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 2500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Dodge Ram 2500. While driving 35 MPH at night, the contact heard an unusual noise from the rear of the vehicle. The contact discovered that the driveshaft was on the ground. There was no warning indicator. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the column shift assembly was disassembled. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 345,000. The VIN was not provided.
While driving my Dodge Ram 2500 pickup towing my horse trailer at highway speed, the overdrive 5th gear on the manual transmission disengaged and would not re-engage. I was lucky that this incident occurred when I was not in heavy traffic and could maneuver safely out of traffic to assess the situation. All other gears would engage and I had to complete my trip is 4th gear. After an inspection of transmission was completed, it was determined that the nut that holds the 5th gear in place on the transmission out-put shaft had backed off, causing 5th gear to slide rearward and disengage. Dodge has circulated a service bulletin concerning this problem (21-10-98a) and has developed a repair kit to fix the problem. Dodge failed to notify me of this potential problem. After reseaching complaints filed with NHTSA on this situation, I quickly found 10 complaints that relate to this problem. …
While backing out of the driveway, the vehicle would intermittently stall. This stalling occurred six times. On one occasion, the dealer replaced the ignition coil, and on another occasion, the consumer kept hearing a pinging sound coming from the engine. The transmission was replaced, and the transfer case was still leaking. There had been a myriad of problems with this vehicle. Also, there had been several recalls associated with this vehicle. The consumer claimed that the vehicle was in the shop more than it was in her possession. The vehicle experienced the following: airflow noise/sucked air due to a possible vacuum leak, the passenger mirror vibration due to the bug shields, engine ticking, undershield rusted along with the driveshaft, u-joints, and the bumper, there was rust on the rear box panels, engine ping/noise, the check engine light had come on two times, rear window …
It apparently a known fact that the tension bolt in my 1999 Dodge 2500 standard transmission has a habit of backing out and damaging the entire transmission. This has occurred in my vehicle and I understand that there is a technical bulletin out on this due to its a common problem. This is clearly identified by Dodge customer complaints and also by the dealership doing the repairs. Why is this not a recall issue. My truck has been used 95% on freeway. It has 119,000 miles on it. Being a diesel with what was considered the toughest transmission built, it should be good for at least twice this mileage if serviced properly which I have done. The oils were all changed less than 30,000 miles back and there was no indication of anything going wrong. This repair will cost me approximately $3,300.00 and fortunately did not damage too much or it could easily exceed this amount. …
The brakes locked up, which caused consumer to pump the brakes. The brakes would lock up when the weather was damp, when not in use for an extended period and when using four wheel drive all the wheels would lock up. This would only happen at temperatures of 32 degrees or colder. The manufacturer was notified and referred the consumer to the dealer for repairs. The transmission leaked at the rear output seal extension housing leaked at the case split silicone seal, the rear transmission seal leaked on the extended housing seal at the transfer case, the radio control had become inoperative, the wipers shorted out, and the fog light switch had gone bad.
The transmission went out in the truck. Lhm Dodge said that the lock up tork converter had gone out and that there was a national back order with no release date. I had lhm put in a remanufactured transmission to find out that the trans has wiped out the crank shaft in the diesel motor. After talking to damlerchrysler that all 3 transmission that are used in the Ram trucks with diesels use the same tork converters and only 2 of them are recalled for the tork converters. The truck still has problems with the new transmission, it has been in the shop 3 times now for the same shifting problem and they tell me something new each time.
Tl contact owns a 1999 Dodge Ram 2500. While driving 60 MPH in fifth gear, the contact heard a popping sound and the vehicle began to coast. The contact had to downshift into fourth gear. The vehicle had to be driven for approximately 200 miles in fourth gear. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and they discovered that the fifth gear nut detached and needed to be replaced. This is the second time the nut has backed off and needed replacing. The current mileage was 74,000 and failure mileage was 59,727.
All the brake components except the master cylinder were replaced 7 times starting at 7,000 miles because they either locked up or didn't function at times. An accident occurred due to this failure. Also, automatic transmission was replaced/rebuilt 8 times because it blew out, slipped, or dropped down from o/d to regular gear, which started at 5,000/20,000 miles finally, the engine head was replaced twice because it cracked on both sides, which started at 77,000-90,000 miles.
From the first 6000 miles-3 intake manifold gaskets, new tires, blow out & damaged truck, brakes ,calipers and rotors bad,transmission not right, steering not right two rear axle seals blown, new engine at 63,000. It is now blown (we believe, the computer system & torque converter should have been replaced for the start). We have all our paperwork dealership does not!!!!!!!! Warranty company does. We maintained this truck extremely well!!!!! We bought a total piece of junk.
The vehicle hesitated when changing gears. The consumer notice fluid on the ground of the parking lot. The dealership indicated that this occurred because the transmission cooler lines were defective and fluid leaked out. The manufacturer and the dealership were aware of this issue, and were installing an updated line and spring to correct the failure. The ABS lights and the brake light were on and was diagnosed as rear wheel speed sensor failure.
Transmission complaints in other Ram 2500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 1999 Dodge Ram 2500?
NHTSA has 35 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 1999 Dodge Ram 2500, 11% of the model year's 313 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (16 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Dodge Ram 2500 transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles, and 25% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 0 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.