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 1996 Dodge Ram owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 1996 Dodge Ram. The contact became aware that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 97V068000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic), 01V037000 (Vehicle Speed Control), and 00V135000 (Electrical System); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
The vehicle vacuum system became contaminated with oil. This effected the vehicle's hav system, brake booster and deteriorated all the vacuum hoses which caused the brakes to fail intermittently. A recall was initiated for this problem but the consumer's vehicle was not included due to VIN. The dealer recommended that the consumer install an external brake booster check valve and hose, replace vent and defroster actuator. The customer declined the repairs.
On three occasions brakes have lost pressure to hydraulic system. On last incident accident was the result of losing braking entirely. Since system totally failed and inspection of braking components,excluding ABS, have not uncovered defect it,but light on ABS system has turned on -indicating system problem - I believe ABS components May be faulty
While driving 50mph & went to apply brakes, master cylinder/power booster studs came out. It split the metal attachment. There were no brakes. Rearended another vehicle. Had contacted manufacturer. A representative checked vehicle's brakes & indicated the brakes were fine & manufacturer was not liable for anything.
Going to a camp ground on dirt road, hauling a trailer, going down a hill, driver tried to apply brakes (ABS), had no brakes, ran into another vehicle w/trailer, the other vehicle literally stopped the vehicle at bottom of hill. After inspection, it was found that the master cylinder was faulty.
While driving at 20 MPH the defective ABS braking system malfunctioned causing the wheels to lock up and skid. Having extended stopping distance, causing a frontal impact. The defective driver's side airbag did not deploy.
Transmission shudders at 45 MPH, does not shift and shakes when going into 3rd or overdirve, and jerks and slips, dealer has replaced the valve body and reconditioned transmission and replaced convertor, transmission continues to lock up and jerk. Driver and passenger side mirrors were both replaced due to being loose. Emergency brake handle came off and was replaced. Fuel gauge read empty with 12 gallons in tank, dealer replaced fuel pump module. Wiper blades weren't cleaning windshield, dealer replaced both wiper blades, windshield washer was inoperable, dealer replaced washer motor. Vehicle has experienced many problems with the interior and dome lights failing, dome light keeps blowing fuse and dealer has replaced the strip lighting and fuse box door and repaired the open circuit to junction block. Radiator cap was replaced due to low coolant. …
Brake performance diminished, takes heavy brake pedal pressure to stop. Parking brake does not hold vehicle, with parking brake pushed on hard the vehicle can still creep. Front brake pads wearing very qucikly, rear brake shoes glazed. Rear brake shoes replaced three times, a new set of "heavy duty" rear wheel cylinders were installed by the dealer. The wheel cylinders helped some but the truck has poor braking performance, especially with a light load in the bed or towing an empty 16' flat bed trailer. Replaced front brake pads and they were worn unevenly. I don't know if a proportining valve would cause this kind of problem. The dealer has tried what they thought would fix the problem. The truck is out of warranty now since October of 1999.
Initial transmission problem started @ 38000 just out of warranty. Dealer said they couldn't help. I never thought of contacting manufacturer. Trans. Diagnosis complete at 72500 mis, dealer say rebuild, r+r at 89300mis. Brake mastercylinder lid was leaking causing insufficiet fluid level lead to pad and shoe failure. Transmission failure LED to lifter failure in the engine. Trans would long shift putiing strain on engine causing a higher rev. Ultimately weakening 2 lifters. I am now hearing a noise and feeling jolts on the steering wheel turning left . Problem is unknown at this time.
Recall #97068, dealer replaced the vacuum check valve in the brake pump in which the problem still exists. The vehicle experiences no braking ability. Had to use the emergency parking brake in order to stop. Consumer states the rubber vacuum fitting on line between pump and brake booster dislodged vacuum, oil fumes reacted to rubber and became unstable, this occurred after recall, all fittings have been replaced with better rubber fittings.
Related recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic › Power assist › Vacuum › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Vehicle description: pickup trucks equipped with diesel engines. The engine driven vacuum pump can allow engine oil into the vacuum hoses due to the absence of an internal check valve. The oil can cause the hose to deteriorate and partially collapse, reducing the vacuum supply to the brake booster.
Remedy: Dealers will add a vacuum pump check valve to the vacuum pump. In addition, the vacuum hose connected to the vacuum pump will be replaced with a hose that is engine oil resistant.
NHTSA investigations
Clutch hydraulic line failure
Alleged clutch line May melt and leak hydraulic fluid in the vicinity of the exhaust manifold.leaked hydraulic fluid could ignite and cause a vehicle fire.
Clutch hydraulic line
Alleged plastic clutch tube May fail from exposure to exhaust heat, resulting in loss of clutch function and possible vehicle fire.
Brake complaints in other Ram years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 1996 Dodge Ram?
NHTSA has 177 complaints about the brakes of the 1996 Dodge Ram, 28% of the model year's 636 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (92 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1996 Dodge Ram brake problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 97V-068 (hoses, lines/piping, and fittings, Apr 28, 1997). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1996 Dodge Ram brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 98,000 miles, and 33% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 21 crashes, 0 fires and 14 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.