FaultScore

1999 Dodge RAM brake problems

95 of the 496 complaints about the 1999 Dodge RAM are about the braking system — 19% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 80,994 miles.

C

95

Complaints

5

Crashes

0

Fires

2

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip 44 46.3%
Disc 17 17.9%
Foundation Components 10 10.5%
Pads 5 5.3%
Drum 4 4.2%
Drum 3 3.2%
Hoses, Lines/Piping, AND Fittings 3 3.2%
Rotor 2 2.1%
Caliper 2 2.1%
Service Brakes, Hydraulic 2 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.

at 80,994 miles Moore, SC

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

DT: WHILE DRIVING ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY TOUCHED THE BRAKES AND THE BRAKES FELT SOFT. WHEN EXITING THE HIGHWAY APPLIED THE BRAKES, AND FOOT WENT TO THE FLOOR. CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE LINE BROKE. CONSUMER COMPLAINED THAT THE USE OF ALUMINUM BRAKE LINE CAUSED IT TO RUST.

NHTSA complaint #10125255 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 80,994 miles Moore, SC

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

DT: WHILE DRIVING ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY TOUCHED THE BRAKES AND THE BRAKES FELT SOFT. WHEN EXITING THE HIGHWAY APPLIED THE BRAKES, AND FOOT WENT TO THE FLOOR. CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE LINE BROKE. CONSUMER COMPLAINED THAT THE USE OF ALUMINUM BRAKE LINE CAUSED IT TO RUST.

NHTSA complaint #10125255 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 91,000 miles Bensalem, PA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

CONSUMER STATES: MADE A RIGHT-HAND TURN HEARD A BANG WHEEL WAS HANGING AT AN ANGLE AND RIGHT ROTATOR WAS BROKEN IN HALF, THE BRAKES PADS WERE LAYING BEHIND THE TRUCK, LOOKS LIKE SPINDLE NUGGET HAD BACKED OFF OF IT.

NHTSA complaint #10121217 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 40,000 miles Delaware City, DE

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

WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED TO THE FLOOR. AS A RESULT, THE BRAKE LINE WAS DAMAGED.

NHTSA complaint #10103183 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 35,000 miles Lehigh Acres, FL

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

BRAKES FAILED WHEN THEY WERE DEPRESSED AND UPON MAKING A RIGHT TURN. THE BRAKE LINE RUSTED, AND BRAKE FLUID LEAKED.

NHTSA complaint #10053580 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Saint Helen, MI

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC

CONSUMER STATED WHILE TRAVELING AT ANY SPEED AND WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKES, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE VIBRATED. VEHICLE HAD BEEN REPAIRED SIX TIMES, TECHNICIAN COULD NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM. *AK THE STEERING WHEEL ALSO VIBRATED. *SCC

NHTSA complaint #10040039 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Chicago, IL

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

VEHICLE HAD NO BRAKES.

NHTSA complaint #567771 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Glen Rock, PA

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

WHILE DRIVING ABS BRAKE AND BRAKE INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON, INDICATING THAT BRAKES DID NOT WORK PROPERLY WHEN APPLIED, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE.

NHTSA complaint #8018945 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Philadelphia, PA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

CONSUMER STATES HAVING NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES, ROTORS, CALIPERS AND THE ABS.

NHTSA complaint #567230 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hanford, CA Crash 1 injured

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM

PURCHASED TRUCK WITH IN ONE MONTH AND HAD TO REPLACE REAR BRAKES AND DRUMS AND SHOES SEVERE WEAR. PLUS AIR BAGS NOT DEPLOYING ON FRONT IMPACT TOTALLING VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #765890 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SAN Diego, CA

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

ABS BRAKE LIGHT APPEARS ON DASHBOARD. ABS BRAKING SYTEM DOESN'T HAVE THE COMPUTER SYSTEM. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #8015032 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

West Jordan, UT

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

CRUISE CONTROL WORKS SOMETIMES & ABS LIGHT & BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON SOMETIME AND STAY ON.

NHTSA complaint #763200 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

High Rolls, NM

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

ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT KEEP COMING ON DUE TO MALFUNCTION OF ABS MODULE. TOOK TO DEALER, AND DEALER INDICATED WHEN PUT ON COMPUTER ERROR CODES KEEP COMING UP. *AK

NHTSA complaint #8010108 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Aurba, MA

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

WHILE DRIVING ABS BRAKE SYSTEM WILL KICK IN TOO SOON, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER IS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.

NHTSA complaint #8006693 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Jeffersonville, PA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:DRUM

I DO NOT HAVE EXACT MILEAGE INTREVALS BUT THE REAR BRAKE DRUMS HAVE HAD TO BE CUT TWICE ALREADY AND NEED IT AGAIN. THE TRUCK JUST TURNED 44000 MILES AND IS NOT USED FOR WORK OR HEAVY HAULING. NORMAL DRIVING HAS CAUSED THIS PROBLEM WHICH I FEEL SHOULD NOT HAPPEN. SINCE THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THE DRUMS ARE OUT OF ROUND, I HAVE TO BUY NEW DRUMS AS THEY CAN ONLY BE CUT DOWN A COUPLE TIMES AND KEEP THEIR SAFE THICKNESS. NOT ONLY IS THIS A COSTLY ITEM BUT A VERY UNSAFE CONDITION AS THE REAR BRAKE SHOES ARE NOT IN CONTACT WITH THE DRUMS AS THEY SHOULD BE, AND THE TRUCK JERKS AND JOLTS WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED DUE TO UNEVEN BRAKING SURFACES.

NHTSA complaint #759331 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Rancho Cardova, CA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

WHILE APPLYING BRAKES AT ANY SPEED AND WITHOUT WARNING VEHICLE WILL PULL TO LEFT UNTIL RELEASE OF BRAKE PEDAL. *AK CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE WILL PULL TO THE LEFT WHEN BRAKING AND WILL DRIFT TO THE RIGHT ON FREEWAY AND BRAKES ARE SQUEAKY WHEN BRAKING ON STOP, DEALER REPLACED CALIPERS, TURNED ROTORS AND CHANGED BRAKES, DEALER FOUND STEERING WHEEL OFF CENTER, DEALER HAS REPLACED UPPER AND LOWER CONTROL ARMS, DEALER HAS ADJUSTED THE FRONT END AND REPLACED THE RIMS AND TIRES, VEHICLE EXPERIENCES LACK OF POWER AND ENGINE LIGHT HAS ILLUMINATED, VEHICLE IDLES HIGH AND IS EXPERIENCING POOR FUEL ECONOMY, WHEN DRIVING ON FREEWAY IT GETS MAX OF 14.5 MPG, SMOKE ALSO COMES OUT OF THE EXHAUST, LEFT SIDE ELECTRIC MIRROR GLASS HAD FOGGED, LEFT SEAT BOTTOM LOOSE, ONE MISSING BOLT FOUND, LEFT SEAT TRIM BEZEL KEEPS MIMING LOOSE WON?T STAY IN SEAT FOR SEAT BELT ON SEAT BACK. DEALER STATED THAT THE 2002 MODELS DO NOT HAVE VIBRATION PROBLEMS DUE TO THE SUSPENSION BEING CHANGED TO INDEPENDENT.

NHTSA complaint #8004887 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Titusville, NJ

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

WHILE APPLYING BRAKES VEHICLE STEERS TO RIGHT WITHOUT CONTROL OF STEERING WHEEL.*AK CONSUMER STATES THAT BOTH REAR DRUMS AND PADS WORN OUT.

NHTSA complaint #8003364 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ST Angelo, TX Crash

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

ABS BRAKING SYSTEM WOULD JERK BADLY WHEN APPLIED. PROBLEM BECAME WORSE WHEN TOWING A TRAILER. HAVE TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP. MECHANIC INDICATED NOTHING WRONG, BUT HAD CARRIAGE BEARING REPLACED 5 TIMES. WAS TEST DRIVEN WITH SERVICE MANAGER AND PROBLEM REOCCURRED. WAS INFORMED TO REMOVE ABS FUSE. PROBLEM EXISTED WITHOUT FUSE, AND CAUSED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. ACCIDENT OCCURRED DUE TO LACK OF ABS POWER.

NHTSA complaint #897720 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

DES Moins, IA

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

WHILE TRAVELING WITH ABS INDICATOR LIGHT VEHICLE STOPPED NORMALLY. HOWEVER, WHILE ABS INDICATOR LIGHT WAS OFF AND WHEN DEPRESSING BRAKES, IT RESULTED IN EXTENDED STOOPPING DISTANCE. SPEED ODOMETER AND ABS INDICATOR IS LINKED TOGETHER. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #897412 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Chicago, IL

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

BRAKES MADE TERRIBLE SQUEAKING SOUNDS, A TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE BRAKES WERE INSTALLED INCORRECTLY AT THE FACTORY, THE ROTORS IN THE REAR WERE CRACKED, HOWEVER THE FRONT BRAKES WERE NOT IN NEED OF REPAIR.

NHTSA complaint #561847 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Concord, NC

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM

REAR DRUM BRAKES DRIVER SIDE SELF ADJUSTED INTO THE DRUM CAUSING THE BRAKES TO WEAR DOWN VERY QUICKLY TO THE METAL SURFACE. ON INSPECTION THE ADJUSTER MECHANISM LOOKED FINE. RIGHT SIDE REAR BRAKES LOOKED FINE. INSPECTION 3 MONTHS AGO WAS FINE. AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE VEHICLE WAS TOWING A TRAVEL TRAILER. IN MY 35 YEARS OF DRIVING I HAVE NEVER SEEN BRAKE SYSTEM DO THIS TYPE OF FAILURE. BRAKE SYSTEM ARE FAR TOO CRUCIAL JUST TO PASS THIS OFF AS A FLUKE (QUOTING THE DEALERSHIP ).

NHTSA complaint #748212 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

NEW City, NY

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

WHILE DRIVING COULD STEP ON BRAKES PEDAL HARD, THEN WILL LET GO, BUT REAR BRAKES WILL STAY LOCKED. CONSUMER HAS TO KEEP DRIVING, THEN REAR BRAKES WILL RELEASE AND WORK AGAIN. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #891590 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

North Lawrence, NY

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

VERY BAD ENGINEER FLAWS, DESIGN, HARD TO KEEP GOING STRAIGHT, TRANS. VIBRATES/SHAKES TRUCK,STEERING COLUMN FEELS LOOSE,NO HELP FROM HOTLINE OR DEALER,ENGINE SPARK KNOCKS REAL BAD UNDER A LOAD, REAR BRAKES LOCK UP CONSTANTLY, CHRYSLER IS AWARE OF PROBLEMS CAN'T FIX AND MEET EPA EMISSION LAW.

NHTSA complaint #745918 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Mosinee, WI

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

WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED TO DEACTIVATE CRUISE CONTROL BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.*AK TRANSMISSION GRABS HARD INTO SECOND WHEN IT SHIFTS, ALSO WHEN STOPPED IT FEELS LIKE IT IS GETTING TAPPED IN THE BACK END. STEERING GEAR AND STEERING SHAFT REPLACED, RATTLING NOISE WHILE DRIVING OVER BUMPS. DRIVER'S DOOR LOCK WILL NOT LOCK WHEN USING SWITCH, DEALER REPLACED. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #888699 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Englewood, CO

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS

PREMATURE WEAR OF BRAKE PADS. PADS HAVE BEEN REPLACED EVERY 10000 MILES.*AK CONSUMER STATES FRONT BRAKES LOCKED UP, CAUSING A COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #888376 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Englewood, CO

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC

PREMATURE WEAR OF BRAKE PADS. PADS HAVE BEEN REPLACED EVERY 10000 MILES.*AK CONSUMER STATES FRONT BRAKES LOCKED UP, CAUSING A COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #888376 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Renton, WA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DIFFERENTIAL PROPORTIONAL VALVE

BRAKES WOULD NOT WORK PROPERLY IN REAR WHEN APPLIED DUE TO PROPORTIONAL VALVE FAILURE. THIS PREVENTS BRAKES FROM STOPPING VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #885259 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Florissant, MO

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC

FRONT BRAKES WOULD PULL VEHICLE TO LEFT WHEN APPLIED. HAVE TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP, AND MECHANIC REPLACED CALIPERS AND PADS 3 TIMES. *AK CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE ALSO PULLS TO THE RIGHT. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #885311 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Aztec, NM

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

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #742838 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Spring Valley, CA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC

EXCESSIVE BRAKE PADS AND ROTOR WEAR. VEHICLE ALWAYS PULLS TO THE LEFT.

NHTSA complaint #742913 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1999 Dodge RAM problems

← Full 1999 Dodge RAM report