Your vehicle report
1999 Dodge RAM
The problems owners report. The recalls to check. The evidence behind each.
Your vehicle at a glance
Complaint patterns and official recall records, kept distinct.
- Owner complaints
- 366
- Received Dec 1998 to Aug 2022
Owner reports
Most reported problems
- 1Airbags fail to deploy in crashes35 complaints · 9.6% of this vehicle’s complaints
- 2Steering wanders or pulls at highway speed24 complaints · 6.6% of this vehicle’s complaints
- 3Brake pedal sinks due to leaking lines20 complaints · 5.5% of this vehicle’s complaints
Official NHTSA records
Recalls to check
- Recall #04V185000On 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.
- Recall #01V153000Vehicle 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. Louis north assembly plant ("j" in the 11TH VIN position) from may 19, 2000 through october 23, 2000; lago alberto assembly plant ("m" in the 11TH VIN position) from may 23, 2000 through october 23, 2000; and saltillo assembly plant ("g" in the 11TH VIN position) from may 23, 2000 through october 23, 2000. Important: vehicles that have already had the proper clockspring installed, according to warranty records, have been excluded from this recall. In addition, 1997-2000 model year vehicles that have had a suspect replacement clockspring installed, according to warranty records, have been added to this recall.
BrakeNews signals
Flagged complaint patterns
Unusual complaint patterns with no matched recall yet. A flag does not mean a recall will happen.
No problems currently meet BrakeNews’s flagging criteria. This is not a safety rating.
How flags are identifiedComplaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA, not failure rates or a reliability ranking. Reported in these complaints: 46 crashes, 6 fires, 45 people injured, 1 death.
Explore by system
Where do owners report problems?
Choose an area on the car or a system below to explore the reported problems.
Illustrative only; not this vehicle’s exact design. Areas represent complaint categories, not confirmed defective parts.
Showing all 20 listed problems by system.
Engine & powertrain
Brakes
- Brake pedal sinks due to leaking lines
- Front brake rotors warp and wear early
- Anti-lock brakes fail or lock up
1 more problem
Electrical & lights
Airbags, belts & seats
Steering, suspension & tires
- Steering wanders or pulls at highway speed
- Tires blow out or tread separates
- Steering wheel shakes violently at highway speed
1 more problem
Body, doors & glass
Driver assistance
No problems in this category meet this page’s listing criteria. This does not establish that the system is free of problems.
Other
No problems in this category meet this page’s listing criteria. This does not establish that the system is free of problems.
Complaint history
When NHTSA received these reports. Changes in reporting alone do not establish a change in failure rates.
Show as a table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1998 | 1 |
| 1999 | 81 |
| 2000 | 109 |
| 2001 | 62 |
| 2002 | 52 |
| 2003 | 16 |
| 2004 | 19 |
| 2005 | 10 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 5 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 4 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 0 |
| 2014 | 0 |
| 2015 | 0 |
| 2016 | 0 |
| 2017 | 0 |
| 2018 | 0 |
| 2019 | 0 |
| 2020 | 0 |
| 2021 | 0 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 0 |
| 2024 | 0 |
| 2025 | 0 |
| 2026 (to Oct 2026) | 0 |
| Total | 366 |
Problems owners report
Listed groups have at least 3 complaints. The page includes the 20 largest groups plus any additional flagged groups; some complaints are not assigned to a group.
| Problem | Complaints | Share | Share ratio | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airbags fail to deploy in crashes | 35 | 9.6% | – | |
| Steering wanders or pulls at highway speed | 24 | 6.6% | – | |
| Brake pedal sinks due to leaking lines | 20 | 5.5% | – | |
| Tires blow out or tread separates | 15 | 4.1% | – | |
| Seat belt fails to latch or retract | 13 | 3.5% | – | NHTSA recall #01V119000 |
| Front brake rotors warp and wear early | 13 | 3.5% | – | |
| Automatic transmission shifts unexpectedly or slips | 12 | 3.3% | – | |
| Steering wheel shakes violently at highway speed | 12 | 3.3% | – | |
| Transmission fails or loses power while driving | 11 | 3.0% | – | |
| Steering wheel seizes or locks suddenly | 9 | 2.5% | – | NHTSA recall #01V153000 |
| Anti-lock brakes fail or lock up | 9 | 2.5% | – | NHTSA recall #04V185000 |
| Dashboard cracks near passenger airbag | 8 | 2.2% | – | |
| Headlights dim or fail at night | 8 | 2.2% | – | |
| Vehicle catches fire from wiring | 8 | 2.2% | – | |
| Brakes fail intermittently or repeatedly | 8 | 2.2% | – | |
| Rear door latch fails to open or close | 6 | 1.6% | – | |
| Cruise control fails to disengage | 6 | 1.6% | – | |
| Horn fails with airbag warning light | 5 | 1.4% | – | |
| Fuel tank or line leaks gasoline | 5 | 1.4% | – | NHTSA recall #99V034000, #99V044000 |
| Engine knocking from rod or main bearings | 5 | 1.4% | – |
AI groups complaints by meaning; the groups are approximate. Share ratio compares the problem’s share of this vehicle’s complaints with its share on other vehicles over the last 24 months (shown from 3 recent complaints). A 2× ratio means twice the complaint share, not twice the failure risk. Flags mark unusual shares or recent surges after an AI review of the complaint content. “First signal” does not mean the pattern has persisted continuously.How recall estimates are calculated.
Recalls
NHTSA recall #04V185000April 12, 200444,588 vehicles affected
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.
This may allow development of a short circuit in the connector, which could eventually lead to a fire.
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.
NHTSA recall #01V153000May 8, 2001216,100 vehicles affected
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. Louis north assembly plant ("j" in the 11TH VIN position) from may 19, 2000 through october 23, 2000; lago alberto assembly plant ("m" in the 11TH VIN position) from may 23, 2000 through october 23, 2000; and saltillo assembly plant ("g" in the 11TH VIN position) from may 23, 2000 through october 23, 2000. Important: vehicles that have already had the proper clockspring installed, according to warranty records, have been excluded from this recall. In addition, 1997-2000 model year vehicles that have had a suspect replacement clockspring installed, according to warranty records, have been added to this recall.
When this occurs, the material could interfere with the clockspring ribbon and cause an open circuit. The driver air bag system will become disabled, and the air bag warning lamp will illuminate on the instrument panel.
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, will also be included in this campaign. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
NHTSA recall #01V119000April 11, 2001161,682 vehicles affected
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.
If the retractor does not work properly, it will not adequately protect occupants in the event of a crash.
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 reasonable time should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
NHTSA recall #01V040000February 12, 2001701,000 vehicles affected
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, minnesota, iowa, and missouri. Corrosion of the return spring on the hood secondary latch could cause the mechanism to bind in the "release position."
If the primary latch is not engaged, the hood could open unexpectedly.
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 a reasonable time should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
NHTSA recall #00V107000April 11, 2000357,000 vehicles affected
trailer hitches
Vehicle description: pickup trucks equipped with optional trailer hitch. The trailer hitch side brackets were manufactured using material with insufficient strength.
Brackets built without proper material could fatigue and fracture in the area where the trailer hitch mounts to the frame.
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.
NHTSA recall #99V190000July 16, 19998,378 vehicles affected
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.
If the line melts, hydraulic fluid Can leak onto the vehicle exhaust and cause an underbody fire.
Remedy
Dealers will install the proper length heat shield.
NHTSA recall #99V115000May 6, 19998,883 vehicles affected
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 generate line temperatures that exceed the temperature limit of the clutch line material. If this condition occurs and the clutch is depressed, the line could rupture.
The fluid could ignite on the hot exhaust possibly resulting in a vehicle fire.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the hydraulic clutch assembly.
NHTSA recall #99V044000March 11, 199945 vehicles affected
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.
Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source Can result in a fire.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the fuel rail assembly.
NHTSA recall #99V034000February 24, 199945 vehicles affected
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.
The fuel tank could move increasing the risk of a fire and/or explosion.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the mounting straps for the small fuel tank.
Other model years
About this data
NHTSA complaints and recalls through October 2026. Complaints are counted once each, however many components they name. Original complaints are on NHTSA's page for the 1999 Dodge RAM.
Problem groups are formed by AI and may be approximate. BrakeNews flags unusual complaint patterns; they are not official defect findings. Investigation reports are written and checked by AI, with no human review. Owner reports do not establish that a defect exists.
Read the methodology and track record · Check current recalls by VIN