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 reports
70,000 miles · Aug 24, 2011
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENTIRE LENGTH OF THE DASHBOARD SURFACE EXHIBITED CRACKS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED FOR THE DEFECT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEFECT WAS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE MODEL YEAR. THE APPROXIMATE FAILUR…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENTIRE LENGTH OF THE DASHBOARD SURFACE EXHIBITED CRACKS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED FOR THE DEFECT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEFECT WAS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE MODEL YEAR. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10421279
38,000 miles · Aug 23, 2011
Structure
2002 DODGE RAM 1500 DASHBOARD CRACKED FALLING TO PIECES JUST AFTER 3 YEARS DODGE TOLD ME IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND A COMMON COMPLAINT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10421237
Mileage unknown · Aug 23, 2011
Structure
DASH BOARD CRACKS AND BUSTING INTO PIECES--RADIATOR CRACKED--AIR CONDITION COOLER FAN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10421225
60,000 miles · Aug 23, 2011
Structure
DASH IN MY 2002 DODGE RAM 1500 IS CRACKED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10421202
100,000 miles · Aug 23, 2011
Structure
2002 DODGE RAM - QUAD CAB DASH BOARD CRACKED. ONLY OWNER AND NO COMPLAINTS ON OVERALL PERFORMANCE OF THE TRUCK. BUT ALMOST OVER NIGHT THE DASHBOARD DEVELOPED NEARLY A DOZEN CRACKS ALL THE WAY ACROSS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10421169
Mileage unknown · Aug 23, 2011
Structure
DASHBOARD IS CRACKING UP. BIG PIECE ARE FALLING DOWN IN BEHIND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL . HAVE TALKED TO MY LOCAL DEALER AND THE SAY THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10421145
80,000 miles · Aug 23, 2011
Structure
2002 DODGE RAM 1500, DASH CRACKING. THIS TRUCK STAYS COVERED UP IN THE DRIVEWAY MOST OF THE TIME. 81K MILES ON THE TRUCK. I BELEIVE THIS TO BE A MANUFACTURE DEFECT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10421130
65,000 miles · Aug 23, 2011
Structure
DASHBOARD CRACKING ACROSS TOP. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10421127
65,000 miles · Aug 19, 2011
Electrical SystemStructure
SIGNIFICANT CRACKS IN BOTH PRIMARY DASH AND AUXILIARY DASH SECTION BETWEEN DASH AND WINDSHIELD. EXISTING CRACKS GROWING/OPENING AND NEW ONES DEVELOPING. STARTING TO EXPERIENCE UNEXPLAINABLE ELECTRICAL ISSUES, LIKE POWER WINDOWS, AND DOOR LOCKS NOT WORKING ON OCCASION. DEALER QUOTED REPLACEMENT COST IS OUTRAGEOUS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10420121
Mileage unknown · Aug 18, 2011
Structure
I HAVE A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500. THE FRONT PART OF THE DASH NEXT TO THE WINDSHIELD IS CRACKED,BROKEN ETC. I HEARD THAT THEY ARE A LOT OF THESE DASHES LIKE MINE. I THINK THEY NEED TO RECALL THE ITEM OR FIX IT AT COMPANY COST NOT BY THE CONSUMER. *KB
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.
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.
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.
2002 Dodge RAM 1500 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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