no report yet
2002 Dodge RAM 1500Problems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 815 owner complaints about the 2002 Dodge RAM 1500, most often about the structure. It is covered by 3 safety recalls.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through March 24, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: Charlie from United Kingdom, CC BY 2.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2002 Dodge RAM 1500 has problems
815 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
278Structure15 crash/fire/injury
99Power train9 crash/fire/injury
93Electrical system11 crash/fire/injury
71Suspension7 crash/fire/injury
58Engine and engine cooling3 crash/fire/injury
51Visibility
46Air bags
44Steering
35Exterior lighting
14718 other systems23 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | 278 | 15 |
| Power train | 99 | 9 |
| Electrical system | 93 | 11 |
| Suspension | 71 | 7 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 58 | 3 |
| Visibility | 51 | 1 |
| Air bags | 46 | 24 |
| Steering | 44 | 6 |
| Exterior lighting | 35 | 2 |
| 18 other systems | 147 | 23 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
3 recalls
2002 Dodge RAM 1500 recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
no report yet
Rearview mirrors/devices: exterior
Risk. THIS COULD POTENTIALLY AFFECT REARWARD FIELD OF VISION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
no report yet
Steering: column
Risk. THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE IMPAIRMENT OF VISIBILITY IN INCLEMENT WEATHER, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Dodge.
Mileage at failure
When do structure problems start?
75kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 198 structure complaints. 74% were reported before 100,000 miles.
7under 30k miles146under 100k miles52100k miles or more
Owner-reported costs
What owners say repairs cost
Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.
Structure
16 owners mentioned a cost$1,000median
Middle half: $717 – $1,025
If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.
Best & worst years
2002 vs. every other RAM 1500 year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the RAM 1500 median. How we score
'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'14
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
1 investigation
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2002 Dodge RAM 1500, and the recalls they led to.
- REAR AXLE FAILURENo recall
In owners' words
What RAM 1500 owners report
Recent structure complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
THE BEAM UNDER THE BED OF THE TRUCK IS BREAKING APART. NO OTHER PART UNDER THE TRUCK HAD THIS PROB. NO CORROSION ANY OTHER PLACE BUT THE BEAM OF THE TRUCK
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE FRAME AROUND THE STEERING BOX DISCONNECTED FROM THE STEERING DUE TO EXCESSIVE RUST. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CALLED. THE…
A FEW YEARS AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THE DASH BEGAN TO DEVELOP CRACKS AND HOLES. THIS HAS GOTTEN WORSE AND WORSE TO THE POINT WHERE A DASH COVER HAD TO BE PURCHASED TO AVOID THINGS FALLING DOWN BEHIND THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. CURRENTLY, THERE IS MORE MISSING THAN STILL IN PLACE IN THE…
Own a 2002 RAM 1500?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.