Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
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).
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.
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.
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. …
This truck is unsafe!! Two weeks after purchase, steering pulled hard to the left when loaded/towing. Now truck pulls hard to the right when braking (loaded or not), but will occassionally pull left. Driver is never sure which direction truck will pull. Dealership has made numerous "repairs" to the steering, suspension, and brakes; including but not limited to steering gear box, ball joints, calipers, suspension arms, alignment, tire pressure, tire rotation, tire size. District service manager has stated these trucks have "very sensitive suspensions" and the pulling is "normal". This is a 3/4 ton 4-wheel drive work truck and it has a "sensitive suspension"?
Have had a severe right hand pulling problem under moderate to severe braking. I have brought my vehicle to the dealership at least four times for the same issue but the problem still persists. The problem seems to be worse as the brakes are at their operating temp. When brakes are cold the pulling problem is minimal. Prior visits to the dealership has resulted in the replacment of calipers, alignment and proportion valve. Eventhough these parts have been replaced the problem still exists. The problem revealed itself as early as 15,000 miles and has persisted intermittantly since that time.
Vehicle has pulled to right since driving it off lot. Was told by salesman this was designed into truck for safety reasons. Reguires 1/4 turn of steering wheel to continue straight travel and if steering wheel released, darts sharply to right. I've had two alignments by Dodge dealer with no improvement in pulling. Has also developed severe "shimmy" at higher speeds when encountering bumps or holes.
While driving on highway and when passing a semi- trailer vehicle pulled, and couldn't control steering. Also, when traveling at 65mph vehicle wandered all over the road. In addition, while driving on a local road and making a right or left hand turn, steering wheel did not return back to the center. Dealer has tried to correct the problem, but without success.
Loose and unstable area in steering, vehicle wonders to both left and right, must continuly correct to keep in driving lane. Uneven road surface and wind seem to increase problem, can feel the front wheels pulling at steering wheel at times. This is not a safe situation. Have had to dealer, they said this was normal and that Chrysler would not remedy the problem.
Had a flat tire and could not get the rims off the wheel hub--went to dealer and he said to get under vehicle and hit rims with a sledge hammer---this has been ongoing since 2001--right now going thru this problem again after dealer said that it was fixed.
Suspension complaints in other Ram 2500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 1999 Dodge Ram 2500?
NHTSA has 22 complaints about the suspension of the 1999 Dodge Ram 2500, 7% of the model year's 313 complaints. The component named most often is front (10 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Dodge Ram 2500 suspension problems?
No. NHTSA lists no suspension 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 suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 26,000 miles, and 33% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries to suspension 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.