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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

Unknown Or Other complaints

62 reports
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Mileage unknown · Mar 18, 2017
Unknown Or Other

DASH IS FALLING APART CAUSING THE DEFROSTER TO NOT BLOW AIR ACROSS WINDSHIELD PROPERLY, SO THAT THE WINDSHIELD DOES NOT DEFOG. THIS CAUSES VISIBILITY ISSUES AND A HAZARD.

NHTSA ODI #10966639

Mileage unknown · Mar 4, 2017
Unknown Or Other

DASHBOARD OF MY RAM 1500 2002 HAS BEEN BREAKING INTO PIECES IN THE FIRST 3 YEARS. STARTED SLOW BUT EVENTUALLY IT'S EVERYWHERE. I HAVE ASKED AT THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND FOUND OUT ON MANY OCCASIONS THAT THEY ARE AWARE BUT DON'T OFFER A SOLUTION OR EVEN A GOOD REPLACEMENT. ONLY TO BUY A NEW TRUCK MADE WITH A BETTER DAS…

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DASHBOARD OF MY RAM 1500 2002 HAS BEEN BREAKING INTO PIECES IN THE FIRST 3 YEARS. STARTED SLOW BUT EVENTUALLY IT'S EVERYWHERE. I HAVE ASKED AT THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND FOUND OUT ON MANY OCCASIONS THAT THEY ARE AWARE BUT DON'T OFFER A SOLUTION OR EVEN A GOOD REPLACEMENT. ONLY TO BUY A NEW TRUCK MADE WITH A BETTER DASHBOARD BECAUSE THE REPLACEMENT THEY SELL IS ONLY $900.00 BUT MADE WITH THE SAME MATERIALS. WILL BE BACK AT THE SAME PLACE WITH PIECES OF DASHBOARDS HITTING OUR EYES,MOUTH OR FACE. IT IS A DANGER TO VISIBILITY WHILE DRIVING AND A SHAME THAT A COMPANY CAN BE ALLOWED TO USE SUCH LOW GRADE MATERIAL THAT IS SOLD TO HARD WORKING INDIVIDUALS. I CAN ACCEPT IF A FEW DASHBOARDS ENDED THE SAME WAY BUT I'VE HEARD OF TOO MANY BEING THE SAME AND THAT SHOULD BE A RECALL BEFORE HAVING SOMEONE GO BLIND OR DIE IN AN AUTO ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ODI #10958600

Mileage unknown · Feb 12, 2017
Unknown Or Other

THE DASH HAS CRACKED IN ABOUT 12 PLACES.

NHTSA ODI #10954105

Mileage unknown · Jan 25, 2017
Unknown Or Other

DASHBOARD CRACKING AND FALLING IN TO THE AIR VENTS THEN BEING SENT OUT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. DODGE HAS HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE DASH AND THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON IT.

NHTSA ODI #10947696

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

140,000 miles · Sep 14, 2016
Unknown Or Other

DASH BOARD STARTED CRACKING AND NOW IS COMPLETELY DESTROYED, PARTS OF BROKEN DASH ARE FALLING INTO VENTS AND OBSTRUCTING BLOWER MOTOR. DASH WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED, NO WAY TO FIX EXTENSIVE DAMAGE. THE DAMAGE GETS WORSE EVERY TIME I USE THE VEHICLE, DAMAGE HAS BEEN ONGOING FOR THE PAST 12 MONTHS.

NHTSA ODI #10906327

150,000 miles · Aug 30, 2016
Unknown Or Other

DASHBOARD CRACKING AND FALLING APART IS HAZARDOUS WHEN YOU CUT AIR OR DEFROST ON DEBRIS AND SHARP OBJECTS FLY IN YOUR EYES.

NHTSA ODI #10899490

Mileage unknown · Jul 12, 2016
Unknown Or Other

DASH BOARD CRACKING ALL OVER...SHED KEPT...HELP!

NHTSA ODI #10884421

85,000 miles · Jun 30, 2016
Unknown Or Other

DASH IS CRACKED BIG PIECES BROKEN AND FALLING IN MESSED UP AIR BOX SO THAT AIR AND HEAT DON'T COME OUT HOT OR COLD SHARP PIECES COULD FLY IN TO YOUR FACE.

NHTSA ODI #10881723

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.