1999 Dodge RAM 3500 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
102 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
112,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1999 model year. Data snapshot: . 51 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train:Manual Transmission is the most frequently named component, appearing in 11 of 102 complaints (10.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 17 | 16.7% |
| Steering behavior | 13 | 12.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 12 | 11.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 6 | 5.9% |
| Fuel system concerns | 6 | 5.9% |
| Engine operation | 4 | 3.9% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Power Train:Manual Transmission | 11 |
| Structure | 11 |
| Steering | 9 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 6 |
| Unknown Or Other | 6 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 5 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 4 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Diesel | 4 |
Power Train:Manual Transmission: 11; Structure: 11; Steering: 9; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 6; Unknown Or Other: 6; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 5; Engine And Engine Cooling: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Diesel: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 12 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 6 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 19 |
| 150,000 and above | 11 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 12; 75,000 to 99,999: 6; 100,000 to 149,999: 19; 150,000 and above: 11
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (19). 51 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 | 10 |
| 2001 | 12 |
| 2002 | 12 |
| 2003 | 8 |
| 2004 | 9 |
| 2005 | 9 |
| 2006 | 5 |
| 2007 | 4 |
| 2008 | 7 |
| 2009 | 4 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 6 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 2 |
2000: 10; 2001: 12; 2002: 12; 2003: 8; 2004: 9; 2005: 9; 2006: 5; 2007: 4; 2008: 7; 2009: 4; 2010: 1; 2011: 6; 2012: 2; 2013: 2; 2015: 3; 2016: 3; 2017: 2; 2018: 1; 2019: 2
Pattern summary
Power Train:Manual Transmission leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 17 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 13 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 12 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 10142506 · 2005-11-12 (November 12, 2005)
TWO PRIMARY SAFETY RELATED ISSUES AND MANY LESS IMPORTANT QUALITY ISSUES HAVE PLAGUED THIS VEHICLE. THE PROBLEMS BEGAN TO MOUNT IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE WARRANTY LAPSED. THE MOST CRITICAL ISSUE HAS BEEN THE CORROSION AND SUBSEQUENT FAILURE OF THE BRAKE LINE THAT SUPPLIES THE PRESSURE NEEDED FOR THE REAR BRAKES TO OPERATE. THIS ISSUE RENDERED THE REAR BRAKES ON THE VEHICLE USELESS. DODGE CORPORATE AND TWO LOCAL DODGE DEALERSHIPS REFUSED TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE, EXCEPT BY OFFERING TO SELL A REPLACEMENT BRAKE LINE. THE FAILURE OF THE METAL AFTER ONLY 5 …
Owner-reported narrative. 115,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10142506 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10146717 · 2006-01-02 (January 2, 2006)
AT 86,000 MILES, DIESEL FUEL INJECTION PUMP FAILED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING CAUSING ENGINE TO QUIT RUNNING LEADING TO A LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND ASSISTED BRAKE CONTROL. I WAS ABLE TO COAST THE TRUCK TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND OUT OF THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC WITH GREAT DIFFICULTY BEFORE COMING TO A STOP. TRUCK HAD TO BE TOWED FROM THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY, AND FAILED INJECTION PUMP WAS REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE. FAILED BOSCH VP44 DIESEL FUEL INJECTION PUMP WAS RETURNED AS A CORE. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 86,025 miles reported. Look up ODI 10146717 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10000677 · 2003-01-01 (January 1, 2003)
A PART ON THE AIR BAG IN STEERING WHEEL, WHICH I BELIEVE IS CALLED THE "CLOCK SPRING", HAS BEEN RECALLED ON THE 1998 DODGE RAM 3500, AS WELL AS, THE 2001. I KNOW THIS BECAUSE I OWNED BOTH OF THESE VEHICLES AN DHAD THE RECALLS PERFORMED WHILE I OWNED THEM. I HAVE A 1999 DODGE RAM 3500 AS WELL AND IT IS MAKING THE SAME NOISE THAT THE OTHER TWO DID, BEFORE RECALLS WERE PERFORMED, YET THERE IS NO SUCH RECALL. I HAVE ALSO OBSERVED SOME OTHER PROBLEMS WHICH I FEEL ARE RELATED THAT WILL MOST LIKELY CAUSE A CRASH IN THE FUTURE. THE CRUISE CONTROL SPEED…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10000677 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10095728 · 2004-10-13 (October 13, 2004)
1999 DODGE RAM 3500. FRONT END STEERING FAILURE DEATH WOBBLE, $550 REPAIR, AC EVAPORATOR, $800 REPAIR, PRESENTLY ENGINE CONTROL MODULE $300 FOR TROUBLESHOOTING BY THE DEALER, $730 FOR PART AND ADDITIONAL DOLLARS FOR LABOR. ESTIMATE OF $1000+. ASKED DODGE FOR ASSISTANCE, TRUCK IS 6 MONTHS OUT OF WARRANTY AND ONLY HAS 68830 MILES ON IT. THE ENGINE (CUMMINS DIESEL) WAS WARRANTED FOR 5 YEARS, 100K, AND THE SAME WITH EMMISSIONS CONTROL 5/100. THE ECM COULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED BY DODGE UNDER EITHER OF THESE WARRANTIES.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10095728 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10022764 · 2003-07-03 (July 3, 2003)
THERE WAS A NUT IN THE BACK OF THE STANDARD TRANSMISSION. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH THE NUT FELL OFF INTO THE TRANSMISSION WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO FREE WHEEL IN FIFTH GEAR. *AK *CB *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 70,645 miles reported. Look up ODI 10022764 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10032933 · 2003-08-16 (August 16, 2003)
MY VEHICLE FAILED BY SHIFTING ERRATICALLY WHILE PULLING OUT ONTO THE FREEWAY IN HOUSTON, TX DURING HEAVY TRAFFIC AND IF NOT HANDLED IN A QUICK RESPONSIVE MANNER, THERE COULD HAVE BEEN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT CAUSING INJURIES OR DEATHS TO MANY PEOPLE. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE ADRESSED PROMPT AND STRAIGHT FORWARD. NATURALLY THE WARRANT HAD JUST GONE OUT ON THE VEHICLE AND AFTER RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM MYSELF, THIS IS A PROBLEM OF WIDESPREAD PROPORTION AND A POOR DESIGN ON THE PART OF DODGE MOTOR COMPANY KNOWING THESE VEHICLES WERE M…
Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10032933 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10038024 · 2004-12-24 (December 24, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING, THE DASHBOARD CAUGHT ON FIRE AND MELTED ALL THE WIRING UNDER THE DASH. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS UNDETERMINED. *AK *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10038024 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10192428 · 2007-06-04 (June 4, 2007)
DASHBOARD CRACKED IN VAIOUS SPOTS, PARTS FALLING INTO ELECTRICAL AREA, LOOSE HEADLIGHTS SOMETIMES WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 88,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10192428 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10075920 · 2004-06-08 (June 8, 2004)
FUEL PUMP MALFUNCTIONED. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER, THEY CLAIMED SINCE NO ONE COMPLAINED ABOUT IT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. IT WOULD COST $3000.00 TO REPAIR IT.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 110,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10075920 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10145520 · 2005-12-17 (December 17, 2005)
WAS DRIVING WEST ON I-44 AND THE ENGINE BEGAN TO STALL AND LOSE POWER. I WAS AT A HALF TANK OF FUEL AND DECIDED TO HIT THE NEXT EXIT AND GET SOME DIESEL FUEL AND SOME ADDITIVE. I THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE THE FUEL GELLING UP BECAUSE IT WAS PRETTY COLD OUT. I SHUT THE TRUCK DOWN TO FILL WITH FUEL AND WHEN I WENT TO START THE TRUCK IT WOULDN'T START. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A DODGE DEALERSHIP TO BE FIXED AND FOUND OUT THAT THE VP 44 FUEL INJECTOR PUMP WAS BAD. THE DEALERSHIP WANTED1500 DOLLARS FOR A NEW ONE AND ANOTHER 160 DOLLARS TO DO THE LABO…
Owner-reported narrative. 124,957 miles reported. Look up ODI 10145520 at NHTSA ↗