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 1995 Dodge Ram 3500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
While driving 55 MPH owner tried to stop the vehicle. As soon as owner hit the brake, the front left wheel locked up, causing the vehicle to skid into three vehicles. Owner also states that the airbag did not deploy. Service manager at the dealer said that the brake shoes were installed incorrectly.
While driving 35 MPH the fuel line that was connected to the transmission failed. Vehicle lost power and began to roll backwards toward oncoming traffic. Consumer stated when attempting to apply the brakes they malfunctioned because transmission fluid leaked onto them.
Consumer states that when the vehicle is in reverse and you apply the brakes and that the front brakes grab and lock up and the back brakes keep rolling. This condition caused a wreck. The road conditions were normal at the time. The system has ABS.
Truck has never stoped good. The frount tires slide when the truck has a load on it causeing you to loos control. The back brakes will not brake a load without sliding the frount wheels (tiresize: p/21585r16)( dot number: tire size: p/21585r16 )
Brake light switch keeps burning out. Wire over heats and melts plug and switch/ brakes don't stop the truck loaded. We change the frount pads 20 to one set of rear brakes. Rear brakes very in afective
While taking off from a stop light, consumer states the sun temperarily obstructed his view, after traffic had come to a stop consumer applied brakes and pedal went to the floor. Consumer states there were no tire morks on ground from rear tires. Consumer feels rear tires are not stopping properly, also driver side air bag didnot deploy in rear end collision. Please provide any fudther information.
Consumer's vehicle has no rear brakes for the second time. During the winter it was worse, the front brakes would lock up on icy/snowy roads; at the same time, the back brakes would be pushing right along. Must put the vehicle into neutral to stop it. Each time the front rotors have warped the first time the Dodge dealers repaired the problem at consumer's cost.
Whenever the brakes are applied, the vehicle fails to stop when it should. Brake pedal goes to floor. The ABS light comes on & does not go off. Took to dealer & was informed by the mechanic the brake problem can be repaired. After the repairs, the brakes still fail to stop vehicle like it suppose to do.
Manufacturer's recall 970. Took vehicle into dealer for recall repairs, and recall called for 11/2 hours to do the work. Dealer did recall repairs, but broke a piece on vehicle related to recall repairs. That piece is on national backorder, and dealer doesn't know when it will be in.
Owner has to stand on brakes in order to slow the vehicle down. Dealer says that it's due to the membrane inside of the booster. Previous recalled defect in vacuum pump allows oil to infiltrate into the brake booster, destroying membrane resulting in delayed braking reaction.
Brake complaints in other Ram 3500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 1995 Dodge Ram 3500?
NHTSA has 28 complaints about the brakes of the 1995 Dodge Ram 3500, 26% of the model year's 108 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (15 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1995 Dodge Ram 3500 brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 1995 Dodge Ram 3500, though it has 1 recall 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 1995 Dodge Ram 3500 brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 200,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 0 fires and 6 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.