19 of the
759 complaints about the 2004 Dodge RAM 2500 are about the
braking system — 3% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
50,223 miles.
MY TRUCK IS ONLY USED FOR TOWING A FIFTH WHEEL, THUS THE LOW MILEAGE. ON A TRIP, THE TRUCK STALLED WITH NO WARNING ON THE FREEWAY, LOST POWER, POWER BRAKES AND POWER STEERING IN THE 2ND FROM RIGHT LANE. I WAS BARELY ABLE TO PULL IT OVER AND STOP, IN AN UNSAFE AREA. 4 HRS LATER A TOW FOR TRUCK AND 5TH WHEEL WAS ARRANGED. THE TACOMA DODGE DEALER REPLACED THE LIFT FUEL PUMP WITH AN IN TANK LIFT FUEL PUMP. APPARENTLY THE BLOCK MOUNTED PUMP "ALWAYS FAILS AROUND 70K MILES", WHICH IS WHAT MY TRUCK HAS LOGGED. THE HEAT KILLS THE PUMP. I PAID $2106.47 FOR THE REPAIR. THE NEW PUMP FAILED IN LESS THAN 6 MONTHS OR 2K MILES. THE EVERETT DWAYNE LANE DEALER HAS THE TRUCK NOW FOR TWO WEEKS, AND CANNOT GET THE WARRANTED PUMP REPLACED FOR ANOTHER 2 WEEKS DUE TO BACK ORDER FROM MOPAR. I BELIEVE THE PUMP TO BE A DEFECT CAUSING EXTREME SAFETY HAZARD, AS NO WARNING LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKES ARE AFFECTED. SENIORS OFTEN DRIVE RV'S, MANY WOULD NOT BE ABLE PHYSICALLY TO HANDLE THE RIG WITH THIS FAILURE. EVENTUALLY A DEATH WILL OCCUR, AND PROBABLY MANY ALREADY HAVE THAT I AM UNWARE OF. RECALL SHOULD BE IMMEDIATE. SINCERELY, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *CW
NHTSA complaint #11170035 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Juneau, AK
SERVICE BRAKES
STEEL BRAKE LINE BEHIND GAS TANK WHICH CONNECT TO RUBBER HOSE LINE COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT ALMOST GET KILLED BY SLAMMING ONTO A TREE TO STOP
NHTSA complaint #11153435 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Port Richey, FL
SERVICE BRAKES
WHEN DRIVING IF ENGINE STOPS RUNNING ON MY CUMMINGS DIESEL YOU CAN NOT STEER AT ALL AND THE BRAKES DO NOT WORK THEIRS NO WAY ANYONE COULD PUSH THE BRAKE PEDDLE DOWN WHAT YOU DO THEN IS PUSH PARKING BRAKE THEN SHIFT TO NEUTRAL THEN START ENGINE HOPEFULLY
NHTSA complaint #11013574 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 2,000 milesOmaha, NE
SERVICE BRAKES
THE BRAKES GO TO THE FLOOR WHEN AT A STOP SIGN. I ALSO HAVE HIT THE BRAKES COMING TO A STOP, THEN THEY GO RIGHT TO THE FLOOR.I DRIVE WITH MY LEFT FOOT ON THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. I HAVE HAD IT TO THREE DEALERS, THEY SAY ITS THE WAY IT IS. STOP THEN TAKE YOU FOOT OFF THE BRAKE, IT SHOULD STAY STOPPED IT SOUNDS LIKE THE BRAKE COMPLAINTS ON THE FORD F-150 PICKUP THAT IS INVESTIGATING BY THE GOVERNMENT. THANKS ROGER.
NHTSA complaint #10846254 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 200,000 milesMount Lake Terrace, WAFire
SERVICE BRAKES
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE RAM 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT FIRE ON THE DRIVER SIDE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED AND A FIRE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, THAT THE FAILURE WAS THE RESULT OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V185000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.
NHTSA complaint #10689991 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 127,000 milesNewtown, CT
SERVICE BRAKES
NOTICED BRAKE FLUID ON DRIVEWAY. BRAKE LINE NEAR FUEL TANK RUSTED THROUGH, ALMOST ALL THROUGH. LINE BROKE BY TOUCHING IT.
NHTSA complaint #10639562 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 25,000 milesOLD Town, ME
SERVICE BRAKES
THE MAIN BRAKE LINE GOING TO BACK BRAKES, WHERE IT TEES OFF ,THE HOSE CRIMP LET GO. THE BRAKE PEDDLE WHEN TO THE FLOOR, GOING ABOUT 65MILES HR. THEN 01/03/2014 THE LEFT WHEEL HOSE BLEW OFF, OTHER CRIMP FAILURE,HAD TRUCK AAA TO THE REPAIR SHOP. HAD ALL HOSES REPLACED AT THAT TIME BECAUSE THIS TIME IT HAPPENED IN MY DRIVE WAY NOT ON THE ROAD THANK GOD.
NHTSA complaint #10567913 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 27,000 milesOLD Town, ME
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE RAM 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH AND BRAKING, THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR BOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FLEXIBLE HOSE ON THE BRAKE LINE BECAME DETACHED AND WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER WERE IT WAS REPAIRED A SECOND TIME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,000.
NHTSA complaint #10559583 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 27,000 milesOLD Town, ME
SERVICE BRAKES
BRAKE JOB 10-21-2010 BRAKE LINES 1-3-2014 9-24-2013 NEW OIL PAN 60.45 2 NEW REAR BRAKE ROTORS 213.45 L. REAR BRAKE HOSE 24.42 OIL PAN GASKET 37.45 1 SET CERAMIC BRAKE PADS 54.88 RT. REAR BRAKE HOSE 24.42 8QT OIL 40.00 1 SET PARKING BRAKE SHOES 64.59 1 3/16X36" BRAKE LINE 8.00 1 OIL FILTER 6.50 1 HARDWARE KIT 49.33 1 L. FRONT BRAKE HOSE 56.54 L. EXHAUST MANIFOLD 217.00 381.80 1 R. FRONT BRAKE HOSE 56.54 OTHER PARTS 320.06 TAX 19.09 BRAKE FLUID 5.00 1414.95 3 HRS. LABOR@60.00 580.89 TAX 9.62 +2.5 HRS@65.00 346.54 DODGE SAID SORRY NINE YEARS OLD AND NINE MAINE WINTERS! IF I KNEW AT THE TIME ABOUT THE NINE WINTERS GEE I WANT A TRUCK LONGER THAN NINE WINTERS, I GUESS MOVING MY DODGE TRUCK SOUTH, HOW MANY YEARS WILL IT LAST NOW DODGE?
NHTSA complaint #10559197 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 48,434 milesBoring, MD
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE RAM 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED WHEN DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND CONCLUDED THAT THE METAL FITTINGS ON THE BRAKE LINE MOUNT WAS CORRODED AND BECAME SEPARATED, CAUSING THE FRONT BRAKES TO MALFUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,434.
NHTSA complaint #10555754 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 90,355 milesKelso, WA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I PULLED OFF OF THE FREEWAY AND COASTED INTO THE MALL PARKING LOT WHERE I HEARD A LOUD CLUNK. TRIED TO STOP THE TRUCK WITH THE BRAKES AND THEY WENT TO THE FLOOR. COASTING TO A FULL STOP MOMENTS LATER I PLACED THE VEHICLE IN PARK. BRAKE FLUID WAS ALL OVER THE FRONT LEFT TIRE. CALLED THE TOW TRUCK. AS HE HOOKED THE TRUCK UP HE REACHED DOWN AND PICKED UP MY CALAPER FROM BEHIND THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL. TOWED THE TRUCK TO DODGE DEALERSHIP. EVERYONE SAID THEY HAD NEVER HEARD MUCH LESS SEEN A CALAPER FALL RIGHT OFF THE BRAKE LIKE THAT. I'M LUCKY THAT MY 1, 2 AND 3 YEAR OLD ARE OK. IF THAT HAD FALLIN OFF COMPLETELY WHILE ON THE FREE-WAY IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC IT WOULD HAVE NOT BEEN GOOD FOR ANYONE INVOLVED.
NHTSA complaint #10445144 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 74,000 milesBrigantine, NJ
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE RAM 2500. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN TRAVELING AT SPEEDS OF AT LEAST 50 MPH AND TRAVELING OVER A BUMP OR ANY UNEVEN ROAD SURFACE, THE VEHICLE WOULD START TO VIBRATE VIOLENTLY. IF THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE FAILURE WOULD CEASE. ON ONE OCCASION, THE BRAKES WOULD NOT ENGAGE WHILE THE FAILURE WAS OCCURRING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP FOR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND AN APPOINTMENT WAS MADE FOR NEXT WEEK. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 74,000.
NHTSA complaint #10330422 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 76,000 milesOakdale, CT
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
REAR BRAKE HOSE FROM THE FRAME TO THE AXLE, CONNECTORS ON THE HOSE HAD ROTTED AWAY AND THE CONNECTOR CAME AWAY FROM THE HOSE CAUSING ALL OF THE BRAKE FLUID TO ESCAPE AND CAUSING NO BRAKES. I WAS COMING DOWN OFF OF A BRIDGE AND HAD TO DIVERT TO A OPEN FIELD TO STOP. NO INJURIES. THE LINE HAD TO BE REPLACED. TOOK THREE (3) DAYS TO FINED THE PART. THE CONNECTOR SHOULD HAVE BEEN MADE OUT OF A NON-CORROSIVE MATERIAL. THE COST TO REPAIR THE LINE WAS $473. THIS SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO FOR THE NEXT INCIDENT COULD BE DEADLY TO ANOTHER PARTY. I HAVE THE PART IF YOU NEED TO INSPECT THE CONNECTOR.
NHTSA complaint #10296668 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 77,643 milesDexter, MI
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
ABS BRAKE CONTROLLER FAILURE DUE TO CORROSION AT CONNECTOR.
NHTSA complaint #10250590 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Waltham, MA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS BRAKES ARE LOCKING UP. ESPECIALLY NOTICEABLE WHILE ROADS ARE WET. I HAVE BEEN TO THE DEALER ON 3 OCCASIONS. SERVICE MANAGER DROVE THE TRUCK AND NOTICED THE WHEELS LOCKING UP ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2006.
NHTSA complaint #10172092 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,223 milesChesapeake, VA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, A HISSING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE STEERING COLUMN WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE BRAKE BOOSTER WAS LEAKING AIR THROUGH THE STEERING COLUMN. ADDITIONALLY, THE DEALER DETERMINED THE MASTER CYLINDER AND BRAKE BOOSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #10169533 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,223 milesChesapeake, VA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, A HISSING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE STEERING COLUMN WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE BRAKE BOOSTER WAS LEAKING AIR THROUGH THE STEERING COLUMN. ADDITIONALLY, THE DEALER DETERMINED THE MASTER CYLINDER AND BRAKE BOOSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #10169533 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 20,000 milesKaufman, TX
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
AT AROUND 20000 MILES ON MY RAM 2500 THE ROTORS WARPED, SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM ON DODGE RAM TRUCKS. DEALER SAID IT WAS NOT COVERED AFTER 12000 MILES. HAD ROTORS TURNED AND THEY GOT WORSE. BOUGHT NEW ROTORS(DODGE IS THE ONLY PLACE YOU CAN PURCHASE THESE FROM AT THIS TIME) SO I AM HOPING FOR THE BEST SINCE THEY ARE THE SAME TYPE. NOTIFIED DEALER WERE I PURCHASED TRUCK AND THEY WILL NOT RETURN CALLS.
NHTSA complaint #10102685 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.