RoadVitals

2021 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.
9
Latest Jul 21, 2026
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.
9%
of 105 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 2021 RAM 2500 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 9 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

Brakes
Filed Jul 21, 2026

This problem first occurred on a state highway in [XXX] in 2023 and again in 2026 (this incident.) While driving south on XXX, there was an undulation/slight bump in the interstate while in a mild right hand curve. My vehicles brakes engaged without my input and slowed me down from 70mph to 35mph with traffic behind me. My gas accelerator and brake pedal were unresponsive from user input. At no point was my vehicle out of control to trigger such aggressive braking from my ESC, ERM, or ABS. The concern here is that thankfully this was on dry roads and traffic was far enough behind me to avoid a collision. My concern is this happening in winter weather/icy/wet roads, or with significant traffic behind me causing a possible high speed rear-end vehicle accident. There was a safety recall for ESC/ABS a few years ago on my vehicle that I dealt with through the dealer. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
11751811
Incident
Jul 19, 2026
Brakes
Filed Jun 13, 2025

I have a seized brake caliper that is a direct result of a faulty brake hose. The brakes were looked at by a brake specialist business and I was told the brake hoses had to be replaced as well as the calipers, rotors and pads on the front. I took it to the Lake City, Florida dealer looking for a recall after reading online that some 2021 Ram 2500 trucks had brake hose recalls. They told me there was no recall on my particular truck for brake issues. However, when they quoted me there price and reason they needed to repair is that it had a seized brake caliper and all components are now no good. They also told me the brake hoses need to be replaced due to the passenger side brake hose having collapsed internally but they want me to pay $3500 to repair. This issue is a direct result of a faulty brake hose that they said collapsed. There are other trucks that have recalls for the same failure. Why is mine not covered under a recall with the safety issue that has developed? I need these parts covered as well as all the parts that have to be replaced due to the faulty hose. Please let me know what to do.

NHTSA ID
11666809
Incident
Jun 5, 2025
Brakes
Filed Jul 9, 2024

The integrated brake controller fails to provide braking to my travel trailer when attempting to stop. Multiple times this has pushed my truck into an intersection. There are no warning lights or failure messages. The brake controller is configured correctly as the issue has only been occurring the past few months and it was working as intended prior.

NHTSA ID
11600654
Incident
Jul 7, 2024
Brakes
Filed May 12, 2024
Crash reported

While driving in stop & go traffic traveling at speeds less than 15mph, when I stepped on the brake pedal to slow / stop my RAM, the brake pedal failed to activate the brakes and the vehicle continue in a forward motion causing my RAM to collide with the vehicle traveling in front of me. After the collision, my RAM pushed the vehicle I hit into the center shoulder of the freeway. My RAM continued its forward motion (up an shallow grade) for another 1/4 mi. My constant stabbing and continual pressure failed to stop or slow my RAM. I eventually I brought my vehicle to a stop by depressing the "emergency brake pedal". While I was attempting to stop my RAM in appeared the throttle continued to deliver the engine power even though my right foot was on the brake pedal.

NHTSA ID
11588347
Incident
May 10, 2024
BrakesEngineFuel system
Filed Apr 20, 2023

The contact owns a 2021 Ram 2500. The contact stated that on multiple occasions while driving at various speeds, the vehicle started to decelerate inadvertently while the accelerator pedal was depressed. The vehicle then lost motive power. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to exceed 10 MPH. The contact then stated that a message appeared on the instrument panel, indicating to “See Dealer - Exhaust Filter Clogged”. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the fuel pump failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed, and the fuel pump was replaced; however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the low fuel pressure, filter housing, time fuel line, and TIPM module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where the vehicle remained. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was provided a case number. The failure mileage was approximately 14,000.

NHTSA ID
11518082
Incident
Mar 2, 2023
Mileage
14,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Feb 16, 2023

The contact owns a 2021 Ram 2500. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle lost ABS functionality. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle failed to slow as needed, causing the vehicle to rear-end another vehicle. The contacted stated that the driver of the other vehicle sustained unknown injuries while the contact sustained neck and back injury. The contact stated that there was no police report filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic but was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.

NHTSA ID
11507667
Incident
Feb 1, 2023
Mileage
30,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Feb 16, 2023

The contact owns a 2021 Ram 2500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V140000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Electronic Stability Control) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID
11507660
Incident
Feb 16, 2023
Brakes
Filed Nov 17, 2022

The contact owns a 2021 Ram 2500. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, he heard an abnormal noise from the front passenger’s side of the vehicle. The contact stated the brake control warning light was illuminated. The contact was attempting to park on the side of the road but while depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle failed to stop as designed. The contact started downshifting and used the parking brake to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to his residence and had an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle. The contact was informed that the front passenger wheel bearing hub assembly needed to be replaced. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

NHTSA ID
11493974
Incident
Nov 16, 2022
Mileage
60,000 mi
BrakesPowertrain (other)Steering
Filed Jun 6, 2022

traveling at slow speeds the motor has abruptly died, loss of steering, acceleration, and brakes were a result. Message came up on dash to shift the truck to park. The parking bake automatically was applied when vehicle slowed to approximately 3 mph leaving the truck stranded in the middle of a intersection one time and once in the roadway. Shifting the truck to park and the truck started up as if nothing had happened. No codes no check engine light.

NHTSA ID
11467743
Incident
Jun 3, 2022

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 .