IllustrationWHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY THERE IS A LOUD VIBRATION AND BUMPING NOISE. PLEASE FURNISH ADDITIONAL INFORMATION DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *NLM
2002 Dodge RAM
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most RAM years
Owner complaints for the 2002 Dodge RAM are substantially higher than the model-year median of 27.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all RAM 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
120–25K
1025–50K
850–75K
475–100K
0100–150K
1150K+
35 reports with mileage · 81 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.
- Power Train. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Suspension. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Air Bags. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
14 crash reports3 fire reports12 injury reports
What owners actually said
116 reportsCONSUMER STATES THAT THERE ARE HOLES IN THE BACK OF THE STEERING WHEEL AND KEYS GET CAUGHT IN THE IGNITION. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *TS
WHILE TRAVELING BETWEEN 45 TO 65 MPH, WHEN VEHICLE DRIVES OVER UNEVEN PAVEMENT THE VEHICLE REARS OFF TO THE RIGHT. DEALER CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. TS
DRIVER'S SEAT ROCKS BACK & FORTH WHEN ACCELERATING & STOPPING. SEEMS TO BE PREVALENT ON ALL 2002 DODGE RAMS. DT
AT 25 MPH OUR VEHICLE T-BONED ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH. THE OTHER VEHICLE IS COMPLETELY TOTALED, AND THERE IS EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END OF THE TRUCK. THE WHOLE FRONT END OF THE TRUCK IS PUSHED BACK AND SHIFTED TO THE LEFT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, AND THE FRAME OF THE TRUCK IS BENT. DESPITE THE MAJOR …
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AT 25 MPH OUR VEHICLE T-BONED ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH. THE OTHER VEHICLE IS COMPLETELY TOTALED, AND THERE IS EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END OF THE TRUCK. THE WHOLE FRONT END OF THE TRUCK IS PUSHED BACK AND SHIFTED TO THE LEFT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, AND THE FRAME OF THE TRUCK IS BENT. DESPITE THE MAJOR DAMAGE, THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. CONTACTED CHRYSLER AND REPAIRS ARE ON HOLD UNTIL INVESTIGATED. CHRYSLER REFUSES TO PROVIDE ANY INFORMATION ON THE STATUS OF THE INVESTIGATION. DT
NO SUMMARY. DT
PULLED OFF INTERSTATE FOR GAS AND HEARD REAR DIFFERENTIAL MAKING A LOUD GRINDING NOISE. VEHICLE WAS PULLING A SMALL UTILITY TRAILER. PAINT HAS BEEN BUBBLING OFF THE DIFFERENTIAL. DEALER FOUND ENTIRE DIFFERENTIAL AND REAR AXLE BEARINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. REPAIR WAS DONE AT DEALERSHIP, AND UPON RETURNING HOME, THE REAR END FAI…
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PULLED OFF INTERSTATE FOR GAS AND HEARD REAR DIFFERENTIAL MAKING A LOUD GRINDING NOISE. VEHICLE WAS PULLING A SMALL UTILITY TRAILER. PAINT HAS BEEN BUBBLING OFF THE DIFFERENTIAL. DEALER FOUND ENTIRE DIFFERENTIAL AND REAR AXLE BEARINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. REPAIR WAS DONE AT DEALERSHIP, AND UPON RETURNING HOME, THE REAR END FAILED AGAIN , SAME SYMPTOMS. ENTIRE DIFFERENTIAL AND REAR AXLE BEARINGS WERE REPLACED A SECOND TIME.***** DIMS 11 IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS******769323. *AK *JB
DRIVER'S SIDE MIRROR CAME OUT OF SOCKET WHILE MANUALLY FOLDING IN FOR CAR WASH 7/02. REPLACED BY DEALER AT THAT TIME. PASSENGER SIDE MIRROR CAME OUT OF SOCKET DURING MANUAL FOLD IN FOR CAR WASH 10/02. REPLACED BY DEALER. I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO KNOWN DESIGN DEFECT AND REPLACEMENT MIRRORS HAVE THE SAME DESIGN. THIS COULD BEC…
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DRIVER'S SIDE MIRROR CAME OUT OF SOCKET WHILE MANUALLY FOLDING IN FOR CAR WASH 7/02. REPLACED BY DEALER AT THAT TIME. PASSENGER SIDE MIRROR CAME OUT OF SOCKET DURING MANUAL FOLD IN FOR CAR WASH 10/02. REPLACED BY DEALER. I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO KNOWN DESIGN DEFECT AND REPLACEMENT MIRRORS HAVE THE SAME DESIGN. THIS COULD BECOME A SAFETY ISSUE IF IT OCCURS WHILE DRIVING. DT
VIBRATION IN FRONT END AT ALL SPEEDS AFTER 30 MPH. DT
AFTER VEHICLE HAS GONE IN REVERSE AND BRAKES ARE APPLIED, AND AGAIN WHEN PULLING FORWORD AND BRAKE IS APPLIED, THERE IS A "CLANKING NOISE" AS IF MAYBE A LOOSE BRAKE CALIPER. IT HAS BEEN TAKEN TO A DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS 3 TIMES TO NO AVAIL. THE FIRST TIME, I WAS TOLD THAT I JUST NEEDED TO TIGHTEN MY WHEELS. THE SECOND TIME THE (…
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AFTER VEHICLE HAS GONE IN REVERSE AND BRAKES ARE APPLIED, AND AGAIN WHEN PULLING FORWORD AND BRAKE IS APPLIED, THERE IS A "CLANKING NOISE" AS IF MAYBE A LOOSE BRAKE CALIPER. IT HAS BEEN TAKEN TO A DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS 3 TIMES TO NO AVAIL. THE FIRST TIME, I WAS TOLD THAT I JUST NEEDED TO TIGHTEN MY WHEELS. THE SECOND TIME THE (RT) UPPER AND LOWER CONTROL ARMS WERE REPLACED. THE THIRD TIME THE LEFT CONTROL ARMS WERE REPLACED AS WELL AS THE BRAKE PADS. ALL THIS WORK IS BEING DONE TO A NEW TRUCK AND THE MECHANICS DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT. THEY ARE SIMPLY REPLACING THINGS THAT THEY THINK IT MIGHT BE. I-AM VERY CONCERNED AND FRUSTRATED BECAUSE I HAVE A NEW TRUCK THAT IS CONSTANTLY IN THE SHOP AND I NOW HAVE NOTHING TO DRIVE. PLEASE HELP. DT
Official recalls
204V185000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module
Apr 12, 2004
ON CERTAIN VAN AND WAGON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4-WHEEL ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEMS (ABS), AFTERMARKET BATTERIES MAY LEAK ELECTROLYTE ONTO THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR, WHICH CAN COMPROMISE SEALING INTEGRITY OF THE CONNECTOR.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS MAY ALLOW DEVELOPMENT OF A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE CONNECTOR, WHICH COULD EVENTUALLY LEAD TO A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR FOR ELECTROLYTE DAMAGE AND REPLACE THE CONNECTOR AS NECESSARY. THE RECALL WILL BEGIN ON SEPTEMBER 27, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
02V159000 · Power Train:axle Assembly
Jun 13, 2002
ON CERTAIN 4X4 PICKUP TRUCKS, THE REAR AXLE FLANGE WELD TO THE AXLE TUBE COULD FATIGUE AND ALLOW THE BRAKE CALIPER ASSEMBLY TO ROTATE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: DURING ROTATION, THE BRAKE LINE COULD SEPARATE FROM THE CALIPER RESULTING IN A BRAKE FLUID LOSS IN THE REAR BRAKE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL REAR BRAKE CALIPER REINFORCEMENTS ON THE REAR AXLE ASSEMBLIES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 9, 2002. 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.