FaultScore

1996 Dodge RAM brake problems

236 of the 905 complaints about the 1996 Dodge RAM are about the braking system — 26% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 112,724 miles.

F

236

Complaints

23

Crashes

0

Fires

7

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip 92 39.0%
Foundation Components 32 13.6%
Pads 21 8.9%
Rotor 18 7.6%
Master Cylinder 11 4.7%
Disc 10 4.2%
Caliper 10 4.2%
Drum 9 3.8%
Vacuum 5 2.1%
Hoses, Lines/Piping, AND Fittings 5 2.1%

Brakes across every Dodge RAM year

1991 13 1.4%
1993 16 1.7%
1994 113 11.8%
1995 186 19.4%
1996 236 24.6%
1997 90 9.4%
1998 135 14.1%
1999 95 9.9%
2000 28 2.9%
2001 35 3.6%
2002 13 1.4%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

Adelanto, CA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

The contact owns a 1996 Dodge Ram. The contact became aware that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 97V068000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic), 01V037000 (Vehicle Speed Control), and 00V135000 (Electrical System); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA complaint #11627321 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 98,449 miles Fallbrook, CA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

THE VEHICLE VACUUM SYSTEM BECAME CONTAMINATED WITH OIL. THIS EFFECTED THE VEHICLE'S HAV SYSTEM, BRAKE BOOSTER AND DETERIORATED ALL THE VACUUM HOSES WHICH CAUSED THE BRAKES TO FAIL INTERMITTENTLY. *PH A RECALL WAS INITIATED FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. THE DEALER RECOMMENDED THAT THE CONSUMER INSTALL AN EXTERNAL BRAKE BOOSTER CHECK VALVE AND HOSE, REPLACE VENT AND DEFROSTER ACTUATOR. THE CUSTOMER DECLINED THE REPAIRS.

NHTSA complaint #10056106 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 127,000 miles Jamul, CA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE TOOK A LONG TIME TO SLOW DOWN WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS PRESSED. BRAKE LIGHT STAYED ON, AND OIL WAS LEAKING INTO THE VACUUM SYSTEM.

NHTSA complaint #10044508 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Wheaton, IL

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

THE ABS AND THE BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE BRAKES EVEN WHEN NOT IN MOTION. THE SERVICE WRITER SAYS CONSUMERS VEHICLE NEEDS A CABS COMPUTER MODULE. THE FRONT ROTORS NEEDED REPLACING BECAUSE OF WHAT THE DEALER CLAIMS TO BE PITTING. A FRIEND IN FORMED CONSUMER THAT IT WAS BECAUSE OF AIR BUBBLES IN THE CASTING WHEN THE ROTORS WERE MADE.

NHTSA complaint #564365 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Wheaton, IL

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

THE ABS AND THE BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE BRAKES EVEN WHEN NOT IN MOTION. THE SERVICE WRITER SAYS CONSUMERS VEHICLE NEEDS A CABS COMPUTER MODULE. THE FRONT ROTORS NEEDED REPLACING BECAUSE OF WHAT THE DEALER CLAIMS TO BE PITTING. A FRIEND IN FORMED CONSUMER THAT IT WAS BECAUSE OF AIR BUBBLES IN THE CASTING WHEN THE ROTORS WERE MADE.

NHTSA complaint #564365 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Wheaton, IL

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

THE ABS AND THE BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE BRAKES EVEN WHEN NOT IN MOTION. THE SERVICE WRITER SAYS CONSUMERS VEHICLE NEEDS A CABS COMPUTER MODULE. THE FRONT ROTORS NEEDED REPLACING BECAUSE OF WHAT THE DEALER CLAIMS TO BE PITTING. A FRIEND IN FORMED CONSUMER THAT IT WAS BECAUSE OF AIR BUBBLES IN THE CASTING WHEN THE ROTORS WERE MADE.

NHTSA complaint #564365 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Cincinnati, OH

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

WHEN DRIVING DOWNHILEE BRAKES WILL NOT STOP VEHICLE. CONSUMER ALSO STATED VEHICLE HAS INADQUATE BRAKING, BURNS UP CALIPERS AND BRAKE PADS. DEALER CONTACTED. NLM

NHTSA complaint #8006623 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Presca Valley, AZ

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND HAD NOT TURNED OFF. HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER, THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM FOR A COUPLE DAYS. BUT, PROBLEM CAME BACK. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #8002258 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Presca Valley, AZ

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

WHILE DRIVING COULD STEP ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO REDUCE OR TO STOP VEHICLE. PEDAL WILL PULSE CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, DEALER HAD BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #8002259 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Oxard, CA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

BRAKES ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #899794 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Antioch, CA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

THE FRONT AND REAR CAUSING THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE WHILE DRIVING. NLM

NHTSA complaint #562818 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Forestville, CA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

DURING APPLICATION OF BRAKE SYSTEM VEHICLE WILL SUDDENLY PULL HARD TO LEFT OR RIGHT, DIRECTION IS UNPREDICTABLE. DEALERSHIP HAS EXAMINED VEHICLE, BUT WAS UNABLE TO REMEDY PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / ATTACHMENTS.

NHTSA complaint #895967 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Auburn, WA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC

THERE ARE PROBLEMS WITH FRONT BRAKE DISCS. WHEN CONSUMER IS STOPPING THERE IS VIBRATION COMING FROM BRAKES.

NHTSA complaint #895276 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Libby, MT

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

CONSUMER STATES THE VEHICLE KEEPS BLOWING WHEEL SEALS WHICH CONTAMINATE THE BRAKES, CONSUMER PURCHASED LIFETIME WHEEL SEALS AND LASTED TWO WEEKS.*AK. CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE THROTTLE LINKAGE HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES.*SLC

NHTSA complaint #893706 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Humbolt, TN

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

ABS BRAKING SYSTEM LIGHT COMES ON DASHBOARD AND STAYS ON. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #891708 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bremen, KY Crash 1 injured

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

WHEN APPLYING BRAKES IN A PANIC STOP THEY LOCKED UP, RESULTING IN A COLLISION WHICH CAUSED MINOR INJURIES.

NHTSA complaint #890771 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Junction, TX

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM

CONSUMER STATES BRAKE SHOES AND BRAKE DRUMS WERE DOWN TO THE METAL AND HAD TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #561106 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Humbolt, TN

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

WHEN APPLYING BRAKES ABS BRAKING SYSTEM LIGHTS COMES ON DASHBOARD PANEL. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM. PEDAL IS HARD AND STICKS A LITTLE.

NHTSA complaint #882963 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Flanders, NJ

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC

FRONT RIGHT BRAKE CALIPER KEEPS PULLING SHORTLY AFTER REPLACEMENT. 4 HAVE BEEN REPLACED. SOMETIMES A VERY STRONG PULL WHERE STEERING IS PULLED FROM HANDS. ESPECIALLY DANGERIOUS WHEN PULLING A TRAVEL TRAILER. -- FUEL CELL HAS A BADLY WORN SLEEVE WHICH CAUSES FLOATING SUCTION TO HANG UP CAUSING AIR SUCTION AND RUNNING OUT OF FUEL AT 1/2 TANK PLUS OR MINUS.

NHTSA complaint #741498 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Austin, TX Crash

PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL

VEHICLE WAS BACKED UP TO A LAKE TO DROPA BOATWITH EMERGENCY BRAKE ON. UPON RETURNING TO SHORE, CONSUMER FOUND VEHICLE SUBMERGED IN WATER, EMERGENCY BRAKE HAD COME LOOSE.

NHTSA complaint #880947 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Humbolt, TN Crash

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY THE AND NOTICED THAT ABS BRAKING SYSTEM LIGHT CAME ON INTERMITTENTLY ON DASHBOARD. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #878071 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Clive, IA Crash

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER

WHILE DRIVING 50MPH & WENT TO APPLY BRAKES, MASTER CYLINDER/POWER BOOSTER STUDS CAME OUT. IT SPLIT THE METAL ATTACHMENT. THERE WERE NO BRAKES. REARENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. HAD CONTACTED MANUFACTURER. A REPRESENTATIVE CHECKED VEHICLE'S BRAKES & INDICATED THE BRAKES WERE FINE & MANUFACTURER WAS NOT LIABLE FOR ANYTHING.

NHTSA complaint #868575 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Tampa, FL

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

WHILE DRIVING TO A STOP SIGN BEHIND OTHER VEHICLE, APPLIED BRAKE PEDAL AND VEHICLE LOST BRAKING POWER. CONSUMER WAS FORCED TO DRIVE OFF THE ROAD. TECHNICIAN POINTED OUT THAT PROBLEM WAS WITH BRAKE LINE THAT DELIVERED FLUID TO BRAKES.

NHTSA complaint #867378 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Tampa, FL

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

WHILE DRIVING TO A STOP SIGN BEHIND OTHER VEHICLE, APPLIED BRAKE PEDAL AND VEHICLE LOST BRAKING POWER. CONSUMER WAS FORCED TO DRIVE OFF THE ROAD. TECHNICIAN POINTED OUT THAT PROBLEM WAS WITH BRAKE LINE THAT DELIVERED FLUID TO BRAKES.

NHTSA complaint #867378 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Goshen, CT

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS

AXLE SEAL FAILED, BRAKE SHOES REPLACED. *MJS

NHTSA complaint #550872 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Brownville, NY

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

STEERING PITMAN ARM AND IDLER ARM HAVE A LOT OF PLAY, FRONT BEARINGS LOOSE, FRONT ROTORS RUSTED AND WORN OUT REQUIRED REPLACEMENT.

NHTSA complaint #857340 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fairfield, WA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

WHEN APPLYING BRAKES VEHICLE WILL PULLS HARD TO LEFT . DEALER HAS RESURFACED FRONT BRAKES, AND FLUSHED MASTER CYLINDER AND ITS LINES, BUT DEFECT KEEPS REOCCURRING.

NHTSA complaint #856062 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fairfield, WA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC

WHEN APPLYING BRAKES VEHICLE WILL PULLS HARD TO LEFT . DEALER HAS RESURFACED FRONT BRAKES, AND FLUSHED MASTER CYLINDER AND ITS LINES, BUT DEFECT KEEPS REOCCURRING.

NHTSA complaint #856062 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fairfield, WA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER

WHEN APPLYING BRAKES VEHICLE WILL PULLS HARD TO LEFT . DEALER HAS RESURFACED FRONT BRAKES, AND FLUSHED MASTER CYLINDER AND ITS LINES, BUT DEFECT KEEPS REOCCURRING.

NHTSA complaint #856062 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Kernersville, NC

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

TRANSMISSION WILL NOT SHIFT TO 2-3 GERAS NORMALY, ALSO, ABS BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON AT IDLE.

NHTSA complaint #715986 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1996 Dodge RAM problems

← Full 1996 Dodge RAM report