IllustrationI HAD JUST HAD THE MOTOR REBUILT, AT THE DEALER, AND WHEN I STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, ON THE WAY HOME I HEARD A CRACKING NOISE, AND NOTICED THE DASH HAD A SPLIT NEAR THE PASSENGER AIR BAG. SINCE THEN THE DASH PART NEXT TO THE WINDSHIELD, HAS HAD MULTIPLE CRACKS, AND TOTALLY FALLEN APART. *TR
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
What owners actually said
815 reportsVEHICLE HAS SEVERE DASH CRACKING. POWER WINDOWS ARE NOT WORKING AND LAMP INDICATOR WILL NOT SHUT OFF CAUSING ONGOING BEEPING. CONCERNED THAT DASH PARTS ARE STUCK INSIDE CAUSING DRIVING CONDITIONS TO BE UNSAFE. WOULD LIKE TO BE NOTIFIED IF AN INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN DONE TO REMEDY THE PROBLEMS AT DEALER COST. *TR
THE DASH COVER THAT IS CLOSEST TO THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED CAUSING PIECES OF PLASTIC TO BRAKE OFF AND ENTER THE BLOWER MOTOR. THERE WAS ALSO PIECES OF PLASTIC FROM THE DASH THAT FELL OFF AND AND MADE IT TO THE FLOOR BOARD AND COULD HAVE BLOCKED THE BRAKE OR GAS PEDAL. *TR
THE DRIVERS SIDE HEADLIGHT DIMS AND WILL GO OFF COMPLETELY. THE HARNESS HAS BEEN CHANGED BUT HAS NOT FIXED THE PROBLEM. *TR
DASHBOARD CRACKED. *TR
THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE IN THE WIRING SYSTEM FROM THE FUSE BLOCK THIS IS KNOWN TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE DODGE RAMS THE ABS LIGHT, BRAKE LIGHT AND AIRBAG LIGHT AS WELL AS THE ENGINE LIGHT ALL COME ON ALSO THE ODOMETER AND SPEEDOMETER ALSO STOP WORKING. THIS STOPS THE ABS SYSTEM FROM WORKING AS WELL AS THE AIRBAGS I…
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THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE IN THE WIRING SYSTEM FROM THE FUSE BLOCK THIS IS KNOWN TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE DODGE RAMS THE ABS LIGHT, BRAKE LIGHT AND AIRBAG LIGHT AS WELL AS THE ENGINE LIGHT ALL COME ON ALSO THE ODOMETER AND SPEEDOMETER ALSO STOP WORKING. THIS STOPS THE ABS SYSTEM FROM WORKING AS WELL AS THE AIRBAGS I HAVE HAD TO CHANGE THE FUSE BLOCK AS WELL AS THE REAR SPEED SENSOR, AND THE DASH CLUSTER BECAUSE OF THIS OVER A THREE YEAR PERIOD NOW, THE FIRST TIME ALL OF MY LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING AS WELL AS THE DASH GAUGES AND DOOR LOCKS. WHY IS THIS AND ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THIS AND NOTHING SEEMS TO GET DONE ABOUT IT THE FIRST TIME I GOT A COPY OF A SERVICE BULLETIN AND DODGE TRIED TO TELL ME IT WAS ONLY GOOD FOR DIESEL MODELS AND I HAVE THE SAME ISSUES. THERE SEEMS TO BE A REAL HISTORY OF THESE PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE AND THE DEALERS ARE ALL AWARE OF THIS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND WAS INFORMED THAT ONE OF THE DIFFERENTIAL CLIPS WAS FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABL…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND WAS INFORMED THAT ONE OF THE DIFFERENTIAL CLIPS WAS FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND COULD NOT BE TURNED LEFT. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AS SOON AS THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND COULD NOT BE TURNED LEFT. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AS SOON AS THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 156,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVE SHAFT FAILED THREE TIMES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT EACH TIME THE FAILURE OCCURRED, THE REAR PINION KNOB FAILED AND WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NEVER USED OFF-ROAD OR FOR HAULING. THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000. …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVE SHAFT FAILED THREE TIMES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT EACH TIME THE FAILURE OCCURRED, THE REAR PINION KNOB FAILED AND WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NEVER USED OFF-ROAD OR FOR HAULING. THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THERE WAS NO PASSENGER IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE WAS REPORTED TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE VIN WAS NOT A…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THERE WAS NO PASSENGER IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE WAS REPORTED TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 74,000.
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.