1999 Dodge RAM 3500: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
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 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 10032393 · 2003-08-07 (August 7, 2003)
CONSUMER STATED AS A RESULT OF AN REAR ENDED COLLISION, DRIVER SEAT BROKE. THIS CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO LAY BACKWARDS. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *PH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10032393 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 10038831 · 2003-09-13 (September 13, 2003)
WE OWN A DODGE RAM 3500 DIESEL TRUCK. THE TRANSFER PUMP HAS QUIT WORKING TWICE NOW. THIS TIME IT DIES RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AND THERE WAS A NEAR FATAL EXPERIENCE. TWO SEMI ALMOST HIT US, WE COULDN'T GET IT TO RESTART. HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE NOW. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 68 miles reported. Look up ODI 10038831 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10039433 · 2003-09-24 (September 24, 2003)
DEFECTIVE LIFT PUMP IN MOTOR - SHOULD BE AT 12% AND DODGE LOWERED THE STANDARD TO 7% BECAUSE THEY KNOW IT'S A PROBLEM! THE TORQUE CONVERTER IS FAULTY, CAUSING TOTAL DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION
Owner-reported narrative. 30,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10039433 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10043694 · 2003-10-27 (October 27, 2003)
NIGHT TIME DRIVING WHEN SWITCHING FROM HI BEAM TO LOW BEAM, ALL HEADLIGHTS TURNED OFF AND THE HI BEAM HAD TO BE PUT BACK ON USING THE COLUMN SWITCH. THIS HAS OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. AFTER SEVERAL TRIES TO GET BACK TO THE LOW BEAMS THEY FINALLY TURNED ON. TIIME PERIODS BEFORE THE LOW BEAMS STARTED TO WORK VARIED FROM SECONDS TO FIVE OR TEN MINUTES. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE I BOUGHT THE 99" DODGE 3500 TRUCK IN SEPT 2000. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 120,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10043694 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.