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.
Anti-lock brake failure - the brake failure was accompanied by the brake and anti-lock brake light indicators on the dash to intermittantly appear and disappear. The brake pedal intermittantly ranges from soft to hard. A periodic vibration in the pedal is noted with nearly a total loss in brake pressure.
Had to make a accident avoidence manuever. The brakes would not stop the truck, had to run off the road to avoid impact. Resulting in damaging a front lawn in a residential neighborhood. The next episode was pulling a small 8' trailer with a Honda 4-wheeler. Light turned red and when I went to stop, I ended in the middle of the intersection. After the second incident I contacted the dealership and took it in for inspection. No problems were found. The service manager Mr. Web ( I believe that's his name) drove my truck and agreed it seemed to take longer to stop, but upon inspection no problems were found. After 3 more incidents of the same nature, the dealership did replace all the brakes, telling me there was an update to a different pad for the rear brakes. The truck at the time had approximately19000 miles. I then was tols it was normal for the brakes to wear out at 19000 miles. I do not believe that. I still have the stopping problem, and I am extremely careful when I tow my 17' boat and trailer. The weight is less than 3000 lbs. The truck now has barely over 40000 miles. I had the brakes check by a qualified mechanic, and was told that the brakes have about 75% of pad left. Are ther any other complaints about the braking system on the 1997 Dodge 4X4 Ram 1500 trucks?
The thottle stuck in the wide open position and would not return to idle. The brakes were just able to stop the vehicle. Shifting to neutral caused the engine to go well into the redline on the RPM indicator. Pulling up on the accelerator pedal did nothing. The dealer said the linkage was rusted tight. They don't have new parts so they scrapped the rust off, oiled it and put it back together. They said the throttle cable was not the problem as in the recall of "95-96 vehicles. This is a hard truck to get stopped when the throttle is stuck wide open. Good thing my wife wasn't driving it.
- West Bend, WI, USA
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All three have been in to the dealer regarding the same exact concern. Different drivers operate each of these vehicles. This will bee the second time this vehicle will be going back to the dealer for the same repair. We are concerned about all like vehicles having the same concern. With the rear brakes getting severely out of adjustment like they do with these vehicles it is very possible that a crash occurs during a panic stop due to the vehicle swerving.
While driving at approximately 45 mph consumer applied brake and skidded about 10 feet, hit another vehicle head-on. Upon impact, driver airbags did not deploy which have caused injuries. The inspectors from the manufacturer indicated that the air bags did not deploy because the impact dissipated.
Power steering and brakes went out at the same time while driving, no accident. Tried to use emergency brake, did not work either. Consumer used gears to stop vehicle. Repaired, Dodge will not reimburse because repair not done at Dodge dealer. Dealer replaced steering pump and het assembly for emergency brake.
While driving about 65 mph and barely touching the brakes to slow down, all four wheels locked up. Truck was towed to the dealership. Brake failure had occurred once before, and resulted in an accident. Dealer could not duplicate the problem, but they replaced the power brake booster. Brake failure has not occurred since.
When the pedal is applied it goes half way to the floor before it catches, and there is a late response from the brakes, causing extended stopping distance. This has resulted in a rear end collision. Dealer has been contacted.
While driving and applying brakes without touching the pedal, brakes lock up. Dealer contacted, and stated problem with ABS system. Problems still exists. Provide further information.
While driving vehicle about 60 mph stepped on the brake pedal trying to stop the vehicle, but the pedal went to the floor and the brakes did not perform.
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.
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.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Suisun City, CA, USA