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2002 Dodge RAM 1500

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2002 Dodge RAM 1500 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 520.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

584 reports with mileage · 231 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.

  • Structure. Review the 278 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 99 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 93 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

55 crash reports14 fire reports43 injury reports

Air Bags complaints

46 reports
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64,000 miles · Jun 2, 2012
Air BagsCrash

DODGE COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE IN THE FRONT LEFT AND THEN THE OTHER VEHICLE SPUN AROUND AND HIT THE SIDE OF THE DODGE. ALL SAFETY AIRBAGS IN CAR FAILED TO DEPLOY AND NO AIRBAG CHECK LIGHT WAS ON DURING THE LIFE OF THE DODGE. ALSO THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS A DODGE AND IT HAD LESS DAMAGE AND ALL AIRBAGS DEPLOYED IN THAT VEHICLE. …

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DODGE COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE IN THE FRONT LEFT AND THEN THE OTHER VEHICLE SPUN AROUND AND HIT THE SIDE OF THE DODGE. ALL SAFETY AIRBAGS IN CAR FAILED TO DEPLOY AND NO AIRBAG CHECK LIGHT WAS ON DURING THE LIFE OF THE DODGE. ALSO THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS A DODGE AND IT HAD LESS DAMAGE AND ALL AIRBAGS DEPLOYED IN THAT VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10460321

45,000 miles · Sep 12, 2011
Air Bags

5 YEARS AFTER MANUFACTURE OF THIS VEHICLE THE DASHBOARDS HAVE GONE FROM FRACTURED TO NEARLY COMPLETELY DISSOLVED. THROUGH RESEARCH THIS ISSUE IS APPLICABLE TO ALL VEHICLES PRODUCED WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL. THE ISSUE HAS BECOME A SAFETY CONCERN NOW THAT THE AIR BAGS HAVE BECOME EXPOSED AND WILL NOT PROPERLY INFLATE IF NEEDED. DO…

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5 YEARS AFTER MANUFACTURE OF THIS VEHICLE THE DASHBOARDS HAVE GONE FROM FRACTURED TO NEARLY COMPLETELY DISSOLVED. THROUGH RESEARCH THIS ISSUE IS APPLICABLE TO ALL VEHICLES PRODUCED WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL. THE ISSUE HAS BECOME A SAFETY CONCERN NOW THAT THE AIR BAGS HAVE BECOME EXPOSED AND WILL NOT PROPERLY INFLATE IF NEEDED. DODGE HAS RECEIVED MORE THAN 16,000 COMPLAINTS AND INSISTS THESE FAULTY PARTS ARE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CONSUMER. HOWEVER THEY ARE MORE THAN HAPPY TO REFER YOU A CERTIFIED DEALER WITH A REPLACEMENT COST OF APPROXIMATELY 975 DOLLARS US. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10425091

94,000 miles · Aug 17, 2011
Air BagsStructure

2002 DODGE RAM 1500 CRACKED DASHBOARD OVER AIR BAG ON PASSENGER SIDE . THIS PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE HAPPENING TOO MANY DODGE RAM PICKUPS FROM THE 1993 MODEL YEAR THROUGH 2005 MODEL YEAR. THE EDGE OF THE CRACKED PLASTIC IS SHARP AND POSE A SERIOUS INJURY PROBABILITY IN THE EVENT OF ACCIDENT AND AIRBAG INFLATION. A PERSON CAN EAS…

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2002 DODGE RAM 1500 CRACKED DASHBOARD OVER AIR BAG ON PASSENGER SIDE . THIS PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE HAPPENING TOO MANY DODGE RAM PICKUPS FROM THE 1993 MODEL YEAR THROUGH 2005 MODEL YEAR. THE EDGE OF THE CRACKED PLASTIC IS SHARP AND POSE A SERIOUS INJURY PROBABILITY IN THE EVENT OF ACCIDENT AND AIRBAG INFLATION. A PERSON CAN EASILY CUT THEIR FINGER OR HAND WHILE CLEANING THE DASH ARE SERVICING THE VEHICLE. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10419772

38,000 miles · Sep 14, 2010
Air BagsStructure

THE DASH IN MY 2002 DODGE RAM 1500 IS CRACKING AND FALLING APART (DEFECTIVE PLASTIC)AND DODGE/CHRYSLER WILL NOT STAND BEHIND IT'S PRODUCT. THE AIR BAG IS RIGHT BELOW & CONNECTED TO THE PLASTIC THAT HAS CRACKED. I AM WORRIED THAT IF THE AIR BAG IS DEPLOYED THAT THIS PLASTIC (WHICH IS VERY SHARP PIECES) WILL BE VERY DANGEROUS TO A…

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THE DASH IN MY 2002 DODGE RAM 1500 IS CRACKING AND FALLING APART (DEFECTIVE PLASTIC)AND DODGE/CHRYSLER WILL NOT STAND BEHIND IT'S PRODUCT. THE AIR BAG IS RIGHT BELOW & CONNECTED TO THE PLASTIC THAT HAS CRACKED. I AM WORRIED THAT IF THE AIR BAG IS DEPLOYED THAT THIS PLASTIC (WHICH IS VERY SHARP PIECES) WILL BE VERY DANGEROUS TO ANYONE IN THE VEHICLE.I ALSO PICK UP MY GRANDCHILDREN EVERY DAY FROM SCHOOL AND THE DASH ON MY TRUCK HAS BROKEN IN SO MANY PLACES THAT IT IS NOW FALLING APART AND HUGE PIECES FALLING OUT.THIS PLASTIC IS VERY SHARP AND COULD SLICE OPEN ANYONE AROUND IT. I HAVE ALWAYS KEPT MY TRUCK PARKED IN A GARAGE SINCE I HAVE OWNED IT(2002)-SO THE SUN IS NOT THE PROBLEM-IT IS A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT THAT WAS INSTALLED ON MY VEHICLE WHEN BUILT. I HAVE CONTACTED MY DEALERSHIP TWICE AND THEY TELL ME THAT THERE IS NOTHING THEY WILL DO ABOUT IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10355576

Mileage unknown · Aug 31, 2010
Air BagsCrashInjury

TRUCK CRASHED INTO TREE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY CAME FACE WITH STEERING WHEEL DASH BOARD,CHEST HIT STEERING WHEEL AND DRIVER DOOR HAIRLINE FRACTURE OF NOSE MOUTH WASBUSTED UP AND HAVE PROBLEM WITH NECK AND BACK AND LARGE KNOT ON FOREHAD,,TRUCK WAS TOTAL OUT..,THIS IS A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500,I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY MY AIRBAG DID NO…

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TRUCK CRASHED INTO TREE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY CAME FACE WITH STEERING WHEEL DASH BOARD,CHEST HIT STEERING WHEEL AND DRIVER DOOR HAIRLINE FRACTURE OF NOSE MOUTH WASBUSTED UP AND HAVE PROBLEM WITH NECK AND BACK AND LARGE KNOT ON FOREHAD,,TRUCK WAS TOTAL OUT..,THIS IS A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500,I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY MY AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10353017

Mileage unknown · Jun 15, 2009
Air Bags

AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON AND WILL NOT GO OFF. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10273833

65,000 miles · Jan 19, 2009
Air Bags

SEVERE CRACKING OF UPPER TWO-PIECE DASH BOARD. MULTIPLE CRACKS RUNNING THROUGH DASH, LEAVING OPEN HOLES TO WIRING. CRACKED DASH SHIFTING, COULD INTERFERE WITH PASSENGER AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10255554

Mileage unknown · Feb 21, 2008
Air BagsCrashInjury

A VEHICLE WAS LEFT UNATTENDED ON A HILLSIDE IN DIRECT SUNLIGHT AFTER IT HAD ALREADY HIT A MAILBOX. I STRUCK VEHICLE IN LEFT REAR WITH MY RIGHT FRONT IT TOTALED BOTH VEHICLES. I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 50 MPH AND NEVER SEEN CAR PRIOR TO IMPACT. IT INJURED BOTH PASSENGERS IN BACK SEAT BOTH FRONT SEAT OCCUPANTS WERE NOT INJURED BUT AIRBA…

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A VEHICLE WAS LEFT UNATTENDED ON A HILLSIDE IN DIRECT SUNLIGHT AFTER IT HAD ALREADY HIT A MAILBOX. I STRUCK VEHICLE IN LEFT REAR WITH MY RIGHT FRONT IT TOTALED BOTH VEHICLES. I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 50 MPH AND NEVER SEEN CAR PRIOR TO IMPACT. IT INJURED BOTH PASSENGERS IN BACK SEAT BOTH FRONT SEAT OCCUPANTS WERE NOT INJURED BUT AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10218821

101,000 miles · Jan 4, 2008
Air BagsElectrical System

EXCESSIVE CRACKS HAVE FORMED IN BOTH DASHBOARD PIECES. THE PLASTIC HAS BECOME VERY BRITTLE AND SHARP PIECES ARE BEGINNING TO FALL INTO THE WIRING UNDERNEATH. NOTHING PARTICULAR HAPPENED THAT CAUSED IT, THEY JUST APPEARED OVERNIGHT. CONVERSATIONS WITH THE LOCAL DODGE DEALER AND CHRYSLER CUSTOMER SERVICE YEILDED NO ASSISTANCE. …

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EXCESSIVE CRACKS HAVE FORMED IN BOTH DASHBOARD PIECES. THE PLASTIC HAS BECOME VERY BRITTLE AND SHARP PIECES ARE BEGINNING TO FALL INTO THE WIRING UNDERNEATH. NOTHING PARTICULAR HAPPENED THAT CAUSED IT, THEY JUST APPEARED OVERNIGHT. CONVERSATIONS WITH THE LOCAL DODGE DEALER AND CHRYSLER CUSTOMER SERVICE YEILDED NO ASSISTANCE. I AM CONCERNED OF THE SHARP EDGES OF THE PLASTIC FALLING INTO THE DASHBOARD WIRING AND CAUSING ELECTRICAL FAILURES WHILE DRIVING OR, IN THE EVENT OF AN AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT, SHARDS OF THE SHATTERING PLASTIC IMPALING THE DRIVER OR PASSENGER. *CN

NHTSA ODI #10213694

136,000 miles · Dec 11, 2007
Air Bags

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING 45MPH, THE VEHICLE COLLIDED INTO THE DRIVER SIDE OF A PICK UP TRUCK. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT AND THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS FOR THE AIR BAGS PRIOR TO OR AFTER THE INCIDENT. THERE WAS MAJOR DAMAGED IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE COLLI…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING 45MPH, THE VEHICLE COLLIDED INTO THE DRIVER SIDE OF A PICK UP TRUCK. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT AND THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS FOR THE AIR BAGS PRIOR TO OR AFTER THE INCIDENT. THERE WAS MAJOR DAMAGED IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE COLLISION CAUSED THE DRIVELINE OF THE VEHICLE TO PUSH TOWARDS THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS AT 136,000 MILES.

NHTSA ODI #10211508

Official recalls

3

03V504000 · Tires

Dec 10, 2003

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."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Not supplied

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.

03V077000 · Visibility:rearview Mirrors/devices:exterior

Mar 10, 2003

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

Consequence & remedy

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.

03V078000 · Steering:column

Mar 10, 2003

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 & remedy

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.

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.