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
What owners actually said
815 reports
95,000 miles · Jun 17, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling
2002 DODGE 4X4 1500 4.7L V8. TONS OF OWNERS OF THIS MAKE, MODEL, AND ENGINE SIZE HAVE HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM WITH THE 4.7L V8. AN ISSUE THAT HAPPENS ALL OF THE SUDDEN AND LEAVES US STRANDED. OIL SLUDGE, IS THE CAUSE OF OVERHEATING, RODS AND LIFTERS TICKING AND KNOCKING IN THE PASSENGERS SIDE OF THE ENGINE. WHAT CAUSES…
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2002 DODGE 4X4 1500 4.7L V8. TONS OF OWNERS OF THIS MAKE, MODEL, AND ENGINE SIZE HAVE HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM WITH THE 4.7L V8. AN ISSUE THAT HAPPENS ALL OF THE SUDDEN AND LEAVES US STRANDED. OIL SLUDGE, IS THE CAUSE OF OVERHEATING, RODS AND LIFTERS TICKING AND KNOCKING IN THE PASSENGERS SIDE OF THE ENGINE. WHAT CAUSES THIS PROBLEM IS POOR DESIGN OF THE BLOCK, AND POOR COOLING FOR THE ENGINE. THERE ARE LITERALLY TONS OF COMPLAINTS ON LINE AND IN DEALERSHIPS ON THIS MAKE, MODEL, AND ENGINE SIZE. AND DODGE WILL NOT OWN UP TO THIS ISSUE. IT IS EXTREMELY UN SAFE FOR THIS ENGINE TO BE DRIVING AROUND. THERE ARE LITTLE CHILDREN AND ELDERLY PEOPLE WHO COULD BE LEFT ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IF THIS PROBLEM IS NOT ADDRESSED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10336750
86,312 miles · Jun 14, 2010
SteeringSuspension
REPLACED RACK AND PINION FOUR TIMES ALONG WITH THE UPPER CONTROL ARM, UPPER/LOWER BALL JOINTS, AND TIE ROD ENDS. THIS LAST TIME THE BOOTS ON THE RACK AND PINION BUSTED POWER STEERING FLUID WAS LOST CAUSING STEERING TO LOCK UP. THE SEVERE UNDERLYING ISSUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE RACK AND PINION IS THE LEFT AND RIGHT STEERING KNUC…
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REPLACED RACK AND PINION FOUR TIMES ALONG WITH THE UPPER CONTROL ARM, UPPER/LOWER BALL JOINTS, AND TIE ROD ENDS. THIS LAST TIME THE BOOTS ON THE RACK AND PINION BUSTED POWER STEERING FLUID WAS LOST CAUSING STEERING TO LOCK UP. THE SEVERE UNDERLYING ISSUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE RACK AND PINION IS THE LEFT AND RIGHT STEERING KNUCKLES ARE FAULTY CAUSING THE TIRES TO TURN TO FAR WHICH IS CAUSING THE DAMAGE TO THE RACK AND PINION BUSTING WHICH IS CAUSING THE DRAINAGE OF POWER STEERING FLUID AND LOCKING UP THE STEERING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10336302
Mileage unknown · Jun 9, 2010
Electrical SystemStructure
JAN. 10, 2010 A VERY LARGE CRACK APPEARED IN THE DASH ON MY 2002 DODGE 1500 PICKUP AT FIRST IT WAS JUST A COSMETIC THING ,BUT NOW ALL THE WIRING IS EXPOSED THE VEHICLE TURN INDICATORS DO NOT WORK WHEN IT IS BAD WEATHER THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS DON'T WORK AND THE DEFROSTERS WILL NOT CHANGE FROM COLD TO HOT. I WENT TO THE DEALER…
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JAN. 10, 2010 A VERY LARGE CRACK APPEARED IN THE DASH ON MY 2002 DODGE 1500 PICKUP AT FIRST IT WAS JUST A COSMETIC THING ,BUT NOW ALL THE WIRING IS EXPOSED THE VEHICLE TURN INDICATORS DO NOT WORK WHEN IT IS BAD WEATHER THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS DON'T WORK AND THE DEFROSTERS WILL NOT CHANGE FROM COLD TO HOT. I WENT TO THE DEALER THEY ADVISED ME IT WAS NOT THEIR PROBLEM ,BUT I HAVE LEARNED THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE THIS HAS AFFECTED AND MY PROBLEM IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10335577
180,000 miles · May 28, 2010
Power Train
DRIVE SHAFT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10332624
Mileage unknown · May 23, 2010
Structure
CRACKED DASHBOARD JUST FLAKING AND REALLY SHARP EDGES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10331868
50,000 miles · May 11, 2010
Steering
COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER STEERING FLUID RESULTING IN SEVERE DIFFICULTY IN STEERING VEHICLE. THIS IS A 2ND OCCURRENCE AFTER HAVING REPLACED THE STEERING GEAR ON THE SAME VEHICLE APPROXIMATELY 20,000 MILES EARLIER. I HAD THE STEERING GEAR REPLACED NEW FOR A 2ND TIME. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10329926
83,000 miles · Apr 28, 2010
Structure
DASHBOARD CRACKED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10327844
88,500 miles · Apr 27, 2010
Structure
DASHBOARD HAS TWO VERY LARGE CRACKS ALL THE WAY THRU IT FROM THE FRONT BY THE WINDSHIELD ALL THE WAY TO THE BACK OF IT, AND A THIRD CRACK IS NOW STARTING TO FORM. I'VE OWNED THIS TRUCK SINCE IT WAS NEW AND HAVE TAKEN GOOD CARE OF IT AND BELIEVE THAT DODGE INSTALLED AN INFERIOR PRODUCT IN THEIR 2002 DODGE RAM PICKUP TRUCKS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10327803
100,000 miles · Apr 13, 2010
Structure
2002 DODGE RAM 1500 DASH CRACKING. THE DASH ON MY TRUCK IS CRACKING TO COLLAPSE. THIS IS A COMMON COMPLAINT ON THIS MODEL TRUCK. PIECES ARE FALLING DOWN INSIDE THE DASH WHICH IS SURELY BOUND TO DAMAGE OTHER COMPONENTS INSIDE THE DASH, POSSIBLY CAUSING ELECTRICAL OR MECHANICAL FAILURE. ALSO HAVE TO WONDER HOW DANGEROUS BRITTL…
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2002 DODGE RAM 1500 DASH CRACKING. THE DASH ON MY TRUCK IS CRACKING TO COLLAPSE. THIS IS A COMMON COMPLAINT ON THIS MODEL TRUCK. PIECES ARE FALLING DOWN INSIDE THE DASH WHICH IS SURELY BOUND TO DAMAGE OTHER COMPONENTS INSIDE THE DASH, POSSIBLY CAUSING ELECTRICAL OR MECHANICAL FAILURE. ALSO HAVE TO WONDER HOW DANGEROUS BRITTLE PLASTIC SHARDS WOULD BE IN A COLLISION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10325336
112,000 miles · Apr 5, 2010
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
I HAVE A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500 4DR 4WD.I JUST HAD MY TRUCK INSPECTED AND ALL LIGHTING WORKED FINE. I WAS PULLED OVER EASTER EVENING BY A NEW YORK STATE TROOPER AND NOTIFIED THAT MY REAR LIGHTS WERE OUT INCLUDING PARRKING, RUNNING, AND LICENSE PLATE LIGHTS, AS WELL AS FRONT RUNNING LIGHTS.I WAS INFORMED TO TURN 4 WAY FLASHERS ON WH…
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I HAVE A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500 4DR 4WD.I JUST HAD MY TRUCK INSPECTED AND ALL LIGHTING WORKED FINE. I WAS PULLED OVER EASTER EVENING BY A NEW YORK STATE TROOPER AND NOTIFIED THAT MY REAR LIGHTS WERE OUT INCLUDING PARRKING, RUNNING, AND LICENSE PLATE LIGHTS, AS WELL AS FRONT RUNNING LIGHTS.I WAS INFORMED TO TURN 4 WAY FLASHERS ON WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT TO MY DESTINATION. AFTER CHECKING ALL FUSES,B BULBS, RELAYS AND WIRING ARE ALL GOOD. WHEN I CHECKED FOR SIMILIAR PROBLEMS VIA INTERNET AND MY LOCAL MECHANIC AND A DODGE DEALER I WAS NOTIFIED THAT THE FUSE BOX WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED AND THE FRONT CONTROL MODULE. THIS IS A PART THAT SHOULD NOT GO BAD AS YOU HAVE TO CHANGE THE WHOLE BOX FOR JUST LIGHTS GOING OUT,WHICH DODGE SAYS IS AN UNSERVICEABLE PART THAT CORRODES WITHIN A SEALED BOX?AND THAT HAS TO BE CHANGED AS A WHOLE UNIT. THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS VIA INTERNET ETC OF THIS PROBLEM AND THAT DODGE WILL NOT BUDGE TO FIX THE PROBLEM THAT THEY ARE VERY AWARE OF OCCURING.THE CONSUMER SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS REPAIR ESTIMATES ARE ANYWHERE FROM $250 TO OVER A $1000 DOLLARS JUST TO REPLACE THE DEFECT.AND ALSO THAT DODGE HAS A BACK ORDER OF THESE BECAUSE OF THE NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THEM. THE CONSEQUENCES ARE THAT THE LIGHTS WILL GO OUT WITHOUT NOTICE OR A BULB OUT LIGHT BEING SIGNALLED THEEBY CAUSING ANOTHER VEHICLE TO REAREND OR SERIOUSLY INJURE SOMEONE WITHOUT THESE LIGHTS AT NIGHT. THE TROOPER STATED ALSO THAT HE HAS SEEN THIS BEFORE ON DODGE TRUCKS. *TR
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.
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.
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.
2002 Dodge RAM 1500 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year