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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

What owners actually said

206 reports
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

180,000 miles · Jun 2, 2019
Power Train

BOUGHT TRUCK IN 2009. DRIVE A COUPLE TIMES A WEEK. TRANSMISSION HAS WENT OUT 5 TIMES NOW INCLUDING THIS MORNING. WAS TOLD BY A COWORKER THAT THERES AB ISSUE WITH THE DODGERS NOT CIRCULATING FLUID WHEN IDLING IN GEAR.??? EITHER WAY THIS WILL BE THE 5TH TIME IN 10 YEARS TAKING IT TO GET REBUILT!!!! WHICH HAS BEEN 2,500.00 TO 4,000…

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BOUGHT TRUCK IN 2009. DRIVE A COUPLE TIMES A WEEK. TRANSMISSION HAS WENT OUT 5 TIMES NOW INCLUDING THIS MORNING. WAS TOLD BY A COWORKER THAT THERES AB ISSUE WITH THE DODGERS NOT CIRCULATING FLUID WHEN IDLING IN GEAR.??? EITHER WAY THIS WILL BE THE 5TH TIME IN 10 YEARS TAKING IT TO GET REBUILT!!!! WHICH HAS BEEN 2,500.00 TO 4,000.00 EACH TIME!!! REALLY BOUT TO GIVE UP ON DODGE

NHTSA ODI #11217345

203,695 miles · May 27, 2018
Power Train

REAR END LOCKED UP GOING DOWN HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, SENT ME SLIDING INTO THE SLOW LANE AND THEN OFF OF THE HIGHWAY INTO A DRIVEWAY COMING TO A HALTING STOP WITH MY TAILGATE WAS STILL PARTIALLY IN A HEAVILY TRAVELED HIGHWAY. THE DRIVESHAFT ALSO DROPPED DOWN AND EVENTUALLY CAME COMPLETELY OFF AND I HAD TO CALL A ROLL BA…

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REAR END LOCKED UP GOING DOWN HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, SENT ME SLIDING INTO THE SLOW LANE AND THEN OFF OF THE HIGHWAY INTO A DRIVEWAY COMING TO A HALTING STOP WITH MY TAILGATE WAS STILL PARTIALLY IN A HEAVILY TRAVELED HIGHWAY. THE DRIVESHAFT ALSO DROPPED DOWN AND EVENTUALLY CAME COMPLETELY OFF AND I HAD TO CALL A ROLL BACK TO COME GET TRUCK. I HAVE HAD THIS 2002 TRUCK FOR THE PAST 11 YEARS AND I HAVE NEVER BEEN NOTIFIED BY DODAGE THAT THIS COULD BE A MAJOR ISSUE. ALL IN ALL IT HAS BEEN A GOOD TRUCK. THIS INCIDENT REALLY SCARED ME, AS I WORK OUT OF THIS TRUCK WITH MY BUSINESS AND NOW I HAVE TO SUFFER A LOSS FOR NOT BEING ABLE TO WORK UNTIL I SPEND A GOOD SOME OF MONEY TO FIX THIS ISSUE SO I AM ABLE TO USE IT AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI #11098139

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

27,536 miles · Mar 13, 2018
Unknown Or Other

I HAVE A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500 P/U TRUCK. I'M AWARE THAT IT'S OUT OF WARRANTY. I PLAN TO KEEP THIS TRUCK UNTIL I DIE. THE DASHBOARD IS COMPLETELY DAMAGED. I NOW HAVE A DASH COVER OVER IT. AND IT'S SEEM TO BE FALLING IN AS WELL. PLEASE CONSIDER REPLACING MY DASH SINCE IT'S THE WRONG MATERIAL ON ALL 3RD GENS WERE MADE OUT OF POLYVIN…

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I HAVE A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500 P/U TRUCK. I'M AWARE THAT IT'S OUT OF WARRANTY. I PLAN TO KEEP THIS TRUCK UNTIL I DIE. THE DASHBOARD IS COMPLETELY DAMAGED. I NOW HAVE A DASH COVER OVER IT. AND IT'S SEEM TO BE FALLING IN AS WELL. PLEASE CONSIDER REPLACING MY DASH SINCE IT'S THE WRONG MATERIAL ON ALL 3RD GENS WERE MADE OUT OF POLYVINYL CHLORIDE. AS TIME PASSES THEY DRY OUT AND CRACK. CAUSING PIECES TO FALL INSIDE CAUSING PROBLEMS WITH THE BLOWER AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. I PLAN TO TRAVEL FROM SAN DIEGO CA TO CHICAGO ILL. IN AUGUST IN MY TRUCK, I CAN'T PUT ANYTHING ON THE DASHBOARD WITHOUT THE FEAR OF DAMAGE OR MALFUNCTION TO THE ELECTRONICS OR OTHER PARTS UNDERNEATH.WITH LIQUIDS OR MORE PLASTICS FALLING INSIDE OR PASSING THOUGH THE THE DASH COVER ITS NOT WATER PROOF OR WATER RESISTANT PLEASE HELP... PLEASE HELP SAVE MY TRUCK, PLEASE AND KEEP ME SAFE ON THE ROAD.

NHTSA ODI #11078845

208,000 miles · Jan 24, 2018
Visibility/wiper

BLOWS HEAT ONLY ON PASSENGER SIDE VENTS. BLOWS COOL AIR ON DRIVERS SIDE.

NHTSA ODI #11064752

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

Mileage unknown · Feb 13, 2015
Tires

MICHELIN LATITUDE TIRES P265/70 R17 BOUGHT SEPT. 2011 FROM COSTCO IN INGLEWOOD CALIF. THE TREAD SURFACE IS PEELING FROM THE TIRE. THERE ARE SMALL CRATER LIKE AREAS WHERE THE TREAD HAS CRUMBLED AWAY. THE LATITUDE TIRE WAS ADVERTISED AS; "LATITUDE TOUR TIRES USE A SILICA-BASED TREAD COMPOUND MOLDED INTO A SYMMETRIC TREAD DESIGN". …

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MICHELIN LATITUDE TIRES P265/70 R17 BOUGHT SEPT. 2011 FROM COSTCO IN INGLEWOOD CALIF. THE TREAD SURFACE IS PEELING FROM THE TIRE. THERE ARE SMALL CRATER LIKE AREAS WHERE THE TREAD HAS CRUMBLED AWAY. THE LATITUDE TIRE WAS ADVERTISED AS; "LATITUDE TOUR TIRES USE A SILICA-BASED TREAD COMPOUND MOLDED INTO A SYMMETRIC TREAD DESIGN". I WENT TO COSTCO TO SEE IF THEY WOULD WARRANTY THE TIRE. AT FIRST THEY TOLD ME THE DETERIORATION OF THE TIRE THREAD WAS DUE TO THE SURFACE THAT I DROVE ON. AFTER I ASSURED THE COSTCO SERVICE TECH THAT I DRIVE ON THE STREETS AND HIGHWAY, NOT OFF ROAD, HE SAID HE WOULD ONLY PRORATE THE TIRE VALUE BASED ON THE THREAD USE. THAT TURNED OUT TO BE 50 PERCENT OF ON A NEW SET OF TIRES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10683297

124,000 miles · Aug 8, 2014
Exterior Lighting

ALL THE SUDDEN ALL REAR LIGHTS WENT OFF TOOK TO GARAGE THEY COULDN'T TELL WHAT WAS WRONG AFTER PAYING TO FIND OUT NOTHING AND THEY HAVING TRUCK FOR 2 DAYS AND DEAD BATTERY FROM TRYING A BUNCH OF [XXX], I BROUGHT IT HOME AND STARTED TO TRY FOR MYSELF IT WAS THE FUSE BOX OF ALL THINGS I HAVE NEVER IN MY LIFE HEARD OF HAVING TO REP…

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ALL THE SUDDEN ALL REAR LIGHTS WENT OFF TOOK TO GARAGE THEY COULDN'T TELL WHAT WAS WRONG AFTER PAYING TO FIND OUT NOTHING AND THEY HAVING TRUCK FOR 2 DAYS AND DEAD BATTERY FROM TRYING A BUNCH OF [XXX], I BROUGHT IT HOME AND STARTED TO TRY FOR MYSELF IT WAS THE FUSE BOX OF ALL THINGS I HAVE NEVER IN MY LIFE HEARD OF HAVING TO REPLACE FUSE BOX ABOUT 500.00 , AND DASH IS CRACKED ALL OVER THE PLACE PRICED TO REPLACE COST ABOUT 700.00 I WILL WAIT TO SEE IF THEY ARE GOING TO REPLACE IT ALREADY HAD TO GET DEFROSTER VENT FIXED FROM STUFF FALLING IN THERE ,I HAVE SEEN A LOT OF OWNERS COMPLAIN ABOUT THESE THINGS GOING WRONG BUT I THOUGHT ONE MORE MY MAKE A DIFFERENCE . I WOULD HOPE THAT THIS IS RECALLED BEFORE SOME ONE GETS INJURED AND ALL SO THE BACK DOOR WIRING ON BOTH SIDES WENT BAD HAD TO REPAIR THEY I WOULD THING THAT IS A FIRE ISSUE BUT WHO AM I THE CONSUMER WE DON'T KNOW ANYTHING THAT'S WHY I A WOMEN FIX MY OWN TRUCK. HOPE SOMETHING IS DONE ABOUT THESE PROBLEMS.. *TR INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10620823

156,000 miles · Jun 24, 2014
Electrical SystemFire

KNOCK ON MY DOOR FROM THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, SAID MY TRUCK BURNED UP. IT WAS NOT DRIVEN THAT DAY. ANY ELECTRICAL RECALLS FOR THIS VEHICLE? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10605749

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.