2005 dodge ram 1500 p/u truck bought new in 12/2005...brought to dealer @ 5,655 miles with warped rotors, causing the truck to shake when braking. Brake rotors were cut...problem temporarily solved. Returned to dealer @ 9,712 miles....for the same problem. This time the rotors were replaced...but the original brake pads were re-installed. At 17,000 miles....trucks begins to shake again while braking... Returned to the same dealer @ 20,727 miles...they said the front rotors were warped again...though it was out of warranty. After I expressed unhappiness with their answer, they did take another look at the vehicle. They said the front seemed to be ok....and now the rear rotors were warped, though of course it is not covered any longer by the factory warranty. At this point, the truck is 15 months old...has slightly over 20,000 miles and is not safe to drive...with no help from dodge.
Dodge Ram premature wear problems
31 of the 3,966 owner complaints about the Dodge Ram describe rotors or pads wearing out early, most of them for the 1998 model year.
- owner complaints
- 31
- worst model year
- 1998
By model year
Often reported together
Pulling 5ABS 4Overheating 2Fuel leak 1Knocking 1Grinding brakes 1Brake failure 1
What owners say
2004 dodge ram 1500. Brake rotors warped at 19800 miles. 1 year and a half after purchase. Dodge only covers brakes for 1 year or 12000 miles. Had rotors turned at a midas store.
I have a 2003 caravan and a 2004 ram and have had ongoing issues with my brakes. I beleive that the factory must have used faulty rotors. Last august, to my amazement I had to have the rotors turned when the dealer put new pads on my caravan (26,000 miles). I begrudgingly paid over 200 dollars for this. 9 months later the brakes and steering wheel are pulsing again and the dealer is telling me the rotors must be turned again even though the pads are fine. I expected that the dealer would take care of this since they were just serviced 9 months ago but they said I was 200 miles over the limit. I also had the same issue with my ram and even though I had more than 50% of my pads left I had warped rotors and had to pay the dealer to have them turned. I spoke with the service manager at lithia dodge in omaha, previously jims dodge, and he had the audacity to tell me if I replace the rotors the new ones will be guaranteed for life not to warp! Why would you guarantee the aftermarket rotors but not the rotors from the factory??!
While applying the brakes a loud squeaking noise was heard from the front. Consumer drove the vehicle to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that both front brake pads and rotors needed to be replaced due to warped rotors. Consumer informed the mechanic this was the second time that brakes and both rotors needed to be replaced, and the problem was not resolved.
The vehicles rotors warped which caused extended stopping distance.
I have an ongoing problem with preignition (spark knock) in my 1998 dodge ram 1500 with the 318 cid/5.2l motor. .at 24,896 miles, my dealer re-programmed the PCM and re-routed the spark wires. The spark knock continued. At 35,067 miles, the dealer adjusted the timing; I didn't think this could be done. The spark knock continued. At 43,281 miles, the dealer replaced the intake plenium gasket. The spark knock continued. At 45,093, the dealer replaced both engine heads. The spark knock continued. At 57,452 miles, I installed a colder thermostat and this helped somewhat, but the spark knock returned. And, today at 74,834 miles I installed a set of truck spark plugs to see if that will help. The bottom line is that this truck has an inherint defective design in the engine which is being prematurely worn out due to spark knock. I would like the federal safety agency to investigate, and help me in securing a replacement for my problem plagued lemon. Thank you!
Wheel axle hub nuts have backed up three times while consumer was driving. Due to this problem brakes on front left side became prematurely worn. Contacted dealer. *ak
Premature wear of fuel return line causing a vibration, and resulting in fuel leakage. Please provide additional information.
While applying brakes vehicle steers to right without control of steering wheel.*ak consumer states that both rear drums and pads worn out.
Steering coupler prematurely wears out, causing vehicle to severly pull to right or left. Please give any further details.
Related recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder
- What is wrong
- Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2010 left hand drive jeep liberty, dodge nitro and ram 1500 truck; right and left hand drive jeep wrangler vehicles. These vehicles may have been built with an improperly formed master cylinder to hydraulic control unit (hcu) brake tube assembly end flare.
- Risk
- This could lead to loss of brake fluid and reduced braking performance increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the brake tubes free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during august 2010. Owners may contact chrysler toll-free at 1‑800‑853‑1403.
Recall number 10V315000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic
- What is wrong
- Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2010 chrysler sebring; dodge avenger and nitro; jeep liberty, commander and grand cherokee; and model year 2009-2010 dodge ram truck. These vehicles may have been built with an improperly formed or missing brake booster input rod retaining clip.
- Risk
- This could result in brake failure without warning which could cause a crash.
- Remedy
- Chrysler will replace the brake booster input rod retaining clip free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during february 2010. Owners may contact chrysler at 1‑800‑853‑1403.
Recall number 10V009000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module
- What is wrong
- On certain van and wagon vehicles equipped with 4-wheel antilock brake systems (ABS), aftermarket batteries may leak electrolyte onto the ABS control module connector, which can compromise sealing integrity of the connector.
- Risk
- This may allow development of a short circuit in the connector, which could eventually lead to a fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the ABS control module connector for electrolyte damage and replace the connector as necessary. The recall will begin on september 27, 2004. Owners should contact daimlerchrysler at 1‑800‑853‑1403.
Recall number 04V185000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: pickup trucks equipped with an anti-lock braking system (ABS). Some vehicles may have inadequate clearance between the front tire/wheel and the brake hose/ABS sensor wire assembly. During full lock turns, it is possible for the tire or wheel to contact the brake hose/ABS sensor wire assembly.
- Risk
- This could ultimately result in wire damage and/or a hole in the brake line, affecting brake effectiveness, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the front brake hose assemblies, and the ABS sensor wire will be inspected and replaced if necessary. Owner notification began march 8, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact daimlerchrysler at 1‑800‑853‑1403.
Recall number 01V038000 · Recall details
Service brakes, air: disc: rotor
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks. The brake rotor material strength is not sufficient causing a hub fatigue fracture.
- Risk
- This fracture can result in crack propagation around the wheel mounting bolt circule ultimately resulting in a wheel separation.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the brake rotors and if necessary, replace these rotors.
Recall number 98V075000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: pickup trucks equipped with diesel engines. The engine driven vacuum pump can allow engine oil into the vacuum hoses due to the absence of an internal check valve. The oil can cause the hose to deteriorate and partially collapse, reducing the vacuum supply to the brake booster.
- Risk
- Reduced power brake assist can result increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will add a vacuum pump check valve to the vacuum pump. In addition, the vacuum hose connected to the vacuum pump will be replaced with a hose that is engine oil resistant.
Recall number 97V068000 · Recall details
Questions about the Dodge Ram premature wear
Which Dodge Ram years have rotors or pads wearing out early problems?
The model years with the most reports are 1998 (8 complaints), 1996 (6 complaints) and 1999 (4 complaints).
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used Dodge Ram?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history