Brake complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 11 | 41% | 0 miles |
| 2025 | 19 | 44% | — |
| 2024 | 12 | 27% | 96,000 miles |
| 2023 | 1 | 6% | — |
| 2022 | 12 | 6% | 45,000 miles |
| 2021 | 6 | 10% | 30,000 miles |
| 2020 | 8 | 7% | 7,000 miles |
| 2019 | 9 | 7% | 63,000 miles |
| 2018 | 667 | 83% | 55,000 miles |
| 2017 | 194 | 62% | 60,000 miles |
| 2016 | 12 | 9% | 7,000 miles |
| 2015 | 24 | 18% | 17,000 miles |
| 2014 | 15 | 7% | 20,000 miles |
| 2013 | 3 | 3% | 37,000 miles |
| 2009 | 1 | 33% | 90,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2026 Ram 3500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine, 4WD, ABS, park sensors, and several other unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who replaced the speed sensor for the rear wheels; however, the failure persisted, and the transmission failed to recognize that the gear selector was in park(P). Roadside Assistance arrived and unplugged the battery cables to turn off the engine. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and was waiting for engineers to diagnose the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 458.
Hello, I am formally documenting a serious safety incident involving my recently purchased 2026 Dodge Ram 3500 Tradesman 6.7L dually, purchased from Towbin Dodge in [redacted] , on May 9, 2026. On May 13, 2026-only five days after purchase-we were operating the truck for our dumpster business while towing a GN trailer loaded with approximately 5 tons. We were traveling down Mount Charleston after a pickup when a critical brake failure occurred. While descending the mountain grade, the truck's braking system failed to respond. A warning light appeared on the dashboard indicating an issue with the electric brake system. We had tow/haul mode and exhaust braking engaged, but neither system functioned properly. When my father pressed the brake pedal, the vehicle did not slow down. …
Brand new truck (497 miles) while driving on freeway at 70 mph, truck kicked out of cruise control and threw traction control, adaptive cruise control, 4wd, check engine, and anti lock brakes disabled fault lights and codes. The vehicle will disable all these safety features for 30-50 miles, and then the faults will randomly disappear except for the check engine light. This has happened 10-12 times. This truck has had 4-5 "ram cares" case numbers, has been at the dealership for over a month combined. The faulty part supposedly is a right rear wheel speed sensor on the 12" dually axles. There is hundreds if not thousands of these trucks affected. Stellantis/ram says the sensor is has been updated, but is currently not built or for sale., there is a national backorder. We are being told to drive these trucks while ram comes up with a fix. …
The 2025 and 2026 dually 3500 Ram trucks with the 12" AAM rear axle are having issues with the rear wheel speed sensors (different sensor for each side). They apparently fail or are not able to properly communicate to the computer. When this happens, the following are disabled: -ABS -Auto Emergency Braking -4x4 -Electronic Stability Control -Cruise Sometimes, the engine won't shut off. The gauge cluster will state it can't detect which position the transmission is in. So, you cannot shift, and you can't shut the truck off, and you can't drive. You are stuck in place with a running engine. Despite Stellantis releasing a new revision of wheel speed sensors (AB revision), they have failed in less than 2,000 miles on my truck. Many, many dually owners are experiencing these failures. I've had this problem occur over half a dozen times. …
I was towing a 18000 lb fifth wheel rv about 45 mph when traffic made a panic stop in front of me. I couldn't stop and had an accident. I later determined the brake controller on truck didn't provide the 12 volts needed to get maximum braking from the fifth wheel brakes. I took it to the dealer and they confirmed that at slower speeds it doesn't give maximum voltage. They contacted Ram engineer to find a fix but was informed that that it was operating as designed. This controller design was definitely the cause of this accident. I was only getting 8 volts for the trailer brakes. I contacted Cargo Brake ( manufacturer of trailer brake system) and they told me they have had many complaints from Ram owners about this problem. They recommended that I purchase an aftermarket controller which I did. It gives me maximum voltage for full braking from the fifth wheel at any speed. …
The contact owns a 2024 Ram 3500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed, and the ABS warning light illuminated. The contact forcefully depressed the brake pedal to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the ABS module had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 96,000. The VIN was not available.
The contact owns a 2022 Ram 3500. The contact stated while driving at approximately 70 MPH the ABS (Anti Lock Brake System) warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that as he slowed to exit the highway he depressed the brake pedal which went to the floorboard. The contact stated that he had no brakes and was only able to stop the vehicle using the brakes on the trailer he was towing. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, who diagnosed and determined that the rear brake fluid line had become disconnected and that brake fluid had run out of the system which is why he had no brakes. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the brakes failed again while he was on the highway, and again he had to use the trailer brakes to stop the vehicle from running into the back of another vehicle that was ahead of him. …
The contact owns a 2022 Ram Promaster 3500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH while making a left turn, the steering wheel suddenly jerked to the left and the right. The EPS warning light illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that while in reverse, the steering wheel jerked and became firm. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Additionally, while driving at various speeds and making a left or right turn, the brakes unintendedly activated while the accelerator pedal was depressed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 45,169.
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 3500 years have brake problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2018 (667), 2017 (194), 2015 (24), 2025 (19) and 2014 (15) model years. Brake complaints make up 83% of all complaints for the 2018.
Is there a recall for Ram 3500 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 3500 brake problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 50,000 miles; 51% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the antilock › abs warning light (22 mentions), followed by the antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › abs warning light (17).
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.