CarBrief

NHTSA has 610 owner complaints on file for the 1999 Ram 1500 pickup and lists no recalls for that model year[1][2]. EPA combined ratings run from 12 to 16 MPG depending on engine and drive[3][4].

610owner complaints[1]
12–16MPG combined (EPA)[3]

Most reported problems

Owners filed 610 complaints with NHTSA for this model year[1]. Of those, 63 mention a crash, 19 a fire and 48 injuries, and one death is reported[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name several parts.

Complaints by component group:

Group Complaints
Structure[5] 240
Air bags[6] 61
Power train[7] 59
Brakes[8] 55
Unknown or other[9] 51
Engine[10] 43
Electrical system[11] 36
Steering[12] 32

Structure. This is the biggest group, with 240 complaints and a median mileage at failure of 86,308[5]. In a sample of complaints we read, In a sample of complaints we read, owners often describe cracked or crumbling dashboards.. A couple describe rust. A few worry that a cracked dash could affect the air bag[5].

Air bags. There are 61 complaints, and 41 of them mention a crash[6]. In the sample we read, owners describe air bags that did not deploy in front-end crashes[6]. We cannot say from this data why any single air bag did or did not deploy.

Brakes. There are 55 complaints, with 5 crashes and 5 fires[8]. In the sample we read, owners describe weak or inconsistent braking, long stopping distances and a pedal that goes to the floor[8]. Some of the sample texts were repeats of the same complaint.

Power train. There are 59 complaints with a median mileage at failure of 68,082[7]. In the sample we read, owners describe the transmission downshifting by itself, jumping out of gear, or quitting[7].

Electrical system and steering. Electrical has 36 complaints and 10 of them mention a fire, the most fires of any group[11]. Steering has 32 complaints with 8 crashes and 6 injuries[12]. The one death in the year's complaints is tied to the steering group[12][1].

Recalls

NHTSA lists 0 recalls for the 1999 model year[2]. That only covers this model year as NHTSA files it. It does not tell you whether a given truck had other service work done.

Fuel economy

The EPA lists several versions of this truck. Results depend on engine size, transmission and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the truck was new.

Version City / Hwy / Combined MPG Annual fuel cost
2WD, 3.9L 6-cyl, automatic 4-spd[13] 13 / 18 / 15 $4,450
2WD, 3.9L 6-cyl, manual 5-spd[3] 14 / 20 / 16 $4,200
2WD, 5.2L 8-cyl, automatic 4-spd[14] 12 / 18 / 14 $4,800
2WD, 5.2L 8-cyl, manual 5-spd[15] 12 / 17 / 14 $4,800
2WD, 5.9L 8-cyl, automatic 4-spd[16] 11 / 16 / 13 $5,150
4WD, 5.2L 8-cyl, automatic 4-spd[17] 11 / 15 / 13 $5,150
4WD, 5.2L 8-cyl, manual 5-spd[18] 12 / 16 / 13 $5,150
4WD, 5.9L 8-cyl, automatic 4-spd[4] 11 / 15 / 12 $5,600

The best combined rating is 16 MPG for the 3.9L 6-cyl manual 2WD[3]. The lowest is 12 MPG for the 5.9L 8-cyl automatic 4WD[4]. All versions use regular fuel[13].

Engine and size

The EPA data lists three engines: a 3.9L 6-cylinder, a 5.2L 8-cylinder and a 5.9L 8-cylinder[13][14][16]. Our data does not include horsepower for this truck.

Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US trucks. These are the variants listed:

Variant Length Width Height Wheelbase Curb weight
Reg cab, long box, 2WD[19] 220 in 79 in 72 in 135 in 4,233 lb
Club/quad cab, short box, 2WD[20] 220 in 79 in 72 in 139 in 4,641 lb
Club/quad cab, short box, 4WD[21] 220 in 79 in 75 in 139 in 5,011 lb
Quad cab, long box, 2WD[22] 240 in 79 in 73 in 155 in 4,795 lb
Quad cab, long box, 4WD[23] 240 in 79 in 77 in 155 in 5,176 lb
Maxivan long wheelbase[24] 229 in 79 in 80 in 127 in 4,824 lb

How 1999 compares with other years

1995: 213 complaints, 0 recalls19951996: 298 complaints, 0 recalls1997: 361 complaints, 0 recalls19971998: 520 complaints, 0 recalls1999: 610 complaints, 0 recalls61019992000: 513 complaints, 2 recalls2001: 1,112 complaints, 2 recalls20012002: 815 complaints, 3 recalls2003: 1,171 complaints, 1 recalls20032004: 1,099 complaints, 5 recalls2005: 1,172 complaints, 4 recalls20052006: 792 complaints, 9 recalls2007: 517 complaints, 4 recalls20072008: 554 complaints, 5 recalls2009: 670 complaints, 2 recalls20092010: 488 complaints, 4 recalls2011: 689 complaints, 4 recalls20112012: 698 complaints, 6 recalls
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Ram 1500 Pickup model year. The 1999 is highlighted[2].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
19952130
19962980
19973610
19985200
19996100
20005132
20011,1122
20028153
20031,1711
20041,0995
20051,1724
20067929
20075174
20085545
20096702
20104884
20116894
20126986

This model year has 610 complaints[2]. Nine listed years have more, from 670 in 2009 up to 1,172 in 2005[2]. Eight listed years have fewer, including 520 in 1998 and 513 in 2000[2]. So 1999 sits in the middle of the 1995 to 2012 range, and it has the most complaints of any year from 1995 to 2000[2].

NHTSA lists 0 recalls for each year from 1995 to 1999[2]. Recalls begin with 2 for the 2000 model year[2]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many trucks were sold, so treat them as a rough guide.

Should you buy a used 1999 Ram 1500?

The data shows no recalls but a steady stream of owner complaints, with 610 on file[1][2]. Dashboards, brakes, shifting and air bags that did not deploy in crashes stand out in the complaints we read[5][6][7][8]. The EPA's annual fuel cost estimates run from $4,200 to $5,600 depending on version[3][4]. depending on version[3][4]. Our data does not cover towing, oil or crash-test ratings, so check those separately. Have a mechanic look at the brakes, transmission and dashboard before you buy.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 1999 Dodge Ram 1500?
Structure is the largest complaint group with 240 of 610 complaints[5][1]. In a sample we read, owners describe cracked dashboards. Brakes, power train and air bags follow[6][7][8].
Does the 1999 Dodge Ram 1500 have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 0 recalls for the 1999 model year[2].
How many MPG does a 1999 Dodge Ram 1500 get?
EPA combined ratings range from 12 to 16 MPG depending on engine, transmission and drive[3][4].
Is the 1999 Dodge Ram 1500 a reliable truck?
NHTSA has 610 owner complaints for this year, which is more than any other year from 1995 to 2000[2]. Complaints are unverified and not adjusted for sales.
Which Dodge Ram 1500 years have the fewest complaints?
Among listed years, 1995 has the fewest at 213 complaints[2]. 1999 has 610[2].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 610 owner complaints on file for the 1999 Dodge Ram 1500 Pickup (63 mention a crash, 19 a fire, 48 injuries, 1 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. Owner complaints and recalls for every Dodge Ram 1500 Pickup model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  3. EPA rating for Ram 1500 Pickup 2WD, 3.9L 6-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 20 highway / 16 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  4. EPA rating for Ram 1500 Pickup 4WD, 5.9L 8-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 11 city / 15 highway / 12 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $5,600. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  5. 240 complaints name the structure component group (3 crashes, 2 fires, 6 injuries, median mileage at failure 86,308). NHTSA vehicle records
  6. 61 complaints name the air bags component group (41 crashes, 0 fires, 26 injuries, median mileage at failure 97,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 59 complaints name the power train component group (5 crashes, 0 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 68,082). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 55 complaints name the brakes component group (5 crashes, 5 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 66,164). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 51 complaints name the unknown or other component group (1 crashes, 3 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 81,750). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 43 complaints name the engine component group (2 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 70,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 36 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 10 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 96,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 32 complaints name the steering component group (8 crashes, 2 fires, 6 injuries, median mileage at failure 64,300). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. EPA rating for Ram 1500 Pickup 2WD, 3.9L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 13 city / 18 highway / 15 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,450. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  14. EPA rating for Ram 1500 Pickup 2WD, 5.2L 8-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 12 city / 18 highway / 14 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  15. EPA rating for Ram 1500 Pickup 2WD, 5.2L 8-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 12 city / 17 highway / 14 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  16. EPA rating for Ram 1500 Pickup 2WD, 5.9L 8-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 11 city / 16 highway / 13 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $5,150. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  17. EPA rating for Ram 1500 Pickup 4WD, 5.2L 8-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 11 city / 15 highway / 13 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $5,150. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  18. EPA rating for Ram 1500 Pickup 4WD, 5.2L 8-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 12 city / 16 highway / 13 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $5,150. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  19. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, RAM 1500 REG CAB L/BOX 2WD: length 220 in, width 79 in, height 72 in, wheelbase 135 in, curb weight 4,233 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  20. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, RAM 1500 CLUB/QUAD CAB S/BOX 2WD: length 220 in, width 79 in, height 72 in, wheelbase 139 in, curb weight 4,641 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  21. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, RAM 1500 CLUB/QUAD CAB S/BOX 4WD: length 220 in, width 79 in, height 75 in, wheelbase 139 in, curb weight 5,011 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  22. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, RAM 1500 QUAD CAB L/BOX 2WD: length 240 in, width 79 in, height 73 in, wheelbase 155 in, curb weight 4,795 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  23. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, RAM 1500 QUAD CAB L/BOX 4WD: length 240 in, width 79 in, height 77 in, wheelbase 155 in, curb weight 5,176 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  24. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, RAM 1500 MAXIVAN LONG WB: length 229 in, width 79 in, height 80 in, wheelbase 127 in, curb weight 4,824 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.