Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1999 Dodge Ram owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Truck caught fire in middle of night apparently due to some sort of electrical short. Truck was totally engulfed and was a total loss as well as everything around it. Chrysler said that they could not see anything that would permit them to associate the fire with a manufacturing or assembly error, and that they are sure that we can appreciate that fires of this nature do occur for reasons not associated with the manufacturing process! Well, please tell me why they have had so many fires of their vehicles and alot of them seem to be with the wiring, and yet they are not accountable. My mother and my son could have easily been killed in this fire, so I am just to assume that Chrysler is going to do nothing until they have alot of dead bodies on their hands, as with Ford? I have alot of trouble with this picture!
Fuse #12 blew while truck was parked. Replaced the fuse, it blew again. This circuit controls radio mirrors and cargo lights. Took truck to dealer, they replaced right door switch. 2nd incident was oct. 24th. This time though, fuse didn't blow and wire harness caught on fire and melted. This was also the very same circuit (#12). Took truck back to dealer, they had it for a week and replace wire harness. 3rd incident was nov. 10th, fuse #12 blew again. Tried to replace fuse and it blew again. Truck is currently at the dealer and they can't find the short as of the time of this complaint.
Vehicle shuts down without notice, quits in traffic, on the highway and once while turning across traffic. After vehicle sets for about 45 min it will start again. Had vehicle towed to a shop and they replaced a component they said was bad, 600.00 and four days later we picked up vehicle and to a trip to the mountains where it quit again and left us stranded in the back country of colorado. After about a hour or so it started and we took it back to the shop that done the work and they have had it for over a week and have not solved the problem.
While driving 55 MPH the engine just cut completely off before the vehicle came to a full stop, then the engine restarted on its own. This incident occurred five times since April of 2003. The dealer was notified and informed the consumer that there was a glitch in the electrical system.
Brake problems; consumer took vehicle to dealer 4 times, but dealer couldn't find cause. When applying brakes pedal went down to floorboard, but there was no braking action. Accident occurred with $4100 damage. Consumer states that the horn is not working properly.
Ignition fuse link keeps blowing out, causing vehicle to shut down. Vehicle has been in two accidents because of this condition . Vehicle has been at repair shop on three occasions, and problem still occurs. Can NHTSA help or provide additional information on this matter.
There was a electrical fire from the power dispersement box under the hood , which the wiring harness melted. The vehicle is still at the dealer awaiting parts. I feel this is a saftey hazard but the dealer is already giving me a hard time about it.
Consumer was traveling about 65mph on highway and had cruise control on. He heard a noise, and then vehicle shutdown without prior warning. Also, smoke was coming from underneath of vehicle. Dealership was aware of problem.
The horn is defective. This truck is manual shift. There are two problems. 1st, it is impossible to locate the horn because of the placement of the airbag. It requires numerous hard pushes to figure out where it is. A less than what I would estimate to be a 5 pounds of pressure will not make the horn sound. I have tried to use the horn on at least three incidences and was unable to make the horn sound. In a non-emergent situation (sitting at a light) I was able to sound the horn after substantial pressure. 2nd : in emergent avoidance situation (3 times) you can not sound the horn and downshift at the same time. Because of the design of the steering wheel on the left side, and the placement of the cruise control, my left hand can not reach the horn without turning loose of the steering wheel. That leave no hands on the wheel because the right hand is trying to downshift. …
My 1999 Dodge Ram 1500 club cab 2-wheel drive automatic with a 318. 48,000 miles already had the trans go out, the catalytic converter went bad, the third brake light leaked when it rained, spot welds came through the paint on the drivers door skin,drivers side license plate light went out and changing the bulb doesnt fix it, the thermostat gasket went bad,the rear brakes somehow came out of adjustment and trashed the drums,passenger side front wheel bearings went bad, passenger side upper and lower ball joints went bad, front sway bar bushings went bad,when cold the trans slips, inner welds on the drivers side door have popped causing vibration,and knock on wood that is all for now I think.
Electrical complaints in other Ram years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 1999 Dodge Ram?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the electrical system of the 1999 Dodge Ram, 5% of the model year's 412 complaints. The component named most often is wiring › front underhood (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Dodge Ram electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 1999 Dodge Ram, though it has 9 recalls for other components. 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 electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 122,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 4 fires and 0 injuries to electrical system 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.