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 2500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I purchased a 1997 Dodge 2500 Ram pickup truck in November of 1996. Within a few weeks I experienced a brake failure when I hit the brakes hard. I managed to change lanes to avoid an accident and tried many times after that to get the brakes to fail. But it didn't happen again until almost a year later. Same result, no accident and couldn't repeat the problem. I brought the vehicle to the dealer for some warranty work and reported the brake failure to the service manager. They tested the vehicle many times and still could not produce brake failure. The problem occurred eleven times more since the last failure and this time I had an accident. Fortunately, I was able to miss the stalled vehicle in front of me by changing lanes and hitting a car along side going the same speed. This resulted in property damage to both vehicles but no bodily injury. …
Tl contact owns a 1997 Dodge Ram 2500. The brake lines have rusted in three places. The failures occurred near the master cylinder and the frame rail. While approaching a stop sign at approximately 10 MPH, the brakes failed. The brakes also failed in his driveway and at a drive through window. The brake lines were replaced in parts since the dealer no longer sells the all of the original parts. The dealer diagnosed the failure and stated that it occurs as though it were normal wear and tear. The vehicle is considered an 8800 due to the weight class. The vehicle is up-to-date on its routine maintenance. The failure mileage was 72,000 and current mileage was 94,000. Updated 03-04-08 the rear brakes started to lock up ever since the brakes lines starting to deteriorate. Updated
Vehicle lost braking while applying the brakes at 25 MPH. Consumer was able to stop the vehicle without any incidents. Vehicle was towed to a repair shop, and mechanic determined that the problem was an erupted metal brake line due to corrosion. Dealer and the manufacturer were not notified. Broken brake line was replaced. The rest of brake lines had to be replaced because of severe corrosion and danger of bursting.
Tl contact owns a 1997 Dodge Ram 2500. The contact attempted to apply the parking brake, but the brake failed to engage. The regular brakes work, but the parking brake does not. The vehicle cannot be parked on an incline because it will roll. Dodge has not been notified. The current and failure mileages were 133,000.
Dt*: the contact stated while parking the vehicle, the brakes were applied and the pedal went freely to the floor. Upon inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed the brake lines were deteriorated and there was brake fluid all over the engine. The dealership and manufacturer have not been alerted.
Traveling at 40 MPH, heard a"pop", rear break line ruptured, due to early corrosion of galvinized brake lines. No rear brakes. Was able to get of road. Dealership asked if its a northern truck, says it's non-warranty. Repair pending - estimates range from $600 to thousands (dealer)
Vehicle makes a hard left turn when braking. Dealer advised it to be front end alignment, ( which they don't do) or brakes or tire problem. Brakes were replaced, front end aligned, tires were replaced without any impact on condition. Further research and time and $ spent finds Chrysler has a TSB #05-03-97 that tells you to put a spacer between the hub and wheel of varying sizes untill you find one that changes the front end geometry till it nolonger pulls. This is after you have filed brake componets. If this does not cure the problem , then you are to replace the entire hub assy which then May cause you to have to go through the trial and error shim business again. This vehicle is dangerous to drive and warranty including chryslers maximum wrap warranty will not cover this fix accourding to auffenburg and a dealer in olathe ks I stopped at last week. …
While driving 45mph the atni-lock rear brake warning light came on. A few minutes later, while pulling out at a stop sign the rear differential made a loud noise. The rear differential had "came out" for lack of a better term. I have all the parts and pieces from the differential. The pinion gear was in pieces in the bottom of the housing. The ring gear had several teeth missing and/or damaged. The anti-lock brake sensor/equipment was also damaged.the only parts that were not replaced were the axles and the housing. Cause of the defect is still yet undetermined.
The brake problem has been on going since the first few month of service. The first brake failure was at 9557 miles, the second failure was at 23,744 miles and the third failure of the brakes was at 29, 875 miles. The brakes have been replaced, rotors ground,, new rear axle seals, and new calipers, pads,and brake shoes have been installed. The problem still exists and the dealer in turlock auto center, turlock, ca. Is ordering new parts again making the fourth brakes on this pickup including the original ones.
When brakes are applied they go to the floor and do not hold. The master cylinder has been replaced 3 times. This is a reoccuring problem, and the consumer is afraid for her family. Consumer states that this problem occurs about every 10K to 12K miles. Consumer feels unsure/unsecure about this vehicle and feels that Chrysler needs to address this matter before someone is possibly killed.
Brake complaints in other Ram 2500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 1997 Dodge Ram 2500?
NHTSA has 39 complaints about the brakes of the 1997 Dodge Ram 2500, 18% of the model year's 213 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (15 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Dodge Ram 2500 brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 1997 Dodge Ram 2500. 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 2500 brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 133,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 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.