RoadVitals

1999 Dodge 1500 Body & structure Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the body or structure system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Body & structure reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
240
Latest Jan 6, 2020
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
39%
of 610 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
5
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
6

What this page shows

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1999 Dodge 1500 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 240 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming body or structure

The 25 most recent of 240, in the owner's own words

Body & structure
Filed Jan 6, 2020

1999 DODGE RAM 1500 HOOD LATCH RECALL CAN NOT OPEN THE HOOD, LATCH IS BROKEN, MISSING OR MALFUNCTIONED

NHTSA ID
11297399
Incident
Jan 1, 2012
Body & structureSuspension
Filed Jan 6, 2019

1999 DODGE RAM 1500 PICKUP, WHILE DRIVING AROUND 35-45 MPH USUALLY ON A DOWNHILL GRADE THE ENTIRE VEHICLE WILL BEGIN TO SHAKE,THE ONLY WORD TO DESCRIBE IT IS VIOLENTLY AND WILL NOT SUBSIDE UNTIL YOU CAN GET THE SPEED BELOW 20MPH BUT YOU CAN NOT JUST APPLY THE BREAKS OR THE SHAKING BECOME UNCONTROLLABLE,I HAVE REPLACE MOST OF THE SUSPENSION(CONTROL ARMS,BALL JOINTS ECT.)NOTHING WORKS.THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES! I'VE TALKED TO OTHERS AND THERE IS A NAME FOR IT, DODGE DEATH WOBBLE. ALSO I AM ANOTHER VICTIM OF THE DODGE DASH CANCER, IN THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS MY DASH HAS BASICALLY DISINTEGRATED....CONSIDERING BRINGING A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT

NHTSA ID
11165543
Incident
Feb 10, 2013
Mileage
154,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Nov 7, 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.

NHTSA ID
11150024
Incident
Jul 6, 2018
Mileage
240,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Nov 27, 2017

I HAVE PURCHASED A 1999 DODGE RAM 1500 SPORT. THE DASH HAS HAD A PROBLEM IN THE PAST AND CRACKED AND SPLIT. I HAVE REPLACED IT BUT EXPECT THAT IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN. THE PROBLEM IS WHEN THIS OCCURS DURING AN ACCIDENT, THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR THE BROKEN PIECES OF THE BRITTLE PLASTIC TO BECOME SHRAPNEL AND PUNCTURE OR BECOME A FLYING PROJECTILE IN THE CAB OF THE VEHICLE. IF IT IS CAUGHT BY THE AIRBAG, THE SPEED CAN BE ACCELERATED WHEN THE AIRBAG DEPLOYS. WHEN WILL NHTSA ISSUE A RECALL ON THE DASHBOARD OF THESE TRUCKS. THE BEZEL AND THE GLOVEBOX'S ARE ALSO SPLITTING AS WELL. WHEN CAN THE RECALL BE EXPECTED. I HAVE NOTED BEFORE THAT THIS PROBLEM EXIST ON NHTSA'S WEBSITE UNDER SEVERAL CATEGORIES.. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE IF THE DASH CRACKS OR BREAKS OFF DURING AN ACCIDENT. OWNERS ARE WAITING FOR A RECALL SO THAT THEY DO NOT CONTINUE TO HAVE TO PULL MONEY OUT OF THERE POCKET TO FIX REPAIRS ON ITEMS THAT SHOULD NOT HAVE A PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID
11048814
Incident
Sep 15, 2015
Mileage
110,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Sep 21, 2017

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.

NHTSA ID
11024846
Incident
Sep 21, 2017
Mileage
208,437 mi
Body & structure
Filed Sep 10, 2017

WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD ABOUT 48 MPH AND THE HOOD FLEW UP AND BENT MY HOOD HINGES.

NHTSA ID
11022562
Incident
Sep 5, 2017
Mileage
131,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Apr 7, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS FRACTURED ON THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT ARMOUR OIL MIGHT HAVE WEAKENED THE STRUCTURE OF THE DASHBOARD AND CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ARMOUR OIL WAS NEVER USED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID
10854165
Incident
Apr 11, 2003
AirbagsBody & structureSuspension
Filed Dec 8, 2015

THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT STAYS ON ALL THE TIME. THE DASH CRACKED AND PIECES FELL INTO THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS. THE BALL JOINTS FAILED. ALL AROUND 120,000 TO 130,000 MILES. THE FUEL INJECTORS BEGAN TO FAIL AT 120,000 MILES.

NHTSA ID
10808987
Incident
Dec 8, 2015
Mileage
130,000 mi
Body & structureElectrical
Filed Nov 16, 2015
Fire reported

99 RAM 1500 CAUGHT FIRE WHILE RUNNING HEATER! CAUSE OF THE FIRE IS THE DEFECTIVE DASH MATERIAL FALLING APART AND THE INSULATION FELL ONTO THE RESISTOR LOCATED ON TOP OF THE BLOWER MOTOR CAUSING A INTERIOR FIRE. THIS WAS CONFIRMED BY MYSELF A MECHANIC FOR OVER 30 YEARS AND A CERTIFIED PAINT AND BODY SHOP. TRUCK WAS IN MINT CONDITION AND NOW A TOTAL LOSS. THE TRUCK WAS IN A STATIONARY POSITION IN A COLLEGE PARKING LOT! CONTACTED MANUFACTUER ONLY REPLY WAS SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS. I KNOW OF SEVERAL OTHER VEHICLES IN A 5 MILE RADIUS SAME MAKE AND MODEL THAT THE SAME THING HAPPENED TOO.

NHTSA ID
10790800
Incident
Nov 13, 2012
Mileage
150,000 mi
Body & structureBrakesEngine+1 more
Filed Apr 8, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. AFTER RESTARTING THE ENGINE, THE VEHICLE WOULD OPERATE AS NORMAL. THE CONTACT ALSO INDICATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD INTERMITTENTLY DIM AND THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TAIL LIGHT FAILED CAUSING THE BULB TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE WOULD SOMETIMES JERK FORWARD AND A SECTION OF THE DASHBOARD WOULD DETACH AND FALL TO THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 168,859.

NHTSA ID
10704378
Incident
Nov 4, 2014
Mileage
168,859 mi
Body & structure
Filed Feb 11, 2015

THE WHOLE DASHBOARD IS PRACTICALLY GONE DUE TO THE CRACKS AND DODGE NOT WILLING TO REPLACE IT WITH ME PAYING FOR IT. SAID IT'S NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. EVEN THOUGH WHILE DRIVING IT IS FALLING APART AND ROLLING AROUND THE TRUCK, (DASHBOARD, SEATS AND FLOOR) ALSO BEING I CAN SEE ALL OF THE WIRES UNDER NEATH AND ALL OF IT'S INNERS'. THAT COULD POSSIBLE CAUSE A FIRE. I CURRENTLY HAVE THE VIN NUMBER TAPED TO HE WINDSHIELD SO IT DOESN'T FALL OFF AS WELL. *TR

NHTSA ID
10682748
Incident
Mar 1, 2010
Body & structure
Filed Jan 26, 2015

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE 131 SOUTH ABOUT 9 O'CLOCK GOING ABOUT 70 MPH AND THE HOOD SOMEHOW OPENED AND FLEW BACK ON MY WINDSHIELD AND SMASHED IT. HIT THE BRAKES AND VEERED OFF THE ROAD. SCARED THE CRAP OUT OF ME TOOK ABOUT 20 MINUTES TO BRING THE HOOD BACK DOWN TO STRAP IT. THE HINGES SNAPPED ON ONE SIDE AND RIPPED AND BENT CORNERS OF THE HOOD. THIS TRUCK HAS 123K ON IT WITH NO RUST ON THE HOOD OR MECHANISMS. IF THIS WILL NOT BE TAKEN CARE OF FREE OF CHARGE I WILL NOT BE A HAPPY CAMPER.. I WORK ON CARS I KNOW HOW TO LUBE HOOD LATCHES I ALSO KNOW HOW TO CLOSE HOODS. MY VIN DOESN'T PULL UP A RECALL BUT THIS HAPPENED AS A MANUFACTURERS ERROR AND I HOPE THIS WILL BE PROFESSIONALLY TAKEN CARE OF FREE OF CHARGE . BEFORE I BOUGHT THIS TRUCK I HAD CHECKED FOR RECALLS. IF THIS WERE TO HAVE POPPED UP ON MY VIN THIS WOULD HAVE NEVER HAPPENED. I'M JUST GLAD I COULD GET IT OFF THE ROAD SAFELY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10678812
Incident
Jan 25, 2015
Mileage
123,120 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jan 21, 2015

THE DASHBOARD SUDDENLY CRACKED ON DAY WITHOUT ANY OUTSIDE CAUSE. IS NOW IN PIECES WITH SEVERAL SHARP EDGES THAT COULD CAUSE INJURY IF IN AN ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10677006
Incident
May 11, 2010
Mileage
90,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jan 20, 2015

THE DASH IN THIS TRUCK HAS BROKEN TO PIECES. THIS IS NOT AN ISSUE OF SUN EXPOSURE OR CLIMATE--IT IS SIMPLY DEFECTIVE MATERIALS. NOW WHEN THE TRUCK IS DRIVEN WITH THE WINDOW(S) OPEN SHARP PIECES OF DASH PLASTIC FLY UP HITTING THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER IN THE FACE. ADDITIONALLY THE ELECTRONICS FOR THE PASSENGER AIR BAG IS NOW EXPOSED TO SUN AND POSSIBLE MOISTURE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10676797
Incident
Oct 3, 2005
Mileage
55,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jan 5, 2015

THE DASH IS CRACKED WITH SHARP PLASTIC PIECES ALL OVER. *TR

NHTSA ID
10670213
Incident
Dec 14, 2014
Body & structure
Filed Dec 29, 2014

DASH PANEL BREAKING CAUSING DANGEROUS SHARP PIECES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10668911
Incident
Jul 1, 2007
Body & structure
Filed Sep 17, 2014

DASH IS TOTALLY FALLING APART. I WAS CONCERNED THAT PASSENGER AIRBAG WOULD NOT WORK. I AM HAVING DASH REPLACED NOW FOR ABOUT $1400.00 AND I THINK THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL AS I HAVE NEVER SEEN ANY OTHER CAR OR TRUCK DO THIS. THERE IS SOMETHING DEFECTIVE ABOUT THIS PLASTIC. THIS IS NOT SUN DAMAGE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10636900
Incident
Aug 1, 2005
Mileage
70,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Sep 16, 2014
1 injury reported

DASH BOARD HAS CRACKED AND FALLING APART. THE OTHER DAY I CAUGHT MY HAND ON A PIECE THAT HAS CURLED UP WITH A SHARP CORNER WHILE RETRIEVING MY SUNGLASSES I TOOK OFF TO PUMP GAS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10633460
Incident
Aug 1, 2014
Mileage
162,543 mi
Body & structure
Filed Sep 2, 2014

DASH PIECES FALLING INTO HEATER VENTS AND OTHER COMPONENTS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10630007
Incident
Aug 12, 2014
Mileage
156,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jun 11, 2014

THE DASH STARTED CRACKING MORE AND MORE FOR NO REASON AT ALL. NOW THERE ARE CHUNKS OF THE DASH THAT HAVE FALLEN BEHIND THE DASH. THIS COULD DAMAGE THE WIRING OR CIRCUITRY OR AIR BAGS BEHIND THE DASH BECAUSE THE PIECES THAT HAVE FALLEN HAVE VERY SHARP EDGES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10597756
Incident
Jan 12, 2011
Mileage
100,123 mi
Body & structure
Filed Apr 13, 2014

DASHBOARD CRUMPLING AND FALLING INTO AIR VENTS AND BEING BLOWN AROUND INTERIOR OF VEHICLE. COULD CAUSE ACCIDENT IF A LITTLE BLOWS INTO EYES. *JS

NHTSA ID
10579449
Incident
Sep 15, 2011
Mileage
47,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Mar 7, 2014

THE DASHBOARD HAS CAME ALL APART. FROM 1998 TO 2004 THIS HAS BEEN A NIGHT MARE FOR OWNERS. I WILL NOT BUY ANOTHER DODGE FOR SAFETY REASONS PEOPLE COULD BE STRUCK WHILE DRIVING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *TR

NHTSA ID
10567808
Incident
Sep 17, 2003
Mileage
77,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Sep 15, 2013

DASH BECAME BRITTLE WITH LARGE CRACKS AND LARGE PIECES OF PLASTIC BREAKING OFF DASH FALLING IN FLOOR BOARD. *TR

NHTSA ID
10543743
Incident
Jun 1, 2010
Mileage
116,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Sep 9, 2013

DASHBOARD CRACKED AND FELL APART, PUTTING PIECES OF PLASTIC INTO THE VENTS. THIS A DANGEROUS WHEN PUTTING ON THE VENT AND HAVING PLASTIC BLOWING ALL OVER. CHRYSLER KNOWS ABOUT THIS DEFECT AND HAS DONE NOTHING'. *TR

NHTSA ID
10542547
Incident
Aug 10, 2010
Body & structure
Filed Aug 26, 2013

THE DASHBOARD WAS CRACKING (LIKE EVERY OTHER DODGE) AND A PIECE HAD FALLEN DOWN AND SOME HOW GRABBED TWO WIRES AND CAUSED THEM TO TOUCH. LUCKY FOR ME IT SMOKED BEFORE IT WENT UP IN FLAMES. MY GIRLFRIEND HURRIED UP AND RIPPED THE WIRES APART. PLEASE FIX THIS DODGE! YES MY TRUCK IS OLD BUT THIS IS BEEN A KNOWN PROBLEM SINCE IT WAS NEW. *TR

NHTSA ID
10537339
Incident
Aug 19, 2013
Mileage
224,000 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .