This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
The contact owns a 1997 Dodge Ram 2500. The brake lines have rusted in three places. The failures occurred near the master cylinder and the frame rail. While approaching a stop sign at approximately 10 mph, the brakes failed. The brakes also failed in his driveway and at a drive through window. The brake lines were replaced in parts since the dealer no longer sells the all of the original parts. The dealer diagnosed the failure and stated that it occurs as though it were normal wear and tear. The vehicle is considered an 8800 due to the weight class. The vehicle is up-to-date on its routine maintenance. The failure mileage was 72,000 and current mileage was 94,000. Updated 03-04-08 the rear brakes started to lock up ever since the brakes lines starting to deteriorate. Updated
Traveling at 40 mph, heard a"pop", rear break line ruptured, due to early corrosion of galvinized brake lines. No rear brakes. Was able to get of road. Dealership asked if its a northern truck, says it's non-warranty. Repair pending - estimates range from $600 to thousands (dealer)
Vehicle lost braking while applying the brakes at 25 mph. Consumer was able to stop the vehicle without any incidents. Vehicle was towed to a repair shop, and mechanic determined that the problem was an erupted metal brake line due to corrosion. Dealer and the manufacturer were not notified. Broken brake line was replaced. The rest of brake lines had to be replaced because of severe corrosion and danger of bursting.
While operating brake pedal, brake pedal travel suddenly increased when I applied brakes. I stopped along the shoulder of the rural road upon which I was traveling and checked for a brake problem. I discovered that the front passenger side brake hose connecting the steel brake line to the brake caliper assembly had burst where visible wear indicated the hose had repeatedly made contact with the truck frame during right turns. On 07/20/2002 I spoke to the dealer from whom I'd purchased the used vehicle and suggested we check the right front hoses on the other used Dodge trucks for sale on his lot. One of the vehicles had wear on its right front brake hose in a manner similar to mine. He said he would have to replace it 07/22/2002 and thanked me for informing him of the problem. I replaced the hose and retained the failed hose. I cannot determine whether or not the failed hose is original equipment.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Lexington , IN, USA