DROPPED VALVE SEATS LOCKED UP MY 4.7 LITER ENGIN
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
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.
What owners actually said
815 reportsTHE DASH HAS CRACKED IN ABOUT 12 PLACES.
DASHBOARD CRACKING AND FALLING IN TO THE AIR VENTS THEN BEING SENT OUT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. DODGE HAS HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE DASH AND THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON IT.
TAKATA RECALL. I WAS IN A HEAD ON COLLISION AT 45MPH WITH A RAV4 THAT TURNED INTO ME TRYING TO GET INTO A GAS STATION. 12/05/2016 I HAD MY SEAT BELT ON BUT NEITHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED. MY INSURANCE ADJUSTER RECOMMENDED BRINGING THIS TO DODGES ATTENTION. EVEN THE POLICE OFFICER SAID THAT I SHOULD LET DODGE KNOW. THE NEXT PAGE STOPP…
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TAKATA RECALL. I WAS IN A HEAD ON COLLISION AT 45MPH WITH A RAV4 THAT TURNED INTO ME TRYING TO GET INTO A GAS STATION. 12/05/2016 I HAD MY SEAT BELT ON BUT NEITHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED. MY INSURANCE ADJUSTER RECOMMENDED BRINGING THIS TO DODGES ATTENTION. EVEN THE POLICE OFFICER SAID THAT I SHOULD LET DODGE KNOW. THE NEXT PAGE STOPPED WORKING. I INJURED MY NECK AND SHOULDERS AN ALSO MY RIGHT FOOT AN KNEE
PARKED TRUCK AT BROOKSHIRES TO GET GAS, STARTED TRUCK UP AND BAM BLEW THE INTAKE OUT THE BACK KILLED THE ENGINE EVERYONE HIT THE PAVEMENT IT WAS SO LOUD LIKE A BOMB! STARTED IT BACK UP BAD KNOCKING AND STARTED TO REV ITSELF UP TO 5K RPMS DUE TO VACUUM LEAK WITH INSERT DAMAGED ON BACK OF INTAKE. TOOK ENGINE ALL APART TO FIND A VA…
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PARKED TRUCK AT BROOKSHIRES TO GET GAS, STARTED TRUCK UP AND BAM BLEW THE INTAKE OUT THE BACK KILLED THE ENGINE EVERYONE HIT THE PAVEMENT IT WAS SO LOUD LIKE A BOMB! STARTED IT BACK UP BAD KNOCKING AND STARTED TO REV ITSELF UP TO 5K RPMS DUE TO VACUUM LEAK WITH INSERT DAMAGED ON BACK OF INTAKE. TOOK ENGINE ALL APART TO FIND A VALVE SEAT SHATTERED DESTROYING THE HEAD ON BOTH SIDES DUE TO THE VALVESEAT BREAKING INTO ABOUT 20 SMALL PIECES IT SUCKED A FEW OVER ACROSS THE ENGINE TO CYLINDERS ACROSS RUINING 2 PISTONS, BOTH HEADS, HAVE ALL EVIDENCE STILL.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V312000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V312000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND VIBRATED VIOLENTLY. AFTER STOPPING THE VEHICLE, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT SWAY BARS DETACHED AND THE STEERING CONTROL ARMS SEPARATED DUE TO RUSTING OF THE SUBFRAME. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNO…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND VIBRATED VIOLENTLY. AFTER STOPPING THE VEHICLE, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT SWAY BARS DETACHED AND THE STEERING CONTROL ARMS SEPARATED DUE TO RUSTING OF THE SUBFRAME. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 158,888.
2002 DODGE RAM QUAD CAB SPORT 4X2 (1.)GAS PEDDLE HAS TO BE PRESS DOWN AT ALL TIME IN ORDER FOR TRUCK TO STAY ON AND ONCE I LET GO OF GAS PEDDLE TRUCK STALLS. (2.)FIRST DAY I BOUGHT TRUCK FROM DEALERSHIP I ASK, IS THAT FAINT SOUND COMING FROM TRANSMISSION, I WAS TOLD BY DODGE DEALER THATS THE SOUND TRANSMISSION MAKES,I SAI…
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2002 DODGE RAM QUAD CAB SPORT 4X2 (1.)GAS PEDDLE HAS TO BE PRESS DOWN AT ALL TIME IN ORDER FOR TRUCK TO STAY ON AND ONCE I LET GO OF GAS PEDDLE TRUCK STALLS. (2.)FIRST DAY I BOUGHT TRUCK FROM DEALERSHIP I ASK, IS THAT FAINT SOUND COMING FROM TRANSMISSION, I WAS TOLD BY DODGE DEALER THATS THE SOUND TRANSMISSION MAKES,I SAID REALLY. (3.)INTERIOR TOP DASH SO THIN SUN IS ABLE TO CRACK DASH BY ITS SELF WITH THE HOT HEAT AND DASH PLASTIC IS SHARP AND DANGEROUS ITS BECOME A HAZARD TO ALL OCCUPANTS OR PEDESTRIANS, PASSEGERS. (4.)THE WHOLE BACK TAIL LIGHT FOUND HANGING TRIED TO HOOK IT BACK UP ITS MADE OF PLASTIC COMPONENTS CRACK WITH NO WAY OF HOOKING IT WITH NUTS, SO FOR NOW I TAPE IT IN PLACE, IT TRULY FALLS UNDER A RECALL. (5.)AC WORKS BUT NO HEATER SLITE WARM. (6.)MIRROR COVER ON PASSENGER SIDE HAS FALLEN OFF ON FREEWAY. (7.)ALL ENGINE COMPONENTS SEEM TO BRAKE TO FAST DUE TO BEING MADE OF PLASTIC CLIPS WIRES NOT STABLE TO HOLD ON TO DEVICES ONCE THEY BRAKE OFF, SOME ALSO CRACK OFF INTO DEVICES, CRACK INTO DEVICES WHICH CAUSE VEHICLE PROBLEMS AND ISSUES THAT AFFECT MULITIPLE HAZARDS TO TRUCK SPEED, SUSPENSION, STEERING, FUEL/PROPULSION, LIGHTING, POWERTRAIN, BRAKES, ENGINE, ELECTRICAL, ELE/ STABILITY, RIR BAG, BODY, WHEELS, SEAT BELT, VISIBILITY/WIPERS, IN GENERAL ALL ASPECTS HAS SOME KIND OF HAZARDOUS COMPONENTS THAT NEEDS MANDATORY RECALLS.
2002 DODGE RAM 1500 QUAD CAB SPORT 4X2 1. GAS PEDDLE HAS TO BE PRESS DOWN AT ALL TIME IN ORDER FOR TRUCK TO STAY ON ONCE I LET GO OF GAS PEDDLE TRUCK STALLS. 2.FIRST DAY I BOUGHT TRUCK FROM DEAL I ASK IS THIS FAINT SOUND COMING FOM TRANSMISSION, I WAS TOLD DODGE DEALER THATS A SOUND THAT TRASMISSION MAKES, I SAID REALLY. 3.…
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2002 DODGE RAM 1500 QUAD CAB SPORT 4X2 1. GAS PEDDLE HAS TO BE PRESS DOWN AT ALL TIME IN ORDER FOR TRUCK TO STAY ON ONCE I LET GO OF GAS PEDDLE TRUCK STALLS. 2.FIRST DAY I BOUGHT TRUCK FROM DEAL I ASK IS THIS FAINT SOUND COMING FOM TRANSMISSION, I WAS TOLD DODGE DEALER THATS A SOUND THAT TRASMISSION MAKES, I SAID REALLY. 3.INTERIOR TOP DSAH SO THIN SUN IS ABLE TO CRACK DASH BY IT SELF WITH THE HOT HEAT AND SHARP PLASTIC AND ITS NOW DANGEROUS ITS BECOME A HAZAD TOALL OCCUPANTS OR PEDESTRIANS PASSEGERS. 4. THE WHOLE BACK TAIL LIGHT FOUND HANGING TRIED TO HOOK IT BACK UP ITS MADE OF PLASTIC COMPONENTS CRACK WITH NOWAY OF HOOKING IT WITH NUTS SO FOR NOW I TYPE IT IN PLACE, ITS TRULY FALLS UNDER A RECALL. 5.AC WORKS BUT NO HEATER. 6.MIRROR COVER ON PASSENGER SIDE HAS FALLEN OFF ON FREEWAY. 7.ALL ENGINE COMPONENTS SEEM TO BRAKE TO FAST DUE TO BEING MADE OF PLASTIC CLIPS WIRES NOT STABLE TO HOLD ON TO DEVICES, HOSES FALL OFF, CRACK INTO DEVICES WHICH CAUSE VEICHAL PROBLEMS AND ISUSSES THAT AFFECT MULITIPLE HAZARDS TO TRUCK SPEED CONTROL, SUSPENSION, STEERING,FUEL/PROPULSION,LIGHTING,POWERTRAIN, BRAKES,ENGINE,ELECTRICAL,ELEC, /STABILITY,AIR BAGS, BODY, WHEELS,SEATS,SEAT BELTS,VISIBILITY/WIPERS, IN GENERAL ALL ASPECTS HAS SOME KIND OF HAZARDOUS COMPONETS THAT NEED MANDATORY RECALLS.
DASH BOARD STARTED CRACKING AND NOW IS COMPLETELY DESTROYED, PARTS OF BROKEN DASH ARE FALLING INTO VENTS AND OBSTRUCTING BLOWER MOTOR. DASH WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED, NO WAY TO FIX EXTENSIVE DAMAGE. THE DAMAGE GETS WORSE EVERY TIME I USE THE VEHICLE, DAMAGE HAS BEEN ONGOING FOR THE PAST 12 MONTHS.
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.
Illustration