1999 Dodge RAM Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 1999 Dodge Ram most often describe brake problems — rusted or burst hydraulic lines, soft or low pedals, and pulling — along with transmission slipping and converter or pump failures. A large share of the sample also involves airbags that did not deploy in frontal impacts and cracked dashboards, with many reports arriving well past 60,000 miles on trucks that are by now quite old.

1. 1
   Brakes

   Rusted or burst brake lines and a low, soft pedal

   • 70 complaints (19%)
   • median 60,497 mi at 6.4 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • 6 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1999–2005

   Complaints describe the brake pedal sinking toward the floor or going soft, sometimes after a normal stop or while turning, with fluid loss traced to a rusted or broken hydraulic line. Some owners say the brakes pulled to one side or released over bumps, and that repeated caliper and pad replacements did not settle it. Dealers in these reports often could not find a cause, and repairs were typically paid for by the owner. Mostly reported between roughly 35,000 and 110,000 miles, often on older trucks in rust-prone conditions.

   Recall 04V185000

   What to check: Inspect the hard brake lines along the frame and rear axle for rust or weeping, and ask whether lines, calipers and the ABS light have been checked recently.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Rear drum brakes driver side self adjusted into the drum causing the brakes to wear down very quickly to the metal surface. On inspection the adjuster mechanism looked fine. Right side rear brakes looked fine. Inspection 3 months ago was fine. At the time of the failure vehicle was towing a travel trailer. In my 35 years of driving I have never seen brake system do this type of failure. Brake system are far too crucial just to pass this off as a fluke (quoting the dealership ).”

   NHTSA complaint #748212, filed 2001-07

   “Dt: while driving on a major highway touched the brakes and the brakes felt soft. When exiting the highway applied the brakes, and foot went to the floor. Consumer noticed that the brake line broke. Consumer complained that the use of aluminum brake line caused it to rust.”

   NHTSA complaint #10125255, filed 2005-06, 80,994 miles
2. 2
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission slipping, hunting and converter or pump failure

   • 38 complaints (10%)
   • median 73,980 mi at 4.8 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1999–2005

   Owners describe the automatic transmission slipping or hunting for gears, sometimes refusing to downshift in traffic, and in other cases a sudden loss of power at highway speed traced to the torque converter or transmission pump. One report notes metal debris found at the speed sensor inside the transmission, followed by a replacement. Repairs described include band adjustment, valve body work, and in several cases a full transmission replacement. Reported across a wide mileage range, from about 60,000 to 115,000 miles, with some failures at highway speed.

   Recall 99V190000Recall 99V1150001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Test drive long enough to feel every shift warm, check the fluid color and level, and ask whether the transmission or converter has ever been serviced or replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Repaired fuel injection system and charged me part of that which I assumed was covered under warranty seat belt has not been repaired they say it is not their problem but according to NHTSA, belts are manufacturer?s problem. Transmission: we were in traffic in march in houston tx when transmission decided not to work properly. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10070662, filed 2004-01, 50,000 miles

   “This 1999 Dodge RAM was sold to me by ozark Dodge in ozark, mo. This vehicle is a replacement for a 2001 that was a mechanical disaster. I had asked when I decided to accept their offer on the 1999 that they would do the following: change all fluids, alignment,and thoroughly go through this truck. 3 mos after the initial purchase I began having transmission problems. The transmission would slip and hunt for gears. I took it to aurora Dodge in aurora, mo. For the warranty repairs and they told me all repairs had been completed. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10070678, filed 2004-01, 73,980 miles
3. 3
   Air bags

   Airbags that did not deploy in a frontal impact

   • 37 complaints (10%)
   • median 66,500 mi at 5.1 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • 35 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1999–2004

   Complaints describe frontal collisions at moderate to high speed in which neither the driver nor passenger airbag deployed, including impacts with another vehicle, a tree and a pole. Owners report contacting the manufacturer for an explanation and, in some cases, injuries they attribute to the non-deployment. Several reports also pair the non-deployment with seat belts that failed to lock or retract. Reported at a range of mileages, most often below about 35,000 miles in these accounts, usually after a crash rather than as a gradual symptom.

   Recall 01V153000

   What to check: Check that the airbag warning lamp comes on at start and then goes out, and ask whether any airbag-related recall work or repairs have been done.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “On april 12 I was involved in an accident in which I rearended a car in front of me. Approximate speed was 20 MPH. There is extensive front end damage and the back window of the blazer in front of us busted out, but neither the driver or passenger side airbags in my truck deployed.”

   NHTSA complaint #721631, filed 2000-04

   “While driving 40 MPH consumer's vehicle was involved in frontal collision. Upon impact, dual airbags did not deploy. Driver sustained bruises, and had to receive fourteen stitches in his lip.”

   NHTSA complaint #10101297, filed 2004-11, 100,000 miles
4. 4
   Other or unknown

   Cracked dashboard, especially near the passenger airbag

   Mentioned in 5 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners describe hairline cracks appearing on the passenger side of the dash near the windshield or door, which spread across the panel and in some cases let pieces fall away toward the wiring or the passenger airbag area. Dealers and the manufacturer generally declined assistance or charged a diagnostic fee according to these reports. Complaints raise concern about loose pieces and about the airbag cover area. Usually noticed from around 60,000 to 100,000 miles, often first appearing as small cracks that grow over subsequent years.

   Recall 01V153000

   What to check: Look closely at the top of the dash near the windshield and around the passenger airbag for cracks or gaps, and ask whether the dash has ever been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Crack in dash panel started about aug 2009, it has now became a full blow mess as large pieces have fallen into the wiring harness inside the dash. This could be a hazard if you roll down the window and some smaller pieces fly up into your face, or could set on wires and catch fire. I know of at least two other 1500's that are 98 and 2000 models doing the same thing as mine.”

   NHTSA complaint #10415268, filed 2011-07, 120,000 miles

   “Vehicle's dash has cracked in numerous places (10+) some surrounding the passenger airbag. In an accident the airbag could be damaged or cut by the dash failures. In a worse case, parts of the dash could impale the passenger or driver in an accident.”

   NHTSA complaint #10199328, filed 2007-08, 82,000 miles
5. 5
   Other or unknown

   Hood latch corrosion and hood opening while driving

   Mentioned in 4 of 60 sampled complaints

   Complaints describe the hood latch or secondary latch failing so the hood lifts a few inches or flies open at speed, striking the windshield and blocking the driver's view. Owners say the truck matched a hood-latch recall campaign but that the dealer declined the repair as out of the recall window or the VIN was not covered. Some owners tied the hood down after the failure. Reported from about 25,000 to over 100,000 miles, often on trucks in salt-belt states where the latch return spring corrodes.

   Recall 01V040000

   What to check: Open and close the hood several times and inspect the latch and return spring for rust or stiffness, and check whether recall 01V040000 was completed for this truck.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Dt: the consumer states that 1999 Dodge RAM had a hood latch problem. The latch rusted and flew up while driving and cracked the windshield. The hood is now one sided and mashed. The windshield and the hood will have to be replaced. The consumer has been on the phone with chrysler, and vehicle did not fall under the recall. Chrysler will not look at latch because it was after the recall date. The consumer was 26 days past the recall date and there was no accident because of it. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10137457, filed 2005-09, 104,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 1999 Dodge RAM. The contact stated that the secondary latch on the hood failed. While driving approximately 25 MPH and greater, the vibrations from the uneven pavement cause the hood to open a couple of inches. The latch has not been repaired. Nhtsa campaign id number 01v040000 (latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch) is related to the failure, however, the dealer stated that he was a month late for the recall repair. The VIN, purchase date, and engine size were unknown. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10203294, filed 2007-09, 162,000 miles

Buying note. On a truck this old, a pre-purchase inspection that includes the brake lines, hood latch and transmission is worth the cost, and it is reasonable to ask for records showing whether the hood-latch and seat-belt recalls were performed. Expect cosmetic dash cracking and plan on aging hydraulic and cooling parts regardless of mileage.

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.