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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.

About this comparison →

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

Exterior Lighting complaints

35 reports
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Mileage unknown · Feb 3, 2012
Exterior Lighting

WAS ON WAY HOME FROM WORK 830 AT NIGHT. GOT PULLED OVER BY STATE TROOPERS BECAUSE I HAD NO TAIL LIGHTS! COME TO FIND OUT THIS IS A HUGE ISSUE WITH DODGE PICK UPS! WHAT WOULD OF HAPPEN IF I HAD MY 3 KIDS IN THE TRUCK GOT HIT BECAUSE PERSON COULD NOT SEE ME!! NEED HELP WITH THE ISSUE PLEASE! *KB

NHTSA ODI #10446567

111,000 miles · Jan 25, 2012
Electrical SystemExterior LightingStructure

SEVERELY CRACKED DASH BOARD. PARTS FALLING DOWN INTO THE ELECTRICAL WIRING INCLUDING AIRBAG AREA. CONTINUES TO CRACK IN DIFFERENT AREAS. MAJOR PORTIONS OF THE DASH IS CAVING IN. COULD CAUSE GAUGE, LIGHTING, AIRBAG AND HEATING/COOLING PROBLEMS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10445213

143,000 miles · Oct 3, 2011
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

ABOUT 50% OF THE TIME WHEN I TURN THE TURN SIGNAL TO THE LEFT THE RIGHT SIDE BLINKS. I HAVE TO TURN THEM OFF AND TRY AGAIN AND IT WILL WORK. THE OTHER DAY I WAS ENTERING A ON RAMP AND I SIGNALED TO THE LEFT AND NO ONE WOULD LET ME IN. I HAD TO SLOW DOWN SO I WOULDN'T GET RAN OFF THE ROAD BUT ALMOST GOT REAR ENDED. I LOOKED D…

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ABOUT 50% OF THE TIME WHEN I TURN THE TURN SIGNAL TO THE LEFT THE RIGHT SIDE BLINKS. I HAVE TO TURN THEM OFF AND TRY AGAIN AND IT WILL WORK. THE OTHER DAY I WAS ENTERING A ON RAMP AND I SIGNALED TO THE LEFT AND NO ONE WOULD LET ME IN. I HAD TO SLOW DOWN SO I WOULDN'T GET RAN OFF THE ROAD BUT ALMOST GOT REAR ENDED. I LOOKED DOWN AND THE RIGHT SIGNAL WAS ON BUT THE LEVER WAS TO THE LEFT. I COULD HAVE DIED. I HAVE ALSO NOTICED THAT THE HAZARD BUTTON WILL NOT STAY DOWN. IT IS ALWAYS POPPED UP AND THE HAZARD FLASHERS STAY ON AND RUN THE BATTERY DOWN. I HAVE TO TAKE THE BUTTON DOWN SO THE BATTERY WONT DRAIN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10428230

104,000 miles · Aug 16, 2011
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

OUR DODGE RAM 1500 WAS WORKING FINE ONE DAY THE NEXT DAY THE HEADLIGHTS, TURN SIGNALS, AND BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT FUNCTIONING. WE CHECKED FUSES AND ANYTHING ELSE OBVIOUS. THE NEXT DAY WE TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC, AFTER HALF A DAY OF CHECKING HE FOUND THAT THE FUSE AND RELAY CENTER (INTEGRATED POWER MODULE) WHICH IS LOCATED UNDER THE…

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OUR DODGE RAM 1500 WAS WORKING FINE ONE DAY THE NEXT DAY THE HEADLIGHTS, TURN SIGNALS, AND BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT FUNCTIONING. WE CHECKED FUSES AND ANYTHING ELSE OBVIOUS. THE NEXT DAY WE TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC, AFTER HALF A DAY OF CHECKING HE FOUND THAT THE FUSE AND RELAY CENTER (INTEGRATED POWER MODULE) WHICH IS LOCATED UNDER THE HOOD WAS CORRODED. THIS BOX IS NOT AIR TIGHT AND ALLOWS WATER TO GET INSIDE AND CORRODE THE INSIDES. DODGE DEALER ADVISED THEY REPLACE THE FUSE AND RELAY CENTER AND FCM (FRONT CONTROL MODULE) TOGETHER. THE FCM IS CONNECTED TO THE IPM (INTEGRATED POWER MODULE). COME TO FIND OUT THE IPM IS NOT SEALED FROM THE ELEMENTS. THE CIRCUIT BOARD IS EXPOSED FROM THE BOTTOM WHICH ALLOWS WATER TO SPLASH INTO THE MODULE THEREBY SHORTING THE FCM. I BELIEVED DODGE KNOWS THIS IS A POOR DESIGN AND IS UNSAFE BECAUSE THE NEW PARTS HAVE BEEN REDESIGNED WHICH IS SEALED FROM THE ELEMENTS. THIS IS DANGEROUS BECAUSE OF OBVIOUS REASONS. I BELIEVE THIS IS A DESIGN DEFECT AND SHOULD BE RECALLED BECAUSE THE WIRING SYSTEM PROBLEMS RESULT IN LOSS OF LIGHTING. FOR IT IS VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE THIS WAY. PER NHTSA INFO: WHEN IS A RECALL NECESSARY? WHEN A MOTOR VEHICLE OR ITEM OF MOTOR VEHICLE EQUIPMENT (INCLUDING TIRES) DOES NOT COMPLY WITH A FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD. WHEN THERE IS A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT IN THE VEHICLE OR EQUIPMENT. WHAT IS A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT? THE UNITED STATES CODE FOR MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY (TITLE 49, CHAPTER 301). EXAMPLES OF DEFECTS CONSIDERED SAFETY-RELATED--WIRING SYSTEM PROBLEMS THAT RESULT IN A FIRE OR LOSS OF LIGHTING. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10419755

112,000 miles · Jul 8, 2011
Exterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TURN SIGNALS WOULD EITHER NOT FUNCTION, OR THE OPPOSITE SIGNAL WOULD ILLUMINATE WHENEVER THEY WERE TURNED ON. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 112,000. UPDATED 8/29/11 *CN UPDATED …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TURN SIGNALS WOULD EITHER NOT FUNCTION, OR THE OPPOSITE SIGNAL WOULD ILLUMINATE WHENEVER THEY WERE TURNED ON. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 112,000. UPDATED 8/29/11 *CN UPDATED 09/28/11

NHTSA ODI #10411518

58,680 miles · Feb 14, 2011
Exterior Lighting

LEFT BRAKE LIGHT FAILED AROUND END OF JANUARY 2011. 1 1/2 WEEKS LATTER THE RIGHT BRAKE LIGHT FAILED. REPLACED BULBS. DID NOT FIX PROBLEM. REPLACED STOP LIGHT SWITCH. DID NOT FIX PROBLEM. MADE PHONE CALLS AND WAS TOLD THAT DODGE WAS HAVING ALOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS, THAT IT WAS THE (TAIL LIGHT TREE COMPONENT) AND THAT IT WAS LEF…

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LEFT BRAKE LIGHT FAILED AROUND END OF JANUARY 2011. 1 1/2 WEEKS LATTER THE RIGHT BRAKE LIGHT FAILED. REPLACED BULBS. DID NOT FIX PROBLEM. REPLACED STOP LIGHT SWITCH. DID NOT FIX PROBLEM. MADE PHONE CALLS AND WAS TOLD THAT DODGE WAS HAVING ALOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS, THAT IT WAS THE (TAIL LIGHT TREE COMPONENT) AND THAT IT WAS LEFT UP TO THE CONSUMER TO HAVE THIS FIXED AND TO PAY FOR IT THEMSELVES. THAT'S NOT FAIR, IT'S NOT THE CONSUMERS FAULT IT QUIT WORKING, IT'S A PART MALFUNCTION AND SHOULD BE REPAIRED BY DODGE @ THEIR COST BEINGS THEY HAVE ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND HAVE NOT DONE A RECALL ON IT. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS TO THE CONSUMER AND COULD KILL SOMEONE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10382517

Mileage unknown · Nov 14, 2010
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

STOPPED SEVERAL TIMES FOR NO TAILLIGHTS. WAS ADVISED THAT I COULD BE RAN OVER FOR NOT HAVING TAIL LIGHTS. LAMP OUT INDICATOR WAS NOT LIT. MECHANIC TRACED PROBLEM DOWN TO FCM (FRONT CONTROL MODULE). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10365618

100,980 miles · Oct 19, 2010
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

NO PARKING LIGHTS. THE FUSE BOX IS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10361170

115,000 miles · Jul 7, 2010
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

RECENTLY I HAD TO REPLACE THE MAJOR FUSE BOX IN MY 2002 DODGE RAM1500. THE OLD BOX SHORTED OUT AND AS A RESULT I LOST MY PARK LIGHTS, DRIVING LIGHTS, AS WELL AS MY LICENSE PLATE LIGHTS. I WAS FIRST MADE AWARE OF IT BY THE POLICE WHEN I WAS OUT DRIVING WITH NO TAIL LIGHTS. IT WAS A GOOD THING I WAS STOPPED OR I COULD HAVE BEEN RE…

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RECENTLY I HAD TO REPLACE THE MAJOR FUSE BOX IN MY 2002 DODGE RAM1500. THE OLD BOX SHORTED OUT AND AS A RESULT I LOST MY PARK LIGHTS, DRIVING LIGHTS, AS WELL AS MY LICENSE PLATE LIGHTS. I WAS FIRST MADE AWARE OF IT BY THE POLICE WHEN I WAS OUT DRIVING WITH NO TAIL LIGHTS. IT WAS A GOOD THING I WAS STOPPED OR I COULD HAVE BEEN REARENDED OR IN A MAJOR ACCIDENT BEFORE I NOTICED THEY WERE NOT WORKING. I ENDED UP REPLACING THE FUSE BOX AT A COST OF 600.00. I GUESS THIS WAS A CONCERN OF DODGE BECAUSE THEY HAD FUSE BOXES ONHAND AND AVAILABLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10341873

112,000 miles · Apr 5, 2010
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

I HAVE A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500 4DR 4WD.I JUST HAD MY TRUCK INSPECTED AND ALL LIGHTING WORKED FINE. I WAS PULLED OVER EASTER EVENING BY A NEW YORK STATE TROOPER AND NOTIFIED THAT MY REAR LIGHTS WERE OUT INCLUDING PARRKING, RUNNING, AND LICENSE PLATE LIGHTS, AS WELL AS FRONT RUNNING LIGHTS.I WAS INFORMED TO TURN 4 WAY FLASHERS ON WH…

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I HAVE A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500 4DR 4WD.I JUST HAD MY TRUCK INSPECTED AND ALL LIGHTING WORKED FINE. I WAS PULLED OVER EASTER EVENING BY A NEW YORK STATE TROOPER AND NOTIFIED THAT MY REAR LIGHTS WERE OUT INCLUDING PARRKING, RUNNING, AND LICENSE PLATE LIGHTS, AS WELL AS FRONT RUNNING LIGHTS.I WAS INFORMED TO TURN 4 WAY FLASHERS ON WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT TO MY DESTINATION. AFTER CHECKING ALL FUSES,B BULBS, RELAYS AND WIRING ARE ALL GOOD. WHEN I CHECKED FOR SIMILIAR PROBLEMS VIA INTERNET AND MY LOCAL MECHANIC AND A DODGE DEALER I WAS NOTIFIED THAT THE FUSE BOX WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED AND THE FRONT CONTROL MODULE. THIS IS A PART THAT SHOULD NOT GO BAD AS YOU HAVE TO CHANGE THE WHOLE BOX FOR JUST LIGHTS GOING OUT,WHICH DODGE SAYS IS AN UNSERVICEABLE PART THAT CORRODES WITHIN A SEALED BOX?AND THAT HAS TO BE CHANGED AS A WHOLE UNIT. THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS VIA INTERNET ETC OF THIS PROBLEM AND THAT DODGE WILL NOT BUDGE TO FIX THE PROBLEM THAT THEY ARE VERY AWARE OF OCCURING.THE CONSUMER SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS REPAIR ESTIMATES ARE ANYWHERE FROM $250 TO OVER A $1000 DOLLARS JUST TO REPLACE THE DEFECT.AND ALSO THAT DODGE HAS A BACK ORDER OF THESE BECAUSE OF THE NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THEM. THE CONSEQUENCES ARE THAT THE LIGHTS WILL GO OUT WITHOUT NOTICE OR A BULB OUT LIGHT BEING SIGNALLED THEEBY CAUSING ANOTHER VEHICLE TO REAREND OR SERIOUSLY INJURE SOMEONE WITHOUT THESE LIGHTS AT NIGHT. THE TROOPER STATED ALSO THAT HE HAS SEEN THIS BEFORE ON DODGE TRUCKS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10323901

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.