VehicleVerdict

2002 Dodge Ram 1500 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 sits mid-pack among Ram 1500 years: 1,004 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 702, with 6 recalls and one closed investigation. Reports tied to this model year include 2 deaths and 79 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

Body & Structure leads the complaint categories with 279 reports (28% of the total).

1,004

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

1

Investigations

74

Crash-involved

22

Fires reported

79

Injuries

2

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2002 compare to other Ram 1500 years?

See all Ram 1500 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Body & Structure27928%
Transmission10010%
Electrical System9710%
Engine818%
Suspension768%
Other717%
Visibility & Wipers555%
Airbags485%
Steering444%
Lighting424%
Brakes374%
Tires & Wheels293%
Speed Control222%
Fuel System71%
Seat Belts61%
Latches & Locks50%
Seats40%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)10%

Does the 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 have recalls?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

10E040000Tires & WheelsAugust 23, 2010 · 34,604 units

Defect

FEDERAL-MOGUL IS RECALLING CERTAIN CARQUEST, NATIONAL, AND PERCISION BRAND WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES, P/NOS 515073 AND 515073, SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT ON MODEL YEAR 2002 THROUGH 2008 DODGE RAM 1500 PICKUP TRUCKS. THE INBOARD ROLL FORM USED TO MAINTAIN THE HUB ASSEMBLY CAN FATIGUE RESULTING IN NOISE AND/OR WHEEL SEPARATION ON THE TWO WHEEL DRIVE (2WD) APPLICATIONS. THE RISK OF THESE ISSUES DO NOT OCCUR ON THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE (4WD) APPLICATIONS, AND INSTALLATION ON THE 4WD APPLICATIONS ARE NOT PART OF THIS RECALL.

Consequence

A VEHICLE CRASH CAN OCCUR IF THE WHEEL SEPARATES FROM THE VEHICLE.

Remedy

FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND TECHNICIANS WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED HUB ASSEMBLIES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL AT 1-877-489-6659.

07E104000Visibility & WipersDecember 11, 2007 · 1,657 units

Defect

CERTAIN CURVED TEMPERED REPLACEMENT GLASS MANUFACTURED BY HANGZHOU SAFETY GLASS LTD AND SUPPLIED TO SAFELITE BY AUTO TEMP INC., IDENTIFIED AS DOT-430, AND SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN VEHICLES MAY NOT BREAK INTO SMALL PIECES AS EXPECTED OF TEMPERED GLASS AND FAILS TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 205, "GLAZING MATERIALS."

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT(S) MAY BE SERIOUSLY INJURED BY SHATTERED GLASS.

Remedy

SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS RETAIL CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE GLASS FREE OF CHARGE. RETAIL CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT SAFELITE TOLL FREE AT 1-888-843-2906. SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS AND REIMBURSE WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS FOR CURRENT INVENTORY AND AT A SPECIFIED RATE FOR REPLACING THEIR CUSTOMER'S GLASS. WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT SAFELITE'S WHOLESALE DIVISION, SERVICE AUTOGLASS TOLL FREE AT 1-888-246-6298. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 15, 2008.

06E024000EngineMarch 15, 2006 · 44,386 units

Defect

CERTAIN REPLACEMENT K&N FUEL PERFORMANCE KITS, P/NOS. 57-1509, 57-1511, 57-1511-1, 57-1517, 57-1517-1, 57-1527, AND 57-1530. ALSO, A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THESE KITS WERE SOLD UNDER THE MOPAR PERFORMANCE PARTS BRAND NAME (P/NOS. P5007069 AND P5007070). ALL KITS WERE MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 20, 1999, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 23, 2004. THESE ASSEMBLIES WERE MANUFACTURED AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR CERTAIN DODGE PICKUP TRUCKS AND SUVS. A SMALL PIECE OF MATERIAL FROM THE TUBE WALL COULD BE SUCKED INTO THE ENGINE THROTTLE BODY, WHICH COULD CAUSE THE THROTTLE TO BECOME JAMMED IN THE OPEN POSITION.

Consequence

A JAMMED OPEN THROTTLE COULD CAUSE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION OF THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH OR INCREASED STOPING DISTANCES WHEN BRAKING.

Remedy

K&N WILL PROVIDE OWNERS WITH A FREE REPAIR KIT ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 20, 2006.

03V504000Tires & WheelsDecember 10, 2003 · 214 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN 4X4 PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH THE SNOW PLOW PREPARATION PACKAGE, THE TIRES SUPPLIED ON SOME VEHICLES MAY HAVE GROSS AXLE WEIGHT RATINGS THAT SLIGHTLY EXCEED THE MAXIMUM TIRE LOAD CAPACITY AS DEFINED IN FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 120, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS."

Remedy

DEALERS WILL PROVIDE REPLACEMENT P245/75R16 TIRES TO MEET THE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY SPECIFIED ON THE VEHICLE CERTIFICATION LABEL AND ACCOMMODATE THE ADDITION OF A COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE SNOW PLOW AND HARDWARE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 22, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-992-1997.

03V077000Visibility & WipersMarch 10, 2003 · 195,500 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, THE DETENT SYSTEM ON THE EXTERIOR MIRROR HOUSINGS MAY LOSE THE FUNCTIONALITY.

Consequence

THIS COULD POTENTIALLY AFFECT REARWARD FIELD OF VISION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A MIRROR DETENT RETAINER KIT TO CORRECT THIS CONDITION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 10, 2003. 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.

03V078000SteeringMarch 10, 2003 · 287,725 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR AT THE BOTTOM OF THE STEERING COLUMN CONTAINS AN UNDER-SIZED TERMINAL FOR THE HVAC BLOWER MOTOR CIRCUIT. LOCALIZED HEATING FROM CURRENT FLOW WITH THE BLOWER SPEED SET ON HIGH MAY CAUSE THE TERMINAL CONTACTS TO RELAX AND LOSE ELECTRICAL CONTACT. THIS CAN CAUSE THE HVAC BLOWER MOTOR TO BECOME INOPERATIVE.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE IMPAIRMENT OF VISIBILITY IN INCLEMENT WEATHER, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A WIRING HARNESS OVERLAY TO CORRECT THIS CONDITION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 15, 2003. 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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

I WAS REAR ENDED AT A RED LIGHT AND MY DASH BOARD SUSTAINED MULTIPLE FRACTURES. PART OF THE DASH BOARD FRACTURED AND BECAME AIRBORNE IN THE VEHICLE. IT WAS THE SIZE OF AN IPHONE. THERE WAS ALSO ANOTHER PART OF THE DASHBOARD WHERE A HOLE IS PRESENT AND THE DASH BOARD IS SUNKEN IN. VERY DISAPPOINTED…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · June 21, 2012 · crash

THE DIFFERENTIAL BROKE IN HALF WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, VEHICLE WENT OFF THE ROAD AND DOWN TO A DITCH. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY IMMOBILE. *AK......MAD EALL TIRES FLAT, AND REAR PASSENGER TIRE DETACHED/FELL OFF THE TRUCK. NO POLICE REPORT OBTAINED. CONSUMER CLAIMED POLICE WERE TRYING…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · December 24, 2004 · crash

GAS PEDAL STUCK, AND CAUSED UNINTENDED ACCELERATING WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN ONTO A BUSY STREET. VEHICLE SPUN OUT WHILE MY HUSBAND TRIED TO GET THE PEDAL UNSTUCK THE TRUCK SPUN OUT MORE AND TURNED A 180 FACING ONCOMING TRAFFIC BACK PASSENGER TIRE HIT AGAINST THE CEMENT MEDIAN KNOCKING THE TIRE IN…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · February 14, 2013 · crash

GAS PEDAL STUCK, AND CAUSED UNINTENDED ACCELERATING WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN ONTO A BUSY STREET. VEHICLE SPUN OUT WHILE MY HUSBAND TRIED TO GET THE PEDAL UNSTUCK THE TRUCK SPUN OUT MORE AND TURNED A 180 FACING ONCOMING TRAFFIC BACK PASSENGER TIRE HIT AGAINST THE CEMENT MEDIAN KNOCKING THE TIRE IN…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · February 14, 2013 · crash

TRAVELING AT AROUND 70MPH ON I30 EAST MILE 16 I HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD CAUSING THE TRUCK TO SWAY UNCONTROLLABLY AND CAUSING A SPIN OUT INTO THE CENTER DIVIDE. WEATHER WAS CLOUDY AND ROAD WAY WAS DRY. TRUCK HAS ALWAYS HAD A TENDENCY TO SWAY WHEN HITTING EVEN THE SMALLEST BUMPS IN THE ROAD THIS WAS…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · December 18, 2002 · crash

2002 Dodge Ram 1500 — common questions

Is the 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 reliable?

It is close to typical for the Ram 1500: 1,004 NHTSA complaints, 6 recalls, and 1 investigation on file.

What are the most common 2002 Ram 1500 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are body & structure (279 complaints), transmission (100 complaints), electrical system (97 complaints).

Does the 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2002 Dodge Ram 1500. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Dodge Ram 1500 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Ram 1500 years to avoid are 2005, 2001, 2004, 2003, 2006, 2008, 2007. The cleanest record among Ram 1500 years belongs to 1992.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.