NHTSA Complaint #11430380 — 2021 RAM PROMASTER

On August 5, I descended on California Highway 88 East from the Carson Pass; less than 1 mile down a warning appeared to “Service Brake System”. The warning disappeared but the “brake” light on the instrument cluster remained on. I took the vehicle to Carson Dodge on August 6. The dealer performed diagnostics and made two repairs based on generated codes (C1223-68 & P0556). I picked it up on August 13 and drove about 200 miles; the warning re-appeared each time I drove it. I returned the vehicle to Carson Dodge on August 16. The “brake” warning was visible both times it was in for service. The 8/16 work order shows the same problem codes as the August 6 work order. The 8/16 order states that the technician was told by Star (Dodge technical support) that the warning was “normal operations caused by extended braking from a high altitude” so no repairs were required (and ignoring the two codes). I contacted Dodge Customer Service on 8/16. Jagen, a Promaster Case Manager called on 8/17 and told me that he investigated the issue and the “Service Brake System” safety warning was normal when going downhill. I asked if it was normal then where this was published; he said it was proprietary information and not published. I asked if he would provide confirmation in writing; he refused. “Jim”, a supervisor, called on 8/24; he repeated that going downhill would result in the warning light coming on and this was normal operations. That a safety warning consistently appears in normal driving on ordinary roads (e.g. from South Lake Tahoe to Carson City on Highway 50) and is “normal operations” is absurd. If I ignore this warning as “normal operations”, then how do I know when there is an actual problem? If normal, why isn’t it published anywhere? I am unable to confidently use the vehicle as I can’t know if the brakes will function. Brake reliability is a life-threatening safety issue, yet Dodge is telling me to ignore the vehicle’s safety warnings.