IllustrationWHILE PLACING THE KEY INSIDE OF THE IGNITION SWITCH VEHICLE DID NOT START CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO WORN OUT PARTS. *AK
1999 Dodge RAM
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most RAM years
Owner complaints for the 1999 Dodge RAM are substantially higher than the model-year median of 27.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all RAM years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 39 of 366 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 82 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 53 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Air Bags. Review the 40 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
46 crash reports6 fire reports32 injury reports
Electrical System complaints
17 reportsHORN IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. TOOK TO DEALER, AND DEALER INDICATED HAS TO PUSH WITH FINGER TIP AT A CERTAIN SPOT ON STEERING WHEEL FOR HORN TO BLOW. IF USED FORCE WITH PALM OF HAND HORN WILL NOT BLOW. *AK
WE FEEL THERE IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM THE HORN IS NOT WORKING AGAIN. WE SPOKE TO THE SERVICE MANAGER AND ASKED WHAT IF THESE PROBLEMS REOCCUR ARE WE HAVING TO PAY FOR REPAIRS, HE SAID YES ONCE THE WARRANTY IS EXPIRED. IF WE ARE WRONG PLEASE TELL US, BUT WE HAVE OWNED A DOZEN VEHICLES AND NONE HAVE EVER HAD THE HORN STOP WO…
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WE FEEL THERE IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM THE HORN IS NOT WORKING AGAIN. WE SPOKE TO THE SERVICE MANAGER AND ASKED WHAT IF THESE PROBLEMS REOCCUR ARE WE HAVING TO PAY FOR REPAIRS, HE SAID YES ONCE THE WARRANTY IS EXPIRED. IF WE ARE WRONG PLEASE TELL US, BUT WE HAVE OWNED A DOZEN VEHICLES AND NONE HAVE EVER HAD THE HORN STOP WORKING MUCH LESS TWICE IN LESS THAN 2YRS.*AK
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.*AK
I PURCHASED MY TRUCK BRAND NEW IN NOV. OF 1998 WITH APPROX. 10 MILES ON IT. AFTER ABOUT 6 MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP, WE STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE TRUCK QUITTING FOR NO APPARENT REASON. WE HAVE TAKEN THE TRUCK INTO SEVERAL DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM OVER THE PAST 2 YEARS, AND EACH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS SENT HOME W…
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I PURCHASED MY TRUCK BRAND NEW IN NOV. OF 1998 WITH APPROX. 10 MILES ON IT. AFTER ABOUT 6 MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP, WE STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE TRUCK QUITTING FOR NO APPARENT REASON. WE HAVE TAKEN THE TRUCK INTO SEVERAL DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM OVER THE PAST 2 YEARS, AND EACH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS SENT HOME WITH US UNFIXED, TELLING US THAT THEY COULD NOT GET THE TRUCK TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM WITH THISIS THAT THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITENT. IT MAY QUIT TODAY, AND NOT AGAIN FOR 2 MONTHS, OR IT MAY QUIT TODAY AND AGAIN TOMORROW. WE HAVE HAD THE TRUCK IN APPROX. 6-8 TIMES SINCE WE PURCHASED IT BRAND NEW FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, YET UNFIXED EVERY SINGLE TIME. THE TRUCK HAS HAD TO BE TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP 3X AS IT QUIT AND WOULDN'T RESTART. WHEN THE TRUCK QUITS, THE ENGINE SIMPLY QUITS AND EVERYTHING SHUTS OFF AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP. YOU HAVE NO STEERING CONTROL WHAT-SO-EVER. WHEN IT QUITS, SOMETIMES THE TRUCK RESTARTS AFTER ABOUT 5 MINUTES, OTHERS TIMES IT DOESN'T RESTART. AS I STATED, WE HAVE HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED 3X AS IT WOULDN'T RESTART. I AM VERY FRUSTRATED AT THIS POINT. I HAVE CALLED CHRYSLER AND COMPLAINED EVERYTIME THE TRUCK HAS CUT OUT. THEY GAVE ME A FILE NUMBER AND SIMPLY TAKE THE COMPLAINT AGAIN, THATS ALL THEY DO. I HAVE REQUESTED FOR A CHRYSLER REP. HELP THE SERVICE TECH. SOLVE THE PROBLEM, MY REQUEST WAS DENIED. I HAVE BEGGED FOR SOMEONE FROM CHRYSLER ASSIST THE DEALERSHIP IN FINDING THE PROBLEM, NO ONE CAME OUT. I WROTE THEM A CERTIFIED MAIL LETTER EXPLAINING TO THEM THE SERIOUSNESS OF THIS PROBLEM AFTER MY WIFE AND I WERE TRAVELING BACK FROM GA AFTER I HAD GRADUATED FROM A MILITARY SCHOOL AND WE ALMOST KILLED ON THE INTERESTATE BECAUSE THE TRUCK CUT OUT GOING 65 MILES PER HOUR. I VERED THE TRUCK TO THE LEFT SIDE OF THE MEDIAN ON THE INTERSTATE WHICH IS THE ONLY PLACE FOR ME TO GO. THANK GOD THERE WAS NOT A DIP IN THE MEDIAN OR I AM AFRAID I WOULD NOT BE SITTING HERE TODAY WRITING THIS LETTER TO YOU. PLEASE HELP ME!!!!
THERE ARE TWO POINTS WHERE THERE ARE HOLES IN BACK OF STEERING WHEEL. IF YOU HAVE A LONG KEY ON YOU KEY CHAIN, IT CAN BECOME LODGED IN THE HOLES AND PREVENT YOU FROM TURNING THE VEHICLE. THERE NEEDS TO BE SOME TYPE OF PLUG IN THESE HOLES TO PREVENT THIS FROM RAND POSSIBLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT.*AK
CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 00V135 AND SET UP AN APPOINTMENT FOR REPAIRS FOR THIS RECALL PLUS TWO PRIOR RECALLS, CONSUMER IS ANGRY BECAUSE DEALER STATED THAT NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE FOR THE BLOWER MOTOR RELAY EVEN THOUGH AN APPOINTMENT HAD BEEN MADE, NONE OF THE RECALLS HAVE BEEN COMPLETED. *SLC
HORN WLL NOT WORK UNLESS PUSHED WITH EXCESSIVE EFFORT WHEN IT IS COLD OR IN JUSTTHE RIGHT SPOT AT OTHER TIMES. *AK *SLC
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. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT THE HORN IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. *SLC
AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE WITH THE A/C ON MAX MODE THE WIRING HARNESS MELTED, SMOKE FILLED THE CAB WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS REPLACING A FLAT TIRE. NLM
Official recalls
904V185000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module
Apr 12, 2004
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
01V153000 · Air Bags
May 8, 2001
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
01V119000 · Seat Belts:front:retractor
Apr 11, 2001
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
01V040000 · Latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch
Feb 12, 2001
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."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
00V107000 · Trailer Hitches
Apr 11, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH OPTIONAL TRAILER HITCH. THE TRAILER HITCH SIDE BRACKETS WERE MANUFACTURED USING MATERIAL WITH INSUFFICIENT STRENGTH.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
99V190000 · Power Train:clutch Assembly
Jul 16, 1999
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
99V115000 · Power Train:clutch Assembly
May 6, 1999
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE FLUID COULD IGNITE ON THE HOT EXHAUST POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HYDRAULIC CLUTCH ASSEMBLY.
99V044000 · Fuel System, Other:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
Mar 11, 1999
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL RAIL ASSEMBLY.
99V034000 · Fuel System, Other:storage:tank Assembly
Feb 24, 1999
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.