VehicleVerdict

1999 Dodge Ram 1500 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 1999 Dodge Ram 1500 sits mid-pack among Ram 1500 years: 769 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 699, with a single recall and no defect investigations. Reports tied to this model year include one death and 63 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

Body & Structure leads the complaint categories with 241 reports (31% of the total).

769

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

0

Investigations

85

Crash-involved

30

Fires reported

63

Injuries

1

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1999 compare to other Ram 1500 years?

Ram 1500 NHTSA complaints by model year, 1999 highlighted1,628 complaints1991: 8 complaints1992: 0 complaints1993: 7 complaints1994: 148 complaints1995: 273 complaints1996: 407 complaints1997: 468 complaints1998: 645 complaints1999: 769 complaints2000: 641 complaints2001: 1,370 complaints2002: 1,004 complaints2003: 1,362 complaints2004: 1,366 complaints2005: 1,628 complaints2006: 1,080 complaints2007: 701 complaints2008: 720 complaints2009: 884 complaints2010: 630 complaints2011: 988 complaints2012: 978 complaints2014: 1 complaints
Ram 1500 NHTSA complaints by model year, 1999 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Ram 1500 years to avoid →

What are the most common 1999 Dodge Ram 1500 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Body & Structure24131%
Brakes719%
Airbags648%
Transmission628%
Other598%
Engine466%
Electrical System385%
Suspension355%
Steering344%
Tires & Wheels294%
Seat Belts253%
Latches & Locks162%
Speed Control111%
Lighting101%
Visibility & Wipers91%
Fuel System81%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)51%
Trailer Hitch30%
Seats30%

Does the 1999 Dodge Ram 1500 have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

06E024000EngineMarch 15, 2006 · 44,386 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

A JAMMED OPEN THROTTLE COULD CAUSE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION OF THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH OR INCREASED STOPING DISTANCES WHEN BRAKING.

Remedy

K&N WILL PROVIDE OWNERS WITH A FREE REPAIR KIT ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 20, 2006.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“WHEN RIDDING DOWN THE ROAD, I WAS CUT OFF BY ANOTHER CAR I TURNED THE WHEEL TO AVOID HITTING THE CAR AND I HIT THE CURB THAT WAS ABOUT 3 INCHES HIGH. WHEN I HIT THE CURB MY DASH BOARD CRACKED. THERE IS A BIG HOLE IN THE MIDDLE, A LONG CRACK STRAIGHT ACROSS.I CALLED MY INSURANCE COMPANY TO CLAIM BUT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · May 21, 2007 · crash

“WHILE APPEMPTING TO STOP THE BRAKES DID NOT STOP THE VEHICLE (VEHICLE HAS ANTI-LOCK BRAKES ON REAR WHEELS ONLY), THE SEAT BELT DID NOT HOLD THE PASSENGER CAUSING HIM TO MOVE FORWARD AND HIT BOTH KNEES ON THE DASH, THE SEAT BELT GRABBED YANKING PASSENGER BACK INTO DOOR AND THE PASSENGER HIT HEAD ON…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · January 1, 1999 · crash

“THE VEHICLE DRIVEN AT 30MPH, HIT A VERY HIGH CEMENT STEP (WALL) AND THEN CONTINUED ON TO RAM A STEEL RAILING. AFTER THE VEHICLE HIT THE RAILING IT WAS THROWN BACKWARDS ALL WHILE THE TIRES WERE STILLING SPINNING FORWARD. THE DRIVER/OWNER BROKE HIS FRONT TEETH ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND HIT HIS HEAD…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · May 6, 2001 · crash

“DRIVING ALONG HIGHWAY 70 NEAR QUICNY CA. WHEN RIGHT REAR AXLE BROKE SENDING THE VEHICLE INTO THE ROAD EMBANKMENT OVER TURNING THE VEHICLE ONTO ITS ROOF, THEN FLIPPING IT AGAIN ONTO THE REMAINING THREE WHEELS. THE VEHICLE HAD FRONT IMPACT AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *JB”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · August 2, 2005 · crash

“WHILE DRIVING ENGINE CHECK LIGHT WILL COME ON. THEN, HAD TAKEN TO DEALER WHERE THEY HAD REPLACED IT. FEW MONTHS LATER, HAD HAPPENED AGAIN WHILE DRIVING. ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON BRIGTHER. THEN STALLED, AND VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · November 13, 2001 · fire

1999 Dodge Ram 1500 — common questions

Is the 1999 Dodge Ram 1500 reliable?

It is close to typical for the Ram 1500: 769 NHTSA complaints, 1 recall, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 1999 Ram 1500 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are body & structure (241 complaints), brakes (71 complaints), airbags (64 complaints).

Does the 1999 Dodge Ram 1500 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 1999 Dodge Ram 1500. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Dodge Ram 1500 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Ram 1500 years to avoid are 2005, 2001, 2004, 2003, 2006, 2008, 2007. The cleanest record among Ram 1500 years belongs to 1992.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.