Wrench.Pro

1999 Dodge Ram Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 1999 Dodge Ram has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 7 recurring issue clusters, led by “Hood latch failure while driving.” Dodge uses Stellantis' Oil Change Indicator — it watches engine load and duty cycle and messages when to change oil, capped at 10,000 miles or 12 months. Know your engine: the 3.6L Pentastar V6 goes 100,000 miles on plugs, while HEMI V8s carry sixteen plugs (two per cylinder) on a roughly 30,000-mile interval — that's a real cost difference at the service counter. HEMI models with MDS cylinder deactivation are especially sensitive to overdue oil.

Save this car as:

No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 1999 Dodge Ram.

Reported to NHTSA

Hood latch failure while driving

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

9 NHTSA complaints · 2011-04 → 2021-02

“THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE HOOD SUDDENLY OPENED AND SHATTERED THE WINDSHIELD”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11061239
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN FOR A TEST DRIVE, THE HOOD LATCH FRACTURED AND THE HOOD FLEW OPEN”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10875688
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 20-30 MPH, THE HOOD UNLATCHED WITHOUT WARNING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11396822

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Seat belt retractor lockup

SEAT BELTS

12 NHTSA complaints · 2009-09 → 2017-03

“FRONT SEAT BELTS LOCKED UP, WILL NOT PULL OUT FROM THE RE- TRACTORS. THE DODGE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10958950
“THE SEAT BELT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WILL NOT RETRACT. THE SEATBELT IS BUILT WITHIN THE SEAT AND CANNOT BE DRIVEN AT ALL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10640171
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH FRONT SEAT BELT RETRACTORS NO LONGER FUNCTIONED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10403772

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Fuel system leak from corroded components

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER

4 NHTSA complaints · 2012-04 → 2022-08

“The contact owns a 1999 Dodge Ram 2500. The contact stated he noticed a strong odor of gasoline inside the vehicle and the gasoline was leaking from the fuel pump”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11479789
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BAND THAT HELD THE FUEL TANK WAS RUSTED AND FRACTURED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11218255
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE RAM . THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED, ON THERE WAS A VERY STRONG FUEL ODOR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10456548

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Brake line corrosion and rupture

SERVICE BRAKES

3 NHTSA complaints · 2010-03 → 2015-05

“THE REAR HARD BRAKE LINE MOUNTED ON THE FRAME RAIL BEHIND THE FUEL TANK WAS SEVERELY RUSTED IN AN AREA ABOUT 4 INCHES LONG THAT COULD NOT EASILY BE VISUALLY INSPECTED (HIDDEN BEHIND THE FUEL TANK)”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10721460
“THIS IS THE SECOND TIME MY BRAKE LINE SPRUNG A LEAK - DRIVERS SIDE REAR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10502349
“WHILE DRIVING IN LOWES PARKING LOT GOING ABOUT 10 MILES I WENT TO STOP THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10319430

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Dashboard cracking and disintegration

STRUCTURE

113 NHTSA complaints · 2009-01 → 2018-11

“THE DASHBOARD ON THE 1999 DODGE RAM 1500 AND MOST DODGES FROM 1994-2001 SPECIFICALLY ARE CRACKING ALL OVER THE COUNTRY. WE HAD A CRACK IN THE DASHBOARD AFTER GETTING THE AIR CONDITIONER FIXED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10257066
“THE DASHBOARD ON MY TRUCK HAS BROKEN INTO MANY PIECES. THESE PIECES HAVE FALLEN INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. IF THESE PIECES WERE TO BE EXPELLED IN THE EVENT OF AN AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT, SEVERE INJURY COULD RESULT FROM FLYING SHRAPNEL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10429236
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11150024

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Steering and suspension death wobble

STEERING, SUSPENSION

5 NHTSA complaints · 2009-11 → 2019-01

“THIS LOW MILEAGE (64K) 1999 DODGE RAM 1500 HAS DEVELOPED A DEATH WOBBLE. USUAL SYMPTOMS, HIT SMALL BUMP IN ROAD AT 60 + MPH AND SHAKE AND SHUTTER UNTIL SLOW TO 20-30 MPH TO REGAIN CONTROL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10875026
“THERE IS EXTENSIVE DEATH WOBBLE IN MY TRUCK AND MAKES IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10781263
“THE "DODGE DEATH WOBBLE" IS FOR REAL. WHILE DRIVING MY 1999 DODGE RAM 1500 ON THE INTERSTATE, I WENT OVER A SMALL BUMP IN THE ROAD. THE WHOLE TRUCK BEGAN SHAKING VIOLENTLY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10292610

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Frame corrosion causing steering separation

STRUCTURE

4 NHTSA complaints · 2011-08 → 2013-01

“THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT FRAME DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE FRONT FRAME WAS CORRODED, WHICH CAUSED THE FRAME AND THE STEERING BOX TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10430908
“THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY DETECTED THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE FRAME EXHIBITED HOLES AND SUBSTANTIAL RUST”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10423887
“THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WITHOUT ANY WARNING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10491427

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter (Oil Change Indicator)

Every 10,000 mi

Change when the indicator says so — never beyond 10,000 miles or 12 months. Pentastar 3.6L: 0W-20. HEMI 5.7L: 5W-20 (0W-40 for 6.4L SRT). MDS-equipped HEMIs punish stretched oil intervals with lifter and cam wear.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 8,000 mi

Rotate every 8,000 miles. Charger/Challenger R/T and Scat Pack: staggered-width setups can't rotate front-to-rear — budget rear tires accordingly.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 10,000 mi

Inspect pads and rotors at every oil change. Heavy Durangos used for towing and hard-driven Chargers both run through rear pads faster than the front-pad-first rule of thumb suggests.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Spark Plugs

Every 30,000 mi

HEMI 5.7L: sixteen plugs roughly every 30,000 miles — check your year's manual. Pentastar 3.6L (Charger/Challenger V6, Durango V6, Journey, Grand Caravan): 100,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 60,000 mi

Grand Caravan/Journey (62TE): ATF+4 service every 60,000 miles in family duty. Charger/Challenger/Durango with the TorqueFlite 8-speed: no published normal interval, but specialists recommend service around 60,000-100,000 miles — sooner with towing.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Rear Differential Fluid

Every 60,000 mi

RWD Charger/Challenger and AWD Durango: replace rear diff fluid around 60,000 miles, sooner with towing or drag-strip duty. Limited-slip units need the friction-modifier additive.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

Drain plug + fill plug — straightforward DIY. AWD vehicles have two; budget for both.

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace every 30,000 miles. HEMIs pull serious airflow — a clogged filter costs measurable power before it throws a code.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Serpentine Belt

Every 60,000 mi

Inspect from 60,000 miles, replace on cracking or glazing. On the HEMI, a shredded belt can take the cooling drive with it mid-drive.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$195–$235

Shop

~$135–$165

DIY

~$20–$50

DIY-friendly if you can reach the tensioner. Inspect for cracks rather than swap on a strict mileage interval.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 20,000 mi

Replace every 20,000 miles where equipped (behind the glovebox on most models). Some earlier Journeys and Avengers shipped without one — check before buying a filter.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Coolant Replacement (OAT)

Every 100,000 mi

Stellantis OAT coolant is scheduled for 10 years / 150,000 miles; shops commonly refresh by 100,000. OAT-compatible coolant only — mixing chemistries gels the system.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Battery Test & Service

Every 25,000 mi

Test annually after year 3. Big-audio Chargers and tow-package Durangos lean on the battery hard; weak batteries surface as gremlins in the electronics before they fail to crank.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$225–$390

Shop

~$160–$280

DIY

~$130–$250

Most auto-parts stores test and install batteries free with purchase. Skip the dealer markup.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

814 crashes 1990–2024

How the 814 occupant deaths break down

622

driver deaths

190

passenger deaths

2

not recorded by seat

814

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 1999 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

114

complaints mentioning a crash

27

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 1999 Dodge Ram reflects Dodge's published service intervals and the Oil Change Indicator System system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

Check another vehicle →