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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.

About this comparison →

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

Fuel/propulsion System complaints

1 reports
Clear category filter
140 miles · Jun 18, 2019
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or OtherFireInjury

HELLO, I HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH MY DODGE RAM THE FUEL LINE SYSTEM JUST CRACKED AND CAUSED MY VEHICLE TO CATCH FIRE AND BLOW UP WHILE MYSELF IN MY 7 YEAR OLD GRANDDAUGHTER WAS IN THE VEHICLE MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN MAINTAINED SINCE DAY ONE WHEN I BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW NEVER HAVING PROBLEMS WITH IT OTHER THAN YOUR WILL WELLS WERE NEV…

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HELLO, I HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH MY DODGE RAM THE FUEL LINE SYSTEM JUST CRACKED AND CAUSED MY VEHICLE TO CATCH FIRE AND BLOW UP WHILE MYSELF IN MY 7 YEAR OLD GRANDDAUGHTER WAS IN THE VEHICLE MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN MAINTAINED SINCE DAY ONE WHEN I BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW NEVER HAVING PROBLEMS WITH IT OTHER THAN YOUR WILL WELLS WERE NEVER DRILLED OUT TO DRAIN THE WATER IN THE BACK I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF YOU HAVE HAD OTHER ISSUES WITH THIS VEHICLE ON THE SAME INCIDENT. MYSELF IN MY GRANDDAUGHTER INHALE VERY TOXIC FUMES BEFORE WE WERE ABLE TO GET OUT THE TRUCK AS IT WAS ON FIRE AND INCHES AWAY WHEN IT EXPLODED.PICS AND REPORT WONT DOWNLOAD THANK YOU

NHTSA ODI #11220970

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.