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
30,000 miles · Nov 25, 2003
Air BagsCrashInjury
WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH THE VEHICLE JUMPED THE CURB AND HIT A WOODEN TELEPHONE POLE. THE FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE TELEPHONE POLE BROKE IN HALF DUE TO THE IMPACT OF THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM FOR BROKEN FINGERS AND BRUISES. THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE DRIVEN OR REPAIRED. PLEASE PROVIDE F…
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WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH THE VEHICLE JUMPED THE CURB AND HIT A WOODEN TELEPHONE POLE. THE FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE TELEPHONE POLE BROKE IN HALF DUE TO THE IMPACT OF THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM FOR BROKEN FINGERS AND BRUISES. THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE DRIVEN OR REPAIRED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10048692
6,000 miles · Nov 24, 2003
Tires
PROBLEMS WITH TIRE EQUIPMENT ON 2002-2003 DODGE RAM TRUCKS.*MR THE CONSUMER OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500, HE STATED IN WET CONDITIONS, HIS VEHICLE HYDROPLANED EXCESSIVELY MAINLY BECAUSE OF THE LARGE TIRES AND THE DESIGN NOT DISPLACING WATER AT SPEEDS OF 30 MPH. *JB *NM
NHTSA ODI #10048737
927 miles · Nov 19, 2003
Power Train
WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. MECHANIC INFORMED CONSUMER THAT TRANSMISSION FAILED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10048233
20,000 miles · Nov 13, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
VEHICLE PULSATED WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES. DEALER REPLACED THE ROTORS THREE TIMES WITHIN THE LAST 20,000 MILES. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10047945
25,000 miles · Nov 11, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
2002 2WD DODGE RAM 1500 QUAD CAB 4.7L - AT 25000 MILES, DEALER FOUND WARPED FRONT ROTORS CAUSING MY DESCRIBED HARD SHIMMY IN FRONT END WHILE BRAKING. SOLUTION WAS TO TURN ROTORS TO ELIMINATE THE WARPING. AT 29500 MILES, TOOK TRUCK TO DEALER AGAIN, AND DEALER INFORMED THAT ROTORS NEEDED TO BE TURNED AGAIN, AND IT NEEDED NEW PAD…
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2002 2WD DODGE RAM 1500 QUAD CAB 4.7L - AT 25000 MILES, DEALER FOUND WARPED FRONT ROTORS CAUSING MY DESCRIBED HARD SHIMMY IN FRONT END WHILE BRAKING. SOLUTION WAS TO TURN ROTORS TO ELIMINATE THE WARPING. AT 29500 MILES, TOOK TRUCK TO DEALER AGAIN, AND DEALER INFORMED THAT ROTORS NEEDED TO BE TURNED AGAIN, AND IT NEEDED NEW PADS TO CORRECT THE SHIMMY. NOW AT 32000 MILES, SHIMMY IS BACK AND DEALERS ARE SAYING TRUCK NEEDS NEW ROTORS. SHOULD NOT HAVE TO REPLACE ROTORS ON A TRUCK THAT DOES NOT HAUL, TOW, OR IS DRIVEN HARD. I HAVE OWNED TRUCKS OF OTHER MAKES, AND NONE NEEDED BRAKE ROTORS UNTIL AT LEAST 75000 MILES. I FEEL THERE IS SOME PROBLEM WITH THIS PRODUCT THAT SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED. TO THE DATE, I HAVE SPENT OVER $400 FOR THESE REPAIRS, AND THEY EXPECT ROTOR REPLACEMENT TO COST NEARLY ANOTHER $400. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10045955
14,000 miles · Nov 9, 2003
Seat BeltsCrashInjury
I WAS IN A CAR ACCCIDENT ON THE FREEWAY WE WERE AT A STOP IN THE SLOW LANE AND WE GOT HIT FROM BEHIND BY A DRUNK DRIVER AT FULL SPEED I WAS WEARING MY SEATBELT BUT THE SELTBELT DID NOT LOCK LETTING MY FACE HIT THE WINDSHEILD I DIDNT BREAK MY NOSE BUT I HAD TO HAVE STRUTCHES MY TRUCK IS TOTALLED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10045822
15,000 miles · Nov 7, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
MY 2002 DODGE RAM 1500 HAS BEEN STALLING WHEN I START TO SLOW DOWN FOR RED LIGHTS OR STOPS SIGNS ALMOST CAUSING CRASHES. NOT ONLY IS IT A SAFETY PROBLEM BUT IT'S A NEW TRUCK AND SHOULDN'T BE DOING THIS. *LA
NHTSA ODI #10045675
22,000 miles · Nov 5, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES STEERING WHEEL WOULD JERK EITHER RIGHT OR LEFT AFTER DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP, AND MECHANIC INDICATED THAT BRAKE ROTORS WERE SEVERELY WARPED.*AK *JB *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10041822
Mileage unknown · Nov 3, 2003
Latches/locks/linkages
AS WEATHER GETS COLDER THE POWER LOCKS IN THE REAR OF MY 2002 DODGE QUAD CAB WILL NOT OPERATE. I HAVE TO REACH IN AND PULL UP ON THE LOCK MANUALLY. WORKS FINE ALL SUMMER, BUT AS SOON AS TEMPERATURE HIT ABOUT 40 DEGREES THEY WILL NOT UNLOCK WITH POWER SWITCH. I HAVE CHECKED MY CHILD SAFETY FEATURE AND IT IS NOT THE PROBLEM. …
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AS WEATHER GETS COLDER THE POWER LOCKS IN THE REAR OF MY 2002 DODGE QUAD CAB WILL NOT OPERATE. I HAVE TO REACH IN AND PULL UP ON THE LOCK MANUALLY. WORKS FINE ALL SUMMER, BUT AS SOON AS TEMPERATURE HIT ABOUT 40 DEGREES THEY WILL NOT UNLOCK WITH POWER SWITCH. I HAVE CHECKED MY CHILD SAFETY FEATURE AND IT IS NOT THE PROBLEM. *LA
NHTSA ODI #10045310
40,000 miles · Oct 30, 2003
Suspension
WHEN DRIVING OVER BUMPS FRONT SUSPENSION SHOOK AND JERKED. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR ALIGNMENT INSPECTION. MECHANIC STATED THAT LEFT UPPER BALL JOINT FAILED.*AK
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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