283 of the
4,040 complaints filed about the Dodge RAM 3500
are about the braking system —
7% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 1996.
The frame is completely rotted from wheel well to wheel well on both sides of vehicle frame was completely rotted thru with judge holes completely rusted thru The vehicle was sold with no brakes sold to me and with dog chain holding the gas tank in place because fuel straps were rotted thru and bad wheel bearing that was ready to seize or will fall off vehicle purchased on 11/06 /25 and returned a couple days later within 7 days took it to repair shop to have brake lines repaired and they said they would put truck on lift because frame was rotted so bad they were afraid truck could break in half . Truck is supposed to be a 1 ton heavy duty truck capable of pulling a $15,000 lb fifth wheel trailer safely and no way shape or form could the truck barely pull itself it ran perfect shifted perfect but the frame and structure was completely rotted in half I am a senior citizen with two artificial knees and was incapable of crawling under the truck was told salesman put brake fluid in which breaks worked halfway home and all the brake fluid got pushed out of the brake lines because of the massive hole in the brakes had to drive the rest of the way home with no brakes endangering my life and others on the road in my opinion there's no way to repair the frame unless it is completely replaced the whole frame
NHTSA complaint #11701009 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hash shifting during acceleration and deceleration and aggressive braking during decelerating...was only doing this during acceleration in the beginning but now does it all the time . This has not left me stranded yet but, I feel like this is going to be a major problem if this problem does not get remedied soon . Started doing this about a month ago or so..
NHTSA complaint #11625308 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
While pulling a trailer, integrated trailer brake controller stopped working and disabled the trailer brakes. All trailer lights worked, just no brakes. Showed red warning in dash and "CF" on brake controller after failure. No warning before failure. Checked connections and tested with another trailer. Even with no trailer, warning is on and trailer brakes are not functional. Created hazard to driver and other motorists by spontaneous loss of brakes. Online forums indicate this is not an isolated incident. More recently, now the trailer running lights have failed. Brake and turn signal lights work, but no running lights. No police report of inspections. Not yet repaired. Available for inspection.
NHTSA complaint #11420194 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE INTEGRATED BRAKE CONTROLLER IS INTERMITTENT AT BEST. I PURCHASED A TRAILER AND IT HOOKED UP FINE. WORKED FINE TOWING UNTIL I DISCONNECTED THE TRAILER AND SEVEN PIN CONNECTOR. NOW THE CONTROLLER TELLS ME THERE IS NO TRAILER ON THE CONTROLLER AND THE DASH ALERTS. UPON PULLING THE TRAILER AGAIN THE CONTROLLER TELLS ME I'M NOT TOWING WHEN I AM. ??
NHTSA complaint #11388248 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
IN A HARD RAIN OR EVEN WASHING UP UNDERNEATH THE TRUCK THE 4WD SERVICE LIGHT COMES ON AND IT WILL SAY IT'S TRYING TO TRANSFER OVER TO 4WD AND WHEN IT TRIED WITH ME I WAS RUNNING AROUND 55 MPH! IT JERKS THE [XXX] OUT OF THE TRUCK WITH A LOUD HAMMER NOISE! IT WILL CAUSE A PERSON TO WRECK IF YOU ARE NOT EXPECTING IT ! IT WAS BOUGHT NEW IN 2019 AND STARTED THE 4WD CRAP AT 4,500 MILES NOT TO MENTION THE TRAILER BRAKE CONTROLLER DOESN'T WORK EITHER NOW, FOUND THAT OUT THE HARD WAY WITH 22 ROLLS OF HAY AND NO IT'S NOT THE TRAILER MY FORD TRUCK HAS TRAILER BRAKES, SAME TRAILER. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #11342811 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE IN MOTION MY FOOT BRAKE DOES NOT SEND ENOUGH VOLTAGE TO THE ELECTRIC BRAKES ON MY TOY HAULER 5TH WHEEL TRAILER. I HAVE TO USE THE HAND BRAKE LEVER TO SAFELY STOP THE TRAILER.. WHILE STOPPED MY FOOT BRAKE SENDS 3.4 VOLTS TO THE TRAILER WHILE THE HAND BRAKE SENDS 12 VOLTS (THE GAIN IS TURNED TO ITS HIGHEST). WITH THE IGNITION OFF, THE BRAKE LIGHTS ON THE TRUCK TO DO NOT ACTIVATE WITH THE FOOT BRAKE PEDAL. MY LOCAL RAM DEALER DOES NOT KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS, NOR HAVE THEY HEARD FROM CHRYSLER. THE APPOINTMENT WIT THE RAM DEALER WAS ON JULY 10, 2019.
NHTSA complaint #11233161 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
BRAKE TRANSMISSION SHIFT INTERLOCK RECALL, NHTSA RECALL #17V-821, RECALL DATE 01/04/2018. I HAVE CONTACTED THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP-SERVICE DEPARTMENT ON NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS AND I AM BEING TOLD PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE AT THE TIME FOR SAID RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #11232708 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND TWO PINS DETACHED FROM THE BRAKE CONTROL MODULE. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN SAFELY DUE TO THE BRAKE FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
NHTSA complaint #11228696 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEN STEPPING ON THE BRAKES WHILE PULLING MY 40 FT TOY HAULER POWER IS NOT BEING SUPPLIED TO THE ELECTRIC BRAKES. IF THE ELECTRIC BRAKES ARE APPLIED BY HAND THEN POWER IS SUPPLIED. ALSO, THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO DO NOT COME ON ON THE TRUCK WHEN THE FOOT BRAKE IS APPLIED UNLESS THE ENGINE IS RUNNING. THIS TRUCK HAS THE FACTORY INSTALLED INTEGRATED BRAKE CONTROLLER. THE FUSE FOR FEEDING POWER TO THE TRAILER BRAKE IS GOOD.
NHTSA complaint #11221785 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WIN MODULES AND/OR IGNITION SWITCH RANDOMLY TURNS ENGINE OFF AND ALL ELECTRONICS INCLUDING TRAILER BRAKE CONTROLS. VEHICLE LOSS OF POWER BRAKES AND POWER STEERING. LOSS OF TRAILER BRAKE CONTROLS. I WAS DRIVING PULLING A 10,000LBS. TRAILER AND TRUCK WAS NEAR IMPOSSIBLE TO STOP. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. GLAD I WASN'T DRIVING AROUND PEDESTRIANS, AND NO TRAFFIC, OR DRIVING INTO A CITY RUSH HOUR LIKE I USUALLY AM. NOW I DON'T PULL A TRAILER ANYMORE WITH THIS TRUCK BECAUSE I'M SCARED OF SMASHING SOMEONE OR SOMETHING. A LOT OF PEOPLE USE THESE TRUCKS AS COMMERCIAL VEHICLES AND TOWING AND THIS NEEDS ADDRESSES BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT OR KILLED. *DT*JB *DT
NHTSA complaint #11183861 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL NUMBER: 17V-821, MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBER: T79 RECALL DATE: DECEMBER 20, 2017. WHEN I CALLED MOPAR TODAY TO SEE WHAT THE STATUS IS THEY TOLD ME THE MANUFACTURER STILL DOES NOT HAVE A REPLACEMENT PART AND ADDED ME TO A LIST TO BE NOTIFIED WHEN IT COMES IN (SEE ATTACHED LIVE ASSISTANCE EXCHANGE). THE SOLUTION IN THE INTERIM IS TO SET THE PARKING BRAKE. UNFORTUNATELY WHEN WE USE THE PARKING BRAKE IT BECOMES DIFFICULT TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK. THE DEALERSHIP DOES NOT HAVE A SOLUTION FOR THIS PROBLEM, SO WE STOPPED USING THE PARKING BRAKE. THIS LEAVES US WITH A DEFECTIVE VEHICLE. WE ARE UNABLE TO USE OUR 5TH WHEEL BECAUSE WE ARE CONCERNED THAT WE WILL BE STUCK SOMEWHERE AND NOT BE ABLE TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK. THIS RESOLUTION IS TAKING TOO LONG. I HAVE NOTED THE DATE THE PROBLEM STARTED WITH THE PARKING BRAKE.
NHTSA complaint #11093197 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2011 DODGE RAM 3500. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO BRAKE TRANSMISSION SHIFT INTERLOCK SAFETY RECALL.. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED INTO PARK WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING AND THE PARKING BRAKE ON. THE VEHICLE ROLLED ACROSS THE HIGHWAY AND INTO IN ELECTRICAL POLE. THERE WAS A RECALL RELATED TO THE FAILURE, BUT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #11089408 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2 OUT OF THE 3 MAIN TRANSPIRATION AND DELIVERY SERVICE VEHICLES THAT I PERSONALLY USED TO GET TO THE JOB SITE AND TO DELIVER HEAVY METAL STRUCTURES ARE IN VERY BAD SHAPE, PARTICULARLY DODGE RUM 1994 PLATE NUMBER (74R 300). THE MAIN PROBLEMS ON THIS TRUCK ARE THE BAD BRAKES, ESPECIALLY WHEN CARRYING HEAVY METAL MATERIALS. ABS LIGHT ON, NO HORN, BROKEN SPEEDOMETER, AIR BAG LIGHT ON, BROKEN TURNING SIGNALS, SPECKS OF RED PAINT ON THE WINDSHIELD, WINDSHIELD WIPER FLUID NOT WORKING, NO A/C, TURNING SIGNALS NOT ALL WORKING, WEAR OUT TIRES, ETC. EVEN THOUGH I POINT OUT TO THEM THAT THE BREAKS WERE NOT GOOD, THEY STILL NEVER PAID ANY ATTENTION TO WHAT I SAID. THEY PROBABLY DID NOT PAY MUCH ATTENTION TO ME BECAUSE THEY NEVER EXPERIENCED ANY VEHICLE RELATED ACCIDENTS. BUT KNOWING THAT THEY AREA ALWAYS CARING HEAVY METALS, THEY SHOULD BE A LITTLE MORE CONCERN ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THEIR WORKERS IN GENERAL BUT CLEARLY THEY DO NOT CARE A BIT AND THAT REALLY BOTHERED ME VERY MUCH. IN THIS EMAIL, I AM MOSTLY POINTING OUT THE DODGE RUM 1994 PLATE NUMBER (74R-300), UNFORTUNATELY I DON'T HAVE THE EXACT PLATE NUMBER OF THE OTHER 2 VEHICLES. I AM SURE THAT IF SOMEONE WHO KNOWS ABOUT TRUCK SAFETY AND MECHANICS TAKES A LOOK AT ALL 3 VEHICLES, THEY WILL SE THAT WHAT I AM SAYING IS TRUE. I AM ALSO ATTACHING A FEW IMAGES TO BACKUP MY STATEMENT.
NHTSA complaint #11054912 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
HISSING NOISE COMING FROM HYDROBOOST AREA. WHILE DRIVING AND WHEN STOPPED WITH ENGINE RUNNING THERE IS A HISSING NOISE UNDER THE DASH. DEPRESSING THE BRAKES, THE NOISE QUIETS. WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL, THE NOISE QUIETS. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION THE NOISE IS COMING FROM THE HYDROBOOST AREA.
NHTSA complaint #11051367 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LOST MY BRAKES AND STEERING WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HWY DOING 65. LOST ALL BRAKE POWER AND POWER STEERING.THE MOTOR RUNS BUT HAVE NO BRAKES AND POWER STEERING. LOOKING AT IT I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE 2 YOUNG KIDS AND THEY COULD HAVE BEEN BADLY HURT IF I WASN'T ABLE TO MAN HANDLE THE TRUCK. DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO. NOT SURE WHAT IS CAUSING IT. IS THERE ANYTHING YOU CAN DO TO LOOK INTO THIS CAUSE NOW I'M SCARED TO DRIVE MY TRUCK. ESPECIALLY WITH MY KIDS IN IT. I'M NOT SURE WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT THIS BUT I WOULD REALLY HATE TO SEE SOMETHING BAD HAPPEN TO A FAMILY FOR A ISSUE LIKE THIS. I THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND I HOPE TO HEAR A RESPONSE BACK FROM YOU ABOUT THIS ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #11003078 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DRIVER SIDE ENTRY ASSIST HAND HOLD BREAKS AND ALLOWS DRIVER TO FALL BACKWARDS WHEN TRYING TO USE TO ENTER VEHICLE. BRAKE LINE FAILURE FROM FLUID HOLDER TO ABS DISTRIBUTION BLOCK RUST OUT AND RELEASES BRAKE FLUID AND PEDAL GOES TO FLOOR AND WILL NOT STOP VEHICLE. BRAKE HOSES DETERIORATES AND DOES NOT ALLOW CALIPER TO RELEASE AND CAUSES OVERHEAT PROBLEMS WITH POOR STEERING WHEN BRAKE IS APPLIED
NHTSA complaint #10995454 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY HUSBAND AND I TOTALED OUR 2010 DODGE RAM 3500 LESS THAN 24 HRS AFTER PICK UP THE TRUCK FROM THE LYTHIA DODGE WHICH THEY HAD FOR 5 DAYS STRAIGHT PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. FOR THE STEERING, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND THE BRAKES. IN 18MOS MY TRUCK WAS IN THE SHOP 6 TIMES, FOR REPAIRS {UNACCEPTABLE}. WE WERE DRIVING ON A ARTERIAL ST AT ABOUT 35, WHEN I HEARD A SNAP. WE SUDDENLY WENT INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC WHERE WE SIDESWIPED A SM SUV. WENT THRU TWO FENCES AND CRASHED INTO A HUGE SHOP TRAVELING ABOUT 210 YARDS. MY HUSBAND WAS CITED FOR NEG 2. HE STATED HE CAME TO IN THE SHOP, THE OFFICER REPORTED HE FEEL ASLEEP. MY VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS. THE AUTO SOURCE FROM THE INS. FOR THE PAYOFF , HAD A LIST OF RECALLS FOR MY VEHICLE ONE OF THEM WAS FOR THE TIE-ROD. WE RECALLED SEEING THE TRUCKS TIE-ROD HAD BEEN BROKEN AT THE SCENE. SO I TRIED TO GET MY INS TO INVESTIGATE. THEY SAID HIS TICKET WAS WHAT THEY HAD TO USE FOR DECIDING FAULT .SO I CONTACTED CHRYSLER THEY WOULDN'T TALK TO ME THEY GAVE ME A CARE NO AND SAID AN INVESTIGATOR WOULD COME IN 5 DAYS, HE CAME AND GOT ALL THE PICTS THEY WANTED DOWNLOADED THE BRAIN HISTORY ,EVERYTHING THEY COULD WANT. THEN TOLD ME HE COULD ONLY GIVE THIS INFO TO CHRYSLER, DENYING ME ANY OF IT. LATER CHRYSLER INFORMED ME BY LETTER THAT THE TIE-ROD FAILURE AGE WAS FROM THE ACCIDENT NOT THE CAUSE OF IT. I ASK IF THE WOULD CONSIDER THE WORK ORDERS THAT LYTHIA HAD GAVE ME {THAT CLEARLY STATES THEY WERE BEYOND SPECIFICATION, NEVER WARNING ME OF THE DANGERS} AND THE PICTS. I TOOK. I COULDN'T AFFORD TO FAX THEM AND THEY REFUSED ME AN EMAIL ADDRESS TO SEND THEM. THAT EVIDENCE WAS NOT CONSIDERED. THEY HAVE NOT SETTLED THIS WITH ME ONLY REFUSED THEIR LIABILITY. THE AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED, AND BRAKES WERE NOT APPLIED. I GOT 3 NOTICES FOR RECALL N49, 1 YR AFTER THE ACCIDENT. MULTIPLE RECALLS AT THAT TIME, DO A RECALL SEARCH BY NOW VIN NOW AND NOTHING COMES UP.
NHTSA complaint #10923725 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EVER SINCE WE PURCHASED THE TRUCK USED FROM DODGE DEALER IN TUCSON ARIZONA WE HAVE HAD CONCERNS WITH SUSPENSION AND STEERING OF THE TRUCK. WHEN DRIVING THE TRUCK STEERING IS BOUNCY AND UNSTABLE. WE THOUGHT IT WAS ALIGNMENT SO WE TOOK IT IN AND TRUCK CONTINUES THE SAME. WHEN PULLING OUT 34' 5TH WHEEL STEERING IS VERY SHAKY AND VIBRATES A LOT. AFTER YEARS OF BRINGING UP CONCERN WITH DODGE DEALER WE TOOK TO ANOTHER SHOP WHERE THEY GAVE US A HUGE LIST OF THINGS NEEDING TOO GET FIXED. WE WENT BACK TO DODGE DEALER WHERE THEY GAVE US A 2ND OPINION AND CAME UP WITH ADDITIONAL CONCERNS WITH TRUCK. WE HAVE CHANGED SHOCKS, STRUTS, BE ALL JOINTS AND OTHER THINGS WITH THE SUSPENSION AND TRUCK CONTINUES TO RUN THE SAME WAY. BUT RECENTLY WE GOT BRAKES, DRUMS, AND MASTER CYLINDER SINCE WE RAN OUT OF BRAKES WHILE PULLING OUT 34' 5TH WHEEL. ALL THIS THINGS WERE RECOMMENDED SO THAT THE TRUCK WOULD RUN WELL. WE HAVE SPENT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS AND ISSUE IS STILL UNRESOLVED. WE WOULD LIKE SOMEONE TO HELP US SINCE ALL THE RECOMMENDED REPAIRS HAVE BEEN DONE AND STILL HAVING SAME PROBLEM. WE TRAVEL QUITE A BIT WITH OUR ANIMALS AND WOULD HATE TO HAVE A DEADLY ACCIDENT DUE TO TRUCK PROBLEMS. PLEASE LET US KNOW WHAT WOULD BE THE BEST STEP TO REPAIRING OUR TRUCK TO SAFE CONDITIONS. STEERING SHAKY AND BRAKES FAILURE EVEN AFTER ALL RECOMMENDED REPAIRS. THANK YOU [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10884638 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.