Brake complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 9 | 9% | — |
| 2025 | 44 | 12% | 3,000 miles |
| 2024 | 14 | 18% | 10,000 miles |
| 2023 | 38 | 19% | 18,000 miles |
| 2022 | 74 | 12% | 11,000 miles |
| 2021 | 75 | 11% | 40,000 miles |
| 2020 | 42 | 7% | 3,000 miles |
| 2019 | 134 | 9% | 10,000 miles |
| 2018 | 47 | 7% | 36,000 miles |
| 2017 | 100 | 11% | 40,000 miles |
| 2016 | 282 | 18% | 78,000 miles |
| 2015 | 159 | 11% | 51,000 miles |
| 2014 | 182 | 10% | 90,000 miles |
| 2013 | 79 | 6% | 75,000 miles |
| 2009 | 2 | 5% | 59,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
I purchased this vehicle on 2/1 and the recall was issued 2/2. I was notified about the recall on 2/9 and contacted the dealer the same day. I was told they weren't prepared to handle it and to call back later. I called back towards the end of the month and was added to a wait list. I was told they would have to wait for the parts. I called back a couple weeks later and was told there are approximately 100 people ahead of me and that they are only receiving enough parts to complete 3-5 trucks a month. I did call another dealership to be added to their list and was told the same thing. It has been 5 months and I purchased this truck to tow and I haven't been able to do that because as the recall states the brakes and/or lights may fail. …
On [redacted] I purchased 2026 Ram 1500 RHO 4x4 VIN: [redacted] with approx. 39miles from ALM Dodge, Jeep, Ram MACON GA. On [redacted] I informed Dothan Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram that I have found a leak of some fluid puddling on my driveway requesting to make an appointment. Approx. Milage is 7004 13 May 2026 was the earliest appointment I could schedule. The vehicle has brake fluid leak and has been deemed Unsafe to Operate. I have been Informed the required part is unavailable until approximately September/October 2026. I was not provided a Loaner vehicle despite the vehicle being UNSAFE to Operate and Under warranty. The Vehicle is financed and I continue making payments while deprived of use.
The contact owns a 2025 Ram 1500. The contact stated that immediately after purchasing the vehicle, the contact experienced issues with the brakes. The contact stated that while driving at 80 MPH, several messages were displayed on the instrument panel. The ABS warning light and other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The brake pedal was depressed but traveled down to the floorboard, and the vehicle failed to respond immediately. The vehicle eventually came to a rolling stop. The contact was able to continue driving. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, while reversing out of the driveway, several messages were displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The contact stated that the brakes failed while at the dealer while an employee was test driving the vehicle. …
The brake pedal goes to the floor when starting the truck. The dealer has confirmed it. It is available for inspection. My safety and others are in possible danger from failing brakes. The dealer has confirmed the problem. The manufacturer has been involved with the dealer. They opened a "star case" that has not resolved the defect. So far, the problem has only affected the truck while starting. The brake light did come on one time while driving. The truck has been in the dealer service for over 40 days with no resolution. The dealer said on the worksheet that they tested other similar trucks on the lot and were able to duplicate the problem in them. The problem started shortly after I took possession of the truck. I was told that it wasn't a problem and it would go away. I now have 5700 miles on it, and it still malfunctions. I took possession of the truck in Sept of 24.
The contact owns a 2024 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle intermittently stalled and failed to return to normal operation. The braking, electronic stability control, and battery warning lights were illuminated. The failure had occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was towed to a dealer to be diagnosed; however, the cause of the failure was not yet determined. The vehicle was not repaired, and the failure persisted. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine control unit needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the generator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. …
The contact owns a 2024 Ram 1500. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing an unintended engagement of the electric parking brake on cold starts. The contact stated that upon attempting to disengage the parking brake, the parking brake disengaged after several attempts. The contact stated that the parking brake was disengaged after the vehicle had warmed up. The message "Service Parking Brake" was displayed, and the brakes warning light was flashing. Additionally, the contact stated that the message "Service Parking Brake" was flashing while the parking brake was not engaged, which caused the contact to be concerned that the parking brake could engage unintendedly while driving. The dealer was notified of the failure and advised the contact that a diagnostic test was needed; however, the vehicle rental assistance was denied. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. …
The contact owned a 2023 RAM 1500. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed, however, the vehicle failed to stop as intended. The contact's vehicle rear-rear-ended the vehicle in front of the contact's vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The contact was informed of an unknown recall repair with a similar failure description. The dealer confirmed that the VIN was associated with the unknown recall repair and the repair was performed. The vehicle was repaired. The other driver's vehicle was towed to a local tow yard, where it was later condemned for total loss. The police and paramedics were at the scene. The contact did not sustain any injuries. The other driver was treated by paramedics. A police report was filed, however, the information was unavailable. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. …
I had an single vehicle accident while visiting Oregon that I have not been able to explain. I have a 2023 Ram Eco Diesel that has a newly issued recall for the Electronic Stability Control failing. My vehicle left the road way and down an embankment after braking for some Wildlife crossing. When I applied the brakes my vehicle went off the left side of the road. The brakes never locked up. After the accident occurred my Electronic Stability Control warning light stayed on, and my Four Wheel Drive unavailable warning light came on as well. My Truck is still undecided as to weather it is totaled or not. It is sitting in a local repair shop waiting on further diagnosis. I had the accident in late August ([redacted]) and this new ESC recall was sent out and received in early October (03). I think my accident has now been explained. …
Related recalls (3)
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Master cylinder
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Ram 1500 Classic SLT trucks. Certain vehicles were built without the retaining clip that secures the master cylinder push rod to the brake pedal, which can cause the brake pedal to separate from the brake system.
Remedy: Owners are advised to not drive their vehicles until they receive instructions on the inspection and repair, as necessary. FCA US will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and install the push rod clip, free of…
Service brakes, hydraulic › Pedals and linkages
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019 Ram 1500 vehicles equipped with adjustable pedals. The affected vehicles have a brake pedal that may move too far and separate from pedal assembly.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will repair the adjustable pedal assembly, free of charge. The recall began on February 25, 2019. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.
Parking brake
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2013 Dodge Ram 1500 vehicles manufactured December 17, 2012, through January 22, 2013. The parking brake cable equalizer was set incorrectly and may not hold the vehicle on a 20% grade.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will reset the parking brake cable equalizer if required, free of charge. The recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753.
Frequently asked questions
Which Ram 1500 years have brake problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2016 (282), 2014 (182), 2015 (159), 2019 (134) and 2017 (100) model years. Brake complaints make up 18% of all complaints for the 2016.
Is there a recall for Ram 1500 brake problems?
Yes — 3 recalls, including 21V-037 (master cylinder, Feb 1, 2021); 19V-067 (pedals and linkages, Feb 5, 2019); 13V-128 (parking brake, Apr 3, 2013). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Ram 1500 brake problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 52,000 miles; 51% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the antilock › abs warning light (12 mentions), followed by the antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › abs warning light (8).
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.