NHTSA complaint: 1999 DODGE RAM 2500 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
FOLLOWING THE REPLACEMENT OF THE FRONT BRAKE PADS, THE BRAKES FAILED, AND THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALERS SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME THAT THE BRAKE PADS HAD "MELTED AND TURNED INO WAX". IT WAS SIMPLY A DEFECTIVE PART, AND THAT HE HAD SEEN IT OCCUR PREVIOUSLY ON A DODGE CARAVAN. ANYWAY, I THINK THAT BRAKE PADS MELTING IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY CONCERN. MY WIFE NARROWLY AVOIDED A HEAD ON COLLISION WHEN THE BRAKES FAILED AT A CONSTRUCTION AREA, AND THE VEHICLE VEERED INTO THE ONCOMING LANE OF TRAFFIC -- SHE DID NOT STEER INTO THIS LANE. SHE SAID IT FELT ALMOST AS IF THE BRAKES HAD BEEN GREASED.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — Office of Defects Investigation