Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1999 Dodge Ram 2500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
1999 Dodge Ram 1500 quad cab truck - when a bump or rough patch in the road is hit, the front end begins to shake violently. Wheel hop occurs and the vehicle must be pulled off the road and stopped completely before the steering returns to normal - happens almost everytime on the same bumps or patches on the same roads. The problem is so bad the truck is basically undrivable and is a very dangerous concern - only 74,000 miles on the truck and have replaced most all the frontend parts as well as brake rotors, etc. Still occurs. Seems daimler Chrysler has known of this issue for some time, but has done nothing to resolve the issue. …
I have a 1999 Dodge Ram 2500 4 x 4 quad cab with the v-10 manual transmission. Since I purchased it new in March 1999, I have twice replaced the rr track bar ($200 part, not including labor) and the steering intermediate shaft ($89 part, not including labor). This truck wanders all over the road and a heavy clunk is felt in the steering wheel. The dealer mechanics keep telling me "that's typical of this vehicle," but there is no recall. Why? I have also noticed an abundance of coolant loss at each oil change since about 10,000 miles...up to 1 gallon per 3000 miles. The radiator pressure checked OK. Dealer mechanics and chat rooms have told me this is another "typical" problem with this truck. Apparently the antifreeze blows through the headgasket and into the exhaust system where it evaporates. Still no recalls. Why are automanufacturers getting away with this?
The steering malfunctioned. The consumer had taken the vehicle to the repair shop due to the vehicle pulling to the right. The consumer drove the vehicle for a while when it started pulling to the left. Also, when making a turn, the steering wheel jerked extremely hard that if the consumer didn't hold it tightly, it would jump out of his hands. The front end problems had not been solved after four attempts. The vehicle would pull hard when braking. The front tires were changes , but the problem remained the same.
Dash falling apart in cluding air bag air bag s/w vents falling out the bezel falling the glove conpartment falling wires cut had to be repaired radio fell out of dash got a dash board cover and have to tape the conponits togeather need to replace heater core no shop will do it because of the dash I have cut my hands and arms do to digging pieces of dash out this is a safety issue NHTSA need to do something about this I can't afford to buy another trucki guess when the dash falls in the floor and cause it to wreck.
The steering in this vehicle is terrible when braking,the dashboard is craked and broken very bad in several places Dodge wants to do nothing about these problems.when I apply the brakes the vehicle pulls very hard,this is not an allignment I have had that done changed the rotors the whole 9 yards still the same problem.the dash started out as a little crack now it is broken in several places.this is ridiculous.I will never purchase another Dodge they dont stand behind there vehicles.
Consumer stated the steering failed as well as the brakes. Also stated that he had this problem before. Dealer was contacted and stated that the power steering pump locked up and broke the shaft and the air pump for the power steering. Vehicle out of warranty.
This 1999 Dodge dakota has developed a violent shaking after hitting a bump in the road. The shaking or wobble lasts for approximately 15 seconds until the vehicle can be slowed and control regained. This seems to be related to death wobble talks.
While driving at 35 MPH steering went out, causing consumer to run into a tree. Also, when applying the brakes, they were hard and didn't stop the vehicle. In addition, engine sopped/ no deployment of driver's air bag upon impact.
3/7/2007. 1999 Dodge Ram. Contact states that a Chrysler dealer told him not to use the tilt wheel because it will break the wires in the steering column again. * the consumer also stated t he seat belts are inoperative.
This is my second truck from Dodge. The first truck they replaced the steering box 4-5 times and tried many other things like alignment, tire pressure, tire rotation etc, to try to correct a severe wondering problem and they could not fix this. Chrysler offered me a new truck to replace this one and I reluctantly agreed. I finally took delivery after numerous paperwork problems and it turned out that this truck has the same problem along with several problems. I have had the truck to back to the dealer numerous times for the front end and they tried front end alignments, tire rotations, more tow on the front end, new steering boxes, replaced the brakes & turned the rotors at 8,000 miles, repainted about half the truck etc. …
NHTSA investigations
Oversensitive steering
ODI has received 14 consumer complaints concerning steering control concerns.Complainants typically alleged that the steering is loose, oversensitive, or has excessive play.They further alleged that this phenomena contributes to the vehicle wondering back and forth and being difficult to maintain in its lane.The majority of the complaints are on vehicles which are equipped with the V-10 or diesel engine.A…
Steering complaints in other Ram 2500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 1999 Dodge Ram 2500?
NHTSA has 36 complaints about the steering of the 1999 Dodge Ram 2500, 12% of the model year's 313 complaints. The component named most often is gear box (other than rack and pinion) (11 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Dodge Ram 2500 steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for the 1999 Dodge Ram 2500. 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 2500 steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 53,000 miles, and 13% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 4 injuries to steering 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.