IllustrationTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE REAR WHEELS SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE SLID OFF THE ROAD WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WAS NO CRASH. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.
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
Wheels complaints
11 reportsI AM BEING IGNORED ON A SEAT BELT RECALL NEARLY ALL 4.7 ENGINES HAVE OIL PAN FAILURE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAMS 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, AN ABNORMAL SOUND EMITTED FROM THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER WHEELS. THE FAILURE RECURRED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10E040000 (WHEELS). THE M…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAMS 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, AN ABNORMAL SOUND EMITTED FROM THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER WHEELS. THE FAILURE RECURRED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10E040000 (WHEELS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 253,000.
I HAVE HAD TROUBLE WITH MY POWER TRAIN AND WHEEL TWICE,THE FIRST INCIDENT THE FRONT WHEELS BROKE APART COMPLETELY, I WAS DRIVING AT A SLOW SPEED SO NO INJURIES EXCEPT TO THE HIGHWAY I HAD IT REPLACED AND LESS THAN THREE YEARS HAD TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. MY DASH IS CRACKED SO BAD IT LOOKS JUST AWFUL.I HAD NO IDEA SO MANY OTHER PEO…
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I HAVE HAD TROUBLE WITH MY POWER TRAIN AND WHEEL TWICE,THE FIRST INCIDENT THE FRONT WHEELS BROKE APART COMPLETELY, I WAS DRIVING AT A SLOW SPEED SO NO INJURIES EXCEPT TO THE HIGHWAY I HAD IT REPLACED AND LESS THAN THREE YEARS HAD TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. MY DASH IS CRACKED SO BAD IT LOOKS JUST AWFUL.I HAD NO IDEA SO MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED ABOUT THE RECALL ON THE POWER TRAIN. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED ABOUT THAT. I HAVE SEVERAL GRAND KIDS THAT RIDES WITH ME. I SHOULD HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED, AND SEND A REPLACEMENT LETTER. THE UNKNOWN OR OTHER IN THE AFFECTED PARTS IS MY DASH. *TR
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
2002 DODGE RAM 1500 WHEEL HUB BEARING ASSEMBLY SEPARATION / WHEEL SEPARATION, WHILE TRAVELING AT A SPEED OF 35 -40 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, MY VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE AND PULL TO THE RIGHT AND THEN THE WHEEL RIGHT FRONT WHEEL HUB BEARING ASSEMBLY FAILED CAUSING MY VEHICLE TO BECOME DISABLED DURING A SNOW STORM. *TR
THE 2002 DODGE RAM 1500 SLT WAS BOUGHT IN 2006. 2 MONTHS LATER, THE REAR END HAD TO BE REPLACED. NO WARRANTY. (2000.00 OUT OF POCKET). SIX MONTHS LATER, THE FRONT END WENT OUT. (2083.00 OUT OF POCKET). NO MORE PROBLEMS UNTIL 6 MONTHS AGO. HAD TO REPLACE ALL WHEEL BEARINGS AND BRAKES ( 1500.00 OUT OF POCKET) NOW, MY MECHANIC SAYS…
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THE 2002 DODGE RAM 1500 SLT WAS BOUGHT IN 2006. 2 MONTHS LATER, THE REAR END HAD TO BE REPLACED. NO WARRANTY. (2000.00 OUT OF POCKET). SIX MONTHS LATER, THE FRONT END WENT OUT. (2083.00 OUT OF POCKET). NO MORE PROBLEMS UNTIL 6 MONTHS AGO. HAD TO REPLACE ALL WHEEL BEARINGS AND BRAKES ( 1500.00 OUT OF POCKET) NOW, MY MECHANIC SAYS THAT THE BRAKES AND FRONT SUSPENSION HAS TO BE REPLACED(ANOTHER 2300.00 OUT OF POCKET) THIS TRUCK HAS NEVER BEEN TAKEN OFF-ROAD. IT HAS BEEN VERY WELL TAKEN CARE OF. DODGE HAS BEEN NOTIFIED,NO RESPONSE. HOW CAN THEY EXPECT US TO KEEP BUYING THEIR VEHICLES, WHEN THEY CAN'T OR WON'T TELL US WHAT IS GOING ON? I HAVE NOT RECEIVED A RECALL FOR ANY OF THE THINGS THAT HAVE HAPPENED. *TR
RIGHT FRONT WHEEL BROKE OFF. *NM
ALL 5 ON DRIVER'S SIDE REAR WHEEL LUGS:NUTS WERE REPLACED. REPAIRS WERE MADE AT THE DEALER.*AK THE CONSUMER HEARD THE SOUND OF A BEARING BEING GONE . *TC
REAR WHEEL SHEARED OFF THE AXLE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO DRIFT INTO A DITCH. *AK
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.