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
28,400 miles · Jul 9, 2003
Tires
THE VEHICLE IS A 2002 DODGE RAM SPORT 4X4 WITH 28,000 MILES WITH GOODYEAR WRANGLER HP 275/60/20 TIRES. I HAVE HAD 12 TIRES WHICH HAD TO BE REPLACED WHEN THEY WERE RUINED AFTER GOING FLAT FROM PUNTURES AS WELL AS NUMEROUS FLAT REPAIRS. COMPLAINTS TO BOTH DAIMLER CHRYSLER AND GOODYEAR YIELDED NOTHING BUT COMMENTS OF SURPRISE ON BO…
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THE VEHICLE IS A 2002 DODGE RAM SPORT 4X4 WITH 28,000 MILES WITH GOODYEAR WRANGLER HP 275/60/20 TIRES. I HAVE HAD 12 TIRES WHICH HAD TO BE REPLACED WHEN THEY WERE RUINED AFTER GOING FLAT FROM PUNTURES AS WELL AS NUMEROUS FLAT REPAIRS. COMPLAINTS TO BOTH DAIMLER CHRYSLER AND GOODYEAR YIELDED NOTHING BUT COMMENTS OF SURPRISE ON BOTH THEIR PARTS WITH A REMINDER THAT THERE IS NO WARRANTY ON THE TIRES. THE DODGE BROCHURE SAYS OFF ROAD RATED TIRES, GOODYEAR SAYS EXCELLENT OFF ROAD TRACTION. THE TIRES HAVE NO PUNCTURE RESISTANCE, THE PRESENT TIRES HAVE HUNDREDS OF CUTS, SOME THROUGH TO THE BELTS. LAST NEW TIRE BLEW WITH JUST 100 MILES ON IT. FIRST FLAT WAS AT 250 MILES ON VEHICLE. WHEN THE TIRES ARE PUNCTURED THE INNER LINER SPLITS MAKING REPAIRS IMPROBABLE. GOODYEAR IS THE ONLY MANUFACTURER OF THAT SIZE TIRE SO THERE ARE NO ALTERNATIVES. PERHAPS THE LEMON LAW MAY HELP, GOODYEAR AND DAIMLER CHRYSLER WILL NOT. GOOD NEWS IS THAT I CAN PROBABLY GET A JOB ON A NASCAR PIT CREW WITH MY NEW FOUND TIRE CHANGING SPEED WHICH MAY HELP SUPPLEMENT MY INCOME TO BUY MORE TIRES FOR MY TRUCK.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10025759
Mileage unknown · Jul 2, 2003
Visibility
CONSUMER STATED THAT HE RECEIVED A RECALL SAFETY LETTER FOR THE HVAC BLOWER HARNESS. DEALER WILL DISCONNECT THE REMOTE STARTER, BUT WILL CHARGE SOME AMOUNT OF $ TO RECONNECT. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10026482
Mileage unknown · Jul 1, 2003
Tires
THE TIRES ON MY 2002 DODGE RAM 1500 SPORT MODEL APPARENTLY CANNOT BE BALANCED BY THE DODGE DEALERS I HAVE VISITED IN THE ORLANDO AREA. THE TIRES ARE GOODYEAR P275/60R20. THE TRUCK VIBRATES AND THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES AT INTERSTATE SPEEDS (65-75 MPH). NOT ONLY IS THIS TERRIBLY ANNOYING, BUT I BELIEVE IT MAY BE A DANGEROUS DE…
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THE TIRES ON MY 2002 DODGE RAM 1500 SPORT MODEL APPARENTLY CANNOT BE BALANCED BY THE DODGE DEALERS I HAVE VISITED IN THE ORLANDO AREA. THE TIRES ARE GOODYEAR P275/60R20. THE TRUCK VIBRATES AND THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES AT INTERSTATE SPEEDS (65-75 MPH). NOT ONLY IS THIS TERRIBLY ANNOYING, BUT I BELIEVE IT MAY BE A DANGEROUS DEFECT. THE TRUCK ONLY HAS 14K MILES.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10025212
22,000 miles · Jun 27, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
I BOUGHT MY 2002 RAM PRE-OWNED IT WAS A CERTIFIED VEHICLE FROM OYSTER BAY DODGE IN NEW YORK. I CALLED OYSTER BAY DODGE TO INFO THEM THAT MY ROTOR WERE WARPED AND FOUND OUT THEY CLOSED DOWN. I CONTACTED CHRYSLER AND GOT NOWHERE. I LOOKED FOR OTHER DODGE OWNERS AND FOUND MORE THAN I CAN COUNT. HTTP://WWW.DODGETRUCKWORLD.COM/FORUM…
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I BOUGHT MY 2002 RAM PRE-OWNED IT WAS A CERTIFIED VEHICLE FROM OYSTER BAY DODGE IN NEW YORK. I CALLED OYSTER BAY DODGE TO INFO THEM THAT MY ROTOR WERE WARPED AND FOUND OUT THEY CLOSED DOWN. I CONTACTED CHRYSLER AND GOT NOWHERE. I LOOKED FOR OTHER DODGE OWNERS AND FOUND MORE THAN I CAN COUNT. HTTP://WWW.DODGETRUCKWORLD.COM/FORUMS/TOPIC.ASP?ID=56542 PLEASE CONTACT ME AND LET ME KNOW HOW TO RESOLVE THIS. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED THAT I TRUSTED THE FACT THAT IT WAS CERTIFIED BY DODGE(FORGET WHAT TERM YOU USE FOR IT)AS BEING "NEW" AND THEN WHEN I TRY TO GET THE ISSUE RESOLVED, FIND OUT THE DEALER IS OUT OF BUSINESS. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING SINCE I BOUGHT IT WITH VERY UNSAFE SHAKING BRAKES(ROTOR). I HAVE WELL DOCUMENTED EVIDENCE THAT THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND WILL START TO INFORM ANYONE THAT I NEED TO IF WE CAN'T GET THIS RESOLVED. THANK YOU, BRIAN WINSLOW (914)774-7692 WANDER2166@AOL.COM. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10023901
42,000 miles · Jun 27, 2003
Visibility
THE SIDE VIEW MIRRORS WERE LOOSE. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE PROBLEM. THE CLIP WHICH WAS USED TO SECURE THE MIRROR FAILED. AS A RESULT CONSUMER'S MIRROR FELL OFF ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. *AK *TS *JB
NHTSA ODI #10021820
10,000 miles · Jun 26, 2003
Suspension
WHEN THE VEHICLE HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD IT SWERVED UNCONTROLLABLY. THE DEALER INDICATED THE FACTORY INSTALLED WHEELS AND TIRES WERE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER SUGGESTED THE DEALER CHANGE THE STEERING AND REALIGN THE WHEELS. * AK *NLM *JB
NHTSA ODI #10021830
6 miles · Jun 26, 2003
Power Train
THE VEHICLE HAD AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION LOCK OUT FAILURE. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO CHANGE GEARS WITHOUT FIRST PUSHING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK POSITION. LOCK OUT FEATURE WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER REPLACED INTERLOCK CABLE AND IGNITION SWITCH. DEALER WORKED ON 4 TIMES. HOWEVER THE INTERLOCK STILL DID NOT…
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THE VEHICLE HAD AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION LOCK OUT FAILURE. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO CHANGE GEARS WITHOUT FIRST PUSHING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK POSITION. LOCK OUT FEATURE WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER REPLACED INTERLOCK CABLE AND IGNITION SWITCH. DEALER WORKED ON 4 TIMES. HOWEVER THE INTERLOCK STILL DID NOT ENGAGE PROPERLY. *TT *JB
NHTSA ODI #10019436
Mileage unknown · Jun 23, 2003
Service Brakes, HydraulicSteeringSuspension
WHILE TRYING TO DRIVE AROUND A CURVE THE DRIVER TRIED TO BRAKE AND THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE ALSO BOUNCED WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THIS HAPPENED THE SAME DAY AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. DODGE, RAM, 1500 QUAD CAB. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10024730
17,000 miles · Jun 20, 2003
Seat Belts
WHEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT IS RELEASED FROM THE LOCKING MECHANISM THE LATCH PLATE GETS WEDGED BETWEEN THE DOOR AND THE SEAT. UNABLE TO REMOVE WITHOUT OPENING DOOR.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10024622
Mileage unknown · Jun 10, 2003
EquipmentVisibility
WIESNER DODGE, 26529 S.W. FREEWAY, ROSENBURG, TX77471 TRUCK WAS TAKEN IN FOR A RECALL ON THE BLOWER MOTOR, THE DEALER REPLACED BLOWER MOTOR BUT WAS REFUSING TO HOOK THE ALARM BACK UP. *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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