RoadVitals

1996 Dodge Ram 2500 Brakes Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the brake system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Brakes reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
80
Latest May 18, 2019
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
27%
of 291 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
11
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
2

What this page shows

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1996 Dodge Ram 2500 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 80 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming brake

The 25 most recent of 80, in the owner's own words

Brakes
Filed May 18, 2019

WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET, I LOST MY POWER STEERING, CAUSING ME TO ALMOST HAVE A REAR END COLLISION WITH THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. I HAD MY TRUCK TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP, THEY FOUND MY BRAKE SYSTEM TO BE CONTAMINATED AND TOLD ME THAT ALL PARTS OF THE SYSTEM WITH RUBBER IN THEM WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. AFTER ABOUT A WEEK AND A HALF, I WAS INFORMED THAT THEY COULD FIND ALL THE PARTS EXCEPT ONE, THE COMBINATION OR PROPORTIONING VALVE. I PAID FOR THE DIAGNOSTICS TEST AND HAD THE TRUCK TOWED TO ANOTHER LOCAL DEALER-I NEEDED A SECOND OPINION, NOT UNDERSTANDING WHY A DEALERSHIP COULD NOT FIX MY TRUCK. I TOLD THE SECOND DEALERSHIP MY STORY, THEY DID A DIAGNOSTIC TEST OF THEIR OWN AND CAME UP WITH THE SAME EXACT CONCLUSION, INCLUDING THE FACT THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND THE COMBINATION VALVE. I BOUGHT ANOTHER CAR AND WAS PLANNING ON SELLING THE TRUCK, BUT NOW AM UNABLE TO DO THAT, AS IT HAS NO BRAKES AND THEY CAN'T BE FIXED. I'M WRITING THIS IN HOPES THAT SOMEONE ELSE THAT IS LOOKING TO BUY A TRUCK LIKE THIS UNDERSTANDS THE SITUATION IF THIS PROBLEM HAPPENS TO THEM.

NHTSA ID
11208414
Incident
Apr 24, 2019
Mileage
175,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Sep 11, 2006
Crash reported

I WENT TO STOP AT A RED LIGHT UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS AND THE BRAKE PETAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND I REAR ENDED AN SUV. MY VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP TO FIND THAT THREE OF THE FOUR BRAKE LINES RUSTED OUT AND THE ONE THAT STAYED INTACT WAS LEAKING. I DID HEAVY DAMAGE TO THE SUV AS WELL AS PUSHED IN MY BUMPER AND DAMAGED THE HOOD. ALSO THE APPLICATION OF THE EMEREGENCY BRAKE DID NOTHING. *NM

NHTSA ID
10167911
Incident
Sep 11, 2006
Mileage
125,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Nov 18, 2004

WHILE TURNING RIGHT OR LEFT CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT. CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE FRONT TIRES WERE RUBBING AGAINST THE BRAKE LINES. THIS CAUSED THE BRAKE LINES TO WEAR OUT PREMATURELY. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. *AK

NHTSA ID
10101315
Incident
Nov 10, 2004
Brakes
Filed Jun 27, 2004

WHILE OPERATING MY 1996 DODGE RAM 2500 EXT CAB 4X4 DIESEL, I SUDDENLY LOST THE NORMAL BRAKING, ON THE VEHICLE I SWERVED TO THE RIGHT TO AVOID HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE, JUST BARELY MISSING ANOTHER IN SLOWING/STOPPING(ONLY HAD FRONT BRAKES). THE REAR STEEL BRAKE LINE HAD RUSTED THROUGH, LOCATED INSIDE REAR FRAME RAIL DRIVERS SIDE, NEXT TO FUEL TANK,WHERE THE BRACKET HOLDS THE LINE NEXT TO THE FRAME. THIS VEHICLE IS ONLY 8 YEARS OLD, AND EXTREMELY WELL MAINTAINED(MAINTENANCE RECORDS AVAILABLE) I ALSO NOTICED THAT THE OTHER COATED (ZINK) LINES ARE ALSO RUSTING. THE LINE WAS REPLACED. SHOULD THIS BE HAPPENING????????? SYSTEM HAS SILICONE BRAKE FLUID.*** I HAVE THE RUSTED BRAKE LINE IF SOMEONE NEEDS TO INSPECT IT.*** IF SOMEONE NEEDS TO SEE IT. *JB

NHTSA ID
10078878
Incident
Jun 10, 2004
Mileage
134,604 mi
BrakesOther / unspecified
Filed Feb 9, 2004

BRAKES FAILED. THE VACUMM CHECK VALUE INSTALLED BY DODGE TO FIX THE PROBLEM ON A 1996 DODGE RAM DIESEL FAILED AND ALLOWED NO VACUUM.

NHTSA ID
10056850
Incident
Oct 30, 2003
Mileage
135,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Dec 24, 2003

WHEN BRAKING AT ANY SPEED, THE BRAKE PEDAL FELT HARD AND BRAKING DISTANCE WAS EXTENDED. THE CONSUMER NOTICED THE HOSE TO THE BRAKE BOOSTER WAS OILY. THERE WAS A RECALL, BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK *CB *JB

NHTSA ID
10047970
Incident
Sep 15, 2003
Mileage
94,000 mi
BrakesVisibility
Filed Oct 22, 2003

THE VACUUM SYSTEM WAS REPLACED TWICE DUE TO OIL CONTAMINATION. CONSUMER WAS TOLD ABOUT A RECALL ON THE CHECK VALVE. PER MANUFACTURER. THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT AFFECTED. HOWEVER THE CHECK VALVE WAS MISSING ON THIS VEHICLE. *AK RECALL# 97V068000. THIS CAUSED THE HEATER/A/C CONTROLS TO FAIL AND THE VACUUM HOSE LEADING TO THE MASTER CYLINDER BOOSTER SYSTEM. (FULL OF OIL AND NOT FUNCTIONING) THE HOSE WHICH LEAD TO THE BRAKE BOOSTER WAS SOFT. THE CONSUMER HAD WORK DONE TO THE BRAKE WIRING SYSTEM BUT IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE BRAKE LIGHT HAD COME ON AS THE CONSUMER WAS LEAVING THE SERVICE DEALER. THE DEALER DIDN'T ADDRESS THE VACUUM OIL PROBLEM, BUT WANTED TO FIX THE UNRELATED PROBLEMS. THE AIR VENT WOULD NOT CLOSE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. *SCC *JB

NHTSA ID
10040030
Incident
Aug 26, 2003
Mileage
92,300 mi
Brakes
Filed Sep 29, 2003

WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH APPLIED THE BRAKES AND PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT SHOP, TECHNICIAN FOUND THAT BRAKE LINES WERE RUSTED AND LEAKED FUEL. *AK

NHTSA ID
10041845
Incident
Sep 29, 2003
Brakes
Filed Apr 1, 2003

WHEN THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE VIBRATED. WHICH WAS CAUSED BY A FAILED DISC BRAKE, THE DEALER REPLACED THE DISC BRAKE , HOWEVER THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *JB

NHTSA ID
10014938
Incident
Jul 15, 2001
Mileage
55,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jun 30, 2002

MAIN BRAKE LINE HAS RUSTED AND RUPTURED, OTHER LINE IS DETERIORATED. THE LINE RUPTURED AT HOME NOT ON THE ROAD. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A DANGEROUS SITUATION.*AK

NHTSA ID
763660
Incident
Jun 29, 2002
Brakes
Filed Feb 22, 2002

UNDER A HARD STOP, IF THE REAR WHEELS BOUNCE ANY, THE BRAKES WILL FAIL. *AK

NHTSA ID
758501
Brakes
Filed Feb 16, 2002

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VVEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
758328
Incident
Feb 6, 2002
Brakes
Filed Apr 9, 2001

WHEN BRAKING VEHICLE PULLS TO LEFT OR RIGHT, AND IT IS VERY SERVERE AT TIMES.VEHICLE HAS BEEN INTO REPAIR SHOP OVER 14 TIMES FOR PULLING.*AK THE VEHICLE HAD DEFECT, BUT THE MANUFACTURER WAS UNWILLING TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEM. THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. *YH

NHTSA ID
885445
Incident
Sep 1, 1996
Brakes
Filed Apr 6, 2001

THE VEHICLE PULLS/DRIFTS TO THE LEFT WHEN BRAKING URGENTLY AT ALL SPEEDS, THE ROTORS, DRUMS, AND TRACKING BAR HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE BUT THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS. NLM

NHTSA ID
560682
Brakes
Filed Mar 16, 2001

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WOULD PULL TO RIGHT WHEN ABS BRAKES WERE APPLIED. HAD BRAKES REPAIRED AND PROBLEM HAD CONTINUED. HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP AT LEAST 15 TIMES FOR PROBLEM, BUT HAD NOT BEEN RESOLVED. THE WOULD NOT SLOW VEHICLE DOWN LIKE IT SHOULD. COMPLAINED TO DEALER AND MECHANIC SINCE BOUGHT IT NEW. LES SCHWARB WAS REFERRED BY MECHANIC, BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK

NHTSA ID
883291
Brakes
Filed Mar 12, 2001

A NUMBER OF DODGE TRUCKS HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM, MILD TO SEVERE PULLING WHEN BRAKING, MINE IS SO BAD THAT IT WILL CHANGE LANES UNLESS YOU COUNTER STEER JUST BEFORE HITTING THE BRAKES. *AK

NHTSA ID
742285
Brakes
Filed Feb 13, 2001

ROTORS AND DISC CHANGED TWICE. BRAKES HAVE BEEN CHANGED EVERY 10-15,000 MILES. CONSUMER DOESN'T HAUL ANYTHNG TO WEAR BRAKES OUT. SERVICEMAN SAID BRAKING SYSTEM WAS INADEQUATE, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, LIGHT CAME ON, AND BRAKES FAILED. *AK

NHTSA ID
880467
Incident
Dec 1, 1997
Brakes
Filed Jul 14, 2000

WHILE COMING DOWN A HILL AND TURNING A LOAD, APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE WHOLE FRONT END SHOOK VIOLENTLY. ALSO, STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED RIGHT AND LEFT. CONTACTED DEALER.*AK

NHTSA ID
865391
Incident
May 14, 2000
Brakes
Filed Apr 25, 2000

CALIPERS ON PASSENGER'S SIDE GRAB TOO HARD, CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO MOVE TO THE RIGHT. *AK

NHTSA ID
860936
Incident
Apr 17, 2000
Brakes
Filed Apr 7, 2000
Crash reported

BRAKE SYSTEM STILL NOT FUNCTIONING CORRECTLY AS OF SEPT 12, 1999. IN MEDIATION WITH ONE DEALERSHIP, WAITING FOR REPONSE. HAVE BEEN TOLD BY MY MEDIATOR THAT THIS SEEMS LIKE A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. IN 2 DEALERSHIPS 12 TIMES FOR BRAKES. NO ONE HAS FIXED THEM PROPERLY YET. I'VE BEEN TOLD BY MEDIATOR TO FIND OUT IF THE NEWER MODELS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. IF NOT, WHAT WAS DONE TO CORRECT PROBLEM. CAN THIS BE RETROFITTED TO MY VEHICLE. IF NOTHING CAN BE DONE TO REPAIR THIS VEHICLE I'M TAKING CHRYLSER TO COURT FOR A REPLACEMENT. PLEASE ADVISE OR COMMENT.*AK

NHTSA ID
711249
BrakesSuspension
Filed Jan 21, 2000

BETWEEN JAN.1998 THROUGH OCT. 1999 VEHICLE HAS BEEN THROUGH EIGHT SETS OF BRAKES, FRONT ROTORS TURNED THREE TIMES, REAR DRUMS TURNED ONCE, EXCESSIVE WEAR OF THE BRAKE COMPONENTS. *MJS

NHTSA ID
550512
Brakes
Filed Dec 20, 1999

ONGOING / INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE EXPERIENCING BRAKE FAILURE ON FIVE OCCASIONS WHEN SHIFTING IN REVERSE. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER VACUUM SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AND WAS UNABLE TO REPLACE IT DUE TO NATIONAL BACK ORDERS. *AK

NHTSA ID
854193
Incident
Oct 15, 1999
Brakes
Filed Dec 14, 1999

BRAKES WEAR EXCESSIVELY AFTER BEING APPLIED. BRAKES WERE CHANGED. 6,000 MILES LATER, NEEDED REPLACING AFTER MAKING SQUEAKING NOISE. INFORMED BY MECHANIC REAR CYLINDERS TOO SMALL FOR BRAKES ON TRUCK. GIVEN PRINTOUT FROM NAPA, INDICATING DEFECTIVE CYLINDERS. NOT ENOUGH PRESSURE FOR REAR BRAKES FROM CYLINDERS. CONTACTED MANUFACTURER & INFORMED CONSUMER OF A TSB REGARDING FRONT PADS AND SHOES & CYLINDERS. *AK

NHTSA ID
854052
Incident
Dec 10, 1999
Brakes
Filed Oct 20, 1999

WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED THE BRAKES GO TO THE FLOOR, RESLTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER HAS REPAIRED THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES, AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK

NHTSA ID
851254
Brakes
Filed Oct 20, 1999

WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR., VEHICLE ONLY SLOWS DOWN AND DOES NOT STOPS. ALSO, WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THE ABS WARNING LIGHT COMES ON. DEALER HAS TURNED OFF THE ABS WARNING LIGHT, AND THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. OWNER SAYS THE PROBLEM IS STILL HAPPENING. *AK

NHTSA ID
851163

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .