1996 Dodge RAM 1500 Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 46about this part
- Share
- 15%of 298 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 83,500miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 46 complaints about the brakes of the 1996 Dodge RAM 1500, 15% of the 298 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 83,500 miles. 4 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was traveling to town and as I entered the town as I started to brake I could feel that my brake pedal was feeling spongy and the pedal seemed to be going to the floor. I felt as though 90% of my braking was gone. I was able to stop safely though I had very little braking. I felt that I could not stop safely in an emergency. I returned home very carefully at slow speeds. After looking my vehicle over I saw that all the brake fluid was gone from both the front and rear compartments of the master cylinder. …”
NHTSA complaint #10362860, filed 2010-10, 83,500 miles“When the brakes were applied, the vehicle experienced extended stopping distance and rear ended another vehicle. The dealer kept the vehicle for over a month and could not duplicate or correct the problem. The consumer contacted chrysler who sent an investigator to look at the vehicle. The lights on the dashboard were no longer illuminated, they just flashed.”
NHTSA complaint #10032131, filed 2003-09, 24,571 miles“Abs and brake light came on within 7 minutes had no brakes due to driver side back brake line corrosion. This has happened to many Dodge ram 1996 vehicles. There needs to be a recall.”
NHTSA complaint #10375312, filed 2011-01, 160,000 miles“Dt: when the brakes were applied, the brake line failed and the consumer had no brakes. The consumer was able to stop when he attempted to start the vehicle again. The brake line was repaired, and the consumer was advised to have all of the other lines inspected and replaced. When this happened, brake fluid leaked onto the muffler and produced a cloud of smoke. The brake lines, rear brake on the axle and the brake line from the bottom were replaced.”
NHTSA complaint #10120848, filed 2005-06, 87,000 miles“The exhaust system and the radio were repalced with no problems from the dealer, the brake system I replaced myself, the transmission was repaired by the dealership with a $100 deductable after contacting chysler, the pitman and idler arm have not yet been repaired, I am not driving the vechicle”
NHTSA complaint #720389, filed 2000-03Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 51 | 7% |
| 2011 | 26 | 4% |
| 2010 | 16 | 3% |
| 2009 | 34 | 5% |
| 2008 | 27 | 5% |
| 2007 | 21 | 4% |
| 2006 | 39 | 5% |
| 2005 | 40 | 3% |
| 2004 | 53 | 5% |
| 2003 | 73 | 6% |
| 2002 | 36 | 4% |
| 2001 | 59 | 5% |
| 2000 | 31 | 6% |
| 1999 | 56 | 9% |
| 1998 | 64 | 12% |
| 1997 | 53 | 15% |
| 1996 | 46 | 15% |
| 1995 | 27 | 13% |
| 1994 | 11 | 9% |
| 1993 | 3 | 50% |
Other parts of the 1996 Dodge RAM 1500
52 complaintsBody and structure
35 complaintsEngine cooling
32 complaintsSuspension
27 complaintsElectrical system
26 complaintsSteering
23 complaintsFuel system
20 complaintsOther or unknown
17 complaintsExterior lighting
12 complaintsTires
12 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
11 complaintsVehicle speed control
11 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1996 Dodge RAM 1500
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology