1999 Dodge RAM VAN

47 complaints on file, page 1 of 3.

1. Filed Mar 26, 2016Failure Jan 1, 2015100,000 milesPalos Hills, ILBody

   VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE, FRAME AROUND STEERING COMPONENTS VERY RUSTY

   NHTSA complaint 10851779
2. Filed Jun 16, 2014Failure Jun 16, 2014133,513 milesIndianapolis, INUnderbody shields, Suspension

   SEVERE RUSTING IN UNIBODY CONSTRUCTION. HAS RUSTED SO SEVERELY VAN IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. VEHICLE HAS 133513 MILES ON IT. RUST ON UNDER CARRIAGE IS EXTREMELY EXCESSIVE. *TR

   NHTSA complaint 10598603
3. Filed Apr 27, 2014Failure Apr 15, 2014131,462 milesWoodridge, ILSteering, Underbody shields

   WHILE DRIVING THE VAN THE STEERING BECAME UNCERTAIN, THE VAN WOULD NOT RESPOND TO THE WHEEL. INSPECTION REVEALED THAT THE FRAME IN FRONT OF THE FRONT WHEELS HAD RUSTED AWAY LEAVING NOTHING FOR THE STEERING BOX TO ATTACH TO AND ALLOWING IT TO TURN WHEN IT SHOULD HAVE REMAINED FIXED. THIS PREVENTED THE WHEELS FROM STEERING. I ALSO HAD A BRACKET WHICH WAS PART OF THE STEERING GEAR RUST SO THAT IT BROKE OFF THE FRAME EARLIER. THE CORRESPONDING LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WAS VERY DISTURBING AND I AM THANKFUL THAT NO INJURY OR ACCIDENT RESULTED. I HAVE OWNED MANY VEHICLES WITH RUST PROBLEMS WHICH AFFECTED THE APPEARANCE OF THE VEHICLE, BUT NOT THE SAFETY IN A CATASTROPHIC MANNER. THIS VAN IS NO LONGER ABLE TO BE DRIVEN EVEN THOUGH THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH EVERY OTHER PART OF THE CAR. LOOKING ONLINE I HAVE FOUND MANY OTHERS WITH COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME SITUATION. OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES SHOULD BE WARNED BEFORE A TRAGEDY OCCURS. *TR

   NHTSA complaint 10585166
4. Filed May 28, 2013Failure May 27, 201377,000 milesBaltimore, MDFrame and members

   TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE RAM B1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED HOLES IN THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000. *TR

   NHTSA complaint 10513825
5. Filed Jan 21, 2013Failure Nov 15, 2012136,000 milesShelby Township, MISteeringCrash1 injured

   I AM THE OWNER OF A 1999 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WITHOUT ANY WARNING. BEING UNABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE THE VEHICLE HEADED INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A DITCH. THE DRIVER RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES TO HER HAND. THE POLICE WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TOWED AND HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING LINKAGE FRACTURED DUE TO THE FRAME BEING RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED HOWEVER, THERE WAS NO RESPONSE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 136,000. MY WIFE AND OTHER DRIVERS COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. RESEARCH OF THIS VEHICLE ONLINE SHOWS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND SHOULD FORCE A RECALL FOR REPAIR. MY VAN IS A RAM 1500 AND I HAVE FOUND THIS COMPLAINT FILED UNDER RAM 1500 TRUCKS AND RAM VANS. *TR

   NHTSA complaint 10493618
6. Filed Dec 23, 2012Failure Nov 30, 201294,000 milesWentzville, MOSteering, Body

   SEVERAL MONTHS AGO I BOUGHT A 1999 DODGE RAM 1500 VAN WITH APPROXIMATELY 88,000. AFTER DRIVING ON SEVERAL TRIPS WE TOOK IT TO THE SHOP BECAUSE THE STEERING WAS LOOSE AND WOULD OCCASIONALLY MAKE NOISE. THE FIRST MECHANIC WE TALKED TO SAID THE FRONT OF THE FRAME IS ALMOST 80% RUSTED THROUGH ON ONE SIDE AND WHERE THE STEERING BOX WAS ATTACHED TO THE FRAME WAS RUSTED TO THE POINT THAT HE THOUGHT IT WAS UNREPAIRABLE AND HE WAS CONCERNED WITH US EVEN DRIVING IT HOME. WE CONTACTED A SECOND BUSINESS THAT DEALS WITH FRAME ISSUES AMONG OTHER THINGS. THEY WERE ALSO CONCERNED ABOUT THE VEHICLE BEING DRIVEN MORE THAN A FEW MILES. HE SAID THAT THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH METAL TO WELD TO MAKE IT SAFE AND THE ONLY WAY HE SAW TO FIX IT WAS TO GET ANOTHER FRAME AND BASICALLY REMOVE THE FRAME FROM MY VEHICLE AND ATTACH THE NEW FRAME BUT HE THOUGHT THAT WE WOULD HAVE PROBLEMS FINDING A FRAME THAT WASN'T RUSTED AND IT WOULD BE VERY EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR EVEN IF THEY DID. AFTER SEARCHING THE INTERNET I HAVE FOUND OUT THAT I AM NOT ALONE IN THIS PROBLEM IT APPEARS THAT THE FRAME RUSTING IS COMMON. WE PURCHASE THE VEHICLE FROM THE ORIGINAL OWNER THAT HAS ALWAYS LIVED IN MISSOURI AND HE RECEIVED FREE OIL CHANGES FOR AS LONG AS HE OWNED THE VEHICLE FROM ROYAL GATE DODGE. I RECENTLY CALLED THE PAST OWNER ABOUT THE VEHICLE WHEN WE FOUND OUT IT WAS UNSAFE AND HE SAID THEY NEVER EVEN MENTIONED IT. I BELIEVE THAT DODGE KNEW OF THE PROBLEM AND THE DANGEROUS FRAME BUT HAVE YET TO DO ANYTHING. PLEASE HELP ME WITH BOTH MY VEHICLE ISSUE AND MAKE SURE THEY ISSUE A RECALL TO FIX, COMPENSATE OR WHATEVER TO GET THESE DANGEROUS VEHICLES OFF THE STREET. *TR

   NHTSA complaint 10489551
7. Filed Jul 25, 2012Failure Jul 22, 201271,000 milesSterling Heights, MISteering, Frame and members

   TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE B-VAN STATION WAGON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENTIRE FRONT FRAME WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED AND HAD BEEN EATEN AWAY BY CORROSION. IN ADDITION THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL A FULL 360 DEGREES. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE WHEN THE STEERING COLUMN COLLAPSED AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE ENTIRE FRONT FRAME WAS COMPLETELY CORRODED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 71,000.

   NHTSA complaint 10467615
8. Filed May 5, 2010Failure May 1, 201046,000 milesPhiladelphia, PAEngine

   APRIL 2004 A LOSS OF OIL PRECLUDED PREMATURE ENGINE FAILURE AT 46,000 MILES IN MY 1999 DODGE RAM 2500 VAN. MAY 1, 2010 THE REPLACEMENT ENGINE WITH 36,000 MILES EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN LOSS OF OIL THAT REGISTERED ON MY OIL PRESSURE GAUGE. THREE QUARTS OF OIL WERE REQUIRED TO BRING THE OIL TO NORMAL VOLUME. I HAVE CONTINUED REGULAR OIL CHANGES AND ENGINE MAINTENANCE. THE REBUILT ENGINE I WAS SOLD REPLACED THE FAILED ENGINE. UPON INSPECTION OF THE FAILED ENGINE I WAS TOLD THAT I FOLLOWED ALL MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES AND THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. I FEAR THIS IS A RE-OCCURRENCE OF THE ORIGINAL PROBLEM THAT WILL LEAD AND MAY BE INHERENT IN THE ENGINES USED IN THIS VEHICLE. IMPROPER LUBRICATION IN AN ENGINE CAN LEAD TO PREMATURE ENGINE FAILURE. NHTSA ITEM 610005 AND 606035 SHOWS THAT CHRYSLER/DODGE KNOWS OF A DEFECT IN THE ENGINE THAT LEADS TO OIL LOSS. *TR

   NHTSA complaint 10328996
9. Filed Jan 27, 2009Failure Nov 3, 200897,675 milesHanover, MDElectrical systemFire

   THIS VEHICLE BELONGS TO VERIZON COMMUNICATIONS. THE VAN HAD AN UNDER HOOD FIRE THAT ORIGINATED IN THE ABS MODULE AREA WHILE PARKED. THE VAN IS DECLARED A "TOTAL LOSS". DAIMLERCHRYSLER ISSUED SAFETY RECALL D20 IN 2004 TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM BUT THE RECALL REPAIR HAS NOT CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. VERIZON HAS HAD 30 UNDER HOOD FIRE INCIDENTS THAT OCCURRED AFTER THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED. THIS IS AN UNSAFE CONDITION THAT WARRANTS FURTHER INVESTIGATION AND ACTION. *TR

   NHTSA complaint 10256506
10. Filed Sep 28, 2008Failure Sep 30, 200475,321 milesHanover, MDElectrical systemFire

    THIS VEHICLE BELONGS TO VERIZON COMMUNICATIONS. THE VAN HAD AN UNDER HOOD FIRE THAT ORIGINATED IN THE ABS MODULE AREA WHILE IT WAS PARKED AT A JOBSITE. DAIMLERCHRYSLER ISSUED SAFETY RECALL D20 IN 2004 TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM BUT THE RECALL REPAIR HAS NOT CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. VERIZON HAS HAD 29 INCIDENTS THAT OCCURRED AFTER THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED. THIS IS AN UNSAFE CONDITION THAT WARRANTS FURTHER INVESTIGATION AND ACTION. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10243803
11. Filed Sep 28, 2008Failure Nov 2, 200467,979 milesHanover, MDElectrical systemFire

    THIS VEHICLE BELONGS TO VERIZON COMMUNICATIONS. THE VAN HAD AN UNDER HOOD FIRE THAT ORIGINATED IN THE ABS MODULE AREA. THE DRIVER COMPLAINED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER WAS NOT WORKING CORRECTLY. WHEN DIAGNOSING THE COMPLAINT THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THE ABS MODULE CONNECTOR AND WIRING WERE BURNT. DAIMLERCHRYSLER ISSUED SAFETY RECALL D20 IN 2004 TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM BUT THE RECALL REPAIR HAS NOT CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. VERIZON HAS HAD 29 INCIDENTS THAT OCCURRED AFTER THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED. THIS IS AN UNSAFE CONDITION THAT WARRANTS FURTHER INVESTIGATION AND ACTION. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10243800
12. Filed Sep 28, 2008Failure Jul 13, 200581,731 milesHanover, MDElectrical systemFire

    THIS VEHICLE BELONGS TO VERIZON COMMUNICATIONS. THE VAN HAD AN UNDER HOOD FIRE THAT ORIGINATED IN THE ABS MODULE AREA. DAIMLERCHRYSLER ISSUED SAFETY RECALL D20 IN 2004 TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM BUT THE RECALL REPAIR HAS NOT CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. VERIZON HAS HAD 29 INCIDENTS THAT OCCURRED AFTER THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED. THIS IS AN UNSAFE CONDITION THAT WARRANTS FURTHER INVESTIGATION AND ACTION. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10243798
13. Filed Sep 27, 2008Failure Mar 5, 200756,769 milesHanover, MDElectrical systemFire

    THIS VEHICLE BELONGS TO VERIZON COMMUNICATIONS. THE VAN HAD AN UNDER HOOD FIRE THAT ORIGINATED IN THE ABS MODULE AREA. THE DRIVER COMPLAINED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER AND INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WERE NOT WORKING CORRECTLY. WHEN DIAGNOSING THE COMPLAINT THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THE ABS MODULE CONNECTOR AND WIRING WERE BURNT. DAIMLERCHRYSLER ISSUED SAFETY RECALL D20 IN 2004 TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM BUT THE RECALL REPAIR HAS NOT CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. VERIZON HAS HAD 29 INCIDENTS THAT OCCURRED AFTER THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED. THIS IS AN UNSAFE CONDITION THAT WARRANTS FURTHER INVESTIGATION AND ACTION. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10243639
14. Filed Apr 5, 2006Failure Mar 24, 200660,000 milesSpringfield, MOService brakes, Hoses, Lines/piping, And fittings

    DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE EXTERIOR METAL ON THE BRAKE LINES RUSTED THROUGH. THIS WAS NOTICED WHILE BEING INSPECTED BY THE CONTACT. THE DEALERSHIP WAS ALERTED, BUT THE CONTACT REPLACED THE METAL BRAKE LINES. UPDATRED 05/02/06. *JB

    NHTSA complaint 10154601
15. Filed Jan 11, 2006Failure Sep 23, 2005Wyandotte, MIUnknown or otherCrash1 injured

    1999 DODGE RAM VAN. *TS THE CONSUMER TRIED TO AVOID REAR ENDING ANOTHER VEHICLE WHO DIDN'T HAVE ON ANY LIGHTS BY OVER CORRECTING TO THE RIGHT. THE CONSUMER DROVE OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD AND HIT A DITCH. THE CONSUMER THEN ROLLED OVER TWO TIMES AND LANDED ON THE ROOF . (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT) *JB

    NHTSA complaint 10148605
16. Filed Jan 2, 2006Failure Dec 29, 200555,980 milesClinton Township, MIEngine

    WHILE DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY MY OIL PRESSURE GAUGE DROPPED TO 0 PSIG. IT HAD BEEN APPROXIMATELY 2000 MILES SINCE MY LAST OIL CHANGE. WHEN I STOPPED AT THE GAS STATION TO CHECK THE OIL, I DISCOVERED MY OIL WAS ABOUT 3 QUARTS LOW. I PURCHASED 3 QTS OF OIL AND INSTALLED IT IN THE ENGINE AND CONTINUED TO HAVE PROBLEMS THE REST OF THE WAY HOME (GAUGE DROPPING TO 0 PSI, BUT NO REAL NOTICEABLE CLACKING OF LIFTERS). I EXPERIENCED THIS SORT OF PROBLEM IN 2002 WHEN MY 1999 DODGE RAM VAN (318 CI) WENT ON A TRIP TO NY AND USED ABOUT 12 QUARTS OF OIL WITH LESS THAN 30,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. TWO MONTHS OUT OF WARRANTY AND HAD TO FIGHT LIKE CRAZY WITH CHRYSLER TO COVER IT (I ENDED UP HAVING TO PAY A DEDUCTIBLE TO GET THIS PROBLEM RESOLVED). I AM NOT SURE WHAT TO DO AT THIS POINT WITH THE VAN WHICH IS NOW ALMOST SEVEN YEARS OLD WITH 55,000 MILES. NOT A VERY DEPENDABLE MACHINE AND PROMISE TO NEVER OWN ANOTHER CHRYSLER PRODUCT AS LONG AS I LIVE. *NM

    NHTSA complaint 10146680
17. Filed Aug 18, 2005Failure Aug 15, 200519,000 milesBigfork, MTGasoline

    /18/05 1999 DODGE RAM VAN 360 CI V-8 I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE IN THE SUMMER OF 2000. I DRIVE IT VERY LITTLE-CURRENT MILEAGE IS 37,000 AFTER 5 YRS. OWNERSHIP. WE JUST TOOK A TRIP TO CALIFORNIA, AND WENT THROUGH ALMOST A CASE OF OIL! ALSO, THE ENGINE WAS PINGING QUITE A BIT-ESPECIALLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. I GOT ON THE INTERNET WHEN I GOT HOME FROM THE TRIP, AND FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS AND COMMENTS FROM OTHERS WHO HAVE HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS. A COUPLE OF THEM REFERRED TO A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN ISSUED BY DODGE, BUT I COULDN'T FIND IT (PROBABLY NOT AVAILABLE TO THE CONSUMER). I CALLED KARI DODGE (LOCAL DEALERSHIP) AND DESCRIBED THE PROBLEM TO THE SERVICE MANAGER. HE WAS VERY FAMILIAR WITH THIS PROBLEM-SAID IT WAS COMMON AMONG 1999 AND 2000 318 AND 360 ENGINES. HE SAID THE PROBLEM IS CAUSED BY A FAULTY INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET, AND THAT I SHOULDN'T BE DRIVING IT, BECAUSE ENGINE DAMAGE COULD RESULT. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THEM CHECK IT OUT-AND THE COST WILL BE $540 TO MAKE THE REPAIR. LOOKING BACK IN TIME, I FIRST NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE WAS PINGING AROUND 3 YEARS AGO, ON A PREVIOUS TRIP TO CALIFORNIA (IT'S MOST NOTICEABLE ON EXTENDED HIGHWAY TRIPS-WHICH I DON'T TAKE VERY OFTEN). I WOULD GUESS THE MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE WOULD HAVE BEEN AROUND 20,000, WHICH WOULD HAVE MEANT THE WARRANTY WOULD HAVE COVERED THE REPAIR. I JUST THOUGHT THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO LOW OCTANE FUEL, SO I STARTED USING HIGHER OCTANE FUEL. THEN, OF COURSE, FROM THAT TIME ON, I HAVE MAINLY BEEN USING THE VEHICLE IN TOWN AND RARELY GO OVER 50 MPH, WHICH MAKES THE PROBLEM LESS NOTICEABLE. I REALLY FEEL THAT THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL ISSUE FOR DODGE. ON TOP OF THAT, IT MAKES ME VERY UNHAPPY THAT A POTENTIALLY ENGINE DAMAGING DEFECT LIKE THIS COULD BE ALLOWED TO EXIST-WITHOUT SOME SORT OF NOTIFICATION TO THE OWNER. I SUPPOSE IF THEY DID THAT MUCH, THEN IT WOULD BE AN ADMISSION OF GUILT ON THEIR PART. *JB

    NHTSA complaint 10133295
18. Filed Apr 26, 2005Failure Apr 21, 2005103,000 milesRiverdale, ILRecliner

    THE SEAT BACK ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE COLLAPSED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT BOTH BRACKETS, WHICH HELD THE SEAT BACK IN PLACE BROKE. DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME.*AK

    NHTSA complaint 10119201
19. Filed Aug 24, 2004Failure Aug 19, 200449,768 milesHanover, MDFront underhoodFire

    THE VERIZON VEHICLE HAD AN UNDERHOOD FIRE WHILE PARKED OVERNIGHT AT THE EMPLOYEES HOUSE. THE TRUCK IS A TOTAL-LOSS. THE FIRE APPEARS TO HAVE ORIGINATED IN THE ABS MODULE AREA. THE FIRE DESTROYED MOST OF THE UNDERHOOD AREA, THE FRONT OF THE VAN BODY, THE DASHBOARD AND STEERING COLUMN, THE WINDSHEILD, AND THE HEADLINER. VERIZON HAS HAD SIMILAR FIRES IN THIS MODEL VAN AND FEELS THAT THIS IS AN UNSAFE CONDITION THAT WARRANTS FURTHER INVESTIGATION. *AK

    NHTSA complaint 10088465
20. Filed Aug 19, 2004Failure Aug 19, 200471,000 milesTipton, IAService brakes, Hoses, Lines/piping, And fittings

    LEFT MY HOME FOR WORK AND GOT TO THE SECOND STOP FROM MY HOME AND DID NOT HAVE SUFFICEINT BRAKES TO STOP THE VAN. BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. FTER INSPECTING FLUID RESEVOIR, I DETERMINED THE FLUID LEVEL ALMOST EMPTY AND STARTED TO LOOK FOR LEAKAGE AT WHEEL CYLINDERS, ETC. FOUND FLUID BELOW THE ABS VALVING. IT APPEARS THAT THE BATTERY BEING RIGHT ABOVE THE VALVING HAS ALLOWED BATTERY ACID TO DETERIORATE THE BRAKE LINES. AT LEAST 5 LINES APPEAR TO HAVE CORROSIVE DAMAGE. LOOKS LIKE A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM. *AK

    NHTSA complaint 10088216