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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
Mileage unknown · Nov 24, 2007
Structure

2002 DODGE RAM QUAD CAB 2" BY 4" HOLE COLLAPSE IN DASHBOARD FOR NO REASON IE COLLISION. I ALSO HAD A 1998 DODGE RAM WHICH SUSTAINED A LONGER BUT NARROWER CRACK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10209799

Mileage unknown · Nov 21, 2007
Structure

I OWN A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500. MY DASH HAS DEVELOPED A LARGE CRACK THAT RUNS VERTICALLY FROM THE FRONT TO BACK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE ALONG SIDE WHERE THE AIRBAG IS. I CONSIDER THIS NOT ONLY A FACTORY DEFECT, BUT ALSO A POTENTIAL SAFETY CONCERN. SHOULD THE AIR BAG GO OFF THERE IS THE POTENTIAL THAT THE DASH FRAGMENTS COULD GO AI…

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I OWN A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500. MY DASH HAS DEVELOPED A LARGE CRACK THAT RUNS VERTICALLY FROM THE FRONT TO BACK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE ALONG SIDE WHERE THE AIRBAG IS. I CONSIDER THIS NOT ONLY A FACTORY DEFECT, BUT ALSO A POTENTIAL SAFETY CONCERN. SHOULD THE AIR BAG GO OFF THERE IS THE POTENTIAL THAT THE DASH FRAGMENTS COULD GO AIRBORNE AND CAUSE PERSONAL INJURY TO THE OCCUPANTS. I HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS POSTED REGARDING THIS ISSUE, AND AM PLEASED TO KNOW THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE EXPERIENCING THIS. IT CERTAINLY APPEARS TO ME THAT THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT MERITS A RECALL. I HAVE CONTACTED DODGES CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND THEY HAVE NEITHER CONFIRMED NOR DENIED THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM. THEY HOWEVER HAVE OFFERED TO REPLACE THE DASH, WITH A $200 DEDUCTIBLE ATTACHED. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THERE IS A NATION WIDE BACK ORDER ON THESE DASHES. THIS IN ITSELF TELLS ME THAT THERE IS MAJOR PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10209652

65,000 miles · Nov 14, 2007
Structure

THE DASH BOARD IN MY 2002 DODGE RAM 1500 HAS COMPLETELY DETERIORATED. IT'S COMPLETELY COVERED WITH CRACKS, AND TWO OF THE VENTS HAVE FALLEN INSIDE THE DASH BOARD. I CONTACTED CHRYSLER AND THEY ADVISED THAT THEY COULD DO NOTHING FOR THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THE WARRANTY FOR THE DASH BOARD HAD EXPIRED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10208910

95,000 miles · Nov 5, 2007
Structure

MY 2002 DODGE RAM 1500 QUAD CAB HAS SEVERAL CRACKS ON THE DASH ON THE FRONT VENTS, SIDE VENTS, AND ALONG THE TOP. I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY RADIO VOLUME NOT TURNING DOWN AND SOME OF THE SPEAKERS COMING IN AND OUT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10208007

Mileage unknown · Oct 31, 2007
Structure

DASHBOARD IS CRACKED IN SEVERAL PLACES. PIECES THAT HAVE COME LOOSE MAY FALL AND CAUSE SYSTEM FAILURE OR BECOME PROJECTILES IN AN ACCIDENT. *TR I HAVEN'T REPLACED THE DASH. IT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON THIS VEHICLE

NHTSA ODI #10207588

Mileage unknown · Oct 26, 2007
Structure

CRACKED DASHBOARD. I AM ABLE TO LIFT THREE-QUARTERS OF THE DASH BOARD UP A LITTLE. I DO FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN...CHRYSLER IS INVESTIGATING IF THEY CAN HELP ME OUT. THEY ADVISED ME THEY WORK CLOSELY WITH YOU TO DECIDE IF IT SHOULD BE A RECALL....IT SHOULD!!! I DO KNOW THIS IS HAPPENING TO A NUMBER OF OWNERS SINCE I SAW IT…

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CRACKED DASHBOARD. I AM ABLE TO LIFT THREE-QUARTERS OF THE DASH BOARD UP A LITTLE. I DO FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN...CHRYSLER IS INVESTIGATING IF THEY CAN HELP ME OUT. THEY ADVISED ME THEY WORK CLOSELY WITH YOU TO DECIDE IF IT SHOULD BE A RECALL....IT SHOULD!!! I DO KNOW THIS IS HAPPENING TO A NUMBER OF OWNERS SINCE I SAW IT ON TV. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10207014

Mileage unknown · Oct 12, 2007
Unknown Or Other

I HAVE AN 2002 DODGE RAM 1500 @ ABOUT 42,000 MILES THE DASH STARTED CRACKING NOW ITS ALL THE WAY CRACKED IN TWO PIECES. THE DEALER WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I GOT ONLINE AND FOUND OUT THAT IT IS NOT JUST MINE. THERE IS A LOT MORE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10205525

20,228 miles · Oct 1, 2007
Latches/locks/linkages

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500. ON SEPTEMBER 28, 2007, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO OPEN THE REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR. THE DOOR CANNOT BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE OR THE OUTSIDE. SHE HAS NOT NOTIFIED THE DEALER AS OF YET. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 20,228.

NHTSA ODI #10204535

69,000 miles · Sep 27, 2007
Structure

MY DASHBOARD ON MY 2002 DODGE RAM 1500 IS CRACKING BAD AND THE CONCERN IS THE WIRES IN MY DASH WILL BE EXPOSED TO THE SUN. MELTING WIRES,SHORT AND LIGHTS GOING OFF AT NIGHT WHILE DRIVING ARE THE RESULT OF THIS PROBLEM. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10204323

85,000 miles · Sep 26, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling

NOV OF 2006 I TOOK MY TRUCK IN FOR MISFIRE AND COOLANT LOSE, THE DEALER CHECKED THE COOLING SYSTEM AND OK'D IT .THEY REPLACED MY SPARK PLUGS FOR THE MISFIRE. ABOUT A MONTH AGO THE TRUCK WAS NOT RUNNING CORRECTLY SINCE MY WARRANTY RAN OUT I TOOK IT TO ANOTHER SHOP THE ROCKER ARM FELL OFF, IT WAS REPLACED. A WEEK LATER 2 ROCKER AR…

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NOV OF 2006 I TOOK MY TRUCK IN FOR MISFIRE AND COOLANT LOSE, THE DEALER CHECKED THE COOLING SYSTEM AND OK'D IT .THEY REPLACED MY SPARK PLUGS FOR THE MISFIRE. ABOUT A MONTH AGO THE TRUCK WAS NOT RUNNING CORRECTLY SINCE MY WARRANTY RAN OUT I TOOK IT TO ANOTHER SHOP THE ROCKER ARM FELL OFF, IT WAS REPLACED. A WEEK LATER 2 ROCKER ARMS FELL OFF. WITH EXTENSIVE RESEARCHED IT WAS DETERMINED I HAD A CRACKED HEAD. WHEN I CALLED THE AUTO MANUFACTURER CHRYSLER, I WAS TOLD IT WAS UNDER THE POWER TRAIN WARRANTY AND I NEEDED TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER. I DID NOT FEEL COMFTORABLE TAKING THIS TRUCK THAT WAS HALF APART TO ANOTHER MECHANIC TO TELL ME WHAT I ALREADY NEW, THAT THE HEAD WAS CRACKED COOLANT WAS LEAKING INTO THE COMBUSTION CHAMBER CAUSING MY ROCKER ARMS TO BE BLOWN OFF. I TRIED TALKING TO THE DEALERSHIP THAT I PURCHASED IT FROM AND THEY SAID THAT CHRYSLER ALREADY MADE A DECISION ON THIS. ALL I WANTED WAS TO GET REPLACEMENT HEADS AND SOME COSTS OF REPAIRING THE TRUCK. IF THIS WOULD HAVE WENT TO THE DEALER THERE WAS GOING TO BE A COST FOR THEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10204204

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.