RoadVitals

1999 Dodge Ram 3500 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.
15
Latest Jul 13, 2016
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 104 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.
1
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 1999 Dodge Ram 3500 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 15 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

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

BrakesSteeringSuspension
Filed Jul 13, 2016

EVER SINCE WE PURCHASED THE TRUCK USED FROM DODGE DEALER IN TUCSON ARIZONA WE HAVE HAD CONCERNS WITH SUSPENSION AND STEERING OF THE TRUCK. WHEN DRIVING THE TRUCK STEERING IS BOUNCY AND UNSTABLE. WE THOUGHT IT WAS ALIGNMENT SO WE TOOK IT IN AND TRUCK CONTINUES THE SAME. WHEN PULLING OUT 34' 5TH WHEEL STEERING IS VERY SHAKY AND VIBRATES A LOT. AFTER YEARS OF BRINGING UP CONCERN WITH DODGE DEALER WE TOOK TO ANOTHER SHOP WHERE THEY GAVE US A HUGE LIST OF THINGS NEEDING TOO GET FIXED. WE WENT BACK TO DODGE DEALER WHERE THEY GAVE US A 2ND OPINION AND CAME UP WITH ADDITIONAL CONCERNS WITH TRUCK. WE HAVE CHANGED SHOCKS, STRUTS, BE ALL JOINTS AND OTHER THINGS WITH THE SUSPENSION AND TRUCK CONTINUES TO RUN THE SAME WAY. BUT RECENTLY WE GOT BRAKES, DRUMS, AND MASTER CYLINDER SINCE WE RAN OUT OF BRAKES WHILE PULLING OUT 34' 5TH WHEEL. ALL THIS THINGS WERE RECOMMENDED SO THAT THE TRUCK WOULD RUN WELL. WE HAVE SPENT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS AND ISSUE IS STILL UNRESOLVED. WE WOULD LIKE SOMEONE TO HELP US SINCE ALL THE RECOMMENDED REPAIRS HAVE BEEN DONE AND STILL HAVING SAME PROBLEM. WE TRAVEL QUITE A BIT WITH OUR ANIMALS AND WOULD HATE TO HAVE A DEADLY ACCIDENT DUE TO TRUCK PROBLEMS. PLEASE LET US KNOW WHAT WOULD BE THE BEST STEP TO REPAIRING OUR TRUCK TO SAFE CONDITIONS. STEERING SHAKY AND BRAKES FAILURE EVEN AFTER ALL RECOMMENDED REPAIRS. THANK YOU [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
10884638
Incident
Dec 15, 2015
Mileage
168,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Mar 6, 2016

I JUST GOT THE TRUCK AND HAVE HAD BRAKES ACT FUNNY FRONT BRAKES SOME TIMES LOCK UP PULLS TO THE RIGHT, ACTS LIKE YOUR ON ICE, AND SOME TIMES LIKE YOU STEP ON A BRICK SO I LOOK IT UP ON THE INTERNET TO SEE THEY HAVE HAD THIS GOING ON FROM 1997 TO TODAY ALL THE SAME THINGS NOT 100 BUT 10000S OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME THING WHY HAS THERE NOT BEEN A RECALL ON THIS PLUS I HAVE READ OF 100S HAVING ACCIDENTS WHEN THIS HAPPENS I BELIEVE THIS IS A ABS ISSUE FOR A LONG TIME WITH ALL DODGE TRUCKS 1500,2500 3500, PICKUPS I HAVE LOOK AT THE BRAKE SYSTEM BUT DON'T SEE WHY THIS IS GOING ON I HAVE HAD THIS GO ON AT ALL SPEEDS 15 TO 65 IT COMES AND GO'S

NHTSA ID
10840144
Incident
Feb 23, 2016
Mileage
147,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistanceFuel system
Filed Mar 4, 2016

RUNS OUT OF FUEL AT 1/4 TANK,BREAKS ACT LIKE FRONT BREAKS OR ON ICE WHEN COMING TO STOP DRY ROAD , CRUSE CONTROL DONT WORK WITH VACUUM LEAK

NHTSA ID
10839982
Incident
Feb 26, 2016
Mileage
147,000 mi
BrakesFuel systemTransmission
Filed Nov 12, 2005

TWO PRIMARY SAFETY RELATED ISSUES AND MANY LESS IMPORTANT QUALITY ISSUES HAVE PLAGUED THIS VEHICLE. THE PROBLEMS BEGAN TO MOUNT IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE WARRANTY LAPSED. THE MOST CRITICAL ISSUE HAS BEEN THE CORROSION AND SUBSEQUENT FAILURE OF THE BRAKE LINE THAT SUPPLIES THE PRESSURE NEEDED FOR THE REAR BRAKES TO OPERATE. THIS ISSUE RENDERED THE REAR BRAKES ON THE VEHICLE USELESS. DODGE CORPORATE AND TWO LOCAL DODGE DEALERSHIPS REFUSED TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE, EXCEPT BY OFFERING TO SELL A REPLACEMENT BRAKE LINE. THE FAILURE OF THE METAL AFTER ONLY 5 YEARS IS UNACCEPTABLE. THE SECOND MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE IS THAT THE NIPPLES ON THE ORIGINAL FUEL SENDING UNIT WERE MADE OF METAL AND CORRODED THROUGH AND BEGAN TO SPRAY FUEL ONTO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM AND THE ENTIRE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THIS RESULTS IS VERY POOR MILEAGE AND A POTENTIALLY FATAL FUEL LEAK. BETWEEN THESE TWO SAFETY ISSUES AND THE BLATANT DISMISSAL OF ANY RESPONSIBILITY OF THE DODGE CORPORATION I THINK SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. I HAVE CORRECTED THE ISSUE ON MY VEHICLE, BUT WHAT IF SOMEONE WAS TOWING A LARGE TRAILER WITH A SIMILAR VEHICLE AND THE BRAKES FAILED? PEOPLE COULD BE KILLED. ADDITIONALLY THE FUEL LEAK DOESN'T SEEM TO BE AN ISSUE THAT SHOULD EVER HAPPEN. I BELIEVE THAT IN SYSTEMS AS CRITICAL AS FUEL AND BRAKES THE MATERIAL SHOULD BE DESIGNED TO LAST LONGER THAN 4 OR 5 YEARS REGARDLESS OF THE WARRANTY. WE HAVE THE TECHNOLOGY TO PREVENT THIS, ITS A SIMPLE MATERIAL CHOICE ISSUE. THE BRAKES AND FUEL LINES COULD HAVE EASILY AND INEXPENSIVELY BEEN MADE OF STAINLESS STEEL OR BRASS OR ANY NUMBER OF OTHER NON CORROSIVE MATERIALS. *JB

NHTSA ID
10142506
Incident
Oct 1, 2005
Mileage
115,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Aug 13, 2002

BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR WHEN BRAKING. *AK BRAKE LINES WEAR ON THE FRAME UNTIL THEY RUPTURE, THERE IS NO WARNING, PART IS THE FEEDER LINE TO THE WHEEL CYLINDERS ON THE FRONT. *SLC

NHTSA ID
8016117
Incident
Jul 19, 2002
BrakesEngineSteering+1 more
Filed Jul 11, 2002

FRONT BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED AT 11,000 MILES TO STOP THE SEVERE PULLING WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED---"LOCKUP" STARTED THE FRONT WHEELS LOCKUP AND THE REARS ROLL FREE---MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPLACED--PORPORTIONING VALVE WAS REPLACED--REAR DRUMS WERE TURNED & REAR SHOES WERE REPLACED

NHTSA ID
9005146
Body & structureBrakesEngine+4 more
Filed Jun 18, 2002

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITHOUT WARNING, APPLIED ON BRAKES AND VEHICLE WOULD PULL TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. DEALER HAS SERVICED VEHICLE BEFORE FOR SAME PROBLEM; HOWEVER HAS NOT FOUND REMEDY FOR MALFUNCTION.*AK CONSUMER ADDS AFTER FRONT PADS WERE REPLACED FRONT/REAR BRAKES CONTINUE TO LOCK UP. WHILE OPPOSITE END WHEELS ROLL FREE. MANY ATTEMPTS MADE TO CORRECT PROBLEM, BUT LOCK UP STILL HAPPENS FREQUENTLY. STEERING SEEMS VERY LOOSE AND IS HARD TO KEEP VEHICLE STRAIGHT. POWER STEERING GEAR AND STEERING GEAR BOX WAS REPLACED HOWEVER TRUCK CONTINUES TO WANDER. DRIVER SIDE SEAT CUSHION SAGGS. SEAT BOTTOM CUSHION REPLACED. CAB SQWAKS ON UNEVEN GROUND. BLACK SMOKE FROM EXHAUST WHEN COLD OR WARM. CLUTCH SLIPS. DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE. DIMMER ON DASH LIGHTS BURNS FINGERS. WHEN TURNING ON TURN SIGNALS, WIPERS WILL ACTIVATE AND RAPID FLASH IS HEARD. DIFFICULTY GETTING INTO FIRST GEAR. ABS JAMS WHEN UNDER A HARD STOP AND DURING COLD START. LUMBAR IS INOPERATIVE. TRANMSISSION LEAKING OIL. REPLACED OUTPUT SHAFT SEAL. MASTER CYLINDER REPLACED. MOST GEARS DIFFICULT TO ENGAGE. REVERSE IS VERY STIFF. SHIFTING 2-3RD WILL CAUSE SHIFTER TO LOCK UP AND WON'T MOVE AT ALL. NO PROBLEM FOUND. OVERHEAD CONSOLE INOPERATIVE AND REPLACED. *TT

NHTSA ID
8012061
Incident
Sep 29, 1999
Brakes
Filed Jun 4, 2002

FRONT BRAKES LOCK UP BACK BRAKES FAIL, NO BRAKES ON BACK AFTER BRAKES WERE REPLACED.*AK CONSUMER ADDS REAR BRAKES LOCK UP AS WELL. ABS PULSATES SLOWLY. REAR BRAKE SHOES, MASTER CYLINDER AND PROPORTIONING VALVE WERE ALL REPLACED. HOWEVER, PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *TT

NHTSA ID
8010999
Incident
Oct 4, 1999
BrakesSteeringSuspension
Filed May 25, 2001

ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE. THE BRAKE CALIPER WERE NOT PROPERLY ATTACHED. BAD BALL JOINTS WHICH HAD TO BE REPLACE.

NHTSA ID
9002672
Incident
Jul 28, 2000
Brakes
Filed Apr 12, 2001

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 50 MPH KEEPER RING BROKE. SHAFT THAT GOES THROUGH BRAKE AND CLUTCH PEDALS CAME OUT. THIS CAUSED BRAKES TO LOCK UP, CLUTCH ENGAGED AS WELL.*AK *SLC

NHTSA ID
885786
Incident
Apr 9, 2001
Brakes
Filed Feb 21, 2001

INTERMITTENTLY BRAKES LOCK UP WHITH LIGHT PRESSURE. ONE DEALER HAS DUPLICATED PROBLEM, BUT COULD NOT REPAIR IT. *AK THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS FOUND LEAKING AND WAS REPLACED, HOWEVER THIS DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM, THE FRONT BRAKES WILL LOCK AND THE REAR BRAKES WILL ROLL FREE, SOMETIMES IT IS THE OPPOSITE THAT OCCURS, WHEN THE ABS GRABS, IT LETS GO TOO LONG BEFORE IT GRABS AGAIN, DEALER REFUSES TO DIAGNOSE AND FIX IT, DODGE CUSTOMER HOT LINE LEFT A MESSAGE FOR CONSUMER STATING NOT TO CALL THEM ANYMORE. *SLC

NHTSA ID
880987
Brakes
Filed Jul 26, 2000

WHILE MAKE A TURN AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKES, VEHICLE LOST ALL BRAKE POWER. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDR FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ID
866012
Brakes
Filed Jul 25, 2000

BRAKES HIT TO AVOID COLLISION. AFTER WHICH ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE LIT ON DASH BOARD. FEESER DODGE IN HENDERSON, NC WAS CONTACTED FOR REPAIR. PARTS HAD TO BE ORDERED. I WAS TOLD AT DEALERSHIP THAT THIS WAS THE SECOND INCIDENT THAT WEEK LIKE MINE. THE QUESTION IS ABS BRAKES ARE DESIGNED FOR A STEADY PREASURE VERSUS THE OLD PUMPING METHOD. WHAT IS THE PROBLEM WITH THE REAR WHEEL SENSOR AND WHY DOES IT GET DAMAGED WHEN HARD PRESSURE APPLIED? MY TRUCK IS USED FOR TOWING HORSE TRAILERS A SAFE RELIEABLE BRAKING SYSTEM IS MANDATORY. *AK

NHTSA ID
725981
Incident
May 25, 2000
Brakes
Filed Jun 13, 2000
Fire reported

WHILE DRIVING WHEELS ON FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE LOCKED UP AND SHEARED OFF. THIS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 70 MPH. BEFORE THIS HAPPENED, TRUCK WAS PULLING TO RIGHT. PROBLEM WAS REPORTED TO THE DEALERSHIP. DEALER STATED THAT PROBLEM WAS DUE TO AFTER MARKET BRAKE PADS. TRUCK WAS TOWED TO A GARAGE. OWNER STILL WAITING ON PARTS, WHOLE WHEEL ASSEMBLY SHEARED OFF THE TRUCK. *AK *ML

NHTSA ID
863478
Incident
Jun 9, 2000
Brakes
Filed Aug 19, 1999

INTERMITTENTLY WHILE BRAKING VEHICLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT UNEXPECTEDLY WHICH MAY CAUSE A CRASH. DEALER REPLACED BRAKE CALIPERS AND TURNED THE ROTORS. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ID
845429
Incident
Dec 1, 1998

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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Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .