FaultScore

1999 Dodge RAM engine problems

47 of the 496 complaints about the 1999 Dodge RAM are about the engine — 9% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 45,095 miles.

B

47

Complaints

1

Crashes

0

Fires

1

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Engine 15 31.9%
Gasoline 12 25.5%
Cooling System 6 12.8%
Radiator Assembly 4 8.5%
Engine AND Engine Cooling 4 8.5%
Catalytic Convertor 3 6.4%
Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe 2 4.3%
Diesel 1 2.1%

Engine & Cooling across every Dodge RAM year

1994 32 9.0%
1995 59 16.5%
1996 66 18.5%
1997 32 9.0%
1998 39 10.9%
1999 47 13.2%
2000 19 5.3%
2001 33 9.2%
2002 14 3.9%
2005 16 4.5%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 85,782 miles Newtown, CT

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

THE ENGINE BLOC DEVELOPED A CRACK.

NHTSA complaint #10117100 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Watertown, WI

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

REPLACEMENT OF INTAKE GASKET/ CATALYTIC CONVERTER HAS GONE BAD/ TIE ROD WENT BAD. MR THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED SOME BELT SQUEALING IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE BELT WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER BECAUSE OF AN ENGINE NOISE. THE TIRES WERE DISCOVERED TO BE WORN.

NHTSA complaint #10015017 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Watertown, WI

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR

REPLACEMENT OF INTAKE GASKET/ CATALYTIC CONVERTER HAS GONE BAD/ TIE ROD WENT BAD. MR THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED SOME BELT SQUEALING IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE BELT WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER BECAUSE OF AN ENGINE NOISE. THE TIRES WERE DISCOVERED TO BE WORN.

NHTSA complaint #10015017 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 49,595 miles Hubbard, OH

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TRANSMISSION SLIPPING AND NOT SHIFTING RIGHT. IN TRAFFIC DECIDES TO DOWN SHIFT BY ITSELF.

NHTSA complaint #10068874 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 33,000 miles Patuxent River, MD

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

THE VEHICLES ENGINE BOLT LOOSENED AND A SCREECHING NOISE WAS PRODUCED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *NLM ALL 20 VALVE COVER BOLTS HAD LOOSENED. THEY LOOSENED AN ADDITIONAL TWO TIMES AFTER PROPERLY TORQUED. LOOSENED VALVE COVER BOLTS CAUSED OIL TO LEAK OUT OF ENGINE.

NHTSA complaint #10019587 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 114,702 miles Livermoore, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

THE INTAKE AIR PLENUM HAD CAUSED KNOCKING IN THE ENGINE, POOR PERFORMANCE, AND OIL CONTAMINATION. THE DEALER FOUND THE ENGINE VACUUM IN THE CRANKCASE BED LEAKING. MR SCC

NHTSA complaint #10014841 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Canfield, OH

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

CONSUMER COMPLAINED PREVIOUSLY TO DEALER ABOUT WATER AND SALT SPLASHING ONTO MOTOR DUE TO LACK OF A MOTOR GUARD. DEALER ADVISED CONSUMER THAT IF GUARD WAS INSTALLED WARRANTY WOULD BE VOIDED. THE VEHICLE'S FUEL RAILS WERE CORRODED AND THE CONSUMER WAS VERY CONCERNED THEY WILL BREAK, AND SPEW GAS OVER ENGINE AND CAUSE A FIRE. *JB *NLM

NHTSA complaint #10009889 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 39,400 miles Lombard, IL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ENGINE DIED OUT, LOST OIL PRESSURE. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY REFUSE TO WORK ON THE VEHICLE AS A WARRANTY, DUE TO THE BUILD UP OF SLUDGE IN THE ENGINE. DEALER WILL ONLY REPLACE THE ENGINE IF THE CONSUMER PAYS THE AMOUNT OF $5,000. PH

NHTSA complaint #10004316 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 40,596 miles Washington, PA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING THE INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKED AND CAUSED FLUID TO LEAK. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. TS THE INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILED, IT CAUSED SEVERE MISSING. THE COOLANT WAS MIXED WITH OIL. THE DEALER STATED THAT IF THIS WASN'T CAUGHT EARLY, IT COULD HAVE SEVERELY DAMAGED THE ENGINE. SCC

NHTSA complaint #8023680 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Carmel, NY

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

I HAVE HAD MY VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE SEVERAL TIMES DUE TO COOLANT LOSS AND ODOR IN CAB. THEY SAID, ON AT LEAST TWO OF THE OCCASIONS, THAT THEY DO NOT SEE A PROBLEM. ON ONE OCCASION THEY DID REPLACE THE THERMOSTAT BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. NOW THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE SERVICE DEPT SAYS ITS THE "INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET". I ASKED IF IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY AND WAS TOLD NO. I ASKED IF THE LOSS OF COOLANT WAS DUE TO THIS GASKET FAILURE THEY STATED THAT THE GASKET HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE COOLING SYSTEM.? I ASKED A FRIEND OF MINE IF THE GASKET DEFECT COULD BE THE REASON FOR THE COOLANT LOSS AND HE ADVISED ME, MOST DEFINITLY. NEEDLESS TO SAY, I NEEDED THE TRUCK FIXED, SO I PAID FOR THE REPAIR. LOW AND BEHOLD I'M STILL LOSING COOLANT.

NHTSA complaint #766417 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Carmel, NY

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY

I HAVE HAD MY VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE SEVERAL TIMES DUE TO COOLANT LOSS AND ODOR IN CAB. THEY SAID, ON AT LEAST TWO OF THE OCCASIONS, THAT THEY DO NOT SEE A PROBLEM. ON ONE OCCASION THEY DID REPLACE THE THERMOSTAT BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. NOW THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE SERVICE DEPT SAYS ITS THE "INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET". I ASKED IF IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY AND WAS TOLD NO. I ASKED IF THE LOSS OF COOLANT WAS DUE TO THIS GASKET FAILURE THEY STATED THAT THE GASKET HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE COOLING SYSTEM.? I ASKED A FRIEND OF MINE IF THE GASKET DEFECT COULD BE THE REASON FOR THE COOLANT LOSS AND HE ADVISED ME, MOST DEFINITLY. NEEDLESS TO SAY, I NEEDED THE TRUCK FIXED, SO I PAID FOR THE REPAIR. LOW AND BEHOLD I'M STILL LOSING COOLANT.

NHTSA complaint #766417 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Conquer, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

WHILE DRIVING TRUCK BEGAN TO LOSE POWER. ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED.

NHTSA complaint #8016242 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

High Rolls, NM

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS FELL OUT AND CRACKED AT THE MANIFOLD. DEALER CONTACTED.*AK

NHTSA complaint #8010109 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Rancho Cardova, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

WHILE APPLYING BRAKES AT ANY SPEED AND WITHOUT WARNING VEHICLE WILL PULL TO LEFT UNTIL RELEASE OF BRAKE PEDAL. *AK CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE WILL PULL TO THE LEFT WHEN BRAKING AND WILL DRIFT TO THE RIGHT ON FREEWAY AND BRAKES ARE SQUEAKY WHEN BRAKING ON STOP, DEALER REPLACED CALIPERS, TURNED ROTORS AND CHANGED BRAKES, DEALER FOUND STEERING WHEEL OFF CENTER, DEALER HAS REPLACED UPPER AND LOWER CONTROL ARMS, DEALER HAS ADJUSTED THE FRONT END AND REPLACED THE RIMS AND TIRES, VEHICLE EXPERIENCES LACK OF POWER AND ENGINE LIGHT HAS ILLUMINATED, VEHICLE IDLES HIGH AND IS EXPERIENCING POOR FUEL ECONOMY, WHEN DRIVING ON FREEWAY IT GETS MAX OF 14.5 MPG, SMOKE ALSO COMES OUT OF THE EXHAUST, LEFT SIDE ELECTRIC MIRROR GLASS HAD FOGGED, LEFT SEAT BOTTOM LOOSE, ONE MISSING BOLT FOUND, LEFT SEAT TRIM BEZEL KEEPS MIMING LOOSE WON?T STAY IN SEAT FOR SEAT BELT ON SEAT BACK. DEALER STATED THAT THE 2002 MODELS DO NOT HAVE VIBRATION PROBLEMS DUE TO THE SUSPENSION BEING CHANGED TO INDEPENDENT.

NHTSA complaint #8004887 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Rancho Cardova, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL

WHILE APPLYING BRAKES AT ANY SPEED AND WITHOUT WARNING VEHICLE WILL PULL TO LEFT UNTIL RELEASE OF BRAKE PEDAL. *AK CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE WILL PULL TO THE LEFT WHEN BRAKING AND WILL DRIFT TO THE RIGHT ON FREEWAY AND BRAKES ARE SQUEAKY WHEN BRAKING ON STOP, DEALER REPLACED CALIPERS, TURNED ROTORS AND CHANGED BRAKES, DEALER FOUND STEERING WHEEL OFF CENTER, DEALER HAS REPLACED UPPER AND LOWER CONTROL ARMS, DEALER HAS ADJUSTED THE FRONT END AND REPLACED THE RIMS AND TIRES, VEHICLE EXPERIENCES LACK OF POWER AND ENGINE LIGHT HAS ILLUMINATED, VEHICLE IDLES HIGH AND IS EXPERIENCING POOR FUEL ECONOMY, WHEN DRIVING ON FREEWAY IT GETS MAX OF 14.5 MPG, SMOKE ALSO COMES OUT OF THE EXHAUST, LEFT SIDE ELECTRIC MIRROR GLASS HAD FOGGED, LEFT SEAT BOTTOM LOOSE, ONE MISSING BOLT FOUND, LEFT SEAT TRIM BEZEL KEEPS MIMING LOOSE WON?T STAY IN SEAT FOR SEAT BELT ON SEAT BACK. DEALER STATED THAT THE 2002 MODELS DO NOT HAVE VIBRATION PROBLEMS DUE TO THE SUSPENSION BEING CHANGED TO INDEPENDENT.

NHTSA complaint #8004887 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Cookstation, MO

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

VEHICLE IS LEAKING OIL. IN A MONTH VEHICLE HAD TO BE FILLED WITH 9 QUARTS OF OIL. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER ,AND DEALER NOTED THAT GASKET ON HAD BLOWEN. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #8002299 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lacrosse, VA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

INTERMITTENTLY VEHICLE WILL ACCELERATE SUDDENLY AND THEN STALL OUT AND DIE WITHOUT WARNING. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE OR CORRECT PROBLEM.*AK CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN INTO DEALER AT LEAST 5 TIMES.

NHTSA complaint #8001981 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Spartanburg, SC

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

WAS TOLD BY DEALER SEVERAL OF THE SAME YEAR MAKE AND MODELS HAVE BEEN BROUGHT IN WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED.

NHTSA complaint #752041 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Chicago, IL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY

THE RADIATOR IS NOT BOLTED INTO THE VEHICLE, IT WAS TIED DOWN WITH SOME KIND OF PLASTIC TWINE, CRANKSHAFT SEAL LEAKED.

NHTSA complaint #561847 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Chicago, IL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

THE RADIATOR IS NOT BOLTED INTO THE VEHICLE, IT WAS TIED DOWN WITH SOME KIND OF PLASTIC TWINE, CRANKSHAFT SEAL LEAKED.

NHTSA complaint #561847 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Chicago, IL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY

THE RADIATOR IS NOT BOLTED INTO THE VEHICLE, IT WAS TIED DOWN WITH SOME KIND OF PLASTIC TWINE, CRANKSHAFT SEAL LEAKED.

NHTSA complaint #561847 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Chicago, IL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

THE RADIATOR IS NOT BOLTED INTO THE VEHICLE, IT WAS TIED DOWN WITH SOME KIND OF PLASTIC TWINE, CRANKSHAFT SEAL LEAKED.

NHTSA complaint #561847 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Methuen, MA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH AND WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE ENGINE STARTED KNOCKING.THEN, VEHICLE STALLED. TOWED DEALER WHO FOUND THERE WAS HARDLY ANY OIL IN ENGINE, AND IT HAD SEIZED. DEALER STATED THERE WERE 103 CONSUMERS ON LIST FOR AN ENGINE OF THIS TYPE. OIL LIGHT HAD NOT COME ON, NOT DID CONSUMER NOTICE A PRIOR LEAK. PLEASE ADD ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #889962 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Clearfield, UT

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING 70MPH ON HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING VEHICLE STOPPED. CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE, AND VEHICLE JUST WENT OUT. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED.

NHTSA complaint #886445 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Momence, IL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

LOSS OF ANTIFREEZE.

NHTSA complaint #741575 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Momence, IL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

LOSS OF ANTIFREEZE.

NHTSA complaint #741576 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lisbon, ME

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

CONSUMER HAS HAD TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION 4 TIMES AND MOTOR ONCE SINCE PURCHASE BECAUSE PISTON HAD HOLE IN IT. DEALER CANNOT SAY WHY.

NHTSA complaint #880780 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Mckinleyville, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

VEHICLE PULLED FROM SIDE TO SIDE. WHILE PULLING TO ONE SIDE, WHEN APPLYING BRAKES, VEHICLE PULLED TO OTHER SIDE. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER DID NOT KNOW WHAT CAUSED IT. *AK HEADS HAVE CRACKED TWICE AND DEALER WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE PROBLEM. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #880669 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Miami, FL Crash 1 injured

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT 40-45 MPH WHEN SUDDENLY MOTOR FROZE, AND VEHICLE STARTED TO PULL TO LEFT/ LOST ALL STEERING CAPABILITY/HIT A CONCRETE DIVIDER ,AND THEN VEHICLE ROLLED OVER . CONSUMER NOTICED THAT OF ONE OF SCREWS THAT HELD POWER STEERING TO FRAME FELL OFF, AND IT GOT STUCK BETWEEN WHEEL AND FRAME WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO CRASH,CAUSING INJURIES.

NHTSA complaint #879321 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Gaston, SC

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

SPARK KNOCK WHICH THEY TELL ME IS NORMAL AND THERE IS NOTHING I CAN DO ABOUT IT ,BUT IT IS SO LOUD I CAN HEAR IT OVER THE RADIO AT MODERATE LEVEL,CONTACT FACTORY AND THEY STATE THIS NORMAL,NOW MY TRUCK IS OUT OF WARRANTY

NHTSA complaint #735385 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1999 Dodge RAM problems

← Full 1999 Dodge RAM report