2003 Dodge RAM 1500: rotors or pads wearing out early

Filed Dec 29, 2005 · Brakes · 10,102 miles · OH

Dt: the contact stated there was major vibration in the front end of the vehicle due to rotor warpage. When depressing the brake pedal from any speed over 20 MPH the front end of the vehicle shimmied,and it was very difficult to hold the vehicle on the road. The vehicle has been to the dealership on four occasions. The brake rotors, calipers, and pads were repaired every four to five months. The manufacturer was contacted. There were no recalls. *ak updatd 01/25/06.

Filed Apr 14, 2005 · Brakes · 10,000 miles · TX

My rotors warped after about 10,000 miles, the dealer resurfaced them. They warped again after another 8,000 miles, they replaced them. Then they warped again after another 6,000 or so miles. I don't do heavy traffic driving, so I am not riding my brakes, and even if I were, they should not be warping so quickly.

Filed Dec 14, 2004 · Brakes · 8,706 miles · TX

I own a 2003 dodge ram 1500 with 20" wheels. Problem is warping rotors. At 8,706 mile had the rotors replaced. At 30,941 miles tsb replaced calipers and turned rotors. At 43,412 miles turned rotors. At 47,300 miles replaced rotors. At 56,137 miles turned rotors. I traded a 1998 ram 1500 for the 2003, it had 192,000 miles and never warped the rotors. The vibration from the warped rotors has to decrease the efficiency of the brakes, and could eventually cause a failure in a steering or suspension component. If this is not addressed, someone could be seriously injured or killed.

Filed Nov 8, 2004 · Brakes · ID

Warped front brake rotors within first 7500 miles. Dealer turned rotors but rotors warped again within 5000 more miles. Dealer says out of warranty.

Filed Oct 26, 2004 · Brakes · 6,000 miles · PA

Brake rotors warp every 7000 miles or so. Rotors replaced by dealer 12/29/2003 at approximately 8k miles. Now have 15k miles and steering wheel shakes and shudders when stopping, just like before. There is a safety defect here.

Filed Oct 21, 2004 · Brakes, Steering · 1,000 miles · TX

1) bought new 03 dodge qc/laramie/hemi in oct 2003. 2) at 1000 miles my brakes began to warp 3) at 3,245 miles I brought my truck in for service; told the dealer (rockwall dodge) that my brakes were warped. They're response was (on service bill) "brake pads worn out" but "no trouble found on test drive" they told me to take my car home because nothing was wrong with it. 4) for the next 3,000 miles I drive it until I cannot handle the truck anymore. Brakes make the vehicle shake violently; under towing loads the vehicle becomes unstable and uncontrollable. I take the truck back to the dealer who refuses to give me a rental for work under warranty to the brakes which now required my calipers, rotors and pads to be replaced because the warping was so severe. Dealer requests I pay for a rental for the time it takes to fix the car because they do not have the parts. 4) steering gears warp which causes the need for the entire rack assembly to be replaced at 14,000 miles; more than likely from the ruined brakes. 5) brakes replaced again at 19,000 and 21,000 miles. 6) 4 total inquiries on brake issues. Contacted dodge about the problem and they quote "will fix the brakes until the warranty is over. After 36,000 miles the problem is no longer ours and you are out of luck". Contacted dealership truck was bought from. Says they do not know anything about the texas lemon law and offered to help me out of the situation first by saying I'd get an even trade for a new 04, but when I showed up in person they responded if I gave them $8,000 to trade for the new truck.

Filed Oct 12, 2004 · Brakes · 12,000 miles · NC

I own a 2003 dodge ram 1500. The brake rotors warped within 10,000 miles. After extensive talks with the dealer they machined the rotors. After another 10,000 miles, they warped again. After talking to several dodge ram 2003 owners I learned that many have been having similar problems. I feel that the dealer should replace my rotors. The steering wheel has extreme wobble when breaking with the warped rotors.

Filed Sep 24, 2004 · Brakes · 32,000 miles · DC

Consumer rotors are warping. Tsb work was done on the truck at 16000 miles, now at 32000 miles all four of the trucks rotors warped.

Filed Jun 9, 2004 · Brakes · 6,000 miles · CA

Brake shimmy, warped rotors at 6,000 miles. Resurfaced and failed again at 15,000. Truck is mom's mini-van. Only pulled a tent trailer once. I believe there is a design flaw or brakes too small for heavier "hemi" engine.

Filed Mar 19, 2004 · Brakes · 10,000 miles · AZ

I have a 2003 dodge ram 1500 truck. Within 8 months of purchasing this truck the trucks brake rotors warped, causing the truck to shake violently upon pressing the brakes. Dodge has yet to issue any sort of recall and I have read thousands,upon thousands of other owners have the same issue. There are times when I drive my car where I have to struggle just to keep the car in control when I brake. Something needs to be done about this.

Filed Feb 26, 2004 · Brakes · 9,525 miles · CA

Vehicle shudders under braking at all speeds. (warped rotors)first occurance @ about 9000 miles. Dealer turned rotors. Second occurance @ about 19000 miles. Dealer did not want to repair under warranty. Relented to repairing front only even though rear is also warped per their inspection. Also indicated a recall on front calipers and pads but not rotors. It appears that this vehicle will continue to warp the rotors at a regular interval. To me,this indicates defective rotor design/materials and should be seriously addressed as a safety concern. I am still trying to get the dealer to concede to repair the front and rear under warranty. The issue has yet to be resolved. In addition to the decreased capacityof the vehicle to stop safely, this warpage and consequent repeated turning of the rotors will obviously lead to eventual replacement of the rotors themselves at considerable expense.

Filed Feb 20, 2004 · Brakes · 26,000 miles · PA

While driving at 60 MPH vehicle vibrated, and took longer to stop the vehicle when applying the brakes. Dealer determined that rotors were warped, and were not cover under warranty. Consumer indicated that on the www. Carmax.com found many complaints on warped rotors for the dodge, ram, 1500.