Dodge RAM 1500 brake failure problems

Filed Feb 13, 2026 · Brakes · 259,021 miles · FL · crash · 1 injury

The contact owned a 2001 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that while exiting a parking lot and attempting to depress the brake pedal, the brake pedal floored, causing the contact to roll to a stop on the side of the road. The ABS and Brake Warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to drive at 2 MPH to their home. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed that the brake line had blown and replaced it where it had failed. Approximately 6 months later, the ABS and brake warning lights illuminated again. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed no leaks. When restarting the vehicle, the warning lights were no longer illuminated. While driving at an unknown speed, the ABS and brake lights illuminated again. The vehicle was taken to Meineke Car Care Center to a certified mechanic. The following morning, the lights were not illuminated. The vehicle was returned to Meineke Car Care Center, who stated that it may have been a computer glitch causing the lights to illuminate, then turn off when the vehicle was restarted. The contact had the brakes replaced as routine maintenance; however, after doing so, while driving in the rain at approximately 25 mph and attempting to apply the brakes, the brakes failed, causing the vehicle to rear-end the vehicle in front. The air bags did not deploy. The contact did not sustain injuries or require medical attention. The contact assumed the other driver had injuries, but could not confirm. A police report was filed. The contact was able to drive at a slow speed to their home. The ABS and Brake lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed back to Meineke Car Care Center, where it was diagnosed that the other brake line had blown. The front end and brake line, which had blown was repaired. After the vehicle had been repaired, when coming to a stoplight, the failure occurred again, causing the vehicle to crash a second time. There were no injuries, air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. The contact drove the vehicle to Meineke Car Care Center, who was

Filed Jul 17, 2025 · Brakes · OH

The brake line broke on my Dodge truck and all the brake fluid leaked out. Fortunately this didn't happen while driving on the highway. I discovered no brakes when I got in the vehicle to leave. I have a long driveway. As I was driving the slight grade down to the main road, I hit the brakes and they went to the floor. I was able to turn around in my yard before all the brake fluid was gone and get the truck back to my barn. I got under the truck and took a picture. I discovered that the brakes had rusted and leaked out the fluid. No one has inspected it or confirmed it. The truck is not safe to drive and sitting in my barn

Filed Mar 13, 2025 · Brakes, Steering · OR

On my way home. Going through in town (slow)traffic all of sudden I notice I had no power steering & no brakes, no please pull out , I noticed if I keep my rpm about 1500, I would get a little power steering & brakes back!, 4 miles to get home , I drove home slowly What happened was I lost my serpentine belt tensioner!!! .MY MAIN Purpose, for my truck is to toe my fifth wheel RV!!, I live in the north west of US, LIKE! in the mountains!! Terrified that it won’t happen again!😳☹️

Filed Dec 10, 2021 · Brakes, Engine · NC

Exiting the freeway the truck vibrated and shut off going 55 mph, no brakes, no power steering going into a curve. I managed to keep it on the road and had it Towed to nearest dealership where they were able to diagnose the problem immediately and I was told that this is a know problem with this truck. $6000 to fix, contacted Ram customer service and a very rude woman put the dealership on the line and berated them for claiming there was an issue while explaining that it is completely normal for an engine to blow at 130k miles regardless of maintenance and as it’s out of warranty they were not responsible. “Normal” for an engine to blow, absolutely ridiculous and someone could have died. There are now 533 cases of this happening and Ram refuses to address it.

Filed Sep 16, 2021 · Brakes · MN · crash

Hydraulic control unit, anti-lock brake system failed which resulted in "no brakes". Truck went through garage door. Could have happened on the road or stopping for pedestrian's. Problems reported to and confirmed by an independent service. The hydraulic control unit has not been inspected. No warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to failure. The hydraulic control unit was kept by the independent service and can be inspected. Parts have been replaced.

Filed Aug 27, 2021 · Brakes · MN · crash

Driving up to closed garage door going approximately 2 mph. Catastrophic brake failure and vehicle went through garage door. 1. Total brake failure due to failure of "hydraulic control unit, Anti-lock brake system. A. Unit was replaced by PTL Tire & Auto in Ham Lake because of safety issue. B. Part available for inspection - unknown (PTL Tire & Auto is looking to see if they still have the part.. C. PTL can write a letter regarding the failure. 2. Total brake failure while driving up to garage door. 3. Confirmed by independent service (PTL Tire & Auto) 4. Vehicle was not inspected except for independent service. 5. There were no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear?

Filed Jun 30, 2021 · Brakes · FL

The brakes failed due to corrosion of the brake line from the master cyl. to the LH front brake flex hose. The brake fluid simply came out of the line. There was insifficient fluid pressure to do any wheel braking. Luckily, I had just moved off from a stop and was applying the brakes to slow down on a bend. The corrosion occured under a plastic clip that is there to keep adjacent brake lines from vibrating against each other. The corrosion occured in an area that is not inspectable unless the front wheel and wheel arch cover is first removed.

Filed Sep 4, 2020 · Airbags, Brakes · 147,000 miles · TN · crash

I was getting off work and going about 25 MPH on the street when I was involved in a head on collision, I had seen the light change when I pushed on the brake pedal, I heard a crunching noise and no brakes. All I could do was hold on to the steering wheel. The seat belt did not lock up and the air bags did not deploy, with me ending up hitting the steering. Wheel.

Filed Jan 10, 2019 · Electrical · 150,000 miles · MO

Win moduel(wireless ignition node module) vehicle has 90,000 miles. When key is inserted into ignition and turned to the start position the win module fails to make a circuit internally and will not crank the vehicle. The faulty connections inside will also move while vehicle is in motion causing the vehicle to shut off at sometimes a high rate of speed. Resulting in loss of brakes,steering, lights, etc. Serious injury or death may occur because of this issue. My personal vehicle has done this repeatedly while in motion and also when starting. The latest occurrence being last night when driving 60mph down a rule stae hi-way we lost complete power!!! No head lights, no engine, no power breaks, no power steering, everything was dead. This was very scary!!! Was able to come to a stop in the middle of the hi-way and turn off the key and everything powered back up. This could have ended a lot worse!!! This is a known problem with other chrysler models and should be recalled on this one also.

Filed Jun 15, 2018 · Electrical, Engine · 181,520 miles · MS

Tipm computer issues. Fuel pump not shutting off dur to relay sticking inside the tipm. Random engine shutdown in traffic. Abs system inactive due to electrical issues inside the tipm. Engine codes from options not installed in the truck from factory. Tipm not recognizing key in ignition (cannot start with key. Only by remote) brake failure due to ABS module not getting signal from tipm.