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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.

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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

Vehicle Speed Control complaints

22 reports
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163,000 miles · Mar 18, 2021
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control

2002 DODGE RAM 1500 4X4 5.9L WAS DRIVING DOW HEY 10 WHEN MY BACK TRIES LOCKED UP COULDN'T GET IT IN GEAR OR OUT ALMOST CRASH WHEN GOT IT ON TO SIDE OF ROAD AND STOPPED WHEN IT FINALLY WAS ABLE TO GO IN A GEAR IT WAS REVERSES AND IT WOULD JUST MAKE THIS GOD AWFUL GRINDING NOSE TRUCK WAS TOWED BACK HOME

NHTSA ODI #11403626

35,000 miles · Oct 25, 2014
Air BagsElectrical SystemStructure

DASHBOARD BEGIN CRACKING AND FINALLY IN A COUPLE DAYS OF WEEKS BROKE APART COMPLETELY AS I HAD BEEN IN A CRASH.I CALLED THE COMPANY THEY SAID THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED.I TOLD THEM I HAVE 1992 FORD AEROSTAR WHOSE DASHBOARD WAS COMPLETELY .INTACT AND THAT IT WAS MUCH OLDER IT HAD TO BE A STRUCTURAL DEFECT. THEY OFFER TO PAY HALF …

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DASHBOARD BEGIN CRACKING AND FINALLY IN A COUPLE DAYS OF WEEKS BROKE APART COMPLETELY AS I HAD BEEN IN A CRASH.I CALLED THE COMPANY THEY SAID THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED.I TOLD THEM I HAVE 1992 FORD AEROSTAR WHOSE DASHBOARD WAS COMPLETELY .INTACT AND THAT IT WAS MUCH OLDER IT HAD TO BE A STRUCTURAL DEFECT. THEY OFFER TO PAY HALF WHICH MEANT I HAD TO PAY 500.00 DOLLARS, WHICH I DIDN'T HAVE. I FELT THEY SHOULD PAY ALL OF IT. ALSO THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON AND THE RPM ACCELERATE WITHOUT ME PUSHING THE GAS PEDAL.I TOOK MANY TIMES TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD FIX IT BUT THEY NEVER DID. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10649859

176,000 miles · Feb 17, 2013
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineVehicle Speed ControlCrash

GAS PEDAL STUCK, AND CAUSED UNINTENDED ACCELERATING WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN ONTO A BUSY STREET. VEHICLE SPUN OUT WHILE MY HUSBAND TRIED TO GET THE PEDAL UNSTUCK THE TRUCK SPUN OUT MORE AND TURNED A 180 FACING ONCOMING TRAFFIC BACK PASSENGER TIRE HIT AGAINST THE CEMENT MEDIAN KNOCKING THE TIRE IN AND BUSTING THE AXEL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10498413

89,600 miles · Aug 19, 2012
EngineVehicle Speed Control

SHORTLY AFTER ENTERING HIGHWAY 281, MY ENGINE FELL ON IT'S FACE. I PUSHED THE GAS PEDAL BUT GOT NOTHING BUT RPM'S FROM THE ENGINE. I BEGAN TO MOVE OVER TO THE RIGHT WITH NO POWER, LITTLE STEERING, A DASH FULL OF ERROR LIGHTS, AND DOING MY BEST NOT TO GET HIT BY PASSING VEHICLES. ONCE I GOT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, THE ENGINE WAS…

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SHORTLY AFTER ENTERING HIGHWAY 281, MY ENGINE FELL ON IT'S FACE. I PUSHED THE GAS PEDAL BUT GOT NOTHING BUT RPM'S FROM THE ENGINE. I BEGAN TO MOVE OVER TO THE RIGHT WITH NO POWER, LITTLE STEERING, A DASH FULL OF ERROR LIGHTS, AND DOING MY BEST NOT TO GET HIT BY PASSING VEHICLES. ONCE I GOT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, THE ENGINE WASN'T RUNNING. I STARTED THE ENGINE AND CHECKED MY GAUGES. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON, THE WATER TEMP WAS NEAR THE RED ZONE, AND THE ENGINE SOUND LIKE BOWLING BALL IN A DRYER. THERE WAS FLUID ON THE GROUND OR SMOKE FROM THE TAILPIPES SO I FELT IT WAS SAFER TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY WITH THE TRUCK. NEAR THE EXIT, I PULLED IN A STATION WHERE I CHECKED THE TRUCK AND TOP-OFF THE WATER. THE SOUND WAS LIKE A DROPPED ROCKER ARM. I HAD THE TRUCK TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY FROM THE "FACTORY" COATING INSIDE THE OIL PAN HAD DELAMINATED AND WAS SUCKED INTO THE PICKUP TUBE. THE COATING THEN PLUGGED THE SCREEN AND PICKUP TUBE. I CALLED DODGE CARES AND THEY TRIED TO BLAME ME THEN THE OIL. I TOLD THEM I'VE NEVER USED ADDITIVES, ALWAYS USE MOBIL ONE, AND I HAD RECEIPTS DATING BACK TO THE DAY I DROVE THE TRUCK OFF THE LOT NEW. THEY CLAIMED THIS WAS A NON-ISSUE AND IT HAD NOT BE REPORTED BEFORE NOW. I HAVE ALWAYS TAKEN VERY GOOD CARE OF MY VEHICLES AND TO BE TOLD A MANUFACTURING ERROR IS MY FAULT DOES NOT SET WELL WITH ME. NOW I HAVE TO REPLACE THE WHOLE ENGINE BECAUSE SOME ENGINEER WAS DUMB ENOUGH TO COAT THE INSIDE SURFACE OF THE OIL PAN. I NORMALLY TRAVEL DURING THE NIGHT INTO EARLY HOURS OF THE DAY. WHAT IF THIS HAD HAPPEN WHILE I WAS OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF NO-WHERE. I'M HANDICAPPED; I COULDN'T HAVE WALKED A QUART OF A MILE FOR HELP. WHAT IF MY 70-YEAR MOTHER HAD BEEN DRIVING MY TRUCK AT THE TIME! THIS COULD HAVE BEEN REAL BAD!!! AND THEN TO BE TOLD IT'S NON-PROBLEM. I HAVE PICTURES IF YOU WANT TO SEE THEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10471443

114,000 miles · Sep 2, 2011
Electrical SystemStructureVehicle Speed ControlFire

HAVE HAD A CRACKED DASHBOARD FOR QUITE SOME TIME NOW, I HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT BEFORE AND COULD NOT GET A RESOLUTION FROM CHRYSLER/DODGE. MY DASHBOARD HAS CRACKED TO PIECES CAUSING A SAFETY HAZARD. FINALLY MY ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS HAVE STARTED TO MALFUNCTION DUE TO THE PIECES OF MY FALLEN DASHBOARD FALLING ON ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS,…

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HAVE HAD A CRACKED DASHBOARD FOR QUITE SOME TIME NOW, I HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT BEFORE AND COULD NOT GET A RESOLUTION FROM CHRYSLER/DODGE. MY DASHBOARD HAS CRACKED TO PIECES CAUSING A SAFETY HAZARD. FINALLY MY ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS HAVE STARTED TO MALFUNCTION DUE TO THE PIECES OF MY FALLEN DASHBOARD FALLING ON ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS, THERE WAS A SMALL SHORT/FIRE THAT CAUSED MY CRUISE CONTROL TO STOP WORKING AND MY DASH LIGHTS ALSO. I FEEL IT HAS BEEN LONG ENOUGH AND SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE BEFORE, SOMEONE NOT AS LUCKY AS ME, GETS REALLY HURT FROM THIS SAFETY HAZARD ISSUE THAT HAS HAUNTED US DODGE RAM OWNERS FOR A LONG TIME. WE NEED TO GET OUR DASHBOARD REPLACED ASAP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10423116

77,755 miles · Mar 17, 2011
Vehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH THE VEHICLE WAS HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED FULL THROTTLE AND TRAVELED 100 YARDS, AND CRASHED INTO AN ELECTRICAL POLE KNOCKING IT DOWN. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE ACROSS A FIVE LANE HIGHWAY AND CRASHED I…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH THE VEHICLE WAS HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED FULL THROTTLE AND TRAVELED 100 YARDS, AND CRASHED INTO AN ELECTRICAL POLE KNOCKING IT DOWN. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE ACROSS A FIVE LANE HIGHWAY AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER ON ITS SIDE, TRAVELED ANOTHER 75 YARDS AND THEN CRASHED INTO A BRICK BUILDING. THE AIR BAG DID DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED SEVERE INJURES TO THE LEFT SIDE OF HIS BODY AND FACE. THE CONTACT WAS AIR LIFTED TO A TRAUMA CENTER. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 77,755.

NHTSA ODI #10390479

115,500 miles · Nov 19, 2009
Vehicle Speed Control

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500 PICKUP TRUCK. THE VEHICLE WOULD SURGE OVER 200-500 RPMS. SHE ALSO STATED THAT UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE AND BEING IN THE PARK POSITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE WITHOUT INTENT. THE FUEL INJECTION WAS CLEANED AND THE THROTTLE WAS REPLACED TO NO AVAIL. THE SOLENOID WAS ALSO REPLACED AN…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500 PICKUP TRUCK. THE VEHICLE WOULD SURGE OVER 200-500 RPMS. SHE ALSO STATED THAT UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE AND BEING IN THE PARK POSITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE WITHOUT INTENT. THE FUEL INJECTION WAS CLEANED AND THE THROTTLE WAS REPLACED TO NO AVAIL. THE SOLENOID WAS ALSO REPLACED AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS CLEANED; YET, THAT STILL DIDN'T CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND WOULD NOT TAKE ANY LIABILITY FOR THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BACK TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING; HOWEVER, THEY WERE UNABLE TO PRODUCE ANY ERROR CODES OR DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE TO DATE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE UNDER 115,500.

NHTSA ODI #10292883

50,000 miles · Oct 9, 2009
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO DECELERATE, HE EXPERIENCES UNINTENDED VEHICLE ACCELERATION. AFTER REPEATED BRAKE APPLICATION AND SHIFTING THE VEHICLE INTO THE NEUTRAL GEAR, THE VEHICLE WILL STOP. THE VEHICLE NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 50000.

NHTSA ODI #10286876

120,000 miles · Oct 27, 2006
Vehicle Speed ControlFire

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE MALFUNCTIONED BY INDICATING HIGH SPEEDS AS THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED IN TRAFFIC. THE ABS WARNING LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WAS CALLED AND SUGGESTED A SENSOR MAY HAVE FAILED. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED OVER THE WEEKEND, THE VEHICLE C…

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE MALFUNCTIONED BY INDICATING HIGH SPEEDS AS THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED IN TRAFFIC. THE ABS WARNING LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WAS CALLED AND SUGGESTED A SENSOR MAY HAVE FAILED. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED OVER THE WEEKEND, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED, AND DETERMINED THE FIRE STARTED UNDER THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ON THE DRIVERS SIDE, BUT HAD NOT COMPLETED THE INVESTIGATION. THE MANUFACTURER SENT AN INVESTIGATOR AND PHOTOS WERE TAKEN. ANOTHER PARKED VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED DUE TO THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10171967

39,300 miles · Aug 29, 2006
Vehicle Speed ControlFire

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY; THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING FOR ABOUT 30 SECONDS WHEN THE CONTACT HEARD A POP AND NOTICED THERE WAS A FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE FIRE MARSHALL DETERMINED THIS WAS A PR…

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY; THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING FOR ABOUT 30 SECONDS WHEN THE CONTACT HEARD A POP AND NOTICED THERE WAS A FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE FIRE MARSHALL DETERMINED THIS WAS A PRODUCT LIABILITY CASE. THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THE CONTACT USED THE CRUISE CONTROL TWICE A YEAR.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10166836

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.