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 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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 at 2 MPH to their home. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed that the brake line had blown and replaced it where it had failed. Approximately 6 months later, the ABS and brake warning lights illuminated again. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed no leaks. When restarting the vehicle, the warning lights were no longer illuminated. While driving at an unknown speed, the ABS and brake lights illuminated again. The vehicle was taken to Meineke Car Care Center to a certified mechanic. The following morning, the lights were not illuminated. …
On 8/19/2009, I was traveling east on rt 360 in chesterfield co, va in my 2001 Dodge 1500 pickup truck. As I approached the light at turner rd, I apply the brakes but the truck was not stopping as normal. I struck the Nissan in front of me in the rear. Damage done to both vehicles but thankfully there were no injuries. It was later determined that the steel brake line that runs along the inside of the frame rail had burst causing the rear brakes to fail. The insurance company responded to the repair shop and inspected the old brake line. It appears from several Dodge forums that this is a common problem with some model years but Dodge refuses to address the issue. I believe this to be a very serious issue as the next victim May not be as lucky as I.
1998-2001 b-van (Dodge full size). The ABS control module is protected with a 40 amp fuse. A 10 ga. Wire comes out of the control module, then this 10 ga. Wire "y's" out to two 14 ga. Wires. It appears as though the ABS pump or the relay sticks on these vans. Then one of the 14 ga. Wires overheats and catches the wiring harness on fire. The 40 amp fuse does not blow. The fire then continues until the van is fully engulfed in flames. This van was bought back from us by Chrysler corp. In 2002. The official fire investigation reports conducted by Chrysler were never disclosed to us at verizon.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that the brake system failed. While driving approximately 30 MPH and attempting to slow down, the brake pedal stuck to the floor board. The contact was able to coast the vehicle over to the shoulder, inspected the vehicle, and found that the rear brake lines fractured due to corrosion. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 62,800.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Dodge Ram 1500. While driving 30 MPH, the power steering failed. The vehicle had a past failure with the brakes, corrosion of the frame, a cracked dashboard, and warning indicators illuminating since 26,000 miles. The vehicle was repaired for these failures, but not for the steering failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was approximately 41,000.....updated 01/04/2016
The brake line leading to the driver rear tire is severely corroded. The entire line from the master cylinder to the wheel will have to be replaced. My 16 year old daughter was driving the truck when the brakes fell to the floor. It leaked the entire contents of the brake fluid out. The breaks did still function but barely. Enough to get it home.she was on a busy street in traffic when the brake petal went to the floor.
Rear brake line heavily corroded and ruptured in between the fuel tank and the frame (very little corrosion to the surrounding parts/frame). Fortunately the vehicle was parked when the line broke and I noticed I had lost virtually all braking ability while attempting to put it in gear. I had driven it 10 minutes prior to the line failing, and had noticed no degradation whatsoever.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Dodge Ram 1500. While driving 50 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed, but failed to respond. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 200,000.
I purchased a 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 quad cab, VIN [redacted], from fowler Dodge in oklahoma city. The vehicle was sold as is with engine problems. Upon taking the vehicle to a mechanic, I was told that it will need over $2000 in repairs in order to be safe and reliable. The problems are as follows: #1 engine cylinder has burnt valve, not creating adequate cylinder pressure #5 cylinder has burnt valve, not creating adequate pressure #8 cylinder has burnt valve, not creating any pressure brakes rotors require replacement transmission slipping between 1st and 2nd gear headlights operate in full high beam only, all the time. Faulty headlght switch the mechanic I took the vehicle to has reccommended that I get a lawyer, write to you and Chrysler and give fowler Dodge a chance to make the repairs under good faith. …
2001 Dodge quad cab pickup has failing wiring in steering column which makes truck die while driving . Which in turn there is no power brakes or steering and no electrical functions that makes the truck run . Dead on the road literally. Who knows at what speeds this problem May occur. Luckily, it happened to me while going slow and I was able to stop the truck. No known human deaths yet that I have heard of from this. If the problem is not fixed with wiring harness there will be deaths, I'm pretty sure due to this problem. I would like to do my best to keep my family and other families safe. This needs to be dealt with before someone does die unnecessarily in an accident that can be avoided by replacing the problem part of the pickup. The bearing clutch, rear carrier bearing, axle seals, rotors, power steering pump, pinion carrier bearings were all replaced. …
Brake complaints in other Ram 1500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2001 Dodge Ram 1500?
NHTSA has 59 complaints about the brakes of the 2001 Dodge Ram 1500, 5% of the model year's 1,112 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (15 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2001 Dodge Ram 1500, though it has 2 recalls for other components. 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 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 74,000 miles, and 11% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 1 fire and 4 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.