1998 Plymouth Voyager: brake failure

Filed Dec 22, 2011 · Engine · 119,000 miles · TX

The belt slips off in the rain causing power failure to everything running off the belt. No power steering, no cooling system, no electrical charging, no A/C, and I believe the brakes didn't work right.

Filed Aug 8, 2010 · Brakes · 105,000 miles · IL

Another 1998 plymouth voyager van with the rear brake lines broken. Happened on the road, brakes worked and less than 3 miles down the road when driver attempted a turn, brakes went to the floor. Driver was able to park the vehicle. Vehicle was driven home by husband using front brakes only where the broken lines were discovered. With no apparent reason for the corrosion, research reveals multiple incidents on mid to late 90s' plymouth vans with corroded or rusted rear brake lines. I will replace with aftermarket parts to avoid repeat failure.

Filed Feb 25, 2005 · Brakes · 106,780 miles · WV

This is a company vehicle. It was used on tuesday of this week without problem. Thursday it was used again, and the coworker who used it this time found that the brakes were just barely able to bring the vehicle to a stop from a slow roll. Fortunately, he was able to safely return to the parking lot without incident. When I checked on the vehicle later that day I noted a puddle of brake fluid on the ground under the rear axle. Thinking that possibly some road debris had punctured a brake line, I took it into the shop, a dodge dealer. There they found that one brake line had rusted completely through. Also, they noted significant rust on other places in the lines. I had the shop give me the old lines after the new ones were installed. I have them available for photographing or physical analysis. It appears to me to be a case of dissimilar metal and / or crevice corrosion at the location where the solid tube meets with the wire mesh portion of the line. I think this represents a true safety hazard, particularly since this is a 1998 vehicle on which such a problem should never be anticipated. Thanks for investigating. By the way, they also said that the vehicle is unsafe to drive because snow and/or water has rusted up one of the rear brake assemblies. This also seems like an issue that should be addressed. But I don't consider it to be as great a safety concern. I think that a reasonably observant driver should have plenty of warning if a brake is dragging, unlike driving off some day with almost no brakes whatsoever because of a rusted out line.

Filed Aug 25, 2003 · Brakes · 94,000 miles · CA

While driving at an undetermined speed, and brake pedal was depressed pedal went to the floor. When this occurred vehicle pulled to the left. The failure was caused by brake pads coming off the brake. Dealership indicated that there was a defect in the brake design that caused premature brake wear.

Filed Mar 15, 2002 · Brakes · GA

Brake system failed numerous times - replaced brakes, rotors, and calipers. Dealer was unable to find the problem until I had spent over $1200 on the problem in the course of six months. I went to three different automobile repair centers to remedy the problem including five star dodge (dealer where I purchased the car), precision tune centers, and sears automobile center. All of these centers replaced pads after I initially purchased the first set because they were on warranty. However, each time I had to replace an additional parts like rotors on the front of the car. Ultimately sears said the caliphers was the problem. Again I had to replace pads and rotors, and now caliphers. After 3 times coming back for warranty service at sears after the caliphers were replaced they decided to buy the parts and warranty back on the car and have it towed to another service center. This happened in a 2 month period of time. My brakes went out a total of five times on the left side. I was riding on the rotors. The pads just broke apart or worn out on these occasions. When my car was towed to the dodge dealership they stated they did not know of any mechanical defect in the brake system. Upon inspection of my car it was found that the brake hose had collapsed on the car. I had to have pads, rotors, and a brake hose repaired on the car at the cost of $500 on this trip. This was also the dealer I had dealt with at first when my car had the previous trouble with the brakes. This time I could tell them it was not the brake pads, rotors or calipher because I had those previously repaired. This prompted them to look further for a solution. So five set of brakes later, my car hopefully is finally safe.

Filed Aug 21, 2001 · Brakes · MA

While driving, brakes failed, the brake pedal went to the floor and there was very little stopping power, dealer stated the master cylinder failed and replaced the unit, consumer is concerned that this component failed with such low mileage.