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 · Mar 25, 2009
Electrical System
MY 2002 DODGE CARAVAN HAS NUMEROUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THE PASSENGER AND BACK WINDOWS ONLY WORK INTERMITTENTLY. THE INSIDE DOOR PANEL ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE IS ALSO BECOMING LOOSE. THE AIR CONDITIONER STARTED ONLY WORKING ON HIGH SPEED. THEN IT WOULDN'T WORK AT ALL UNLESS YOU GIGGLED THE KEY A CERTAIN WAY. NOW IT WON'T WORK …
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MY 2002 DODGE CARAVAN HAS NUMEROUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THE PASSENGER AND BACK WINDOWS ONLY WORK INTERMITTENTLY. THE INSIDE DOOR PANEL ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE IS ALSO BECOMING LOOSE. THE AIR CONDITIONER STARTED ONLY WORKING ON HIGH SPEED. THEN IT WOULDN'T WORK AT ALL UNLESS YOU GIGGLED THE KEY A CERTAIN WAY. NOW IT WON'T WORK AT ALL. THESE TRUCKS HAVE BEEN SUBJECT TO A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE. "THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR AT THE BOTTOM OF THE STEERING COLUMN CONTAINS AN UNDER-SIZED TERMINAL FOR THE HVAC BLOWER MOTOR CIRCUIT." PER THE RECALL "'DEALERS WILL INSTALL A WIRING HARNESS OVERLAY TO CORRECT THIS CONDITION" I CONTACTED THE DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT THE MONSTROSITY AND HE WAS RUDE AND CLAIMED THIS TRUCK WAS NOT SUBJECT TO THAT RECALL. I ALSO CALLED THE NATIONAL NUMBER AND THEY REFUSED TO REPAIR THEIR DEFECTIVE VEHICLE. WE LIVE IN FLORIDA AND IT IS DANGEROUS TO HAVE TO RIDE IN A VEHICLE WITHOUT AIR CONDITIONING. OUR DODGE CARAVAN ALSO HAS A DEFECTIVE AIR CONDITIONER. I RUE THE DAY I EVER BOUGHT A DODGE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10263085
84,000 miles · Mar 24, 2009
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500. IN 2006, THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED IN THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. WHEN HE STARTED THE VEHICLE, THE HEADLIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED AND THE TURN SIGNALS, HORN, AND BRAKE LIGHTS NO LONGER WORKED. HE CALLED DAIMLER CHRYSLER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE VEHICLE. THE CON…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500. IN 2006, THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED IN THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. WHEN HE STARTED THE VEHICLE, THE HEADLIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED AND THE TURN SIGNALS, HORN, AND BRAKE LIGHTS NO LONGER WORKED. HE CALLED DAIMLER CHRYSLER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TAIL LIGHTS DID NOT WORK WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. HE FEELS THESE ARE ALL SAFETY ISSUES. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 138,844 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000.
NHTSA ODI #10262959
125,978 miles · Mar 23, 2009
Structure
DASHBOARD IS STARTING TO CRACK IN VARIOUS PLACES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10262754
117,000 miles · Mar 18, 2009
Structure
THE DASHBOARD OF MY TRUCK JUST STARTED CRACKING AND PIECES ARE FALLING OFF. I'M AFRAID ITS GOING TO SHORT SOMETHING OUT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10262397
52,000 miles · Feb 6, 2009
Engine And Engine CoolingFire
2002 DODGE RAM 1500 HAD A LEAK IN THE EXHAUST SYSTEM AND CAUGHT FIRE. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE FIRE DAMAGED THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE TRUCK, AND MELTED THE GAS TANK AND BED LINER. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10257909
41,150 miles · Jan 26, 2009
Power TrainSteering
2002 DODGE RAM 1500. THE POWER STEERING QUIT WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND I WAS IN A CURVE AND ALMOST WRECKED. I HAVE HEARD OTHER PEOPLE TALKING ABOUT THIS SAME PROBLEM. I THOUGHT SAFETY WAS NUMBER ONE. BUT I GUESS THIS WILL NOT BE A RECALL UNTIL SOME ONE FROM YOUR OFFICE OR SOMEONE YOU LOVE IS KILLED IN THIS TYPE OF SITUATION. I HAV…
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2002 DODGE RAM 1500. THE POWER STEERING QUIT WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND I WAS IN A CURVE AND ALMOST WRECKED. I HAVE HEARD OTHER PEOPLE TALKING ABOUT THIS SAME PROBLEM. I THOUGHT SAFETY WAS NUMBER ONE. BUT I GUESS THIS WILL NOT BE A RECALL UNTIL SOME ONE FROM YOUR OFFICE OR SOMEONE YOU LOVE IS KILLED IN THIS TYPE OF SITUATION. I HAVE READ THAT PEOPLE HAVE RAN OF THE ROAD WHEN THIS HAS HAPPENED OR HAVE STRUCK A ROADSIDE OBJECT TRYING TO STOP. COME ON PEOPLE LETS FIX THIS ISSUE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10256336
Mileage unknown · Jan 22, 2009
StructureInjury
THE DASH ON MY 2002 DODGE RAM 1500 HAS CRACKED IN MULTIPLE PLACES DUE TO DEFECTIVE PLASTICS. I UNDERSTAND I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON WITH THIS ISSUE. WHERE THIS HAS BECOME A SAFETY ISSUE IS THE SHARPNESS OF THE PARTS. MY SON AND I HAVE BOTH SLICED OUR HANDS OPEN WHEN CLEANING THE DASH, EVEN TRYING TO BE CAREFUL. THIS IS A SA…
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THE DASH ON MY 2002 DODGE RAM 1500 HAS CRACKED IN MULTIPLE PLACES DUE TO DEFECTIVE PLASTICS. I UNDERSTAND I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON WITH THIS ISSUE. WHERE THIS HAS BECOME A SAFETY ISSUE IS THE SHARPNESS OF THE PARTS. MY SON AND I HAVE BOTH SLICED OUR HANDS OPEN WHEN CLEANING THE DASH, EVEN TRYING TO BE CAREFUL. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY CHRYSLER. SEE THE FOLLOWING WEBSITE AS I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON WITH THIS ISSUE. HTTP://WWW.DODGEPROBLEMS.COM/CRACKED-DASHBOARD.SHTML. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10255984
50,400 miles · Jan 22, 2009
Structure
FOR NO APPARENT REASON MY DASHBOARD HAS SEVERAL CRACKS WHICH APPEARED SUDDENLY RUNNING THE LENGTH OF THE DASHBOARD FROM FRONT TO BACK. THERE IS NO OTHER DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE THAT WOULD HAVE CAUSED THIS AND THE VEHICLE IS WELL MAINTAINED. THE CRACKS ARE PRIMARILY OVER THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE DASH BUT THERE ARE ALSO A FEW ON TH…
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FOR NO APPARENT REASON MY DASHBOARD HAS SEVERAL CRACKS WHICH APPEARED SUDDENLY RUNNING THE LENGTH OF THE DASHBOARD FROM FRONT TO BACK. THERE IS NO OTHER DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE THAT WOULD HAVE CAUSED THIS AND THE VEHICLE IS WELL MAINTAINED. THE CRACKS ARE PRIMARILY OVER THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE DASH BUT THERE ARE ALSO A FEW ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. I WOULD HATE TO SEE WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF THE PASSENGER AIRBAG DEPLOYED, IT WOULD PROBABLY TURN THE DASH INTO A PLASTIC GRENADE SENDING SHRAPNEL AROUND THE CAB AND INTO THE OCCUPANTS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10255945
65,000 miles · Jan 19, 2009
Air Bags
SEVERE CRACKING OF UPPER TWO-PIECE DASH BOARD. MULTIPLE CRACKS RUNNING THROUGH DASH, LEAVING OPEN HOLES TO WIRING. CRACKED DASH SHIFTING, COULD INTERFERE WITH PASSENGER AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10255554
70,000 miles · Jan 12, 2009
Structure
MY 2002 DODGE RAM 1500 SLT 4X4S DASHBOARD IS CRACKED AND IS GETTING WORSE. TRUCK IS VERY WELL TAKEN CARE OF AND CAN THINK OF NOTHING THAT WOULD CAUSE THIS AS A FAULT OF MINE. *TR
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