47 of the
275 complaints about the 1997 Dodge RAM 2500 are about the
braking system — 17% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
118,000 miles.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE RAM 2500. THE BRAKE LINES HAVE RUSTED IN THREE PLACES. THE FAILURES OCCURRED NEAR THE MASTER CYLINDER AND THE FRAME RAIL. WHILE APPROACHING A STOP SIGN AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED. THE BRAKES ALSO FAILED IN HIS DRIVEWAY AND AT A DRIVE THROUGH WINDOW. THE BRAKE LINES WERE REPLACED IN PARTS SINCE THE DEALER NO LONGER SELLS THE ALL OF THE ORIGINAL PARTS. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT IT OCCURS AS THOUGH IT WERE NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. THE VEHICLE IS CONSIDERED AN 8800 DUE TO THE WEIGHT CLASS. THE VEHICLE IS UP-TO-DATE ON ITS ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 94,000. UPDATED 03-04-08 *BF THE REAR BRAKES STARTED TO LOCK UP EVER SINCE THE BRAKES LINES STARTING TO DETERIORATE. UPDATED
NHTSA complaint #10215288 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 72,000 milesLexington, IN
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE RAM 2500. THE BRAKE LINES HAVE RUSTED IN THREE PLACES. THE FAILURES OCCURRED NEAR THE MASTER CYLINDER AND THE FRAME RAIL. WHILE APPROACHING A STOP SIGN AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED. THE BRAKES ALSO FAILED IN HIS DRIVEWAY AND AT A DRIVE THROUGH WINDOW. THE BRAKE LINES WERE REPLACED IN PARTS SINCE THE DEALER NO LONGER SELLS THE ALL OF THE ORIGINAL PARTS. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT IT OCCURS AS THOUGH IT WERE NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. THE VEHICLE IS CONSIDERED AN 8800 DUE TO THE WEIGHT CLASS. THE VEHICLE IS UP-TO-DATE ON ITS ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 94,000. UPDATED 03-04-08 *BF THE REAR BRAKES STARTED TO LOCK UP EVER SINCE THE BRAKES LINES STARTING TO DETERIORATE. UPDATED
NHTSA complaint #10215288 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 133,000 milesMetairie, LA
PARKING BRAKE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE RAM 2500. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE PARKING BRAKE, BUT THE BRAKE FAILED TO ENGAGE. THE REGULAR BRAKES WORK, BUT THE PARKING BRAKE DOES NOT. THE VEHICLE CANNOT BE PARKED ON AN INCLINE BECAUSE IT WILL ROLL. DODGE HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 133,000.
NHTSA complaint #10201106 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 163,647 milesColumbia, MD
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE, THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED AND THE PEDAL WENT FREELY TO THE FLOOR. UPON INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THE BRAKE LINES WERE DETERIORATED AND THERE WAS BRAKE FLUID ALL OVER THE ENGINE. THE DEALERSHIP AND MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT BEEN ALERTED.
NHTSA complaint #10159569 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 191,110 milesCrossville, TNCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
I PURCHASED A 1997 DODGE 2500 RAM PICKUP TRUCK IN NOVEMBER OF 1996. WITHIN A FEW WEEKS I EXPERIENCED A BRAKE FAILURE WHEN I HIT THE BRAKES HARD. I MANAGED TO CHANGE LANES TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT AND TRIED MANY TIMES AFTER THAT TO GET THE BRAKES TO FAIL. BUT IT DIDN'T HAPPEN AGAIN UNTIL ALMOST A YEAR LATER. SAME RESULT, NO ACCIDENT AND COULDN'T REPEAT THE PROBLEM. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR SOME WARRANTY WORK AND REPORTED THE BRAKE FAILURE TO THE SERVICE MANAGER. THEY TESTED THE VEHICLE MANY TIMES AND STILL COULD NOT PRODUCE BRAKE FAILURE. THE PROBLEM OCCURRED ELEVEN TIMES MORE SINCE THE LAST FAILURE AND THIS TIME I HAD AN ACCIDENT. FORTUNATELY, I WAS ABLE TO MISS THE STALLED VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME BY CHANGING LANES AND HITTING A CAR ALONG SIDE GOING THE SAME SPEED. THIS RESULTED IN PROPERTY DAMAGE TO BOTH VEHICLES BUT NO BODILY INJURY. IF I HAD CONTINUED STRAIGHT INTO THE STALLED VEHICLE, GOING ABOUT 30-35 MPH, I WOULD HAVE CAUSED SERIOUS BODILY INJURY TO THE PASSENGERS OF THE STALLED CAR. MY TRUCK HAS THE DIESEL OPTION AND WEIGHS OVER 9000 POUNDS. IT WOULD HAVE CRUSHED THE STALLED HONDA AND INJURED ALL THE OCCUPANTS. TO DATE, ONLY NORMAL PARTS REPLACEMENTS HAVE BEEN DONE ON THE BRAKE SYSTEM AND THE BRAKE COMPUTER HAS NEVER BEEN REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WILL BE GOING IN TO THE LOCAL DEALER FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE BRAKE COMPUTER AT MY COST AND MY REQUEST FOR REPLACEMENT.
NHTSA complaint #10157233 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 97,950 milesPort ST Lucie, FL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
TRAVELING AT 40 MPH, HEARD A"POP", REAR BREAK LINE RUPTURED, DUE TO EARLY CORROSION OF GALVINIZED BRAKE LINES. NO REAR BRAKES. WAS ABLE TO GET OF ROAD. DEALERSHIP ASKED IF ITS A NORTHERN TRUCK, SAYS IT'S NON-WARRANTY. REPAIR PENDING - ESTIMATES RANGE FROM $600 TO THOUSANDS (DEALER)
NHTSA complaint #10106354 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 118,000 milesWalkersville, MD
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
VEHICLE LOST BRAKING WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES AT 25 MPH. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE WITHOUT ANY INCIDENTS. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS AN ERUPTED METAL BRAKE LINE DUE TO CORROSION. DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED.*AK BROKEN BRAKE LINE WAS REPLACED. THE REST OF BRAKE LINES HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF SEVERE CORROSION AND DANGER OF BURSTING. *BF
NHTSA complaint #10106943 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Greenup, KY
PARKING BRAKE
EMERGENCY BRAKE FAILURE CAUSED TRUCK TO ROLL BACKWARDS OUT OF DRIVEWAY THROUGH A BOARD FENCE DOWN A HILL OFF OF A 8 FT. CLIFF LANDING ON REAR BENDING BUMPER DOWN AND SHOVING BED IN THE CAB AND LANDING INCHES FROM THE RIVER! DT
NHTSA complaint #769099 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Houston, TX
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
BRAKES HAVE FAILED 4 TIMES WITH 49100 MILES ON VAN.
NHTSA complaint #764012 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Huston, TX
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED THEY GO TO THE FLOOR AND DO NOT HOLD. THE MASTER CYLINDER HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES. THIS IS A REOCCURING PROBLEM, AND THE CONSUMER IS AFRAID FOR HER FAMILY. CONSUMER STATES THAT THIS PROBLEM OCCURS ABOUT EVERY 10K TO 12K MILES. CONSUMER FEELS UNSURE/UNSECURE ABOUT THIS VEHICLE AND FEELS THAT CHRYSLER NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS MATTER BEFORE SOMEONE IS POSSIBLY KILLED. *SCC
NHTSA complaint #8013931 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Taylorsville, NC
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE DRIVING 45MPH THE ATNI-LOCK REAR BRAKE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. A FEW MINUTES LATER, WHILE PULLING OUT AT A STOP SIGN THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL MADE A LOUD NOISE. THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL HAD "CAME OUT" FOR LACK OF A BETTER TERM. I HAVE ALL THE PARTS AND PIECES FROM THE DIFFERENTIAL. THE PINION GEAR WAS IN PIECES IN THE BOTTOM OF THE HOUSING. THE RING GEAR HAD SEVERAL TEETH MISSING AND/OR DAMAGED. THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SENSOR/EQUIPMENT WAS ALSO DAMAGED.THE ONLY PARTS THAT WERE NOT REPLACED WERE THE AXLES AND THE HOUSING. CAUSE OF THE DEFECT IS STILL YET UNDETERMINED.
NHTSA complaint #761686 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Marshfield, WI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
PREMATURE FRONT BRAKE FAILURE AND MAUFACTURER FAILS TO REPAIR EVEN THOUGH THERE IS A TSB ON IT!
NHTSA complaint #754536 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Austin, TX
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
BRAKES PULLED HARD RIGHT, REPLACED BRAKES AND HAD THEM SERVICED, NOW THEY PULL HARD LEFT. REQUIRES MAJOR STEERING CORRECTION TO MAINTAIN INTENDED VEHICLE COURSE. OCCURRS EVERY TIME BRAKES ARE APPLIED, AND I FEAR A COLLISION EVERY TIME I USE THE BRAKES. SERVICING HAS NOT HELPED, PROBLEM LIES WITHIN THE DESIGN OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM.
NHTSA complaint #744147 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Flagler Beach, FL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
DUE TO DESIGN OF BRAKES IT CONSTANTLY PULLS ONE DIRECTION OR THE OTHER WHEN BRAKING.IF MAKING HARD STOP IT PULLS MORE.THE ONLY WAY TO KEEP THIS AT BAY IS TO CONSTANTLY REMOVE AND RELUBE SLIDE PINS ON THE FRONT CALIPERS.WHEN DEALER REPLACED FRONT BRAKE PADS,THEY WERE ADVICED ABOUT THE PULL AND AS USUAL RESPONSE WAS COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR FIX.
NHTSA complaint #742106 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Williamstown, NJ
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
OIL LEAKS FROM REAR AXLE AND CAUSES REAR BRAKES TO MALFUNCTION.
NHTSA complaint #741847 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sisters, OR
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE PULLS TO EITHER THE RIGHT OR LEFT SIDE. *AKTHE FRONT BRAKES OVERHEATED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO PULL WHILE DRIVING. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #817462 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Girard, PA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
VEHICLE SWAYS AND PULLS TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. CHRYSLER REP SAID THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM, BUT SO FAR NO SOLUTION. *AK
NHTSA complaint #864275 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Florence, SC
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
THE BRAKES SHOES ARE PREMATURLEY WEARING WHICH IS CAUSING THE BRAKES PADS TO WEAR, ALSO CALIPER PISTONS WHICH AR EMAD EOF FIBER STICK SIDEWAYS, CAUSING PADS AND SHOES TO WEAR OUT PREMATURELY.
NHTSA complaint #842837 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jackson, MO
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
VEHICLE MAKES A HARD LEFT TURN WHEN BRAKING. DEALER ADVISED IT TO BE FRONT END ALIGNMENT, ( WHICH THEY DON'T DO) OR BRAKES OR TIRE PROBLEM. BRAKES WERE REPLACED, FRONT END ALIGNED, TIRES WERE REPLACED WITHOUT ANY IMPACT ON CONDITION. FURTHER RESEARCH AND TIME AND $ SPENT FINDS CHRYSLER HAS A TSB #05-03-97 THAT TELLS YOU TO PUT A SPACER BETWEEN THE HUB AND WHEEL OF VARYING SIZES UNTILL YOU FIND ONE THAT CHANGES THE FRONT END GEOMETRY TILL IT NOLONGER PULLS. THIS IS AFTER YOU HAVE FILED BRAKE COMPONETS. IF THIS DOES NOT CURE THE PROBLEM , THEN YOU ARE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE HUB ASSY WHICH THEN MAY CAUSE YOU TO HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE TRIAL AND ERROR SHIM BUSINESS AGAIN. THIS VEHICLE IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AND WARRANTY INCLUDING CHRYSLERS MAXIMUM WRAP WARRANTY WILL NOT COVER THIS FIX ACCOURDING TO AUFFENBURG AND A DEALER IN OLATHE KS I STOPPED AT LAST WEEK. A PERSON , IF THEY HAD THE FUNDS COULD LITERALLY SPEND THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS ON TRIAL AND ERROR FIXES ON THIS BRAKING PROBLEM ON DODGE 4X4 PICKUPS. ALSO CAPE GIRARDEAU MO ATTY DON THOMASON HAD A CLIENT THAT WAS INJURED IN AN ACCIDENT WITH A PICKUP THAT HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEPMT TO FIX IT. CHRYSLER NEEDS TO FIX THIS BEFORE PEOPLE ARE KILLED.
NHTSA complaint #716794 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jackson, MO
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ANTI-SKID BRAKE CONTROL FAILED TO WORK. DEALER INFORMS THIS IS NOT A WARRANTY REPAIRABLE ITEM, NOR IS IT COVERED UNDER CHRYSLER 100,OOO MILE MAXIMUM WRAP WARRANTY. NON WEAR SAFETY COMPONENTS SUCH AS AIR BAGS, ANTI SKID BRAKES, SHOULD BE COVERED THE LENGTH OF THE SERVICE CONTRACT PERIOD. THIS IS A SAFETY DEFECT.
NHTSA complaint #716797 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ceres, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
THE BRAKE PROBLEM HAS BEEN ON GOING SINCE THE FIRST FEW MONTH OF SERVICE. THE FIRST BRAKE FAILURE WAS AT 9557 MILES, THE SECOND FAILURE WAS AT 23,744 MILES AND THE THIRD FAILURE OF THE BRAKES WAS AT 29, 875 MILES. THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPLACED, ROTORS GROUND,, NEW REAR AXLE SEALS, AND NEW CALIPERS, PADS,AND BRAKE SHOES HAVE BEEN INSTALLED. THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS AND THE DEALER IN TURLOCK AUTO CENTER, TURLOCK, CA. IS ORDERING NEW PARTS AGAIN MAKING THE FOURTH BRAKES ON THIS PICKUP INCLUDING THE ORIGINAL ONES.
NHTSA complaint #715041 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ceres, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
THE BRAKE PROBLEM HAS BEEN ON GOING SINCE THE FIRST FEW MONTH OF SERVICE. THE FIRST BRAKE FAILURE WAS AT 9557 MILES, THE SECOND FAILURE WAS AT 23,744 MILES AND THE THIRD FAILURE OF THE BRAKES WAS AT 29, 875 MILES. THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPLACED, ROTORS GROUND,, NEW REAR AXLE SEALS, AND NEW CALIPERS, PADS,AND BRAKE SHOES HAVE BEEN INSTALLED. THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS AND THE DEALER IN TURLOCK AUTO CENTER, TURLOCK, CA. IS ORDERING NEW PARTS AGAIN MAKING THE FOURTH BRAKES ON THIS PICKUP INCLUDING THE ORIGINAL ONES.
NHTSA complaint #715041 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Whitehall, MT
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY PUT ON BRAKES LIGHTLY AND VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT AND JERKED TO THE OTHER LANE. *AKTHIS PROBLEM OCCURS WITH EACH BRAKING SINCE ABOUT 45000 MILES, THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO GET IT REPAIRED, SOMETIME THE PULLING WHILE BRAKING IS MILD YET SOMETIMES IT IS SEVERE, THE TIRES WERE CHANGED BUT THERE WAS NO EFFECT ON THE BRAKING. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #852340 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Riverside, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE CAUSED CALIPER, PAD, DRUM AND SHOE FAILED. YH
NHTSA complaint #606288 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Yucaipa, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE BRAKES / CALIPERS / PADS / ROTORS FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #608566 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Yucaipa, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE BRAKES / CALIPERS / PADS / ROTORS FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #608566 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Yucaipa, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE BRAKES / CALIPERS / PADS / ROTORS FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #608566 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Yucaipa, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE BRAKES / CALIPERS / PADS / ROTORS FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #608566 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Danville, PA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
FRONT AXLE AND BRAKES SYSTEM HAVE BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES. WHEN CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND APPLIED THE BRAKES THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS BOUNCING. DEALER COULDN'T DETERMINE THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #836890 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Henderson, NV
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
STEERING WHEEL AND WHEELS LOCKS UP WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. CANNOT STOP. ALSO, CAN'T TURN THE WHEELS, HAS TO LET UP THE BRAKES BEFORE THE WHEELS WILL TURN.
NHTSA complaint #823834 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.