RoadVitals

1999 Dodge Ram 2500

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints 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.
313
Latest Apr 12, 2023
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Mar 28, 2008
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
1
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
21
18 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 313 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1999 Dodge Ram 2500, most frequently naming the brakes, body & structure and steering categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 18 manufacturer communications are on file.

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

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov

STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

Mar 28, 2008
5,700 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: IF THIS CONDITION REMAINS UNDETECTED, THE BOLT CAN EVENTUALLY UNSEAT COMPLETELY, CAUSING THE AFFECTED WHEEL TO DISENGAGE FROM THE STEERING MECHANISM, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.
The 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.
AFFINIA GROUP, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Mar 15, 2006
44,386 units potentially affected
The 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.
The risk: A JAMMED OPEN THROTTLE COULD CAUSE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION OF THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH OR INCREASED STOPING DISTANCES WHEN BRAKING.
The remedy: K&N WILL PROVIDE OWNERS WITH A FREE REPAIR KIT ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 20, 2006.
K&N ENGINEERING, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

PE99069ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

OVERSENSITIVE STEERING

Opened Nov 8, 1999
Closed Mar 27, 2000

ODI has received 14 consumer complaints concerning steering control concerns.Complainants typically alleged that the steering is loose, oversensitive, or has excessive play.They further alleged that this phenomena contributes to the vehicle wondering back and forth and being difficult to maintain in its lane.The majority of the complaints are on vehicles which are equipped with the V-10 or diesel engine.A preliminary evaluation will be conducted to assess the safety aspects of this matter.

STEERING

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

AirbagsDriver assistance
Filed Apr 12, 2023

I know I am not the only one that thinks this is a bad problem, in fact I have not met a person that has owned this era of Dodge Ram that has their Dashboard and the whole parts inside can have been falling apart. Mine has fallen and hit my legs and or lap. Now I don’t mean the whole dash at one time but I have glued, taped and put a dash pad over top to try to keep things from falling into the vents and blower motor or anything that is behind and under the top. This is a definite safety problem cause I never know when this will happen and happening more often. I bought this truck with 11 miles on it from Logansport Indiana, September of 1999. I had been looking for a 2 wheel drive with a Cummins 5.9 Diesel and found it there in Logansport we lived in Lafayette Indiana and hoped we would be able to travel and see this beautiful country. My Wife’s family started having medical problems and after we did what we could for them, then my family needed help and none wanted nursing homes so we put aside our wishes and took care of them. They took care of us even so to many on both sides didn’t want to take care of us and some didn’t even want us, luckily we knew what that felt like so we didn’t turn our backs when we were needed, (Golden Rule) All that aside we wanted to be able to take the Airstream 2002 we got in 2020 still wanted to travel. We sold Florida home and made sure 2500 Ran was mechanical sound and power train was checked, oil, transmission fluid changed put helper bags on leaf springs and drove to Indiana, sold our home we had bought in 78 and sold that house and pulled the Airstream to Tucson Az to find our forever home and think we might have finally got one and put our dream of travel aside. I was diagnosed with Miligant Myloma in Florida Cancer Center and went through Radiation and Chemotherapy in Port Charlotte Florida before the trip and now just went through Radiation here at Banner University Cancer Center and go see my Cancer Doctor at VA here to see

NHTSA ID
11516771
Incident
May 16, 2007
Filed Apr 27, 2022
1 injury reported

While wiping down the dashboard, I sliced my finger open on a piece of the dashboard which was sticking up. This dashboard is a brittle as a potato chip and had cracked but I didn't notice it since the crack was very near the windshield and the section that broke apart was at the defroster vent situated away from my viewpoint.

NHTSA ID
11462403
Incident
Apr 27, 2022
Electrical
Filed Oct 18, 2020

THE DASHBOARD HAS DISINTEGRATED CAUSING EXPOSURE TOO WIRING, INTERMITTENT DIAGNOSED AND UNDIAGNOSED PROBLEMATIC WIRING ISSUES WITH INTERMITTENT 'NO BUS' CAUSING LOSS OF POWER ON FREEWAY. DEALER UNABLE OR UNWILLING TO FURTHER DIAGNOSE ISSUE UNLESS ENTIRE DASHBOARD PLASTIC IS REPLACED UNFORTUNATELY IT IS THE SAME PLASTIC THAT NUMEROUS PEOPLE ACCORDING TO DEALER AND ACCORDING TO SEVERAL INTERNET SEARCHES THAT THE DASHBOARD PLASTIC WAS NOT MANUFACTURED PROPERLY CAUSING PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL AND FINANCIAL HARM TO TENS OF THOUSANDS OF DODGE /CHRYSLER OWNERS. WHEN MY TRUCK LOST ALL POWER I WAS DRIVING IN FAST LANE OF FWY. ALL POWER WAS GONE INCLUDING BRAKES AND STEERING. HAD TO USE MUSCLE POWER TO STEER AND LET VEHICLE SLOW ENOUGH TO USE FORCE TO BRAKE. MULTIPLE PEOPLE HAVE INFORMED THE NHTSA IN REGARDS TO THE DASHBOARD. THE NHTSA WOULD ONLY INVESTIGATE IF I HAD DIED.

NHTSA ID
11365018
Incident
Jul 20, 2016
Mileage
114,705 mi
Filed Feb 26, 2020

WENT TO HAVE A FRONT END ALIGNMENT DONE BECAUSE THE TRUCK FELT OFF IN THE FRONT WHEN DRIVING.AND THE MECHANIC STATED HE COULDN'T DO IT AS THE FRAME IS ROTTED WHERE THE DRIVERS SIDE SWAY BAR BOLTS TO THE FRAME. IT IS RIGHT BEFORE THE STEERING GEAR BOX AND WAS TOLD IT'S A HUGE PROBLEM THAT THESE DODGE'S HAVE. TRUCK ONLY HAS 98000 MILES ON IT AND IT IS ALWAYS GARAGED. MAINTENANCE ALWAYS DONE AS STATED PER THE OWNERS MANUAL. IT'S NOT SAFE TO DRIVE.

NHTSA ID
11311588
Incident
Feb 21, 2020
Mileage
98,000 mi
Filed Feb 20, 2020

DRIVING OVER A SPEED BUMP UNDER 5 MPH THE DASH BOARD CRUMBLED INTO SEVERAL PIECES. IF THIS WERE TO HAPPEN IN A COLLISION THAT SHRAPNEL WOULD BE DEADLY. MY TRUCK ONLY HAS 99800 MILES ON IT. IN EXCELLENT CONDITION THERE IS NO REASON FOR THIS TO HAPPEN. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THESE DASHBOARDS JUST FALLING APART. IT'S A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND DODGE NEEDS TO BE MADE TO RECALL THEM.

NHTSA ID
11310446
Incident
Feb 20, 2020
Mileage
99,800 mi
Seat belts
Filed Dec 18, 2018

AFTER RELATIVELY SHORT LIFE, THE SEAT BELT CONTROL TIMER MODULE FAILS, LEAVING SEAT BELTS INOPERABLE - A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY HAZARD!! SEAT BELTS REMAIN IN A LOCKED POSITION, PREVENTING USE WHILE DRIVING. DODGE P/N 56043003AD. DODGE HAS RECEIVED REPORTS ABOUT THE PROBLEM ALONG WITH REQUESTS TO PURCHASE PART, FOR MANY YEARS BUT HAS CHOSEN TO STOP PRODUCTION OF THE PART. THAT WOULD NOT BE AS BIG AN ISSUE IF THEY HAD ENSURED AN ONGOING SUPPLY FROM THIRD PARTY VENDORS. AS IT STANDS, THEY HAVE CREATED A MAJOR SAFETY CRISIS FOR TENS OF THOUSANDS OF USERS OF THE LATE 90'S TO EARLY 2000'S TRUCKS.

NHTSA ID
11162295
Incident
Dec 18, 2018
Airbags
Filed Jun 11, 2018

FOR NO APPARENT REASON THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON. IT SEEMS TO BE THE CLOCK SPRING MECHANISM. THE CURRENT RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM DOES NOT INCLUDE MY VEHICLE, WHERE I BELIEVE IT SHOULD.

NHTSA ID
11101121
Incident
Mar 21, 2018
Mileage
165,000 mi
AirbagsBody & structureElectrical
Filed Jan 2, 2018

THIS IS MY SECOND COMPLAINT REGARDING DASH BOARD. THE DASH STARTED CRACKING WITH JUST 30,000 MILES ON TRUCK, WHEN I PUT IN COMPLIANT TO NHTSA. NOW 109,000 THE ELECTRICAL, AIR BAGS, COMPUTER HARNESS WIRING ARE EXPOSED WITH A INTERMITTENT STALLING AND A GUESSING GAME FROM AUTHORIZED DODGE DEALERS AS TO WHAT MIGHT BE THE ISSUES. "UNDETERMINED ELECTRICAL SHORTS FROM CRACKED DASH A POSSIBILITY" "ABS SERVICE LIGHT STAYS ON, ALSO "UNDETERMINED BY DEALER", "CAN'T TRACK CODE" "DON'T DRIVE AS AIRBAG MIGHT DEPLOY BECAUSE DASH HAS DASH DEBRIS FROM CRACKS" PLUS HEARING "REFUSE TO SERVICE UNLESS REPLACE THE DASHBOARD" ALL THESE QUOTES WHEN TRYING TO TAKE TO GET THE TRUCK FIXED. MAIN COMPUTER HARNESS INTERMITTENT "NO BUS" CAN'T FIND SHORTS! STALLS OUT ON FREEWAY. THE GLOVE BOX EVEN HANGS ON ONLY ONE SIDE. UNSAFE IF AIRBAGS DEPLOY. SPLINTERING OF REMAINS CHARDS OF FAULTY DASHBOARD PLASTIC, STALL ON FAST LANE OF 14 FREEWAY IN CA HAD TO COAST TO RIGHT SIDE WITH NO POWER STEERING LUCKY THE BRAKES WORKED AND THE TRAFFIC WAS LIGHT. SHORT IN WIRE DUE TO EXPOSED DASH BOARD.

NHTSA ID
11058145
Incident
Jul 23, 2010
Mileage
100,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

9004275

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:IMMOBILIZER/PROXIMITY:KEY/SENDER

KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC level part number. The "AB" NIC level will not program to these platforms. For all other platforms, if the "AB" NIC level will not program to the vehicle, use the "AC" NIC level part and submit a part warranty.

9004275

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:IMMOBILIZER/PROXIMITY:KEY/SENDER

KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC level part number. The "AB" NIC level will not program to these platforms. For all other platforms, if the "AB" NIC level will not program to the vehicle, use the "AC" NIC level part and submit a part warranty.

08-049-20

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT

Charging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty This information only bulletin discusses using the correct test equipment for testing batteries and charging systems, and also warranty reimbursement when battery replacements are necessary.

DOR-X6W2U-06

AIR BAGS; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This SKU is a Clock Spring. The customer communication requested return of unsold inventory to inspect the internal spring. If the internal spring is not seated, the electrical circuit for the horn is disconnected and the horn will not function. The horn electrical circuit does not affect the airbag circuit.

3100619

EQUIPMENT; STRUCTURE

Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to structural repair parts usage.

3100319

STRUCTURE

Use of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of recycled or salvage parts.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Dodge Ram 2500 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2015000
2014000
20122835156.1
20112974152.8
20102364154.9
20092145358.5
20083179360.1
200736111461.5
20066689560.5
20054229866.0
20045819865.1
20036619660.4
20021552048.2
20014682153.2
20002112152.2
1999Viewing3132152.3
19982252049.9
19972131149.8
19962911252.6
19952671655.2
19941681856.0
1993390239.2
1992320347.5
1991160447.3

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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.