RAM 1500 Service Brakes Problems
Owners have filed 1,092 complaints with NHTSA about service brakes problems on the RAM 1500 across 15 model years. The 2016 model year has the most (245). The words owners use most often: “abs module” (28% of reports).
- 1,092service brakes complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 80mention a crash
- 20mention an injury
- 3related recalls
- $1,500typical 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.
- ABS module: mentioned in 301 of 1,092 complaints (28%)
- Traction control: mentioned in 263 of 1,092 complaints (24%)
- Anti lock: mentioned in 114 of 1,092 complaints (10%)
- Trailer brake: mentioned in 67 of 1,092 complaints (6%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical service brakes repair on the RAM 1500 at $1,500, and half of them between $720 and $2,100.
Based on 21 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2016–2026), 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 problems happen?
Based on 192 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 1,092 complaints, 80 mention a crash, 8 a fire, 20 an injury.
RAM 1500 service brakes complaints by model year
| Model year | Service Brakes complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 1500 | 9 | 9% | — |
| 2025 1500 | 41 | 11% | 2,736 |
| 2024 1500 | 11 | 14% | 800 |
| 2023 1500 | 33 | 16% | — |
| 2022 1500 | 56 | 9% | 3,050 |
| 2021 1500 | 54 | 8% | 17,850 |
| 2020 1500 | 40 | 6% | 2,800 |
| 2019 1500 | 114 | 8% | 4,944 |
| 2018 1500 | 42 | 6% | 10,922 |
| 2017 1500 | 91 | 10% | 26,000 |
| 2016 1500 | 245 | 16% | 30,300 |
| 2015 1500 | 140 | 10% | 31,170 |
| 2014 1500 | 145 | 8% | 46,123 |
| 2013 1500 | 69 | 5% | 56,000 |
| 2009 1500 | 2 | 5% | 58,505 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (3)
Electronic stability control (esc):control module; service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module
Model years: 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2019, 2021-2024 Ram 1500 vehicles. Due to a software malfunction, the anti-lock brake system (ABS) control module may disable the electronic stability control system. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."
Risk: Driving with a disabled electronic stability control system can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the ABS control module software, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed October 10, 2024. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning September 26, 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 85B.
Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:master cylinderDo not drive
Model years: 2021
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Ram 1500 Classic SLT trucks. Certain vehicles were built without the retaining clip that secures the master cylinder push rod to the brake pedal, which can cause the brake pedal to separate from the brake system.
Risk: A separated brake pedal can result in the driver being unable to apply the service brakes, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Owners are advised to not drive their vehicles until they receive instructions on the inspection and repair, as necessary. FCA US will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and install the push rod clip, free of charge. The recall began February 9, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US number for this recall is Y04.
Service brakes, hydraulic:pedals and linkages
Model years: 2019
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019 Ram 1500 vehicles equipped with adjustable pedals. The affected vehicles have a brake pedal that may move too far and separate from pedal assembly.
Risk: If the brake pedal separates from the pedal assembly, the driver may be unable to brake the vehicle, increasing the risk of crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will repair the adjustable pedal assembly, free of charge. The recall began on February 25, 2019. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is V07.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
See attached
San Antonio Tx was driving this morning in a light mist had my son in the truck the vehicle ahead of me came to an abrupt stop and I had to hit my brakes pretty hard and without the abs working properly I am impacted by the ABS controller failure However, I was surprise at how few have files formal…
ABS Control Module stopped working ,leaving traction control and anti lock brakes inoperable. Parts are not available from dealers or after market manufacturers. This has been an on going problem with multiple year vehicles.
Abs light traction light and brake light so I have no Anti lock brakes working and Cruise control dose not work because of this issue dodge dealer sad it was a recall dodge manufacture says it is not so this is a safety issue
ABS MODULE failure. Computer chip on back order. Dangerous
Frequently asked questions
Do all RAM 1500s have service brakes problems?
No. NHTSA has 1,092 owner complaints about service brakes for the 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 RAM 1500 service brakes?
Yes: 3 safety recalls list service brakes. 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 problems on the RAM 1500?
Owners report a typical cost of $1,500 (half paid between $720 and $2,100), from 21 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about service brakes problems on the RAM 1500?
The most frequent phrase is “abs module”, in 301 of 1,092 complaints, followed by “traction control” (263).
Other RAM 1500 problems
- Steering problems (2,661)
- Engine problems (2,391)
- Electrical System problems (2,372)
- Power Train problems (1,447)
- Fuel/propulsion System problems (1,072)
- Air Bags problems (572)
- Vehicle Speed Control problems (537)
- Suspension problems (434)
See all RAM 1500 problems.