1999 Dodge RAM 3500 recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
1 safety recall, most serious first
1. Steering
What's wrong, in plain English: If steering fails you can lose control of the car. 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.
What could happen: 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.
The fix: AFFINIA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE AFFECTED CHASSIS TIE ROD ASSEMBLIES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING APRIL 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AFFINIA AT 734-827-5400.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1999 RAM 3500.
- Book a repair at any authorized Dodge dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 08E027000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
Summary: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: AFFINIA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE AFFECTED CHASSIS TIE ROD ASSEMBLIES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING APRIL 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AFFINIA AT 734-827-5400.
Notes: THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO AFTERMARKET BRAKE PARTS CHASSIS TIE RODS AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON DODGE RAM TRUCKS MANUFACTURED BY CHRYSLER, LLC. CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 1999 Dodge RAM 3500 owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Transmission / drivetrain (22), Body / structure (18), Brakes (15), Engine (12), Steering (11).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
10/29/2019 · Body / structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD BEGAN TO FRACTURE AND WAS CURRENTLY IN SEVERAL PIECES. THE CONTACT CALLED I-10 MAC HAIK DODGE CHRYSLER (LOCATED AT 12111 KATY FWY, HOUSTON, TX 77079, 713-538-2700) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE DASHBOARD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MA…
02/08/2019 · Body / structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPARE TIRE CABLES UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE WERE RUSTED. THE FAILURE PREVENTED THE CONTACT FROM PLACING THE TIRE BACK IN THE SPARE TIRE COMPARTMENT, AS IT COULD FALL WHILE DRIVING. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE.…
08/20/2018 · Airbags · crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE RAM 3500. WHILE THE CONTACT'S SPOUSE WAS DRIVING 30 MPH, SHE TURNED A CORNER AND CRASHED INTO A BAND OF TREES THAT WERE COVERING THE ROAD. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT CALLED GOSS DODGE CHRYSLER AT (802) 658-0120 (LOCATED AT 1485 SHELBURNE RD, SOUTH BURLI…
10/02/2017 · Latches / locks
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE RAM 3500. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE HOOD OPENED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO A SHOULDER LANE SO THAT THE CONTACT COULD CLOSE THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE LOCAL DEALER (FLEMINGTON CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE RAM (204 ROUTES 202-31N. FLEMINGTON, NJ 08822) CONFIRMED THAT THE…
05/07/2017 · Unknown Or Other
DASH IS NO GOOD BREAKING UP IF AIRBAG IS INFLATED THE PARTS OF DASH WOULD PUT OUT YOUR EYES COULD EVEN DO MORE ALL THE DODGE DASHES ARE BREAKING THEY NEED TO BE FIXED.
07/13/2016 · Steering
EVER SINCE WE PURCHASED THE TRUCK USED FROM DODGE DEALER IN TUCSON ARIZONA WE HAVE HAD CONCERNS WITH SUSPENSION AND STEERING OF THE TRUCK. WHEN DRIVING THE TRUCK STEERING IS BOUNCY AND UNSTABLE. WE THOUGHT IT WAS ALIGNMENT SO WE TOOK IT IN AND TRUCK CONTINUES THE SAME. WHEN PULLING OUT 34' 5TH WHEEL STEERING IS VERY SHAKY AND VIBRATES A LOT. AFTER YEARS OF…
03/06/2016 · Brakes
I JUST GOT THE TRUCK AND HAVE HAD BRAKES ACT FUNNY FRONT BRAKES SOME TIMES LOCK UP PULLS TO THE RIGHT, ACTS LIKE YOUR ON ICE, AND SOME TIMES LIKE YOU STEP ON A BRICK SO I LOOK IT UP ON THE INTERNET TO SEE THEY HAVE HAD THIS GOING ON FROM 1997 TO TODAY ALL THE SAME THINGS NOT 100 BUT 10000S OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME THING WHY HAS THERE NOT BEEN A RECALL…
03/04/2016 · Vehicle Speed Control
RUNS OUT OF FUEL AT 1/4 TANK,BREAKS ACT LIKE FRONT BREAKS OR ON ICE WHEN COMING TO STOP DRY ROAD , CRUSE CONTROL DONT WORK WITH VACUUM LEAK