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2002 Dodge RAM 3500

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Fewer warning signs than most model years

Owner complaints for the 2002 Dodge RAM 3500 are lower than the model-year median of 124.5.

About this comparison →
44Owner complaints

Model-year median: 124.5

0Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
104
199958
2000130
200144
2002286
2003214
2004196
2005
Compare all RAM 3500 years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Structure
9Steering
8Power Train
5Suspension
5Air Bags
4
All reported categories
Fuel System, Diesel
4Fuel System, Other
3Service Brakes, Hydraulic
3Unknown Or Other
3Electrical System
2Engine And Engine Cooling
2Fuel System, Gasoline
2Tires
2Engine
1Latches/locks/linkages
1Seat Belts
1Service Brakes
1Trailer Hitches
1Vehicle Speed Control
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

32 reports with mileage · 12 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 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

2 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports

What owners actually said

44 reports
26,239 miles · Apr 8, 2003
Power Train

THE VEHICLE ROLL BACKWARDS WHEN PARKED ON AN INCLINE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10015449

Mileage unknown · Feb 28, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

THE STEERING WHEEL HAD FROZEN, THE BRAKES WERE INOPERATIVE AND CAUSED LOSS CONTROL, THERE WAS NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND OR THE TRANSMISSION COMPARTMENT, ODOR POSSIBLY COMING FROM OIL OR TRANSMISSION FLUID, THE ENGINE WAS ROUGH AND STALLED, THE VALVE SPRING HAD BROKE, AND THE CONVERTER PUMP HAD FAILED. THE DEALER SAID THA…

Read full complaint

THE STEERING WHEEL HAD FROZEN, THE BRAKES WERE INOPERATIVE AND CAUSED LOSS CONTROL, THERE WAS NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND OR THE TRANSMISSION COMPARTMENT, ODOR POSSIBLY COMING FROM OIL OR TRANSMISSION FLUID, THE ENGINE WAS ROUGH AND STALLED, THE VALVE SPRING HAD BROKE, AND THE CONVERTER PUMP HAD FAILED. THE DEALER SAID THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS GONE AND NEEDED TO BE FURTHER INVESTIGATED. SCC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10008598

14,000 miles · Dec 23, 2002
Air BagsElectrical SystemSeat Belts

THE AIR BAG LIGHT HAD STAYED ON, FLASHED, AND CHIMED. THE TECHNICIAN AT THE DEALER STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS COULD HAVE DEPLOYED AT ANY TIME, POSSIBLY DUE TO A WIRING PROBLEM. ALSO THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT HAD TIGHTENED ABNORMALLY. TS SCC

NHTSA ODI #10001443

Mileage unknown · Feb 6, 2002
Air Bags

CONSUMER NOTICED AFTER PURCHASE OF VEHICLE THERE WAS NO ON/OFF SWITCH FOR THE PASSENGER AIR BAG. *TT

NHTSA ODI #564312

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.