1999 Dodge Van Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1999 Dodge Van, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Suspension315.0%
- Interior & seats315.0%
- Body & structure210.0%
- Engine210.0%
- Fuel system210.0%
- Electrical210.0%
- Tires & wheels210.0%
- Transmission15.0%
- Brakes15.0%
- Steering15.0%
- Airbags15.0%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING MY MINIVAN IN A 25 MPH ZONE I HEARD A SNAP AND LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR RESULTING IN HITTING A CURB. DAMAGE TO FRONT LEFT WHEEL, SUSPENSION, FENDER & DOOR BODY DAMAGE. REPAIR SHOP DETERMINED THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM CAME APART CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. REPAIR NEEDED TO ENTIRE SUSPENSION, ALLOY WHEEL, TIRE, BODY WILL COST OVER $3,000. *JB
FRONT STRUT MOUNTS ROTTED. MUST BE REPAIRED / REPLACED
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
I WAS ATTEMPTING TO ADJUST THE FRONT SEAT BY PULLING THE LEVER UNDER THE SEAT WITH MY RIGHT HAND. THE FRONT SEAT WAS TOO CLOSE TO THE DASHBOARD, AND THE SEAT REFUSED TO MOVE. I GRABBED THE SIDE OF THE SEAT WITH MY LEFT HAND WHILE PULLING THE LEVER WITH MY RIGHT HAND WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE SEAT MOVED QUICKLY BACKWARDS. MY FINGER WAS IN BETWEEN THE SEAT AND THE SEAT TRACK WHICH I DIDN'T KNOW, THERE WAS NO GUARD TO KEEP MY FINGER FROM THE AREA. MY MIDDLE FINGER WAS AMPUTATED ON MY LEFT HAND DOWN TO THE FIRST JOINT AND THE EMERGENCY ROOM WAS UNABLE TO RE-ATTACHED MY FINGER. THIS OCCURRED ON A DODGE 15 PASSENGER VAN. *JB
WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE DRIVER WAS SITTING IN THE DRIVER SEAT AND WITHOUT WARNING THE SEAT COLLAPSED BACKWARDS. *MR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
1999 DODGE VAN 1500 HAS A RUSTED FRAME. CONSUMER STATES THAT CHRYSLER SAID THE VAN WAS PAST WARRANTY AND WILL NOT HELP. *NJ THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRABLE. *JB
WHEN IT RAINS OR YOU DRIVE THROUGH A PUDDLE, THE TENSIONER BELT COMES OFF. THIS MAKES STEERING ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE. IF YOU DO MANAGE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE & DRIVE TO A SAFE SPOT TO STOP YOU RISK BURNING UP THE ENGINE DUE TO LACK OF COOLING. THE ABOVE IS ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS WHEN DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY. *NM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAVE BOUGHT THIS CAR USED, HOWEVER IT WAS FINE, AS TIME WENT ON THE AIR BAG SYSTEM WENT, THE HORN, IGNITION SYSTEM, FAILS TO START RANDOM TIMES, GAUGES ON AND OFF RANDOMLY, INSTRUMENT LIGHT ON AND OFF, I AM TIRED OF PAYING FOR REPAIRS, WHO EVER CONSTRUCTED THIS DODGE GRAND GARBAGE CAN, SHOULD COME PICK ME AND MY 7 CHILDREN UP EVERY TIME WE BREAK DOWN AND SEE HOW THEY FEEL, I AM TIRED OF BEING RIPPED OFF WHEN IT CAME TO THINKING YOU ARE BUYING A GOOD RELIABLE QUALITY CAR, INSTEAD I GOT JUNK, GO TO THE WEB SITES AND LOOK AT ALL THE HEADACHES THESE VEHICLES ARE CAUSING, SOMEONE IS GETTING RICH ON THESE VEHICLES AND IT IS NOT THE OWNERS, WHAT IS UP? DO TELL! (MAYBE I SHOULD HAVE BOUGHT A TOW TRUCK). *TR
THE DEALERSHIP SOLD ME A 7 YEAR OR 70,000 MILES WARRANTY. MY ENGINE BLEW UP AND THEY DENIED MY WARRANTY, THEY WOULDN'T FIX MY VEHICLE. THEY SAID THAT I HAD SLUDGE IN MY ENGINE. I HAD A CERTIFIED MECHANIC STATED THAT THE TOP OF MY ENGINE WAS CLEAN AND THE BOTTOM WAS CLEAN. HE STATED THAT I HAD DEFECTIVE METAL THAT WOULDN'T STAND UP. I WOULD LIKE SOMEONE TO HELP ME ON THIS MATTER.*JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAVE BOUGHT THIS CAR USED, HOWEVER IT WAS FINE, AS TIME WENT ON THE AIR BAG SYSTEM WENT, THE HORN, IGNITION SYSTEM, FAILS TO START RANDOM TIMES, GAUGES ON AND OFF RANDOMLY, INSTRUMENT LIGHT ON AND OFF, I AM TIRED OF PAYING FOR REPAIRS, WHO EVER CONSTRUCTED THIS DODGE GRAND GARBAGE CAN, SHOULD COME PICK ME AND MY 7 CHILDREN UP EVERY TIME WE BREAK DOWN AND SEE HOW THEY FEEL, I AM TIRED OF BEING RIPPED OFF WHEN IT CAME TO THINKING YOU ARE BUYING A GOOD RELIABLE QUALITY CAR, INSTEAD I GOT JUNK, GO TO THE WEB SITES AND LOOK AT ALL THE HEADACHES THESE VEHICLES ARE CAUSING, SOMEONE IS GETTING RICH ON THESE VEHICLES AND IT IS NOT THE OWNERS, WHAT IS UP? DO TELL! (MAYBE I SHOULD HAVE BOUGHT A TOW TRUCK). *TR
THE FAMILY IN THIS VAN WAS TRAVELING ON WAVELAND AVENUE APPROACHING THE INTERSECTION WITH MANNHEIM ROAD IN FRANKLIN PARK, ILLINOIS. THE TRAFFIC SIGNAL WAS GREEN AND THE VAN PROCEEDED ACROSS THE INTERSECTION. WHILE CROSSING THE INTERSECTION, THE CARAVAN WAS STRUCK BY A TRUCK WHO RAN A RED LIGHT.UPON IMPACT, THE CARAVAN BURST INTO FLAMES AND CAUGHT FIRE. TWO CHILDREN DIED AS A RESULT OF THE ENSUING FIRE; THREE OTHER PASSENGERS HAD FIRE-RELATED INJURIES. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAVE BOUGHT THIS CAR USED, HOWEVER IT WAS FINE, AS TIME WENT ON THE AIR BAG SYSTEM WENT, THE HORN, IGNITION SYSTEM, FAILS TO START RANDOM TIMES, GAUGES ON AND OFF RANDOMLY, INSTRUMENT LIGHT ON AND OFF, I AM TIRED OF PAYING FOR REPAIRS, WHO EVER CONSTRUCTED THIS DODGE GRAND GARBAGE CAN, SHOULD COME PICK ME AND MY 7 CHILDREN UP EVERY TIME WE BREAK DOWN AND SEE HOW THEY FEEL, I AM TIRED OF BEING RIPPED OFF WHEN IT CAME TO THINKING YOU ARE BUYING A GOOD RELIABLE QUALITY CAR, INSTEAD I GOT JUNK, GO TO THE WEB SITES AND LOOK AT ALL THE HEADACHES THESE VEHICLES ARE CAUSING, SOMEONE IS GETTING RICH ON THESE VEHICLES AND IT IS NOT THE OWNERS, WHAT IS UP? DO TELL! (MAYBE I SHOULD HAVE BOUGHT A TOW TRUCK). *TR
THE RADIO IN THE REAR OF THIS CONVERSION VAN HAD A SHORT THAT CAUSED A FIRE TO BREAK OUT IN THE REAR AREA ON THE GAS TANK SIDE. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
1999 ROADTREK TIRES DRY ROTTED AND WERE REPLACED. *TS DURING AN INSPECTION THE VEHICLE TIRE WERE FOUND TO BE DRY ROTTED. THE TIRE WERE REPLACED WITH GENERAL GRABBER AT 2, RADIAL TIRES. AFTER THE TIRE WERE REPLACED THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WANDERED ON THE ROAD WHILE DRIVING. *NM
UNDER RATED TIRES ON VAN CONVERSION, VEHICLE NOT SAFE. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE HIT A SUPPORT POST AND THE BACK DOOR TO THE HOUSE WHILE CONSUMER WAS PARKING IT IN THE DRIVEWAY. *PH THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING WHEN THE VEHICLE JUMPED OUT OF GEAR AND RAN INTO THE CONSUMERS GARAGE. *NLM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
RECURRING BRAKE FAILURES ON FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE. DEALER "REPAIRED" 2X PRIOR. ABNORMAL PAD WEAR -- INNER PAD, OKAY -- OUTER PAD GROUND DOWN TO BARE METAL. BRAKES PULL TO LEFT. DEALER UNCOOPERATIVE IN REPAIRING UNDER WARRANTY. WANTS US TO PAY FOR NEW PADS (EVEN THOUGH ONLY 5,000 MILES OR SO SINCE LAST REPAIR). *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONSUMER EXPERIENCED STEERING PROBLEMS WHICH CAUSED VEHICLE TO WANDER TO THE RIGHT AND CALLED FOR CONSTANT ADJUSTMENT WHILE DRIVING ON GOOD ROAD CONDITIONS. NLM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED WHEN IT WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE GOING ABOUT 40 MPH. THE IMPACT PUSHED THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT WITH THAT VEHICLE THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE DRIVER'S SEAT BACK COLLAPSED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED BACK AND NECK INJURIES. *AK *NLM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .