91 of the
365 complaints about the 1996 Dodge RAM 2500 are about the
braking system — 25% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
125,000 miles.
WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET, I LOST MY POWER STEERING, CAUSING ME TO ALMOST HAVE A REAR END COLLISION WITH THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. I HAD MY TRUCK TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP, THEY FOUND MY BRAKE SYSTEM TO BE CONTAMINATED AND TOLD ME THAT ALL PARTS OF THE SYSTEM WITH RUBBER IN THEM WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. AFTER ABOUT A WEEK AND A HALF, I WAS INFORMED THAT THEY COULD FIND ALL THE PARTS EXCEPT ONE, THE COMBINATION OR PROPORTIONING VALVE. I PAID FOR THE DIAGNOSTICS TEST AND HAD THE TRUCK TOWED TO ANOTHER LOCAL DEALER-I NEEDED A SECOND OPINION, NOT UNDERSTANDING WHY A DEALERSHIP COULD NOT FIX MY TRUCK. I TOLD THE SECOND DEALERSHIP MY STORY, THEY DID A DIAGNOSTIC TEST OF THEIR OWN AND CAME UP WITH THE SAME EXACT CONCLUSION, INCLUDING THE FACT THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND THE COMBINATION VALVE. I BOUGHT ANOTHER CAR AND WAS PLANNING ON SELLING THE TRUCK, BUT NOW AM UNABLE TO DO THAT, AS IT HAS NO BRAKES AND THEY CAN'T BE FIXED. I'M WRITING THIS IN HOPES THAT SOMEONE ELSE THAT IS LOOKING TO BUY A TRUCK LIKE THIS UNDERSTANDS THE SITUATION IF THIS PROBLEM HAPPENS TO THEM.
NHTSA complaint #11208414 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 125,000 milesDowningtown, PACrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
I WENT TO STOP AT A RED LIGHT UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS AND THE BRAKE PETAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND I REAR ENDED AN SUV. MY VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP TO FIND THAT THREE OF THE FOUR BRAKE LINES RUSTED OUT AND THE ONE THAT STAYED INTACT WAS LEAKING. I DID HEAVY DAMAGE TO THE SUV AS WELL AS PUSHED IN MY BUMPER AND DAMAGED THE HOOD. ALSO THE APPLICATION OF THE EMEREGENCY BRAKE DID NOTHING.
NHTSA complaint #10167911 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lowell, IN
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
WHILE TURNING RIGHT OR LEFT CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT. CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE FRONT TIRES WERE RUBBING AGAINST THE BRAKE LINES. THIS CAUSED THE BRAKE LINES TO WEAR OUT PREMATURELY. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION.
NHTSA complaint #10101315 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 134,604 milesEnglishtown, NJ
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
WHILE OPERATING MY 1996 DODGE RAM 2500 EXT CAB 4X4 DIESEL, I SUDDENLY LOST THE NORMAL BRAKING, ON THE VEHICLE I SWERVED TO THE RIGHT TO AVOID HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE, JUST BARELY MISSING ANOTHER IN SLOWING/STOPPING(ONLY HAD FRONT BRAKES). THE REAR STEEL BRAKE LINE HAD RUSTED THROUGH, LOCATED INSIDE REAR FRAME RAIL DRIVERS SIDE, NEXT TO FUEL TANK,WHERE THE BRACKET HOLDS THE LINE NEXT TO THE FRAME. THIS VEHICLE IS ONLY 8 YEARS OLD, AND EXTREMELY WELL MAINTAINED(MAINTENANCE RECORDS AVAILABLE) I ALSO NOTICED THAT THE OTHER COATED (ZINK) LINES ARE ALSO RUSTING. THE LINE WAS REPLACED. SHOULD THIS BE HAPPENING????????? SYSTEM HAS SILICONE BRAKE FLUID.*** I HAVE THE RUSTED BRAKE LINE IF SOMEONE NEEDS TO INSPECT IT.*** IF SOMEONE NEEDS TO SEE IT.
NHTSA complaint #10078878 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 135,000 milesJamul, CA
PARKING BRAKE:DRIVELINE:HYDRAULIC:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
BRAKES FAILED. THE VACUMM CHECK VALUE INSTALLED BY DODGE TO FIX THE PROBLEM ON A 1996 DODGE RAM DIESEL FAILED AND ALLOWED NO VACUUM.
NHTSA complaint #10056850 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 94,000 milesFallbrook, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
WHEN BRAKING AT ANY SPEED, THE BRAKE PEDAL FELT HARD AND BRAKING DISTANCE WAS EXTENDED. THE CONSUMER NOTICED THE HOSE TO THE BRAKE BOOSTER WAS OILY. THERE WAS A RECALL, BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK *CB
NHTSA complaint #10047970 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Baltimore, MD
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH APPLIED THE BRAKES AND PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT SHOP, TECHNICIAN FOUND THAT BRAKE LINES WERE RUSTED AND LEAKED FUEL.
NHTSA complaint #10041845 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 92,300 milesFallbrook, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
THE VACUUM SYSTEM WAS REPLACED TWICE DUE TO OIL CONTAMINATION. CONSUMER WAS TOLD ABOUT A RECALL ON THE CHECK VALVE. PER MANUFACTURER. THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT AFFECTED. HOWEVER THE CHECK VALVE WAS MISSING ON THIS VEHICLE. *AK RECALL# 97V068000. THIS CAUSED THE HEATER/A/C CONTROLS TO FAIL AND THE VACUUM HOSE LEADING TO THE MASTER CYLINDER BOOSTER SYSTEM. (FULL OF OIL AND NOT FUNCTIONING) THE HOSE WHICH LEAD TO THE BRAKE BOOSTER WAS SOFT. THE CONSUMER HAD WORK DONE TO THE BRAKE WIRING SYSTEM BUT IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE BRAKE LIGHT HAD COME ON AS THE CONSUMER WAS LEAVING THE SERVICE DEALER. THE DEALER DIDN'T ADDRESS THE VACUUM OIL PROBLEM, BUT WANTED TO FIX THE UNRELATED PROBLEMS. THE AIR VENT WOULD NOT CLOSE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. *SCC
NHTSA complaint #10040030 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 55,000 milesAlbuquerque, NM
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
WHEN THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE VIBRATED. WHICH WAS CAUSED BY A FAILED DISC BRAKE, THE DEALER REPLACED THE DISC BRAKE , HOWEVER THE PROBLEM RECURRED.
NHTSA complaint #10014938 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cave City, KY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
MAIN BRAKE LINE HAS RUSTED AND RUPTURED, OTHER LINE IS DETERIORATED. THE LINE RUPTURED AT HOME NOT ON THE ROAD. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A DANGEROUS SITUATION.
NHTSA complaint #763660 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Austin, TX
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
UNDER A HARD STOP, IF THE REAR WHEELS BOUNCE ANY, THE BRAKES WILL FAIL.
NHTSA complaint #758501 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Galien, MI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VVEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #758328 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sheridan, WY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
THE VEHICLE PULLS/DRIFTS TO THE LEFT WHEN BRAKING URGENTLY AT ALL SPEEDS, THE ROTORS, DRUMS, AND TRACKING BAR HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE BUT THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS. NLM
NHTSA complaint #560682 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Colorado Springs, CO
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN BRAKING VEHICLE PULLS TO LEFT OR RIGHT, AND IT IS VERY SERVERE AT TIMES.VEHICLE HAS BEEN INTO REPAIR SHOP OVER 14 TIMES FOR PULLING.*AK THE VEHICLE HAD DEFECT, BUT THE MANUFACTURER WAS UNWILLING TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEM. THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE.
NHTSA complaint #885445 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Griffin, GA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
A NUMBER OF DODGE TRUCKS HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM, MILD TO SEVERE PULLING WHEN BRAKING, MINE IS SO BAD THAT IT WILL CHANGE LANES UNLESS YOU COUNTER STEER JUST BEFORE HITTING THE BRAKES.
NHTSA complaint #742285 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
White City, OR
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WOULD PULL TO RIGHT WHEN ABS BRAKES WERE APPLIED. HAD BRAKES REPAIRED AND PROBLEM HAD CONTINUED. HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP AT LEAST 15 TIMES FOR PROBLEM, BUT HAD NOT BEEN RESOLVED. THE WOULD NOT SLOW VEHICLE DOWN LIKE IT SHOULD. COMPLAINED TO DEALER AND MECHANIC SINCE BOUGHT IT NEW. LES SCHWARB WAS REFERRED BY MECHANIC, BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.
NHTSA complaint #883291 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Woodstock, GA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ROTORS AND DISC CHANGED TWICE. BRAKES HAVE BEEN CHANGED EVERY 10-15,000 MILES. CONSUMER DOESN'T HAUL ANYTHNG TO WEAR BRAKES OUT. SERVICEMAN SAID BRAKING SYSTEM WAS INADEQUATE, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, LIGHT CAME ON, AND BRAKES FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #880467 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pueblo, CO
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE COMING DOWN A HILL AND TURNING A LOAD, APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE WHOLE FRONT END SHOOK VIOLENTLY. ALSO, STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED RIGHT AND LEFT. CONTACTED DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #865391 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pueblo, CO
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
WHILE COMING DOWN A HILL AND TURNING A LOAD, APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE WHOLE FRONT END SHOOK VIOLENTLY. ALSO, STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED RIGHT AND LEFT. CONTACTED DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #865391 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Orangevale, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
CALIPERS ON PASSENGER'S SIDE GRAB TOO HARD, CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO MOVE TO THE RIGHT.
NHTSA complaint #860936 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pembroke, MACrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
BRAKE SYSTEM STILL NOT FUNCTIONING CORRECTLY AS OF SEPT 12, 1999. IN MEDIATION WITH ONE DEALERSHIP, WAITING FOR REPONSE. HAVE BEEN TOLD BY MY MEDIATOR THAT THIS SEEMS LIKE A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. IN 2 DEALERSHIPS 12 TIMES FOR BRAKES. NO ONE HAS FIXED THEM PROPERLY YET. I'VE BEEN TOLD BY MEDIATOR TO FIND OUT IF THE NEWER MODELS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. IF NOT, WHAT WAS DONE TO CORRECT PROBLEM. CAN THIS BE RETROFITTED TO MY VEHICLE. IF NOTHING CAN BE DONE TO REPAIR THIS VEHICLE I'M TAKING CHRYLSER TO COURT FOR A REPLACEMENT. PLEASE ADVISE OR COMMENT.
NHTSA complaint #711249 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Greensburg, PA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
BETWEEN JAN.1998 THROUGH OCT. 1999 VEHICLE HAS BEEN THROUGH EIGHT SETS OF BRAKES, FRONT ROTORS TURNED THREE TIMES, REAR DRUMS TURNED ONCE, EXCESSIVE WEAR OF THE BRAKE COMPONENTS. *MJS
NHTSA complaint #550512 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sagla, ID
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST
ONGOING / INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE EXPERIENCING BRAKE FAILURE ON FIVE OCCASIONS WHEN SHIFTING IN REVERSE. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER VACUUM SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AND WAS UNABLE TO REPLACE IT DUE TO NATIONAL BACK ORDERS.
NHTSA complaint #854193 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sagla, ID
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ONGOING / INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE EXPERIENCING BRAKE FAILURE ON FIVE OCCASIONS WHEN SHIFTING IN REVERSE. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER VACUUM SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AND WAS UNABLE TO REPLACE IT DUE TO NATIONAL BACK ORDERS.
NHTSA complaint #854193 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Corona, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
BRAKES WEAR EXCESSIVELY AFTER BEING APPLIED. BRAKES WERE CHANGED. 6,000 MILES LATER, NEEDED REPLACING AFTER MAKING SQUEAKING NOISE. INFORMED BY MECHANIC REAR CYLINDERS TOO SMALL FOR BRAKES ON TRUCK. GIVEN PRINTOUT FROM NAPA, INDICATING DEFECTIVE CYLINDERS. NOT ENOUGH PRESSURE FOR REAR BRAKES FROM CYLINDERS. CONTACTED MANUFACTURER & INFORMED CONSUMER OF A TSB REGARDING FRONT PADS AND SHOES & CYLINDERS.
NHTSA complaint #854052 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Corona, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:WHEEL CYLINDERS
BRAKES WEAR EXCESSIVELY AFTER BEING APPLIED. BRAKES WERE CHANGED. 6,000 MILES LATER, NEEDED REPLACING AFTER MAKING SQUEAKING NOISE. INFORMED BY MECHANIC REAR CYLINDERS TOO SMALL FOR BRAKES ON TRUCK. GIVEN PRINTOUT FROM NAPA, INDICATING DEFECTIVE CYLINDERS. NOT ENOUGH PRESSURE FOR REAR BRAKES FROM CYLINDERS. CONTACTED MANUFACTURER & INFORMED CONSUMER OF A TSB REGARDING FRONT PADS AND SHOES & CYLINDERS.
NHTSA complaint #854052 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Etowah, TN
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR., VEHICLE ONLY SLOWS DOWN AND DOES NOT STOPS. ALSO, WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THE ABS WARNING LIGHT COMES ON. DEALER HAS TURNED OFF THE ABS WARNING LIGHT, AND THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. OWNER SAYS THE PROBLEM IS STILL HAPPENING.
NHTSA complaint #851163 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Etowah, TN
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED THE BRAKES GO TO THE FLOOR, RESLTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER HAS REPAIRED THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES, AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.
NHTSA complaint #851254 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Reno, NV
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
FOR 3 YEARS AND 30,000 MILES, I HAVE MADE 3 TRIPS TO RENO DODGE FOR SERVICE UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE THE VEHICLE DOES NOT DRIVE STRAIGHT. IT PULLS TO THE RIGHT. FOR THE LAST THREE YEARS, DODGE HAS TOLD ME THAT IT DOESN'T. AFTER MY TRIP TO KANSAS AND KEEPING THE WHEEL CRANKED 1/4 TURN TO THE LEFT TO KEEP THE TRUCK GOING STRAIGHT, ALL THE WAY THERE AND BACK, I WAS FED UP.
NHTSA complaint #712812 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lander, WI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE TRAVELING WITH HEAVY LOAD VEHICLE EXPRENCDE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #846738 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.