2010-2018 Ram 6.7L Cummins Brake Parts

Brakes on the 2010-2018 Ram 6.7L Cummins

Every fourth-gen Ram 2500 and 3500 with the 6.7L Cummins stops on four-wheel disc brakes with ABS. The 2013 overhaul brought revised braking along with the new frame and suspension, made electronic stability control standard and added an available integrated trailer brake controller. The other half of the braking story sits under the hood. The factory exhaust brake works by closing the vanes in the variable-geometry turbo, and when you tow it is the primary driveline retarder on the truck. It is a big step up from wheel brakes alone, but it has limits behind a large trailer, so the fluid, lines and hydraulics feeding the wheel brakes still have to be right.

What fails and why

On this platform the pattern is electronic. On 2017-2018 trucks the ABS hydraulic control unit (HCU) fails and takes ABS, stability control and traction control with it. Recall 24V-896, issued in November 2024, replaces the HCU or its motor, and owners reported parts still unavailable a year later. The signs are ABS and traction lights with chimes, cruise control that shuts off, and in some cases brakes applying on their own. Reports run from 3,000 to 174,000 miles, with most between 30,000 and 120,000. At CarComplaints, ABS and traction control lights rank as the top problem on the 2018 Ram 2500, at around 49,000 miles.

Owners of 2014-2016 trucks report a wider mix: ABS module failures, brake boosters that leave the brakes dragging, a parking brake that struggles to hold on a grade, and weak output from the trailer brake controller. Those come from owner reports rather than a documented fault on every truck, so treat them as things to check. If you own a 2017 or 2018, run the VIN for open recalls before you spend money chasing an ABS light.

Stock replacement vs. upgrade

For most owners, stock replacement on this page means fresh fluid and clean parts. Use the DOT rating your owner's manual calls for, open a sealed bottle for every bleed, and clean calipers, brackets and hardware before they go back together. If you tow heavy and want more bite at the wheels, big-brake kits exist for this truck, and the better ones keep the factory master cylinder, ABS, electronics and rear parking brake. Those kits are cataloged 2014-2018 separately from 2010-2013, in line with the 2013 chassis changes. On the retarding side, the factory exhaust brake already does the heavy lifting, so use it every time you tow.

If your truck is lifted, the upgrade that matters most is brake line length. BDS Suspension builds lines matched to its own lift heights, so the hoses suit the geometry that lift creates.

What we carry

• Lucas Oil: DOT 3 and DOT 4 synthetic brake fluid, non-chlorinated brake parts cleaner, and contact cleaner for electrical connections.
• BDS Suspension: a rear brake line and a front brake line set for 6-inch lifts, plus a front line set for 4 to 8 inch lifts on the newer chassis, all for 4WD trucks.
• Wehrli Custom Fabrication: a billet aluminum brake master cylinder cap and the WCF100209 master cylinder reservoir cover, for a cleaner look under the hood.

Fitment notes

The BDS lines are tied to year, lift height and drivetrain. The 6-inch-lift rear line and front set are listed for 2003-2011 4WD trucks, which covers 2010 and 2011 on this page, and that front set is listed for the 2500. The 4-8 inch front set is listed for the later chassis through 2023; check the listing for its exact start year. None of the BDS lines here are for 2WD trucks. The WCFab cap is listed for 1998.5-2026 Cummins trucks and the reservoir cover for 2006-2026, so both cover every year on this page. If you shop brake hardware beyond this page, confirm it by year and by single or dual rear wheel, since upgrade kits are cataloged 2010-2013 and 2014-2018. Chassis cabs (3500, 4500 and 5500) use different frames, so verify those separately. When in doubt, verify by VIN.

Frequently asked questions

Why are the ABS and traction lights on in my 2017 Ram 3500?

The best-documented cause on 2017-2018 trucks is a failed ABS hydraulic control unit. Recall 24V-896 replaces the HCU or its motor. Typical signs are ABS and traction lights with chimes, cruise control that shuts off, and sometimes brakes applying on their own. Check your VIN for open recalls first.

Is the exhaust brake enough when I tow a big trailer?

It helps a lot, but it is not the whole job. The 6.7L brakes by closing the turbo vanes, and that is the primary driveline retarder on the truck when you tow. It still has limits with large trailers, so the wheel brakes, fluid and lines have to be in good shape too.

Do I need new brake lines after I lift my Ram?

BDS Suspension builds brake lines matched to its lift heights for these trucks, and if you run one of those lifts, the matching lines are the ones designed for it. Match the line to your lift height, year and drivetrain. The BDS lines on this page are for 4WD trucks only.

Should I use DOT 3 or DOT 4 brake fluid?

Use the rating your owner's manual specifies. We stock Lucas Oil synthetic fluid in both DOT 3 and DOT 4 so you can match what your truck calls for. Open a fresh bottle when you bleed the system.

Will a big-brake kit for a 2016 fit my 2011?

Do not count on it. Brake upgrade kits for this truck are cataloged 2014-2018 separately from 2010-2013, which lines up with the 2013 chassis changes. Fitment on a 3500 also depends on single or dual rear wheels, so confirm both before you order.

Not sure what fits? Call the shop at the number in the header, or use the fitment checker on any product page. We install everything we sell.