Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: running costs are the problem rather than the car itself.
Owners have filed 105 complaints with NHTSA about the 1999 Dodge Ram 3500, and it carries 1 recall. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 16 | 15% |
| Structure | 13 | 12% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 8 | 8% |
| Service brakes | 8 | 8% |
| Unknown or other | 7 | 7% |
| Steering | 4 | 4% |
| Suspension | 4 | 4% |
| Air bags | 3 | 3% |
| Fuel system | 3 | 3% |
| Electrical system | 3 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
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, HOUSTO
NHTSA complaint: 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
NHTSA complaint: Structure
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 INJU
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
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 NO
NHTSA complaint: Latches/locks/linkages
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.
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
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 ALIGNME
NHTSA complaint: Steering
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
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
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
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 1999 Dodge Ram 3500. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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
Risk: 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.
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.
| Reliability | 72 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 69 | good |
| Maintenance | 45 | below average |
| Depreciation | 81 | excellent |
| Performance | 79 | good |
Percentile ranks against other pickup trucks in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 105 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and power train is the most reported area with 16 of them (15%). There is 1 recall on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 72/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density, adjusted for how many were sold so a popular model is not penalised for having more owners.
AVOIR scores its longevity 69/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1999 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: skip unless cheap, because running costs are the problem rather than the car itself. Its overall ownership score is 68/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.