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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
208,000 miles · Jan 20, 2016
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

WHEN I TURN ON THE HEATER THE BLEND DOOR AND ACTUATOR MAKE A POPPING SOUND WHEN TURNED HEAT ON , BLEND DOORS BROKEN AND ACTUATOR NOT WORKING PROPERLY. IT OCCURS WHILE VEHICLE STATIONARY AND IN MOTION WHEN HEAT IS TURNED ON.

NHTSA ODI #10821219

38,000 miles · Jan 14, 2016
Unknown Or Other

IGNITION / PARK INTERLOCK SYSTEM INOPERATIVE.

NHTSA ODI #10820154

204,000 miles · Dec 1, 2015
Unknown Or Other

THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD HAS CRACKED IN MULTIPLE PLACES. THIS ISSUE STARTED IN 2004 AND HAS CONTINUED DESPITE MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS AT FINDING A CAUSE OR A VIABLE SOLUTION TO STOP THE CRACKING. NOTICED OTHERS HAVE MADE THE SAME COMPLAINT. DODGE DID NOT ATTEMPT TO FIX OR GIVE A SOLUTION TO FIX THE CRACKING. IT NOW INTERFERES WITH THE AIR…

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THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD HAS CRACKED IN MULTIPLE PLACES. THIS ISSUE STARTED IN 2004 AND HAS CONTINUED DESPITE MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS AT FINDING A CAUSE OR A VIABLE SOLUTION TO STOP THE CRACKING. NOTICED OTHERS HAVE MADE THE SAME COMPLAINT. DODGE DID NOT ATTEMPT TO FIX OR GIVE A SOLUTION TO FIX THE CRACKING. IT NOW INTERFERES WITH THE AIR FLOW AND CAUSES WINDSHIELD FLOW TO BE DIRECTED AWAY FROM REMOVING INTERNAL "FOGGING". NOW THE BLOWER WILL ONLY OPERATE AT THE HIGHEST SPEED.

NHTSA ODI #10807687

142,000 miles · Nov 24, 2015
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING DOWN AN HILL AT 35 MPH, A LOUD CLANKING NOISE EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE DRIVE SHAFT FRACTURED OFF THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT HE PERFORMED THE REPAIRS BY REPLACING THE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING DOWN AN HILL AT 35 MPH, A LOUD CLANKING NOISE EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE DRIVE SHAFT FRACTURED OFF THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT HE PERFORMED THE REPAIRS BY REPLACING THE DRIVE SHAFT AND PINION NUT. A YEAR LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 142,000.

NHTSA ODI #10806586

198,982 miles · Nov 23, 2015
Air BagsCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A PINE TREE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK, BACK, AND LEG. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK, BACK, AND LEFT LEG. THE OTHER PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE BACK AND H…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A PINE TREE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK, BACK, AND LEG. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK, BACK, AND LEFT LEG. THE OTHER PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE BACK AND HEAD. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT REQUIRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 195,982.

NHTSA ODI #10806307

Mileage unknown · Nov 10, 2015
Unknown Or Other

MY TRUCK STARTED THIS GRINDING SOUND AN IT JUST STOP WORKING SO I HAD TO PUT IT IN AUTO SERVICE JIMMY'S 2407 KAW ST NEW ORLEANS CELL NUMBER 5044511533 HE CAN EXPLAIN IT BETTER.THANKS

NHTSA ODI #10789657

Mileage unknown · Oct 1, 2015
Air BagsEngineWheels

I AM BEING IGNORED ON A SEAT BELT RECALL NEARLY ALL 4.7 ENGINES HAVE OIL PAN FAILURE

NHTSA ODI #10779008

141,216 miles · Aug 25, 2015
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

I WAS ON MY WAY HOME FROM PICKING UP MY PAYCHECK DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IN THE FAST LANE DOING AROUND 70 MPH WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY TRUCK SHUT DOWN WITH NO WARNING AND THEN RESTARTED. I IMMEDIATELY GOT OFF OF THE HIGHWAY AND TOOK BACK ROADS. ABOUT 1.5 MILES FROM MY HOME AT A RED LIGHT THE TRUCK ONCE AGAIN SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY, …

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I WAS ON MY WAY HOME FROM PICKING UP MY PAYCHECK DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IN THE FAST LANE DOING AROUND 70 MPH WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY TRUCK SHUT DOWN WITH NO WARNING AND THEN RESTARTED. I IMMEDIATELY GOT OFF OF THE HIGHWAY AND TOOK BACK ROADS. ABOUT 1.5 MILES FROM MY HOME AT A RED LIGHT THE TRUCK ONCE AGAIN SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY, NO ENGINE, NO ELECTRIC, NOTHING, IT WAS COMPLETELY DEAD ON A FAIRLY BUSY ROAD. I HAD TO HAVE THE TRUCK TOWED HOME AND HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET IT STARTED AT ALL. I WENT ONLINE TO SEE WHAT MIGHT BE THE CAUSE AND HAVE FOUND MANY RELATED CASES TO WHAT I AM DEALING WITH.

NHTSA ODI #10759289

107,092 miles · Aug 25, 2015
Power TrainCrashInjury

MY FRIEND WAS OUTSIDE THE 2002 DODGE RAM. IT WAS RUNNING AND IN PARK. HE LEANED IN THE DOOR TO CHECK THE MILEAGE ON THE OIL CHANGE STICKER ON THE WINDSHIELD. SUDDENLY, IN PARK, THE TRUCK BEGAN ROLLING DOWN A VERY SLIGHT GRADE. IT DRUG MY FRIEND WHO WAS ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE TRUCK. IT ROLLED ABOUT 25 YARDS UNTIL IT HIT A PARKED …

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MY FRIEND WAS OUTSIDE THE 2002 DODGE RAM. IT WAS RUNNING AND IN PARK. HE LEANED IN THE DOOR TO CHECK THE MILEAGE ON THE OIL CHANGE STICKER ON THE WINDSHIELD. SUDDENLY, IN PARK, THE TRUCK BEGAN ROLLING DOWN A VERY SLIGHT GRADE. IT DRUG MY FRIEND WHO WAS ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE TRUCK. IT ROLLED ABOUT 25 YARDS UNTIL IT HIT A PARKED CAR. THIS ALL HAPPENED WHILE IN PARK! HE WAS BRUISED AND BANGED UP, AND WAS SORE FOR A FEW DAYS.

NHTSA ODI #10759043

110,000 miles · Aug 23, 2015
Unknown Or Other

THE DASHBOARD ON MY 2002 DODGE RAM IS LITERALLY DISINTEGRATING BEFORE MY EYES. IT HAS MULTIPLE CRACKS ALL OVER IT. THE VENT COVER UNDER THE WINDSHIELD HAS ALSO BROKEN, AND THE SMALL PIECES THAT COVER THE DEFROSTER HOLES HAVE BROKEN AND FALLEN DOWN INTO THE DEFROSTER SO THAT WHEN IT IS TURNED ON HIGH SMALL PIECES OF PLASTIC WIL…

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THE DASHBOARD ON MY 2002 DODGE RAM IS LITERALLY DISINTEGRATING BEFORE MY EYES. IT HAS MULTIPLE CRACKS ALL OVER IT. THE VENT COVER UNDER THE WINDSHIELD HAS ALSO BROKEN, AND THE SMALL PIECES THAT COVER THE DEFROSTER HOLES HAVE BROKEN AND FALLEN DOWN INTO THE DEFROSTER SO THAT WHEN IT IS TURNED ON HIGH SMALL PIECES OF PLASTIC WILL FLY UP AND HIT YOU IN THE FACE. IT'S RIDICULOUS THAT YOU HAVE TO PUT ON SAFETY GLASSES IF YOU ARE GOING TO RUN THE DEFROSTER SO THAT YOU DON'T RISK HAVING PLASTIC PIECES STRIKE YOU IN THE EYES. SEVERAL OF THE DASHBOARD CRACKS RUN COMPLETELY FROM THE FRONT TO THE REAR OF THE UPPER DASHBOARD. THIS IS A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM TO DODGE, AND I AM BAFFLED THAT THIS SAFETY ISSUE OF FAILING DASHBOARDS IS NOT BEING ADDRESSED AND CORRECTED. THIS HAS TO BE CORRECTED AND I FEEL DODGE SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE AND BE MADE TO FIX THIS DEFECT!

NHTSA ODI #10758679

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.