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
Mileage unknown · Jul 14, 2002
Visibility
I BOUGHT THE DODGE RAM ON JANUARY 6, 2002. ON APPROXIMATELY 6/10/2002 I HAD FOLDED IN THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER MIRRORS FOR APPROXIMATELY 4 CAR WASHES OVER THOSE MONTHS. ABOUT TWO DAYS AFTER THE LAST CAR WASH, THE MIRRORS WERE FOLDED OUT LIKE NORMAL. I WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10-15 MILES AN HOUR IN NO WIND AND THE PASSENGER …
Read full complaint
I BOUGHT THE DODGE RAM ON JANUARY 6, 2002. ON APPROXIMATELY 6/10/2002 I HAD FOLDED IN THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER MIRRORS FOR APPROXIMATELY 4 CAR WASHES OVER THOSE MONTHS. ABOUT TWO DAYS AFTER THE LAST CAR WASH, THE MIRRORS WERE FOLDED OUT LIKE NORMAL. I WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10-15 MILES AN HOUR IN NO WIND AND THE PASSENGER SIDE VIEW MIRROR BEGAN TO "FLOP" BACK AND FORTH. I LOOKED AT IT AND COULD LIFT UP ON IT APPROXIMATELY ONE INCH. ALTHOUGH IT WAS STILL CONNECTED, IT WAS NOT LOCKING INTO PLACE. I CALLED TOWBIN DODGE FOR AN APPOINTMENT AND THE FEMALE I SPOKE TO AT THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT ASKED ME IF IT WAS THE PASSENGER SIDE MIRROR. I TOLD HER YES AND SHE STATED THAT I WOULD BE THE FIFTH 2002 RAM SHE HAS SEEN WITH THAT PROBLEM IN THE PAST TWO WEEKS. I TOOK MY TRUCK IN FOR THE APPOINT MENT THE NEXT WEEK. THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY HAD LOST THE NEW MIRROR AND DID NOT HAVE ANY MORE. THEY EXPALINED THAT ANOTHER WOULD BE IN ON 7/5/2002. I CALLED ON 7/6/2002 AND MADE ANOTHER APPOINTMENT FOR 7/15/2002 TO GET THE MIRROR FIXED. ON 7/12/2002, I FOLDED THE MIRRORS FOR YET ANOTHER CAR WASH. I RETURNED THE DRIVERS SIDE MIRROR BACK TO ITS POSITION. THE NEXT MORNING I PULLED OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND THE DRIVERS SIDE MIRROR STARTED "FLOPPING" AROUND EXACTLY THE WAY THE PASSENGER SIDE HAS BEEN. I BELIEVE THAT BECAUSE BOTH OF MY MIRRORS HAVE BROKEN AND AFTER WHAT THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TOLD ME ABOUT OTHER VEHICLES, THAT THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. THIS IS A FULL SIZE TRUCK AND IT IS EXTREMELY HARD TO DRIVE WITH THE MIRRORS FLOPPING AROUND AND THE FACT THAT YOU CAN NOT SEE EITHER SIDE OF YOU. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.*AK
NHTSA ODI #764235
780 miles · Jul 1, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
ENGINE DIES IN TRAFFIC, CAUSE IS UNKNOWN. *AK CONSUMER STATED THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR WAS REPLACED.*JB
NHTSA ODI #8013059
Mileage unknown · Jun 30, 2002
Power Train
6-11-2002 TRUCK DIED OUT IN MOTION. 6-15-2002 BELLS IN TRUCK CAME ON, NO DUMMY LIGHTS LASTED 10-15 MIN THEN STOPPED ON ITS OWN, ALSO THIS DAY TRUCK DIED OUT ONCE IN REVERSE, 3 TIMES IN DRIVE. ON THIS DAY I HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER. 6-22-2002 TRUCK STUCK IN REVERSE. ENGINE REVED IN REVERSE AS IF IN NUETRAL BUT WAS CLEARLY IN R…
Read full complaint
6-11-2002 TRUCK DIED OUT IN MOTION. 6-15-2002 BELLS IN TRUCK CAME ON, NO DUMMY LIGHTS LASTED 10-15 MIN THEN STOPPED ON ITS OWN, ALSO THIS DAY TRUCK DIED OUT ONCE IN REVERSE, 3 TIMES IN DRIVE. ON THIS DAY I HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER. 6-22-2002 TRUCK STUCK IN REVERSE. ENGINE REVED IN REVERSE AS IF IN NUETRAL BUT WAS CLEARLY IN REVERSE. CAR WAS DRIVEN TO DEALER THAT DAY. 6-29-2002 STUCK IN REVERSE AGAIN. DEALER CONTACTED - I WAS TOLD TO CONTACT A SERVICE MANAGER ON 7-1-2002 , I OBVIOUSLY HAVE AN INTERMITENT PROBLEM AND NOTHING CAN BE DONE UNTIL THEY CAN PROVE THERE IS A PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #763652
Mileage unknown · Jun 27, 2002
Suspension
FRONT END SKATES ACROSS THE LANE IF A BUMP IS HIT AT HIGHWAY SPEED. PROBLEM HAS EXISTED SINCE FEBRUARY. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK
NHTSA ODI #8012843
Mileage unknown · Jun 25, 2002
Equipment
THE JACK THAT IS SHIPPED WITH THE DODGE RAM 1500 IS WAY TOO SMALL TO HANDLE THE PARGE TRUCK. I HAD TO CHANGE A TIRE TODAY FOR THE FIRST TIME. THE VEHICLE FELL OFF OF THE JACK TWICE. THE JACK IS A SMALL CYLINDER TYPE, WITH A SMALL FOOTPRINT. WHILE JACKING THE REAR WHEEL ACCORDING TO THE INSTRUCTIONS IN THE USER MANUAL, THE JACK S…
Read full complaint
THE JACK THAT IS SHIPPED WITH THE DODGE RAM 1500 IS WAY TOO SMALL TO HANDLE THE PARGE TRUCK. I HAD TO CHANGE A TIRE TODAY FOR THE FIRST TIME. THE VEHICLE FELL OFF OF THE JACK TWICE. THE JACK IS A SMALL CYLINDER TYPE, WITH A SMALL FOOTPRINT. WHILE JACKING THE REAR WHEEL ACCORDING TO THE INSTRUCTIONS IN THE USER MANUAL, THE JACK SLIPS EASILY BECAUSE A) IT HAS A SMALL FOOTPRINT THAT REMAINS IN CONTACT WITH THE GROUND, AND B) THE EXTENTIONS USED TO TURN THE CRANKING MECHANISM ON THE JACK ARE WOBBLY, WHICH CAN CAUSE THE JACK TO MOVE WHILE RAISING AND LOWERING. I RESEARCHED THIS WITH SEVERAL OTHER DODGE RAM OWNERS, EACH WHO HAVE PURCHASED SEPARATE HEAVY DUTY JACKS TO ALLOCATE FOR THE INSUFFICIENT STANDARD JACK THAT SHIPS WITH THE VEHICLE. I CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER TODAY ABOUT THIS ISSUE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #763432
Mileage unknown · Jun 19, 2002
Air BagsCrash
AT 50MPH VEHICLE CRASHED, AND AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK
NHTSA ODI #8012128
Mileage unknown · Jun 19, 2002
Structure
WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE, CONSUMER DISCOVERED THAT THE BED OF THE TRUCK HAD COME IN CONTACT WITH THE CAB AND CAUSED DAMAGE TO IT, CONSUMER BELIEVES IT MAY HAVE HAPPENED DURING REGULAR DRIVING, POSSIBLY WHILE IN THE MOUNTAINS, THE GENERAL MANAGER OFFERED TO REPAIR THE DAMAGES, HOWEVER CONSUMER DECLINED TO HAVE A 30,…
Read full complaint
WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE, CONSUMER DISCOVERED THAT THE BED OF THE TRUCK HAD COME IN CONTACT WITH THE CAB AND CAUSED DAMAGE TO IT, CONSUMER BELIEVES IT MAY HAVE HAPPENED DURING REGULAR DRIVING, POSSIBLY WHILE IN THE MOUNTAINS, THE GENERAL MANAGER OFFERED TO REPAIR THE DAMAGES, HOWEVER CONSUMER DECLINED TO HAVE A 30,000 DOLLAR TRUCK REPAIRED, CONSUMER WAS THEN INFORMED THAT THE DAMAGE WAS MOST LIKELY CAUSED BY HIM DRIVING EXCESSIVELY, THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WERE NOT LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES.*JB
NHTSA ODI #566162
Mileage unknown · Jun 4, 2002
Suspension
REAR END MAKES VEHICLE BOUNCE WHEN IT HITS A BUMP IN THE ROAD, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO CONTROL VEHICLE.*AK CONSUMER STATES THAT THE BOUNCE IS SO BAD, THAT THE TIRES SEEM TO LEAVE THE PAVEMENT, WHEN CHANGING LANES, THE VEHICLE LITERALLY JERKS CONSUMER INTO THE NEXT LANE, THE DEALER CAN NOT FIND A REMEDY FOR THE PROBLEM. *SLC
NHTSA ODI #8011059
Mileage unknown · May 3, 2002
Visibility
ON BOTH SIDES OFF VEHICLE HANDLE THAT HOLDS IN SIDE MIRROR HAS SNAPPED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #8009171
Mileage unknown · Apr 12, 2002
Service Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed Control
WHILE DRIVING AND UPON PRESSING BRAKES, VEHICLE WILL LURCH ABOUT EIGHT OR NINE FEET.THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST FIVE TIMES. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN REMEDIED AS OF YET. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
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