Most common 1999 Dodge Ram problems
Share of the 412 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Dodge Ram complaints by model year
Best Ram years: 2011, 2009, 2007. Years to avoid: 1996, 1998, 2001, 1997, 1999. Compare all years →
1999 Dodge Ram recalls (9)
Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Control unit/module
On certain van and wagon vehicles equipped with 4-wheel antilock brake systems (ABS), aftermarket batteries May leak electrolyte onto the ABS control module connector, which can compromise sealing integrity of the connector.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the ABS control module connector for electrolyte damage and replace the connector as necessary. The recall will begin on September 27, 2004. Owners should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Air bags
Vehicle description: pickup trucks. Sound deadener material inside the steering wheel could become detached from the cover and housing. Note: the Ram pickup trucks were built at the warren assembly plant ("s" in the 11th VIN position) from May 16, 2000 through October 23, 2000; st.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the clockspring assembly. Owner notification began June 18, 2001. Also some 1997-200 model year vehicles that, according to warranty records, have had a suspect replacement clockspring installed,…
Seat belts › Front › Retractor
Vehicle description: certain van, wagon, pickup trucks, passenger and sport utility vehicles, fail to comply with requirements of FMVSS no. 209, "seat belt assemblies." the front seat belt retractor May not comply with the requirements of the standard.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat belt retractor. Owner notification began August 20, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a…
Latches/locks/linkages › Hood › Latch
On certain pickup trucks originally sold in or currently registered in the following "salt belt" states: maine, new hampshire, vermont, massachusetts, rhode island, connecticut, new york, new jersey, pennsylvania, delaware, maryland, the district of columbia, west virginia, ohio, indiana, michigan, illinois, wisconsin,…
Remedy: Dealers will replace the secondary hood latch. Owner notification began September 17, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within…
Trailer hitches
Vehicle description: pickup trucks equipped with optional trailer hitch. The trailer hitch side brackets were manufactured using material with insufficient strength.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the trailer hitches and replace any trailer hitch showing signs of fatigue cracking. If no evidence of cracking exists, the dealer will install two reinforcement brackets.
Power train › Clutch assembly
Vehicle description: pickup trucks equipped with gasoline engines and manual transmissions. The underbody hydraulic clutch line heat shield is too short, allowing the plastic clutch line material to be directly exposed to exhaust temperatures. It is possible to exceed the melting temperature of the clutch line material.
Remedy: Dealers will install the proper length heat shield.
Show 3 more recalls
Power train › Clutch assembly
Vehicle description: pickup trucks equipped with manual transmission, v10 engines and four-wheel-drive transfer cases. Under sustained maximum rated vehicle load, while driving up a steep grade in four-wheel-drive low range in hot ambient conditions, the local exhaust temperature proximate to the hydraulic clutch line can…
Remedy: Dealers will replace the hydraulic clutch assembly.
Fuel system, other › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Vehicle description: passenger vans and wagons equipped with compressed natural gas (cng). The fuel hose that connects the left and right fuel rails May shrink and leak fuel if exposed to high engine operating temperatures.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel rail assembly.
Fuel system, other › Storage › Tank assembly
Vehicle description: vans equipped with compressed natural gas (cng) fuel tanks. Incorrect fuel tank straps were installed on the small fuel tank. As a result, the fuel tank May not be securely attached to the vehicle.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the mounting straps for the small fuel tank.
What 1999 Dodge Ram owners say
Brakes all 88 →
I have a Dodge Ram 2500 with ABS. This system quit working around 36,000 miles. It pulls hard when you brake or kicks your foot off and will not stop. We have spent over $2,000.00 trying to fix the problem since the warranty was not honored and they would not acknowledge a recall. They serviced it several times starting with the most expensive, the module, over $700.00, then the sensors another $600.00, then they said we had the wrong tires and they were the problem, another $700.00 (a non issue as tires have nothing to do with brakes), then there were the wheel sensors and turned drums another $400.00. Plus the fact the oil gasket got sucked into the manifold leaving only 2 quarts of oil (another problem entirely). Way too much money to spend on brakes you still have to use being disconnected so the work properly. Unsafe to use if ABS is reconnected. It will not stop if you need to.
ABS braking system would jerk badly when applied. Problem became worse when towing a trailer. Have taken vehicle to dealership. Mechanic indicated nothing wrong, but had carriage bearing replaced 5 times. Was test driven with service manager and problem reoccurred. Was informed to remove ABS fuse. Problem existed without fuse, and caused extended stopping distance. Accident occurred due to lack of ABS power.
Transmission & drivetrain all 58 →
This 1999 Dodge Ram was sold to me by ozark Dodge in ozark, mo. This vehicle is a replacement for a 2001 that was a mechanical disaster. I had asked when I decided to accept their offer on the 1999 that they would do the following: change all fluids, alignment,and thoroughly go through this truck. 3 mos after the initial purchase I began having transmission problems. The transmission would slip and hunt for gears. I took it to aurora Dodge in aurora, mo. For the warranty repairs and they told me all repairs had been completed. There was also a note on the service order that the fluid had been previously poorly serviced. Which tells me that ozark Dodge didn't do a dam thing to this truck before they gave it to me to drive away!! I took the truck home and shortly thereafter (8 days) it began slipping and hunting for gears again. …
Repaired fuel injection system and charged me part of that which I assumed was covered under warranty seat belt has not been repaired they say it is not their problem but according to NHTSA, belts are manufacturer?s problem. Transmission: we were in traffic in March in houston tx when transmission decided not to work properly. Downshifting in traffic nearly causing a major accident .the Dodge place said it was the valve body which was not the problem at the time the band needed adjusting which cost $87.00 and they said it would cost 1300.00 to fix I pulled into traffic and it did it again 7 months later it is out of warranty so tried to remedy problem & ourself could not do. Called Dodge corp. And was told to take to dealership to see if they could help us financially fix this. We did they said they would except $200. …
Air bags all 44 →
The consumer's vehicle hit a parked car which was shoved into two other parked cars, the consumer then backed up turned around and went through a brick wall, and the air bags failed to deploy.
I was in an auto accident where I rear ended a tractor trailer. I was traveling 70mph and the tractor trailer 55mph. I hit the truck exactly perpendicular and the front of my truck was crushed in about 2 feet. The frame was severly damaged and had to be replaced. I am filing this because the body shop highly recommended we take action. He said the area where the sensors for the airbags are located was mangled and that the airbags should have deployed. The airbag system was checked by john keltner (lic. # 35844). His remarks were that the system test was performed and no problems were found at this time and no repairs were needed. I am aware of some recalls with Dodge and wanted to be sure the airbag systems would be covered. Thank you for your help.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1999 Dodge Ram a good car?
Based on 412 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1999 Ram rates avoid: 3.8× as many complaints as a typical year of the Ram at the same age. It is one of the Ram years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1999 Dodge Ram?
The brakes — 88 complaints, 21% of all complaints for this model year, most often about antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip. Next are the transmission & drivetrain (58) and air bags (44).
How many recalls does the 1999 Dodge Ram have?
There are 9 recalls for the 1999 Dodge Ram, the most recent from April 12, 2004 (control unit/module). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Dodge Ram?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2011, 2009 and 2007. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 1996, 1998, 2001, 1997 and 1999. See the full Dodge Ram years comparison.
At what mileage do 1999 Dodge Ram problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 74,000 miles; 22% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.