1997 DODGE RAM 1500 Service Brakes, Hydraulic Problems

HARD BRAKE LINE FOR REAR BRAKES BROKE WHERE CORRODED WHEN I DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL CAUSING ME TO LOOSE BRAKE PRESSURE AND CAUSED MY BRAKES NOT TO WORK NARROWLY AVOIDING AN ACCIDENT. *TR

Mileage: 152,000

1997 DODGE RAM 1500, LEFT REAR BRAKE LINE FAILURE LOCATED BEHIND THE FUEL TANK. *TR

Mileage: 153,000

BRAKE LINE CORRODED ON DRIVERS SIDE REAR BEHIND GAS TANK. REPLACED. *TR

BRAKE FAILURE DUE TO BRAKE LINE FAILURE BEHIND THE FUEL TANK AND BEHIND THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT WHEEL. *TR

Mileage: 134,000

ON DECEMBER 14 2005 MY SON WAS DRIVING MY DODGE RAM 1500, HE TRIED TO STOP AND THE ABS SYSTEM LOCKED AND HE REAR ENDED THE CAR IN FRONT OF HIM. THE ENGINE STALLED AND HE HAD NO CONTROL OVER THE VEHICLE. THE TRUCK SLID APPROXIMATELY 20 FEET. THERE WAS A CHILD INJURED IN THE CAR THAT HE HIT. *JB

Mileage: 111,422

1) EVENTS LEADING UP TO FAILURE- NORMAL OPERATION. VEHICLE 9 YEARS OLD. 2) FAILURE AND ITS CONSEQUENCES- STEEL BRAKE TUBE SUPPLYING THE REAR BRAKE SYSTEM COMPLETELY DETERIORATED FROM CORROSION AT THE LAST CLAMP STATION PRIOR TO THE CONNECTION TO THE REAR BRAKE HOSE ASSEMBLY. PREMATURE CORROSION OF THE STEEL BRAKE TUBE AT THE LAST CLAMPING STATION RUPTURED THE STEEL BRAKE TUBE RESULTING IN 95% LOSS IN VEHICLE STOPPING POWER WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. BRAKE FAILURE. 3) ACTIONS TAKEN TO CORRECT THE FAILURE- STEEL BRAKE TUBE WILL NEED REPLACED. *NM

Mileage: 95,283

METAL BRAKE LINE THAT RUNS FROM PROPORTIONAL VALVE TO REAR BRAKES WAS BADLY CORRODED AND BROKE OPEN. COMPLETE LOSS OF BRAKES. INCIDENT OCCURRED IN DRIVEWAY. NO OTHER METAL LINES OR METAL NEAR BROKEN LINE SHOWED SIGNS OF CORROSION. REPLACING LINE. *JB

Mileage: 83,000

DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. UPON INSPECTION, THE STEEL LINE SEPARATED NEAR THE GAS TANK. THE GAS TANK WILL ACTUALLY HAVE TO BE DROPPED TO VERIFY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TO A MECHANIC, AND THERE HAVE BEEN NO REPAIRS MADE. *AK

WHILE DRIVING MY TRUCK IN A BUSY SHOPPING CENTER, APPROXIMATELY SPEED OF 20 MPH, I APPLIED MY BRAKES TO STOP AT A STOP SIGN. THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. I HAD NO BRAKES AS I PROCEEDED THROUGH THE CROSSWALK IN FRONT OF A DEPARTMENT STORE. JUST A FEW SECONDS BEFORE, I HAD PULLED OUT OF THE PARKING SPACE, APPLYING MY BRAKES TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE AND AGAIN APPLIED MY BRAKES AT THE END OF THE PARKING ROW . EACH TIME, NO INDICATION OF ANY PROBLEM, BRAKED FELT AND WORKED AS NORMAL. I WAS ABLE TO AVOID THE PEDESTRIAN IN THE CROSSWALK AND NEGOTIATE THE PARKING LOT TO AN AREA WHERE I COULD COME TO A STOP AND INSPECT THE VEHICLE. I FOUND THE FRONT RESERVOIR OF MASTER CYLINDER EMPTY OF BRAKE FLUID. I WENT TO A LOCAL GROCERY STORE AND PURCHASED DOT3 BRAKE FLUID TO FILL THE RESERVOIR AND SEE IF I CAN GET ANY PEDAL BACK. WAS NOT ABLE TO ATTAIN ANY PEDAL PRESSURE. WHEN I CHECKED THE RESERVOIR IT WAS EMPTY AGAIN. I LOCATED THE FLUID ON THE GROUND UNDER MY GAS TANK. THE BRAKE LINE ABOVE THE GAS TANK HAD RUSTED THROUGH. I HAD THE VEHICLE DELIVERED TO A GOODYEAR REPAIR SHOP, FOR REPAIRS. THE BRAKE LINE THAT RUNS THE LENGTH OF THE VEHICLE, TO THE REAR END HAD TO BE REPLACED AND THE SYSTEM WAS BLED. THE BRAKES ARE WORKING NORMALLY AGAIN. I REQUESTED AND HAVE POSSESSION OF THE VERY RUSTED BRAKE LINE. IT APPEARS TO HAVE A WHITE ID TAG WITH 52055 ON IT. AGAIN, I WANT TO STRESS THAT THE RUST WAS ABOVE THE GAS TANK, NOT VISIBLE WHEN CONDUCTING MY NORMAL VEHICLE MAINTENANCE - INSPECTIONS. VEHICLE HISTORY: I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE AND IT HAS NEVER BEEN OFF ROAD. SEVERAL YEARS AGO, I DID USE THIS VEHICLE TO TOW A 15 FOOT FIBERGLAS BOAT. THE VEHICLE IS A 1997 1500 RAM WITH 59600 MILES. I WORK FROM HOME FOR THE PAST 2 YEARS AND THIS VEHICLE DOES NOT SEE A LOT OF USE, HENCE THE LOW MILEAGE. WHEN I WAS WORKING AT MY FORMER OFFICE, I HAD AN 11 MILE ROUND TRIP TO WORK PLUS PERSONAL MILEAGE. *NM

Mileage: 59,626

WHILE DRIVING MY 1997 DODGE RAM 1500 ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY NEAR PHILADELPHIA, PA AT THE 65 MPH SPEED LIMIT, TRAFFIC WAS SLOWING. I PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND IT WENT TO THE FLOOR WITHOUT WARNING. PUMPING IT DID NOTHING. I HAD TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE. FORTUNATELY, THERE WERE NO VEHICLES IN THE TWO LANES TO THE RIGHT OF ME, I SWERVED AND GOT THE TRUCK ON THE SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY. IF THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN VEHICLES TO MY RIGHT, I WOULD HAVE REAR ENDED THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME, CAUSING A MULTIPLE VEHICLE CHAIN-REACTION TYPE OF CRASH. INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE ALONG THE HIGHWAY SHOWED BRAKE FLUID RUNNING OUT OF THE BRAKE LINE THAT RUNS FROM BELOW THE MASTER CYLINDER TO THE BRAKE PROPORTIONING VALVE NEAR THE PROPORTIONING VALVE. I WAS NOT AWARE THAT BRAKE SYSTEMS COULD HAVE A TOTAL, ABRUPT FAILURE AS THIS SYSTEM DID. THE TRUCK WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR FACILITY. THEIR DIAGNOSIS WAS THAT THE STEEL BRAKE LINE WAS SEVERELY CORRODED AND HAD RUSTED THROUGH. ALL STEEL BRAKE LINES ON THE VEHICLE WERE REPLACED BECAUSE THEY ALL WERE RUST COLORED AND SHOWED CORROSION. THIS TRUCK HAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000 MILES ON IT. IT IS USED AS A SECOND VEHICLE AND HAS ALWAYS BEEN GARAGE KEPT AND WELL MAINTAINED. THE GARAGE ALONG WITH MYSELF ARE AMAZED THAT THE BRAKE LINES SHOW THIS TYPE AND AMOUNT OF CORROSION. HOW MANY OTHER FAILURES HAVE OCCURRED WITH THESE TRUCKS? THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A SEVERE CRASH WITH EXCESSIVE PROPERTY DAMAGE AND/OR BODILY INJURY. *JB

Mileage: 60,180

WHILE DRIVING DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. VEHICLE SKIDDED AND STOPPED WHEN ENGAGED ON ITS OWN. DRIVER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC INFORMED DETERMINED THAT THE BRAKE PADS/ ABS CONTROL UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

WHILE DRIVING DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. VEHICLE SKIDDED AND STOPPED WHEN ENGAGED ON ITS OWN. DRIVER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC INFORMED DETERMINED THAT THE BRAKE PADS/ ABS CONTROL UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

INTERMITTENTLY, AND AN ON-GOING PROBLEM WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. THE PEDAL WOULD GO TO THE FLOOR AND CAUSES PULSATION AND EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT THE DEALERSHIP ON DIFFERENT OCCASION REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER. THE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE RECURRED. *LA

WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH BRAKES FAILED. IN ORDER TO STOP THE TRUCK DRIVER HAD TO SHIFT TO FIRST GEAR, THEN APPLY THE EMERGENCY BRAKE.*AK

Mileage: 70,000

TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS HEADLIGHT SWITCH PROBLEMS FRONT HUB ASSEMBLY OXYGEN SENSORS PAINT CHIPPING AND FADING BURNS OIL WORST THAN ADVERTISED FUEL MILEAGE EXCESSIVE TIRE WEAR PREMATURELY EXCESSIVE BRAKE WEAR PREMATURELY

THE CONSUMER STATED DURING A PANIC STOP, IT TOOK LONGER FOR THE VEHICLE TO STOP. *AK *JB

Mileage: 77,300

BRAKE FAILED WHICH RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT. NO AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. THE SEAT BELT SAVED THE CONSUMER'S LIFE. MR PH. ALSO THE SPARE TIRE WAS BALD AND IT TOOK 3 MONTHS TO GET IT REPLACED. *JB

THE DISTANCE IN WHICH VEHICLE NEEDS TO STOP IS LONGER THAN OTHER SIMILAR VEHICLES. IT IS MOST NOTICEABLE IN MODERATE TO HARD BRAKING. WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED, THE PEDAL FEEL IS AVERAGE BUT THE BRAKES DO NOT SEEM TO GRAB AND STOP THE VEHICLE AS IT SHOULD. I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS CLOSE ACCIDENTS DUE TO POOR BRAKING. THE BRAKES DO NOT LOCK-UP ON THE VEHICLE, NOT EVEN TO THE POINT WHERE ABS WILL NEED TO RELEASE THE REAR WHEELS. I HAVE COMPLETELY REPLACED ALL BRAKE COMPONENTS AND HAS NOT IMPROVED AT ALL!! AS WELL AS SPEND HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS ON DIAGNOSTICS WORK WITH NO ANSWER AS TO THE CAUSE (BUT THE DEALER DOES KNOW THERE IS A PROBLEM)!! THIS IS NOT THE FAULT OF THE DEALER, THEY HAVE BEEN FAIR, BUT HAVE RUN OUT OF PLACES TO LOOK. THEY HAVE CALLED CHRYSLER STAR HOTLINE, ETC. BUT STILL NO RESOLVE. IF ANYONE HAS A FIX FOR THIS OR A COURSE OF ACTION TO TAKE, PLEASE LET ME KNOW! I LOVE THE TRUCK, BUT IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. *JB

WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP. THE CONSUMER HAD TO DOWN SHIFT AND USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THE MECHANIC STATED THE MAIN BRAKE LINE RUSTED OUT.

Mileage: 70,000

CONSUMER STATES FRONTAL BRAKES WERE REPLACED. *SLC

CONSUMER HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THERE BRAKES AND IT IS HARD TO STOP VEHICLE. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK *TS

Mileage: 44,000

ESTREMELY POOR BRAKE RESPONSE. DURING MODERATE BRAKING OR WITH A LIGHT TRAILER/LOAD IT TAKES EXTREMELY LONG TO STOP THE VEHICLE. ONLY HAS REAR ABS, IT HAS NEVER GONE OFF. YOU CANNOT LOCK THE TIRES EXCEPT ON ICE/SNOW OR LOOSE GRAVEL/SAND. BEEN IN ONE ACCIDENT, NUMEROUS OTHER CLOSE CALLS. THE BRAKE PEDAL CAN BE PRESSED TO THE FLOOR. DEALER SAYS NOTHING IS WRONG, SEVERAL BRAKE JOBS DONE, NOW RUNNING WITH SS ROTORS AND CERAMIC PADS WITH NO IMPROVEMENT. I HAVE A FRIEND WITH THE SAME MAKE/MODEL/YEAR THAT HAS 44" MUDDERS AND CAN STOP ON A DIME.*AK

CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER TO HAVE BRAKES DONE AND A GEAR BOX PUT ON, AND CONSUMER FOUND OUT THAT FORNT COIL SPRINGS WERE BUSTED DUE TO DEFECTIVE STEEL. *AK

ONGOING AND INTERMITTENT FAILURE OF BRAKING SYSTEM;. VEHICLE BEEN IN / OUT OF DEALER SHOP ON TWELVE OCCASIONS. VARIOUS PARTS AND REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL REOCCURRING. PLEASE PROVIDE US WITH ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER. *AK

AFTER REPLACING TRANSMISSION, TRANSMISSION FAILED AGAIN. CONSUMER WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65MPH AND VEHICLE JUST GRADUALLY STARTED SLOWING DOWN. CONSUMER COASTED TO SIDE OF ROAD WITH ENGINE STILL RUNNING, BUT NOT ABLE TO GO IN ANY GEARS. TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED 1-22-00. *AK VEHICLE EXPERIENCES SEVERAL TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, THERE HAVE BEEN RECALLS AMONGST THE REPAIRS, DRIVESHAFT BROKE WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER STATES THAT CHRYSLER CORP HAS NO RECORDS OF A TRANSMISSION BEING SENT TO NEW COUNTRY DODGE WHERE THE REPLACEMENT TOOK PLACE, TRANSFER CASE WAS RETORQUED, CONSUMER HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER MANY TIMES PRIOR TO COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE AND DEALER COULD NOT REMEDY PROBLEMS. CLUNKING NOISE UNDER VEHICLE, DEALER REPLACED FRONT SWAYBAR LINKS. O2 SENSOR REPLACED. CONSUMER STATED AT TIMES HE HADTO HIT THE STARTER WITH A HAMMER TO GET IT TO WORK, IGNITION COIL FAILED, AND BATTERY FAILED. VEHICLE STALLS WHEN COMING TO A STOP, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF FUEL USED, DISTRIBUTOR CAP WAS REPLACED, VEHICLE ALSO BACKFIRING. BRAKES GRINDING, FRONT BRAKE PADS WERE METAL TO METAL, ROTOR WAS SCORED BADLY, DEALER REPLACED FRONT PADS AND BOTH ROTORS. *SLC

ROTORS ROTTED. UNABLE TO RESURFACE HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO UNEVEN WEAR. *AK

UNABLE TO STOP TRUCK SAFELY. BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED TO THE FLOOR,TRUCK COMES TO STOP VERY,VERY SLOWLY.LT225/75R STANDARD SIZE TIRES REPLACED W/SPORT APPEARANCE PACHAGE P265/75R16 BY MANUFACTURER. TIRES TOO LARGE FOR BRAKE SYSTEM?*AK

TRUCK ACCEELRATED UPON PUTTING INTO DRIVE.....THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR ....COULD NOT STOP IT. THE ABS ACTIVATED AND VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A BUILDING....IT SQUEELED THE TIRES AS SOON AS I STEPPED ON PEDAL AND IT WENT TO THE FLOOR......CRASHED INTO A BUILDING AND IT WAS STILL REVVING AT FULL THROTTLE.........CAN YOU HELP US......WE DONT WANT TO DRIVE IT AGAIN UNLESS WE KNOW WHAT CAUSED IT TO DO THIS.........THE EXTERIOR DAMAGE IS BEING REPAIRED BUT WE STILL DONT KNOW WHY IT DID THAT........THANKYOU... *AK

1ST TAKEN TO DEALER FOR IMPROPER TIRE WEAR @ 30704 MILES / DEALER CLAIMED TIRE ROTATION PROBLEM / CALIPERS WERE FAULTY INSTEAD / ROTORS FAILED AT 38728. *AK

THE BRAKING SYSTEM DOES NOT STOP THE TRUCK AS IT SHOULD. WHEN YOU MAKE AN EMERGENCY STOP THE PEDAL FEELS AS IF THE MASTER CYLINDER PISTON BOTTOMS OUT, METAL AGAINST METAL. I CHECKED TO SEE IF THERE WAS A BRAKE PEDAL STOP AND THERE WERE NONE. WHEN I HAD TO MAKE MY FIRST EMERGENCY STOP I HAD PLENTY OF DISTANCE TO STOP. MY SPEED WAS 35MPH WITH ABOUT 50FEET OF CLEARANCE. I HAD TO SWERVE AND RUN THRU A YARD CAUSING $200.00 DAMAGE. I TOOK THE TRUCK OVER TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD NOTHING WAS WRONG. I WENT HOME AND DID A PLANNED EMERGENCY STOP IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE. AT 30MPH, IT TOOK 30 -35 FEET TO STOP. MY BROTHER HAS A 1992 DODGE TRUCK OF THE SAME WEIGHT AND HE CAN STOP IN 12- 15 FEET AT THE SAME SPEED. BEFORE THE WARRANTY RAN OUT I TOOK THE TRUCK BACK TO THE DEALER AND HAD THE SERVICE MGR TO TEST DRIVE THE TRUCK AND HE FELT THER WAS A DEFINITE PROBLEM. HE ORDERED A MORE AGGRESSIVE SET OF PADS AND CHRYSLER CANCELLED THE ORDER AND SENT A KIT WITH INSTRUCTIONS TO INSTALL THE KIT INSTEAD OF THE PADS. TO ME. THAT TELLS ME THEY KNOW OF A PROBLEM, BUT DO NOT WANT IT TO GET OUT CAUSINF A RECALL ON ALL 1997 TRUCKS. THE DEALER STATED THERE WERE NO RECALLS OR BULLENTINS ON BRAKE PROBLEMS. I ASKED THEM IS IT GOING TO TAKE A FATALITY DUE TO FAULTY BRAKES BEFORE THEY FIX THE PROBLEM. AFTER THE INSTALLATION OF THE KIT THE BRAKES WORK A LITTLE BETTER BUT FAR FROM BEING SAFE AS TO PULLING A 4 WHEELER AND TRAILER OR A BOAT AND TRAILER. LAST WEEK I HAD TO EXECUTE ANOTHER EMERGENCY STOP. 50 MPH WITH APPROXIMATELY 150 FEET OF DISTANCE. I ENDED UP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION.MY POLICE CRUISER AT 30 MPH CAN STOP IN 10 -14 FEET . EVEN MY BROTHER'S TRUCK WITH A 1000 LBS OF WEIGHT IN THE BED STOPS IN A SHORTER DISTANCE THAN MY TRUCK. ARE THERE ANY OTHER VICTIMS OF BRAKE PROBLEMS BESIDES MYSELF?*AK

THE BRAKING SYSTEM DOES NOT STOP THE TRUCK AS IT SHOULD. WHEN YOU MAKE AN EMERGENCY STOP THE PEDAL FEELS AS IF THE MASTER CYLINDER PISTON BOTTOMS OUT, METAL AGAINST METAL. I CHECKED TO SEE IF THERE WAS A BRAKE PEDAL STOP AND THERE WERE NONE. WHEN I HAD TO MAKE MY FIRST EMERGENCY STOP I HAD PLENTY OF DISTANCE TO STOP. MY SPEED WAS 35MPH WITH ABOUT 50FEET OF CLEARANCE. I HAD TO SWERVE AND RUN THRU A YARD CAUSING $200.00 DAMAGE. I TOOK THE TRUCK OVER TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD NOTHING WAS WRONG. I WENT HOME AND DID A PLANNED EMERGENCY STOP IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE. AT 30MPH, IT TOOK 30 -35 FEET TO STOP. MY BROTHER HAS A 1992 DODGE TRUCK OF THE SAME WEIGHT AND HE CAN STOP IN 12- 15 FEET AT THE SAME SPEED. BEFORE THE WARRANTY RAN OUT I TOOK THE TRUCK BACK TO THE DEALER AND HAD THE SERVICE MGR TO TEST DRIVE THE TRUCK AND HE FELT THER WAS A DEFINITE PROBLEM. HE ORDERED A MORE AGGRESSIVE SET OF PADS AND CHRYSLER CANCELLED THE ORDER AND SENT A KIT WITH INSTRUCTIONS TO INSTALL THE KIT INSTEAD OF THE PADS. TO ME. THAT TELLS ME THEY KNOW OF A PROBLEM, BUT DO NOT WANT IT TO GET OUT CAUSINF A RECALL ON ALL 1997 TRUCKS. THE DEALER STATED THERE WERE NO RECALLS OR BULLENTINS ON BRAKE PROBLEMS. I ASKED THEM IS IT GOING TO TAKE A FATALITY DUE TO FAULTY BRAKES BEFORE THEY FIX THE PROBLEM. AFTER THE INSTALLATION OF THE KIT THE BRAKES WORK A LITTLE BETTER BUT FAR FROM BEING SAFE AS TO PULLING A 4 WHEELER AND TRAILER OR A BOAT AND TRAILER. LAST WEEK I HAD TO EXECUTE ANOTHER EMERGENCY STOP. 50 MPH WITH APPROXIMATELY 150 FEET OF DISTANCE. I ENDED UP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION.MY POLICE CRUISER AT 30 MPH CAN STOP IN 10 -14 FEET . EVEN MY BROTHER'S TRUCK WITH A 1000 LBS OF WEIGHT IN THE BED STOPS IN A SHORTER DISTANCE THAN MY TRUCK. ARE THERE ANY OTHER VICTIMS OF BRAKE PROBLEMS BESIDES MYSELF?*AK

WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE ABS SYSTEM KICKS IN, AND THE BRAKE PEDAL GOES STRAIGHT TO THE FLOORBOARD. *AK

WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR ,AND THE VEHICLE DOES NOT REGISTER. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. *AK

AS PER NHTSA #SB049106,BULLETIN #96-40,SEQUENCE #152.THE DESCRIPTION IN THIS REPORT DESCRIBES HOW MY TRUCK HAS DRIVEN SINCE I RECEIVED IT.I WENT THROUGH ALL THE HOOPS AND RINGS THAT THE DEALER AND THE REGIONAL MANAGER REQUIRED AND FINALLY ENDED UP IN ARBITRATION ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT MY TRUCK DIDNT HAVE A PROBLEM,WHAT I FELT (AND EXPERENCED) WAS INHERENT TO THE VEHICLE AND ALL THE VIBRATION, CLUNKING AND HESITATION JUST BOTHERED ME MORE THAN ANYONE ELSE WAS BECAUSE I WAS SENSATIVE TO IT.AFTER 2 YEARS OF BATTLING WITH THIS AND BRAKE PROBLEMS(WHICH I WILL SAY ,THEY FIXED AFTER 32000 MILES AND $400+ OF MY MONEY) I COULDNT AFFORD THE TIME OFF TO CONTINUE BATTLING. NOT ONCE WAS THIS BULETIN EVER BROUGHT UP,INFACT,DURING ARBITRATION,IF WAS ASKED IF ANY BULLETINS REFERED TO PROBLEMS LIKE THIS AND THE ANSWER WAS A FLAT "NO".I STILL HAVE ALL MY RECORDS AND COPIES OF THE DEALER SERVICE RECORDS.I'LL TRY TO CALL MONDAY,07/19/99.MY HOME #IS 623-878-2138(RECORDER/FAX) CELLPHONE IS 602-321-0921.THANK YOU PHIL LOBINS. *AK

DUE TO IMPROPER UNDER ENGINEERING FOR THE SIZE OF VEHICLE, THE REAR BRAKE SHOES BURN, WHICH CAUSES EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE AND MAY RESULTIN A CRASH. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

I HAVE HAD EXTENSIVE BRAKE PROBLEMS WITH MY 97 DODGE RAM. THERE HAS ALWAYS BEEN A RATTLE FROM THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL AREA. THERE HAS ALSO BEEN A INTERMITTENT BRAKE PULL TO THE DRIVER SIDE. IT BECAME A SERIOUS PROBLEM AFTER THE BRAKES WERE REPLACED AT 12000 MILES. THE TRUCK HAS ALSO HAD EXCESSIVE PAD WEAR. THE FIRST SET WAS REPLACED ON5/15/98 WITH 12314 MILES ON THE TRUCK. THE SECOND SET WAS REPLACED ON6/1/98 WITH 13093 MILES. THE THIRD SET WAS REPLACED ON 8/13/98 WITH 16336 MILES ON THE TRUCK. THE FOURTH SET OF BRAKES WAS REPLACED ON 4/6/99 WITH 25323 MILES ON THE TRUCK. COUNTING THE ORIGINAL SET OF BRAKES, WHICH STARTED SQUEALING AT APPROXIMATELY 12000 MILES, I HAVE HAD FIVE SETS OF FRONT BRAKE PADS AND THREE SETS OF ROTORS PUT ON THIS TRUCK. NOT TO MENTION THAT THE INTERMITTENT BRAKE PULL HAS NOT GONE AWAY. EVEN AFTER INSTALLING THIS LAST SET OF PADS. I WENT TO ARBITRATION. I HAD WITNESS STATEMENTS, BUT THE ARBITRATOR DENIED MY CLAIM TO HAVE DAIMLER CHRYSLER PURCHASE MY TRUCK BACK. I HAVE ALSO HAD MANY CLOSE CALLS WHEN THE TRUCK WOULD PULL TO THE LEFT INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE TRUCK HAS ALSO BOUNCED OFF OF THE CENTER MEDIAN MORE THAN ONCE. THE PATTERN IS ALWAYS THE SAME. I GET THE TRUCK BACK FROM A BRAKE REPAIR AND IT IS FINE FOR ONE TO TWO WEEKS. AFTER A SHORT WHILE, ONE TO TWO WEEKS, THE TRUCK STARTS TO MAKE A RATTLING NOISE FROM THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE WHEEL WELL, THEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WILL GET SOFT. THEN THE INTERMITTENT BRAKE PULL STARTS ALL OVER AGAIN. I WOULD APPRECIATE ANY HELP THAT YOU COULD GIVE ME. I HAVE LOST CONFIDENCE IN THIS VEHICLE, AND WILL NOT DRIVE IT ANY MORE THAN I HAVE TO. I ALSO WILL NOT LET MY WIFE DRIVE IT OR LOAN IT OUT TO ANY FRIENDS. *AK

I HAVE HAD EXTENSIVE BRAKE PROBLEMS WITH MY 97 DODGE RAM. THERE HAS ALWAYS BEEN A RATTLE FROM THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL AREA. THERE HAS ALSO BEEN A INTERMITTENT BRAKE PULL TO THE DRIVER SIDE. IT BECAME A SERIOUS PROBLEM AFTER THE BRAKES WERE REPLACED AT 12000 MILES. THE TRUCK HAS ALSO HAD EXCESSIVE PAD WEAR. THE FIRST SET WAS REPLACED ON5/15/98 WITH 12314 MILES ON THE TRUCK. THE SECOND SET WAS REPLACED ON6/1/98 WITH 13093 MILES. THE THIRD SET WAS REPLACED ON 8/13/98 WITH 16336 MILES ON THE TRUCK. THE FOURTH SET OF BRAKES WAS REPLACED ON 4/6/99 WITH 25323 MILES ON THE TRUCK. COUNTING THE ORIGINAL SET OF BRAKES, WHICH STARTED SQUEALING AT APPROXIMATELY 12000 MILES, I HAVE HAD FIVE SETS OF FRONT BRAKE PADS AND THREE SETS OF ROTORS PUT ON THIS TRUCK. NOT TO MENTION THAT THE INTERMITTENT BRAKE PULL HAS NOT GONE AWAY. EVEN AFTER INSTALLING THIS LAST SET OF PADS. I WENT TO ARBITRATION. I HAD WITNESS STATEMENTS, BUT THE ARBITRATOR DENIED MY CLAIM TO HAVE DAIMLER CHRYSLER PURCHASE MY TRUCK BACK. I HAVE ALSO HAD MANY CLOSE CALLS WHEN THE TRUCK WOULD PULL TO THE LEFT INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE TRUCK HAS ALSO BOUNCED OFF OF THE CENTER MEDIAN MORE THAN ONCE. THE PATTERN IS ALWAYS THE SAME. I GET THE TRUCK BACK FROM A BRAKE REPAIR AND IT IS FINE FOR ONE TO TWO WEEKS. AFTER A SHORT WHILE, ONE TO TWO WEEKS, THE TRUCK STARTS TO MAKE A RATTLING NOISE FROM THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE WHEEL WELL, THEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WILL GET SOFT. THEN THE INTERMITTENT BRAKE PULL STARTS ALL OVER AGAIN. I WOULD APPRECIATE ANY HELP THAT YOU COULD GIVE ME. I HAVE LOST CONFIDENCE IN THIS VEHICLE, AND WILL NOT DRIVE IT ANY MORE THAN I HAVE TO. I ALSO WILL NOT LET MY WIFE DRIVE IT OR LOAN IT OUT TO ANY FRIENDS. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE BRAKES ARE SOFT AND GO STRAIGHT TO THE FLOORBOARD. WHEN SLOWING DOWN THE PEDAL WILL SLOWLY GO TO THE FLOOR. CONSUMER HAS BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH BRAKES FOR A WHILE, AND CAN'T DETEMINE WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. *AK

BRAKE MALFUNCTION.

INTERMITTENTLY WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED THE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. THE DEALER HAS REPAIRED THE VEHICLE TWICE PRIOR. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER A THIRD TIME AND STATED THAT PEDAL GOES AND VEHICLE SLOWLY STOPS, MASTER CYLINDER AND FRONT BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED, BUT PROBLEM STILL EXIST, CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO ANOTHER INDEPENDENT DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT A PROBLEM DOES EXIST PROBABLY WITH THE HYDRAULIC FLUID FLOWING TO THE BACK BRAKES. *AK *TT

WHENEVER BRAKES ARE APPLIED THEY WOULD COAST VEHICLE, NOT STOPPING RIGHT AWAY. BRAKES WOULD NOT CATCH OR LOCK. PEDAL GOES TO FLOOR. NO PULSATING. *AK THE REAR BRAKES WERE ADJUSTED, CAUSING THE BRAKING ACTION TO BECOME WORSE, FRONT PADS WERE REPLACED AND LATER FOUND TO BE GLAZED AND BRINDLED. *SLC

WHILE DRIVING AND ATTEMPTED TO STOP, ANTI-LOCK BRAKES DID NOT CATCH, AND CONSUMER RAN INTO THE BACK OF ANOTHER AUTOMOBILE.DRIVER SUSTAINED SOME INJURIES. *AK

PREMATURE WEAR OF FRONT DISC BRAKE PADS.

ABS BRAKES FAILED 3 TIMES, ONCE RESULTING IN A COLLISION.

ANTI LOCK BRAKES FAILED SEVERAL TIMES.

ABS BRAKES PULLED TO LEFT AND LOCKED UP, CAUSING CONSUMER TO HIT ENBANKMENT AND WENT INTO SOMEONE'S YARD.