Brake complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 14 | 4% | 96,000 miles |
| 2011 | 11 | 5% | 16,000 miles |
| 2010 | 9 | 6% | 45,000 miles |
| 2009 | 5 | 5% | 25,000 miles |
| 2008 | 3 | 2% | 35,000 miles |
| 2007 | 3 | 1% | 0 miles |
| 2006 | 13 | 5% | 108,000 miles |
| 2005 | 9 | 5% | 82,000 miles |
| 2004 | 8 | 4% | 82,000 miles |
| 2003 | 5 | 2% | 100,000 miles |
| 2002 | 4 | 9% | 37,000 miles |
| 2001 | 13 | 10% | 60,000 miles |
| 2000 | 5 | 9% | 107,000 miles |
| 1999 | 15 | 14% | 147,000 miles |
| 1998 | 20 | 19% | 130,000 miles |
| 1997 | 17 | 14% | 151,000 miles |
| 1996 | 38 | 31% | 104,000 miles |
| 1995 | 28 | 26% | 200,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
While pulling a trailer, integrated trailer brake controller stopped working and disabled the trailer brakes. All trailer lights worked, just no brakes. Showed red warning in dash and "CF" on brake controller after failure. No warning before failure. Checked connections and tested with another trailer. Even with no trailer, warning is on and trailer brakes are not functional. Created hazard to driver and other motorists by spontaneous loss of brakes. Online forums indicate this is not an isolated incident. More recently, now the trailer running lights have failed. Brake and turn signal lights work, but no running lights. No police report of inspections. Not yet repaired. Available for inspection.
Win modules and/or ignition switch randomly turns engine off and all electronics including trailer brake controls. Vehicle loss of power brakes and power steering. Loss of trailer brake controls. I was driving pulling a 10,000lbs. Trailer and truck was near impossible to stop. I was driving down the highway. Glad I wasn't driving around pedestrians, and no traffic, or driving into a city rush hour like I usually am. Now I don't pull a trailer anymore with this truck because I'm scared of smashing someone or something. A lot of people use these trucks as commercial vehicles and towing and this needs addresses before someone gets hurt or killed.
While hauling a large load of hay, I was traveling at less than 10mph as I was applying the brakes to slow the vehicle to make a right hand turn on to another road. When I applied the brakes the steering completely went away and the vehicle would not turn at all. The brake peddle was very stiff and the brakes were not very responsive. I was able to get the truck stopped as I was heading toward another vehicle on the road. After coming to a complete stop and backing the vehicle up the steering returned and I was able to make the turn. I traveled approximately 2 miles down the road to my destination at a very slow speed and when I applied the brakes to turn I lost all steering again and the brake peddle was very stiff and not very responsive. I parked the vehicle and have not moved it.
Lost my brakes and steering while driving down the hwy doing 65. Lost all brake power and power steering.the motor runs but have no brakes and power steering. Looking at it I'm not the only one who has had this problem. I have 2 young kids and they could have been badly hurt if I wasn't able to man handle the truck. Definitely a safety issue that needs to be looked into. Not sure what is causing it. Is there anything you can do to look into this cause now I'm scared to drive my truck. Especially with my kids in it. I'm not sure what can be done about this but I would really hate to see something bad happen to a family for a issue like this. I thank you for your time and I hope to hear a response back from you about this issue.
My husband and I totaled our 2010 Dodge Ram 3500 less than 24 hrs after pick up the truck from the lythia Dodge which they had for 5 days straight prior to the accident. For the steering, check engine light and the brakes. In 18mos my truck was in the shop 6 times, for repairs {unacceptable}. We were driving on a arterial st at about 35, when I heard a snap. We suddenly went into oncoming traffic where we sideswiped a sm SUV. Went thru two fences and crashed into a huge shop traveling about 210 yards. My husband was cited for neg 2. He stated he came to in the shop, the officer reported he feel asleep. My vehicle was a total loss. The auto source from the ins. For the payoff , had a list of recalls for my vehicle one of them was for the tie-rod. We recalled seeing the trucks tie-rod had been broken at the scene. So I tried to get my ins to investigate. …
Upon hitting a bump, hump, or hole in the pavement while driving at highway speeds the steering wheel begins to vibrate and move side to side unexpectedly; the front end of the truck shakes and bounces violently until speed reduces to near stop. Brakes and steering are near ineffective until the violent shaking stops. It feels as if the whole front end is about to break loose from the vehicle, and driver control is severely compromised. This has happened 8-10 times in two years of ownership. It is always unexpected with no warning. I have become very uneasy about road trips in this vehicle. I am about to take it to a Dodge dealership one more time as the problem occurred again two days ago. I have only 700 miles of warranty left. …
The frame is completely rotted from wheel well to wheel well on both sides of vehicle frame was completely rotted thru with judge holes completely rusted thru The vehicle was sold with no brakes sold to me and with dog chain holding the gas tank in place because fuel straps were rotted thru and bad wheel bearing that was ready to seize or will fall off vehicle purchased on 11/06 /25 and returned a couple days later within 7 days took it to repair shop to have brake lines repaired and they said they would put truck on lift because frame was rotted so bad they were afraid truck could break in half . …
Hash shifting during acceleration and deceleration and aggressive braking during decelerating...was only doing this during acceleration in the beginning but now does it all the time . This has not left me stranded yet but, I feel like this is going to be a major problem if this problem does not get remedied soon . Started doing this about a month ago or so..
Related recalls (1)
Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Control unit/module
On certain pickup trucks equipped with four-wheel antilock brake systems (ABS), the ABS electronic control unit (ECU) May cause a loss of front to rear brake balance, and the rear brakes could lock up prematurely during certain braking conditions.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the ABS ECU. The recall is expected to begin during the week of July 17, 2006. Owners May contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Frequently asked questions
Which Dodge Ram 3500 years have brake problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1996 (38), 1995 (28), 1998 (20), 1997 (17) and 1999 (15) model years. Brake complaints make up 31% of all complaints for the 1996.
Is there a recall for Dodge Ram 3500 brake problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 06V-038 (control unit/module, Feb 9, 2006). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Dodge Ram 3500 brake problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 84,000 miles; 34% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (60 mentions), followed by the foundation components (19).
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.