IllustrationMY 2002 DODGE RAM 1500 WHICH I BOUGHT NEW HAS THE DASH CRACKING ALL OVER. *TT
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.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all RAM 1500 years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
860–25K
10525–50K
12050–75K
10775–100K
104100–150K
62150K+
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
Equipment complaints
11 reportsCRACKED DASH BOARD. DASH BOARD IS FALLING APART. HUGE CHUNKS ARE FALLING OUT. *TW
THE 2002 DODGE RAM 1500 SLT WAS BOUGHT IN 2006. 2 MONTHS LATER, THE REAR END HAD TO BE REPLACED. NO WARRANTY. (2000.00 OUT OF POCKET). SIX MONTHS LATER, THE FRONT END WENT OUT. (2083.00 OUT OF POCKET). NO MORE PROBLEMS UNTIL 6 MONTHS AGO. HAD TO REPLACE ALL WHEEL BEARINGS AND BRAKES ( 1500.00 OUT OF POCKET) NOW, MY MECHANIC SAYS…
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THE 2002 DODGE RAM 1500 SLT WAS BOUGHT IN 2006. 2 MONTHS LATER, THE REAR END HAD TO BE REPLACED. NO WARRANTY. (2000.00 OUT OF POCKET). SIX MONTHS LATER, THE FRONT END WENT OUT. (2083.00 OUT OF POCKET). NO MORE PROBLEMS UNTIL 6 MONTHS AGO. HAD TO REPLACE ALL WHEEL BEARINGS AND BRAKES ( 1500.00 OUT OF POCKET) NOW, MY MECHANIC SAYS THAT THE BRAKES AND FRONT SUSPENSION HAS TO BE REPLACED(ANOTHER 2300.00 OUT OF POCKET) THIS TRUCK HAS NEVER BEEN TAKEN OFF-ROAD. IT HAS BEEN VERY WELL TAKEN CARE OF. DODGE HAS BEEN NOTIFIED,NO RESPONSE. HOW CAN THEY EXPECT US TO KEEP BUYING THEIR VEHICLES, WHEN THEY CAN'T OR WON'T TELL US WHAT IS GOING ON? I HAVE NOT RECEIVED A RECALL FOR ANY OF THE THINGS THAT HAVE HAPPENED. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500. IN WARM WEATHER CONDITIONS, THE AIR CONDITIONER SYSTEM BECOMES INOPERATIVE. ALSO, IN COLD WEATHER CONDITIONS, THE DEFROSTER DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. THE FAILURE CAUSES IMPAIRED VISIBILITY IN INCLEMENT WEATHER AND COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FR…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500. IN WARM WEATHER CONDITIONS, THE AIR CONDITIONER SYSTEM BECOMES INOPERATIVE. ALSO, IN COLD WEATHER CONDITIONS, THE DEFROSTER DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. THE FAILURE CAUSES IMPAIRED VISIBILITY IN INCLEMENT WEATHER AND COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V078000 (STEERING:COLUMN). THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO INSTALL A WIRING HARNESS OVERLAY AT THE COST OF $800. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER REFERRED HIM TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 88,000.
(1) NO EVENTS THAT LED TO CRACKED DASHBOARD. (2) DASHBOARD HAS DEVELOPED NUMEROUS CRACKS AND SMALL PIECES FROM VENTS HAVE STARTED TO FALL. (3) BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF DODGE DEALERSHIP DURING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, SERVICE PERSONNEL SAID THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO, BECAUSE TRUCK WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. *CN
DASH BOARD CRACKING, DASH LIGHT AND HEADLIGHT WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING. ALSO, REPLACE WINDSHIELD TWICE. UNKNOWN WHY THE WINDSHIELD CRACK. *TR
CD/CASSETTE CLOCK RADIO - CLOCK GAINS TIME; MUST BE RESET ONCE EVEY 2 MONTHS
I AM NOW IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING THE RACK AND PINION REPLACED FOR THE SECOND TIME. THE FIRST TIME THE RACK AND PINION WENT OUT AND THIS TIME WAS DURING DRIVING THE VEHICLE IN FOUR WHEEL DRIVE IN THE SNOW. THE FIRST OCCURANCE WAS AT 40,000 MILES WHEN WE HAD 6 INCHES OF SNOW AND THIS TIME WAS AT 114,000 MILES IN 8 INCHES OF SNOW.…
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I AM NOW IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING THE RACK AND PINION REPLACED FOR THE SECOND TIME. THE FIRST TIME THE RACK AND PINION WENT OUT AND THIS TIME WAS DURING DRIVING THE VEHICLE IN FOUR WHEEL DRIVE IN THE SNOW. THE FIRST OCCURANCE WAS AT 40,000 MILES WHEN WE HAD 6 INCHES OF SNOW AND THIS TIME WAS AT 114,000 MILES IN 8 INCHES OF SNOW. THIS VEHICLE IS HOW I MAKE A LIVING AND IS NOT USED FOR RECREATIONAL OFF ROADING. THE DAMAGE TO THE RACK AND PINION OCCURED DURING REGULAR FOUR WHEEL DRIVING ON CITY STREETS. *AK
WHILE JACKING THE VEHICLE HOOK ATTACHMENT TO THE JACK WAS TWISTED. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO JACK UP THE VEHICLE, BUT FAILED AND HIT THE GROUND. NO INJURIES REPORTED. CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THIS PART WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY, AND CONSUMER NEEDED TO PAY FOR REPAI…
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WHILE JACKING THE VEHICLE HOOK ATTACHMENT TO THE JACK WAS TWISTED. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO JACK UP THE VEHICLE, BUT FAILED AND HIT THE GROUND. NO INJURIES REPORTED. CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THIS PART WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY, AND CONSUMER NEEDED TO PAY FOR REPAIRS. *AK
WIESNER DODGE, 26529 S.W. FREEWAY, ROSENBURG, TX77471 TRUCK WAS TAKEN IN FOR A RECALL ON THE BLOWER MOTOR, THE DEALER REPLACED BLOWER MOTOR BUT WAS REFUSING TO HOOK THE ALARM BACK UP. *AK
Official recalls
303V504000 · 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
1PE02096 · 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.