IllustrationDT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PARKED, THERE WAS A PUDDLE UNDER THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP DETERMINED THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE STEERING RACK. THE STEERING RACK NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 03/28/06. *JB
2002 Dodge RAM
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most RAM years
Owner complaints for the 2002 Dodge RAM are substantially higher than the model-year median of 27.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all RAM years →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
120–25K
1025–50K
850–75K
475–100K
0100–150K
1150K+
35 reports with mileage · 81 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.
- Power Train. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Suspension. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Air Bags. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
14 crash reports3 fire reports12 injury reports
Steering complaints
8 reportsWHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME STIFF AND WAS UNABLE TO STEER IT PROPERLY. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE STEERING SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
WHILE DRIVING STEERING WHEEL BECAME LOOSE AND VEHICLE WANDERED FROM SIDE TO SIDE. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT STEERING GEAR BOX SHAFT WAS DEFECTIVE AND REPLACED IT. CONSUMER STATED THAT STEERING GEAR BOX SHAFT HAD BEEN REPLACED FOUR TIMES EARLIER. *AK
I BROUGHT MY TRUCK TO THE DEALER BECAUSE IT PULLED TO THE RIGHT AND SHUDDERED AT 75MPH. I HAD ALREADY HAD 3 ALIGNMENTS ON IT SINCE I BOUGHT IT. DEALER SAID IT WAS DUE TO THE TIRE WEAR. TIRES WORE OUT AT 27,000 MILES. DEALER WAS SHOCKED; IT?S A NEW TRUCK THE TIRES SHOULD HAVE LASTED 40,000 MILES. I GOT NEW TIRES BUT THE TRUCK ST…
Read full complaint
I BROUGHT MY TRUCK TO THE DEALER BECAUSE IT PULLED TO THE RIGHT AND SHUDDERED AT 75MPH. I HAD ALREADY HAD 3 ALIGNMENTS ON IT SINCE I BOUGHT IT. DEALER SAID IT WAS DUE TO THE TIRE WEAR. TIRES WORE OUT AT 27,000 MILES. DEALER WAS SHOCKED; IT?S A NEW TRUCK THE TIRES SHOULD HAVE LASTED 40,000 MILES. I GOT NEW TIRES BUT THE TRUCK STILL PULLS RIGHT AND NOW IT IS STARTING TO SHUDDER AT 65MPH. I HAVE HAD A PULL PROBLEM SINCE DAY ONE. I HAVE ALSO NOTICED THAT THE RAIDO LIGHTS AND ALL DASH LIGHTS GO OUT WHEN THE KEY IS TURNED TO THE REAR AND GIGGLED A BIT. I AM BRINGING THE TRUCK IN TO THE SHOP AGAIN THIS WEEK. I HOPE IT CAN BE FIXED.
THE VEHICLES STEERING, TRANSMISSION AND SUSPENSION FAILED. *AK *NLM
CONSUMER STATES THAT THERE ARE HOLES IN THE BACK OF THE STEERING WHEEL AND KEYS GET CAUGHT IN THE IGNITION. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *TS
REAR END STARTED HOWLING VERY LOUDLY. SHE STARTED SLOWING DOWN WHEN THE REAR END LOCKED UP AND THE DRIVESHAFT FELL OUT ONTO THE ROAD. MR
WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, STEERING MAKES LOUD NOISE, SOUNDS LIKE STEERING IS GOING TO FALL APART. DEALERSHIP REPLACED STEERING COLUMN; HOWEVER, PROBLEM IS STILL OCCURRING. *AK *YH
Official recalls
204V185000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module
Apr 12, 2004
ON CERTAIN VAN AND WAGON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4-WHEEL ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEMS (ABS), AFTERMARKET BATTERIES MAY LEAK ELECTROLYTE ONTO THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR, WHICH CAN COMPROMISE SEALING INTEGRITY OF THE CONNECTOR.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS MAY ALLOW DEVELOPMENT OF A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE CONNECTOR, WHICH COULD EVENTUALLY LEAD TO A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR FOR ELECTROLYTE DAMAGE AND REPLACE THE CONNECTOR AS NECESSARY. THE RECALL WILL BEGIN ON SEPTEMBER 27, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
02V159000 · Power Train:axle Assembly
Jun 13, 2002
ON CERTAIN 4X4 PICKUP TRUCKS, THE REAR AXLE FLANGE WELD TO THE AXLE TUBE COULD FATIGUE AND ALLOW THE BRAKE CALIPER ASSEMBLY TO ROTATE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: DURING ROTATION, THE BRAKE LINE COULD SEPARATE FROM THE CALIPER RESULTING IN A BRAKE FLUID LOSS IN THE REAR BRAKE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL REAR BRAKE CALIPER REINFORCEMENTS ON THE REAR AXLE ASSEMBLIES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 9, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER 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
1PE02096 · 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.