2021 Ram 1500 Brake Problems

Which parts fail

• Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › ABS warning light
  1

Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  319%
• 25k–50k
  744%
• 50k–75k
  425%
• 75k–100k
  16%
• 100k–150k
  16%
• 150k+
  00%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2021 Ram 1500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owns a 2021 RAM 1500. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the traction contract warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the steering and the service brakes did not function as intended. The contact stated that the brake pedal was depressed, however, the vehicle failed to stop as intended. In addition, the steering was inoperable and very hard to steer. The contact stated that snow was on the ground and due to the failure, the contact's vehicle crashed into a concrete curve. The contact stated that when the vehicle crashed into the concrete curve, the service brakes and the steering were independently reset. The vehicle was damaged on the front driver's side rim, however, the vehicle was undrivable. The vehicle was being towed to the local tow yard. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. …

The contact owns a 2021 Ram 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V653000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Electronic Stability Control (ESC)); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the electronic stability control, the anti-lock braking system (ABS), the anti-slip control, and the check engine warning lights were illuminated. The messages "Service Vehicle" and "4-wheel Drive Failure" were displayed. The front wheels of the vehicle seized, causing the vehicle to start pulling to the left. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed. The dealer replaced the wheel speed sensor; however, the failure persisted. …

The contact owns a 2021 Ram 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V653000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Electronic Stability Control (ESC); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while reversing downhill and depressing the brake pedal, the brake pedal travelled down to the floorboard and became stiff, and the vehicle made an abnormally loud sound and failed to respond as needed. The contact stated that upon depressing the brake pedal several times, the brake pedal responded as intended, and the vehicle slowly decelerated; however, the braking distance was extended. A brake message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. …

The contact owns a 2021 Ram 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V653000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Electronic Stability Control (ESC); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not available. 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 stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the message "Battery Low Voltage" was displayed and the vehicle experienced loss of power steering functionality and decelerated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the failure was related to the recall. …

While driving, a deer entered the roadway. I applied the brakes to avoid hitting the deer and lost traction due to icy road conditions. The vehicle spun out and struck a utility pole. I later became aware of an open recall involving the ABS and/or electronic stability control (ESC) system for this vehicle. There were no warning lights, messages, or alerts before or after the incident. The vehicle did not maintain stability as expected during braking on ice. I am unsure whether the ABS/ESC system functioned properly at the time of the incident. The crash resulted in vehicle damage and property damage. To my knowledge, the vehicle has not yet been inspected by the manufacturer. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. After crash, airbags did not deploy no fluids leaked no warning lights ever came on dash before or after crash

The contact owns a 2021 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving on the highway at 70 MPH, the electronic stability control system warning light illuminated. Upon depressing the brake pedal, the contact noticed a mushy sensation and a significant reduction in braking power. The contact proceeded to use the brakes on the trailer to be able to slow the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed, and the contact was advised that the ABS had failed, and a software update was needed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V653000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL); as a possible cause for the failure; however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 71,000.

The contact owns a 2021 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, the brake pedal felt spongey as if the brake fluid level was low. The contact continued to drive the vehicle normally. The contact stated that while attempting to trade the vehicle, the contact was informed that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V653000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not 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 approximate failure mileage was 35,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

The contact owns a 2021 Ram 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V653000(Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Electronic Stability Control(ESC)); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that upon using an OBD reader to scan the vehicle, the contact retrieved diagnostic trouble code U0415, which indicated an ABS failure. A Canadian local dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

The contact owns a 2021 Ram 1500. The contact stated that message that the brakes needed to be serviced was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where several unknown repairs were performed; however, the failure recurred. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V653000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), and the vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the recall repair was performed; however, the failure persisted. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that additional assistance could not be provided because the vehicle had not been purchased at the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 36,000.

The contact owns a 2021 Ram 1500. The contact stated while stopped at an intersection with the brake pedal depressed, the vehicle suddenly began to roll. After which, the contact became aware that the brakes were not functioning properly. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the brake master cylinder. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V037000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) but the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was 50,000. The VIN was not available.

Related recalls

Brake complaints in other 1500 years