Four problems related to brake master cylinder have been reported for the 1997 Dodge Ram 1500. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
The contact owns a 1997 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that when he depressed the brake pedal, it became spongy and extended to the floor. The brakes failed to stop the vehicle immediately and he was forced to tap the pedal continuously. The front and rear disc pads were replaced. The master cylinder and the calipers were replaced and the rotors were bled but the failure recurred. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 113,000.
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.
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?.
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.