Model year record

1999 Dodge RAM

9 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 496 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 04V185000

Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module

Component
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module
Manufacturer
DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION
Vehicles affected
44,588
Reported to NHTSA
2004-04-12
Owners notified
2004-09-27

Defect description

ON CERTAIN VAN AND WAGON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4-WHEEL ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEMS (ABS), AFTERMARKET BATTERIES MAY LEAK ELECTROLYTE ONTO THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR, WHICH CAN COMPROMISE SEALING INTEGRITY OF THE CONNECTOR.

Safety risk

THIS MAY ALLOW DEVELOPMENT OF A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE CONNECTOR, WHICH COULD EVENTUALLY LEAD TO A FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR FOR ELECTROLYTE DAMAGE AND REPLACE THE CONNECTOR AS NECESSARY. THE RECALL WILL BEGIN ON SEPTEMBER 27, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Recall campaignNHTSA 01V153000

Air bags

Component
Air bags
Manufacturer
DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION
Vehicles affected
216,100
Reported to NHTSA
2001-05-08
Owners notified
2001-06-18

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP TRUCKS. SOUND DEADENER MATERIAL INSIDE THE STEERING WHEEL COULD BECOME DETACHED FROM THE COVER AND HOUSING. NOTE: THE RAM PICKUP TRUCKS WERE BUILT AT THE WARREN ASSEMBLY PLANT ("S" IN THE 11TH VIN POSITION) FROM MAY 16, 2000 THROUGH OCTOBER 23, 2000; ST. LOUIS NORTH ASSEMBLY PLANT ("J" IN THE 11TH VIN POSITION) FROM MAY 19, 2000 THROUGH OCTOBER 23, 2000; LAGO ALBERTO ASSEMBLY PLANT ("M" IN THE 11TH VIN POSITION) FROM MAY 23, 2000 THROUGH OCTOBER 23, 2000; AND SALTILLO ASSEMBLY PLANT ("G" IN THE 11TH VIN POSITION) FROM MAY 23, 2000 THROUGH OCTOBER 23, 2000. IMPORTANT: VEHICLES THAT HAVE ALREADY HAD THE PROPER CLOCKSPRING INSTALLED, ACCORDING TO WARRANTY RECORDS, HAVE BEEN EXCLUDED FROM THIS RECALL. IN ADDITION, 1997-2000 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES THAT HAVE HAD A SUSPECT REPLACEMENT CLOCKSPRING INSTALLED, ACCORDING TO WARRANTY RECORDS, HAVE BEEN ADDED TO THIS RECALL.

Safety risk

WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE MATERIAL COULD INTERFERE WITH THE CLOCKSPRING RIBBON AND CAUSE AN OPEN CIRCUIT. THE DRIVER AIR BAG SYSTEM WILL BECOME DISABLED, AND THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP WILL ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 18, 2001. ALSO SOME 1997-200 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES THAT, ACCORDING TO WARRANTY RECORDS, HAVE HAD A SUSPECT REPLACEMENT CLOCKSPRING INSTALLED, WILL ALSO BE INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Recall campaignNHTSA 01V119000

Seat belts: front: retractor

Component
Seat belts: front: retractor
Manufacturer
DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION
Vehicles affected
161,682
Reported to NHTSA
2001-04-11
Owners notified
2001-08-20

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN VAN, WAGON, PICKUP TRUCKS, PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES." THE FRONT SEAT BELT RETRACTOR MAY NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

Safety risk

IF THE RETRACTOR DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY, IT WILL NOT ADEQUATELY PROTECT OCCUPANTS IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 20, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Recall campaignNHTSA 01V040000

Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch

Component
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch
Manufacturer
DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION
Vehicles affected
701,000
Reported to NHTSA
2001-02-12
Owners notified
2001-09-17

Defect description

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING "SALT BELT" STATES: MAINE, NEW HAMPSHIRE, VERMONT, MASSACHUSETTS, RHODE ISLAND, CONNECTICUT, NEW YORK, NEW JERSEY, PENNSYLVANIA, DELAWARE, MARYLAND, THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, WEST VIRGINIA, OHIO, INDIANA, MICHIGAN, ILLINOIS, WISCONSIN, MINNESOTA, IOWA, AND MISSOURI. CORROSION OF THE RETURN SPRING ON THE HOOD SECONDARY LATCH COULD CAUSE THE MECHANISM TO BIND IN THE "RELEASE POSITION."

Safety risk

IF THE PRIMARY LATCH IS NOT ENGAGED, THE HOOD COULD OPEN UNEXPECTEDLY.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 17, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Recall campaignNHTSA 00V107000

Trailer hitches

Component
Trailer hitches
Manufacturer
DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION
Vehicles affected
357,000
Reported to NHTSA
2000-04-11
Owners notified
2000-04-24

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH OPTIONAL TRAILER HITCH. THE TRAILER HITCH SIDE BRACKETS WERE MANUFACTURED USING MATERIAL WITH INSUFFICIENT STRENGTH.

Safety risk

BRACKETS BUILT WITHOUT PROPER MATERIAL COULD FATIGUE AND FRACTURE IN THE AREA WHERE THE TRAILER HITCH MOUNTS TO THE FRAME.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TRAILER HITCHES AND REPLACE ANY TRAILER HITCH SHOWING SIGNS OF FATIGUE CRACKING. IF NO EVIDENCE OF CRACKING EXISTS, THE DEALER WILL INSTALL TWO REINFORCEMENT BRACKETS.

Recall campaignNHTSA 99V190000

Power train: clutch assembly

Component
Power train: clutch assembly
Manufacturer
DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION
Vehicles affected
8,378
Reported to NHTSA
1999-07-16
Owners notified
1999-08-09

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH GASOLINE ENGINES AND MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS. THE UNDERBODY HYDRAULIC CLUTCH LINE HEAT SHIELD IS TOO SHORT, ALLOWING THE PLASTIC CLUTCH LINE MATERIAL TO BE DIRECTLY EXPOSED TO EXHAUST TEMPERATURES. IT IS POSSIBLE TO EXCEED THE MELTING TEMPERATURE OF THE CLUTCH LINE MATERIAL.

Safety risk

IF THE LINE MELTS, HYDRAULIC FLUID CAN LEAK ONTO THE VEHICLE EXHAUST AND CAUSE AN UNDERBODY FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE PROPER LENGTH HEAT SHIELD.

Recall campaignNHTSA 99V115000

Power train: clutch assembly

Component
Power train: clutch assembly
Manufacturer
DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION
Vehicles affected
8,883
Reported to NHTSA
1999-05-06
Owners notified
1999-12-27

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSION, V10 ENGINES AND FOUR-WHEEL-DRIVE TRANSFER CASES. UNDER SUSTAINED MAXIMUM RATED VEHICLE LOAD, WHILE DRIVING UP A STEEP GRADE IN FOUR-WHEEL-DRIVE LOW RANGE IN HOT AMBIENT CONDITIONS, THE LOCAL EXHAUST TEMPERATURE PROXIMATE TO THE HYDRAULIC CLUTCH LINE CAN GENERATE LINE TEMPERATURES THAT EXCEED THE TEMPERATURE LIMIT OF THE CLUTCH LINE MATERIAL. IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS AND THE CLUTCH IS DEPRESSED, THE LINE COULD RUPTURE.

Safety risk

THE FLUID COULD IGNITE ON THE HOT EXHAUST POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HYDRAULIC CLUTCH ASSEMBLY.

Recall campaignNHTSA 99V044000

Fuel system, other: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Component
Fuel system, other: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Manufacturer
DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION
Vehicles affected
45
Reported to NHTSA
1999-03-11
Owners notified
1999-03-22

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VANS AND WAGONS EQUIPPED WITH COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS (CNG). THE FUEL HOSE THAT CONNECTS THE LEFT AND RIGHT FUEL RAILS MAY SHRINK AND LEAK FUEL IF EXPOSED TO HIGH ENGINE OPERATING TEMPERATURES.

Safety risk

FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL RAIL ASSEMBLY.

Recall campaignNHTSA 99V034000

Fuel system, other: storage: tank assembly

Component
Fuel system, other: storage: tank assembly
Manufacturer
DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION
Vehicles affected
45
Reported to NHTSA
1999-02-24
Owners notified
1999-03-22

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: VANS EQUIPPED WITH COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS (CNG) FUEL TANKS. INCORRECT FUEL TANK STRAPS WERE INSTALLED ON THE SMALL FUEL TANK. AS A RESULT, THE FUEL TANK MAY NOT BE SECURELY ATTACHED TO THE VEHICLE.

Safety risk

THE FUEL TANK COULD MOVE INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE AND/OR EXPLOSION.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE MOUNTING STRAPS FOR THE SMALL FUEL TANK.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip4480,994 mi
Air bags: frontal32100,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission24
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc17
Tires16
Engine and engine cooling: engine1585,782 mi
Suspension15
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)14
Suspension: front14
Unknown or other1350,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline12
Trailer hitches11
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components10
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar10
Structure1082,000 mi
Power train962,847 mi
Seat belts: front: retractor870,000 mi
Vehicle speed control8
Air bags733,000 mi
Steering781,281 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system6
Suspension: rear6
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood5
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers5
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads5
Electrical system: horn4
Engine and engine cooling439,400 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly4
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner4
Exterior lighting: headlights4
Fuel system, gasoline4108,613 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch478,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift4
Power train: axle assembly4
Power train: manual transmission4
Seats4
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: drum4
Structure: body: door4
Electrical system: ignition: switch3
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor3
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch3
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery3
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly3
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch3120,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch3
Power train: driveline: differential unit3
Seat belts350,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum3
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings340,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist system3
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump3
Steering: linkages: knuckle: spindle: arm3
Tires: valve3
Visibility: glass, side/rear3
Electrical system: ignition2
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash2
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe240,596 mi
Exterior lighting: back up lights2
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump2
Fuel system, other: storage: fuel gauge system260,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: torque converter2
Seat belts: front: anchorage2
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly2
Service brakes, hydraulic291,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper2
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor2
Steering: linkages2
Tires: tread/belt2
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system2
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core2
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices2
Visibility: windshield2
Wheels2
Air bags: side/window1
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator1
Engine and engine cooling: engine: diesel1
Equipment1
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.1
Exterior lighting: fog lights: switch1
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1115,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines1
Power train: axle hubs1
Power train: clutch assembly1
Power train: driveline: driveshaft1
Power train: manual transmission: column shift assembly1
Seat belts: front: warning light/devices1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: differential proportional valve1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: shoes/linings1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder1
Steering: column locking: anti-theft device1
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly1
Steering: rack and pinion1
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments1
Structure: body: hood: hinge and attachments1104,000 mi
Structure: frame and members1100,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm1
Suspension: front: control arm: upper ball joint161,189 mi
Suspension: front: shock absorber1
Suspension: front: springs: torsion bar1
Suspension: front: stabilizer bar1
Suspension: front: wheel bearing1
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal1
Vehicle speed control: cruise control133,600 mi
Vehicle speed control: linkages1
Visibility: power window devices and controls1
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer160,000 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor1
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs1

The 1998 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 2000 model has 2 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.