Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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).
Cummins mid-America had a bad casting of engine blocks 5.9 diesel. Some went into Dodge trucks, rv's, and school buses. The stamping on the block was 53. They cracked on the passenger side right below the turbo charger. Dodge would warrant these for 100,000 miles. After 100K you were on your own. This motor should last 300K to 400K miles. A very expensive option. The people are left holding the bag. Cummins will give $1000.00 for repair of block which requires a total swap of the block. This is a 8K to 10K fix. I feel that since this product was defective from the start they should take care of the consumer. I am suffer this fate as we speak. I really do not know what I am going to do as it is a life altering financial burden. They have ammitted there is a problem. Many, many people out there have experienced this. If you were under 100K, no problem. …
We drive a 1999 Dodge Ram 3/4 ton truck with an 11 foot camper on it. Last week while on vacation in montana, we had a major engine failure while driving at 70 MPH. On the mountain roads of interstate 90. The failure was sudden and there was no indication that there was a problem. I was able to get the truck off the highway and onto the shoulder before it came to a complete stop, even with the loss of power steering and brakes. We had the truck towed to missoula where the problem was traced to the injection pump freezing up from lack of fuel pressure from the transfer pump. This repair cost us $2500.00 and could have been avoided with a notice from Dodge or cummins to have the pressure checked. I have since found out that the problem is common and is occurring with all the cummins engines installed in the Ram pickups, since the introduction of the 24 valve engine in 1998. …
Van is has rattle from underside since late 2003. Van began backfiring 12/2005. We received letter on recall for catalytic converter up to 8 yrs and 80,000 mile. We were informed by dealer that our engine size is the only one not given an extension to 10 yr 100,000. The converters are failing on the 5.9 l also. These are big vehicles designed to be used. We paid extra for the larger engine size but are being cheated during the recall.
Consumer was driving at 40-45 MPH when suddenly motor froze, and vehicle started to pull to left/ lost all steering capability/hit a concrete divider ,and then vehicle rolled over . Consumer noticed that of one of screws that held power steering to frame fell off, and it got stuck between wheel and frame which contributed to crash,causing injuries.
Cracked block in 5.9 liter cummins diesel engine at 18,000 miles. Vehicle was a 99 2500 Ram 4x4 pickup. Way too many of these are cracking. Engine was replaced under warranty but cummins refuses to replace others off warrany. Company has prior reputation of producing engines with life expectancy of 350'000 miles with no such defects.
While driving and without warning the intake manifold cracked and caused fluid to leak. The dealer was notified. Ts the intake manifold failed, it caused severe missing. The coolant was mixed with oil. The dealer stated that if this wasn't caught early, it could have severely damaged the engine. Scc
While driving the vehicle engine died out, lost oil pressure. Took the vehicle to the dealer and they refuse to work on the vehicle as a warranty, due to the build up of sludge in the engine. Dealer will only replace the engine if the consumer pays the amount of $5,000. Ph
The vehicles engine bolt loosened and a screeching noise was produced. The dealer was notified. All 20 valve cover bolts had loosened. They loosened an additional two times after properly torqued. Loosened valve cover bolts caused oil to leak out of engine.
While applying brakes at any speed and without warning vehicle will pull to left until release of brake pedal. Consumer states vehicle will pull to the left when braking and will drift to the right on freeway and brakes are squeaky when braking on stop, dealer replaced calipers, turned rotors and changed brakes, dealer found steering wheel off center, dealer has replaced upper and lower control arms, dealer has adjusted the front end and replaced the rims and tires, vehicle experiences lack of power and engine light has illuminated, vehicle idles high and is experiencing poor fuel economy, when driving on freeway it gets max of 14.5 mpg, smoke also comes out of the exhaust, left side electric mirror glass had fogged, left seat bottom loose, one missing bolt found, left seat trim bezel keeps miming loose won?t stay in seat for seat belt on seat back. …
When accelerating engine pings-particulary on hills at higher speeds/second time they suggested it was fuel quality and on last complaint they attempted to decarbonize engine.and suggest using fuel additive at every 3 thousand miles- also stated that this sparkplug knock would not harm engine- garden city dode mi. Was very nice and admitted that this problem has accured on other vehicles. My concern is that this is not how a new engine should perform and will bring problems down the line -especially when warrenty is gone- is this how a new erngine should perform and it seams quite evident that it will shorten the quality and life of the engine- also the knock continues and ive exhausted all available options for fuel. Regardless of the brand and still using recomended octain as scince day one (87)
Engine complaints in other Ram years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 1999 Dodge Ram?
NHTSA has 43 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 1999 Dodge Ram, 10% of the model year's 412 complaints. The component named most often is engine (15 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Dodge Ram engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling 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 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 70,000 miles, and 10% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 1 injury to engine & cooling 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.