10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
12 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
15 / 0
Average Mileage:
2,878 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.

1997 Dodge Ram 1500 brakes problems

brakes problem

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1997 Dodge Ram 1500 Owner Comments (Page 2 of 3)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #34

Jul 081999

Ram 1500 Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

Transmission light & the anti-brake system light keep coming on.

- Little Rock, CA, USA

problem #33

Dec 161997

Ram 1500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The brakes would make squeaking/grinding noises & not grabbing to stop vehicle. Also, structure seams cause leak of water inside of vehicle/steering pump pin had sheared off & the power steering had seized up, and water pump failed.

- Pigua, OH, USA

problem #32

Jul 171999

(reported on)

Ram 1500 4WD

  • miles
As per NHTSA #SB049106, bulletin #96-40, sequence #152.the description in this report describes how my truck has driven since I received it.I went through all the hoops and rings that the dealer and the regional manager required and finally ended up in arbitration only to be told that my truck didnt have a problem, what I felt (and experenced) was inherent to the vehicle and all the vibration, clunking and hesitation just bothered me more than anyone else was because I was sensative to it.after 2 years of battling with this and brake problems(which I will say, they fixed after 32000 miles and $400+ of my money) I couldnt afford the time off to continue battling. Not once was this buletin ever brought up, infact, during arbitration, if was asked if any bulletins refered to problems like this and the answer was a flat "no".I still have all my records and copies of the dealer service records.I'll try to call Monday,07/19/99.my home #is 623-878-2138(recorder/fax) cellphone is 602-321-0921.thank you phil lobins.

- Glendale, AZ, USA

problem #31

Mar 151997

Ram 1500 4WD Diesel

  • miles

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

I am very unhappy with this truck, it has been nothing but problems for repair work and out of warranty coast even though it was all ongoing from the day I bought it and paid cash of >36,000 tax and all. No safety defect(s) mentioned in the summary.

- Eatonton, GA, USA

problem #30

May 031999

(reported on)

Ram 1500

  • miles
Consumer does not have any brakes on her Dodge Ram truck, and dealer does not know how to fix it.

- Cleveland, OH, USA

problem #29

Jul 151998

Ram 1500

  • miles
Vehicle experiencing ongoing problem with brake pedal going to the floor before stopping vehicle. Vehicle been in/out of dealer shop on several occasions. Dealer informed consumer that nothing could be found. Seeking help from NHTSA in these matter.

- Dracut, MS, USA

problem #28

Sep 011997

Ram 1500 4WD

  • miles

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

Turck would not stop when brakes are applied.

- Lexington, KY, USA

problem #27

May 151998

Ram 1500 4WD

  • miles
I have had extensive brake problems with my 97 Dodge Ram. There has always been a rattle from the front driver's side wheel area. There has also been a intermittent brake pull to the driver side. It became a serious problem after the brakes were replaced at 12000 miles. The truck has also had excessive pad wear. The first set was replaced ON5/15/98 with 12314 miles on the truck. The second set was replaced ON6/1/98 with 13093 miles. The third set was replaced on 8/13/98 with 16336 miles on the truck. The fourth set of brakes was replaced on 4/6/99 with 25323 miles on the truck. Counting the original set of brakes, which started squealing at approximately 12000 miles, I have had five sets of front brake pads and three sets of rotors put on this truck. Not to mention that the intermittent brake pull has not gone away. Even after installing this last set of pads. I went to arbitration. I had witness statements, but the arbitrator denied my claim to have daimler Chrysler purchase my truck back. I have also had many close calls when the truck would pull to the left into oncoming traffic. The truck has also bounced off of the center median more than once. The pattern is always the same. I get the truck back from a brake repair and it is fine for one to two weeks. After a short while, one to two weeks, the truck starts to make a rattling noise from the front drivers side wheel well, then the brake pedal will get soft. Then the intermittent brake pull starts all over again. I would appreciate any help that you could give me. I have lost confidence in this vehicle, and will not drive it any more than I have to. I also will not let my wife drive it or loan it out to any friends.

- Waddell, AZ, USA

problem #26

Feb 151999

Ram 1500 4WD

  • miles
Extended stopping distance, intermittantly. Brake pedal goes right to floor and doesn't stop any faster.

- Northglenn, CO, USA

problem #25

Sep 011997

Ram 1500 4WD

  • miles
3 times I have been slowing down to turn a corner and the rear portion of the anti-lock brakes bounce like a ball. I could not slow down enough to make the turn. I contacted the dealership and brought it in. They said that they could find nothing wrong with my truck.

- Zap, ND, USA

problem #24

Apr 151997

Ram 1500

  • miles

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

No summary listed for this vehicle.( dot number: Tire size: P223/17R )

- Webester, TX, USA

problem #23

Mar 031996

Ram 1500

  • miles
While applying the brakes the truck pulls to the left. This happens on any type of road surface. The more weight on the truck, the more it pulls. This situation has been on going for two years. The dealer is not able to correct the problem.

- Laurens, NY, USA

problem #22

Sep 291998

Ram 1500

  • miles
Consumer experiencing prematuure wearing of brake pads and rotors. When applying brakes, consumer can hear a metal to metal grinding sound.vehicle been in dealer shop and was infomed that there was no reason; it was normal.

- Henrietta, NY, USA

problem #21

Jul 211998

(reported on)

Ram 1500

  • miles
Anti lock brakes continuously fade.

- Pearland, TX, USA

problem #20

Jun 271998

Ram 1500

  • miles
While driving the vehicle at 35 mph, first the ABS brakes did not work. Then a frontal impact accident occurred, the air bags did not deploy on impact. No injuries occurred. Dealer sent out investigation team that stated the air bags were okay. Reports from the fire department and police department stated the air bags should have deployed. Dealer cannot duplicate the problem.

- Brighton, IL, USA

problem #19

Jul 281998

Ram 1500 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Intermittently when brakes are applied the pedal goes to the floor, resulting in extended stopping distance. The dealer has repaired the vehicle twice prior. Consumer took vehicle to dealer a third time and stated that pedal goes and vehicle slowly stops, master cylinder and front brake pads were replaced, but problem still exist, consumer took vehicle to another independent dealer and was told that a problem does exist probably with the hydraulic fluid flowing to the back brakes.

- Lexington, KY, USA

problem #18

Jul 171998

Ram 1500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving and attempted to stop, anti-lock brakes did not catch, and consumer ran into the back of another automobile.driver sustained some injuries.

- Dayton, NV, USA

problem #17

Dec 071997

Ram 1500

  • miles
Whenever the ABS brakes were applied after going 40mph, vehicle would pull to left. Took to dealer & had mechanic replace front calipers. Also had the suspension, the frame & the alignment checked out.

- Plainsboro, NJ, USA

problem #16

Apr 261998

(reported on)

Ram 1500 4WD

  • miles
ABS brakes failed 3 times, once resulting in a collision.

- Worcester, NY, USA

problem #15

Nov 011997

Ram 1500 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Brakes lock up and grab when depressed.

- Waterford, MI, USA

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