1999 Dodge Ram 3500: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 104 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is power train (18% of complaints); the 2000 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Mar 2008
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 104 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 dodge ram 3500. The contact stated that the spare tire cables underneath the vehicle were rusted. The failure prevented the contact from placing the tire back in the spare tire compartment, as it could fall while driving. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 240,000.”Owner report · Structure · Jan 2019
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 dodge ram 3500. While driving 45 mph, the hood opened independently without warning. The vehicle was pulled over to a shoulder lane so that the contact could close the hood. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The local dealer (flemington chrysler jeep dodge ram (204 routes 202-31n. Flemington, nj 08822) confirmed that there were no open recalls on the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and did not assist. The failure mileage was approximately 220,000.”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Oct 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 dodge ram 3500. While the contact's spouse was driving 30 mph, she turned a corner and crashed into a band of trees that were covering the road. The air bags did not deploy. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. The contact called goss dodge chrysler at (802) 658-0120 (located at 1485 shelburne rd, south burlington, vt 05403), but no assistance was provided. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 196,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · May 2017
Show 7 more owner reports
“Runs out of fuel at 1/4 tank,breaks act like front breaks or on ice when coming to stop dry road , cruse control dont work with vacuum leak”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Feb 2016
“I just got the truck and have had brakes act funny front brakes some times lock up pulls to the right, acts like your on ice, and some times like you step on a brick so I look it up on the internet to see they have had this going on from 1997 to today all the same things not 100 but 10000s of complaints about the same thing why has there not been a recall on this plus I have read of 100s having accidents when this happens I believe this is a ABS issue for a long time with all dodge trucks 1500,2500 3500, pickups I have look at the brake system but don't see why this is going on I have had this go on at all speeds 15 to 65 it comes and go's”Owner report · Service Brakes · Feb 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 dodge ram 3500. The contact stated that while driving at 65 mph, the park lamps, fog lights, exterior roof lights and the tail lights failed. The contact stated that while attempting to replace the headlamp switch, he noticed that the switch and wiring harness had melted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 99v024000 (exterior lighting). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 288,000.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Dec 2015
“Tl* the contact owned a 1999 dodge ram 3500. While driving at 35 mph, the vehicle started pulling to the left. While attempting to stop the vehicle, the power steering and brakes failed. As a result, the vehicle left the roadway and crashed into a retaining wall. The air bags deployed, knocking the contact unconscious. The contact sustained lacerations to the nose and face, a concussion, bruising of the left shoulder, a head injury and a wrist injury that required medical attention. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was destroyed. The failure mileage was 149,312.”Owner report · Steering · Jul 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 dodge ram 3500. The contact stated that the dashboard began to fracture and was currently in several pieces. The contact called I-10 mac haik dodge chrysler (located at 12111 katy fwy, houston, tx 77079, 713-538-2700) and was informed that the dashboard needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and informed the contact that there was no recall for the failure. The contact was referred to NHTSA to file a complaint. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.”Owner report · Structure · Jun 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 dodge ram 3500 equipped with bf goodrich commercial tires, size: ta lt215/85/r16. The contact stated that while driving 50 mph, she noticed that the steering wheel was shaking. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic to have the tires balanced but was informed that the front driver's side tires tread was separating. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred with the rear driver's side tire. The failure mileage of the tire was 20,000. The vehicle failure mileage was 194,044. The dot number was unavailable.”Owner report · Tires · Aug 2013
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 dodge ram 3500. The contact stated that the main engine computer exhibited a short, causing the vehicle to engage full throttle when starting the engine. Neither the manufacturer nor the dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 132,000.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Dec 2011
When filing, owners marked a crash in 10 of these complaints and injuries in 2 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 1 campaign
AFFINIA IS RECALLING 5,700 AFTERMARKET CHASSIS TIE ROD ASSEMBLIES MANUFACTURED FROM MARCH 28, 2006 THROUGH MARCH 17, 2008, SOLD FOR USE ON MY 1998 AND 1999 DODGE RAM 2500 AND 3500 HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS. THE DUST SEAL SUPPLIED WITH THE CHASSIS TIE RODS WERE MANUFACTURED TO THE WRONG SPECIFICATION. AS A CONSEQUENCE, THE DUST SEAL MAY PREVENT THE BALL STUD OF THE CHASSIS TIE ROD FROM PROPERLY SEATING INTO THE TAPER OF THE VEHICLE STEERING KNUCKLE DURING AFTERMARKET INSTALLATION.
Remedy: AFFINIA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE AFFECTED CHASSIS TIE ROD ASSEMBLIES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING APRIL 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AFFINIA AT 734-827-5400.
How other years compare
Check your exact Ram 3500 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 3500 reliable?
NHTSA has 104 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 1999 Dodge Ram 3500. The most complained-about area is power train (18% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1999 Dodge Ram 3500 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 113,500 miles or less.
Does the 1999 Dodge Ram 3500 have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning steering:linkages:tie rod assembly. 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.