10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
16 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
15 / 0
Average Mileage:
212 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1996 Dodge Ram 1500 brakes problems

brakes problem

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1996 Dodge Ram 1500 Owner Comments (Page 2 of 6)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #96

Jul 251999

Ram 1500

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Engine check light/brake warning light and ABS light came on and wouldn't go off. When consumer applied the brakes, the brake pedal was soft, and almost went to the floorboard.

- Cedar Grove, NJ, USA

problem #95

Aug 151998

Ram 1500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Transmission shudders at 45 mph, does not shift and shakes when going into 3rd or overdirve, and jerks and slips, dealer has replaced the valve body and reconditioned transmission and replaced convertor, transmission continues to lock up and jerk. Driver and passenger side mirrors were both replaced due to being loose. Emergency brake handle came off and was replaced. Fuel gauge read empty with 12 gallons in tank, dealer replaced fuel pump module. Wiper blades weren't cleaning windshield, dealer replaced both wiper blades, windshield washer was inoperable, dealer replaced washer motor. Vehicle has experienced many problems with the interior and dome lights failing, dome light keeps blowing fuse and dealer has replaced the strip lighting and fuse box door and repaired the open circuit to junction block. Radiator cap was replaced due to low coolant. There was a brake fluid leak, dealer replaced caps for the master cylinder, the brake and ABS light were illuminated, dealer replaced rear wheel speed sensor and wiring. Passenger side vent window would not open and leaked air. Vehicle only gets 13mph on highway, consumer states this is poor gas mileage.

- Warreen, MI, USA

problem #94

Mar 241999

Ram 1500 Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
When applying the brakes, vehicle has no power. Also, the power steering failed, causing consumer to put vehicle into neutral, and rev the engine. Took six months to get part after repeated calls. Front brakes wearing out prematurely because rear brakes are not self adjusting. Very unsafe when braking at higher speeds. The left rear axle seal was leaking. Water collects near the passenger door underneath the carpet.

- North Olmsted, OH, USA

problem #93

May 061999

(reported on)

Ram 1500

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

ABS brake problems; when applying brakes duriing heavy braking conditions, ABS brakes do not work correctly, and truck glides along. This happens on normal road condtions. The dealer is not able to detect what the problem is with the system.

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

problem #92

Jan 291997

(reported on)

Ram 1500

  • miles
Anti lock brakes continually fail causing loss of control.

- Newport Ne, VA, USA

problem #91

Oct 011998

Ram 1500 4WD Diesel

  • miles
Throttle cable frayed/stuck. Also fuel line leak, and replaced front brakes.

- Del Norte, CO, USA

problem #90

Nov 051998

Ram 1500 4WD

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Excessive pedal effort required to stop vehicle in normal braking situations. Front brakes smoke during hard stops or in stop and go traffic. It also gives off a burning smell. Brought back to dealer 2 times and they state that it is "normal". I just found out that in 1997, Dodge changed the master cylinder on this truck to a larger unit. The rest of the brake system components are the same. I would think that this would solve my problem.

- Annandale, NJ, USA

problem #89

Aug 091998

Ram 1500 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The brakes were replaced at least 5 different times. Brake lining overheats when brakes are applied. Vehicle not stopping when brakes are applied quickly. Dealer cannot find problem.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #88

Apr 021998

(reported on)

Ram 1500

  • miles
Brakes have been a continued problem with vehicle, several repairs made however continue to have problems.

- Sardinia, NY, USA

problem #87

Sep 011998

Ram 1500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Transmission failure. Also premature wear of brakes and always pull to the left.

- Union City, CA, USA

problem #86

Jul 291998

(reported on)

Ram 1500

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

ABS brakes; when applying brakes in a panic stop, the brakes fail to stop the vehicle, causing extended stopping distance.

- Shoreview, MT, USA

problem #85

Apr 261998

Ram 1500 4WD

  • miles
ABS brake failed, driver lost control, resulting in a crash/injuries. Also, vehicle was totaled.

- Alamo, CA, USA

problem #84

Apr 281998

(reported on)

Ram 1500

  • miles
When driving at various speed and applying brakes, vehicle pulls to the left. The harder pushes on brakes the harder vehicle pulls to left. Consumer has to counter steer in order to avoid hitting oncoming traffic. Has replaced brakes pads, but defect is still occurring.

- Avondale, AZ, USA

problem #83

Apr 081998

(reported on)

Ram 1500 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Anti-lock brakes fail occasionally, almost resulting in a collision due to loss of control.

- Grand Isla, NY, USA

problem #82

Apr 231998

(reported on)

Ram 1500

  • miles
ABS brakes; when applying brakes in a panic stop, there is extended stopping distance before vehicle comes to a complete stop.

- Maryville, TN, USA

problem #81

Apr 211998

(reported on)

Ram 1500

  • miles
While driving on icy roads ABS brakes lock up.

- Ellsworth Afb, SD, USA

problem #80

May 011996

Ram 1500 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
ABS brakes failed.

- Grand Isla, NY, USA

problem #79

Aug 081997

Ram 1500

  • miles
ABS brake problems; intermittently when applying the brakes on dry road conditions, under normal braking, they seem to be very spongy, and the pedal travels to the floorboard. They do not stop the truck. All brake pads have be replaced on 3/7/98. The rear brakes pads were glazed over like they were heated up.

- Clinton Township, MI, USA

problem #78

Jun 011997

Ram 1500 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
ABS system malfunctioned due to a module which has been replaced less than a year. The ABS and braking light comes on. During a panic stop the wheels lock up. Dealer cannot determine problem.

- Cranesville, PA, USA

problem #77

Jan 101998

Ram 1500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving the truck applied the brakes and the ABS brakes failed. On 4-3-98, driver applied the brakes and the entire brake system went out, leaving the driver with no brakes. Owner has taken the truck into dealer three times, and they replaced numerous parts, such as the fuel pump, spark plug wire, and etc. The truck still is having brake problems.

- Oxford, NY, USA

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