56 of the 468 complaints about the 1997 Dodge RAM 1500 are about the braking system — 12% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 95,283 miles.
56
Complaints
7
Crashes
0
Fires
5
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
SERVICE BRAKES
BRAKE LINE BURST BEHIND FUEL TANK ON DRIVER'S SIDE, LEADING TO LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID, AND LOSS OF BRAKE USE.
NHTSA complaint #10545142 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
THE BRAKE LINE ALONG FRAME RAIL BEHIND THE FUEL TANK RUSTED AND BURSTED, RESULTING IN A LOSS OF BRAKES.
NHTSA complaint #10512947 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN HE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, IT BECAME SPONGY AND EXTENDED TO THE FLOOR. THE BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY AND HE WAS FORCED TO TAP THE PEDAL CONTINUOUSLY. THE FRONT AND REAR DISC PADS WERE REPLACED. THE MASTER CYLINDER AND THE CALIPERS WERE REPLACED AND THE ROTORS WERE BLED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000.
NHTSA complaint #10495320 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY - BRAKE LINE FAILURE DUE TO RUST/CORROSION BEHIND GAS TANK ON DRIVER'S SIDE OF VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10480153 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
HARD BRAKE LINE FOR REAR BRAKES BROKE WHERE CORRODED WHEN I DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL CAUSING ME TO LOOSE BRAKE PRESSURE AND CAUSED MY BRAKES NOT TO WORK NARROWLY AVOIDING AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #10396861 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
1997 DODGE RAM 1500, LEFT REAR BRAKE LINE FAILURE LOCATED BEHIND THE FUEL TANK.
NHTSA complaint #10358087 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
BRAKE LINE CORRODED ON DRIVERS SIDE REAR BEHIND GAS TANK. REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10286216 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
BRAKE FAILURE DUE TO BRAKE LINE FAILURE BEHIND THE FUEL TANK AND BEHIND THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT WHEEL.
NHTSA complaint #10238571 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ON DECEMBER 14 2005 MY SON WAS DRIVING MY DODGE RAM 1500, HE TRIED TO STOP AND THE ABS SYSTEM LOCKED AND HE REAR ENDED THE CAR IN FRONT OF HIM. THE ENGINE STALLED AND HE HAD NO CONTROL OVER THE VEHICLE. THE TRUCK SLID APPROXIMATELY 20 FEET. THERE WAS A CHILD INJURED IN THE CAR THAT HE HIT.
NHTSA complaint #10161222 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
1) EVENTS LEADING UP TO FAILURE- NORMAL OPERATION. VEHICLE 9 YEARS OLD. 2) FAILURE AND ITS CONSEQUENCES- STEEL BRAKE TUBE SUPPLYING THE REAR BRAKE SYSTEM COMPLETELY DETERIORATED FROM CORROSION AT THE LAST CLAMP STATION PRIOR TO THE CONNECTION TO THE REAR BRAKE HOSE ASSEMBLY. PREMATURE CORROSION OF THE STEEL BRAKE TUBE AT THE LAST CLAMPING STATION RUPTURED THE STEEL BRAKE TUBE RESULTING IN 95% LOSS IN VEHICLE STOPPING POWER WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. BRAKE FAILURE. 3) ACTIONS TAKEN TO CORRECT THE FAILURE- STEEL BRAKE TUBE WILL NEED REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10159365 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
METAL BRAKE LINE THAT RUNS FROM PROPORTIONAL VALVE TO REAR BRAKES WAS BADLY CORRODED AND BROKE OPEN. COMPLETE LOSS OF BRAKES. INCIDENT OCCURRED IN DRIVEWAY. NO OTHER METAL LINES OR METAL NEAR BROKEN LINE SHOWED SIGNS OF CORROSION. REPLACING LINE.
NHTSA complaint #10158574 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. UPON INSPECTION, THE STEEL LINE SEPARATED NEAR THE GAS TANK. THE GAS TANK WILL ACTUALLY HAVE TO BE DROPPED TO VERIFY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TO A MECHANIC, AND THERE HAVE BEEN NO REPAIRS MADE.
NHTSA complaint #10145580 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
WHILE DRIVING MY TRUCK IN A BUSY SHOPPING CENTER, APPROXIMATELY SPEED OF 20 MPH, I APPLIED MY BRAKES TO STOP AT A STOP SIGN. THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. I HAD NO BRAKES AS I PROCEEDED THROUGH THE CROSSWALK IN FRONT OF A DEPARTMENT STORE. JUST A FEW SECONDS BEFORE, I HAD PULLED OUT OF THE PARKING SPACE, APPLYING MY BRAKES TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE AND AGAIN APPLIED MY BRAKES AT THE END OF THE PARKING ROW . EACH TIME, NO INDICATION OF ANY PROBLEM, BRAKED FELT AND WORKED AS NORMAL. I WAS ABLE TO AVOID THE PEDESTRIAN IN THE CROSSWALK AND NEGOTIATE THE PARKING LOT TO AN AREA WHERE I COULD COME TO A STOP AND INSPECT THE VEHICLE. I FOUND THE FRONT RESERVOIR OF MASTER CYLINDER EMPTY OF BRAKE FLUID. I WENT TO A LOCAL GROCERY STORE AND PURCHASED DOT3 BRAKE FLUID TO FILL THE RESERVOIR AND SEE IF I CAN GET ANY PEDAL BACK. WAS NOT ABLE TO ATTAIN ANY PEDAL PRESSURE. WHEN I CHECKED THE RESERVOIR IT WAS EMPTY AGAIN. I LOCATED THE FLUID ON THE GROUND UNDER MY GAS TANK. THE BRAKE LINE ABOVE THE GAS TANK HAD RUSTED THROUGH. I HAD THE VEHICLE DELIVERED TO A GOODYEAR REPAIR SHOP, FOR REPAIRS. THE BRAKE LINE THAT RUNS THE LENGTH OF THE VEHICLE, TO THE REAR END HAD TO BE REPLACED AND THE SYSTEM WAS BLED. THE BRAKES ARE WORKING NORMALLY AGAIN. I REQUESTED AND HAVE POSSESSION OF THE VERY RUSTED BRAKE LINE. IT APPEARS TO HAVE A WHITE ID TAG WITH 52055 ON IT. AGAIN, I WANT TO STRESS THAT THE RUST WAS ABOVE THE GAS TANK, NOT VISIBLE WHEN CONDUCTING MY NORMAL VEHICLE MAINTENANCE - INSPECTIONS. VEHICLE HISTORY: I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE AND IT HAS NEVER BEEN OFF ROAD. SEVERAL YEARS AGO, I DID USE THIS VEHICLE TO TOW A 15 FOOT FIBERGLAS BOAT. THE VEHICLE IS A 1997 1500 RAM WITH 59600 MILES. I WORK FROM HOME FOR THE PAST 2 YEARS AND THIS VEHICLE DOES NOT SEE A LOT OF USE, HENCE THE LOW MILEAGE. WHEN I WAS WORKING AT MY FORMER OFFICE, I HAD AN 11 MILE ROUND TRIP TO WORK PLUS PERSONAL MILEAGE.
NHTSA complaint #10141470 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
WHILE DRIVING MY 1997 DODGE RAM 1500 ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY NEAR PHILADELPHIA, PA AT THE 65 MPH SPEED LIMIT, TRAFFIC WAS SLOWING. I PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND IT WENT TO THE FLOOR WITHOUT WARNING. PUMPING IT DID NOTHING. I HAD TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE. FORTUNATELY, THERE WERE NO VEHICLES IN THE TWO LANES TO THE RIGHT OF ME, I SWERVED AND GOT THE TRUCK ON THE SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY. IF THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN VEHICLES TO MY RIGHT, I WOULD HAVE REAR ENDED THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME, CAUSING A MULTIPLE VEHICLE CHAIN-REACTION TYPE OF CRASH. INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE ALONG THE HIGHWAY SHOWED BRAKE FLUID RUNNING OUT OF THE BRAKE LINE THAT RUNS FROM BELOW THE MASTER CYLINDER TO THE BRAKE PROPORTIONING VALVE NEAR THE PROPORTIONING VALVE. I WAS NOT AWARE THAT BRAKE SYSTEMS COULD HAVE A TOTAL, ABRUPT FAILURE AS THIS SYSTEM DID. THE TRUCK WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR FACILITY. THEIR DIAGNOSIS WAS THAT THE STEEL BRAKE LINE WAS SEVERELY CORRODED AND HAD RUSTED THROUGH. ALL STEEL BRAKE LINES ON THE VEHICLE WERE REPLACED BECAUSE THEY ALL WERE RUST COLORED AND SHOWED CORROSION. THIS TRUCK HAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000 MILES ON IT. IT IS USED AS A SECOND VEHICLE AND HAS ALWAYS BEEN GARAGE KEPT AND WELL MAINTAINED. THE GARAGE ALONG WITH MYSELF ARE AMAZED THAT THE BRAKE LINES SHOW THIS TYPE AND AMOUNT OF CORROSION. HOW MANY OTHER FAILURES HAVE OCCURRED WITH THESE TRUCKS? THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A SEVERE CRASH WITH EXCESSIVE PROPERTY DAMAGE AND/OR BODILY INJURY.
NHTSA complaint #10137069 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC:ROTOR
A LONG LIST IS AVAILABLE AT HUMES OF WATERFORD,PA. THE MOST AMAZING FAILURE OF THE VEHICHLE WAS WHEN THE DRIVER'S DOOR FLEW OPEN WHILE DRIVING AROUND THE BEND AND I WAS LUCKY THAAT NO ONCOMING TRAFFIC WAS COMING. HUMES(DEALER) FIXED IT BY A HORRIBLE WELD ON THE LATCH.
NHTSA complaint #10116859 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
WHILE DRIVING DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. VEHICLE SKIDDED AND STOPPED WHEN ENGAGED ON ITS OWN. DRIVER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC INFORMED DETERMINED THAT THE BRAKE PADS/ ABS CONTROL UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10117128 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
WHILE DRIVING DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. VEHICLE SKIDDED AND STOPPED WHEN ENGAGED ON ITS OWN. DRIVER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC INFORMED DETERMINED THAT THE BRAKE PADS/ ABS CONTROL UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10117128 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
INTERMITTENTLY, AND AN ON-GOING PROBLEM WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. THE PEDAL WOULD GO TO THE FLOOR AND CAUSES PULSATION AND EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT THE DEALERSHIP ON DIFFERENT OCCASION REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER. THE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE RECURRED.
NHTSA complaint #10083269 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE VEHICLE VIBRATES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALER INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DRIVER NOTICED THAT THE GAS LINE AND BRAKE LINES WERE RUSTY.
NHTSA complaint #10066676 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH BRAKES FAILED. IN ORDER TO STOP THE TRUCK DRIVER HAD TO SHIFT TO FIRST GEAR, THEN APPLY THE EMERGENCY BRAKE.
NHTSA complaint #10044413 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS HEADLIGHT SWITCH PROBLEMS FRONT HUB ASSEMBLY OXYGEN SENSORS PAINT CHIPPING AND FADING BURNS OIL WORST THAN ADVERTISED FUEL MILEAGE EXCESSIVE TIRE WEAR PREMATURELY EXCESSIVE BRAKE WEAR PREMATURELY
NHTSA complaint #10036777 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
THE CONSUMER STATED DURING A PANIC STOP, IT TOOK LONGER FOR THE VEHICLE TO STOP. *AK
NHTSA complaint #10030157 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
BRAKE FAILED WHICH RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT. NO AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. THE SEAT BELT SAVED THE CONSUMER'S LIFE. MR PH. ALSO THE SPARE TIRE WAS BALD AND IT TOOK 3 MONTHS TO GET IT REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10024079 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
THE DISTANCE IN WHICH VEHICLE NEEDS TO STOP IS LONGER THAN OTHER SIMILAR VEHICLES. IT IS MOST NOTICEABLE IN MODERATE TO HARD BRAKING. WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED, THE PEDAL FEEL IS AVERAGE BUT THE BRAKES DO NOT SEEM TO GRAB AND STOP THE VEHICLE AS IT SHOULD. I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS CLOSE ACCIDENTS DUE TO POOR BRAKING. THE BRAKES DO NOT LOCK-UP ON THE VEHICLE, NOT EVEN TO THE POINT WHERE ABS WILL NEED TO RELEASE THE REAR WHEELS. I HAVE COMPLETELY REPLACED ALL BRAKE COMPONENTS AND HAS NOT IMPROVED AT ALL!! AS WELL AS SPEND HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS ON DIAGNOSTICS WORK WITH NO ANSWER AS TO THE CAUSE (BUT THE DEALER DOES KNOW THERE IS A PROBLEM)!! THIS IS NOT THE FAULT OF THE DEALER, THEY HAVE BEEN FAIR, BUT HAVE RUN OUT OF PLACES TO LOOK. THEY HAVE CALLED CHRYSLER STAR HOTLINE, ETC. BUT STILL NO RESOLVE. IF ANYONE HAS A FIX FOR THIS OR A COURSE OF ACTION TO TAKE, PLEASE LET ME KNOW! I LOVE THE TRUCK, BUT IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE.
NHTSA complaint #10021450 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP. THE CONSUMER HAD TO DOWN SHIFT AND USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THE MECHANIC STATED THE MAIN BRAKE LINE RUSTED OUT.
NHTSA complaint #10018294 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
CONSUMER STATES FRONTAL BRAKES WERE REPLACED. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #566423 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
CONSUMER HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THERE BRAKES AND IT IS HARD TO STOP VEHICLE. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
NHTSA complaint #8009630 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ESTREMELY POOR BRAKE RESPONSE. DURING MODERATE BRAKING OR WITH A LIGHT TRAILER/LOAD IT TAKES EXTREMELY LONG TO STOP THE VEHICLE. ONLY HAS REAR ABS, IT HAS NEVER GONE OFF. YOU CANNOT LOCK THE TIRES EXCEPT ON ICE/SNOW OR LOOSE GRAVEL/SAND. BEEN IN ONE ACCIDENT, NUMEROUS OTHER CLOSE CALLS. THE BRAKE PEDAL CAN BE PRESSED TO THE FLOOR. DEALER SAYS NOTHING IS WRONG, SEVERAL BRAKE JOBS DONE, NOW RUNNING WITH SS ROTORS AND CERAMIC PADS WITH NO IMPROVEMENT. I HAVE A FRIEND WITH THE SAME MAKE/MODEL/YEAR THAT HAS 44" MUDDERS AND CAN STOP ON A DIME.
NHTSA complaint #760357 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER TO HAVE BRAKES DONE AND A GEAR BOX PUT ON, AND CONSUMER FOUND OUT THAT FORNT COIL SPRINGS WERE BUSTED DUE TO DEFECTIVE STEEL.
NHTSA complaint #8000625 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ONGOING AND INTERMITTENT FAILURE OF BRAKING SYSTEM;. VEHICLE BEEN IN / OUT OF DEALER SHOP ON TWELVE OCCASIONS. VARIOUS PARTS AND REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL REOCCURRING. PLEASE PROVIDE US WITH ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER.
NHTSA complaint #889085 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.