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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

What owners actually said

815 reports
73,000 miles · Jul 2, 2011
Unknown Or Other

DASHBOARD OF MY 2002 DODGE RAM 1500 HAS FIFTEEN CRACKS. THE DASH IS IN TWO PARTS. THE PART WHERE THE VENTS ARE IS READY TO EITHER FALL OUT OR COME COMPLETELY OUT. THERE HAS BEEN OVER THREE HUNDRED COMPLAINTS ON AUTOBEEF. MY CONCERNS IS THE PLASTIC IS GOING TO FALL IN AND CAUSE AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. DODGE WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT…

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DASHBOARD OF MY 2002 DODGE RAM 1500 HAS FIFTEEN CRACKS. THE DASH IS IN TWO PARTS. THE PART WHERE THE VENTS ARE IS READY TO EITHER FALL OUT OR COME COMPLETELY OUT. THERE HAS BEEN OVER THREE HUNDRED COMPLAINTS ON AUTOBEEF. MY CONCERNS IS THE PLASTIC IS GOING TO FALL IN AND CAUSE AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. DODGE WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT THEY KEEP TELLING ME IT'S A WARRANTY ISSUE. IT IS A DEFECT IN THEIR PRODUCT. I'M SO DISAPPOINTED NOT ONLY DOES IT LOOK BAD BUT I JUST KEEP WAITING FOR IT TO FALL IN ON ME WHEN I'M DRIVING. I HAVE DONE NOTHING TO CAUSE THIS ISSUE. I KEEP MY TRUCK CLEAN AND KEEP MY WINDOWS CRACKED FOR AIR CIRCULATION. I ALWAYS TRY TO PARK MY VEHICLE IN THE SHADE. I HAVE TRIED TWO DIFFERENT TIMES TO SEE IF DODGE WILL DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT BUT THEY WON'T. ANY ASSISTANCE WITH THIS MATTER WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. THANK YOU, CONCERNED CITIZEN

NHTSA ODI #10411151

16,000 miles · Jun 23, 2011
Structure

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THE INSTRUMENT PANEL COVER FAILED AND THE PANEL BROKE INTO PIECES, CAUSING THE ELECTRONIC DOOR LOCKS TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND ADVISED THAT THE HEAT WAS CAUSING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL PLASTIC COVERING TO DETERIORATE. THE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THE INSTRUMENT PANEL COVER FAILED AND THE PANEL BROKE INTO PIECES, CAUSING THE ELECTRONIC DOOR LOCKS TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND ADVISED THAT THE HEAT WAS CAUSING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL PLASTIC COVERING TO DETERIORATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 94,000. UPDATED 8/29/11 *CN UPDATED 09/21/11

NHTSA ODI #10408641

29,000 miles · Jun 20, 2011
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS CRACKED APPROXIMATELY ONE INCH STARTING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE. OVER A TWO YEAR PERIOD, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CAVED IN AND THE INDICATORS WERE NO LONGER CONCEALED BY THE PANEL. BOTH THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAIL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS CRACKED APPROXIMATELY ONE INCH STARTING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE. OVER A TWO YEAR PERIOD, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CAVED IN AND THE INDICATORS WERE NO LONGER CONCEALED BY THE PANEL. BOTH THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED YET THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 35,000.

NHTSA ODI #10407551

149,999 miles · Jun 14, 2011
SeatsStructure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH WHEN THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT UNEXPECTEDLY RECLINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS CRACKED IN VARIOUS …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH WHEN THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT UNEXPECTEDLY RECLINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS CRACKED IN VARIOUS LOCATIONS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 149,999. UPDATED 09/15/11 *BF UPDATED 09/26/11

NHTSA ODI #10406283

70,000 miles · Jun 9, 2011
Structure

2002 DODGE RAM 1500. DASHBOARD HAS CRACKED AND IS CONTINUING TO NOT ONLY CRACK BUT TO DISINTEGRATE. IT HAS LARGE HOLES IN IT WHERE THE PLASTIC HAS FALLEN OFF LEAVING VERY SHARP IRREGULAR SECTIONS. SOME PIECES HAVE FALLEN OFF, AND SOME HAVE FALLEN IN,... INTO THE DUCTS AND CAVITIES UNDER THE DASHBOARD COVERING. I BELIEVE IT IS A …

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2002 DODGE RAM 1500. DASHBOARD HAS CRACKED AND IS CONTINUING TO NOT ONLY CRACK BUT TO DISINTEGRATE. IT HAS LARGE HOLES IN IT WHERE THE PLASTIC HAS FALLEN OFF LEAVING VERY SHARP IRREGULAR SECTIONS. SOME PIECES HAVE FALLEN OFF, AND SOME HAVE FALLEN IN,... INTO THE DUCTS AND CAVITIES UNDER THE DASHBOARD COVERING. I BELIEVE IT IS A DANGER TO DRIVER AND ESPECIALLY TO PASSENGER OF THE VEHICLE IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT, CRASH OR EVEN A SUDDEN STOP. IT AFFECTS THE WORKING OF THE FRONT WINDOW DEFROSTER AS SOME OF THE PIECES HAVE FALLEN INTO THE DUCTWORK. I HAVE SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM IN ALL PARTS OF THE COUNTRY. REPLACEMENT OF THE DASHBOARD IS OVER $1000. I THINK THAT DODGE SHOULD HELD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SHODDY MATERIALS USED IN THE MAKING OF THIS DASHBOARD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10405808

85,000 miles · Jun 7, 2011
Structure

THE DASHBOARD ON MY 2002 DODGE RAM 1500 IS CRACKED INTO MANY SHARP, LOOSE PIECES. AT THIS POINT, IT'S NOT HELD TOGETHER BY ANYTHING. MY CONCERN IS THAT IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT, THE PIECES COULD CAUSE INJURY TO ANY VEHICLE OCCUPANTS. IT'S BEEN CRACKED SINCE 2008 WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS APPROXIMATELY 6 YEARS OLD. A FRIEND HAS THE…

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THE DASHBOARD ON MY 2002 DODGE RAM 1500 IS CRACKED INTO MANY SHARP, LOOSE PIECES. AT THIS POINT, IT'S NOT HELD TOGETHER BY ANYTHING. MY CONCERN IS THAT IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT, THE PIECES COULD CAUSE INJURY TO ANY VEHICLE OCCUPANTS. IT'S BEEN CRACKED SINCE 2008 WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS APPROXIMATELY 6 YEARS OLD. A FRIEND HAS THE SAME MAKE/MODEL AND HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10405527

192,000 miles · Jun 3, 2011
Power Train

WHEN THE TRUCK WAS A STOP AND I WOULD BEGIN TO DRIVE I WOULD HEAR A CLANKING NOISE THAT SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE TRUCK. THIS WENT ON FOR A MONTH I FIGURED IT WAS SOMETHING IN THE BED MOVING AROUND. WHILE I WAS DRIVING ONE NIGHT, I HEARD A CRUNCH NOISE THAT THEN RESULTED IN THE REAR TIRES LOCKING UP AND CAU…

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WHEN THE TRUCK WAS A STOP AND I WOULD BEGIN TO DRIVE I WOULD HEAR A CLANKING NOISE THAT SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE TRUCK. THIS WENT ON FOR A MONTH I FIGURED IT WAS SOMETHING IN THE BED MOVING AROUND. WHILE I WAS DRIVING ONE NIGHT, I HEARD A CRUNCH NOISE THAT THEN RESULTED IN THE REAR TIRES LOCKING UP AND CAUSING ME TO START SKIDDING, I WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE TRUCK AND STOP IT SAFELY. I WAS ABLE TO LIMP THE TRUCK HOME THIS TIME, AT 15 TO 20 MPH. IF I WENT ANY FASTER IT WOULD LOCK AGAIN. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THE REAR IN THIS TRUCK HAS FAILED ME, THE FIRST TIME I WAS CRUISING AT HIGHWAY SPEED WHEN THE REAR LOCKED AND THE DRIVE SHAFT SEPARATED FROM THE DIFFERENTIAL CAUSING DAMAGE TO MY TRUCK AS WELL AS THE SHAFT. THE FIRST REPAIR COST ME $2500.00 AND I'M BEING QUOTED $1500.00 FOR THIS REPAIR. THIS IS A COMMON AND KNOWN PROBLEM ON THESE TRUCKS, CHRYSLER WON'T STEP UP AND TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY THEY JUST TELL ME THAT MY VIN WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL DESPITE THE FACT THAT I AM EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS AS THE TRUCKS THAT WERE RECALLED. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER DODGE TRUCK! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10404319

59,680 miles · May 23, 2011
Structure

I HAVE A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500 AND MY DASHBOARD IS CRACKED FROM ONE END TO THE OTHER. THERE IS ALSO A HOLE WHICH MEASURES 9" LONG AND 3 1/2" WIDE. I BELIEVE UNDER THE RIGHT SITUATION THIS COULD CAUSE SERIOUS BODILY HARM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10402360

88,000 miles · May 17, 2011
Power TrainFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A LOUP POP AS SMOKE BEGAN ESCAPING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD EXPLODED, CAUSING THE ENTIRE VEHICLE TO CATCH ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A POLIC…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A LOUP POP AS SMOKE BEGAN ESCAPING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD EXPLODED, CAUSING THE ENTIRE VEHICLE TO CATCH ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000.

NHTSA ODI #10401356

42,000 miles · May 13, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

UPPER RADIATOR HOSE BLEW-OUT,@42,000 MILES , AFTER REPLACING INCREASE IN ENGINE TEMP. REPLACED THERMOSTAT AND RADIATOR, TEMP REMAINED ELEVATED. VEHICLE NEVER OVERHEATED. ENGINE VALVES STARTED TAPPING, ANTIFREEZE ACCUMULATION ON THE INSIDE OF ENGINE OIL CAP. BAD HEADGASKETS. ENGINE OIL & FILTER CHANGED EVERY 2500 MILES. NOW WITH…

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UPPER RADIATOR HOSE BLEW-OUT,@42,000 MILES , AFTER REPLACING INCREASE IN ENGINE TEMP. REPLACED THERMOSTAT AND RADIATOR, TEMP REMAINED ELEVATED. VEHICLE NEVER OVERHEATED. ENGINE VALVES STARTED TAPPING, ANTIFREEZE ACCUMULATION ON THE INSIDE OF ENGINE OIL CAP. BAD HEADGASKETS. ENGINE OIL & FILTER CHANGED EVERY 2500 MILES. NOW WITH THE WARM WEATHER, ONLY OCCASIONAL ENGINE TAPPING AND NO ANTIFREEZE ON THE INSIDE OF ENGINE OIL CAP. HEAD GASKETS MUST BE LEAKING OR SHRINKAGE OF THE GASKETS WITH THE COLD WEATHER. CONTACTED DODGE AND THEY SAY THAT THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS! CHECKED ONLINE AND FOUND MULTIPLE DODGE VEHICLE OWNERS WITH THE 4.7 LITRE ENGINE HAVE EXPERIENCED SIMILAR PROBLEMS. POOR ENGINE DESIGN, THIN WALLED ENGINE BLOCK, LUBRICATION HOLES IN ROCKER ARMS NOT DRILLED IN CORRECT LOCATION= CHECK REPLACEMENT ROCKER ARMS AS OPPOSED TO ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT. THIS IS A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500 PICKUP 4.7 ENG 43,000 MILES. CHRYSLER SHOULD HAVE A ENGINE RECALL AND REPLACED THESE DEFECTIVE ENGINES AS THEY WERE ONLY AVAILABLE FOR A FEW YEARS AND THEN DISCONTINUED, I WONDER WHY!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10400715

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.