Flash: MIL Illumination With Transmission And Driveability Improvements This bulletin involves flash reprogramming the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) with new software. The customer may experience a MIL illumination. Upon further investigation the technician may find that any of the following erroneous Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs): ? U0140 - Lost Communication With Body Control Module. 2010 DJ 5.7L (Sales Code EZC) Attempting to clear this DTC will be unsuccessful. ? P050D - Cold Start Rough Idle. ? P2181 - Cooling System Performance has been set. ? P0935 - Line Pressure Sensor Circuit High. All RFE transmissions. P0300 through P0308 - Multiple and Single Cylinder Misfire. This condition
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2009 Dodge Ram 1500 brakes problems
severe 23 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $450 · see brakes across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
23
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
3crashes
2injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 23 brakes complaints filed for the 2009 Dodge Ram 1500, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 6 model years of Dodge Ram 1500 we track for brakes problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 23.
No new NHTSA brakes complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 10 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering brakes on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The dominant issue across these 23 complaints is ABS module failure. Owners consistently report the module failing without warning, illuminating multiple warning lights and killing both antilock function and traction control. It happens as early as 37,000 miles and recurs across a wide mileage range. Dodge issued TSB-09-041 in July 2009 acknowledging the problem affects roughly 125,000 vehicles with the ESP option, but some owners were never notified of the recall and dealers refuse to warranty repairs beyond 36,000 miles. The part is dealer-only and subject to nationwide backorder because of how many fail.
A second critical pattern is severe brake overheating and fade. Several owners describe brakes building excessive heat after just a few stops, creating a burning smell, reducing stopping distance dramatically, and eventually causing the pedal to sink or go to the floor during hard braking. Two owners report the issue persists even after replacing pads, rotors, and calipers—suggesting the problem is not simple wear but something in the overall system design. One owner ended up replacing brakes every 30,000 miles.
Most alarming are reports of complete brake pedal loss with no warning. One crash destroyed a truck; another was a rear-end collision. A third driver at 24,800 miles lost brakes entirely in wet conditions and crashed into a ditch, sustaining a broken nose. Owners also report brakes locking intermittently and failing to release, causing loss of vehicle control.
Secondary issues include warped rear rotors, corroded and broken emergency brake cables, fractured brake manifold bolts, and a failed brake light switch.
Same Dodge Ram 1500 brakes reports on nearby years: 2006 · 2007 · 2008
Failure modes owners describe
ABS Module Internal Failure
Antilock brake control module fails internally, disabling ABS and often traction control. Occurs across a wide mileage range and triggers multiple warning lights on the dashboard. Owners report the dealer acknowledges the failure but the part is dealer-only and subject to nationwide backorder due to high failure volume.
When: 37,000 to 142,000 miles; earliest complaint at 24,800 miles
Symptoms owners cite: ABS warning light illuminates; Limited slip/ESP/traction control lights illuminate; ABS function ceases to work; Front ABS stops working while rear may still activate intermittently; Brake warning light remains illuminated
Codes mentioned: C2200, C120D
Repairs/costs cited: ABS module replacement required; dealer-only part; nationwide backorder reported due to high failure volume
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSB-09-041 issued July 2009 covering approximately 125,182 vehicles with ESP sales code; Dodge refuses warranty coverage outside 36,000-mile window; dealer advises diagnostics fee; some owners notified of recall, others not notified
Thermal Brake Fade and Caliper Failure
Brake system overheats excessively during normal driving and repeated stops, causing severe fade, loss of stopping power, and structural failure of brake components. Owners report the issue persists even after replacing pads, rotors, and calipers, indicating an underlying system-level problem rather than wear.
When: 50,000 to 142,000 miles; one case at 42,227 miles on original brakes
Symptoms owners cite: Brake overheating after a few stops; Burning smell from brake pads; Dramatic increase in stopping distance; Severe brake fade; Brake pedal sinks or goes to floor during hard stops when hot; Loss of braking pressure; Smoke and extreme heat from wheel assembly; Caliper piston seals blow out
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement of brake pads, rotors, calipers, and brake hoses; one owner reported $1,200 bill at dealer; another replaced two front rotors and one right front caliper plus added second set of brake pads; some owners must replace brakes every 30,000 miles
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer claims overheating and fade are normal; one dealer offered to replace entire braking system as attempt to solve; Dodge refused warranty coverage
Complete Brake Pedal Loss During Emergency Stops
Brake pedal loses all pressure or goes to floor without warning, resulting in complete loss of braking ability when driver needs stopping power most. Incidents have caused accidents and injury. Owners report no warning lamps or symptoms prior to failure.
When: At 24,800 miles on one vehicle; varies; as early as 14 miles for another
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal loses pressure and goes to floor; No response from braking system; Vehicle fails to slow down despite pedal application; Pedal requires multiple pumps to build pressure; Occurs without warning or prior symptoms
Repairs/costs cited: One accident resulted in vehicle being completely destroyed and towed; another involved rear-end collision; owners not provided repair information
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall issued dating to January (per owner report) but notifications not sent to all owners
Brake Locking and Failure to Release
Brakes lock up intermittently without driver input, causing loss of directional control. Occurs multiple times on same vehicle with no warning lamps shown. In one case, brakes lock and do not release after the incident.
When: Varies; at least three separate incidents on one vehicle
Symptoms owners cite: Brakes lock up suddenly; Vehicle veers to one side uncontrollably; No warning lamps prior to locking; Brakes fail to release after locking; Brake pedal becomes unresponsive
Warped Rear Brake Rotors
Rear brake rotors warp early in vehicle life, creating vibration that persists even after rotor turning and tire rebalancing.
When: 7,000 miles on one vehicle; discovered at 13,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vibration that worsens over time; Vibration at interstate speeds; Excessive vibration that is hard to live with
Repairs/costs cited: Rear rotors turned and tires balanced at private shop; dealer rebalanced tires on rims but vibration persisted
Brake Manifold Bolt Fracture
Brake manifold mounting bolts fracture on both sides of the vehicle, causing an exhaust leak.
When: 59,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Exhaust leak; Fractured bolts on brake manifold
Repairs/costs cited: Bolts replaced by dealer
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer was alerted; vehicle was repaired
Emergency Brake Cable and Component Corrosion and Failure
Parking brake cable stretches excessively, corrodes, or breaks due to environmental conditions and lack of maintenance. Related components including levers in rear rotors corrode and lock up. Cable attachment hardware has failed.
When: Varies; one cable break occurred during normal driving
Symptoms owners cite: Cable stretched with major sag; Cable banging against frame; Rear rotor brake levers corroded and locked; Cable drooping from frame; Upper parking brake component (part # CH52010176-AG) failed; Cable broke while driving, causing loss of control and injury
Repairs/costs cited: Upper parking brake component replacement cost $400 at dealer; cable replacement needed
Brake Light Switch Failure
Brake light switch fails, leaving brake light illuminated on dashboard. Replacement of switch does not resolve the issue.
When: 106,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Brake light remains illuminated on dashboard
Repairs/costs cited: Independent mechanic replaced brake light switch but failure persisted
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer was notified
Synthesized from 23 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock:control unit/module date reported july 09, 2009 NHTSA reference #10030926 tsb reference #tsb-09-041 description: Chrysler: Dodge-approximately 125,182 vehicles, equipped with esp sales code (bnb ) have a condition that may set the ABS, esp, and/or base brake warning lamp on in the cluster with code c2200. My truck, with the above VIN number has…
Had brakes trouble with your 2009 Dodge Ram 1500?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the brakes problem on the 2009 Dodge Ram 1500?
It's a meaningful issue. 23 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $450.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Across the 21 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most brakes failures cluster between 37,582 and 96,000 miles, with the median around 59,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 37,582; a quarter make it past 96,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $450 for brakes repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to brakes?
No active recalls currently cover brakes issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2009/Dodge/Ram 1500.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.