The contact's son owns a 2011 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that while his son was driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal grinding and rubbing sound coming from the rear end of the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for brake service. The contact stated that while the vehicle was being repaired, the independent mechanic confirmed the abnormal grinding and rubbing sound. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was advised to contact the dealer for assistance. The contact was informed of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 10V656000 (Suspension); however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be repaired under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 18V160000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The dealer was made aware of the failure; however, the contact was informed that the repair was not covered under the recall. In addition, the contact stated that the dealer had not confirmed the failure but had agreed to inspect the vehicle. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.
Dodge RAM 1500 grinding brakes problems
175 of the 12,420 owner complaints about the Dodge RAM 1500 describe grinding or squealing brakes, most of them for the 2003 model year.
- owner complaints
- 175
- worst model year
- 2003
- typical repair cost reported
- $1,000
- typical mileage
- 71,000
By model year
Often reported together
Ball joint 12Whining noise 9Jerking 7Stalling 6Harsh shifting 5Steering noise 4Transmission failure 3Slipping 2
What owners say
Several safety-critical systems on my vehicle are failing, and the symptoms match existing recalls shown on Kelley Blue Book for my VIN. However, the manufacturer (Dodge/Stellantis) shows only 4 recalls, all marked completed — despite ongoing issues. 1. ABS / Brake System: The ABS warning light is on continuously, indicating a malfunction in the ABS control module. This disables anti-lock braking, increasing the risk of skidding or loss of control during emergency stops. KBB shows a recall for this issue, but Dodge says it’s either not open for my VIN or already completed. The ABS light has remained on since 2. Front Wheel Bearing: There is a grinding noise and vibration from the front wheel area, suggesting a worn or failing wheel bearing. This poses a risk of steering loss or wheel detachment. No warning lights have appeared for this issue. 3. Transfer Case / 4WD: The 4WD system intermittently fails to engage or disengage, sometimes with clunking noises or jerking. This can cause unpredictable handling or loss of traction. Issue is still ongoing. 4. Electrical System: Intermittent electrical issues include random warning messages, dimming lights, and occasional no-starts. These affect essential safety systems and match known electrical recalls. These issues have not been confirmed by a dealer but are ongoing and present serious SAFETY risks. I believe my vehicle may have been incorrectly excluded from applicable recalls or that prior recall work was not properly completed. These components are available for inspection.
While driving down the highway I hit a bump then got a severe grinding noise in my 2012 Ram 1500. I pulled over and found the front gas tank strap had pulled out of the welded frame bracket for the fuel tank strap. The strap was not broken, the front fuel tank frame bracket had rusted out. The front fuel tank bracket which is welded to the frame needs to be repaired so the fuel tank strap will be held securely. The grinding I heard was the front fuel tank strap that had become detached was rubbing on the driveshaft.
Rear axle spindle started to grind then locked up and ripped assembly housing apart. Recall on certain trucks of same year same model
The driveshaft to pinion gear at the differential comes loose during normal driving. I have replaced the bit numerous times, but it keeps coming loose. There is a recall on same truck but different years. The exact problem the other Rams have is exact issue with mine. When it comes loose, the car grinds to a halt.
The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving approximately 10 MPH and turning left at a traffic signal, while straightening the steering wheel and lightly depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle inadvertently accelerated abruptly. The contact stated that the rear tires made an abnormal squealing noise and he observed smoke in the rear-view mirror. The contact stated that the vehicle then spun 180 degrees to the right. The contact turned the steering wheel to the left to compensate and the vehicle spun 180 degrees to the left. The contact used the steering wheel to regain control of the vehicle and took his foot off the accelerator pedal and did not use the brake pedal to correct the vehicle. The contact stated he was not aware of any warning lights. The contact then drove to his residence. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle had not been diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 142,753.
I want to make a complaint because the engine in my 2005 dodge ram 1500 Magnum stalling very often, engine stalling on the traffic freeway couple of times that I have to restart the vehicle quick, good thing cars going slow. The most scary time was when I was making a right turn on this busy avenue and the engine stalled and almost got hit by other's cars the engine stalling very often that already know when it dies I put it on P and restart it as quick as I can before I get hit by other car. The next issue. It makes a grinding sound underneath when taking off at very low speed. I not sure if it is the differential or a wheel but it something there I took it to the mechanic he fix something that was woren it connects to the differential but still makes the noyse. Too many problems with this truck.
Around midday of November 25, 2021, a clear day with no precipitation, while operating the 2003 Dodge Ram 1500 with about 155k miles on it at approximately 35 MPH, the drive train locked up causing the vehicle to go into a skid and a spin that sent the vehicle into a telephone pole. We could have slid into oncoming traffic, fortunately, we did not. The vehicle was totaled. While loading the vehicle onto the tow truck, responders noted that the axle was sheared at the back due to the rear differential locking up unexpectedly. There was a noise, like a whistle or a whine for a few minutes leading up the incident, but not anything that I would associate with this kind or failure, no grinding, roughness, or clunking.
The contact owns a 2001 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the contact was making a turn and heard a loud grinding noise coming from the vehicle. The contact pulled the vehicle to the side of the road and took the vehicle out of gear and heard the grinding sound again. The contact was able to continue to drive to the residence. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed that the pinion nut was loosened and grinding into the rear axle. The local dealer was contacted and informed the contact the vehicle was not safe to drive. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 220,000.
Pinion nut became loose. It was caught before it totally fell off, however if it did fall off the rear axle could possible seize up and cause loss of control of the vehicle. This is a 2002 Dodge Ram with the 9.25" rear axle and they appear to still have issues to this day with that axle model. The recall Dodge had in 2009/10 does not even begin to cover the number of Dodge Ram/Dakota vehicles with this issue. The axle in this vehicle was replaced in 2009 for another issue with an axle retainer clip falling off and causing the internal assembly to grind on the boss for the axle. So as the original owner, and with only 137,140 miles on the vehicle in 19 years, it has had multiple problems fixed under warranty, including total axle replacement and now it will have rebuilt again. There should be a real safety concern for all Dodge pickups with the 9.25" rear axle and a recall for every one of them, not just 2009/10. This has been happening for 20 years. When will the federal safety agency step up and hold Dodge to task for this issue. Regards, [XXX] Minden, NV INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Related recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module
- What is wrong
- On certain pickup trucks equipped with four-wheel antilock brake systems (ABS), the ABS electronic control unit (ecu) may cause a loss of front to rear brake balance, and the rear brakes could lock up prematurely during certain braking conditions.
- Risk
- This could result in a loss of vehicle control and cause a crash without warning.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the ABS ecu. The recall is expected to begin during the week of july 17, 2006. Owners may contact daimlerchrysler at 1‑800‑853‑1403.
Recall number 06V038000 · Recall details
Parking brake: conventional: mechanical: linkage and cable
- What is wrong
- The parking brake cable springs are too long, which can cause full compression of the return spring before full engagement of the brake pads to the drum when the parking brake is applied. The amount of force applied between the pads and the drum may also decrease with rear pad wear and such deterioration would not be evident to the vehicle operator during parking brake application.
- Risk
- The parking brake may not be fully engaged when thevehicle operator has applied the parking brake lever. This could result inunintended vehicle rollaway.
- Remedy
- Replace the defective parking brake cable with a cable assembly that has the proper length spring.
Recall number 92V035000 · Recall details
Questions about the Dodge RAM 1500 grinding brakes
Which Dodge RAM 1500 years have grinding or squealing brakes problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2003 (22 complaints), 2004 (20 complaints) and 2009 (16 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix grinding or squealing brakes on the Dodge RAM 1500?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $1,000 (median of 14 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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