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FaultScore report

1999 Dodge VAN problems

Owners have filed 20 complaints about the 1999 Dodge VAN with NHTSA between 2000 and 2009. The largest single group is the suspension. Across this model's run it ranks 6 of 8 worst.

Read the complaints What breaks Worst years for the Dodge VAN All 1999 cars
C

FaultScore 53/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Dodge VAN.

How this is worked out

The numbers

20

Complaints

4

Crashes reported

2

Fires reported

4

Injuries reported

1 complaint reports a death.

127,500 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

13%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

What kind of bad

The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.

Complaint volume 37 vs 50 Severity 100 vs 50 Early failure 21 vs 50
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 37
Against the median year of the Dodge VAN. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
55% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — 21
13% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.

How 1999 compares with every other Dodge VAN

Click any bar to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 1999 Dodge VAN

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Seats 3 15.0%

1 crashes, 0 fires

Suspension 3 15.0%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 115,000 mi

Tires 2 10.0%
Fuel & Propulsion 2 10.0%

1 crashes, 1 fires · median 140,000 mi

Body & Structure 2 10.0%

Median failure at 7,000 miles

Engine & Cooling 2 10.0%

Median failure at 92,500 miles

Equipment & Accessories 1 5.0%

0 crashes, 1 fires

Brakes 1 5.0%
Steering 1 5.0%
Airbags 1 5.0%

1 crashes, 0 fires

Electrical System 1 5.0%

Median failure at 140,000 miles

Transmission & Drivetrain 1 5.0%

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

1,000 – 9,999 miles 1 12.5%
25,000 – 49,999 miles 1 12.5%
75,000 – 99,999 miles 1 12.5%
100,000 – 149,999 miles 5 62.5%

When owners complained

A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.

Feb 2000 peak 3 Apr 2009

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

W Lafayette, IN Crash Fire 3 injured 2 killed

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP

THE FAMILY IN THIS VAN WAS TRAVELING ON WAVELAND AVENUE APPROACHING THE INTERSECTION WITH MANNHEIM ROAD IN FRANKLIN PARK, ILLINOIS. THE TRAFFIC SIGNAL WAS GREEN AND THE VAN PROCEEDED ACROSS THE INTERSECTION. WHILE CROSSING THE INTERSECTION, THE CARAVAN WAS STRUCK BY A TRUCK WHO RAN A RED LIGHT.UPON IMPACT, THE CARAVAN BURST INTO FLAMES AND CAUGHT FIRE. TWO CHILDREN DIED AS A RESULT OF THE ENSUING FIRE; THREE OTHER PASSENGERS HAD FIRE-RELATED INJURIES.

NHTSA complaint #10209564 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELM City, NC 1 injured

SEATS

I WAS ATTEMPTING TO ADJUST THE FRONT SEAT BY PULLING THE LEVER UNDER THE SEAT WITH MY RIGHT HAND. THE FRONT SEAT WAS TOO CLOSE TO THE DASHBOARD, AND THE SEAT REFUSED TO MOVE. I GRABBED THE SIDE OF THE SEAT WITH MY LEFT HAND WHILE PULLING THE LEVER WITH MY RIGHT HAND WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE SEAT MOVED QUICKLY BACKWARDS. MY FINGER WAS IN BETWEEN THE SEAT AND THE SEAT TRACK WHICH I DIDN'T KNOW, THERE WAS NO GUARD TO KEEP MY FINGER FROM THE AREA. MY MIDDLE FINGER WAS AMPUTATED ON MY LEFT HAND DOWN TO THE FIRST JOINT AND THE EMERGENCY ROOM WAS UNABLE TO RE-ATTACHED MY FINGER. THIS OCCURRED ON A DODGE 15 PASSENGER VAN.

NHTSA complaint #10159765 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 115,000 miles Basking Ridge, NJ Crash

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM

WHILE DRIVING MY MINIVAN IN A 25 MPH ZONE I HEARD A SNAP AND LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR RESULTING IN HITTING A CURB. DAMAGE TO FRONT LEFT WHEEL, SUSPENSION, FENDER & DOOR BODY DAMAGE. REPAIR SHOP DETERMINED THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM CAME APART CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. REPAIR NEEDED TO ENTIRE SUSPENSION, ALLOY WHEEL, TIRE, BODY WILL COST OVER $3,000.

NHTSA complaint #10144547 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hockessin, DE Crash 1 injured

SEATS

THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED WHEN IT WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE GOING ABOUT 40 MPH. THE IMPACT PUSHED THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT WITH THAT VEHICLE THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE DRIVER'S SEAT BACK COLLAPSED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED BACK AND NECK INJURIES. *AK *NLM

NHTSA complaint #10042473 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hockessin, DE Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED WHEN IT WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE GOING ABOUT 40 MPH. THE IMPACT PUSHED THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT WITH THAT VEHICLE THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE DRIVER'S SEAT BACK COLLAPSED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED BACK AND NECK INJURIES. *AK *NLM

NHTSA complaint #10042473 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Vallejo, CA Fire

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

THE RADIO IN THE REAR OF THIS CONVERSION VAN HAD A SHORT THAT CAUSED A FIRE TO BREAK OUT IN THE REAR AREA ON THE GAS TANK SIDE. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED.

NHTSA complaint #856795 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

at 140,000 miles Pittsburgh, PA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

I HAVE BOUGHT THIS CAR USED, HOWEVER IT WAS FINE, AS TIME WENT ON THE AIR BAG SYSTEM WENT, THE HORN, IGNITION SYSTEM, FAILS TO START RANDOM TIMES, GAUGES ON AND OFF RANDOMLY, INSTRUMENT LIGHT ON AND OFF, I AM TIRED OF PAYING FOR REPAIRS, WHO EVER CONSTRUCTED THIS DODGE GRAND GARBAGE CAN, SHOULD COME PICK ME AND MY 7 CHILDREN UP EVERY TIME WE BREAK DOWN AND SEE HOW THEY FEEL, I AM TIRED OF BEING RIPPED OFF WHEN IT CAME TO THINKING YOU ARE BUYING A GOOD RELIABLE QUALITY CAR, INSTEAD I GOT JUNK, GO TO THE WEB SITES AND LOOK AT ALL THE HEADACHES THESE VEHICLES ARE CAUSING, SOMEONE IS GETTING RICH ON THESE VEHICLES AND IT IS NOT THE OWNERS, WHAT IS UP? DO TELL! (MAYBE I SHOULD HAVE BOUGHT A TOW TRUCK).

NHTSA complaint #10265285 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 140,000 miles Pittsburgh, PA

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER

I HAVE BOUGHT THIS CAR USED, HOWEVER IT WAS FINE, AS TIME WENT ON THE AIR BAG SYSTEM WENT, THE HORN, IGNITION SYSTEM, FAILS TO START RANDOM TIMES, GAUGES ON AND OFF RANDOMLY, INSTRUMENT LIGHT ON AND OFF, I AM TIRED OF PAYING FOR REPAIRS, WHO EVER CONSTRUCTED THIS DODGE GRAND GARBAGE CAN, SHOULD COME PICK ME AND MY 7 CHILDREN UP EVERY TIME WE BREAK DOWN AND SEE HOW THEY FEEL, I AM TIRED OF BEING RIPPED OFF WHEN IT CAME TO THINKING YOU ARE BUYING A GOOD RELIABLE QUALITY CAR, INSTEAD I GOT JUNK, GO TO THE WEB SITES AND LOOK AT ALL THE HEADACHES THESE VEHICLES ARE CAUSING, SOMEONE IS GETTING RICH ON THESE VEHICLES AND IT IS NOT THE OWNERS, WHAT IS UP? DO TELL! (MAYBE I SHOULD HAVE BOUGHT A TOW TRUCK).

NHTSA complaint #10265285 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 140,000 miles Pittsburgh, PA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I HAVE BOUGHT THIS CAR USED, HOWEVER IT WAS FINE, AS TIME WENT ON THE AIR BAG SYSTEM WENT, THE HORN, IGNITION SYSTEM, FAILS TO START RANDOM TIMES, GAUGES ON AND OFF RANDOMLY, INSTRUMENT LIGHT ON AND OFF, I AM TIRED OF PAYING FOR REPAIRS, WHO EVER CONSTRUCTED THIS DODGE GRAND GARBAGE CAN, SHOULD COME PICK ME AND MY 7 CHILDREN UP EVERY TIME WE BREAK DOWN AND SEE HOW THEY FEEL, I AM TIRED OF BEING RIPPED OFF WHEN IT CAME TO THINKING YOU ARE BUYING A GOOD RELIABLE QUALITY CAR, INSTEAD I GOT JUNK, GO TO THE WEB SITES AND LOOK AT ALL THE HEADACHES THESE VEHICLES ARE CAUSING, SOMEONE IS GETTING RICH ON THESE VEHICLES AND IT IS NOT THE OWNERS, WHAT IS UP? DO TELL! (MAYBE I SHOULD HAVE BOUGHT A TOW TRUCK).

NHTSA complaint #10265285 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Cincinnati, OH

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

1999 DODGE VAN 1500 HAS A RUSTED FRAME. CONSUMER STATES THAT CHRYSLER SAID THE VAN WAS PAST WARRANTY AND WILL NOT HELP. *NJ THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10256829 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

W Lafayette, IN Crash Fire 3 injured 2 killed

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP

THE FAMILY IN THIS VAN WAS TRAVELING ON WAVELAND AVENUE APPROACHING THE INTERSECTION WITH MANNHEIM ROAD IN FRANKLIN PARK, ILLINOIS. THE TRAFFIC SIGNAL WAS GREEN AND THE VAN PROCEEDED ACROSS THE INTERSECTION. WHILE CROSSING THE INTERSECTION, THE CARAVAN WAS STRUCK BY A TRUCK WHO RAN A RED LIGHT.UPON IMPACT, THE CARAVAN BURST INTO FLAMES AND CAUGHT FIRE. TWO CHILDREN DIED AS A RESULT OF THE ENSUING FIRE; THREE OTHER PASSENGERS HAD FIRE-RELATED INJURIES.

NHTSA complaint #10209564 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 45,000 miles Lawrenceville, GA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

THE DEALERSHIP SOLD ME A 7 YEAR OR 70,000 MILES WARRANTY. MY ENGINE BLEW UP AND THEY DENIED MY WARRANTY, THEY WOULDN'T FIX MY VEHICLE. THEY SAID THAT I HAD SLUDGE IN MY ENGINE. I HAD A CERTIFIED MECHANIC STATED THAT THE TOP OF MY ENGINE WAS CLEAN AND THE BOTTOM WAS CLEAN. HE STATED THAT I HAD DEFECTIVE METAL THAT WOULDN'T STAND UP. I WOULD LIKE SOMEONE TO HELP ME ON THIS MATTER.

NHTSA complaint #10172582 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELM City, NC 1 injured

SEATS

I WAS ATTEMPTING TO ADJUST THE FRONT SEAT BY PULLING THE LEVER UNDER THE SEAT WITH MY RIGHT HAND. THE FRONT SEAT WAS TOO CLOSE TO THE DASHBOARD, AND THE SEAT REFUSED TO MOVE. I GRABBED THE SIDE OF THE SEAT WITH MY LEFT HAND WHILE PULLING THE LEVER WITH MY RIGHT HAND WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE SEAT MOVED QUICKLY BACKWARDS. MY FINGER WAS IN BETWEEN THE SEAT AND THE SEAT TRACK WHICH I DIDN'T KNOW, THERE WAS NO GUARD TO KEEP MY FINGER FROM THE AREA. MY MIDDLE FINGER WAS AMPUTATED ON MY LEFT HAND DOWN TO THE FIRST JOINT AND THE EMERGENCY ROOM WAS UNABLE TO RE-ATTACHED MY FINGER. THIS OCCURRED ON A DODGE 15 PASSENGER VAN.

NHTSA complaint #10159765 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Berlin, MD

TIRES

1999 ROADTREK TIRES DRY ROTTED AND WERE REPLACED. *TS DURING AN INSPECTION THE VEHICLE TIRE WERE FOUND TO BE DRY ROTTED. THE TIRE WERE REPLACED WITH GENERAL GRABBER AT 2, RADIAL TIRES. AFTER THE TIRE WERE REPLACED THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WANDERED ON THE ROAD WHILE DRIVING.

NHTSA complaint #10159459 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 7,000 miles Bronx, NY

STRUCTURE

WHEN IT RAINS OR YOU DRIVE THROUGH A PUDDLE, THE TENSIONER BELT COMES OFF. THIS MAKES STEERING ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE. IF YOU DO MANAGE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE & DRIVE TO A SAFE SPOT TO STOP YOU RISK BURNING UP THE ENGINE DUE TO LACK OF COOLING. THE ABOVE IS ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS WHEN DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY.

NHTSA complaint #10148109 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 115,000 miles Basking Ridge, NJ Crash

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM

WHILE DRIVING MY MINIVAN IN A 25 MPH ZONE I HEARD A SNAP AND LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR RESULTING IN HITTING A CURB. DAMAGE TO FRONT LEFT WHEEL, SUSPENSION, FENDER & DOOR BODY DAMAGE. REPAIR SHOP DETERMINED THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM CAME APART CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. REPAIR NEEDED TO ENTIRE SUSPENSION, ALLOY WHEEL, TIRE, BODY WILL COST OVER $3,000.

NHTSA complaint #10144547 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 140,000 miles Redbridge, 00

SUSPENSION:FRONT:MACPHERSON STRUT

FRONT STRUT MOUNTS ROTTED. MUST BE REPAIRED / REPLACED

NHTSA complaint #10130356 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 97,528 miles Greensburg, IN

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT

THE UPPER BALL JOINTS DISENGAGES FROM THE A-ARM. THE BRACKET THAT HOLDS THE UPPER BALL JOINT DOES NOT SUPPORT IT THE WAY IT SHOULD. CONTACTED THE DEALER. THIS HAPPENED THREE TIMES. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED.

NHTSA complaint #10103657 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Kansas City, MO

SEATS

WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE DRIVER WAS SITTING IN THE DRIVER SEAT AND WITHOUT WARNING THE SEAT COLLAPSED BACKWARDS.

NHTSA complaint #10066672 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Goose Creek, SC

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

VEHICLE HIT A SUPPORT POST AND THE BACK DOOR TO THE HOUSE WHILE CONSUMER WAS PARKING IT IN THE DRIVEWAY. *PH THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING WHEN THE VEHICLE JUMPED OUT OF GEAR AND RAN INTO THE CONSUMERS GARAGE. *NLM

NHTSA complaint #10042449 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hockessin, DE Crash 1 injured

SEATS

THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED WHEN IT WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE GOING ABOUT 40 MPH. THE IMPACT PUSHED THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT WITH THAT VEHICLE THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE DRIVER'S SEAT BACK COLLAPSED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED BACK AND NECK INJURIES. *AK *NLM

NHTSA complaint #10042473 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hockessin, DE Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED WHEN IT WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE GOING ABOUT 40 MPH. THE IMPACT PUSHED THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT WITH THAT VEHICLE THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE DRIVER'S SEAT BACK COLLAPSED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED BACK AND NECK INJURIES. *AK *NLM

NHTSA complaint #10042473 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Castaic, CA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

RECURRING BRAKE FAILURES ON FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE. DEALER "REPAIRED" 2X PRIOR. ABNORMAL PAD WEAR -- INNER PAD, OKAY -- OUTER PAD GROUND DOWN TO BARE METAL. BRAKES PULL TO LEFT. DEALER UNCOOPERATIVE IN REPAIRING UNDER WARRANTY. WANTS US TO PAY FOR NEW PADS (EVEN THOUGH ONLY 5,000 MILES OR SO SINCE LAST REPAIR).

NHTSA complaint #730461 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Riverside, CA

TIRES

UNDER RATED TIRES ON VAN CONVERSION, VEHICLE NOT SAFE. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )

NHTSA complaint #725532 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Oregon, WI

STEERING

CONSUMER EXPERIENCED STEERING PROBLEMS WHICH CAUSED VEHICLE TO WANDER TO THE RIGHT AND CALLED FOR CONSTANT ADJUSTMENT WHILE DRIVING ON GOOD ROAD CONDITIONS. NLM

NHTSA complaint #550862 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Vallejo, CA Fire

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

THE RADIO IN THE REAR OF THIS CONVERSION VAN HAD A SHORT THAT CAUSED A FIRE TO BREAK OUT IN THE REAR AREA ON THE GAS TANK SIDE. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED.

NHTSA complaint #856795 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.