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2002 Dodge RAM 2500

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2002 Dodge RAM 2500 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 275.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

114 reports with mileage · 41 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 40 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

10 crash reports1 fire reports6 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

4 reports
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149,000 miles · Feb 5, 2018
Air BagsElectrical SystemExterior LightingCrash

THE PLASTIC DASHBOARD AND RELATED UNDERPINNINGS AND SUPORT STRUCTURE FOR EVERYTHING FROM PASSENGER AIRBAG,RADIO, CLIMATE CONTROL AND VENTS, HEADLIGHT, MIRROR DEFROSTER, GAUGE POD, ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC PLUG, ETC. BEGAN DISINTEGRATING IN LARGE SHARP PIECES WHILE DRIVING. THESE PIECES CUT WIRING AND FLES FOR ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING…

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THE PLASTIC DASHBOARD AND RELATED UNDERPINNINGS AND SUPORT STRUCTURE FOR EVERYTHING FROM PASSENGER AIRBAG,RADIO, CLIMATE CONTROL AND VENTS, HEADLIGHT, MIRROR DEFROSTER, GAUGE POD, ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC PLUG, ETC. BEGAN DISINTEGRATING IN LARGE SHARP PIECES WHILE DRIVING. THESE PIECES CUT WIRING AND FLES FOR ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING AND ARE DISTRACTING AND DANGEROUS IN MULTIPLE WAYS WORSE IF IN AN ACCIDENT. I HAD TO REMOVE RADIO, AND DISABLE AIRBAGS FOR SAFETY. REPLACEMENT PARTS ALONE ARE POTENTIALLY IN THE THOUSANDS, NOT INCLUDING LABOR AND WIRING HARNESS REPAIRS.

NHTSA ODI #11066927

20,000 miles · May 29, 2014
Air BagsElectrical SystemStructure

DASH BOARD IS CRUMBLING EXPOSING NUMEROUS CONTROLS, GAUGES, WIRING, AND AIRBAG COMPONENTS WHICH IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN. THE A/C HAS SEIZED TO WORK ANYMORE DUE TO ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WHICH IS SPREADING TO OTHER CONTROL GAUGES AND COMPONENTS. THE SAFETY OF THE AIRBAG SYSTEM IS NOW A CONCERN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10594829

160,000 miles · May 6, 2014
Air BagsElectrical SystemSeatsFire

THIS DIESEL TRUCK WAS STARTED IN ORDER TO LET IT WARM UP. OWNER WENT INTO A BUILDING TO RETRIEVE A PAIR OF GLOVES AND RETURNED 5 MIN LATER TO FIND THE VEHICLE ON FIRE. SMOKE WAS POURING OUT OF THE FRONT COWL AT THE BASE OF THE WINDSHIELD. ENTRY TO THE VEHICLE WAS ATTEMPTED IN ORDER TO PUT THE FIRE OUT HOWEVER THE LOCKING MECHANI…

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THIS DIESEL TRUCK WAS STARTED IN ORDER TO LET IT WARM UP. OWNER WENT INTO A BUILDING TO RETRIEVE A PAIR OF GLOVES AND RETURNED 5 MIN LATER TO FIND THE VEHICLE ON FIRE. SMOKE WAS POURING OUT OF THE FRONT COWL AT THE BASE OF THE WINDSHIELD. ENTRY TO THE VEHICLE WAS ATTEMPTED IN ORDER TO PUT THE FIRE OUT HOWEVER THE LOCKING MECHANISM KEPT THE DOORS SHUT SO ENTRY COULD NOT BE ATTAINED. THE TRUCK WAS ON FIRE AND IT HAD LOCKED THE DOORS. THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW HAD TO BE BUSTED OUT WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER IN ORDER TO GAIN ENTRY. ONCE THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED THE PROBLEM AREA WAS EVIDENT. THE ENTIRE HEATER BLOWER AREA WAS MELTED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10586722

500 miles · Dec 18, 2007
Electrical SystemFuel System, OtherPower Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CLUTCH LOCKED UP AND THE VEHICLE WAS INOPERABLE. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, IT SEEMS AS IF THE CLUTCH RELEASES AND THE RPMS INCREASE BEFORE THE VEHICLE BEGINS TO DRIVE NORMALLY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER APPROXIMATELY TWELVE TIMES, BUT THEY CAN N…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CLUTCH LOCKED UP AND THE VEHICLE WAS INOPERABLE. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, IT SEEMS AS IF THE CLUTCH RELEASES AND THE RPMS INCREASE BEFORE THE VEHICLE BEGINS TO DRIVE NORMALLY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER APPROXIMATELY TWELVE TIMES, BUT THEY CAN NEVER DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CLUTCH HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE. THE FAILURE OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 35,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 500. UPDATED 01/24/08 *BF THE DEALER STATED WIRING PLUG FUSE BLOWN, ALARM WILL GO OFF WITH KEY IN IGNITION OR NOT, PDC COVER BROKEN, DIFFICULT TO START IN COLD WEATHER, NOTICED A BURNING SMELL, AND FUEL INJECTION. UPDATED 01/24/08 *TR

NHTSA ODI #10212213

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.