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
120,000 miles · May 22, 2008
Electrical SystemVisibility
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AT NIGHT, THE BLOWER WOULD TURN ON AND OFF AUTOMATICALLY AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE BLOWER EVENTUALLY FAILED COMPLETELY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V078000 (STEERING:COLUMN), IN WHICH …
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AT NIGHT, THE BLOWER WOULD TURN ON AND OFF AUTOMATICALLY AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE BLOWER EVENTUALLY FAILED COMPLETELY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V078000 (STEERING:COLUMN), IN WHICH THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS ILLUMINATED PROPERLY FOR THIRTY DAYS BEFORE FAILING AGAIN. THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY NEEDS A NEW COMPUTER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 155,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
NHTSA ODI #10228659
96,000 miles · May 13, 2008
Unknown Or Other
CRACKED DASHBOARD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10227635
Mileage unknown · May 6, 2008
Seats
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE REAR SEATS DO NOT HAVE HEADRESTS. THEY ALSO HAVE OPTIONS FOR THE HEADRESTS TO BE INSTALLED. THE VEHICLE HAS SAFETY SEATS IN THE REAR AND, IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, AN OCCUPANTS NECK WILL NOT BE PROPERLY SECURED. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. T…
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE REAR SEATS DO NOT HAVE HEADRESTS. THEY ALSO HAVE OPTIONS FOR THE HEADRESTS TO BE INSTALLED. THE VEHICLE HAS SAFETY SEATS IN THE REAR AND, IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, AN OCCUPANTS NECK WILL NOT BE PROPERLY SECURED. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 67,000.
NHTSA ODI #10226831
45,000 miles · Apr 28, 2008
Exterior LightingInterior LightingPower Train
INTERMITTENT LAMP FAILURES INTERNALLY, LAMP OUT CIRCUIT MALFUNCTIONING, REAR DIFFERENTIAL FAILED (APPROACHING THE SECOND FAILURE IN 40,000 MILES), REAR UNIVERSAL JOINT HAS FAILED TWICE, WITH A THIRD REPLACEMENT TO OCCUR SOON, TRANSMISSION FAILURES. ANY ONE OF THESE SYSTEMS FAILING WHILE ON THE ROAD COULD CAUSE A SERIOUS SAFETY I…
Read full complaint
INTERMITTENT LAMP FAILURES INTERNALLY, LAMP OUT CIRCUIT MALFUNCTIONING, REAR DIFFERENTIAL FAILED (APPROACHING THE SECOND FAILURE IN 40,000 MILES), REAR UNIVERSAL JOINT HAS FAILED TWICE, WITH A THIRD REPLACEMENT TO OCCUR SOON, TRANSMISSION FAILURES. ANY ONE OF THESE SYSTEMS FAILING WHILE ON THE ROAD COULD CAUSE A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE, FOR MYSELF, MY PASSENGERS, AND OTHER DRIVERS. SO FAR, IT HAS BEEN IN AND OUT OF THE SHOP, OLD PARTS ARE NO LONGER AVAILABLE, HOWEVER IF REQUIRED I WILL RETAIN THEM NEXT TIME THEY FAIL. I'VE CONTACTED DODGE, THE FIRST REPLY WAS A "SPAM MAIL" OF COUPONS FOR OIL CHANGES, AND TIRE ROTATIONS (THE MESSAGE I SENT THEM WAS PROFESSIONAL AND EXTENSIVE TO THE ISSUES I WAS HAVING), AFTER COPYING THE MESSAGE AGAIN THE NEXT DAY, A REPRESENTATIVE TOLD ME THAT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT. I'VE RETAINED THE MESSAGE IF ANY PARTIES ARE INTERESTED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10225900
42,500 miles · Apr 26, 2008
Structure
THE DASHBOARD OF MY 2002 DODGE RAM TRUCK IS LITERALLY SPLINTERING BEFORE MY EYES. THERE ARE NUMEROUS OTHER REPORTS OF THIS INCIDENT HAPPENING WITH A LOT OF OTHER DODGE TRUCKS AROUND THE SAME YEAR AS MINE. IT STARTS WITH CRACKING... THEN THE DASHBOARD STARTS FALLING OFF IN PIECES! I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE CAUSED BY A…
Read full complaint
THE DASHBOARD OF MY 2002 DODGE RAM TRUCK IS LITERALLY SPLINTERING BEFORE MY EYES. THERE ARE NUMEROUS OTHER REPORTS OF THIS INCIDENT HAPPENING WITH A LOT OF OTHER DODGE TRUCKS AROUND THE SAME YEAR AS MINE. IT STARTS WITH CRACKING... THEN THE DASHBOARD STARTS FALLING OFF IN PIECES! I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE CAUSED BY A DEFECT IN THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS BY DODGE! THE DASHBOARD IS LITERALLY FALLING APART BEFORE MY VERY EYES!! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10225779
75,000 miles · Apr 18, 2008
Structure
2002 DODGE RAM PICKUP- DASH HAS BEEN CRACKING IN SEVERAL PLACES FOR THE PAST 2 YEARS. MULTIPLE CRACKS ARE DEEPENING AND WIDENING AN NEW CRACKS DEVELOPING. CONCERNED ABOUT EXPOSED WIRING AND POTENTIAL AIRBAG MALFUNCTION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10224933
70,000 miles · Apr 15, 2008
Steering
TOO MUCH MOVING AROUND WITH THE STEERING , FROM SIDE TO SIDE YOU HAVE TO GRAB WHEEL IF POSSIBLE WITH YOUR FEET. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10224547
67,977 miles · Apr 11, 2008
Structure
2002 DODGE RAM 1500 WITH 67,000 MILES - DASHBOARD HAS CRACKED IN 6 PLACES. DEALER SAYS THAT IT IS A DEFECT BUT WILL NOT REPLACE. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND DODGE WILL NOT STAND BY THEIR PRODUCT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10224170
60,000 miles · Mar 26, 2008
Structure
DASH IS CRACKING ON PASSENGER SIDE AND IS JEOPARDIZING THE FUNCTION OF PASSENGER AIRBAG. THE FAULTY DASHES WERE REPORTED BY NUMEROUS DODGE OWNERS AND IS OBVIOUSLY A FAULTY PART. DODGE SAYS THAT THEY CANNOT REPLACE IT BECAUSE THE TRUCK IS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE PIECE WILL COST $540 AND INSTALLATION IS $600. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10222433
69,000 miles · Mar 26, 2008
Structure
THE DASHBOARD FOR MY TRUCK DODGE RAM 1500 2002 IS CRACKED AND I BOUGHT A PREMIUM WARRANTY AND DON'T COVER THE DASHBOARD AND THE DODGE PARTS WANT ME TO PAY $500.00 FOR REPLACE THE DASHBOARD IS NO FEAR AND WE NEED HELP. *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
Illustration