Dodge RAM 1500 Service Brakes, Hydraulic Problems
Owners have filed 483 complaints with NHTSA about service brakes, hydraulic problems on the Dodge RAM 1500 across 18 model years. The 2003 model year has the most (62). The words owners use most often: “rotors warped” (8% of reports).
- 483service brakes, hydraulic complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 52mention a crash
- 26mention an injury
- 1related recalls
- $620typical repair cost reported by owners
- 33%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Rotors warped: mentioned in 39 of 483 complaints (8%)
- Brake line: mentioned in 37 of 483 complaints (8%)
- Applying brakes: mentioned in 33 of 483 complaints (7%)
- Stopping distance: mentioned in 27 of 483 complaints (6%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical service brakes, hydraulic repair on the Dodge RAM 1500 at $620, and half of them between $390 and $780.
Based on 10 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (1999–2010), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do service brakes, hydraulic problems happen?
Based on 253 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 483 complaints, 52 mention a crash, 7 a fire, 26 an injury.
Dodge RAM 1500 service brakes, hydraulic complaints by model year
| Model year | Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 RAM 1500 | 2 | 0% | 55,000 |
| 2011 RAM 1500 | 5 | 1% | 13,650 |
| 2010 RAM 1500 | 2 | 0% | 6,100 |
| 2009 RAM 1500 | 6 | 1% | 17,835 |
| 2008 RAM 1500 | 9 | 2% | 15,250 |
| 2007 RAM 1500 | 8 | 2% | 41,500 |
| 2006 RAM 1500 | 26 | 3% | 16,000 |
| 2005 RAM 1500 | 12 | 1% | 17,490 |
| 2004 RAM 1500 | 35 | 3% | 14,500 |
| 2003 RAM 1500 | 62 | 5% | 10,000 |
| 2002 RAM 1500 | 30 | 4% | 24,500 |
| 2001 RAM 1500 | 47 | 4% | 60,000 |
| 2000 RAM 1500 | 23 | 4% | 74,000 |
| 1999 RAM 1500 | 47 | 8% | 68,082 |
| 1998 RAM 1500 | 56 | 11% | 120,585 |
| 1997 RAM 1500 | 43 | 12% | 80,150 |
| 1996 RAM 1500 | 46 | 15% | 83,500 |
| 1995 RAM 1500 | 24 | 11% | 122,500 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (1)
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module
Model years: 2006
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced transmission failure, and the brake lines were rusted. The contact was trapped in the desert for hours with his dog. The contact stated that two independent mechanics had determined that the idler pulley…
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…
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 dodge ram 1500. While driving 70 mph, the vehicle decelerate and would not exceed 40 mph. The vehicle vibrated violently and the abs warning indicator illuminated. An independent mechanic repaired the motor. The dealer was contacted and did not assist. The manufacturer…
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ram 1500. While driving at an unknown speed, smoke was present coming from the front passenger wheel. The vehicle was taken back to hall chrysler/jeep(15123 north rd, fenton, mi 48430) where it was diagnosed that the front passenger side brake caliper seized and needed…
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 ram 1500. While driving approximately 60 mph, the front passenger tire vibrated. Upon inspection, the contact noticed that the caliper was so hot that smoke emerged from the wheel area. The contact waited until the caliper cooled off and drove the vehicle back home. The…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Dodge RAM 1500s have service brakes, hydraulic problems?
No. NHTSA has 483 owner complaints about service brakes, hydraulic for the Dodge RAM 1500. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Dodge RAM 1500 service brakes, hydraulic?
Yes: 1 safety recall list service brakes, hydraulic. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix service brakes, hydraulic problems on the Dodge RAM 1500?
Owners report a typical cost of $620 (half paid between $390 and $780), from 10 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about service brakes, hydraulic problems on the Dodge RAM 1500?
The most frequent phrase is “rotors warped”, in 39 of 483 complaints, followed by “brake line” (37).
Other Dodge RAM 1500 problems
- Power Train problems (2,382)
- Air Bags problems (2,208)
- Structure problems (2,020)
- Electrical System problems (1,377)
- Suspension problems (848)
- Steering problems (833)
- Engine problems (740)
- Engine and Engine Cooling problems (599)
See all Dodge RAM 1500 problems.