MODULE - TRAILER BRAKE & TOWING CONTROL
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2024 RAM 2500 brakes problems
severe 13 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $450 · see brakes across all vehicles →
Complaints
13
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
2crashes
1fire
When does it fail?
Of the 13 brakes complaints filed for the 2024 RAM 2500, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 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
Brakes accounts for 24% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 6 categories tracked.
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.
Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) C0050-00-Brake System Hydraulic Leak Set After Recent Repair.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Antilock Brake System (ABS) Light On. Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) C0044-01 Set. Discussion: Follow the published diagnostics for C0044-01-BRAKE PRESSURE SENSOR 1 - GENERAL ELECTRICAL FAILURE. If testing leads to replacement of a component, it is necessary to replace the entire brake unit. The integrated control unit (ICU) is comprised of the ABS module and the hydraulic control unit (HCU).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Parking Brake Pad When replacing the park brake pedal pad, please use the correct labor operation code. Some technicians have been using the brake pedal pad labor code which is not the same as the parking brake pedal pad. The correct labor operation code should be for parking brake pedal pad replacement is 05-05-06-01.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Antilock Brake System (ABS) Light On. Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) C0044-01 Set.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2024 Ram 2500 trucks report brake-system failures that range from poor pedal feel to complete loss of braking. The most consistent complaint is a spongy, low pedal that requires 50% or more travel before brakes engage. Many owners say the pedal feels numb in the first half of its travel, forcing them to pump the brakes or push nearly to the floor to stop. Two owners had full brake failures at highway speed—one at 40 mph approaching a stop sign, another at 50 mph—resulting in collisions. One truck caught fire after brake failure. Several owners report the problem is intermittent and unpredictable; one notices it worsens in 4×4 low-range mode. ABS either fails to function when needed or engages unintentionally. Multiple dealers have bled the brakes and declared the symptom "normal," though relief is temporary. One owner reports intermittent trailer brake disconnection warnings, causing total loss of electronic trailer brakes on steep grades. Owners have returned to dealers repeatedly—some three or more times—without resolution. The manufacturer has opened cases but provided no assistance or fixes. Several trucks have fewer than 10,000 miles and are days or weeks old from purchase, ruling out age-related wear.
Failure modes owners describe
Spongy pedal with excessive travel and delayed brake engagement
Brake pedal requires 50% or greater travel before any braking force is applied. First 50% of pedal travel is numb with no resistance. Owners must pump the brakes or push pedal nearly to floor to stop the vehicle.
When: Affects new vehicles; reported at 0–27k miles; present from purchase or early in ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Pedal feels soft and spongy; 2–8 inches of pedal travel before braking begins; Numb feedback in first 50% of pedal travel; Pedal travels to floor during normal or panic braking; Pumping the brakes temporarily improves feel; Symptom returns after temporary improvement; Unpredictable and intermittent nature
Repairs/costs cited: Brake bleeding performed by dealers three or more times without sustained resolution; dealers claim symptom is normal; independent mechanic bleeding did not resolve the issue
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer opened a case but provided no repair assistance; dealers stated the vehicle operates as designed and that all 2024 models are similar
Complete brake failure at speed
Brake pedal depressed to floorboard with no stopping or slowing of vehicle at highway speeds. Vehicle unable to stop or slow at normal or emergency braking levels.
When: At 10k miles and under 1200 miles; one instance at 40 mph, another at 50 mph
Symptoms owners cite: Pedal goes to floor with no braking response; Vehicle does not slow or stop when brakes applied; Full brake failure during emergency stop situations; Collision resulted from inability to stop
Repairs/costs cited: One truck involved in collision at 11–12 mph; another vehicle collided at unknown speed; third truck struck rear vehicle at highway speed
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified; case opened; no repairs provided in narratives
Fire following brake failure
Vehicle experienced brake failure at 40 mph, failed to stop at stop sign, then fire ignited from front driver-side door exterior. Fire completely engulfed truck despite driver's ability to maneuver to ditch.
When: At 10,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal to floorboard; no braking response; Smoke inside vehicle; Flames visible from front driver-side door exterior panel; Complete vehicle fire
Repairs/costs cited: Fire report filed; vehicle burned to chassis; no warning lights illuminated before failure
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified; case opened
ABS malfunction—failure to engage when needed, unintended engagement
ABS fails to engage during emergency braking or panic stops despite full pedal depression. In other instances, ABS engages unintentionally on normal driving surfaces. ABS only functions on low-traction surfaces (snow, gravel, sand).
When: Throughout ownership; reported at various mileages
Symptoms owners cite: ABS does not engage during emergency braking; ABS engages unintentionally on dry pavement; ABS functions only on low-traction surfaces; No ABS engagement during full brake failure events
Codes mentioned: ABS fault
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer reset ABS system; improvement was temporary, symptom returned
Electronic trailer brake disconnection and loss of trailer braking
Intermittent loss of electronic trailer brakes due to wiring or connection fault. Trailer brakes fail to apply or apply erratically. Manual brake boost switch required to stop vehicle and trailer.
When: Intermittent, occurring over multiple trips; one instance reported at towing during September–October trip
Symptoms owners cite: Intermittent 'check trailer brake wiring' warning messages; Intermittent 'trailer brakes disconnected' warning message; Total loss of electronic trailer brakes when warning appears; Trailer brakes apply too much or not at all; Manual brake boost switch required to stop truck and trailer; Condition worsens on steep grades—safety hazard
Codes mentioned: Check trailer brake wiring, Trailer brakes disconnected
Repairs/costs cited: Manual brake booster switch used as workaround during towing; trailer in shop for inspection
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: RAM dealer states no problems reported; issue similar to 2024 Chevrolet/GMC 2500 trucks
Brake performance degradation in 4×4 low-range mode
Brake system exhibits severe degradation when vehicle is in 4×4 low mode. Brake failure rate approaches 90% in this mode; pedal falls to floor requiring maximum pressure and extended stopping distance.
When: Occurs in 4×4 low mode during normal operation
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal falls to floor in 4×4 low mode; Brake failure rate approximately 90% in low-range 4×4; Requires maximum pedal pressure and bracing for truck to stop
Synthesized from 13 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
October 30, at approximately 8:00 AM MDT. While I was heading to work, I was approaching an intersection with a vehicle in front of me making a left turn in the opposite direction was a vehicle also preparing to make a left turn and as I approached the intersection the vehicle turned in front of me. I fully applied the brakes, and the pedal went to the floor, my truck did not stop or slow down. I…
The contact owned a 2024 RAM 2500. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at 40 MPH, he attempted to slowly bring the vehicle to a complete stop upon approaching a stop sign. However, with the brake pedal depressed all the way to the floorboard, the vehicle failed to stop or even slow as intended, causing the driver to unsafely pass through the intersection without stopping.…
Intermittent warning messages (check trailer brake wiring and trailer brakes disconnected). When trailer brakes disconnected message comes up you have a TOTAL LOSS of the electronic trailer brakes. Travel trailer is a 2024 Forest River Wildwood Heritage Glen 308RL (with solar on-board). This issue is very similar to the one plaguing the 2024 Chevrolet / GMC 2500 Pickup trucks. Trailer is in the…
Had brakes trouble with your 2024 RAM 2500?
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 2024 RAM 2500?
It's a meaningful issue. 13 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $450.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Based on the 13 complaints filed, brakes issues most often appear around 20,000 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
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/2024/RAM/2500.
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.