IllustrationDASHBOARD CRACKED, LAMP LIGHT IS ON AND ALARM KEEPS DINGING. CHECKED ALL LIGHTS AND THEY ARE ALL WORKING.
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
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 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAMS 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, AN ABNORMAL SOUND EMITTED FROM THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER WHEELS. THE FAILURE RECURRED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10E040000 (WHEELS). THE M…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAMS 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, AN ABNORMAL SOUND EMITTED FROM THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER WHEELS. THE FAILURE RECURRED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10E040000 (WHEELS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 253,000.
CRACKED DASHBOARD. PARTS OF THE DASHBOARD ARE FALLING DOWN INTO AIR CONDITIONER AND EVERYTHING ELSE UNDER IT. THERE ARE PARTS OF THE FOAM THAT ARE FLYING OUT OF THE AIR CONDITIONER VENTS AND PIECES ARE COMING OUT THE VENTS, HEAS HAVE BEEN REPLACED AND NOW ENGINE SOUNDED LIKE IT EXPLODED NOW IT NEEDS AN ENGINE VEHICLE MODEL YEAR …
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CRACKED DASHBOARD. PARTS OF THE DASHBOARD ARE FALLING DOWN INTO AIR CONDITIONER AND EVERYTHING ELSE UNDER IT. THERE ARE PARTS OF THE FOAM THAT ARE FLYING OUT OF THE AIR CONDITIONER VENTS AND PIECES ARE COMING OUT THE VENTS, HEAS HAVE BEEN REPLACED AND NOW ENGINE SOUNDED LIKE IT EXPLODED NOW IT NEEDS AN ENGINE VEHICLE MODEL YEAR HAS MANY KNOWN NON RECALLED ISSUES
MY TRUCK HAS A FAULTY REAR END THAT I AM CONCERNED ABOUT.. DODGE WILL DO NOTHING TO FIX WHAT IS A LARGE SCALE PROBLEM AFFECTING ALL TRUCKS LIKE MINE.. PLEASE HELP US GET THIS TRUCK RECALLED .. IT'S A WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM.. THANKS MIKE
CRACKED DASHBOARD. PARTS OF THE DASHBOARD ARE FALLING DOWN INTO AIR CONDITIONER AND EVERYTHING ELSE UNDER IT. THERE ARE PARTS OF THE FOAM THAT ARE FLYING OUT OF THE AIR CONDITIONER VENTS.
THE DASHBOARD IS BREAKING APART AND THROWING SHARDES OF IT IN MY FACE WHEN DRIVING
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE DRIVE SHAFT CAME OFF AND THE REAR END LOCKED UP. MY 2002 DODGE RAM 1500 TRUCK STARTED TO FISH TAIL DUE TO THE REAR END LOCKING UP BEFORE COMING TO A COMPLETE HALT ON A BUSY STREET. LUCKILY THE CAR BEHIND ME WAS ABLE TO SWERVE AROUND AND AVOID A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT. THE DRIVE SHAFT TWISTED AND TORE IN…
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WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE DRIVE SHAFT CAME OFF AND THE REAR END LOCKED UP. MY 2002 DODGE RAM 1500 TRUCK STARTED TO FISH TAIL DUE TO THE REAR END LOCKING UP BEFORE COMING TO A COMPLETE HALT ON A BUSY STREET. LUCKILY THE CAR BEHIND ME WAS ABLE TO SWERVE AROUND AND AVOID A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT. THE DRIVE SHAFT TWISTED AND TORE INTO TWO PIECES. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN VERY BAD AND COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL. DODGE HAS A RECALL FOR THIS ON 2005 MODELS AND NEWER BUT THE 2002-2004 MODELS OF THE RAM 1500 PICK UP SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THIS.
WHILE DRIVING DOWN A TWO LANE ROAD, A LOUD SOUND CAME FROM THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE AND THE REAR AXLE SEIZED UP. REAR SPRINGS DETACHED AND DRIVE SHAFT ALSO CAME LOOSE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS FRACTURED COMPLETELY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
I PURCHASED THIS VEHICHLE IN JUNE OF 2008 AND NOTICED A MINOR CRACK ON THE DASHBOARD AND DIDN'T THINK MUCH OF IT, SINCE THEN THE BOTH PIECES OF THE DASHBOARD HAVE SEVERELY CRACKED AND I AM CONCERNED THAT IF I GET IN A CRASH AND THE AIRBAGS DEPLOY THAT SHARDS OF THE BROKEN PLASTIC DASHBOARD WILL BECOME PROJECTILES AND CAUSE SERIO…
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I PURCHASED THIS VEHICHLE IN JUNE OF 2008 AND NOTICED A MINOR CRACK ON THE DASHBOARD AND DIDN'T THINK MUCH OF IT, SINCE THEN THE BOTH PIECES OF THE DASHBOARD HAVE SEVERELY CRACKED AND I AM CONCERNED THAT IF I GET IN A CRASH AND THE AIRBAGS DEPLOY THAT SHARDS OF THE BROKEN PLASTIC DASHBOARD WILL BECOME PROJECTILES AND CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY.
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.