RoadVitals

2000 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.
29
Latest May 19, 2022
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.
14%
of 211 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.
3
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

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 2000 Dodge Ram 2500 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 29 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 29, in the owner's own words

Brakes
Filed May 19, 2022

In Muskogee County.By the grace of God, I finally gain control of my vehicle, after applying the brakes that failed on me, to avoid an accident, I pulled over to inspect my vehicle. I did a walk around inspection and noticed left rear side a puddle of oil on the ground, a oil leaks right next to the fuel tank inside the frame. After getting into my vehicle I noticed, my ABS light come on. So, I had it tow home. Prior to this I did not have an inspection to see it was safe to drive and I did not report this to the police.

NHTSA ID
11465307
Incident
May 18, 2022
Brakes
Filed Oct 12, 2013

LOST BRAKING. BRAKE FLUID LEAKING AROUND GAS TANK AREA. BRAKE LINES TOTALLY RUSTED. WHY WOULD YOU USE STEEL BRAKE LINES? *TR

NHTSA ID
10547725
Incident
Oct 11, 2013
Mileage
94,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jan 11, 2012
Crash reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE RAM 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES SEIZED AND COULD NOT BE DEPRESSED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS PULSATING ABNORMALLY WHEN DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT THEN CRASHED INTO A TRACTOR AS A RESULT OF THE BRAKE FAILURE AND CAUSED MINOR DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SPOKE TO THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INSTRUCTED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO BE INSPECTED. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT ONE OF THE HEADLIGHTS WAS DAMAGED AND THAT THE VEHICLE COULD ONLY BE INSPECTED BY AN ENGINEER SENT BY THE MANUFACTURER. THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING INSPECTION BY AN ENGINEER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,025.

NHTSA ID
10443407
Incident
Dec 16, 2011
Mileage
85,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Nov 11, 2011

BRAKE LINE CORRODED ABOVE DRIVER SIDE REAR WHEEL IN TRUCK FRAME. NO BRAKE PRESSURE, WILL HAVE TO REPLACE BRAKE LINE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10435287
Incident
Nov 11, 2011
Mileage
117,850 mi
BrakesElectricalEngine
Filed Nov 8, 2011

WHEN I ADJUSTED THE STEERING WHEEL TO A DIFFERENT POSITION AN APPARENT ELECTRICAL FAILURE SHUT DOWN THE ENGINE AND THE POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES RENDERING THE TRUCK ALMOST UNCONTROLLABLE AT THAT SPEED. THIS CATASTROPHIC FAILURE WAS REPLICATED AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS AND WHILE STATIONARY. APPARENTLY ANY MOVEMENT OF THE STEERING WHEEL WILL SHUT OFF COMPLETE POWER TO THE ENGINE AND CAUSE A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER TO THE VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10434840
Incident
Oct 28, 2011
Mileage
101,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Feb 16, 2010

2000 DODGE RAM 2500 LEFT REAR BRAKE LINE ROTTED OUT AND BRAKES FAILED WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP AT A FOUR WAY INTERSECTION. BARELY STOPPED IN TIME TO AVOID THE VEHICLE ALL READY AT THE STOP SIGN. *TR

NHTSA ID
10310921
Incident
Oct 28, 2009
Mileage
93,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Oct 5, 2009

ALL THE STEEL BRAKE LINES ARE RUSTING AND FAILING. 2 BRAKE LINE FAILURES IN 2009. EXPECT MORE TO OCCUR UNTIL ALL LINES ARE CHANGED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10286275
Incident
Oct 4, 2009
Mileage
75,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Sep 25, 2009

BRAKES FAILED UNEXPECTEDLY. NO ACCIDENT. GOT OUT OF TRUCK TO CHECK AND SAW BRAKE FLUID RUNNING OUT OF HOLE IN THE TOP OF THE FRAME BEHIND AUXILIARY FUEL TANK. WAS ABLE TO CAREFULLY LIMP HOME WITH IT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10285287
Incident
Sep 18, 2009
Mileage
232,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jul 18, 2008

WHILE DRIVING MY 2000 DODGE RAM 2500, I EXPERIENCED A BRAKE FAILURE WHILE APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION. INCIDENT OCCURRED 7/13/08. THE TRUCK HAS 38,000 MILES & WELL MAINTAINED. WHILE PERFORMING A POST INCIDENT INSPECTION, I DISCOVERED THE REAR BRAKE LINE BEHIND THE FUEL TANK HAD RUPTURED. THERE IS NO EVIDENCE OF PHYSICAL DAMAGE ASIDE FROM HEAVY CORROSION. THIS CORROSION EXTENDS APPROXIMATELY 18" FROM THE REAR BRAKE LINE JUNCTION BLOCK (PICTURE AVAILABLE). WHILE RESEARCHING ONLINE TO PURCHASE A REPLACEMENT LINE, I NOTICED LARGE NUMBER OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS POSTED IN VARIOUS FORUMS (WHICH WAS QUITE DISTURBING). THE FUEL LINE, ALONG WITH THE FRAME RAIL ADJACENT TO THE FAILED BRAKE LINE HAS NO SIGNS OF CORROSION. *TR

NHTSA ID
10234759
Incident
Jul 13, 2008
Mileage
38,642 mi
Brakes
Filed May 1, 2008

LEFT REAR BRAKE LINE FAILURE. LOST REAR BRAKING IN OPERATION OF VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10226385
Incident
Apr 6, 2008
Mileage
77,894 mi
BrakesOther / unspecified
Filed Mar 31, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE RAM 2500. THE CONTACT ORDERED A CONI-SEAL MASTER CYLINDER, PART NUMBER MC250130 (NA) FROM NATIONAL AUTOMOTIVE. HE BENCH BLED THE COMPONENT AND NOTICED THAT IT WAS CONTAMINATED AND CAUSED THE BRAKE FLUID TO HAVE A REDDISH DISCOLORATION. THERE WERE ALSO HUGE PARTICLES IN THE FLUID ACCOMPANIED BY LARGE LUMPS OF DEBRIS IN THE MASTER CYLINDER. THE DEBRIS COULD CAUSE SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE BRAKE SYSTEM. THE MANUFACTURER SENT A NEW IDENTICAL COMPONENT, WHICH ALSO FAILED. THE SERIAL NUMBER, PART NUMBER, AND LOCATION OF THE COMPONENT WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 147,000. UPDATED 5/19/08 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE PARTS WERE DEFECTIVE RIGHT OUT OF THE BOX. UPDATED

NHTSA ID
10222908
Incident
Mar 5, 2008
Mileage
147,000 mi
BrakesOther / unspecified
Filed Mar 31, 2008

I ORDERED A NEW REPLACEMENT MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER FOR MY 2000 DODGE RAM 2500 PICK-UP TRUCK. IT WAS ORDERED THROUGH NATIONAL AUTOMOTIVE LINES IN SHELLBYVILLE IL. THE MASTER CYLINDER THEY SENT WAS FROM CONI-SEAL OF LAKEWOOD, NJ 08701. WHEN I WENT TO BENCH BLEED THE MASTER CYLINDER PRIOR TO INSTALLING IT ON MY VEHICLE, THE FRONT BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR FLUID TURNED RED WHILE BLEEDING IT. I ALSO GOT RED STRINGGY DEBRIS ABOUT AN 1/2 TO 3/4 INCH LONG FROM THE INSIDE OF THE MASTER CYLINDER. THE PART # IS MC250130. DO NOT USE THIS PART!!!!!! AS YOU KNOW ANY FOREIGN MATTER IN THE BRAKE LINE COULD CAUSE A BRAKE TO STICK, NOT APPLY, OR IT COULD GET INTO THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM AND CAUSE IT TO FAIL OR MALFUNCTION. BOTH PARTS DISPLAYED THE SAME PROBLEM, SO IT APPEARS THE FACTORY IS DOING SOMETHING WRONG, OR SOMEONE IS DELIBERATELY PUTTING SOMETHING IN THE MASTER CYLINDER. IF YOU DO NOT BENCH BLEED AND DO IT ON THE CAR, YOU WILL NOT CATCH THIS AND WILL PUT FOREIGN MATTER INTO YOUR BRAKE SYSTEM. THIS COULD HAVE FATAL RESULTS. I URGE THE D.O.T. AND NTSB TO INVESTIGATE IMMEDIATELY BEFORE A FATAL ACCIDENT HAPPENS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10222906
Incident
Mar 10, 2008
Brakes
Filed Jun 15, 2005

BRAKE LINES HAVE RUSTED SO NO BRAKES OTHER THAN E BRAKE

NHTSA ID
10125345
Incident
Jun 10, 2005
Mileage
34,000 mi
BrakesPowertrain (other)Steering+1 more
Filed Nov 17, 2004

FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS BECAME DEFECTIVE SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE. ALSO, SPINDLES WERE TOO SMALL, AND MASTER CYLINDER AND BOTH SEALS HAD TO BE REPLACED. *AK

NHTSA ID
10101165
Incident
Nov 1, 2004
Mileage
50,520 mi
Brakes
Filed Nov 17, 2004

WHILE DRIVING AT APROXIMATELY 20 MPH BRAKES FAILED, CAUSING THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE TO RUN A RED LIGHT. AFTER TOWING, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT DRIVER'S SIDE BRAKE HOSE WAS DEFECTIVE. *AK

NHTSA ID
10101158
Incident
Oct 22, 2004
Mileage
49,000 mi
BrakesSteering
Filed Apr 20, 2004

LTR FM [XXX] (WA) RE DEFECTIVE STEERING COLUMN FOR A 2000 DODGE RAM 2500 SERIES TRUCK (VIN#[XXX]), NO REC IN ES DATABASE OF 1/20/04 LTR TO ODI RE CASE NO. #[XXX], REPLY/ATTN. [XXX] AT THE OLYMPOA, WA OFC. *PH THE DEALER REPLACED THE STEERING BOX, TRACK BAR AND TIE ROD ENDS. THE BRAKE PADS FAILED AT 65,000 MILES. *JB *SC INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
10066993
Incident
Jul 1, 1901
Mileage
128,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Apr 1, 2004

WHILE DRIVING, THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND IT WENT DOWN TO THE FLOOR. CONSUMER SOMEHOW STOPPED THE VEHICLE WITHOUT INCIDENT. CONSUMER DETERMINED THE REAR BRAKE LINE WAS RUBBING THE CAB FLOOR WHICH CAUSED THE BRAKE LINE TO WEAR AND LEAK BRAKE FLUID. *AK *JB

NHTSA ID
10059762
Incident
Feb 24, 2004
Mileage
51,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Aug 5, 2003

PREMATURE FAILURE OF DISC BRAKE ROTORS WITHIN 17,000 MILES ROTORS RUSTING AND PITTING FROM THE BACK-SIDE OUT TO FRONT. *AK

NHTSA ID
10030827
Incident
Jul 15, 2003
Mileage
16,854 mi
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Apr 25, 2003

WHILE DRIVING THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED, AND THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED, SOON AFTER THE BRAKES WERE INOPERATIVE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10017601
Brakes
Filed Apr 4, 2003

THE BRAKE PADS EXPERIENCED PREMATURE FAILURE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10015233
Mileage
25,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Dec 14, 2002
Crash reported

ABS FAILURE AT SPEED OF NO MORE THAN 35 M.P.H. STOPPING DISTANCE WAS SUFFICIENT FOR SPEED BUT, UPON DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THEY IMMEDIATELY LOCKED UP, CAUSING THE TRUCK TO SLIDE.

NHTSA ID
10000044
Incident
Dec 13, 2002
Mileage
23,688 mi
Brakes
Filed Jun 20, 2002
Crash reported

BRAKES WERE APPLIED AT 10 MPH, AND ABS PULSED ONCE. THEN, FRONT OF VEHICLE STARTED TO SLIDE, AND REARENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. BRAKE PEDAL FELT NORMAL. THIS HAPPENED ONCE BEFORE, NO INCIDENT. DEALER STATED ABS SYSTEM WAS WORKING AS IT SHOULD.*AK

NHTSA ID
8012256
Incident
Jun 4, 2002
Brakes
Filed Feb 8, 2002

WHEN THE TRUCK COMES TO A STOP THE BRAKES FEEL NORMAL AND THEN WITHOUT ANY WARNING THE BRAKE FAIL. AT THE POINT YOU MUST HIT THE BRAKE PEDAL A SECOND TIME TO BE ABLE TO STOP.

NHTSA ID
757965
Incident
Feb 6, 2002
BrakesFuel systemSuspension+1 more
Filed Feb 4, 2002

WHEN DRIVING, VEHICLE WILL TEND TO TRY TO MOVE OVER TO THE SIDE WITHOUT CONSUMER TURNING VEHICLE. CONTACTED DEALER.*AK CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE GETS POOR GAS MILEAGE. TRANSMISSION DOES NOT SHIFT CORRECTLY. BRAKES GRAB, PULL, AND LOCK UP. CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS ABOVE 55 MPH AND HITTING A BUMP, IT WILL THROW THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE. *JB

NHTSA ID
8003472
Incident
Jan 1, 2002
BrakesSuspensionTransmission
Filed Dec 7, 2000

VEHICLE EXPERIENCING PROBLEM WITH BRAKE MAKING LOUD BUMPING NOISE, AND GRABBING FROM REAR WHEELS WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED. VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN DEALER'S SHOP ON FIVE OCCASIONS, AND PROBLEM STILL REOCCURRING. *AK TRANSMISSION FLUID HAS HIGH ALUMINUM ACCORDING TO SAMPLE ANALYSIS, THE TRANSMISSION HAD BEEN REPLACED PRIOR TO THIS. REAR AXLE ALSO HAS A HIGH LEVEL OF IRON AND CHROME IN FLUID ACCORDING TO THE SAMPLE ANALYSIS. *SLC

NHTSA ID
876118
Incident
Nov 15, 2000

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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .