Brake complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 14 | 48% | 1,000 miles |
| 2025 | 5 | 8% | — |
| 2024 | 15 | 25% | 15,000 miles |
| 2023 | 5 | 10% | 35,000 miles |
| 2022 | 22 | 12% | 44,000 miles |
| 2021 | 10 | 9% | 30,000 miles |
| 2020 | 14 | 9% | 24,000 miles |
| 2019 | 16 | 8% | 9,000 miles |
| 2018 | 2,345 | 90% | 59,000 miles |
| 2017 | 515 | 74% | 61,000 miles |
| 2016 | 35 | 14% | 43,000 miles |
| 2015 | 20 | 9% | 51,000 miles |
| 2014 | 22 | 6% | 23,000 miles |
| 2013 | 9 | 5% | 51,000 miles |
| 2009 | 1 | 20% | — |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2026 Ram 2500. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH and attempting to slow down, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the brake pedal felt abnormally soft, and the vehicle hesitated before coming to a complete stop. No warning light was illuminated. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed; however, the diagnostic result had not yet been reviewed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and informed the contact to take the vehicle to the dealer to be repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 1,486.
The brake pedal is soft and travels all the way to the floor before it engages. It has done it from the day I purchased the truck. The dealership stated it is normal for that truck. I had previously owned a 2014 RAM 2500 w/6.4L Gas engine, 2017 RAM 2500 w/6.7L Diesel engine, 2021 RAM 3500 w/6.7L Diesel engine, all had firm normal operating brakes as you would expect for a truck. The brake pedal will physically bottom out to the floor causing the vehicle to creep and/or move forward when in gear if you even slightly lift off the brakes, requiring immediate action to pump the brake pedal to obtain a firm pedal, however the feel is only momentary and you can feel the pedal bleed off until the pedal bottoms out again. …
I purchased a new 2025 RAM 2500 on June 2, 2025. Within the first week, I began experiencing very soft brake response. Occasionally, I can press the brake pedal to the floor with modest effort, and most of the time, I need to double or triple tap the brakes to achieve a firm response. I have visited four different dealerships across three states regarding this issue. Some service departments have acknowledged the problem, while others have stated it is "normal" and as expected, as documented in my maintenance receipts. My truck has been in for service seven times and currently has 7,900 miles on it. This issue is widely discussed among Dodge Ram owners on forums across the internet. It is even more concerning given that this is a heavy-duty truck intended for towing. …
I own a 2025 Ram 2500 that is affected by Recall 03D involving the Trailer Brake Control Module. This recall is related to a potential failure of the trailer braking system and trailer lighting system, which creates a serious safety risk while towing. I regularly use this truck for towing, and due to this issue, the vehicle may not safely tow trailers, increasing the risk of an accident. I have experienced this issue while towing, all lights will shut off on my trailers and warnings that the trailer has been disconnected repeatedly pop up. Then the lights will flash back on just to repeat again. After this happened the first time (last year), I took my truck in to have them run diagnostics and they were unable to find anything wrong, suggesting it could be the trailer, and now the recall is here. …
The contact owned a 2024 RAM 2500. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at 40 MPH, he attempted to slowly bring the vehicle to a complete stop upon approaching a stop sign. However, with the brake pedal depressed all the way to the floorboard, the vehicle failed to stop or even slow as intended, causing the driver to unsafely pass through the intersection without stopping. Afterward, the driver smelled smoke in the vehicle's interior shortly before observing flames from the front driver-side door exterior panel. The driver could maneuver the vehicle into a roadside ditch, resulting in reduced speeds of around 15 MPH, allowing him and the other occupants to evacuate. The unoccupied vehicle then rolled to a complete stop in a roadside ditch moments later, becoming completely engulfed in flames. …
The contact owns a 2024 Ram 2500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to respond. The brake pedal was depressed to the floorboard. The brake pedal was soft, but after pumping it, the brake pedal became firm. The contact was unable to haul a trailer because the braking system was not operating properly. The contact stated that the ABS unintendedly engaged when not needed, but failed to function properly when needed. An independent mechanic bled the brake lines. The local dealer was contacted, but stated that the vehicle operated as designed. The vehicle was taken on two occasions to Don Franklin Somerset Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM Service Center (1147 S. Hwy 27, Somerset, KY 42501), where the mechanic was able to duplicate the failure, but the vehicle was not repaired. …
The contact owns a 2023 Ram 2500. The contact stated while driving at approximately 50 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the brake pedal was not responding, and almost went to the floorboard. The contact stated that the parking brake was used to stop the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed; however, there was no warning light illuminated and the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure or determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure recurred. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 10,507.
I was involved in an accident on May 3rd. 2024. As a result of this accident, I have filed an insurance claim. My brakes failed to stop the truck properly. I was pushing the brake pedal as hard as I could, and the brakes were not stopping the truck properly. It had minimal braking not enough to stop the truck. Almost like the ABS system failed and was not allowing the pressure I was applying to the brakes. I called the dealer to make an appointment this week. Waiting for a call back from service dept the truck is at my house and has not been driven. No warning lights on the dash. Truck has 19,800 miles on it.
Related recalls (4)
Service brakes
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2026 Ram 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis, 2500, 4500 Cab Chassis, and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles. The instrument panel may display an incorrect brake system warning light.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the instrument panel cluster, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 9, 2025. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 800-853-1403.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Control unit/module
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Ram 2500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Pickup, 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles. The hydraulic control unit (HCU) may fail, which can cause the anti-lock brake (ABS), electronic stability control (ESC), and traction control systems to fail.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the brake HCU, or replace the HCU motor, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning January 9, 2025. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403.
Service brakes, air › Antilock › Control unit/module
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2022 Dodge Durango and Ram 2500 and 3500 vehicles. Due to a software malfunction, the ABS control module may disable the electronic stability control system.
Remedy: Dealers will update the ABS control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning July 11, 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Caliper
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019 Ram 2500, 3500 and 3500 Cab Chassis trucks. The brake calipers may have been manufactured with an incorrect assembly fluid, which can cause the caliper's rubber seals to swell.
Remedy: FCA US will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front brake calipers and brake hoses and bleed the brakes, free of charge. The recall began October 24, 2019.
NHTSA investigations
Loss of Brake Performance
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation on November 28, 2022, after receiving 134 reports from consumers alleging an intermittent or permanent loss of braking performance in certain 2017-2018 Ram 2500-3500 pickup trucks manufactured by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA). The alleged failures continued to occur at a steady rate across both models, at all speeds, with limited detectability.
Frequently asked questions
Which Ram 2500 years have brake problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2018 (2,345), 2017 (515), 2016 (35), 2014 (22) and 2022 (22) model years. Brake complaints make up 90% of all complaints for the 2018.
Is there a recall for Ram 2500 brake problems?
Yes — 4 recalls, including 25V-530 (service brakes, Aug 18, 2025); 24V-896 (control unit/module, Nov 27, 2024); 24V-415 (control unit/module, Jun 6, 2024). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Ram 2500 brake problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 56,000 miles; 45% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the antilock › abs warning light (67 mentions), followed by the antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › abs warning light (40).
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.