IllustrationFRONT BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS FAILED CAUSING NOISE. NLM
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
Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints
82 reportsDURING A NORMAL STOPPING PROCEDURE THE STEERING WHEEL WILL LOCK UP, GET HARD, AND DRIVER CANNOT TURN. DEALER CLAIMS THIS IS A CHARACTERISTIC OF VEHICLE. *AK
AT RANDOM TIMES WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED THEY SURGE RADICALLY AND MAKE THE TRUCK SHUTTER. IN THE COURSE OF A DAY IT CAN HAPPEN ZERO TO FIFTEEN TIMES, IT USUALLY HAPPENS EVERY DAY. IT DOESN'T SEEM TO HAPPEN IN ANY ONE PARTICULAR BRAKING SITUATION. WHETHER THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED HEAVILY OR LIGHTLY DOESN'T SEEM TO MATTER, IT JUST …
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AT RANDOM TIMES WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED THEY SURGE RADICALLY AND MAKE THE TRUCK SHUTTER. IN THE COURSE OF A DAY IT CAN HAPPEN ZERO TO FIFTEEN TIMES, IT USUALLY HAPPENS EVERY DAY. IT DOESN'T SEEM TO HAPPEN IN ANY ONE PARTICULAR BRAKING SITUATION. WHETHER THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED HEAVILY OR LIGHTLY DOESN'T SEEM TO MATTER, IT JUST DOES IT WHENEVER. I CAN BE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE FOR A COUPLE OF HOURS, NEVER USING THE BRAKES AND WHEN I PULL OFF AND COME TO A STOP, THE BRAKES SURGE AND THE WHOLE TRUCK SHUTTERS MORE THAN A LITTLE. DUE TO THE ERRATIC NATURE OF THE OCCURANCES, THE DEALER HAS FAILED TO PINPOINT A SPECIFIC PROBLEM. WE HAVE HAD IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP FOUR TIMES IN THE LAST SIX MONTHS, EACH TIME THEY HAVE ATTEMPTED TO FIX WHAT THEY THOUGHT MIGHT BE THE PROBLEM BUT TO NO AVAIL. DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE BRAKES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE SAFETY SYSTEM OF THE VEHICLE, THIS IS AN AREA OF GREAT CONCERN. I WOULD PREFER NOT TO FIND MYSELF IN A SITUATION ON AN ICY ROAD IN THE MID OF WINTER AND NEEDING MY ABS SYSTEM TO FUNCTION PROPERLY AND IT DOESN'T.
WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES WHILE HITTING A BUMP, BRAKES RELEASE AND LET VEHICLE KEEP ON GOING. DEALER CANT FIND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM.*AK
THE RIGHT BRAKE CYLINDER WAS STICKING CAUSING EXCESSIVE WEAR ON RIGHT BRAKE (TWO RIGHT PADS IN 50K MILES). ALSO, IN RAIN OR SNOW IT CAUSES NEAR LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. ANOTHER ISSUE IS THE DESIGN OF REAR WHEEL ONLY ANTI-LOCK BRAKES IS BAD. IF YOU PRESS HARD TO GET THE ABS BRAKE TO WORK, THE FRONT WHEELS SKID. IF YOU LET OFF TH…
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THE RIGHT BRAKE CYLINDER WAS STICKING CAUSING EXCESSIVE WEAR ON RIGHT BRAKE (TWO RIGHT PADS IN 50K MILES). ALSO, IN RAIN OR SNOW IT CAUSES NEAR LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. ANOTHER ISSUE IS THE DESIGN OF REAR WHEEL ONLY ANTI-LOCK BRAKES IS BAD. IF YOU PRESS HARD TO GET THE ABS BRAKE TO WORK, THE FRONT WHEELS SKID. IF YOU LET OFF THE PEDAL TO STOP THE SKIDING MORE THAN ONCE, THE BRAKES FAIL AND YOU MAY NOT STOP. AT THE VERY MINIMUM, IT TAKES ABOUT TWICE THE NORMAL DISTANCE. THIS NEARLY CAUSED TWO CRASHES. IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL, IT SAYS WE HAVE TO MANUALL ADJUST THE BRAKES EVERY TIME YOU GET AN OIL CHANGE. YOU CAN NOT GET THE AUTO ADJUSTERS TO WORK. THIS BRAKE DESIGN IS A MESS AND DODGE WILL NOT EVEN WARRENTY THE BAD PARTS (STICKING CALIPER NOR PADS) THAT WERE REPORTED BEFORE THE WARRENTEE EXPIRED. THEY ALL ACT LIKE IT'S YOUR PROBLEM. THEY WON'T EVEN ADMIT TO A PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH MY FRIENDS WITH THE SAME TYPE OF TRUCK HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS.
FRONT PASSENGER SIDE/OUTER SIDE BRAKE PADS WEAR EXCESSIVLEY DOWN TO THE METAL. DEALER NOTIFIED AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT WAS NORMAL WEAR. SEEKING ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THIS MATTER FROM NHTSA. *AK
WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED THE TRUCK PULLS TO THE RIGHT. THE DEALER HAS TRIED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES UNSUCCESSFULLY. MANUFACTURER IS BUYING THE VEHICLE BACK FROM CONSUMER. *AK
THE BACK HUBS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT 3600 MILES, AND THEN THE FRONT PADS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT 20,000. *AK
WHILE TRAVELING CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE FROM FRONT TIRES. UPON TRYING TO MAKE A STOP BY DEPRESSING THE BRAKES, VEHICLE CONTINUED TRAVELING. CONSUMER MADE A STOP ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
BRAKES PULL TO RIGHT AT ANY SPEED. REQUIRES SIGNIFICANT CORRECTION BY OPERATOR, INCREASING WITH SPEED. *AK
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.