1996 DODGE RAM 3500 Service Brakes, Hydraulic Problems

BRAKE FAILURE, DUE TO BRAKE LINE TO REAR WHEELS RUSTED OUT IN FRAME CLIP BEHIND FUEL TANK. *TR

Mileage: 65,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 DODGE RAM 3500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN ONTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO RUST IN THE BRAKE LINE SYSTEM. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED; HOWEVER,THE CONTACT WILL PERFORM THE REPAIR HIMSELF. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,753 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 104,000.

Mileage: 103,753

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 DODGE 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS ADAPTIVE BRAKE CONTROL UNIT (PART NUMBER 56029032AB) HAS BEEN DISCONTINUED BY THE MANUFACTURER. HE STATED THAT THE PART WAS NEEDED TO REPAIR HIS VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 211,000.

Mileage: 211,000

BRAKE LINE FAILURE DUE TO CORROSION ALSO CORROSION OF TRANSMISSION AND FUEL LINES 1996 DODGE RAM 3500 PICKUP 4WD EXT CAB. *TR

Mileage: 115,000

I PURCHASED THIS TRUCK IN 2003 AND THE DASH WAS CRACKED. IT SHAKES AND RATTLES WHENEVER I HIT ANY BUMPS IN THE ROAD. DODGE WILL DO NOTHING BUT TRY TO SELL ME ANOTHER DASH AT A SKY HIGH RATE. I'M AFRAID THE DASH WILL COMPLETELY FALL APART WHILE MY WIFE OR I AM DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. I AM NOW EXPERIENCING A VACUUM PROBLEM WITH SOME LINES UNDER THE DASH CAUSED BY THIS SINCE THE DASH MOVES SO MUCH. MY ABS LIGHT IS ON, MY CRUISE CONTROL DOESN'T WORK AND THE AIRCONDITIONING ONLY BLOWS OUT OF THE DEFROST VENT. *TR

Mileage: 85,000

BRAKES PULL TO RIGHT, CALIBERS AND PADS HAVE BEEN REPLACED. REAR BRAKES DON'T SEEM TO WORK WELL ANTILOCK ALLOWS YOU TO ROLL TO FAR. STEERING COLUMN GOES BAD AFTER WARRANTY IS UP ( 100,000 MILES ). FUEL PUMP SHUT DOWN SOLENOID AND RELAY HAVE ALSO GONE OUT ON BOTH OF MY TRUCKS. AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURES HAVE OCCURRED ON BOTH TRUCKS AT THE 70000-75000 MILES . *NLM

DEALERSHIP ONLY REPLACED RUBBER BOOTS, AND NOT VACUUM LINES, RESULTING IN OIL PUMPING INTO VACUUM LINES.*AK

HYDRAULIC BRAKE LINE LEAKING FLUID, MAKING IT HARD FOR CONSUMER TO STOP. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

WHEN THIS PROBLEM FIRST HAPPENED IN 1998, WE TOOK IT TO THE DODGE DEALER HERE IN CHEYENNE, WY AND THEY SAID THE CALIBRATER WAS BAD AND FIXED THE RIGHT SIDE ONLY. WHEN IT STARTED PULLING ON THE LEFT SIDE, IT WAS WORSE. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HOME ON THE FRONTAGE ROAD WHEN A CAR STOPPED SHORT IN FRONT OF HER TO MAKE A TURN AND SHE HAD TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES HARD AND IT JERKED HER INTO THE LANE OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND THERE WAS ALMOST A HEAD ON COLLISION. WE TOOK IT TO OUR MASTER MECHANIC AT ANOTHER DEALERSHIP AND HE TOLD US THIS IS AN ON GOING PROBLEM WITH THESE TRUCKS. HE ALSO SAID YOU CAN'T ONLY FIX ON SIDE. THE FACT THAT MY WIFE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM AND THAT CHRYSLER REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT IS VERY UPSETTING. THE COST TO FIX THIS WAS $500.00 AND THAT WAS ONLY BECAUSE MY WIFE WORKS AT THE DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS FIXED. OUR MECHANIC HAD COME FROM THE DODGE DEALERSHIP AS A MASTER TECHNICIAN AND ALSO DRIVES A DODGE. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED WITH CHRYSLER AND THEY NEED TO HELD RESPONSIBLE AND FIX THE PROBLEM. WE DON'T NEED TO LOSE OUR LOVED ONES BECAUSE CHRYSLER DOES'NT FEEL THIS IS A PROBLEM.*AK

WHEN THIS PROBLEM FIRST HAPPENED IN 1998, WE TOOK IT TO THE DODGE DEALER HERE IN CHEYENNE, WY AND THEY SAID THE CALIBRATER WAS BAD AND FIXED THE RIGHT SIDE ONLY. WHEN IT STARTED PULLING ON THE LEFT SIDE, IT WAS WORSE. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HOME ON THE FRONTAGE ROAD WHEN A CAR STOPPED SHORT IN FRONT OF HER TO MAKE A TURN AND SHE HAD TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES HARD AND IT JERKED HER INTO THE LANE OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND THERE WAS ALMOST A HEAD ON COLLISION. WE TOOK IT TO OUR MASTER MECHANIC AT ANOTHER DEALERSHIP AND HE TOLD US THIS IS AN ON GOING PROBLEM WITH THESE TRUCKS. HE ALSO SAID YOU CAN'T ONLY FIX ON SIDE. THE FACT THAT MY WIFE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM AND THAT CHRYSLER REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT IS VERY UPSETTING. THE COST TO FIX THIS WAS $500.00 AND THAT WAS ONLY BECAUSE MY WIFE WORKS AT THE DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS FIXED. OUR MECHANIC HAD COME FROM THE DODGE DEALERSHIP AS A MASTER TECHNICIAN AND ALSO DRIVES A DODGE. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED WITH CHRYSLER AND THEY NEED TO HELD RESPONSIBLE AND FIX THE PROBLEM. WE DON'T NEED TO LOSE OUR LOVED ONES BECAUSE CHRYSLER DOES'NT FEEL THIS IS A PROBLEM.*AK

VEHICLE NEEDS A TOWER BRACKET. ALSO, BRAKES ARE BAD, THEY HAVE TO BEE REPLACED EVERY 15 THOUSAND MILES. *AK THE VEHICLE LOSES ALL POWER WHEN BRAKING WHILE BACKING DOWN HILL. *YH

BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO GO TO THE FLOOR AND THERE WAS NO BRAKING ABILITY WHICH CAUSED A CRASH. DEALER REPLACED THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER 3 TIMES. PROBLEM IS STILL OCCURRING. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO GO TO THE FLOOR AND THERE WAS NO BRAKING ABILITY WHICH CAUSED A CRASH. DEALER REPLACED THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER 3 TIMES. PROBLEM IS STILL OCCURRING. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

FRONT END WAS SHAKING & VIBRATING. WHILE EXITING OFF ROAD THERE WAS A LOT OF VIBRATION IN STEERING. TOOK TO DEALER & COUPLING, BRAKES, LOWER STEERING COLUMN SHAFT WERE REPLACED. HOWEVER, VIBRATION STILL CONTINUED. TOOK BACK TO DEALER & NOTHING FOUND. WAS LOWERING VEHICLE & NOTICED FRONT END WAS CRACKED. *AK

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 35 MPH AND COMING OFF A RAMP, CONSUMER WENT TO APPLY THE BRAKES AND THEY WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOORBOARD. CONSUMER WASN'T ABLE TO STOP AT A STOP SIGN, AND HAD TO PUMP THE BRAKES TO STOP THE VEHICLE. *AK

ABS FAILED CAUSING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO BE HARD.

THE FRONT BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, WHICH MAY RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. DEALER REPLACED BRAKE PADS/ROTORS AND CALIPERS EVERY 10,000 MILES. THE DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE PROBLEM. CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK

BRAKES OVERHEAT AND CRACK THE BRAKE PADS WHICH FELL OFF WHILE TOWING A VERY LARGE TRAILER.

CONSUMER COMPLAINING OF BRAKE LINING WEARING OUT TOO SOON AT 10,000 MILES. CONSUMER BELIEVES CONDITION IS NOT NORMAL FOR THIS SITUATION. VEHICLE BEEN IN/OUT OF DEALER SHOP FOR MORE THEN THREE TIMES AND CONDITION STILL OCCURS. PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED. DEALER WILL NOT REPAIR WITHOUT COST TO THE CONSUMER. *AK

CONSUMER COMPLAINING OF BRAKE LINING WEARING OUT TOO SOON AT 10,000 MILES. CONSUMER BELIEVES CONDITION IS NOT NORMAL FOR THIS SITUATION. VEHICLE BEEN IN/OUT OF DEALER SHOP FOR MORE THEN THREE TIMES AND CONDITION STILL OCCURS. PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED. DEALER WILL NOT REPAIR WITHOUT COST TO THE CONSUMER. *AK

WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

FRONT BRAKES HAVE GONE OUT FOR THE FIFTH TIME WHILE DRIVING AT 65MPH ON HIGHWAY ON WET AND DRY PAVEMENTS. THE BRAKES GO DOWN TO THE PEDAL. SEVERAL DEALERS HAVE MENTIONED THAT A BULLETIN WAS PUT OUT 28-MAR-97, BUT NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED. IN ADDITION, BACK BRAKES ARE INOPERATIVE BECAUSE WHEEL CYLINDERS ON BACK ARE TOO SMALL. *AK

FRONT BRAKES HAVE GONE OUT FOR THE FIFTH TIME WHILE DRIVING AT 65MPH ON HIGHWAY ON WET AND DRY PAVEMENTS. THE BRAKES GO DOWN TO THE PEDAL. SEVERAL DEALERS HAVE MENTIONED THAT A BULLETIN WAS PUT OUT 28-MAR-97, BUT NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED. IN ADDITION, BACK BRAKES ARE INOPERATIVE BECAUSE WHEEL CYLINDERS ON BACK ARE TOO SMALL. *AK

WHEN APPLYING BRAKES VEHICLE PULLS TO THE LEFT.

CONSUMER EXPERIENCING EXCESSIVE WEAR OF THE FRONT BRAKE SHOES PADS. HAS REPLACED THE PADS AND SHOES EVERY 7,000 MILES. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER, DEALER HAS REPLACED THE SHOES AND PADS, DEALER UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED THE STEERING PULLS TO THE LEFT.

WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED THE REAR BRAKES DO NOT ENGAGE, CAUSING THE FRONT BRAKES TO OVERHEAT. WHEN THE FRONT BRAKES OVERHEAT THE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER HAS REPLACED THE BRAKING SYSTEM. *AK

ANTI LOCK BRAKES PULSE/PULL TO THE RIGHT WHEN TOWING.

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED APPLIED BRAKES, VEHICLE STEERED TO LEFT OR RIGHT. SOMETIMES VEHICLE WOULD START TO SHAKE, WOULD NOT STOP. NEEDED TO KEEP PRESSURE ON BRAKES IN ORDER TO STOP. DEALER SHIPS HAD VEHICLE IN SHOP 6 TIMES, REPLACED PADS/ROTORS AND DID AN ALIGNMENT. THIS DEFECT CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *AK *NLM

WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE WILL SEVERELY PULL TO THE RIGHT. AFTER TAKING THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE FIVE TIMES THE VEHICLE NOW PULLS TO THE LEFT. DEALER HAS REPLACED THE BRAKE PADS AND THE CALIPERS WITH NO REMEDY. *AK CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE HAS BEEN BROUGHT IN 2 TIMES MORE AND STILL PROBLEM EXISTS. VEHICLE HAS AN INTERMITTENT TRANSMISSION, VEHICLE WON'T SHIFT THE TRANSMISSION FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR, RESULTING IN RED LINING THE MOTOR AND SEVERE JERKING IN TRAFFIC. *SLC

WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE WILL SEVERELY PULL TO THE RIGHT. AFTER TAKING THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE FIVE TIMES THE VEHICLE NOW PULLS TO THE LEFT. DEALER HAS REPLACED THE BRAKE PADS AND THE CALIPERS WITH NO REMEDY. *AK CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE HAS BEEN BROUGHT IN 2 TIMES MORE AND STILL PROBLEM EXISTS. VEHICLE HAS AN INTERMITTENT TRANSMISSION, VEHICLE WON'T SHIFT THE TRANSMISSION FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR, RESULTING IN RED LINING THE MOTOR AND SEVERE JERKING IN TRAFFIC. *SLC

WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE WILL SEVERELY PULL TO THE RIGHT. AFTER TAKING THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE FIVE TIMES THE VEHICLE NOW PULLS TO THE LEFT. DEALER HAS REPLACED THE BRAKE PADS AND THE CALIPERS WITH NO REMEDY. *AK CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE HAS BEEN BROUGHT IN 2 TIMES MORE AND STILL PROBLEM EXISTS. VEHICLE HAS AN INTERMITTENT TRANSMISSION, VEHICLE WON'T SHIFT THE TRANSMISSION FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR, RESULTING IN RED LINING THE MOTOR AND SEVERE JERKING IN TRAFFIC. *SLC

WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE WILL SEVERELY PULL TO THE RIGHT. AFTER TAKING THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE FIVE TIMES THE VEHICLE NOW PULLS TO THE LEFT. DEALER HAS REPLACED THE BRAKE PADS AND THE CALIPERS WITH NO REMEDY. *AK CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE HAS BEEN BROUGHT IN 2 TIMES MORE AND STILL PROBLEM EXISTS. VEHICLE HAS AN INTERMITTENT TRANSMISSION, VEHICLE WON'T SHIFT THE TRANSMISSION FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR, RESULTING IN RED LINING THE MOTOR AND SEVERE JERKING IN TRAFFIC. *SLC

UPON APPLYING FORCE TO BRAKES, THERE IS AN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE AND BRAKES FADE AWAY. *AK

BRAKES FAILED. MJS

WHEN BRAKE LINE CRACKS BRAKES ARE INOPERABLE. DEALER REPLACED THE HOSE ONCE, FIXED IT TWICE. BRAKES STILL AREN'T WORKING. VEHICLE CAN STOP BY DOWNSHIFTING GEARS. *AK

BRAKES: STEERING: STEERING VERY LOOSE/PULLS TO LEFT, HIT A BUMP AND IT WANDERS. BRAKES INTERMITTENTLY PULLED LEFT OR RIGHT AT ANY SPEED DURING NORMAL BREAKING. *AK

ON WAY HOME HAD NO BRAKES (ABS), PEDAL WAS VERY MUSHY, TOOK TO DEALERSHIP WHO SAID CANNOT FIX ABS BRAKES; BRAKES INOPERATIVE. *AK

WHILE IN STOP POSITION EXPERIENCED HYDRAULIC BRAKE FAILURE WHEN PEDAL FADED THEN WENT TO FLOOR, DLR HAS REPLACED SEVERAL PARTS TO CORRECT, PROBLEM PERSISTS. *AK

DUE TO PREMATURE WEAR EVERY TWO MONTHS AND 12,000 MILES THE FRONT DISC BRAKES HAVE TO BE CHANGED . PLEASE DESCRIBE IN DETAIL. *AK

UNDER THE NORMAL BRAKING CONDITIONS THE VEHICLE PULLS TO THE LEFT OR THE RIGHT WHEN THE ABS BRAKES ARE APPLIED. PLEASE DESCRIBE IN DETAIL

CONSUMER STATES THAT FRONT BRAKES PULL TO THE LEFT, VEHICLE HAS ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM . DEALERS HAVE NO REMEDY FOR THE PROBLEM. *AK CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE HAS BEEN LIKE THIS SINCE HE PURCHASED IT. *SLC

WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE FRONT BRAKES LOCK UP, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO PULL TO THE LEFT. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK