1999 Dodge Ram 1500: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 610 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is structure (39% of complaints); the 1997 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Mar 2006
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 610 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Dec 2020
“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.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Oct 2020
“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”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Apr 2019
Show 7 more owner reports
“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.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Oct 2018
“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.”Owner report · Structure · Jul 2018
“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.”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Jan 2018
“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.”Owner report · Structure · Sep 2017
“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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Dec 2016
“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.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Nov 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 dodge ram 1500. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for scheduled maintenance. When the vehicle was taken for a test drive, the hood latch fractured and the hood flew open. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they kept the vehicle for four weeks. The dealer offered to buy back the vehicle because the recall was no longer valid. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was invalid. The approximate failure mileage was 201,000.”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · May 2016
When filing, owners marked a crash in 64 of these complaints and injuries in 49 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 1 campaign
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.
Remedy: K&N WILL PROVIDE OWNERS WITH A FREE REPAIR KIT ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 20, 2006.
How other years compare
Check your exact Ram 1500 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1999 Dodge Ram 1500 reliable?
NHTSA has 610 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 1999 Dodge Ram 1500. The most complained-about area is structure (39% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1999 Dodge Ram 1500 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 86,000 miles or less.
Does the 1999 Dodge Ram 1500 have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning engine and engine cooling. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.