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
24,000 miles · Jun 6, 2003
Service Brakes, HydraulicSuspension
2002 DODGE RAM 1500 I JUST BOUGHT HAS A SHKE OR SHIMMY AT BRAKING AND HIGHWAY SPEEDS. ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN DRIVING 50MPH TRUCK SHAKES. GO 70MPH TRUCK IS WORSE. SO GOING 50 TO 70 MPHS TRUCK SHAKES. THE FASTER I GO THE MORE VIOLENTLY IT SHAKES. THIS IS A REAL DISTRACTION WHILE DRIVING. TIRES ARE NEW, THEY SHOW NO WEAR. I HAVE B…
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2002 DODGE RAM 1500 I JUST BOUGHT HAS A SHKE OR SHIMMY AT BRAKING AND HIGHWAY SPEEDS. ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN DRIVING 50MPH TRUCK SHAKES. GO 70MPH TRUCK IS WORSE. SO GOING 50 TO 70 MPHS TRUCK SHAKES. THE FASTER I GO THE MORE VIOLENTLY IT SHAKES. THIS IS A REAL DISTRACTION WHILE DRIVING. TIRES ARE NEW, THEY SHOW NO WEAR. I HAVE BOUGHT IT WITH 23500 MILES ON IT. IT'S AL;SO A CERTIFIED TRUCK. WHEN STOPPING SOON AS YOU APPLY BRAKES IT SHIMMIES OR SHAKES VIOLENTLY. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10021177
25 miles · May 30, 2003
SteeringSuspension
REGARDING THE NEW BODY STYLE DODGE 1500 RAM PICKUP. MY TRUCK IS LESS THAN A YEAR OLD AND ABOUT 15000 MILES. IT HAS A STEERING PROBLEM. GENERALLY, IT PULLS TO THE RIGHT, DANGEROUSLY! THE SECOND DAY OF MY OWNERSHIP, WENT TO THE DEALER AND THEY ALIGNED IT. TOLD ME IF I STILL HAD A PROBLEM, IT WAS A TIRE PROBLEM. THE ALIGNMENT DID N…
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REGARDING THE NEW BODY STYLE DODGE 1500 RAM PICKUP. MY TRUCK IS LESS THAN A YEAR OLD AND ABOUT 15000 MILES. IT HAS A STEERING PROBLEM. GENERALLY, IT PULLS TO THE RIGHT, DANGEROUSLY! THE SECOND DAY OF MY OWNERSHIP, WENT TO THE DEALER AND THEY ALIGNED IT. TOLD ME IF I STILL HAD A PROBLEM, IT WAS A TIRE PROBLEM. THE ALIGNMENT DID NOT HELP. I HAD THE TIRES ROTATED AT THE APPROPRIATE TIME AND THIS DID NOT HELP. THE STEERING PROBLEM IS WORSE NOW. IF I TRAVEL OVER A BUMP OR A SEAM IN THE ROAD, THE VEHICLE WILL VERE TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT OR BOTH DIRECTIONS IN AN UNCONTROLABLE AND VIOLENT MANNER. I MUST COME TO A COMPLETE STOP TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. YES, IT IS VERY SCARY. SO MUCH SO, THAT I AGAIN RETURNED TO THE DEALER, THEY ALIGNED IT AGAIN. THE PROBLEM SEEMS WORSE NOW. I WAS TOLD, IF THE ALIGNMENT DID NOT HELP TO BRING IT BACK AND THEY WOULD ORDER/INSTAL A NEW RACK. I DID SO AND WAS PUT OFF. TODAY, 5-30-03 I RETURNED TO THE DEALER TO ASK ABOUT THE FIX FOR MY STEERING PROBLEM. I AGAIN WAS PUT OFF AND I ASKED TO CALL CHRYSLER. I DID, THE NICE AND EFFICIENT LADY NEW WHAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT WITH THE STEERING PROBLEM. I ASKED IF THERE WERE ALOT OF COMPLAINTS LIKE MINE AND WITHOUT SAYING "YES", SHE INDICATED THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS. WHILE ON HOLD WITH HER, SHE CALLED MY DEALER. I LATER CALLED THE DEALER AS INSTRUCTED. THE SERVICE ADVISOR I HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH FOR THREE WEEKS SAID "THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING, CHRYSLER IS AWARE AND HAS RE-DESIGNED PARTS FOR THE FIX, HOWEVER THEY ARE NOT YET AVAILABLE." I AM TO TAKE MY TRUCK IN ON MONDAY, 6-2-03 FOR A COUPLE OF HOURS SO THEY CAN "LOOK AT IT AGAIN." SAD TO SAY, BUT I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE MY NEW DODGE TRUCK. YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN IT WILL VERE VIOLENTLY OUT OF CONTROL. WHAT DOES A CONSUMER DO? HOW LONG BEFORE PARTS ARE AVAILABLE? HOW MANY PEOPLE MUST DIE OR THEIR LIVES CHANGED FOREVER BEFORE THE PROBLEM IS ADDRESSED ON A LARGE SCALE?*AK
NHTSA ODI #10020771
Mileage unknown · May 29, 2003
Unknown Or Other
DIFFICULTIES INSTALLING THE BLOWER MOTOR WIRING HARNESS. PH
NHTSA ODI #10022258
Mileage unknown · May 28, 2003
Suspension
THE FRONT SUSPENSION MADE A CLUNKY NOISE. DEALER INSPECTED FOUR TIMES AND PROBLEM STILL EXIST. *TT
NHTSA ODI #10021786
Mileage unknown · May 21, 2003
Suspension
THE VEHICLE HIT A BUMP WHILE DRIVING WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SHAKE AND THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL. *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10020327
18,000 miles · May 21, 2003
Suspension
REAR END OF VEHICLE "DANCES" AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WHEN GOING OVER EVEN THE SLIGHTEST BUMPS. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10019087
10,000 miles · May 21, 2003
Power Train
VEHICLE HAS A HARD SHIFT OR BUMP WHEN REACHING ABOUT 20 MPH. HAPPENS MOSTLY ON THE UP SHIFT AND DURING COOLER WEATHER. 8JB
NHTSA ODI #10019086
Mileage unknown · May 21, 2003
Suspension
VEHICLE CONSTANTLY PULLS TO THE RIGHT. HAD FRONT END ALIGNED AND TIRES ROTATED. NO PROBLEM FOUND OTHERWISE BY DEALER. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10019085
Mileage unknown · May 20, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
WHEN THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE VEHICLE, IT JERKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, AND THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE ROTORS WERE WARPED. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10020230
50 miles · May 20, 2003
Structure
WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD WHISTLING NOISE. *JB
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
Illustration