IllustrationWHILE DRIVING THE STEERING BOLT BECAME LOSE AND CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO JUMP AROUND. THIS MADE IT DIFFICULT FOR THE DRIVER TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. NLM
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
Steering complaints
44 reportsI HAVE AN ALIGNMENT PROBLEM WITH MY NEW BODY STYLE 2002 DODGE RAM 1500. IT PULLS RIGHT DANGEROUSLY, AND PUTS EVERYONE ON THE ROAD AT RISK. I HAVE HAD INDEPENDENT ALIGNMENT SHOPS VERIFY AND CHECK MY ALIGNMENT, AND THEY HAVE FOUND NO PROBLEM BUT IDENTIFY THE SYMPTOMS. DODGE IS NOT BEING VERY HELPFUL IN SOLVING THE PROBLEM. THE LOC…
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I HAVE AN ALIGNMENT PROBLEM WITH MY NEW BODY STYLE 2002 DODGE RAM 1500. IT PULLS RIGHT DANGEROUSLY, AND PUTS EVERYONE ON THE ROAD AT RISK. I HAVE HAD INDEPENDENT ALIGNMENT SHOPS VERIFY AND CHECK MY ALIGNMENT, AND THEY HAVE FOUND NO PROBLEM BUT IDENTIFY THE SYMPTOMS. DODGE IS NOT BEING VERY HELPFUL IN SOLVING THE PROBLEM. THE LOCAL REPS ARE WAITING FOR THE REGIONAL REPS AND SO ON, I GET TOLD TO SIT TIGHT, WHILE NOTHING HAPPENS. I HAVE AN APPT ON 5/6 FOR ANOTHER INSPECTION. *NLM
MY HUSBANDS 6 MONTH OLD DODGE RAM 1500 2002 TIRE CAME OFF WHILE DRIVING AND CAUSED A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT. I WAS BEHIND HIM IN MY CAR AND HAD TO PULL HIM OUT OF THE TRUCK. THE ALUMINUM SPINDAL BROKE IN HALF. WHCIH MANY MECHANICS HAVE LOOKED AT IT AND STATED THAT THIS IS WHAT CAUSED THIS TRUCK TO WRECK. THE AIRBAGS DEFAULTED HIS BOD…
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MY HUSBANDS 6 MONTH OLD DODGE RAM 1500 2002 TIRE CAME OFF WHILE DRIVING AND CAUSED A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT. I WAS BEHIND HIM IN MY CAR AND HAD TO PULL HIM OUT OF THE TRUCK. THE ALUMINUM SPINDAL BROKE IN HALF. WHCIH MANY MECHANICS HAVE LOOKED AT IT AND STATED THAT THIS IS WHAT CAUSED THIS TRUCK TO WRECK. THE AIRBAGS DEFAULTED HIS BODY IMPRESSION WAS IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE FRONT LEFT TIRE CAME COMPLETELY DETACHED FROM VECHILE.
CONSUMER CALLED COPALINING ABOUT HAVING PROBLEMS WITH STEERING. ALSO STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK'S UP.DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT WILL NOT FIX THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THERE IS NO RECALL. MR
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.