Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1997 Dodge Ram 1500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
On December 14 2005 my son was driving my Dodge Ram 1500, he tried to stop and the ABS system locked and he rear ended the car in front of him. The engine stalled and he had no control over the vehicle. The truck slid approximately 20 feet. There was a child injured in the car that he hit.
While driving my 1997 Dodge Ram 1500 on an interstate highway near philadelphia, pa at the 65 MPH speed limit, traffic was slowing. I put my foot on the brake pedal and it went to the floor without warning. Pumping it did nothing. I had total brake failure. Fortunately, there were no vehicles in the two lanes to the right of me, I swerved and got the truck on the shoulder of the highway. If there would have been vehicles to my right, I would have rear ended the vehicle in front of me, causing a multiple vehicle chain-reaction type of crash. Inspection of the vehicle along the highway showed brake fluid running out of the brake line that runs from below the master cylinder to the brake proportioning valve near the proportioning valve. I was not aware that brake systems could have a total, abrupt failure as this system did. The truck was towed to a repair facility. …
1) events leading up to failure- normal operation. Vehicle 9 years old. 2) failure and its consequences- steel brake tube supplying the rear brake system completely deteriorated from corrosion at the last clamp station prior to the connection to the rear brake hose assembly. Premature corrosion of the steel brake tube at the last clamping station ruptured the steel brake tube resulting in 95% loss in vehicle stopping power when the brakes are applied. Brake failure. 3) actions taken to correct the failure- steel brake tube will need replaced.
Estremely poor brake response. During moderate braking or with a light trailer/load it takes extremely long to stop the vehicle. Only has rear ABS, it has never gone off. You cannot lock the tires except on ice/snow or loose gravel/sand. Been in one accident, numerous other close calls. The brake pedal can be pressed to the floor. Dealer says nothing is wrong, several brake jobs done, now running with ss rotors and ceramic pads with no improvement. I have a friend with the same make/model/year that has 44" mudders and can stop on a dime.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that when he depressed the brake pedal, it became spongy and extended to the floor. The brakes failed to stop the vehicle immediately and he was forced to tap the pedal continuously. The front and rear disc pads were replaced. The master cylinder and the calipers were replaced and the rotors were bled but the failure recurred. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 113,000.
Truck acceelrated upon putting into drive.....the pedal went to the floor ....could not stop it. The ABS activated and vehicle crashed into a building....it squeeled the tires as soon as I stepped on pedal and it went to the floor......crashed into a building and it was still revving at full throttle.........can you help us......we dont want to drive it again unless we know what caused it to do this.........the exterior damage is being repaired but we still dont know why it did that........thankyou...
A long list is available at humes of waterford,pa. The most amazing failure of the vehichle was when the driver's door flew open while driving around the bend and I was lucky thaat no oncoming traffic was coming. Humes(dealer) fixed it by a horrible weld on the latch.
Metal brake line that runs from proportional valve to rear brakes was badly corroded and broke open. Complete loss of brakes. Incident occurred in driveway. No other metal lines or metal near broken line showed signs of corrosion. Replacing line.
When the brakes were applied, the pedal went to the floor and the vehicle did not stop. The consumer had to down shift and use the emergency brake. The mechanic stated the main brake line rusted out.
After replacing transmission, transmission failed again. Consumer was driving approximately 65mph and vehicle just gradually started slowing down. Consumer coasted to side of road with engine still running, but not able to go in any gears. Transmission was replaced 1-22-00. Vehicle experiences several transmission problems, there have been recalls amongst the repairs, driveshaft broke while driving, consumer states that Chrysler corp has no records of a transmission being sent to new country Dodge where the replacement took place, transfer case was retorqued, consumer had taken vehicle to dealer many times prior to complete transmission failure and dealer could not remedy problems. Clunking noise under vehicle, dealer replaced front swaybar links. O2 sensor replaced. …
Brake complaints in other Ram 1500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 1997 Dodge Ram 1500?
NHTSA has 53 complaints about the brakes of the 1997 Dodge Ram 1500, 15% of the model year's 361 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (15 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Dodge Ram 1500 brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 1997 Dodge Ram 1500. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1997 Dodge Ram 1500 brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 95,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 7 crashes, 0 fires and 12 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.