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
Mileage unknown · Nov 22, 2009
Structure
I HAVE A 2002 DODGE RAM THAT I BOUGHT USED IN 2006. I DID NOT HAVE THE TRUCK SIX MONTHS AND I NOTICED A SMALL CRACK. A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER I NOTICED TWO MORE INCLUDING THE SPEAKER GRILLS IN THE DASH COMPLETELY FALLING APART. THIS IS A NATIONWIDE PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE FIXED BEFORE SOMEONE TAKES A PIECE OF PLASTIC TO THE FA…
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I HAVE A 2002 DODGE RAM THAT I BOUGHT USED IN 2006. I DID NOT HAVE THE TRUCK SIX MONTHS AND I NOTICED A SMALL CRACK. A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER I NOTICED TWO MORE INCLUDING THE SPEAKER GRILLS IN THE DASH COMPLETELY FALLING APART. THIS IS A NATIONWIDE PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE FIXED BEFORE SOMEONE TAKES A PIECE OF PLASTIC TO THE FACE IF IN AN ACCIDENT. ONCE IT STARTS CRACKING IT IS NOT GOING TO STOP AND THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUES FOR NOT ONLY EXPOSED WIRES BUT ALSO AIRBAGS THAT IF DEPLOYED WILL SEND SHARP PIECES OF PLASTIC EVERYWHERE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10293181
115,500 miles · Nov 19, 2009
Vehicle Speed Control
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500 PICKUP TRUCK. THE VEHICLE WOULD SURGE OVER 200-500 RPMS. SHE ALSO STATED THAT UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE AND BEING IN THE PARK POSITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE WITHOUT INTENT. THE FUEL INJECTION WAS CLEANED AND THE THROTTLE WAS REPLACED TO NO AVAIL. THE SOLENOID WAS ALSO REPLACED AN…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500 PICKUP TRUCK. THE VEHICLE WOULD SURGE OVER 200-500 RPMS. SHE ALSO STATED THAT UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE AND BEING IN THE PARK POSITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE WITHOUT INTENT. THE FUEL INJECTION WAS CLEANED AND THE THROTTLE WAS REPLACED TO NO AVAIL. THE SOLENOID WAS ALSO REPLACED AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS CLEANED; YET, THAT STILL DIDN'T CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND WOULD NOT TAKE ANY LIABILITY FOR THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BACK TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING; HOWEVER, THEY WERE UNABLE TO PRODUCE ANY ERROR CODES OR DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE TO DATE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE UNDER 115,500.
NHTSA ODI #10292883
76,000 miles · Nov 18, 2009
Structure
OVER A PERIOD OF 6 MONTHS THE DASHBOARD ON MY 2002 DODGE RAM 1500 HAS BEGAN TO CRACK AND CRUMBLE AWAY LEAVING SHARP EDGES. THERE HAS NEVER BEEN ANY IMPACT TO THE DASH OR VEHICLE. THE PLASTIC THAT THE DASH IS COMPOSED OF IS BRITTLE AND WEAK. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10292713
165,000 miles · Nov 7, 2009
Structure
I HAVE A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500 TRUCK MY DASHBOARD IS CRACKING AND FALLING APART. IT WONT BE LONG BEFORE THE DASH FALLS INTO THE TRUCK. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10291315
Mileage unknown · Oct 25, 2009
Structure
DASH IS CRACKED ON MY 2002 DODGE RAM 1500 IN MULTIPLE PLACES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10289762
80,500 miles · Oct 20, 2009
Structure
MY 2002 DODGE RAM 1500 DASH BOARD HAS BEEN CRACKING AND STEADILY GETTING WORSE OVER THE PAST YEAR. I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME THEY WOULD ONLY PAY $500.00 TOWARDS A $1200.00 REPAIR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10289134
590,390 miles · Oct 19, 2009
Structure
THE DASH ON MY 2002 DODGE RAM 1500 TRUCK IN CRACKING ON PASSENGER SIDE ABOVE THE AIR BAG. THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH DODGE TRUCKS BETWEEN 1998 AND 2006. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10288958
60,000 miles · Oct 9, 2009
Structure
THE DASHBOARD ON MY 2002 DODGE RAM 1500 HAS STARTED TO CRACK. THIS WILL ONLY GET WORSE AND WILL LEAD TO POTENTIAL SAFETY PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE. DODGE HAS BEEN AWARE OF THIS SINCE 2001 AND REFUSES TO CLASSIFY IT AS A SAFETY ISSUE AND REFUSES TO REPLACE THE ITEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10286880
50,000 miles · Oct 9, 2009
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO DECELERATE, HE EXPERIENCES UNINTENDED VEHICLE ACCELERATION. AFTER REPEATED BRAKE APPLICATION AND SHIFTING THE VEHICLE INTO THE NEUTRAL GEAR, THE VEHICLE WILL STOP. THE VEHICLE NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 50000.
NHTSA ODI #10286876
95,000 miles · Oct 8, 2009
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM. WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED. HE STATED THAT WATER ENTERED THE POWER DISTRIBUTION CENTER BOX AND CAUSED IT TO SHORT CIRCUIT. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 95,000.
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
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