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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

Other model years Selected 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

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

What owners actually said

116 reports
Mileage unknown · Sep 12, 2005
EquipmentTrailer HitchesCrash

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 HAUL RIGHT 60 BOAT TRAILER MANUFACTURED BY B AND M. WHILE TRAVELING 60 MPH THE TONGUE BROKE WHERE IT HOOKS ON THE TRUCK, CAUSING THE BOAT AND THE TRAILER TO FALL DOWN AND HIT THE PAVEMENT. WHEN THE BOAT TRAILER WAS INSPECTED IT SHOWED ADDITIONAL WEAKNESS IN THE TONGUE. THE CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMM…

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DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 HAUL RIGHT 60 BOAT TRAILER MANUFACTURED BY B AND M. WHILE TRAVELING 60 MPH THE TONGUE BROKE WHERE IT HOOKS ON THE TRUCK, CAUSING THE BOAT AND THE TRAILER TO FALL DOWN AND HIT THE PAVEMENT. WHEN THE BOAT TRAILER WAS INSPECTED IT SHOWED ADDITIONAL WEAKNESS IN THE TONGUE. THE CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION TOLD THE CONTACT TO CONTACT NHTSA BECAUSE THE TRAILER HAD BRAKE LIGHTS. SHE HAS TRIED TO CONTACT THE BOAT MANUFACTURER, AND COULD NOT CONTACT THEM BY PHONE OR LETTER. THEY HAVE NOT GOTTEN A RESPONSE, AND THE DEALERSHIP WAS OUT OF BUSINESS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10136245

37,827 miles · Aug 11, 2005
Suspension

DT: THE CONTACT HEARD A RATTLING NOISE IN THE BACK OF THE TRUCK. HE WAS MAKING A TRIP TO LOS VEGAS, WAS WALKING AROUND THE TRUCK ON AND LOOKED UNDER THE WHEEL AND HE NOTICED A CLAMP THAT HELD A SPRING IN PLACE BROKE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10132440

3,000 miles · Apr 18, 2005
Vehicle Speed Control

WHEN ENGAGING THE CRUISE CONTROL IT WOULD INTERMITTENTLY CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO SHIFT AND ADVANCE TO A HIGHER SPEED. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED VIA PHONE. THE DEALER OR A REPAIR SHOP MADE NO INSPECTION AT THIS TIME.*AK THE VEHICLE HAS ACCELERATED SUDDENLY A NUMBER OF TIMES IN THE PAST 3 YEARS. THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS RECENTLY FIXED BUT…

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WHEN ENGAGING THE CRUISE CONTROL IT WOULD INTERMITTENTLY CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO SHIFT AND ADVANCE TO A HIGHER SPEED. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED VIA PHONE. THE DEALER OR A REPAIR SHOP MADE NO INSPECTION AT THIS TIME.*AK THE VEHICLE HAS ACCELERATED SUDDENLY A NUMBER OF TIMES IN THE PAST 3 YEARS. THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS RECENTLY FIXED BUT THAT WAS BECAUSE IT DIDN'T WORK AT ALL. *BF *NM

NHTSA ODI #10115347

39,600 miles · Apr 1, 2005
Vehicle Speed Control

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WILL EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION. HOWEVER, WHEN APPLYING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL VEHICLE IDLED QUIETLY, AND THEN SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10117278

Mileage unknown · Mar 30, 2005
Visibility

THE WINDSHIELD AND SIDE WINDOWS WOULD FOG UP WHEN THE HEATER AND DEFROSTER WERE ON, WHICH WAS MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO SEE THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR TESTING, BUT THE CAUSE WAS UNDETERMINED. *AK *SC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10109130

40,000 miles · Jan 13, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling

WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED DUE TO "ENGINE SLUDGE". THE CONSUMER PULLED OVER AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE CAUSE WAS NOT DETERMINED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10107291

12,000 miles · Jan 5, 2005
Power TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

TRUCK BEGAN TO VIBRATE DRAMATICALLY UPON BRAKING. THE ROTORS WERE WARPED, THE BRAKE PADS IN THE FRONT WERE TOO SMALL AND WAS CAUSING THE PROBLEM, A CLUNKING NOISE HAD STARTED COMING FROM THE REAR AS TIME PROGRESSED AND RETURNED AFTER REPAIRS. *SC AT 30,000 MILES THE ENTIRE REAR DIFFERENTAIL WENT OUT.

NHTSA ODI #10107049

Mileage unknown · Dec 28, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

THE VEHICLE STALLED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLS, THE CONSUMER IS AFRAID OF BEING REAR ENDED. THE DEALER CAN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10105434

59,000 miles · Dec 13, 2004
Air BagsCrashInjury

WHILE DRIVING ON GRAVEL ROAD OAT 40-45 MPH VEHICLE HIT A POT HOLE, CAUSING IT TO HYDROPLANE. VEHICLE CAME DOWN, AND HIT THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE FIRST AND COMMENCED TO FLIP OVER A FEW TIMES, LANDING ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE. UPON IMPACT, NEITHER OF THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. DRIVER SUSTAINED MAJOR INJURIES, AND WAS TRANSPOR…

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WHILE DRIVING ON GRAVEL ROAD OAT 40-45 MPH VEHICLE HIT A POT HOLE, CAUSING IT TO HYDROPLANE. VEHICLE CAME DOWN, AND HIT THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE FIRST AND COMMENCED TO FLIP OVER A FEW TIMES, LANDING ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE. UPON IMPACT, NEITHER OF THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. DRIVER SUSTAINED MAJOR INJURIES, AND WAS TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE TO THE LOCAL HOSPITAL. *AK.......*AK

NHTSA ODI #10103677

70,000 miles · Dec 9, 2004
Power Train

THE CONSUMER PLACED THE VEHICLE INTO PARK, WHILE EXITING THE VEHICLE THE DOOR KNOCKED THE CONSUMER TO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ROLL INTO A CREEK. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE GEAR WAS IN PARK, HOWEVER SHE WAS NOT SURE IF IT CAME OUT OF PARK. THE MANUFACTURE WILL BE CONTACTED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10103456

Official recalls

2

04V185000 · 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

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.