The rear brake lines failed on our 1999 Dodge Grand Caravan. This vehicle has ABS. From the ABS unit to the rear brake distribution block, the twin brake lines are a combination of steel and steel braided lines. The entire lines are approximately 8 feet long. Of the 8 feet length, there is a section of flexible steel braided line approximately 7 inches long. At the junction of the steel line and the braided steel line, the line failed. There is not evidence of damage or abuse. The junction just failed. Luckily we were just pulling out of the garage when the brake pedal just went to the floor. Brake power was completely lost.

- Tuxedo, NY, USA

1) travel to local oil change garage. 2) in parking lot the brake pedal went to floor of the vehicle with drastic loss of braking. 3) vehicle had to be towed home (cost $85). I replaced both rusted (one ruptured) brake lines (which ran from the ABS controller to the rear brakes) with auto parts store hardware ($41 lines & fittings, & $5 fluid) after being informed that rusting lines are not the manufacturer's responsibility and that manufacturer replacement lines are not stocked after 2 or 3 years. (this makes no sense to me as I would expect that brake line failures would not occur in the first few years of service.) I have also discovered that the lines running to the master cylinder show similar deterioration which will soon require their replacement as well. The lines are corroding in the immediate vicinity of the stainless steel braided hose sections which appear to be of metal differing from what the brake line itself is made from. Given that the failure is occurring in an area which appears to have dissimilar metals (an obvious failure point in areas using salt on the roads during winter - see articles covering "galvanic corrosion") the manufacturer should have made effort to keep this from happening and should offer some sort of repair / recall arrangement. Fortunately for me, this happened in a parking lot, not at seventy miles per hour on an interstate or in rush our traffic, but I'm sure that I'm not the only one riding around with this ticking time bomb on board. Could you do something about this?

- Wallkill, NY, USA

I have a 1999 Dodge Grand Caravan. I found that I have severely rusted brake lines. (I just happened to look my self) they look like they will burst any minute. I have detailed pictures. Seems wrong to me that a car manufacturer would be so cheap as to use brake lines that rust.

- Watertown, MA, USA

1999 Dodge Grand Caravan metal brake line burst and the consumer was denied a reimbursement for repair costs. When parked consumer's wife put footon the brake and brake pedal went to the floor. She was left without brakes. If this had occurred on the highway and /or heavy traffic it could have resulted in serious injury or death. Vehicle was towed to a Chrysler ealership, and consumer was informed that brake line burst. Consumer's request for reimbursement was denied because warranty expired.

- Windsor, CT, USA