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2002 Dodge RAM 1500

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2002 Dodge RAM 1500 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 520.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

584 reports with mileage · 231 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Structure. Review the 278 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 99 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 93 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

55 crash reports14 fire reports43 injury reports

Engine complaints

22 reports
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Mileage unknown · Mar 24, 2026
Engine

I bought this truck new I still own problem is the cooling system does not function properly I have put new radiator and all heat and cooling in it the heat and air does not operate properly I have talked with crysler several times and they will help with issue it’s been like this about as long as I have had it please help me an…

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I bought this truck new I still own problem is the cooling system does not function properly I have put new radiator and all heat and cooling in it the heat and air does not operate properly I have talked with crysler several times and they will help with issue it’s been like this about as long as I have had it please help me and there’s a whole lot more people with same issue and it’s a very bad problem with the windshield keeps fogging up can not see the road or traffic

NHTSA ODI #11726774

163,000 miles · Mar 18, 2021
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control

2002 DODGE RAM 1500 4X4 5.9L WAS DRIVING DOW HEY 10 WHEN MY BACK TRIES LOCKED UP COULDN'T GET IT IN GEAR OR OUT ALMOST CRASH WHEN GOT IT ON TO SIDE OF ROAD AND STOPPED WHEN IT FINALLY WAS ABLE TO GO IN A GEAR IT WAS REVERSES AND IT WOULD JUST MAKE THIS GOD AWFUL GRINDING NOSE TRUCK WAS TOWED BACK HOME

NHTSA ODI #11403626

194,000 miles · Jul 1, 2019
Electrical SystemEngineExterior Lighting

WHILE DRIVING ALL OF THE GAUGES HAVE QUIT WORKING HEADLIGHTS STAY ON WILL NOT TURN OFF.

NHTSA ODI #11228709

140 miles · Jun 18, 2019
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or OtherFireInjury

HELLO, I HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH MY DODGE RAM THE FUEL LINE SYSTEM JUST CRACKED AND CAUSED MY VEHICLE TO CATCH FIRE AND BLOW UP WHILE MYSELF IN MY 7 YEAR OLD GRANDDAUGHTER WAS IN THE VEHICLE MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN MAINTAINED SINCE DAY ONE WHEN I BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW NEVER HAVING PROBLEMS WITH IT OTHER THAN YOUR WILL WELLS WERE NEV…

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HELLO, I HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH MY DODGE RAM THE FUEL LINE SYSTEM JUST CRACKED AND CAUSED MY VEHICLE TO CATCH FIRE AND BLOW UP WHILE MYSELF IN MY 7 YEAR OLD GRANDDAUGHTER WAS IN THE VEHICLE MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN MAINTAINED SINCE DAY ONE WHEN I BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW NEVER HAVING PROBLEMS WITH IT OTHER THAN YOUR WILL WELLS WERE NEVER DRILLED OUT TO DRAIN THE WATER IN THE BACK I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF YOU HAVE HAD OTHER ISSUES WITH THIS VEHICLE ON THE SAME INCIDENT. MYSELF IN MY GRANDDAUGHTER INHALE VERY TOXIC FUMES BEFORE WE WERE ABLE TO GET OUT THE TRUCK AS IT WAS ON FIRE AND INCHES AWAY WHEN IT EXPLODED.PICS AND REPORT WONT DOWNLOAD THANK YOU

NHTSA ODI #11220970

200,000 miles · Jun 13, 2019
Electrical SystemEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. AN INDEPENDENT TOWING COMPANY TOWED THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. AN INDEPENDENT TOWING COMPANY TOWED THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE WIRE HARNESS CONVERTIBLE BOX HAD A LOT OF CORROSION AROUND IT AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. A COLLISION SHOP WAS CONTACTED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

NHTSA ODI #11219740

27,697 miles · Nov 15, 2018
Engine

4.7L ENGINE HAS A SLUDGE BUILD UP PROBLEM WHICH IN TURN CAUSES ENGINE TOTAL FAILURE. I'VE HAD ENGINE REPLACED 3 TIMES WITH BRAND NEW REMAND FROM CHRYSLER CORP. AND ALL ENGINES WERE INSTALLED AT ASE CERTIFIED SHOP AND ALL HAVE BLOWN UP ALSO DUE TO THIS SLUDGE BUILD UP PROBLEM THAT CHRYSLER CORP IS AWARE OF BUT REFUSES TO ADMIT IT…

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4.7L ENGINE HAS A SLUDGE BUILD UP PROBLEM WHICH IN TURN CAUSES ENGINE TOTAL FAILURE. I'VE HAD ENGINE REPLACED 3 TIMES WITH BRAND NEW REMAND FROM CHRYSLER CORP. AND ALL ENGINES WERE INSTALLED AT ASE CERTIFIED SHOP AND ALL HAVE BLOWN UP ALSO DUE TO THIS SLUDGE BUILD UP PROBLEM THAT CHRYSLER CORP IS AWARE OF BUT REFUSES TO ADMIT ITS ENGINE FACTORY DEFECT AND ALL MY ENGINES FAILED AT 1,200 MILES/ 1,468 MILES/27,497 MILES ON LAST ENGINE AND ALL FAILED OF SAME CAUSE SLUDGE BUILD UP.

NHTSA ODI #11151648

200,000 miles · Apr 13, 2017
Air BagsEngineStructureCrashInjury

CAR ACCIDENT OCCURRED WHEN VEHICLES BACK CAB HYDROPLANED AND FISHTAILED OUT OF CONTROL AT LESS THEN 25MPH AND HIT A TREE HEAD ON. NO AIRBAG DEPLOYED AND DRIVER WAS HURT.

NHTSA ODI #10972170

180,000 miles · Mar 24, 2017
Engine

ENGINE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. HEAD OR HEAD GASKET AS IT IS BURNING LOTS OF WATER. FLOWS OUT OF TAILPIPES. SO MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS MOTOR IT SHOULD BE RECALLED AS THERE IS NO CHEAP FIX. FROM SLUDGE TO OVERHEATING PROBLEMS THAT RUIN THE MOTOR THERE ARE FEW OPTIONS TO REPLACE OTHER THAN A REBUILT THAT HAS BEEN ALTERED …

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ENGINE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. HEAD OR HEAD GASKET AS IT IS BURNING LOTS OF WATER. FLOWS OUT OF TAILPIPES. SO MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS MOTOR IT SHOULD BE RECALLED AS THERE IS NO CHEAP FIX. FROM SLUDGE TO OVERHEATING PROBLEMS THAT RUIN THE MOTOR THERE ARE FEW OPTIONS TO REPLACE OTHER THAN A REBUILT THAT HAS BEEN ALTERED TO CORRECT ALL SAID PROBLEMS. FAIRLY HIGH PRICED I MIGHT ADD. DODGE SHOULD CLAIM SOME RESPONSIBILITY AND HELP OUT RATHER THAN IGNORING THIS ISSUE. THIS ENGINE HAS FAILED TOO MANY TIMES THE SAME WAY TO BE COINCIDENCE.

NHTSA ODI #10968328

Mileage unknown · Feb 14, 2017
Engine

DROPPED VALVE SEATS LOCKED UP MY 4.7 LITER ENGIN

NHTSA ODI #10954590

147 miles · Dec 1, 2016
Engine

PARKED TRUCK AT BROOKSHIRES TO GET GAS, STARTED TRUCK UP AND BAM BLEW THE INTAKE OUT THE BACK KILLED THE ENGINE EVERYONE HIT THE PAVEMENT IT WAS SO LOUD LIKE A BOMB! STARTED IT BACK UP BAD KNOCKING AND STARTED TO REV ITSELF UP TO 5K RPMS DUE TO VACUUM LEAK WITH INSERT DAMAGED ON BACK OF INTAKE. TOOK ENGINE ALL APART TO FIND A VA…

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PARKED TRUCK AT BROOKSHIRES TO GET GAS, STARTED TRUCK UP AND BAM BLEW THE INTAKE OUT THE BACK KILLED THE ENGINE EVERYONE HIT THE PAVEMENT IT WAS SO LOUD LIKE A BOMB! STARTED IT BACK UP BAD KNOCKING AND STARTED TO REV ITSELF UP TO 5K RPMS DUE TO VACUUM LEAK WITH INSERT DAMAGED ON BACK OF INTAKE. TOOK ENGINE ALL APART TO FIND A VALVE SEAT SHATTERED DESTROYING THE HEAD ON BOTH SIDES DUE TO THE VALVESEAT BREAKING INTO ABOUT 20 SMALL PIECES IT SUCKED A FEW OVER ACROSS THE ENGINE TO CYLINDERS ACROSS RUINING 2 PISTONS, BOTH HEADS, HAVE ALL EVIDENCE STILL.

NHTSA ODI #10928942

Official recalls

3

03V504000 · Tires

Dec 10, 2003

ON CERTAIN 4X4 PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH THE SNOW PLOW PREPARATION PACKAGE, THE TIRES SUPPLIED ON SOME VEHICLES MAY HAVE GROSS AXLE WEIGHT RATINGS THAT SLIGHTLY EXCEED THE MAXIMUM TIRE LOAD CAPACITY AS DEFINED IN FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 120, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Not supplied

Remedy: DEALERS WILL PROVIDE REPLACEMENT P245/75R16 TIRES TO MEET THE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY SPECIFIED ON THE VEHICLE CERTIFICATION LABEL AND ACCOMMODATE THE ADDITION OF A COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE SNOW PLOW AND HARDWARE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 22, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-992-1997.

03V077000 · Visibility:rearview Mirrors/devices:exterior

Mar 10, 2003

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, THE DETENT SYSTEM ON THE EXTERIOR MIRROR HOUSINGS MAY LOSE THE FUNCTIONALITY.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS COULD POTENTIALLY AFFECT REARWARD FIELD OF VISION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A MIRROR DETENT RETAINER KIT TO CORRECT THIS CONDITION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 10, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

03V078000 · Steering:column

Mar 10, 2003

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR AT THE BOTTOM OF THE STEERING COLUMN CONTAINS AN UNDER-SIZED TERMINAL FOR THE HVAC BLOWER MOTOR CIRCUIT. LOCALIZED HEATING FROM CURRENT FLOW WITH THE BLOWER SPEED SET ON HIGH MAY CAUSE THE TERMINAL CONTACTS TO RELAX AND LOSE ELECTRICAL CONTACT. THIS CAN CAUSE THE HVAC BLOWER MOTOR TO BECOME INOPERATIVE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE IMPAIRMENT OF VISIBILITY IN INCLEMENT WEATHER, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A WIRING HARNESS OVERLAY TO CORRECT THIS CONDITION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 15, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

PE02096 · Rear Axle Failure

Opened Dec 26, 2002 · Closed May 15, 2003

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train:axle Assembly; Power Train:driveline:differential Unit

SEE ATTACHED REPORT.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Power Train:axle Assembly

SEE ATTACHED REPORT.

Power Train:driveline:differential Unit

SEE ATTACHED REPORT.