Had to make a accident avoidence manuever. The brakes would not stop the truck, had to run off the road to avoid impact. Resulting in damaging a front lawn in a residential neighborhood. The next episode was pulling a small 8' trailer with a Honda 4-wheeler. Light turned red and when I went to stop, I ended in the middle of the intersection. After the second incident I contacted the dealership and took it in for inspection. No problems were found. The service manager Mr. Web ( I believe that's his name) drove my truck and agreed it seemed to take longer to stop, but upon inspection no problems were found. After 3 more incidents of the same nature, the dealership did replace all the brakes, telling me there was an update to a different pad for the rear brakes. The truck at the time had approximately19000 miles. I then was tols it was normal for the brakes to wear out at 19000 miles. I do not believe that. I still have the stopping problem, and I am extremely careful when I tow my 17' boat and trailer. The weight is less than 3000 lbs. The truck now has barely over 40000 miles. I had the brakes check by a qualified mechanic, and was told that the brakes have about 75% of pad left. Are ther any other complaints about the braking system on the 1997 Dodge 4X4 Ram 1500 trucks?

- Louisville, KY, USA

The thottle stuck in the wide open position and would not return to idle. The brakes were just able to stop the vehicle. Shifting to neutral caused the engine to go well into the redline on the RPM indicator. Pulling up on the accelerator pedal did nothing. The dealer said the linkage was rusted tight. They don't have new parts so they scrapped the rust off, oiled it and put it back together. They said the throttle cable was not the problem as in the recall of "95-96 vehicles. This is a hard truck to get stopped when the throttle is stuck wide open. Good thing my wife wasn't driving it.

- West Bend, WI, USA

All three have been in to the dealer regarding the same exact concern. Different drivers operate each of these vehicles. This will bee the second time this vehicle will be going back to the dealer for the same repair. We are concerned about all like vehicles having the same concern. With the rear brakes getting severely out of adjustment like they do with these vehicles it is very possible that a crash occurs during a panic stop due to the vehicle swerving.

- Oakland, CA, USA

While driving at approximately 45 mph consumer applied brake and skidded about 10 feet, hit another vehicle head-on. Upon impact, driver airbags did not deploy which have caused injuries. The inspectors from the manufacturer indicated that the air bags did not deploy because the impact dissipated.

- Newport Ritchie, FL, USA

While braking, vehicle will not stop, dealer states brakes are withing specification. Front tires keep wearing, dealer can not find reason for wear.

- St. Clare Shores, MI, USA

Power steering and brakes went out at the same time while driving, no accident. Tried to use emergency brake, did not work either. Consumer used gears to stop vehicle. Repaired, Dodge will not reimburse because repair not done at Dodge dealer. Dealer replaced steering pump and het assembly for emergency brake.

- Butler, PA, USA

Consumer ran into the back of another truck because brakes did not catch.- also, airbags did not deploy. Driver side seat belt failed.

- Sand Lake, MI, USA

While driving about 65 mph and barely touching the brakes to slow down, all four wheels locked up. Truck was towed to the dealership. Brake failure had occurred once before, and resulted in an accident. Dealer could not duplicate the problem, but they replaced the power brake booster. Brake failure has not occurred since.

- Evanston, WY, USA

Truck continues to roll when brakes are applied and it goes to the floor. Truck will not stop on an emergency.

- Miami, FL, USA

Brakes don't stop at low speeds and lock up under wet conditions, ring and pinion due to premature wear at 19500, dead battery (H.D.) after 2 years

- Vineland, NJ, USA

While driving and applying brakes without touching the pedal, brakes lock up. Dealer contacted, and stated problem with ABS system. Problems still exists. Provide further information.

- Claremore, OK, USA

While driving vehicle about 60 mph stepped on the brake pedal trying to stop the vehicle, but the pedal went to the floor and the brakes did not perform.

- Poulsbo, WA, USA

Transmission light & the anti-brake system light keep coming on.

- Little Rock, CA, USA

The brakes would make squeaking/grinding noises & not grabbing to stop vehicle. Also, structure seams cause leak of water inside of vehicle/steering pump pin had sheared off & the power steering had seized up, and water pump failed.

- Pigua, OH, USA

I am very unhappy with this truck, it has been nothing but problems for repair work and out of warranty coast even though it was all ongoing from the day I bought it and paid cash of >36,000 tax and all. No safety defect(s) mentioned in the summary.

- Eatonton, GA, USA

Consumer does not have any brakes on her Dodge Ram truck, and dealer does not know how to fix it.

- Cleveland, OH, USA

Vehicle experiencing ongoing problem with brake pedal going to the floor before stopping vehicle. Vehicle been in/out of dealer shop on several occasions. Dealer informed consumer that nothing could be found. Seeking help from NHTSA in these matter.

- Dracut, MS, USA

Turck would not stop when brakes are applied.

- Lexington, KY, USA

Extended stopping distance, intermittantly. Brake pedal goes right to floor and doesn't stop any faster.

- Northglenn, CO, USA

3 times I have been slowing down to turn a corner and the rear portion of the anti-lock brakes bounce like a ball. I could not slow down enough to make the turn. I contacted the dealership and brought it in. They said that they could find nothing wrong with my truck.

- Zap, ND, USA