1999 Dodge Ram 1500

Fatalities reported

Owners filed 610 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the structure. It has been recalled 1 time.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
85,000 milesMedian miles at failure

332 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 90,000105,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Structure199
214
Unknown or Other40
010
Air Bags › Frontal36
30018
Power Train › Automatic Transmission25
100
Structure › Body20
011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip18
211
Air Bags15
805
Electrical System12
030
Steering11
201
Latches/Locks/Linkages › Hood › Latch11
000

1 safety recall

Part 573 reports
Engine and Engine Cooling06E024000
Filed Mar 15, 200644,386 vehiclesK&n Engineering, Inc.

Defect. CERTAIN REPLACEMENT K&N FUEL PERFORMANCE KITS, P/NOS. 57-1509, 57-1511, 57-1511-1, 57-1517, 57-1517-1, 57-1527, AND 57-1530. ALSO, A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THESE KITS WERE SOLD UNDER THE MOPAR PERFORMANCE PARTS BRAND NAME (P/NOS. P5007069 AND P5007070). ALL KITS WERE MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 20, 1999, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 23, 2004. THESE ASSEMBLIES WERE MANUFACTURED AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR CERTAIN DODGE PICKUP TRUCKS AND SUVS. A SMALL PIECE OF MATERIAL FROM THE TUBE WALL COULD BE SUCKED INTO THE ENGINE THROTTLE BODY, WHICH COULD CAUSE THE THROTTLE TO BECOME JAMMED IN THE OPEN POSITION.

Risk. A JAMMED OPEN THROTTLE COULD CAUSE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION OF THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH OR INCREASED STOPING DISTANCES WHEN BRAKING.

Remedy. K&N WILL PROVIDE OWNERS WITH A FREE REPAIR KIT ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 20, 2006.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Latches/Locks/Linkages › Hood › Latch
Filed Feb 18, 202196,000 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 20-30 MPH, THE HOOD UNLATCHED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT CALLED RUSS DARROW CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM OF MILWAUKEE (10901 W METRO AUTO MALL, MILWAUKEE, WI 53224, (888) 497-8363) HOWEVER, VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000.

Unknown or OtherFire
Filed Oct 20, 2020122,000 milesMI

WE WERE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND SMELT SMOKE. WE PULLED OVER, I LOOKED UNDER THE VEHICAL AND THERE WAS A FIRE NEAR THE GAS TANK. I TRIED TO SPLASH WATER ON IT BUT HAD NO LUCK. KNOWING THE FIRE WAS NEAR THE GAS TANK WE GOT AWAY FROM THE TRUCK AND CALLED 911.

Structure › Body
Filed Jan 6, 2020NC

1999 DODGE RAM 1500 HOOD LATCH RECALL CAN NOT OPEN THE HOOD, LATCH IS BROKEN, MISSING OR MALFUNCTIONED

Unknown or Other
Filed Nov 28, 2019130,000 milesKY

THE DRIVERS DOOR WILL NOT OPEN

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash1 injured
Filed Aug 26, 2019150,000 milesIL

TL* THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING THE BROTHER-IN-LAWS 1999 DODGE RAM 1500. THEY STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO REVERSE OUT OF THEIR DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLES ACCELERATOR PEDAL SELF INCREASED TO APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH ALTHOUGH THE DRIVER HAD HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HIT THE HOUSE ACROSS THE STREET OF THEIR HOME. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS WHICH ILLUMINATED PRIOR OR AFTER. THE CONTACTS NEIGHBOR EXPERIENCED A MINOR INJURY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT EVEN WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS AT A STAND STILL THE RPM WERE EXTREMELY HIGH AND THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE OWNERS HOME AND THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT FILED. A DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Jun 6, 201946,649 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BAND THAT HELD THE FUEL TANK WAS RUSTED AND FRACTURED. THE FAILURE WAS REPAIRED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,649. *BF *JB

Structure › Body
Filed Jan 6, 2019154,000 milesNC

1999 DODGE RAM 1500 PICKUP, WHILE DRIVING AROUND 35-45 MPH USUALLY ON A DOWNHILL GRADE THE ENTIRE VEHICLE WILL BEGIN TO SHAKE,THE ONLY WORD TO DESCRIBE IT IS VIOLENTLY AND WILL NOT SUBSIDE UNTIL YOU CAN GET THE SPEED BELOW 20MPH BUT YOU CAN NOT JUST APPLY THE BREAKS OR THE SHAKING BECOME UNCONTROLLABLE,I HAVE REPLACE MOST OF THE SUSPENSION(CONTROL ARMS,BALL JOINTS ECT.)NOTHING WORKS.THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES! I'VE TALKED TO OTHERS AND THERE IS A NAME FOR IT, DODGE DEATH WOBBLE. ALSO I AM ANOTHER VICTIM OF THE DODGE DASH CANCER, IN THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS MY DASH HAS BASICALLY DISINTEGRATED....CONSIDERING BRINGING A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT

Structure › Body
Filed Nov 7, 2018240,000 milesNM

THE PLASTIC DASH BROKE IN SEVERAL PLACES WHILE DRIVING ON A ROUGH ROAD. THIS ALSO AFFECTED THE VIN PLATE CAUSING ONE RIVET TO BE DISLODGED AND CAUSING PROBLEMS REGISTERING IT. IN SOME AREAS IT IS CONSIDERED VIN TAMPERING EVEN THOUGH IT WAS NOT MY FAULT.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Nov 2, 20181,000,000 milesTN

WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT THE HEADLIGHTS ARE NOT BRIGHT ENOUGH, THE PLASTIC HAS BEEN CLEANED, THE LIGHT BULBS HAVE BEEN REPLACED AND WE STILL CAN NOT SEE THE ROAD AT NIGHT. WE HAVE HIT DEER TWICE, AND WIFE HIT A LIGHT POLE IN A PARKING LOT BECAUSE IT WAS NOT WORKING AND THE LIGHTS ON THE TRUCK DIDN'T LIGHT IT UP SO MY WIFE COULD NOT SEE WHERE SHE WAS TURNING, I AM TRYING TO SEE IF ANYONE ELSE HAS HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH HEADLIGHTS.

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Hood › Latch
Filed Jan 8, 201886,435 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE HOOD SUDDENLY OPENED AND SHATTERED THE WINDSHIELD. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HOOD, WINDSHIELD, AND HOOD LATCHES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AT 800-992-1997 AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO SINCE THERE WAS NO OPEN RECALL. A CASE NUMBER WAS NOT PROVIDED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,435.

Structure › Body
Filed Nov 27, 2017110,000 milesNC

I HAVE PURCHASED A 1999 DODGE RAM 1500 SPORT. THE DASH HAS HAD A PROBLEM IN THE PAST AND CRACKED AND SPLIT. I HAVE REPLACED IT BUT EXPECT THAT IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN. THE PROBLEM IS WHEN THIS OCCURS DURING AN ACCIDENT, THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR THE BROKEN PIECES OF THE BRITTLE PLASTIC TO BECOME SHRAPNEL AND PUNCTURE OR BECOME A FLYING PROJECTILE IN THE CAB OF THE VEHICLE. IF IT IS CAUGHT BY THE AIRBAG, THE SPEED CAN BE ACCELERATED WHEN THE AIRBAG DEPLOYS. WHEN WILL NHTSA ISSUE A RECALL ON THE DASHBOARD OF THESE TRUCKS. THE BEZEL AND THE GLOVEBOX'S ARE ALSO SPLITTING AS WELL. WHEN CAN THE RECALL BE EXPECTED. I HAVE NOTED BEFORE THAT THIS PROBLEM EXIST ON NHTSA'S WEBSITE UNDER SEVERAL CATEGORIES.. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE IF THE DASH CRACKS OR BREAKS OFF DURING AN ACCIDENT. OWNERS ARE WAITING FOR A RECALL SO THAT THEY DO NOT CONTINUE TO HAVE TO PULL MONEY OUT OF THERE POCKET TO FIX REPAIRS ON ITEMS THAT SHOULD NOT HAVE A PROBLEM.

Engine
Filed Oct 8, 201742,000 milesSC

MY TRUCK JUST CUT OFF WOULDNT START BACK RUN STRAIGHT WIRE FROM IGNITION CHANGED IGNITION RELAY NOTHING NEXT RUN STRAIGHT WIRE FROM RELAY TO BATTERY IT STARTED UP I HAVE NO O/D AND HAVE TO SHIFT BY HAND SOMETIMES TRUCK STALLS BUT STARTS RIGHT BACK UP BEEN THIS WAY SINCE 2010 TRUCK HAS 55000 MILES ON IT.

Structure
Filed Sep 21, 2017208,437 milesMO

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING ON THE RAILROAD TRACK AT 10 MPH, THE DASHBOARD SHATTERED. THE AIR BAGS AND THE WIRES WERE NOT EXPOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 208,437.

Air Bags
Filed Sep 20, 2017104,091 milesOR

OUR SEAT BELTS LOCKED UP ON OUR 1999 DODGE RAM 1500. TOOK OUR DODGE TRUCK TO DODGE DEALERSHIP 06/05/2017 WHO SAID OUR SEAT BELT CONTROL MODULE HAD GONE OUT. WE PAID $400 TO REPLACE. PICKUP ON 06/26/2017. 3 DAYS LATER 06/29/2017 WHILE TOWING OUR 20 FT NORTH RIVER BOAT ACROSS CHARLESTON HARBOR BRIDGE ON THE DOWN HILL SIDE TO PORT LAUNCH RAMP OUR VEHICLE POWER SHUT DOWN, SEAT BELTS LOCKED UP AGAIN AND OUR BOAT WEIGHT PUSHED HITCH INTO OUR TRUCK DESTROYING THE HITCH AND WHEEL JACK. THE BOAT HAD TO BE TOWED ( $399) TO BE REPAIRED AND $150. IN HITCH REPAIRS. THE TRUCK ITSELF WOULD NOT START UNTIL THE BATTERY NEGATIVE WIRE WAS REMOVED. VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN DIRECTLY TO DEALERSHIP ABOUT 5 MILES AWAY. A LOCAL POLICE OFFICER WAS FOLLOWING BEHIND OUR VEHICLE AND STOPPED TO HELP; CALLING A TOW TRUCK. NO REPORT WAS FILED OR REQUIRED. AFTER A 2 WK DELAY THEY COULD NOT FIND A REPLACEMENT MODULE SAYING THEY WERE DISCONTINUED. ADMITTED THEY HAD INSTALLED A MODULE ( NOT A SEAT BELT MODULE SUPPOSEDLY BY MECHANICS ERROR) REQUESTED OUR MONEY BACK WHICH THEY DID 07/14/2017. WE HAVE BEEN SEARCHING UNSUCCESSFULLY ONLINE AND OTHER SOURCES WHICH SAY THEY ARE DISCONTINUED, NOT AVAILABLE. OUR STATE AND CITY LAW CARRIES A $250 DOLLAR FINE FOR NO SEAT BELT USE MORE IMPORTANTLY WE OUR NOW SUBJECT TO EXTREME POSSIBILITY OF DEATH OR MAIMING IN AN ACCIDENT. ACCORDING TO SOME INFORMATION THIS ALSO AFFECTS OUR AIR BAGS WHICH MAY CAUSE FAILURE OF THEM. WE HAVE BEEN TOLD OUR INSURANCE IS NULL AND VOID IF WE DON'T HA

Structure › Body
Filed Sep 10, 2017131,000 milesMO

WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD ABOUT 48 MPH AND THE HOOD FLEW UP AND BENT MY HOOD HINGES.

Seat Belts
Filed Mar 6, 2017137,000 milesAR

FRONT SEAT BELTS LOCKED UP, WILL NOT PULL OUT FROM THE RE- TRACTORS. THE DODGE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. BECAUSE OF THE SEAT BELT LAW, WE ARE NOT ABLE TO USE THE TRUCK. IT WAS PARKED, WE STARTED TO GO, THE BELTS WERE LOCKED.

Air BagsCrash
Filed Dec 23, 2016100,500 milesWA

TRAVELING 30 MPH ON CITY STREET, WHEN SMALL 2003 TOYOTA 4WD PICKUP PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME. I HIT HIS DRIVERS TIRE IN MIDDLE OF MY GRILL. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE SEAT BELT LOCKED AND KEPT ME FROM BEING SERIOUSLY INJURED. THE DRIVER WAS CITED BY THE POLICE. MY VEHICLE IS TOTALLED. PLEASE SEE PICTURES. IT HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT BEFORE.

Steering
Filed Oct 22, 2016140,000 milesAL

TAKATA RECALL 1999 DODGE RAM (DEATH WOBBLE) THE LEFT FRONT OF THE TRUCK FEELS LIKE IT GOING TO FALL APART THIS TRUCK IS IN GOOD CONDITION OTHER THEN THE ONLY THING I CAN FIND IS A RANDOM STARTING DEATH WOBBLE AND OF COURSE NOBODY OWN UP TO THERE MISTAKE AS NORMAL AND ITS SAD YOU MAKE ALL THAT MONEY AND IT COMES WITH INNOCENT BLOOD ON YOUR HANDS DODGE YOU MADE A MISTAKE FIX IT BEFORE ITS TO LATE AND YOU IN UP KILLING PEOPLE I'M A VET WITH A CHILD IF SOMETHING HAPPENS TO MY CHILD BECAUSE HE LOVES RIDING IN DADDY'S TRUCK I WILL TELL YOU ONE THING THERE WILL BE NO LAW SUIT ON MY HANDS THEY WILL MAKE A MOVIE OF THE HELL I BRING DOWN THOSE.... LETS JUST LEAVE IT AT THAT AND FIX THE PROBLEM I'M NOT ONE TO BE THE GUY THAT TELLS THE SPOILER PLUS ITS NOT GOING TO COME TO THAT BECAUSE YOU ALL ARE GOOD PEOPLE AND YOUR GOING TO DO THE RIGHT THING AND NOT HAVE FAMILY'S OUT THERE IN DEATH TRAPS

Unknown or Other
Filed Sep 30, 2016TX

DASHBOARD HAS BROKEN INTO 30 PIECES

Power Train
Filed Aug 17, 2016CA

TRANSMISSION STAYS STUCK IN 2ND GEAR WILL NOT UP SHIFT

20 of 610 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2003
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20141000Routine
20126977100Above average
2011688470Above average
2010486430Above average
2009670220Above average
2008554860Do not drive
2007517780Do not drive
20067921281Do not drive
20051,1687165Do not drive
20041,0978291Do not drive
20031,1705126Do not drive
20028156141Fatalities reported
20011,1123351Fatalities reported
2000513380Above average
1999 — this page6101191Fatalities reported
19985201168Fatalities reported
19973611141Fatalities reported
19962981174Fatalities reported
19952131140Above average
1994116170Routine
19936010Routine
19920100Routine
19917000Routine

Compare every Ram 1500 year →

Reading this record

1 death reported in complaints filed with NHTSA.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Mar 15, 2006. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.