Ram 2500 brake problems, 2016–2026
3,013 of the 4,388 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Ram 2500 2016–2026 name the brakes (NHTSA’s “Service Brakes” heading — the hydraulic brakes, ABS and brake assist). The loudest years: 2018 (2,359), 2017 (518), 2016 (35). Filed under the same heading across these years: 1 manufacturer bulletin, 3 recall campaigns, 1 NHTSA investigation. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.
Ram 2500 brake problems by model year
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsOne row per model year on file, newest first. A year marked in depth has its own page: the complaints, the owners’ words and every document under this heading for that year.
| Model year | Complaints naming the brakes | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 13 | 50% | — | 8 TSBs | the year → |
| 2025 | 5 | 8% | — | — | the year → |
| 2024 | 15 | 25% | — | — | the year → |
| 2023 | 5 | 10% | — | — | the year → |
| 2022 | 22 | 12% | — | 1 recall | the year → |
| 2021 | 11 | 10% | — | 1 recall | the year → |
| 2020 | 14 | 9% | — | 1 recall | the year → |
| 2019 | 16 | 8% | — | 2 recalls | the year → |
| 2018 in depth | 2,359 | 91% | 59k | 1 recall · 1 investigation | the record → |
| 2017 in depth | 518 | 74% | 60k | 1 recall · 1 investigation | the record → |
| 2016 | 35 | 14% | 50k | — | the year → |
Two things the counts carry that are not the car: how many of each year were sold, and how long each has been on the road — an older year out-counts a newer one before anything is wrong with it. The share column is the honest comparison across years: what part of that year’s complaints named the brakes. Nothing here is a rate.
When the brake complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2016: 2 · 2017: 2 · 2018: 7 · 2019: 14 · 2020: 21 · 2021: 48 · 2022: 188 · 2023: 1065 · 2024: 844 · 2025: 382 · 2026: 440
Across the model years, half of the 593 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the brake problem between 34,000 and 88,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the brakes, from the model years with the most to say. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
The contact owns a 2018 Ram 2500. The contact stated while driving 68 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed to the floorboard but failed to stop the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that she drove on the side of the road until the vehicle slowed down.
My truck is sending a message saying service electronic braking and service antilock braking system. I ha e contacted three dealers and all have told me the ABS module and hydrology control unit will need to be replaced. The truck was purchased new in august of 2019 and has 46000 miles on it.
Brake pedal goes to the floor only while at slow speeds and stopped. Ram stated its normal for truck to have soft brakes when stopped or slower driving. With the soft pedal sinking to the it seems to be a safety factor as it don't have full braking pressure to hold the vehicle still while on an incline.
Driving 2017 dodge Ram 2500 4X4 on paved rural roadway traveling 50mph when steering wheel lost tension and would not steer appropriately. Vehicle began to lose traction and correction was not possible. While when driver attempted to brake, brake pedal was pressed firmly and did not brake.
The trailer brake controller does not apply the trailer brakes enough to slow the trailer. I have had the brake controller serviced 3 times under warrantee and it still does not work properly. My trailer is a 34 foot trailer manufactured in 2016.
What is on file about the brakes, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall campaigns filed under this heading, any model year
- 24V896000 HighNov 27, 2024 · 317,630 vehicles
- Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Ram 2500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Pickup, 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles. The hydraulic control unit (HCU) may fail, which can cause the anti-lock brake (ABS), electronic stability control (ESC), and traction control systems to fail.
- 22V140000 ModerateMar 10, 2022 · 370,437 vehicles
- Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2022 Ram 2500 and 2021-2022 Dodge Durango vehicles, and 2019-2022 3500 cab chassis with GVWR less than 10,000 lbs. The ABS control module software may prevent the electronic stability control (ESC) malfunction indicator light from illuminating during certain conditions. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."
- 19V635000 HighAug 29, 2019 · 5,495 vehicles
- Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019 Ram 2500, 3500 and 3500 Cab Chassis trucks. The brake calipers may have been manufactured with an incorrect assembly fluid, which can cause the caliper's rubber seals to swell.
NHTSA investigation
- PE22012 Loss of Brake Performanceopened Nov 28, 2022 · closed Mar 3, 2025
- The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation on November 28, 2022, after receiving 134 reports from consumers alleging an intermittent or permanent loss of braking performance in certain 2017-2018 Ram 2500-3500 pickup trucks manufactured by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA). The alleged failures continued to occur at a steady rate across both models, at all speeds, with limite…
1 manufacturer bulletin filed under this heading, any model year
- Jun 26, 2026
- Trac-Rite Operation Diagnosis, Chatter, Shudder, Moving From A Stop And Turning
Every one filed under the heading is listed. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Other systems with a record on the Ram 2500
Source: the same filesCommon questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsWhich Ram 2500 years have the most brake complaints?
2018, 2,359; 2017, 518; 2016, 35. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2018 (91%).
Is there a recall for the brakes on the Ram 2500?
Yes — 3 campaigns are filed under this heading across these model years: 24V896000 (2018), 22V140000 (2022), 19V635000 (2019). A recall is matched by VIN, and applies to specific years; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do brake problems show up on the Ram 2500?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 55,000 miles across the model years; half of them between 34,000 and 88,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Service Brakes" heading cover?
The hydraulic brakes, ABS and brake assist. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.