7.9

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$400
Average Mileage:
43,400 miles
Total Complaints:
19 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. replace front rotors (9 reports)
  2. not sure (4 reports)
  3. turned rotors (2 reports)
  4. changed calipers, brake pads & turned rotors (1 reports)
  5. replace with slotted vented rotors (1 reports)
  6. replaced calipers (1 reports)
2003 Dodge Ram 1500 brakes problems

brakes problem

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2003 Dodge Ram 1500 Owner Comments

problem #19

Feb 142007

Ram 1500 LT 4.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Continuing the saga.... This was the 4th time in 4 years with the same problem (and I might have forgotten one or 2) (I have been reporting each instance separately as asked so the record can count each instance). I am a mechanic and do preventative maintenance on all my vehicles (usually way early, just cuz it's cheaper that way). The fourth instance of brake issues (vibration when braking) happened in the fourth year of owning it. This time I changed the calipers, turned the rotors put on new pads and then changed all 4 rotors again trying to solve the problem. Btw, I was still talking with Dodge during each instance and they had NO advice as usual! Made NO mention of problems with other vehicles.Going to report instance 5 (secret for those who are enduring each post- there are 8 all together--skip to last one to see latest ideas on problem). Did I mention DODGE was no HELP!!!

- carl the mechanic, Orlando, FL, US

problem #18

Apr 202009

Ram 1500 LT 4.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 120,000 miles

SSDD (Same S#1T Different Day) Continuing the saga.... This was the 6th time in 6 years with the same problem (I have been reporting each instance separately as asked so the record can count each instance). I am a mechanic and do preventative maintenance on all my vehicles (usually way early, just cuz it's cheaper that way). The sixth instance of brake issues (vibration when braking) happened in the sixth year of owning it. Bought new rotors and tried new calipers again. I didn't bother talking with Dodge this time either...the were plucking my nerves each time saying they can't imagine what could be the problem. Going to report instance 7 (secret for those who are enduring each post- there are 8 all together--skip to last one to see latest ideas on problem). Did I mention DODGE was NO HELP throughout the years????

- carl the mechanic, Orlando, FL, US

problem #17

Jun 202006

Ram 1500 LT 4.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 40,000 miles

So on with the story again. This is the third instance of the same problem. (I will be reporting each instance separately as asked so the record can count each instance). I am a mechanic and do preventative maintenance on all my vehicles (usually way early, just cuz it's cheaper that way). The third instance of brake issues (vibration when braking) happened within the third year of owning it. Being a mechanic I changed my break pads and changed all 4 rotors again trying to solve the thinking that was the answer. Shortly after cam the next instance. This was driving me NUTS!! Going to report instance 4. Btw, I had been talking with Dodge during each instance and they had NO advice! Made NO mention of problems with other vehicles.

- carl the mechanic, Orlando, FL, US

problem #16

Jun 122004

Ram 1500 LT 4.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 15,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Well, here is the beginning of the story. I will be reporting each instance separately as asked for the record to count each instance. I am a mechanic and do preventative maintenance on all my vehicles (usually way early, just cuz it's cheaper that way). The first instance of something wrong with breaks happened after only 6 months of owning it. Being a mechanic I change the break pads myself thinking that was the answer. Shortly after cam the next instance. Going to report instance 2.

- carl the mechanic, Orlando, FL, US

problem #15

Dec 042004

Ram 1500 LT 4.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 20,000 miles

So on with the story. This is the second instance of the same problem. (I will be reporting each instance separately as asked for the record to count each instance). I am a mechanic and do preventative maintenance on all my vehicles (usually way early, just cuz it's cheaper that way). The second instance of something wrong (vibration when braking) happened within the first year of owning it. Being a mechanic I changed my break pads and changed all 4 rotors thinking that was the answer. Shortly after cam the next instance. Going to report instance 3.

- carl the mechanic, Orlando, FL, US

problem #14

Mar 042008

Ram 1500 LT 4.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,000 miles

SSDD (Same S#1T Different Day) Continuing the saga.... This was the 5th time in 5 years with the same problem (I have been reporting each instance separately as asked so the record can count each instance). I am a mechanic and do preventative maintenance on all my vehicles (usually way early, just cuz it's cheaper that way). The fifth instance of brake issues (vibration when braking) happened in the fifth year of owning it. This time I changed the turned the rotors again twice. I didn't bother talking with Dodge this time...the were plucking my nerves each time saying they can't imagine what could be the problem. Going to report instance 6 (secret for those who are enduring each post- there are 8 all together--skip to last one to see latest ideas on problem). Did I mention DODGE was NO HELP throughout the years????

- carl the mechanic, Orlando, FL, US

problem #13

Oct 012010

Ram 1500 LT 4.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 140,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

SSDD (Same S#1T Different Day) Continuing the saga.... This was the 8th time in 8 years with the same problem (I have been reporting each instance separately as asked so the record can count each instance). I am a mechanic and do preventative maintenance on all my vehicles (usually way early, just cuz it's cheaper that way). The eighth instance of brake issues (vibration when braking) in the eighth year of owning it.

This time I changed the shocks and had rotors turned yet again. No help. Same problem shortly after. I know many folks with the same truck. Here is my theory. I have 20 inch wheels on my truck. The folks I know with the 1500 Ram that pull tons of weight (I don't pull anything but me and the wife and we are not that heavy yet) with 18 inch tires or smaller don't seem to have as many issues (at least not the same issue). I agree that it is a bad engineering design problem. I am thinking the breaking system can't handle the larger heavier tires.The only solution would be to buy smaller rims and tires and go from there. Sure wish Dodge with all of it's experts would test this theory and then recall and pay for the swap out for those that want it. My truck has 170000 miles now and new rotors are in the future....best of luck to all of those that don't even know this site exists to learn what we have experienced and that the American car manufacturers have suffered irreparable damage to their reputation, yet again. I am going foreign with the next purchase. Did I mention the Dash board problem? No that's under a different topic. It had a recall on it and I took it in for repair, had to pay for some of it and the darn thing cracked again...cheers~

Did I mention DODGE was NO HELP throughout the years????

- carl the mechanic, Orlando, FL, US

problem #12

Nov 222010

(reported on)

Ram 1500 SLT 4.7

  • Automatic transmission
  • 10,000 miles

I could not believe the rotors warped at 10,000 miles! I was pissed and could not believe there was not a recall. Had them replaced and was still pissed. I had to buy a center wheels cover, I needed one, had to buy 4 from Dodge, asked the service manager about the rotor problem and he said "Oh yea, they did have a service recall but if you didn't bring your truck to Chrysler for service you wouldn't have known about it!" I was like WTF is this bullshit? Now getting ready to install 4th set at 75000 miles, I kind of feel lucky after reading some of the other stories. Wondering, Do the slotted rotors help?

- Dave W., West Chester, PA, US

problem #11

Sep 242009

Ram 1500 SLT 4.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,000 miles

My new "baby" needed a brake job @ 11,000 miles in 2004. Again 30,000 miles later I replaced the calipers, rotors, and pads on the front. Again @ 62,000 miles I replaced the rotors and the pads on the front. The brakes on this truck are easy to replace but Having to do it every 10 oil changes is crap. Does anyone have a fix for it? Dodge denies there is a problem. I do not want to buy expensive drilled or vented rotors if they do not fix the problem. crossed drilled rotors cost up to $300 each. I now have 73,000 miles on her and she needs another brake job. She is paid for so I have to keep her. Any advice would be cool.

- Johnny B., Spring, TX, US

problem #10

Apr 052004

Ram 1500 1500 SLT 5.7L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 20,000 miles

i've replaced them 8 or 9 times myself . i will never buy another dodge again. they deserve to go out of business.

- roscoe, Fort Lauderdale, FL, US

problem #9

Mar 132007

Ram 1500 SLT 5.7L Hemi

  • Automatic transmission
  • 42,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I'm not sure if it was really premature or not. I haul a lot of heavy stuff, so I run my brakes kind of hard.

- Steve C., Enterprise, AL, US

problem #8

Mar 212007

(reported on)

Ram 1500 SLT Hemi 5.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 37,000 miles

2003 Dodge Ram 1500 quad cab 4x4 , 37,000 miles. 7 sets of front rotors and brakes !!!! Yes 7 sets , you think you have issues, Postal is not even close. I've been told the problems were fixed but yet they continue. Don't even count on customer service with Chrysler or your local dealer, they will give you the brush. I have little experience with auto mechanics but the so called experts have WHAT !!! Should of kept my 1976 Camero , easy to work on and built to last.

- Brad G., Mckees Rocks, PA, US

problem #7

Dec 292003

(reported on)

Ram 1500

  • 66,000 miles

frustrating part about this is that the dealer claims Dodge knows about the issue and does not have a fix for it yet.

- Ben L., Austin, TX, US

problem #6

Jul 162004

(reported on)

Ram 1500 SLT Sport

  • 14,200 miles

I had the same problem with my brakes as the rest of you. The service manager told me that Dodge issued a service bulletin which indicated that some trucks had the problem, but the dealers were to fix it only if the customer complained. It happened again at 8900 miles. All four rotors warped. The first time, they only replace the rotors. The second the replaces the rotors, calipers and pads in front and turn the rotors in back. I've start having the problem again on the back rotors.

Will probably be my last Dodge as well. I'm 50, and have been driving since I was 12. First Dodge...

- Ron M., Manass, VA, US

problem #5

Nov 222003

(reported on)

Ram 1500 1500 SLT

  • 15,000 miles

Front brake rotors warped again. They were replaced at 5800 miles and now at 15000 miles. Dogde, what is going on?

- Richard L., Daytona Beach, FL, US

problem #4

Jan 232007

(reported on)

Ram 1500

  • Automatic transmission
  • 13,700 miles

This is my first Chrysler product AND my last. Any truck that has warped rotors at less than 14,000 miles is poorly engineered, to say the least. I mistakenly sold a perfectly good Ford truck to buy this poor excuse for a vehicle. I am going to trade it off, even though it only has 30K miles on it now. Unbelievably to me, at 13,700 miles I took the truck in for pedal pulsing and steering wheel shimmy. They replaced the rotors, calipers and pads. I ASSUMED that the new parts were superior to the replaced parts. Evidently, Dodge just put more poorly engineered parts on my truck to solve the problem. Now at 30,700 miles I have a repeat situation. My extended warranty, although the best that Chrysler corporation had to offer, will not cover "wear items". Now tell me how, in 30K miles, you can wear out brake rotors on a full size truck that NEVER tows anything and is driven by an adult? I now equate Chrysler products to perfect examples of poorly engineered, (unfortunately) American made, junk. I'm going back to Ford for my trucks.

- Roy M., Naples, FL, US

problem #3

Feb 222005

(reported on)

Ram 1500 SLT

  • 9,000 miles

The rotors warped the first time at 10k miles. The dealer replaced under warranty. I tow a 4500lb camper, but the vehicle has the supposed tow package. Should tow up to 7500lbs. without a problem. That's why I bought the damn thing anyway. The rotors warped again at 16k miles. The dealer then turned the rotors for a fee. The rotors warped again at 18k miles and Chrysler and the dealer refuse to do anything. The last two times that the rotors warped, I wasn't towing anything. Both times it happened when it was raining! The vibration is terrible now. I believe that the rear rotors are warped now as well. I am going to replace with a slotted vented rotor now. Cost is going to be over $600 to fix! New rotors and pads.

The total lack of interest in Chrysler's part, and especially the dealer, Harry Lane, will have me looking at other makes to replace my 2002 Explorer. My 2000 Expedition didn't have enough power to pull the camper, but it sure could haul it in!

There is obviously something wrong, and Chrysler is ignoring the problem.*@#$% to Damilier-Chrysler.

- chipsforbrains, Knoxville, TN, US

problem #2

Jun 302004

(reported on)

Ram 1500 LX

  • 6,000 miles

YOU BUY A NEW CAR OR TRUCK SO YOU DO NOT HAVE TO PUT MONEY IN YOUR OLD BUT THEY MAKE THESE NEW CAR SO CHEEP AFTER ONE YEAR YOU HAVE TO PUT MONEY IN THEM I HAD MY BRAKE DONE AT 6000 MILE NOW I HAVE 14000 MILE ON IT AND THEY WILL NOT FIX IT AT AORORA DODGE OHIO THEY SAID YOU OVER 2000 MILES ON WARR. MY WIFE CAR SAMETHING BRAKES ON HER 2001 I WIIL NOT BUY ANOTHER DODGE AGAIN

- Ronald H., Aurora, OH, US

problem #1

Nov 112003

(reported on)

Ram 1500 1500 SLT

  • 5,800 miles

My front rotors were replace at 5800 miles and at 15000 miles. I know of 2 other Ram 1500's that has the same problem. Is this an engineering defect from Dodge? The service writer said that getting the brakes hot and running through water or a panic stop will possibly warp rotors. I don't buy this. I drive 90 miles a day and 95% is interstate or open highway traveling about 75 mph. No, I have not made a panic stop and yes, I drive on wet roads like all the other vehicles on the road.

- Richard L., Daytona Beach, FL, US

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