Auto Recall Watch
U.S. public vehicle records

Dodgen BORN FREE problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

10 owner complaints analyzed

2 distinct recall campaigns

65,949 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 1999 to 2015 model years. Data updated: . 10 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Tires is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 10 complaints (20.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Transmission and shifting110.0%
Steering behavior110.0%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Tires
2
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch
1
Electrical System:Software
1
Engine And Engine Cooling
1
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
1
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch
1
Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit
1
Tires:Tread/Belt
1
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Tires2
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch1
Electrical System:Software1
Engine And Engine Cooling1
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline1
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch1
Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit1
Tires:Tread/Belt1

Tires: 2; Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 1; Electrical System:Software: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 1; Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch: 1; Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit: 1; Tires:Tread/Belt: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
3
25,000 to 49,999
1
50,000 to 74,999
1
75,000 to 99,999
3
100,000 to 149,999
2
150,000 and above
0
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0003
25,000 to 49,9991
50,000 to 74,9991
75,000 to 99,9993
100,000 to 149,9992
150,000 and above0

Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 0

Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 0 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2003
2
2004
1
2005
3
2007
4
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20032
20041
20053
20074

2003: 2; 2004: 1; 2005: 3; 2007: 4

Pattern summary

Tires leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Complaint evidence

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10202877 · 2007-09-13 (September 13, 2007)

THE ENGINE CONTROL UNIT INSTALLED ON THE DODGE RAM DAKOTA 1999, ENGINE 3.9 MANUAL TRANSMISSION HAS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT THAT THE DEALERS KEEP HIDING ABOUT, EVERY 15K OR 20K MILES THE COMPUTER LOST ITS PROGRAM AND NEED TO BE UPDATED, THAT MEANS THAT THE OWNER OF THE TRUCK HAS TO PAY EVERY YEAR $99.99 FOR WHAT THE DEALER CALL A ELECTRONIC DIAGNOSIS, BUT IN FACT WHAT THEY DO IS TO RE-PROGRAM THE ECU AND UPDATE THE SOFTWARE TO THE ACTUAL MILEAGE RESETTING ALL THE SENSORS THAT CONTROL THE ENGINE OPERATION, THE DEALERS REFUSE TO ADMIT THE FACT,WHAT …

Owner-reported narrative. 144,420 miles reported. Look up ODI 10202877 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10100902 · 2004-12-01 (December 1, 2004)

THE KEY CYLINDER ON THE STEERING COLUMN OF OUR 1999 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN "FROZE" AND THE KEY WOULD NOT MOVE. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED. HAD THIS HAPPENED IN A BAD NEIGHBORHOOD OR IN TRAFFIC, IT COULD HAVE BEEN LIFE-THREATENING. WE ARE AFRAID TO USE THE VEHICLE UNTIL WE ARE ABLE TO HAVE IT REPAIRED BECAUSE WE MAY GET STUCK SOMEWHERE. WE HAVE SPOKEN WITH CHRYSLER CUSTOMER SERVICE, AND THEY REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PROBLEM. IRONICALLY, OUR 1997 CHRYSLER SEBRING, WHICH NEVER EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM, WAS RECALLED FOR T…

Owner-reported narrative. 82,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10100902 at NHTSA ↗

Compare model years

Recalls by model year

All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.

Recall campaigns

Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.

1999
1
2000
1
2014
1
2015
1
Recall campaigns data
CategoryCount
19991
20001
20141
20151

1999: 1; 2000: 1; 2014: 1; 2015: 1

Year-by-year records

Dodgen BORN FREE model-year comparison
Model yearComplaintsRecallsChange in recalls
199961Not available
2000410
201401Not available
2015010
Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

10 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-09-30.

100.0%Usable mileage10 / 10 records
100.0%Valid incident date10 / 10 records
100.0%Valid filing date10 / 10 records
100.0%Ordered incident and filing dates10 / 10 records

Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.

Problems by model year

Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.

Component complaint heatmap
Component20142015
Tires
0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

Electrical System:Ignition:Switch
0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

Electrical System:Software
0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

Engine And Engine Cooling
0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch
0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit
0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

Tires:Tread/Belt
0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.

Failure mileage by component

Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.

Component failure mileage distribution
ComponentMileage range (25th–75th percentile)MedianUsable recordsExamples
TiresToo few reports for a range26,482 mi2 (sparse)
ODI 10021896 · 22,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING, THE LEFT REAR INSIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. DEALER NOTIFIED. SIZE LT22575R16 DOT#VDIL-1XD-448. PH *JB

Look up ODI 10021896 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10028650 · 30,964 mi

ON JULY 5, 2003, AT 3:45 PM, TRAVELING AT 70 MPH NORTHBOUND ON RTE 71, APPROX 4 MILES SOUTH OF BUTLER, MO, OUR 2000 BORN FREE MOTORCOACH, WITH 30964 MILES, EXPERIENCED A BLOW OUT OF THE REAR, INSIDE DUAL TIRE, ONE OF SIX FIRESTONE STEELTEX R4S II, DOT# VD1L1X1509, OEM TIRES ON THE VEHICLE. *AK

Look up ODI 10028650 at NHTSA ↗

Electrical System:Ignition:SwitchToo few reports for a range82,000 mi1 (sparse)
ODI 10100902 · 82,000 mi

THE KEY CYLINDER ON THE STEERING COLUMN OF OUR 1999 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN "FROZE" AND THE KEY WOULD NOT MOVE. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED. HAD THIS HAPPENED IN A BAD NEIGHBORHOOD OR IN TRAFFIC, IT COULD HAVE BEEN LIFE-THREATENING. WE ARE AFRAID TO USE THE VEHICLE UNTIL WE ARE ABLE TO HAVE IT REPAIRED BECAUSE WE MAY GET STUCK SOMEWHERE. WE HAVE SPOKEN WITH CHRYSLER CUSTOMER SERVICE, AND THEY REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PROBLEM. IRONICALLY, OUR 1997 CHRYSLER SEBRING, WHICH NEVER EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM, WAS RECALLED FOR T…

Look up ODI 10100902 at NHTSA ↗

Electrical System:SoftwareToo few reports for a range144,420 mi1 (sparse)
ODI 10202877 · 144,420 mi

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…

Look up ODI 10202877 at NHTSA ↗

Engine And Engine CoolingToo few reports for a range6,700 mi1 (sparse)
ODI 10131468 · 6,700 mi

I HAVE A 1999 DODGE INTREPID, IT HAD 44,000 WHEN I PURCHASED IT. I DROVE MY INTREPID FOR APPROX. THREE AND A HALF YEARS WITH NO TROUBLE. BACK IN JUNE OF THIS YEAR (2005) MY BOSS AND I WENT ON A BUSINESS TRIP TO SC, THE CAR RAN GREAT. ON OUR RETURN TRIP WE WERE ABOUT 165 MILES OUTSIDE OF ATLANTA WHEN THE STARTED JUMPING AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. WE IMMEDIATELY GOT OFF THE HIGHWAY AND CALLED FOR A WRECKER TO COME AND GET US SO THAT WE WOULD NOT CAUSE ANY TROUBLE WITH THE CAR (SO WE THOUGHT). WE HAD THE CAR TOWED TO MY BOSSES MECHAN…

Look up ODI 10131468 at NHTSA ↗

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:GasolineToo few reports for a range78,898 mi1 (sparse)
ODI 10212963 · 78,898 mi

MY WIFE 1999 DODGE DURANGO ENGINE FAILED AT 78,000 PLUS MILES. OUR EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERED WAS OF NO USE SINCE OIL SLUDGE ON THE ENGINE WAS IDENTIFIED BY WARRANTY COMPANY (NATIONAL AUTO CARE CORPORATION). COMPANY CAR MECHANIC STATED ON REPORT THAT THE OIL SLUDGE WAS THE REASON FOR ENGINE FAILURE, THEREFORE THIS VOID THE WARRANTY. CALLED THE COMPANY (MR. BEYER) AND NOTED THE FACT THAT THE ENGINE FAILED DUE TO MECHANICAL FAILURE THAT RESULTED IN OIL SLUDGE ON THE ENGINE. MY RECORDS REFLECT THE FACT THAT OIL WAS CHANGED MORE THAN REQUIRED. A…

Look up ODI 10212963 at NHTSA ↗

Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:LatchToo few reports for a range53,000 mi1 (sparse)
ODI 10104889 · 53,000 mi

THE REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR JUST WONT UNLOCK AUTOMATIC OR MANUALLY. *JB

Look up ODI 10104889 at NHTSA ↗

Power Train:Driveline:Differential UnitToo few reports for a range89,000 mi1 (sparse)
ODI 10125396 · 89,000 mi

A LOUD WHINING NOISE COMING FROM THE BACK OF THE TRUCK. REAR DIFFERENTIAL WENT OUT, HAD TO REPLACE FOR $2500.

Look up ODI 10125396 at NHTSA ↗

Tires:Tread/BeltToo few reports for a range20,000 mi1 (sparse)
ODI 10191665 · 20,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGEN BORN FREE MOTORHOME. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE REAR TIRE BLEW OUT, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE MUDFLAP AND THE VEHICLE'S BODY. THIS FAILURE HAS OCCURRED TWICE. THE TIRES WERE KUHMO, SIZE T155/90R16. THE DOT NUMBER IS H21LYD1P. THE ENGINE SIZE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 78,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.

Look up ODI 10191665 at NHTSA ↗

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

1 reports2024-102026-09

Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.

Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
Monthly complaint and recall timeline
MonthComplaintsCampaigns announcedExamples
2024-100None

No examples available for this selection.

2024-110None

No examples available for this selection.

2024-120None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-010None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-020None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-030None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-040None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-050None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-060None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-070None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-080None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-090None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-100None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-110None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-120None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-010None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-020None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-030None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-040None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-050None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-060None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-070None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-080None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-09 (partial)0None

No examples available for this selection.

Emerging complaint spikes

Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.

This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.

No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.

Equal-age model-year comparison

Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.

Age 0Age 1Age 21 reports

2014: 0 complaints · 2015: 0 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model yearThrough age 0Through age 1Through age 2
2014000
2015000
Date coverage across each selected cohort
Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
YearIncident dates usedFiling date fallbacksExcluded dates
2014000
2015000

Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.

Components reported together

Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.

Component co-occurrence matrix
ComponentTiresElectrical System:Ignition:SwitchElectrical System:SoftwareEngine And Engine CoolingEngine And Engine Cooling:Engine:GasolineLatches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:LatchPower Train:Driveline:Differential UnitTires:Tread/Belt
Tires—0000000
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch0—000000
Electrical System:Software00—00000
Engine And Engine Cooling000—0000
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline0000—000
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch00000—00
Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit000000—0
Tires:Tread/Belt0000000—

Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.

Recurring narrative patterns

Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.

1 patterns with matching reports.

Warning lights and dashboard alerts

1 mentions · 10.0% of complaints

Median mileage: 6,700 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10131468 · 6,700 mi

I HAVE A 1999 DODGE INTREPID, IT HAD 44,000 WHEN I PURCHASED IT. I DROVE MY INTREPID FOR APPROX. THREE AND A HALF YEARS WITH NO TROUBLE. BACK IN JUNE OF THIS YEAR (2005) MY BOSS AND I WENT ON A BUSINESS TRIP TO SC, THE CAR RAN GREAT. ON OUR RETURN TRIP WE WERE ABOUT 165 MILES OUTSIDE OF ATLANTA WHEN THE STARTED JUMPING AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. WE IMMEDIATELY GOT OFF THE HIGHWAY AND CALLED FOR A WRECKER TO COME AND GET US SO THAT WE WOULD NOT CAUSE ANY TROUBLE WITH THE CAR (SO WE THOUGHT). WE HAD THE CAR TOWED TO MY BOSSES MECHAN…

Look up ODI 10131468 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule\b(warning light\w*|check engine|dashboard warning\w*|malfunction indicator)\b