2001 Dodge 1500 Brakes Problems

The contact owned a 2001 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that while exiting a parking lot and attempting to depress the brake pedal, the brake pedal floored, causing the contact to roll to a stop on the side of the road. The ABS and Brake Warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to drive at 2 MPH to their home. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed that the brake line had blown and replaced it where it had failed. Approximately 6 months later, the ABS and brake warning lights illuminated again. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed no leaks. When restarting the vehicle, the warning lights were no longer illuminated. While driving at an unknown speed, the ABS and brake lights illuminated again. The vehicle was taken to Meineke Car Care Center to a certified mechanic. The following morning, the lights were not illuminated. The vehicle was returned to Meineke Car Care Center, who stated that it may have been a computer glitch causing the lights to illuminate, then turn off when the vehicle was restarted. The contact had the brakes replaced as routine maintenance; however, after doing so, while driving in the rain at approximately 25 mph and attempting to apply the brakes, the brakes failed, causing the vehicle to rear-end the vehicle in front. The air bags did not deploy. The contact did not sustain injuries or require medical attention. The contact assumed the other driver had injuries, but could not confirm. A police report was filed. The contact was able to drive at a slow speed to their home. The ABS and Brake lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed back to Meineke Car Care Center, where it was diagnosed that the other brake line had blown. The front end and brake line, which had blown was repaired. After the vehicle had been repaired, when coming to a stoplight, the failure occurred again, causing the vehicle to crash a second time. There were no injuries, air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. The contact drove the vehicle to Meineke Car Care Center, who was

NHTSA ID

11717773

Incident

Sep 13, 2012

Mileage

259,021 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT FAILED TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

NHTSA ID

11013526

Incident

Jul 14, 2017

Mileage

200,000 mi

THE BRAKE LINE LEADING TO THE DRIVER REAR TIRE IS SEVERELY CORRODED. THE ENTIRE LINE FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER TO THE WHEEL WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED. MY 16 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING THE TRUCK WHEN THE BRAKES FELL TO THE FLOOR. IT LEAKED THE ENTIRE CONTENTS OF THE BRAKE FLUID OUT. THE BREAKS DID STILL FUNCTION BUT BARELY. ENOUGH TO GET IT HOME.SHE WAS ON A BUSY STREET IN TRAFFIC WHEN THE BRAKE PETAL WENT TO THE FLOOR.

NHTSA ID

10966378

Incident

Mar 15, 2017

Mileage

140,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO SLOW DOWN, THE BRAKE PEDAL STUCK TO THE FLOOR BOARD. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SHOULDER, INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, AND FOUND THAT THE REAR BRAKE LINES FRACTURED DUE TO CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,800.

NHTSA ID

10919864

Incident

Sep 1, 2016

Mileage

62,800 mi

REAR BRAKE LINE HEAVILY CORRODED AND RUPTURED IN BETWEEN THE FUEL TANK AND THE FRAME (VERY LITTLE CORROSION TO THE SURROUNDING PARTS/FRAME). FORTUNATELY THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN THE LINE BROKE AND I NOTICED I HAD LOST VIRTUALLY ALL BRAKING ABILITY WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PUT IT IN GEAR. I HAD DRIVEN IT 10 MINUTES PRIOR TO THE LINE FAILING, AND HAD NOTICED NO DEGRADATION WHATSOEVER.

NHTSA ID

10850137

Incident

Mar 12, 2016

Mileage

112,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE HAD A PAST FAILURE WITH THE BRAKES, CORROSION OF THE FRAME, A CRACKED DASHBOARD, AND WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATING SINCE 26,000 MILES. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THESE FAILURES, BUT NOT FOR THE STEERING FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 41,000.....UPDATED 01/04/2016 *BF

NHTSA ID

10743865

Incident

Jul 21, 2015

Mileage

41,000 mi

2001 DODGE RAM. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATION, BRAKE LINE REPLACEMENT AND FRONT FRAME PROBLEMS. *SMD UPDATED 07/27/15.....UPDATED 11/19/15 *BF UPDATED 01/12/16*LJ UPDATED 11/08/2017*CN

NHTSA ID

10733146

Incident

Jul 1, 2015

THE REAR BRAKE LINE BETWEEN THE GAS TANK AND FRAME BLEW OUT AS MY SON WAS PULLING IN THE DRIVEWAY. ACCORDING TO THE INTERNET, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE TRUCKS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10609713

Incident

Jul 9, 2014

Mileage

109,037 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES FAILED AND HE HAD TO UTILIZE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MAIN BRAKE LINES HAD WERE COMPLETELY RUSTED AND FAILED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 120,000. *TR

NHTSA ID

10526121

Incident

Jul 19, 2013

Mileage

120,000 mi

STOPPED AT GAS STATION, GOT BACK IN TRUCK BRAKE LIGHT WAS ON, ADDED FLUID, WALKING BACK TO TRUCK NOTICED PUDDLE OF FLUID UNDER TRUCK, BRAKE LINE HAD BURST ABOVE FUEL TANK, MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE! *TR

NHTSA ID

10514658

Incident

Jun 1, 2013

Mileage

153,000 mi

TRAVELING DOWN DRIVE WAY WHEN HARD BRAKE LINE BLOW OUT, CAUSING LOSE OF BRAKES. *TR

NHTSA ID

10460134

Incident

May 28, 2012

Mileage

73,587 mi

LEAVING A GAS STATION, I APPLIED THE BRAKE TO MOVE INTO TO DRIVE, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. I WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO BE NEXT TO THE GARAGE/MECHANIC I USE AND DROVE IT INTO HIS LOT. THEY ARE FIXING IT TODAY. I WAS VERY LUCKY I HAD TO STOP FOR GAS AT THAT TIME AND THIS FAILURE DIDN'T HAPPEN AT AN INTERSECTION. I HAVE HAD MANY VEHICLES OVER MY THIRTY YEARS OF DRIVING AND HAVE NEVER HAD A BRAKE LINE "RUST" AND FAIL LIKE THIS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10425154

Incident

Sep 12, 2011

Mileage

93,000 mi

THE BRAKE LINE HAS FAILED. THERE IS A PIN HOLE LEAK. THE METAL BRAKE LINE IS BETWEEN THE GAS TANK AND THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE. IT HAS RUSTED OUT SO MUCH THAT IT CAUSED THE LINE TO FAIL. THE LINE IS HIDDEN IN THE FRAME, WHICH DOESN'T PROVIDE THE ADEQUATE AMOUNT OF SPACE FOR THE ROAD WASH TO ACTUALLY CLEAN THE LINE. IT SITE ON THE FRAME AND RUSTS AWAY. THIS IS A BIG SAFETY ISSUE IF I WAS DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF GREATER THAN 25MPH OR STARTED BRAKING WHEN I NORMALLY DO. IT HAPPENED IN MY DRIVE WAY SO NO ACCIDENT, BUT THIS CAN'T BE THE RIGHT WAY TO BRING THAT LINE BACK TO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THIS LINE CONTROLS ALL THE REAR BRAKES. *TR

NHTSA ID

10424638

Incident

Sep 11, 2011

Mileage

74,325 mi

ON MY 2001 DODGE 1500, THERE IS A TON OF RUST ON THE UNDERSIDE PARTS. THE FRAME AND BODY AREN'T BAD, BUT THE THINGS THAT ATTACH ARE FAILING. THE BRAKE LINES WENT, AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ALL WENT AT THE SAME TIME, ALMOST RESULTING IN A WRECK. THE STRAPS THAT HOLD THE GAS TANK IN PLACE RUSTED OUT. THE SHEET METAL ATTACHMENT FOR THE FRONT AXLE IS THE LATEST. I'S ALMOST RUSTED OUT, AND WOULD HAVE CAUSED THE FRONT AXLE TO DETACH IF NOT REPLACED. ($$$$) YES, THE TRUCK IS 10 YEARS OLD AND I LIVE IN NW PA WHERE WE USE SALT. CRITICAL PARTS NEED TO BE PROTECTED FROM RUST OR MADE FROM STAINLESS. THIS TRUCK COULD HAVE KILLED SOMEONE, PROBABLY ME! *TR

NHTSA ID

10421369

Incident

Aug 20, 2011

Mileage

60,000 mi

THE BRAKE LINE ON MY 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 BLEW OUT ABOVE THE GAS TANK. I'VE DISCOVERED THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AMONG OWNERS WITH SIMILAR MAKES. DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE. I'M AT JUST ABOUT 160,000 MILES. *TR

NHTSA ID

10411585

Incident

Jul 7, 2011

Mileage

160,000 mi

DRIVER'S SIDE BRAKE LINE (BEHIND FUEL TANK) ON DODGE RAM 1500 V8 -5.9L BLEW OUT CAUSING ME TO LOOSE MY BRAKES. THIS WAS DUE TO CORROSION. *TR

NHTSA ID

10392255

Incident

Mar 19, 2011

Mileage

96,000 mi

ON FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 17, 2010 I WAS DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY 231 IN LAFAYETTE INDIANA, WHEN SUDDENLY I REALIZED I COULD NO LONGER USE THE BRAKES ON MY TRUCK. I TRIED TO SLOW MY VEHICLE BY BRAKING BUT MY BRAKES WERE NOT WORKING SO I JUST LET UP ON THE GAS. AT THIS POINT MY BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON AS DID MY ABS LIGHT ON THE CONTROL PANEL. I WAS STILL ABOUT 40 MILES AWAY FROM MY HOME AND STILL HAD ABOUT 30 MINUTES OF DRIVING TO DO BEFORE I REACHED MY DESTINATION. I DROVE ABOUT 20 MILES AN HOUR WITH MY EMERGENCY LIGHTS ON AND WAS PREPARED TO US MY EMERGENCY BRAKE IF I NEEDED TO. THANKFULLY THERE WAS CONSTRUCTION GOING ON AT THE TIME ON PARTS OF HIGHWAY 231 AT THE TIME, SO PARTS OF HIGHWAY 231 WERE SLOW GOING ANYWAY. HOWEVER, THE LOSS OF MY BRAKE SYSTEM SHOULD NEVER HAVE HAPPENED. I MADE IT SUCCESSFULLY HOME WITHOUT INJURING MYSELF OR ANYONE ELSE ON FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 17, 2010. HOWEVER, MY TRUCK IS ONLY 9 YEARS ONLY AND THIS INCIDENT SHOULD NEVER HAVE TAKEN PLACE. WHEN I RETURNED HOME ALL OF MY BRAKE FLUID WAS PORING OUT AND WAS COMPLETELY OUT OF THE MASTER TANK UNDER MY HOOD. FURTHERMORE, LOOKING AT THE BRAKE LINES, THE HARD LINES THAT LEAD TO THIS PROBLEM REVEALED THAT SEVERE RUST HAD LEAD TO THE TOTAL BREAKDOWN AND ACTUALLY CAUSED THE HARD LINES OF MY BRAKES TO BRAKE IN HALF, WHILE I WAS DRIVING. THIS SHOULD NEVER HAPPEN IN A NINE YEAR ONLY VEHICLE, THAT IS VERY WELL MAINTAINED. I HAVE SINCE REPLACE MY BRAKE SYSTEM WITH ALL NEW PARTS AND BLEED THE BRAKE SYSTEM. I HAVE ALSO TOLD PEOPLE WITH WHOM I NOW HAVE OTHER DODGE'S ABOUT MY INCIDENT, TO AT LEAST CHECK THEIR BRAKE SYSTEM FOR POSSIBLE RUST SO THEY DO NOT HAVE TO GO THROUGH WHAT I HAVE GONE THROUGH. I HAVE KEPT THE OLD PART, AT LEAST FOR A WHILE, IN CASE I NEED TO PROVE THAT THIS REALLY DID HAPPEN AND THESE WERE REALLY BAD PARTS THAT CHRYSLER INSTALLED ON THESE TRUCKS. MOST OF ALL I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THIS AFTER THERE WERE SO MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS SAME INCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10358622

Incident

Sep 17, 2010

Mileage

138,144 mi

ON 8/19/2009, I WAS TRAVELING EAST ON RT 360 IN CHESTERFIELD CO, VA IN MY 2001 DODGE 1500 PICKUP TRUCK. AS I APPROACHED THE LIGHT AT TURNER RD, I APPLY THE BRAKES BUT THE TRUCK WAS NOT STOPPING AS NORMAL. I STRUCK THE NISSAN IN FRONT OF ME IN THE REAR. DAMAGE DONE TO BOTH VEHICLES BUT THANKFULLY THERE WERE NO INJURIES. IT WAS LATER DETERMINED THAT THE STEEL BRAKE LINE THAT RUNS ALONG THE INSIDE OF THE FRAME RAIL HAD BURST CAUSING THE REAR BRAKES TO FAIL. THE INSURANCE COMPANY RESPONDED TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND INSPECTED THE OLD BRAKE LINE. IT APPEARS FROM SEVERAL DODGE FORUMS THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH SOME MODEL YEARS BUT DODGE REFUSES TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A VERY SERIOUS ISSUE AS THE NEXT VICTIM MAY NOT BE AS LUCKY AS I. *TR

NHTSA ID

10344440

Incident

Aug 19, 2009

Mileage

107,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500. WHEN THE CONTACT TRIED TO START THE VEHICLE THE BRAKES EXTENDED TO THE FLOOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A YEAR AGO THE FRONT BRAKE LINES ON THE VEHICLE WERE REPLACED. THE REAR BRAKE LINES WERE BROKEN AND COVERED WITH RUST. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 84710.

NHTSA ID

10340932

Incident

Jun 30, 2010

Mileage

84,710 mi

ACCORDING TO TWO MECHANICS, ONE BEING A DEALER, MY TRUCK HAS BRAKES THAT WERE MADE FOR A PASSENGER CAR, NOT A TRUCK. THE RESULT IS HAVING TO REPLACE THEM ABOUT ONCE A YEAR OR MORE, OFTEN HAVING TO REPLACE THE ROTORS, WITH SEVERAL INCIDENTS OF TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE. I HAVE PUT ABOUT 4000 WORTH OF BRAKES INTO THIS TRUCK OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL AND DODGE SHOULD BE FORCED TO REPLACE THESE BRAKES WITH HEAVY DUTY EQUIPMENT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10334959

Incident

Nov 13, 2009

Mileage

65,000 mi

HAVING NOTICED A LOSS IN BRAKE FLUID, IT BECAME A RUST OUT BRAKE LINE. THIS TRUCK, HAS 107K MILES. AND THIS BRAKE LINE IS IN THE REAR PORTION OF THE GAS TANK AREA, THAT CONNECTS TO THE REAR SYSTEM. THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THESE DODGE TRUCKS. AS HAVE FOUND OTHERS WITH THE SAME ISSUES. *TR

NHTSA ID

10319396

Incident

Mar 2, 2010

Mileage

107,241 mi

I HAVE A 2001 DODGE RAM PU WHICH APPARENTLY WAS POORLY DESIGNED WITH CAR BRAKES---PER MY MECHANIC AND THE DEALER. IT'S MY OPINION THAT DODGE SHOULD REIMBURSE ME FOR THE SEVERAL BRAKE JOBS I'VE HAD TO DO SINCE PURCHASING THE TRUCK AND CREATE A RECALL TO HAVE THESE UNDERSIZE/UNSAFE BRAKES REPLACED. THANKS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10315857

Incident

Jan 22, 2010

Mileage

60,000 mi

1. AFTER EXITING INTERSTATE, DRIVER WAS BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT AND APPLIED BRAKES. DRIVER NOTICED REDUCTION IN BRAKING ABILITY AND "MUSHY" BRAKE PEDAL. DRIVER PULLED BACK INTO PARKING SPOT TO INSPECT VEHICLE. 2. BRAKE LINE FOR DRIVER SIDE REAR BRAKE RUPTURED RESULTING IN TOTAL LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY. BRAKE LINE RUPTURED DUE TO CORROSION. 3. REPLACEMENT OF BRAKE LINE WAS REQUIRED. PART IS AVAILABLE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10282938

Incident

Sep 4, 2001

Mileage

87,000 mi

MASTER CYLINDER HAS GONE OUT NOW TWICE IN THE LAST YEAR WHILE DRIVING. COMPLETELY LOST BRAKES TWICE. HAD TO HAVE FIXED AT A GARAGE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10246225

Incident

Oct 20, 2008

2001 DODGE QUAD CAB PICKUP HAS FAILING WIRING IN STEERING COLUMN WHICH MAKES TRUCK DIE WHILE DRIVING . WHICH IN TURN THERE IS NO POWER BRAKES OR STEERING AND NO ELECTRICAL FUNCTIONS THAT MAKES THE TRUCK RUN . DEAD ON THE ROAD LITERALLY. WHO KNOWS AT WHAT SPEEDS THIS PROBLEM MAY OCCUR. LUCKILY, IT HAPPENED TO ME WHILE GOING SLOW AND I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE TRUCK. NO KNOWN HUMAN DEATHS YET THAT I HAVE HEARD OF FROM THIS. IF THE PROBLEM IS NOT FIXED WITH WIRING HARNESS THERE WILL BE DEATHS, I'M PRETTY SURE DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. I WOULD LIKE TO DO MY BEST TO KEEP MY FAMILY AND OTHER FAMILIES SAFE. THIS NEEDS TO BE DEALT WITH BEFORE SOMEONE DOES DIE UNNECESSARILY IN AN ACCIDENT THAT CAN BE AVOIDED BY REPLACING THE PROBLEM PART OF THE PICKUP. *TR THE BEARING CLUTCH, REAR CARRIER BEARING, AXLE SEALS, ROTORS, POWER STEERING PUMP, PINION CARRIER BEARINGS WERE ALL REPLACED. ALSO, THE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL AND HEADLIGHTS FAILED. THE CENTER SEAT CONSOLE BOLTING SYSTEM FELL OUT OF THE TRUCK, THE PLASTIC DASHBOARD PANEL AND HOUSING AROUND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS CRACKED IN FOUR PLACES. THE GASKET ON THE WATER PUMP WAS LEAKING. THE GASKET, WATER AND TIMING CHAIN WERE REPLACED. THE CLUTCH FAILED, DUE TO THE WRONG YEAR TRANSMISSION BEING INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE. A 2000 TRANSMISSION WAS INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE, INSTEAD OF A 2001. UPDATED 10/15/14

NHTSA ID

10241972

Incident

May 23, 2008

Mileage

55,500 mi