKE TO COM…
Owner-reported narrative. 35,982 miles reported. Look up ODI 10008435 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10072274 · 2004-08-16 (August 16, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THIS CAUSED LOST OF STEERING AND BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT SPEEDOMETER GAUGE CLUSTER SHORTED OUT. *AK THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WERE FOUR ATTEMPTS TO FIX THE PROBLEM, IT WAS FINALLY DETERMINED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS THE PCM MODULE. *SC THE CONSUMER KNOW LONGER OWNS THE VEHICLE. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 45,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10072274 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10087131 · 2004-08-03 (August 3, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE, AND HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT REAR END GEAR SHIFT SHEARED OFF, AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10087131 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10178970 · 2007-01-17 (January 17, 2007)
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND APPLIED MY BRAKES. THE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. LUCKILY, I HAD ENOUGH TIME TO PUT THE TRUCK IN LOW GEAR AND COME TO A SAFE STOP. I CHECKED THE BRAKE FLUID AND THE RESERVOIR WAS EMPTY. IT APPEARS THAT BRAKE FLUID IS LEAKING FROM A BRAKE LINE UNDER THE BED OF THE PICKUP NEAR THE GAS TANK. THE BREAK IS NOT VISIBLE BECAUSE THE GAS TANK IS IN THE WAY. I HAVE NOT HAD IT REPAIRED YET. THE TRUCK IS A 1999 DODGE PICKUP WITH ONLY 29000 MILES. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 29,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10178970 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10180635 · 2007-01-24 (January 24, 2007)
TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE RAM 1500 TRUCK. WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH THE BRAKES FAILED. THE MECHANIC ADVISED HIM THAT THE HYDRAULIC LINES RUSTED, AND THE ENTIRE BRAKING SYSTEM MUST BE REPLACED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATOR LIGHTS BEFORE OR AFTER THE INCIDENT OCCURRED. 50 MILES PRIOR TO INCIDENT THE VEHICLE PASSED SAFETY INSPECTION. A YEAR AGO WHILE LEAVING HIS DRIVEWAY A BOLT FOR THE STEERING IDLE ARM FELL OFF THE VEHICLE. THE RUSTED BRAKE AREA WAS NOT EXPOSED AND RUSTED NEAR THE GAS TANK. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 29,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10180635 at NHTSA ↗