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2002 Dodge RAM Van

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

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

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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

What owners reported most

All reported categories

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

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 12 of 14 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

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 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

1 crash reports2 fire reports1 injury reports

Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints

1 reports
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36,600 miles · Jan 11, 2006
Air BagsService Brakes, HydraulicCrash

ON 11/07/05 I WAS DRIVING NORTH BOUND ON WESTERN AVE AT APPROX 4:30 PM,TRAVELING AT 40 MPH APPROACHING A RED LIGHT IN THE RIGHT LANE WITH 4 CARS IN FRONT OF ME ALL READY STOPPED,UPON MY DE PRESSING OF THE BRAKE PEDAL THERE WAS NO BRAKES, I TRIED AGAIN ,I DOWN SHIFTED ,AT THE LAST SECOND I SWERVED VIOLENTLY TO MISS THE CARS IN T…

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ON 11/07/05 I WAS DRIVING NORTH BOUND ON WESTERN AVE AT APPROX 4:30 PM,TRAVELING AT 40 MPH APPROACHING A RED LIGHT IN THE RIGHT LANE WITH 4 CARS IN FRONT OF ME ALL READY STOPPED,UPON MY DE PRESSING OF THE BRAKE PEDAL THERE WAS NO BRAKES, I TRIED AGAIN ,I DOWN SHIFTED ,AT THE LAST SECOND I SWERVED VIOLENTLY TO MISS THE CARS IN THE FIRST TWO RIGHT LANES,THEN COUNTERED CORRECTED TO MISS THE LEFT TURN LANE CARS ,FINALLY STRIKING A PICK UP TRUCK ,THAT WAS STOPPED AT THE RED LIGHT,THAT WAS OCCUPIED BY A FATHER, AND HIS TWO CHILDREN. A SHERIFFS OFFICER ALSO CHECKED THE BRAKES AND STATED IT WAS A MECHANICAL FAILURE ,HE ALSO STATED THAT WITH SUCH AN IMPACT THE AIR BAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. MY VEHICLE IS A 2002 DODGE RAM 1 TON MAXI CARGO VAN WITH ONLY 36600. MILES . THE VERY NEXT DAY MY PASSENGER AND I LOOKED AT THE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END AND TOOK PICTURES AND VIDEO TAPED THE DASH BOARD, THAT DID NOT INDICATE ANY SIGNS OF BRAKE, NOR AIR BAG FAILURE. THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE LINE APPEARED TO HAVE BEEN RUBBING AGAINST THE UPPER FRAME CAUSING THE LINE TO RUB THROUGH. I HAVE PICTURES OF BOTH RIGHT AND LEFT BRAKE LINES TOUCHING CHASSIS AND BOTH SHOW SIGNS OF WEAR IN THE SAME PLACE BOTH HOSE AND CHASSIS. I HAVE ALL PARTS AND PICTURES. THERE IS MUCH MORE TO EXPLAIN . I HAVE JUST RECEIVED THE VAN BACK ON 01,10,06 AND STILL NOTICE SOME SORT OF BRAKING PROBLEM. I ALSO HAD LOOKED TO SEE NEW BRAKE LINES AND NOTICED THE UPON DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL THAT THE LINES MOVE UNDER PRESSURE AND THAT JUST MAYBE AFTER 36000 MILES THAT THIS PROBLEM MIGHT,CAUSE THE METAL BRAKE TUBE TO BEND TOWARDS THE FRAME. AS TO THE AIR BAG SENSORS I HAVE ASKED THE DEALER ,AUTO BODY SHOP, AND INSURANCE INVESTIGATOR WERE ARE THEY NO ONE COULD ANSWER THIS NOR DID IT CONCERN THEM. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10147400

Official recalls

1

07V555000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:column Shift

Dec 4, 2007

ON CERTAIN VAN AND PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS, THE IGNITION/PARK SHIFT INTERLOCK SYSTEM MAY BECOME INOPERATIVE. THIS CAN ALLOW THE SHIFTER TO BE MOVED OUT OF THE "PARK" POSITION WITH THE IGNITION KEY REMOVED (OR IN THE "LOCK" POSITION). THIS CAN ALSO ALLOW THE IGNITION KEY TO BE REMOVED WHEN THE SHIFTER HAS NOT BEEN PLACED IN THE "PARK" POSITION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: EITHER OF THESE CONDITIONS COULD ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO ROLL AWAY CAUSING A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE GEARSHIFT BLOCKER AND BRACKET ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JANUARY 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER 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

PE02082 · Safety Belt Cinching Latch Plate

Opened Nov 6, 2002 · Closed Apr 23, 2003

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts

THERE ARE NO INJURIES OR FATALITIES ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ALLEGED DEFECT.WHILE CONDUCTING THIS INVESTIGATION, ODI FOUND THAT THE SUBJECT CINCHES MEET THE LOAD BEARING REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD 208, AND THAT MANY OF THE REPORTED FAILURES WERE DUE TO INCORRECT CHILD SAFETY SEAT INSTALLATIONS. ADDITIONALLY, THE REPORT RATE IS LOW (1.60/100K).THE INFORMATION AVAILABLE FAILS TO ESTABLISH THE EXISTENCE OF A DEFECT TREND AT THIS TIME.FURTHER ALLOCATION OF AGENCY RESOURCES TO THIS ISSUE IS UNWARRANTED AND THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION IS BEING CLOSED.