Illustration2002 DODGE RAM QUAD CAB 2" BY 4" HOLE COLLAPSE IN DASHBOARD FOR NO REASON IE COLLISION. I ALSO HAD A 1998 DODGE RAM WHICH SUSTAINED A LONGER BUT NARROWER CRACK. *TR
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all RAM 1500 years →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
860–25K
10525–50K
12050–75K
10775–100K
104100–150K
62150K+
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
Structure complaints
278 reportsI OWN A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500. MY DASH HAS DEVELOPED A LARGE CRACK THAT RUNS VERTICALLY FROM THE FRONT TO BACK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE ALONG SIDE WHERE THE AIRBAG IS. I CONSIDER THIS NOT ONLY A FACTORY DEFECT, BUT ALSO A POTENTIAL SAFETY CONCERN. SHOULD THE AIR BAG GO OFF THERE IS THE POTENTIAL THAT THE DASH FRAGMENTS COULD GO AI…
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I OWN A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500. MY DASH HAS DEVELOPED A LARGE CRACK THAT RUNS VERTICALLY FROM THE FRONT TO BACK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE ALONG SIDE WHERE THE AIRBAG IS. I CONSIDER THIS NOT ONLY A FACTORY DEFECT, BUT ALSO A POTENTIAL SAFETY CONCERN. SHOULD THE AIR BAG GO OFF THERE IS THE POTENTIAL THAT THE DASH FRAGMENTS COULD GO AIRBORNE AND CAUSE PERSONAL INJURY TO THE OCCUPANTS. I HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS POSTED REGARDING THIS ISSUE, AND AM PLEASED TO KNOW THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE EXPERIENCING THIS. IT CERTAINLY APPEARS TO ME THAT THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT MERITS A RECALL. I HAVE CONTACTED DODGES CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND THEY HAVE NEITHER CONFIRMED NOR DENIED THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM. THEY HOWEVER HAVE OFFERED TO REPLACE THE DASH, WITH A $200 DEDUCTIBLE ATTACHED. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THERE IS A NATION WIDE BACK ORDER ON THESE DASHES. THIS IN ITSELF TELLS ME THAT THERE IS MAJOR PROBLEM. *TR
THE DASH BOARD IN MY 2002 DODGE RAM 1500 HAS COMPLETELY DETERIORATED. IT'S COMPLETELY COVERED WITH CRACKS, AND TWO OF THE VENTS HAVE FALLEN INSIDE THE DASH BOARD. I CONTACTED CHRYSLER AND THEY ADVISED THAT THEY COULD DO NOTHING FOR THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THE WARRANTY FOR THE DASH BOARD HAD EXPIRED. *TR
MY 2002 DODGE RAM 1500 QUAD CAB HAS SEVERAL CRACKS ON THE DASH ON THE FRONT VENTS, SIDE VENTS, AND ALONG THE TOP. I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY RADIO VOLUME NOT TURNING DOWN AND SOME OF THE SPEAKERS COMING IN AND OUT. *TR
DASHBOARD IS CRACKED IN SEVERAL PLACES. PIECES THAT HAVE COME LOOSE MAY FALL AND CAUSE SYSTEM FAILURE OR BECOME PROJECTILES IN AN ACCIDENT. *TR I HAVEN'T REPLACED THE DASH. IT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON THIS VEHICLE
CRACKED DASHBOARD. I AM ABLE TO LIFT THREE-QUARTERS OF THE DASH BOARD UP A LITTLE. I DO FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN...CHRYSLER IS INVESTIGATING IF THEY CAN HELP ME OUT. THEY ADVISED ME THEY WORK CLOSELY WITH YOU TO DECIDE IF IT SHOULD BE A RECALL....IT SHOULD!!! I DO KNOW THIS IS HAPPENING TO A NUMBER OF OWNERS SINCE I SAW IT…
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CRACKED DASHBOARD. I AM ABLE TO LIFT THREE-QUARTERS OF THE DASH BOARD UP A LITTLE. I DO FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN...CHRYSLER IS INVESTIGATING IF THEY CAN HELP ME OUT. THEY ADVISED ME THEY WORK CLOSELY WITH YOU TO DECIDE IF IT SHOULD BE A RECALL....IT SHOULD!!! I DO KNOW THIS IS HAPPENING TO A NUMBER OF OWNERS SINCE I SAW IT ON TV. *TR
MY DASHBOARD ON MY 2002 DODGE RAM 1500 IS CRACKING BAD AND THE CONCERN IS THE WIRES IN MY DASH WILL BE EXPOSED TO THE SUN. MELTING WIRES,SHORT AND LIGHTS GOING OFF AT NIGHT WHILE DRIVING ARE THE RESULT OF THIS PROBLEM. *JB
2002 DODGE RAM 1500 - DASH CRACKED IN SEVERAL PLACES. *JB
2002 DODGE RAM 1500 PICKUP. DASH CRACKED ALL THE WAY THROUGH IN 2 PLACES - ONE IS ABOUT 8" LONG THE OTHER IS ABOUT 18" LONG. *TR
THE DASHBOARD ON MY TRUCK CRACKED, THEN BEGAN LOSING PIECES. SOME PIECES HAVE BEEN PROPELLED AT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS BY THE AIR CONDITIONING AND WHEN WINDOWS ARE OPEN. WIRING PROBLEMS APPEAR TO BE DEVELOPING (I AM NOW RECEIVING "LAMP OUT" WARNINGS). I HAVE PLACED A DASH COVER TO LIMIT EXPOSURE TO THESE HAZARDS, BUT I HAVE S…
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THE DASHBOARD ON MY TRUCK CRACKED, THEN BEGAN LOSING PIECES. SOME PIECES HAVE BEEN PROPELLED AT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS BY THE AIR CONDITIONING AND WHEN WINDOWS ARE OPEN. WIRING PROBLEMS APPEAR TO BE DEVELOPING (I AM NOW RECEIVING "LAMP OUT" WARNINGS). I HAVE PLACED A DASH COVER TO LIMIT EXPOSURE TO THESE HAZARDS, BUT I HAVE SEEN NEWS REPORTS THAT MANY OTHER CONSUMERS ARE EXPERIENCING THESE PROBLEMS, AND THAT THEY CONTINUE TO WORSEN. *TR
Official recalls
303V504000 · 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
1PE02096 · 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.