← New search

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

Structure complaints

278 reports
Clear category filter
150,000 miles · Jul 8, 2020
Structure

THE BEAM UNDER THE BED OF THE TRUCK IS BREAKING APART. NO OTHER PART UNDER THE TRUCK HAD THIS PROB. NO CORROSION ANY OTHER PLACE BUT THE BEAM OF THE TRUCK

NHTSA ODI #11338270

65,000 miles · Nov 9, 2018
SteeringStructure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE FRAME AROUND THE STEERING BOX DISCONNECTED FROM THE STEERING DUE TO EXCESSIVE RUST. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CALLED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF TH…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE FRAME AROUND THE STEERING BOX DISCONNECTED FROM THE STEERING DUE TO EXCESSIVE RUST. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CALLED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 65,000.

NHTSA ODI #11150278

30,000 miles · Nov 5, 2018
Electrical SystemStructure

A FEW YEARS AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THE DASH BEGAN TO DEVELOP CRACKS AND HOLES. THIS HAS GOTTEN WORSE AND WORSE TO THE POINT WHERE A DASH COVER HAD TO BE PURCHASED TO AVOID THINGS FALLING DOWN BEHIND THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. CURRENTLY, THERE IS MORE MISSING THAN STILL IN PLACE IN THE VEHICLE. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN …

Read full complaint

A FEW YEARS AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THE DASH BEGAN TO DEVELOP CRACKS AND HOLES. THIS HAS GOTTEN WORSE AND WORSE TO THE POINT WHERE A DASH COVER HAD TO BE PURCHASED TO AVOID THINGS FALLING DOWN BEHIND THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. CURRENTLY, THERE IS MORE MISSING THAN STILL IN PLACE IN THE VEHICLE. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN THIS GENERATION, AND DODGE HAS NOT ADDRESSED IT, OTHER THAN TO CLAIM IT IS STRICTLY COSMETIC. THE PLASTIC PIECES ARE EXTREMELY SHARP, AND HAVE RESULTED IN A NUMBER OF SUPERFICIAL CUTS WHEN WORKING ON THE DEFROST VENTS, OR WHEN ADJUSTING THE CARPETED DASH COVER. OTHER PIECES HAVE FALLEN INTO THE VENTS AND THEN BEEN EJECTED INTO BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER'S FACES WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER/HEATER ARE TURNED ON. PIECES OF PLASTIC RATTLE BEHIND THE DASH, AND HAVE FALLEN INTO THE AIR CONDITIONER CONTROLS AND RADIO HARNESS, POSSIBLY BEING THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE OF THE FRONT SPEAKERS (BUT NOT VERIFIED) IF THEY HAVE CUT THE WIRES. IF THE AIRBAG DEPLOYS, THE PERDON IN THE SEAT IS LIKELY TO BE BLINDED OR DISFIGURED FROM THE AMOUNT OF DANGEROUSLY SHARP SHRAPNEL, ASSUMING IT HAS NOT ALREADY BEEN CUT AND RENDERED USELESS. REPLACEMENT DASHES FROM DODGE ARE PRICED AT NEARLY $1,000, WHICH IS A RIDICULOUSLY EXORBITANT AMOUNT TO EXPECT CUSTOMERS TO PAY IN ORDER TO FIX A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT INSTALLED BY THE COMPANY. OVERLAYS OF DECENT QUALITY COST NEARLY A THIRD OF THAT.

NHTSA ODI #11149560

118,000 miles · Apr 25, 2018
StructureSuspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS EXTENSIVE RUST, CORROSION, AND HOLES ALONG THE ENTIRE FRAME AND UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME WAS DETACHING DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED AND DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIE…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS EXTENSIVE RUST, CORROSION, AND HOLES ALONG THE ENTIRE FRAME AND UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME WAS DETACHING DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED AND DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000.

NHTSA ODI #11090087

Mileage unknown · Jan 16, 2018
StructureUnknown Or OtherVisibility/wiper

MY DASHBOARD HAS HOLE IN IT. ITS BEEN CRACKING FOR A WHILE AND REALLY DIDN'T PAY ATT

NHTSA ODI #11062924

Mileage unknown · Nov 23, 2017
Structure

DASH IS FALLING APART. EVERY DAY PIECES ARE COMING OFF. ALSO I NEED TO REPLACE THE HEATER CORE AND I'M AFRAID THE THAT THE DASH WILL COMPLETELY FALL APART.

NHTSA ODI #11048121

Mileage unknown · Jul 4, 2017
Structure

I'M CONCERNED THE CRACKED DASH WILL BECOME SHARP PLASTIC PROJECTILES IF THE AIRBAG EVER DEPLOYS.

NHTSA ODI #11002962

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

158,888 miles · Sep 30, 2016
StructureSuspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND VIBRATED VIOLENTLY. AFTER STOPPING THE VEHICLE, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT SWAY BARS DETACHED AND THE STEERING CONTROL ARMS SEPARATED DUE TO RUSTING OF THE SUBFRAME. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNO…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND VIBRATED VIOLENTLY. AFTER STOPPING THE VEHICLE, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT SWAY BARS DETACHED AND THE STEERING CONTROL ARMS SEPARATED DUE TO RUSTING OF THE SUBFRAME. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 158,888.

NHTSA ODI #10910822

149,000 miles · Aug 19, 2016
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS CRACKED AND FRACTURED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REMEDIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 149,000.

NHTSA ODI #10897236

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.