1999 Dodge RAM 3500

Typical pattern

12% of complaints about the 1999 Dodge RAM 3500 came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 1999 vehicle — around the middle of the 201 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 5.1 yr in service. The most-reported system is power train (25 complaints), typically at 4.7 yr or about 77,425 miles.

Complaints: 133
Median age at failure: 5.1 yr
Median mileage: 115,000 n=62
Crash / fire / tow: 11.3% of reports
Safety recalls: 1

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

08E027000 2008-03-28

Steering:linkages:tie rod assembly

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.

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.

In owners’ own words

Power train mileage not reported 1.9 yr in service

TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONED IN 5 GEAR. CONSUMER HAS TO STAY AT 55 MPH, THIS WAS 3RD TIME THIS HAPPENED.*AK WHEN TRANSMISSION WENT OUT FOR 4TH TIME CAUSING CLUTCH TO GO OUT ALSO. *YH

Power train mileage not reported 1.9 yr in service

TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONED IN 5 GEAR. CONSUMER HAS TO STAY AT 55 MPH, THIS WAS 3RD TIME THIS HAPPENED.*AK WHEN TRANSMISSION WENT OUT FOR 4TH TIME CAUSING CLUTCH TO GO OUT ALSO. *YH

Power train mileage not reported 2.0 yr in service

TRANSMISSION SLIPPING FM DT OF PURCHASE. REQUESTED TRANS.INSPECTION AUG 3,2000, DEALER DID. SEPT 27 2000, TRANS FAILURE, DEALER REBUILT. NOV 3,2000, LESS THAN 2000 MILES AFTER REBUILD, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON.TOOK TO DEALER,THEIR DIAGNOSIS WAS INCONCLUSIVE. NOV. 27 2000,TRANS FAILURE , TRANS REPLACED FOR SECOND TIME. JAN 2001, TOOK TRUCK TO DEALER,TRANSMISSION SLIPPING, FAILING TO REACH NEXT GEAR, TOOK TO DEALER, THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG,FEB 2001 (CURRENT) VIBRATION, PLAN TO TAKE BACK TO DEALER.FOR 5TH TIME. *AK

Structure mileage not reported 5.2 yr in service

THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOORS HAVE CRACKS IN THE BOLT THAT HOLDS THE DOOR UNTO THE STRUCTURE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER STATES THAT THE FRONT DOORS DO NOT CLOSE AND HAS MADE CONTACT WITH THE DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *PH

Other RAM 3500 model years

How to read this

This is what owners reported, not a reliability rating. People file with NHTSA about alarming failures, not routine ones, and complaint volume tracks how many cars were sold.
Failure ages come from the incident date on each complaint, populated on about 83% of records. Mileage is shown where reported — NHTSA’s 2021 system change cut mileage capture to roughly 15%, so it thins out sharply after MY2020.
Every rank compares this vehicle only against others of the same model year. A 2025 car has not had time to accumulate five-year failures, so comparing early-failure share across years is meaningless.
Fourteen make-months distorted by media storms and mass recalls — Toyota in February 2010 ran 11× normal volume across 33 models — are excluded.
Recalls are manufacturer actions and authoritative; complaints are not. A recall listed here may already have been performed on any individual car. Check a specific VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

1999 Dodge RAM 3500

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

In owners’ own words

Other RAM 3500 model years

How to read this