VehicleVerdict

2002 Dodge Ram Pickup problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 29 complaints on file for the 2002 Dodge Ram Pickup — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but one recall campaign applies to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

29

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

1

Investigations

5

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

3

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2002 compare to other Ram Pickup years?

Ram Pickup NHTSA complaints by model year, 2002 highlighted34 complaints1992: 6 complaints1994: 3 complaints1995: 9 complaints1996: 6 complaints1997: 21 complaints1998: 27 complaints1999: 34 complaints2000: 8 complaints2001: 21 complaints2002: 29 complaints2003: 19 complaints
Ram Pickup NHTSA complaints by model year, 2002 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Ram Pickup years to avoid →

What are the most common 2002 Dodge Ram Pickup problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Body & Structure828%
Transmission621%
Airbags414%
Electrical System310%
Other27%
Trailer Hitch13%
Visibility & Wipers13%
Brakes13%
Engine13%
Speed Control13%
Suspension13%

Does the 2002 Dodge Ram Pickup have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

07V555000TransmissionDecember 4, 2007 · 576,418 units

Defect

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

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“I PURCHASED A 2002 DODGE RAM AS NEW IN NOVEMBER OF 2001. WITHIN A COUPLE OF YEARS (APPROXIMATELY 30,000 MILES) FROM PURCHASE, MY DASHBOARD STARTED TO CRACK. WITHIN A YEAR OF SEEING THE FIRST CRACKS, PARTS OF THE DASH HAD LITERALLY TURNED TO GRAVEL. PIECES HAVE DROPPED DOWN AND INTO THE COMPONENTS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · November 1, 2004

“LSD PORTION OF DIFFERENTIAL FAILED INTO SMALL PIECES OF METAL THAT COULD HAVE BECOME LODGED IN GEARS AND CAUSED CATASTROPHIC FAILURE AND POTENTIAL ACCIDENT . IT APPEARS THAT THE DESIGN OF THE LSD IS FAULTY AS MANY UNITS HAVE FAILED. LSD REPLACED AT OWNERS EXPENSE WITH ZERO ASSISTANCE FROM DODGE. *NM”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · August 15, 2005

“INVOLVED IN AN COLLUSION, AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY, IMPACT AREA DRIVER FRONT TO CENTER OF HOOD, SPEED OVER 40 MPH. PASSENGER SUSTAINED BACK AND NECK INJURY ALONG WITH CHEST BRUSING FROM SEATBELT. SPOKE TO DODGE DEALER AND COMMENT WAS THAT SOMETIMES THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT GO OFF IF THE IMPACT DOES…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · December 1, 2004 · crash

“AFTER HAVING VEHICLE REPAIRED BY DODGE DEALER SHIP INTERIOR DASHBOARD WIRING HAS CAUSED DASHBOARD FIRE. DEALER DOES NOT HAVE A SOLUTION ON WHY DASHBOARD FIRES ARE OCCURRING. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · fire

“DODGE RAM 2002 3500 TRUCK THE BRAKE DISC PADS COME UNGLUED FROM THE BACKING PLATE DEFECT WAS FOUND ON 3 OF THE 4 BRAKE DISC PADS. DODGE IS USING POOR OR THE WRONG GLUE THERE WAS LOTS OF LIFE IN THE DISC PADS AND WAS UNDER 30,000 MILES ON THE TRUCK. *TR”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · June 19, 2008

2002 Dodge Ram Pickup — common questions

Is the 2002 Dodge Ram Pickup reliable?

The record is thin — 29 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 1 recall should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2002 Ram Pickup problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are body & structure (8 complaints), transmission (6 complaints), airbags (4 complaints).

Does the 2002 Dodge Ram Pickup have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2002 Dodge Ram Pickup. 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 Pickup under NHTSA investigation?

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

Which Dodge Ram Pickup years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Ram Pickup years to avoid are 1999. The cleanest record among Ram Pickup years belongs to 1994.

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.