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2002 Dodge RAM Quad Cab

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

156 reports with mileage · 50 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 68 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 23 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

9 crash reports4 fire reports8 injury reports

Structure complaints

68 reports
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180,000 miles · Dec 26, 2019
Structure

THE PLASTICS USED IN THE 2002 DODGE RAM INTERIOR ARE A SAFETY ISSUE. THERE IS WIDESPREAD EVIDENCE ACROSS THE INTERNET SHOWING THE DASH BREAKING APART LIKE MINE. IT IS STRUCTURALLY UNSOUND AND DODGE SHOULD FIND A SAFE SOLUTION. IF I GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT SHARP SHARDS OF DASH FLYING AROUND IS MORE LIKELY TO CAUSE INJURY THAN THE…

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THE PLASTICS USED IN THE 2002 DODGE RAM INTERIOR ARE A SAFETY ISSUE. THERE IS WIDESPREAD EVIDENCE ACROSS THE INTERNET SHOWING THE DASH BREAKING APART LIKE MINE. IT IS STRUCTURALLY UNSOUND AND DODGE SHOULD FIND A SAFE SOLUTION. IF I GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT SHARP SHARDS OF DASH FLYING AROUND IS MORE LIKELY TO CAUSE INJURY THAN THE IMPACT OF THE CRASH.

NHTSA ODI #11291249

89,000 miles · Mar 16, 2018
StructureUnknown Or Other

CRAKED DASH, SHARP METAL AND SHARP BROKEN CHUNKS OF PLASTIC THAT USED TO BE A DASHBOARD. NOT SAFE TO DRIVE THIS WAY! THE PARTS IF AVAILABLE ARE EXSPENSIVE, WHY IS THIS NOT RECALLED REPLACING USING BETTER SAFER PRODUCTS.

NHTSA ODI #11079867

103,000 miles · Dec 12, 2017
StructureVisibility

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM QUAD CAB. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS FRACTURED ALONG THE AIR CONDITIONER AND HEATER VENT. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG COULD INADVERTENTLY DEPLOY BECAUSE OF THE FRACTURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER AND HEATER VENT WERE INOPERABLE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM QUAD CAB. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS FRACTURED ALONG THE AIR CONDITIONER AND HEATER VENT. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG COULD INADVERTENTLY DEPLOY BECAUSE OF THE FRACTURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER AND HEATER VENT WERE INOPERABLE ON THE LOWER SETTINGS DUE TO OBSTRUCTION FROM PIECES OF FRACTURED DEBRIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER AND HEATING SYSTEM WOULD ONLY FUNCTION ON A HIGH SETTING. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD DEFROSTER WAS INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #11054201

102,000 miles · Apr 24, 2013
Structure

I HAVE 2002 DODGE RAM 1500 WITH A CRACKED DASH WHICH IS BAD THE CRACKS STARTED OUT SMALL AND NOW THERE ARE SEVERAL. IN THE EVENT OF AN AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT WHAT IS TO STOP THIS DASH FROM SEPARATING AND CAUSING LIFE THREATENING INJURIES. DODGE NEEDS TO RECOGNIZE THIS AS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN AND RECALL FOR REPLACEMENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10509402

25,000 miles · Dec 11, 2012
Structure

AT APPROXIMATELY 25,000 ON MY VEHICLE, IN THE YEAR OF 2004, I NOTICED SMALL CRACKS STARTING TO FORM ON THE DASHBOARD THIS PROGRESSED INTO MUCH LARGER CRACKS, COMPLETELY DESTROYING THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD OVER THE YEARS. THIS WAS A SAFETY ISSUE, BECAUSE SMALL SEGMENTS OF THE PLASTIC MATERIAL FELL INTO THE BACK OF THE DASHBOARD CAUSI…

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AT APPROXIMATELY 25,000 ON MY VEHICLE, IN THE YEAR OF 2004, I NOTICED SMALL CRACKS STARTING TO FORM ON THE DASHBOARD THIS PROGRESSED INTO MUCH LARGER CRACKS, COMPLETELY DESTROYING THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD OVER THE YEARS. THIS WAS A SAFETY ISSUE, BECAUSE SMALL SEGMENTS OF THE PLASTIC MATERIAL FELL INTO THE BACK OF THE DASHBOARD CAUSING FAILURE OF THE AIR CONDITIONER VENTS, DEFROSTER, AND ILLUMINATION OF THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS. A RECALL SHOULD HAVE BEEN ISSUED BASED ON THE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS BY DISSATISFIED OWNERS. CHRYSLER CORPORATION HAS AGREED TO REPAIR THE DASHBOARD, BUT ONLY IF I AGREE TO A $500 DEDUCTIBLE, IN WHICH I HAVE NOT AGREED TO, SIMPLY BECAUSE I BELIEVE THEY ARE TRYING TO CHARGE ME THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL PRICE, OF THE DASHBOARD. I WOULD APPRECIATE ANY ASSISTANCE IN THIS MATTER. THANK YOU. ..UPDATED 01/17/2013 *BF

NHTSA ODI #10493962

Mileage unknown · Sep 26, 2011
Electrical SystemStructure

DASH IS CRACKING IN SEVERAL PLACES DROPPING PARTS OF DASHBOARD INTO FAN MOTOR TO OVERHEAT CAUSING INTERFERENCE WITH AIR CONDITIONER OPERATION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10427217

35,000 miles · Aug 23, 2011
Structure

THE TOP OF THE DASH ON MY 2002 DODGE RAM IS SEVERELY CRACKED. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN TAKING PLACE SINCE APPROXIMATELY 2004 AND IS NOW STARTING TO WORK IT'S WAY TO THE FRONT OF THE DASH. I THOUGHT THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED BECAUSE IT WAS PARKED OUTSIDE, BUT I HAVE SINCE LEARNED THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AMONG MANY (IF NOT MOST) DODGE R…

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THE TOP OF THE DASH ON MY 2002 DODGE RAM IS SEVERELY CRACKED. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN TAKING PLACE SINCE APPROXIMATELY 2004 AND IS NOW STARTING TO WORK IT'S WAY TO THE FRONT OF THE DASH. I THOUGHT THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED BECAUSE IT WAS PARKED OUTSIDE, BUT I HAVE SINCE LEARNED THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AMONG MANY (IF NOT MOST) DODGE RAMS. I ALSO DID NOT KNOW THAT THERE WAS A PLACE TO REPORT THIS PROBLEM UNTIL NOW. OTHERWISE, I WOULD HAVE REPORTED THIS YEARS AGO. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10421243

100,000 miles · Aug 16, 2011
Structure

I HAVE A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500 QUAD CAB 4X4 AND MY DASHBOARD IS CRACKING AND LOOKING LIKE A JIGSAW PUZZLE. IT STARTED WITH ONE CRACK AT THE WINDOW AREA AND NOW THEY ARE ALL OVER THE DASH. I HAVEN'T DONE ANYTHING TO CAUSE THIS TO HAPPEN, IT JUST CRACKS AND KEEPS CRACKING. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10419741

61,000 miles · Aug 10, 2011
Structure

FRAME RAILS ARE CORRODING. DRIVER'S SIDE HAS A 3' 6" SECTION OF BADLY CORRODED FRAME. THERE ARE HOLES LARGE ENOUGH TO PUT THREE FINGERS THROUGH. PASSENGER'S SIDE IS BEGINNING TO CORRODE. FRAME HAS NOT FAILED YET. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10418383

75,000 miles · Jul 26, 2011
Structure

I OWN A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500. THE DASH IS CRACKING. SEARCHING ONLINE I HAVE FOUND I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH PROBLEM. I ALSO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH MY AIRBAG LIGHT GOING ON AND OFF. MY TRUCK HAS BEEN GARAGE KEPT SINCE I BOUGHT IT AND ONLY HAS 76,000 MILE ON IT. I THINK THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO WITH A RECALL SINCE I S…

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I OWN A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500. THE DASH IS CRACKING. SEARCHING ONLINE I HAVE FOUND I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH PROBLEM. I ALSO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH MY AIRBAG LIGHT GOING ON AND OFF. MY TRUCK HAS BEEN GARAGE KEPT SINCE I BOUGHT IT AND ONLY HAS 76,000 MILE ON IT. I THINK THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO WITH A RECALL SINCE I SEE SO MANY PROBLEMS OBSERVED ONLINE WITH THIS YEAR OF TRUCK. I AM AFRAID THAT WITH WIRING UNDER THE DASH IT MIGHT POSE A SAFETY PROBLEM. MY AIRBAG LIGHT DID NOT START GOING ON AND OFF UNTIL I NOTICED BY DASH CRACKED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10415256

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

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.