14th Apr 2008, 14:46

1999 Ram 1500 5.9 wow!

All I hear on this site is bad things, but to ease some peoples worries, I love my truck. 156,000 and I'm the only owner.

I've got maybe $2,400 in repairs the whole time I've had it. Awesome looking truck; it's all how ya take care of them, and face it, Dodge, Ford, Chev, they all have the same amount of issues because they build um cheap nowadays.

I remember when they were just broke in after 100,000; whatever happened to those days? Ahhh.. well.

13th Apr 2009, 14:43

1999 Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 Sport Quad cab

Bought in 2000, used with 22,000 miles

All wiring replaced due to short at 24,000 miles (warranty)

Air conditioning 28,000 miles (warranty)

Transmission replaced 54,000 miles (warranty)

2nd Transmission replaced 58,000 miles (warranty)

Evaporator core replaced 64,000 miles (warranty)

Heater core replaced 120,000 miles at my $

Routine maintenance on a regular basis

Uses NO oil (probably added 3 quarts total in 9 years other than oil changes)

Rides fairly smooth (good for a truck)

Rear differential whines/hums, no clunking, does not effect performance, my mechanic says listen for changes, related problems or if gets worse.

LOVE my truck, even with its issues. I got my money's worth out of warranty. Used as family vehicle, wood hauler, towed trailer along with full load cross-country, coast-to coast several times.

15th Sep 2009, 12:18

Yeah, what's the deal with all the bad comments? People act like all cars are just supposed to run forever without any problems. I'm sorry, but that isn't the case. I believe it mainly depends on how hard you drive the truck, and how well you take care of it.

15th Jan 2010, 14:36

I have a 1999 Dodge Ram 1500, and have never had any engine or tranny problems except an occasional "quick" down shift feeling that completely went away after taking a friends advice. I now have 190k miles on the 5.2 engine, which I have been running on synthetic mobil 1 oil and a can of "restore" engine treatment at each oil change. I just started losing oil, but have yet to change the oil pan gasket and clean out the oil pan, which I intend to do this summer. I get an occasional engine tick, which usually goes away with medium grade gas. Regular unleaded gas simply does not work well in these trucks.

12th Mar 2010, 16:33

Trucks are trucks. 4 wheel drive does not mean rock crawler or mudding vehicle, also brakes have a tendency to stress crack after driving two footed in an automatic. These are a few things I noticed reading peoples comments on here. I own a Ford, but I will tell you Dodge, Ford or Chevy all have issues. These automobiles are merely a machine build by man for transportation. They not perfect, and nor are we.

23rd Jun 2010, 11:39

I have a 1999 Dodge Ram 1500 with the 5.2, 318. I bought it a year ago with 142000 on it. I have put over 30000 miles on it and these are the problems I have had:

Speed sensor - 60$ new I put in was bad when I got it.

Track bar - 80$ new.

Upper and lower ball joints on passenger side - 100$ new I put in.

Just started to hear the wining sound in the rear end which is limited slip. Haven't done anything to it, because if it goes I have a spare rear end that's not limited slip.

All and all has been a really good truck, almost everything is factory. I only paid 1700 for the truck, and sold the plow that came with it for 2000 so I made out like a bandit.

12th Jan 2011, 22:08

1999 Dodge Ram 1500 5.2 (318).

I traded this truck for some security camera work from a dealership here in town about 2 years ago. I have replaced the following parts:

Entire cooling system, including radiator and hoses.

Entire brake system, including calipers.

Belts.

Coil.

Battery.

All sensors.

Complete ignition system, including spark plugs and wires.

Transmission Sensors (was not going into 1st gear, just started in 2nd).

I currently have 350,000+ miles on this truck, and not a single bit of oil burn or leaks!

I love the Dodge. But, here's my problem:

Under load (I have a 19' Cuddy Cabin Boat), it is really sluggish to take off, I feel like I am going to get rear ended. I am not hearing any whining of the rear end, etc. Also, this truck WILL NOT spin a tire unless the ground is wet or unless I am going uphill. Just seems to lack power.

Any ideas?

3rd Oct 2012, 20:21

I had the same problem; no oil pressure. Got the oil pump replaced after everyone telling me this was the problem, and just to let everyone know, don't believe car dealerships that say nothing is wrong, the sensors need replacing. Nope, not a sensor, not the pump.

Was then told it was something internal in the engine, and it needed to be rebuilt; it's cheaper to buy an already rebuilt engine.

That fixed that problem, but the A/C compressor froze up, so that was replaced, then radiator, water pump, and fan clutch.

There's now a scraping metal noise from the left rear tire.

I will be going back to Ford. I have never had this many problems with a Ford. I love the look of the Dodge Ram, but I could have bought a new car for what I have spent on this truck.