RAM 3500 Service Brakes, Hydraulic Problems
Owners have filed 198 complaints with NHTSA about service brakes, hydraulic problems on the RAM 3500 across 7 model years. The 2018 model year has the most (144). The words owners use most often: “traction control” (36% of reports).
- 198service brakes, hydraulic complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 4mention a crash
- 0mention an injury
- 3related recalls
- 59%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.
- Traction control: mentioned in 71 of 198 complaints (36%)
- Hydraulic contacted: mentioned in 48 of 198 complaints (24%)
- Service ABS: mentioned in 19 of 198 complaints (10%)
- Audible chime: mentioned in 11 of 198 complaints (6%)
At what mileage do service brakes, hydraulic problems happen?
Based on 147 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 198 complaints, 4 mention a crash, 1 a fire.
RAM 3500 service brakes, hydraulic complaints by model year
When owners reported it
Related recalls (3)
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module
Model years: 2017, 2018
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Ram 2500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Pickup, 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles. The hydraulic control unit (HCU) may fail, which can cause the anti-lock brake (ABS), electronic stability control (ESC), and traction control systems to fail.
Risk: A loss of anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control, or traction control can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the brake HCU, or replace the HCU motor, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning January 9, 2025. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is C4B.
Electronic stability control (esc); service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module
Model years: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2022 Ram 2500 and 2021-2022 Dodge Durango vehicles, and 2019-2022 3500 cab chassis with GVWR less than 10,000 lbs. The ABS control module software may prevent the electronic stability control (ESC) malfunction indicator light from illuminating during certain conditions. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."
Risk: An ESC malfunction indicator light that fails to illuminate during an electronic stability control problem can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the ABS control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Z20.
Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:caliper
Model years: 2019
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019 Ram 2500, 3500 and 3500 Cab Chassis trucks. The brake calipers may have been manufactured with an incorrect assembly fluid, which can cause the caliper's rubber seals to swell.
Risk: The swollen seals can cause the brakes to drag, potentially overheating the brakes and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: FCA US will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front brake calipers and brake hoses and bleed the brakes, free of charge. The recall began October 24, 2019. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US' number for this recall is V98.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2018 Ram 3500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V896000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair…
The contact owns a 2017 Ram 3500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V896000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The manufacturer was contacted and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated…
The contact owns a 2018 Ram 3500. The contact stated that the ABS warning light intermittently flashed on the instrument panel while driving at various speeds. The contact stated that an audible chime was sounded with the warning light illuminated and the ABS, traction control, and cruise control…
The contact owns a 2018 Ram 3500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V896000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was contacted and referred the contact to the manufacturer for assistance. The…
The contact owns a 2017 Ram 3500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V896000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to complete the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the…
Frequently asked questions
Do all RAM 3500s have service brakes, hydraulic problems?
No. NHTSA has 198 owner complaints about service brakes, hydraulic for the RAM 3500. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the RAM 3500 service brakes, hydraulic?
Yes: 3 safety recalls list service brakes, hydraulic. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
What do owners say about service brakes, hydraulic problems on the RAM 3500?
The most frequent phrase is “traction control”, in 71 of 198 complaints, followed by “hydraulic contacted” (48).
Other RAM 3500 problems
- Service Brakes problems (767)
- Electrical System problems (374)
- Power Train problems (327)
- Engine problems (246)
- Steering problems (214)
- Vehicle Speed Control problems (204)
- Fuel/propulsion System problems (136)
- Wheels problems (132)
See all RAM 3500 problems.