Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1999 Dodge Ram 1500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Vehicle's braking system seemed not to be working properly, taking longer distances to stop. A check of equipment showed all mechanical parts to be fit, and adjusted correctly. Continued to drive vehicle but then had small accident involving braking while going downhill. At this time it was determined I had no brake lights. Diagnostics of the brake light problem determined the combination switch in the steering column was the culprit and had failed, causing loss of brake lights and failure of the transmission to go into coast mode when the brake pedal was applied. This also results in the cruise function to not cancel when brakes are applied. There is no indication of failure through the instrument cluster for this fault. This seems to be a regular problem, as this part is back ordered at the Chrysler dealership. …
Am on third engine each time oil pump failed,and now this one is acting up, powertrain end of year built truck has a lot of 2000 parts on it, rear end seized up drive shaft broke rear yoak split in two, suspension tie rods and idle arms always breaking, two break disks 1 left side 1 right side broke, left one split right down the middle, the right side the center of the hub broke right out at the bearings riped right out
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Dodge Ram 1500. While driving 60 MPH, the gears slipped without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.
My truck just cut off wouldnt start back run straight wire from ignition changed ignition relay nothing next run straight wire from relay to battery it started up I have no o/d and have to shift by hand sometimes truck stalls but starts right back up been this way since 2010 truck has 55000 miles on it.
Driving along highway 70 near quicny ca. When right rear axle broke sending the vehicle into the road embankment over turning the vehicle onto its roof, then flipping it again onto the remaining three wheels. The vehicle had front impact and the air bags did not deploy.
Rear differential just fell off of the truck going down highway! Smoke everywhere , I maintained composure and got off of the side of the highway. Thankfully no one was injured as I was in the passing lane passing a semi when this happened.
I own a 1999 Dodge Ram extended cab 1500 pick up truck. My wife was driving and when she stopped the truck and placed in park the truck continued to move and we almost ran into the vehicle in front of us. After investigation it was noted that the lever on the stearing column used to change the transmission position was not functining. There was no way to place the transmission in the "park" position and there was no way to determine which position the transmission was in. There is a hinge system that connects the stearing column to the transmission and this hinge point is bolted to the frame of the truck. The bolts appear to be about 1/4" size. Well, both of the bolts were sheared off and the hinge point was just hanging off the frame. This left the entire transmission operating assembly useless. …
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 foreign and not domestic - cheap quality and poor customer service. They sell you a vehicle and the problems are yours - too bad. Finally got some help from the Chrysler corporate center michigan.first dealer said "passing cable was problem, then later on found transmission was fault. A rebuilt one was installed, and now that too is having problems. …
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 regarding not only owning up the defective valve but also what they were willing to do for me due to the inconvenience of having to not have my vehicle for a week until they can replace the transmission again, and was told they were willing to do nothing on either issue.
Transmission: since I have purchased my truck late in 1999, the transmission hasn't worked properly. I took in early on because when shifting from forward to reverse, there was this slapping noise. The dealer in joliet said that was a normal thing. Now some times when accelerating, the shifting seems somewhat sluggish. I know of a number of people who have Dodge trucks with transmission problems. One has had it replaced twice and finally just this past summer traded for a GMC truck and the others still have theirs but are complaining of the same existing problems. When I do get another truck, I will not even consider a Dodge, it will probably be a GMC or even a Ford as much as I dislike fords. My 1999 truck has 62000 miles on it and sets in the garage most of the time.
Transmission complaints in other Ram 1500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 1999 Dodge Ram 1500?
NHTSA has 59 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 1999 Dodge Ram 1500, 10% of the model year's 610 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (33 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Dodge Ram 1500 transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 1999 Dodge Ram 1500. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1999 Dodge Ram 1500 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 70,000 miles, and 17% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 0 fires and 4 injuries to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.