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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

Power Train complaints

99 reports
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187,656 miles · Feb 21, 2017
Power Train

WHILE IN MOTION PINION NUT CAME LOOSE DRIVE SHAFT FELL OFF VEHICLE REAR AXLE LOCKED UP I WAS ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND AVOID CRASH AND INJURY TO OTHERS, THIS IS THE SECOND INCIDENT WHERE I COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED DUE TO PINION BEARING AND NUT COMING LOOSE, DODGE TOOK CARE OF THIS ISSUE ON 11/09/10 AT 15…

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WHILE IN MOTION PINION NUT CAME LOOSE DRIVE SHAFT FELL OFF VEHICLE REAR AXLE LOCKED UP I WAS ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND AVOID CRASH AND INJURY TO OTHERS, THIS IS THE SECOND INCIDENT WHERE I COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED DUE TO PINION BEARING AND NUT COMING LOOSE, DODGE TOOK CARE OF THIS ISSUE ON 11/09/10 AT 150,768 AND THIS OCCURRED AGAIN ON 2/17/17 AT 187,568 VEHICLE HAS ONLY BEEN DRIVEN ABOUT 36,000 AND HAS FAILED AGAIN I BELIEVE THIS IS THE SAME ISSUE THE 05,09,10 RAM MODELS WERE RECALLED FOR BUT DODGE CONTINUES TO DENY.

NHTSA ODI #10955718

48,000 miles · Sep 14, 2016
EnginePower TrainUnknown Or Other

2002 DODGE RAM QUAD CAB SPORT 4X2 (1.)GAS PEDDLE HAS TO BE PRESS DOWN AT ALL TIME IN ORDER FOR TRUCK TO STAY ON AND ONCE I LET GO OF GAS PEDDLE TRUCK STALLS. (2.)FIRST DAY I BOUGHT TRUCK FROM DEALERSHIP I ASK, IS THAT FAINT SOUND COMING FROM TRANSMISSION, I WAS TOLD BY DODGE DEALER THATS THE SOUND TRANSMISSION MAKES,I SAI…

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2002 DODGE RAM QUAD CAB SPORT 4X2 (1.)GAS PEDDLE HAS TO BE PRESS DOWN AT ALL TIME IN ORDER FOR TRUCK TO STAY ON AND ONCE I LET GO OF GAS PEDDLE TRUCK STALLS. (2.)FIRST DAY I BOUGHT TRUCK FROM DEALERSHIP I ASK, IS THAT FAINT SOUND COMING FROM TRANSMISSION, I WAS TOLD BY DODGE DEALER THATS THE SOUND TRANSMISSION MAKES,I SAID REALLY. (3.)INTERIOR TOP DASH SO THIN SUN IS ABLE TO CRACK DASH BY ITS SELF WITH THE HOT HEAT AND DASH PLASTIC IS SHARP AND DANGEROUS ITS BECOME A HAZARD TO ALL OCCUPANTS OR PEDESTRIANS, PASSEGERS. (4.)THE WHOLE BACK TAIL LIGHT FOUND HANGING TRIED TO HOOK IT BACK UP ITS MADE OF PLASTIC COMPONENTS CRACK WITH NO WAY OF HOOKING IT WITH NUTS, SO FOR NOW I TAPE IT IN PLACE, IT TRULY FALLS UNDER A RECALL. (5.)AC WORKS BUT NO HEATER SLITE WARM. (6.)MIRROR COVER ON PASSENGER SIDE HAS FALLEN OFF ON FREEWAY. (7.)ALL ENGINE COMPONENTS SEEM TO BRAKE TO FAST DUE TO BEING MADE OF PLASTIC CLIPS WIRES NOT STABLE TO HOLD ON TO DEVICES ONCE THEY BRAKE OFF, SOME ALSO CRACK OFF INTO DEVICES, CRACK INTO DEVICES WHICH CAUSE VEHICLE PROBLEMS AND ISSUES THAT AFFECT MULITIPLE HAZARDS TO TRUCK SPEED, SUSPENSION, STEERING, FUEL/PROPULSION, LIGHTING, POWERTRAIN, BRAKES, ENGINE, ELECTRICAL, ELE/ STABILITY, RIR BAG, BODY, WHEELS, SEAT BELT, VISIBILITY/WIPERS, IN GENERAL ALL ASPECTS HAS SOME KIND OF HAZARDOUS COMPONENTS THAT NEEDS MANDATORY RECALLS.

NHTSA ODI #10906446

48,000 miles · Sep 14, 2016
EnginePower TrainUnknown Or Other

2002 DODGE RAM 1500 QUAD CAB SPORT 4X2 1. GAS PEDDLE HAS TO BE PRESS DOWN AT ALL TIME IN ORDER FOR TRUCK TO STAY ON ONCE I LET GO OF GAS PEDDLE TRUCK STALLS. 2.FIRST DAY I BOUGHT TRUCK FROM DEAL I ASK IS THIS FAINT SOUND COMING FOM TRANSMISSION, I WAS TOLD DODGE DEALER THATS A SOUND THAT TRASMISSION MAKES, I SAID REALLY. 3.…

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2002 DODGE RAM 1500 QUAD CAB SPORT 4X2 1. GAS PEDDLE HAS TO BE PRESS DOWN AT ALL TIME IN ORDER FOR TRUCK TO STAY ON ONCE I LET GO OF GAS PEDDLE TRUCK STALLS. 2.FIRST DAY I BOUGHT TRUCK FROM DEAL I ASK IS THIS FAINT SOUND COMING FOM TRANSMISSION, I WAS TOLD DODGE DEALER THATS A SOUND THAT TRASMISSION MAKES, I SAID REALLY. 3.INTERIOR TOP DSAH SO THIN SUN IS ABLE TO CRACK DASH BY IT SELF WITH THE HOT HEAT AND SHARP PLASTIC AND ITS NOW DANGEROUS ITS BECOME A HAZAD TOALL OCCUPANTS OR PEDESTRIANS PASSEGERS. 4. THE WHOLE BACK TAIL LIGHT FOUND HANGING TRIED TO HOOK IT BACK UP ITS MADE OF PLASTIC COMPONENTS CRACK WITH NOWAY OF HOOKING IT WITH NUTS SO FOR NOW I TYPE IT IN PLACE, ITS TRULY FALLS UNDER A RECALL. 5.AC WORKS BUT NO HEATER. 6.MIRROR COVER ON PASSENGER SIDE HAS FALLEN OFF ON FREEWAY. 7.ALL ENGINE COMPONENTS SEEM TO BRAKE TO FAST DUE TO BEING MADE OF PLASTIC CLIPS WIRES NOT STABLE TO HOLD ON TO DEVICES, HOSES FALL OFF, CRACK INTO DEVICES WHICH CAUSE VEICHAL PROBLEMS AND ISUSSES THAT AFFECT MULITIPLE HAZARDS TO TRUCK SPEED CONTROL, SUSPENSION, STEERING,FUEL/PROPULSION,LIGHTING,POWERTRAIN, BRAKES,ENGINE,ELECTRICAL,ELEC, /STABILITY,AIR BAGS, BODY, WHEELS,SEATS,SEAT BELTS,VISIBILITY/WIPERS, IN GENERAL ALL ASPECTS HAS SOME KIND OF HAZARDOUS COMPONETS THAT NEED MANDATORY RECALLS.

NHTSA ODI #10906392

160,000 miles · Jun 7, 2016
Power Train

THE BOLT ATTACHING THE DRIVE SHAFT TO THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL PINION CAME OFF AND THE DRIVE SHAFT FELL OFF. THE PINION WAS THEN ABLE TO SLIDE BACK AND LOCK THE DIFFERENTIAL CARRIER CAUSING THE REAR AXLE AND TIRES TO LOCK IN PLACE, THE DEALER EXPLAINED THIS IS A PROBLEM AND THEY ACTUALLY RECALLED THE 2005 MODEL FOR THE SAME PROBLEM…

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THE BOLT ATTACHING THE DRIVE SHAFT TO THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL PINION CAME OFF AND THE DRIVE SHAFT FELL OFF. THE PINION WAS THEN ABLE TO SLIDE BACK AND LOCK THE DIFFERENTIAL CARRIER CAUSING THE REAR AXLE AND TIRES TO LOCK IN PLACE, THE DEALER EXPLAINED THIS IS A PROBLEM AND THEY ACTUALLY RECALLED THE 2005 MODEL FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. BECAUSE I WAS NEVER MADE AWARE THAT THIS NEEDED TO BE CHECKED, SEVERE DAMAGE HAS OCCURRED WHICH WILL COST SEVERAL THOUSAND TO FIX. I WAS FORTUNATE THIS HAPPENED ON A SIDE ROAD GOING 30 MPH, IF THIS HAPPENED ON A HIGHWAY OR WORSE YET WHILE HAULING A TRAILER, CHANCES ARE A MAJOR ACCIDENT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED (SERIOUS SAFETY RISK). THERE NEEDS TO BE SOME KIND OF NOTIFICATION TO OTHER RAM TRUCK OWNERS THAT THIS MAY OCCUR AND THE SIMPLE FIX OR MAINTENANCE THAT IS NEEDED.

NHTSA ODI #10872918

142,000 miles · Nov 24, 2015
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING DOWN AN HILL AT 35 MPH, A LOUD CLANKING NOISE EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE DRIVE SHAFT FRACTURED OFF THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT HE PERFORMED THE REPAIRS BY REPLACING THE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING DOWN AN HILL AT 35 MPH, A LOUD CLANKING NOISE EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE DRIVE SHAFT FRACTURED OFF THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT HE PERFORMED THE REPAIRS BY REPLACING THE DRIVE SHAFT AND PINION NUT. A YEAR LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 142,000.

NHTSA ODI #10806586

141,216 miles · Aug 25, 2015
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

I WAS ON MY WAY HOME FROM PICKING UP MY PAYCHECK DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IN THE FAST LANE DOING AROUND 70 MPH WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY TRUCK SHUT DOWN WITH NO WARNING AND THEN RESTARTED. I IMMEDIATELY GOT OFF OF THE HIGHWAY AND TOOK BACK ROADS. ABOUT 1.5 MILES FROM MY HOME AT A RED LIGHT THE TRUCK ONCE AGAIN SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY, …

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I WAS ON MY WAY HOME FROM PICKING UP MY PAYCHECK DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IN THE FAST LANE DOING AROUND 70 MPH WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY TRUCK SHUT DOWN WITH NO WARNING AND THEN RESTARTED. I IMMEDIATELY GOT OFF OF THE HIGHWAY AND TOOK BACK ROADS. ABOUT 1.5 MILES FROM MY HOME AT A RED LIGHT THE TRUCK ONCE AGAIN SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY, NO ENGINE, NO ELECTRIC, NOTHING, IT WAS COMPLETELY DEAD ON A FAIRLY BUSY ROAD. I HAD TO HAVE THE TRUCK TOWED HOME AND HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET IT STARTED AT ALL. I WENT ONLINE TO SEE WHAT MIGHT BE THE CAUSE AND HAVE FOUND MANY RELATED CASES TO WHAT I AM DEALING WITH.

NHTSA ODI #10759289

107,092 miles · Aug 25, 2015
Power TrainCrashInjury

MY FRIEND WAS OUTSIDE THE 2002 DODGE RAM. IT WAS RUNNING AND IN PARK. HE LEANED IN THE DOOR TO CHECK THE MILEAGE ON THE OIL CHANGE STICKER ON THE WINDSHIELD. SUDDENLY, IN PARK, THE TRUCK BEGAN ROLLING DOWN A VERY SLIGHT GRADE. IT DRUG MY FRIEND WHO WAS ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE TRUCK. IT ROLLED ABOUT 25 YARDS UNTIL IT HIT A PARKED …

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MY FRIEND WAS OUTSIDE THE 2002 DODGE RAM. IT WAS RUNNING AND IN PARK. HE LEANED IN THE DOOR TO CHECK THE MILEAGE ON THE OIL CHANGE STICKER ON THE WINDSHIELD. SUDDENLY, IN PARK, THE TRUCK BEGAN ROLLING DOWN A VERY SLIGHT GRADE. IT DRUG MY FRIEND WHO WAS ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE TRUCK. IT ROLLED ABOUT 25 YARDS UNTIL IT HIT A PARKED CAR. THIS ALL HAPPENED WHILE IN PARK! HE WAS BRUISED AND BANGED UP, AND WAS SORE FOR A FEW DAYS.

NHTSA ODI #10759043

180,000 miles · Aug 3, 2015
Power Train

MY TRUCK HAS A FAULTY REAR END THAT I AM CONCERNED ABOUT.. DODGE WILL DO NOTHING TO FIX WHAT IS A LARGE SCALE PROBLEM AFFECTING ALL TRUCKS LIKE MINE.. PLEASE HELP US GET THIS TRUCK RECALLED .. IT'S A WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM.. THANKS MIKE

NHTSA ODI #10745900

144,000 miles · Jul 4, 2015
Power Train

WHILE DRIVING DOWN A TWO LANE ROAD, A LOUD SOUND CAME FROM THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE AND THE REAR AXLE SEIZED UP. REAR SPRINGS DETACHED AND DRIVE SHAFT ALSO CAME LOOSE.

NHTSA ODI #10731989

99,502 miles · May 7, 2015
Electrical SystemPower Train

ON JULY 8, 2012, THE MOTHER CARRIED HER 2 YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER TO HER HUSBAND'S PARKED 2002 DODGE RAM 1500 PICKUP EQUIPPED WITH A MANUAL TRANSMISSION. THE MOTHER OPENED THE PASSENGER DOOR, INSERTED THE IGNITION KEY INTO THE IGNITION SWITCH, TURNED THE KEY AS THE MOTHER WAS TRYING TO ACTIVATE THE AIR CONDITIONER AND COOL THE VEHICLE…

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ON JULY 8, 2012, THE MOTHER CARRIED HER 2 YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER TO HER HUSBAND'S PARKED 2002 DODGE RAM 1500 PICKUP EQUIPPED WITH A MANUAL TRANSMISSION. THE MOTHER OPENED THE PASSENGER DOOR, INSERTED THE IGNITION KEY INTO THE IGNITION SWITCH, TURNED THE KEY AS THE MOTHER WAS TRYING TO ACTIVATE THE AIR CONDITIONER AND COOL THE VEHICLE DOWN BEFORE HER HUSBAND CAME OUT TO DRIVE THEM HOME FROM CHURCH.THE VEHICLE WAS IN 1ST GEAR AND LURCHED FORWARD WHEN THE KEY WAS TURNED.THE SPEED OF 2 MPH AT TIME OF INCIDENT IS AN APPROXIMATION ONLY. THE MOTHER WAS STRUCK BY THE MOVING VEHICLE WHICH KNOCKED HER CHILD FROM HER ARMS TO THE PAVEMENT. THE CHILD SUFFERED SEVERE HEAD TRAUMA AND WAS REMOVED TO THE HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE. THE CHILD LATER DIED IN THE EMERGENCY ROOM. THE ACCIDENTAL DEATH WAS CAUSED BY FAILURE OF THE CLUTCH IGNITION INTERLOCK SAFETY SWITCH, COMPRESSION SPRING, AND ATTENDANT PARTS. THIS IS THE SAME DEFECT INVOLVED IN RECALL NO.14V795000 AND IS AT LEAST THE SECOND DEATH CAUSED BY THIS SAME DEFECT. THE ONLY DIFFERENCE IS THAT RECALL NO. 14V795000 COVERS VEHICLES BACK TO ONLY 2004, AND THIS VEHICLE IS A 2002 MODEL YEAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10715099

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.