55 of the 407 complaints about the 1996 Dodge RAM 1500 are about the braking system — 14% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 83,500 miles.
55
Complaints
4
Crashes
0
Fires
2
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
BRAKE LINE CORROSION, CAUSING LINE FAILURE. CORROSION OCCURS AT REAR, BEHIND THE FUEL TANK.
NHTSA complaint #10408957 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON WITHIN 7 MINUTES HAD NO BRAKES DUE TO DRIVER SIDE BACK BRAKE LINE CORROSION. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO MANY DODGE RAM 1996 VEHICLES. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #10375312 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I WAS TRAVELING TO TOWN AND AS I ENTERED THE TOWN AS I STARTED TO BRAKE I COULD FEEL THAT MY BRAKE PEDAL WAS FEELING SPONGY AND THE PEDAL SEEMED TO BE GOING TO THE FLOOR. I FELT AS THOUGH 90% OF MY BRAKING WAS GONE. I WAS ABLE TO STOP SAFELY THOUGH I HAD VERY LITTLE BRAKING. I FELT THAT I COULD NOT STOP SAFELY IN AN EMERGENCY. I RETURNED HOME VERY CAREFULLY AT SLOW SPEEDS. AFTER LOOKING MY VEHICLE OVER I SAW THAT ALL THE BRAKE FLUID WAS GONE FROM BOTH THE FRONT AND REAR COMPARTMENTS OF THE MASTER CYLINDER. UNDER MY VEHICLE IT SEEMED TO BE WET FROM BRAKE FLUID BETWEEN THE FUEL TANK AND FRAME RAIL WHERE THE BRAKE LINES RUN. THE BRAKE LINES HAD RUSTED THROUGH AND LEAKED OUT ALL FLUID. I FEEL THERE MAY BE 2 DANGEROUS ISSUES. 1 THAT IF THE FRONT OR REAR LINE LEAKS, THE REMAINING CHAMBER OF THE 2 CHAMBERS IN THE MASTER CYLINDER SHOULD NOT LOOSE ITS FLUID. THIS ALLOWS LIMITED BRAKING WITH THE BRAKE SECTION THAT HAS NOT LOST ITS FLUID. THE 2ND ISSUE IS THAT THE REAR BRAKES LINE RUNS IN THE FRAME RAIL BETWEEN THE FUEL TANK. THE FUEL TANK IS CONSTANTLY SWEATING ON HUMID DAYS WHICH SUBJECTS THE BRAKE LINES TO CONSTANT RUSTING. UNTIL THEY RUST THROUGH. I MAY TAKE SEVERAL YEARS. WITH THE BRAKE LINE RUNNING IN THE VEHICLE FRAME RAILS VERY CLOSE TO THE FUEL TANK YOU CAN NOT EASILY SEE IF ANY RUSTING HAS OCCURRED UNTIL ITS TOO LATE. I HAVE ALSO HAD ANOTHER VEHICLE OF ANOTHER MANUFACTURER ALSO RUST COMPLETELY THROUGH LOOSING ALL BRAKES. I FEEL ANY VEHICLE THAT HAS A FUEL LINE IN THE FRAME NEXT TO A FUEL TANK WILL ALSO RUST THROUGH. BECAUSE OF THE FUEL TANK SWEATING.
NHTSA complaint #10362860 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
1996 DODGE 1500 BRAKES FAILED. *TS WHILE BRAKING AT A TOLL BOOTH THE VEHICLE BRAKES FAILED AND RESULTED IN THE VEHICLE HITTING THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER VEHICLE SUSTAINED DAMAGE TO IT'S FRONT GRILL, FRONT BUMPER, THE HOOD WAS PUSHED BACK, THE RADIATOR WAS DAMAGED AND POSSIBLE ENGINE DAMAGE. THE CONSUMER INDICATED THAT HIS BACK AND NECK FELT TIGHT AFTER THE CRASH. THE OTHER VEHICLE SUSTAINED HEAVY REAR END DAMAGE. THAT VEHICLES OCCUPANT STATED THAT HIS HEAD AND LEGS HURT.
NHTSA complaint #10148633 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATES THAT BRAKE LINES THAT CARRY THE FLUID FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER TO THE WHEELS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE IS FROM WISCONSIN, AND THIS COULD HAVE BEEN BECAUSE OF THE SALT ON THE ROADS. ONE BRAKE LINE HAS BEEN TEMPORARILY BEEN REPAIRED, AND THE CONTACT IS WORRIED ABOUT THE BRAKE LINE RUSTING ON THE OTHER SIDE. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE RAN INTO A DITCH BECAUSE THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK. ; HE HAD TO BE PULLED OUT OF THE DITCH. THE LINE RUSTED TO THE POINT WHERE IT FORMED A HOLE IN THE LINE. THE VEHICLE IS IN FLORIDA NOW. AND THE CONTACT DOES NOT FEEL HE WILL HAVE THE RUST PROBLEM AGAIN BECAUSE HE IS NOT LIVING IN A SALT STATE . THE ABS BRAKES HAVE NOT WORK SINCE THE BRAKE LINE WAS TEMPORARILY FIXED.
NHTSA complaint #10137115 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATES THAT BRAKE LINES THAT CARRY THE FLUID FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER TO THE WHEELS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE IS FROM WISCONSIN, AND THIS COULD HAVE BEEN BECAUSE OF THE SALT ON THE ROADS. ONE BRAKE LINE HAS BEEN TEMPORARILY BEEN REPAIRED, AND THE CONTACT IS WORRIED ABOUT THE BRAKE LINE RUSTING ON THE OTHER SIDE. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE RAN INTO A DITCH BECAUSE THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK. ; HE HAD TO BE PULLED OUT OF THE DITCH. THE LINE RUSTED TO THE POINT WHERE IT FORMED A HOLE IN THE LINE. THE VEHICLE IS IN FLORIDA NOW. AND THE CONTACT DOES NOT FEEL HE WILL HAVE THE RUST PROBLEM AGAIN BECAUSE HE IS NOT LIVING IN A SALT STATE . THE ABS BRAKES HAVE NOT WORK SINCE THE BRAKE LINE WAS TEMPORARILY FIXED.
NHTSA complaint #10137115 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
DT: WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE BRAKE LINE FAILED AND THE CONSUMER HAD NO BRAKES. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO STOP WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE AGAIN. THE BRAKE LINE WAS REPAIRED, AND THE CONSUMER WAS ADVISED TO HAVE ALL OF THE OTHER LINES INSPECTED AND REPLACED. WHEN THIS HAPPENED, BRAKE FLUID LEAKED ONTO THE MUFFLER AND PRODUCED A CLOUD OF SMOKE. *JB THE BRAKE LINES, REAR BRAKE ON THE AXLE AND THE BRAKE LINE FROM THE BOTTOM WERE REPLACED. *SC
NHTSA complaint #10120848 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
THE BRAKES ON MY 1996 DODGE RAM FAILED. THE DEALER "KIRKWOOD DODGE" SAID THE METAL BRAKE LINE HAD RUSTED THROUGH.
NHTSA complaint #10054745 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
THE METAL HYDRAULIC BRAKE LINE RUSTED AND DISINTEGRATED. THIS RESULTED IN BRAKE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. *AK *SCC
NHTSA complaint #10033537 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE AND REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE DEALER KEPT THE VEHICLE FOR OVER A MONTH AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *AK THE CONSUMER CONTACTED CHRYSLER WHO SENT AN INVESTIGATOR TO LOOK AT THE VEHICLE. THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD WERE NO LONGER ILLUMINATED, THEY JUST FLASHED. *PH
NHTSA complaint #10032131 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN APPLYING BRAKES THEY RUBBED, THROWING DRIVER FORWARD. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8018039 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
WHILE DRIVING BRAKE LINE WENT COMPLETELY OUT.
NHTSA complaint #8009872 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, APPLIED BRAKES WHICH FAILED DUE TO MALFUNCTION OF FRONT ROTORS, CONSUMER APPLIED EMERGENCY BRAKE TO GAIN CONTROL OF VEHICLE.*AK *SLC
NHTSA complaint #8001958 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE APPLYING BRAKES AT 35 MPH VEHICLE WOULD SLOW DOWN, BUT NOT STOP. VEHICLE WOULD CONTINUALLY GO ON, EVEN WITH BOTH FEET ON PEDAL. VEHICLE BEEN TO DEALER SHOP ON SIX OCCASIONS, AND UNABLE TO LOCATE PROBLEM. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FUTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #895782 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS AND THE BRAKE LAMP COME ON AND SOMETIMES STAYS ON. BLOWER MOTOR SOMETIMES WON'T WORK WHEN SHUTTING OFF THE CAR AND STARTING IT BACK UP. THEN, IF TAPPING THE BOTTLE IT WILL START UP. CONSUMER HAS HAD SAME PROBLEM AS RECALL FOR BLOWER SWITCH.
NHTSA complaint #873308 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:BRAKE FLUID LOW WARNING: LAMP
ABS AND THE BRAKE LAMP COME ON AND SOMETIMES STAYS ON. BLOWER MOTOR SOMETIMES WON'T WORK WHEN SHUTTING OFF THE CAR AND STARTING IT BACK UP. THEN, IF TAPPING THE BOTTLE IT WILL START UP. CONSUMER HAS HAD SAME PROBLEM AS RECALL FOR BLOWER SWITCH.
NHTSA complaint #873308 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
THE EXHAUST SYSTEM AND THE RADIO WERE REPALCED WITH NO PROBLEMS FROM THE DEALER, THE BRAKE SYSTEM I REPLACED MYSELF, THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPAIRED BY THE DEALERSHIP WITH A $100 DEDUCTABLE AFTER CONTACTING CHYSLER, THE PITMAN AND IDLER ARM HAVE NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED, I AM NOT DRIVING THE VECHICLE
NHTSA complaint #720389 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
IF DRIVING WITH AIR CONDITIONING ON HIGH, INGNITION SWITCH GETS SO HOT IT WILL BURN YOUR HAND IF YOU TOUCH THE BOTTOM OF COLLUM, ALSO YOU LOOSE THE ENGINE IN TRAFFIC. BRAKES ON REAR NOT STRONG ENOUGH WITH LOAD
NHTSA complaint #712715 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:BRAKE FLUID LOW WARNING: LAMP
ENGINE CHECK LIGHT/BRAKE WARNING LIGHT AND ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND WOULDN'T GO OFF. WHEN CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS SOFT, AND ALMOST WENT TO THE FLOORBOARD.
NHTSA complaint #846226 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ENGINE CHECK LIGHT/BRAKE WARNING LIGHT AND ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND WOULDN'T GO OFF. WHEN CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS SOFT, AND ALMOST WENT TO THE FLOORBOARD.
NHTSA complaint #846226 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ANTI LOCK BRAKES CONTINUALLY FAIL CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL.
NHTSA complaint #514331 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
THROTTLE CABLE FRAYED/STUCK. ALSO FUEL LINE LEAK, AND REPLACED FRONT BRAKES.
NHTSA complaint #781951 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
BRAKE WEAR SEEMS EXCESSIVE AND AT TIMES THE PEDAL WOULD GO TO THE FLOOR AND THE BRAKES WOULD NOT WORK WELL.
NHTSA complaint #528292 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
BRAKES FAILED RESULTING IN VEHICLE ACCIDENT DUE TO LOSS OF CONTROL.
NHTSA complaint #604339 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
BRAKES LOCKED UP IN WET WEATHER CAUSING MINOR REAR END COLLISION.
NHTSA complaint #605656 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
EXCESSIVE BRAKE DUST CAUSED PULLING OF RIGHT FRONT WHEEL WHEN BRAKING.
NHTSA complaint #542396 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
BRAKES LOCKED UP AND FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #542396 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
ABS SENSOR FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #542396 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
TRANSMISSION FAILURE. ALSO PREMATURE WEAR OF BRAKES AND ALWAYS PULL TO THE LEFT.
NHTSA complaint #541451 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE DEALERSHIP ON 3-17-98 FOR REPAIRS ON BRAKES. DEALERSHIP SAID BRAKES WERE FINE. SECOND TIME DEALERSHIP SAID THEY ADJUSTED THE BRAKES. BUT CONSUMER MARKED NUT ON WHEEL TO SEE IF DEALER WAS REPAIRING VEHICLE, AND THE MARKS LINED UP STILL. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP A THIRD TIME, DEALER SAID THEY REPLACED BRAKE PADS AND SHOES, AND TURNED THE ROTORS. WHEN DRIVING AND BRAKING VEHICLE PULLS LEFT REAL HARD, ALMOST SIDEWAYS. AT THE MEDIATION BOARD HEARING WITH NCFDS THE BOARD DECIDED THAT THE TRUCK WAS UNSAFE . THE CLAIM NUMBER FOR HIS CASE IS 66985167FL AGAINST CHHRYSLER.
NHTSA complaint #824463 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.