10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
53,775 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

problem #12

Apr 102011

Ram 1500

  • 152,000 miles

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

Hard brake line for rear brakes broke where corroded when I depressed the brake pedal causing me to loose brake pressure and caused my brakes not to work narrowly avoiding an accident.

- Moorhead, MN, USA

problem #11

Sep 232010

Ram 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • 153,000 miles
1997 Dodge Ram 1500, left rear brake line failure located behind the fuel tank.

- Brodheadsville, PA, USA

problem #10

Aug 152008

Ram 1500

  • 134,000 miles
Brake failure due to brake line failure behind the fuel tank and behind the passenger side front wheel.

- Rochester, NH, USA

problem #9

Jul 202004

Ram 1500 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

Intermittently, and an on-going problem when applying brakes. The pedal would go to the floor and causes pulsation and extended stopping distance. The vehicle has been at the dealership on different occasion replaced the master cylinder. The extended stopping distance recurred.

- Henderson, KY, USA

problem #8

Mar 152003

Ram 1500

  • Automatic transmission
  • 59,000 miles

- Traverse City, AL, USA

problem #7

Aug 312003

Ram 1500

  • 70,000 miles
While driving 25 mph brakes failed. In order to stop the truck driver had to shift to first gear, then apply the emergency brake.

- Felton, DE, USA

problem #6

Jul 252003

Ram 1500

  • 77,300 miles

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

The consumer stated during a panic stop, it took longer for the vehicle to stop.

- Cary, NC, USA

problem #5

Apr 012001

Ram 1500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Brake failed which resulted in an accident. No air bag deployment. The seat belt saved the consumer's life. Mr ph. Also the spare tire was bald and it took 3 months to get it replaced.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

problem #4

Aug 102002

Ram 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The distance in which vehicle needs to stop is longer than other similar vehicles. It is most noticeable in moderate to hard braking. When the brakes are applied, the pedal feel is average but the brakes do not seem to grab and stop the vehicle as it should. I have had numerous close accidents due to poor braking. The brakes do not lock-up on the vehicle, not even to the point where ABS will need to release the rear wheels. I have completely replaced all brake components and has not improved at all!! as well as spend hundreds of dollars on diagnostics work with no answer as to the cause (but the dealer does know there is a problem)!! this is not the fault of the dealer, they have been fair, but have run out of places to look. They have called Chrysler star hotline, etc. But still no resolve. If anyone has a fix for this or a course of action to take, please let me know! I love the truck, but it is extremely dangerous to drive.

- Cresco, PA, USA

problem #3

Nov 192002

Ram 1500 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Consumer states his brakes continue to go out on him. He states that he was told that the hub assembly causes the brakes to go out. This has happened to him 3 times and he is on his 4th time. There is no recall for this problem. He also states this is getting very expensive.

- Conneaut, OH, USA

problem #2

Aug 191998

(reported on)

Ram 1500

  • miles
Brake malfunction.

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

problem #1

Jun 301997

Ram 1500 4WD

  • miles
Vehicle pulls to the right when applying the brakes. After a repair attempt, the brakes locked (in wet conditions) and a pallet in back of the truck was thrown into the cab.

- Blue Grass, IA, USA

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