1999 Dodge RAM 3500 Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often write about a cracked and crumbling dashboard, Diesel fuel lift and injection pump failures that leave the truck unable to start, and a fifth-gear retaining nut problem on manual transmissions. Many reports come from higher-mileage trucks, though the fuel pump and dash complaints appear at moderate mileage, and several owners describe the failure happening without warning while driving.

1. 1
   Body and structure

   Dashboard cracks and breaks apart

   • 12 complaints (12%)
   • median 82,000 mi at 9.7 yrs old (10 state mileage)
   • filed 2007–2019

   Owners describe the top of the dash splitting into spiderweb cracks and then breaking into loose, sharp-edged pieces that fall in. Complaints mention exposed wiring and inoperative air-conditioning switches once the cover fails, and dealers typically said the dash needed replacement and that no recall or warranty coverage applied. Several owners fitted aftermarket dash covers instead. Reported from about 50,000 to 130,000 miles, often on trucks that were already several years old; some say cracking began only a couple of years after purchase.

   5 related service bulletins

   What to check: Inspect the full dash top for cracks, especially around the passenger airbag area and speaker grilles, and check that climate and electrical controls still work. Ask whether an aftermarket dash cover or replacement dash has been installed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Dash board falling apart on Dodge 3500 1999 diesel truck there is nothing left trying to find after market so far no luck was told one from Dodge is high since started falling apart since two years after it was new Dodge should have to replace is there a recall on this it has fell apart so bad I have to find one because of safety now all electrical wires exposed air conditioner wires showing air conditioner switch will no longer work and it is awful to look at it is a disgrace that Dodge would produce a product this bad and not warranty it I …”

   NHTSA complaint #10274395, filed 2009-06, 61,890 miles

   “Dashboard on 1999 Dodge ram pickup has spiderweb cracked into many sharp pieces. This started occurring a week go, and has now spread to most of the passenger side of the dash. In the event of a passenger side airbag deployment, I'm concerned that the dash will disintegrate into many more small chunks of shrapnel flying in the passenger compartment.”

   NHTSA complaint #10238506, filed 2008-08, 125,000 miles
2. 2
   Fuel system

   Diesel lift pump and injection pump failure

   • 10 complaints (10%)
   • median 110,000 mi at 7.2 yrs old (9 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2003–2008

   Owners of the Cummins diesel report the truck stalling or dying without warning and then failing to restart, often traced to the lift (transfer) pump and, in some cases, the Bosch VP44 injection pump as well. Complaints describe towing, costly pump replacement, repeated lift pump failures, and dealers offering a conversion kit once the original part was no longer supplied. Mostly reported between roughly 66,000 and 140,000 miles; some failures occurred at low mileage and some owners had repeat lift pump failures.

   What to check: Ask for fuel pump service records and whether the lift pump or injection pump has been replaced, and whether a fuel pressure gauge or conversion kit was fitted. A pre-purchase inspection that checks lift pump pressure is worthwhile on a diesel.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “We own a Dodge RAM 3500 diesel truck. The transfer pump has quit working twice now. This time it dies right in the middle of the road and there was a near fatal experience. Two semi almost hit us, we couldn't get it to restart. Had to have it towed to the dealership. This has happened twice now.”

   NHTSA complaint #10038831, filed 2003-09, 68 miles

   “At 86,000 miles, diesel fuel injection pump failed without warning while driving causing engine to quit running leading to a loss of power steering and assisted brake control. I was able to coast the truck to the side of the road and out of the flow of traffic with great difficulty before coming to a stop. Truck had to be towed from the side of the highway, and failed injection pump was replaced at my expense. Failed bosch vp44 diesel fuel injection pump was returned as a core.”

   NHTSA complaint #10146717, filed 2006-01, 86,025 miles
3. 3
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Fifth gear nut backs off (manual transmission)

   • 13 complaints (13%)
   • median 77,425 mi at 6.5 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2001–2008

   Owners of manual-transmission trucks describe fifth gear disengaging on its own, as if the transmission slipped into neutral, with the engine revving while speed drops. Complaints attribute it to a retaining nut on the fifth gear that loosens; dealers sometimes linked it to towing in fifth gear and quoted substantial repair costs. One owner reported the same problem recurring after repair. Reported across a wide mileage range, from under 70,000 to about 182,000 miles, typically while cruising or accelerating in fifth gear.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: On a manual truck, test fifth gear under load at highway speed and listen for the gear dropping out or the engine revving without acceleration. Ask whether the transmission has been opened up and the fifth-gear nut addressed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Was shifting gears on I-44 on ramp to get up to speed so I could merge with the flow of traffic. When I put the truck into fifth gear it felt as if I had shifted into neutral. Was able to go to next exit driving in fourth gear so I could get the truck back home. Couldn't go over 55 MPH in fourth gear plus didn't know if driving the truck like this was going to cause more problems. Called a few people I knew that had heard others say that the nut that goes onto the fifth gear shift rod would often back off. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10145522, filed 2005-12, 122,153 miles

   “The 5th gear in the transmission has a retaining nut that backs off and allows the 5th gear assembly to become disengaged while riding down the road. After speaking with the dealer I was told that it was from towing with the vehicle in 5th gear. There is nothing in the owner's manual about this being an issue. I also contacted several other owners of the same vehicle and they have had the exact same problem. Also the dealer wanted $1200 dollars to make the repair and I said no that was too high. …”

   NHTSA complaint #751284, filed 2001-08
4. 4
   Steering

   Steering wander, shake and front-end wear

   • 12 complaints (12%)
   • median 129,156 mi at 14.8 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2000–2016

   Owners describe vague, bouncy steering, shaking or vibration through the wheel, and pulling that alignment did not correct, especially when towing a trailer. Complaints also cover front-end components such as ball joints, idler arm and hub assemblies wearing or coming loose, with one owner reporting the idler arm separating from a rusted frame. Mostly reported from about 60,000 miles upward, with several over 100,000 miles; some owners noticed symptoms shortly after buying used.

   What to check: Check the frame and steering linkage for rust, and have ball joints, idler arm and hubs inspected before purchase. Drive it at highway speed and while braking to look for shake or wander.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Ever since we purchased the truck used from Dodge dealer in tucson arizona we have had concerns with suspension and steering of the truck. When driving the truck steering is bouncy and unstable. We thought it was alignment so we took it in and truck continues the same. When pulling out 34' 5th wheel steering is very shaky and vibrates a lot. After years of bringing up concern with Dodge dealer we took to another shop where they gave us a huge list of things needing too get fixed. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10884638, filed 2016-07, 168,000 miles

   “While traveling at a slow speed there was a sudden steering failure resulting in complete loss of vehicle control. A look under the vehicle showed that the entire passenger side idler arm assembly had ripped off the frame and the arm and steering linkages were dragging on the ground. The failure seemed to be cause by extreme rust/rot.”

   NHTSA complaint #10412988, filed 2011-07, 106,591 miles
5. 5
   Brakes

   Front brakes lock up or pull, pedal feels odd

   • 16 complaints (15%)
   • median 131,000 mi at 14.4 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1999–2016

   Owners report the front brakes grabbing and locking, the truck pulling to one side, and a pedal that sometimes feels hard and sometimes goes to the floor. Complaints describe brake lines corroding and rupturing where they run along the frame, and repairs involving pads, master cylinder, proportioning valve and rear brake hardware. Reported from about 11,000 to 150,000 miles, often when braking on dry pavement at ordinary speeds.

   What to check: Have the brake lines inspected for corrosion along the frame and at the wheel ends, and check for uneven front braking or pulling during a test drive. Ask about recent brake hydraulic work.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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 …”

   NHTSA complaint #10840144, filed 2016-03, 147,000 miles

   “Two primary safety related issues and many less important quality issues have plagued this vehicle. The problems began to mount immediately after the warranty lapsed. The most critical issue has been the corrosion and subsequent failure of the brake line that supplies the pressure needed for the rear brakes to operate. This issue rendered the rear brakes on the vehicle useless. Dodge corporate and two local Dodge dealerships refused to address the issue, except by offering to sell a replacement brake line. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10142506, filed 2005-11, 115,000 miles

Buying note. Budget for a front-end and brake inspection and confirm the diesel fuel pump history, since those items appear repeatedly in owner reports. The dashboard condition is mostly cosmetic but worth checking, as replacement is a common owner complaint.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.