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2002 Dodge Ram 1500 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 815 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Dodge Ram 1500, most often about the body and structure (34% of complaints, typically around 75,000 miles). It is 5th of 14 Ram 1500 model years by number of complaints and has 3 recalls.
Most common 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 problems
Body and structure
278 complaints · 34%Half of these problems showed up before 75,000 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
2002 Dodge ram pickup- dash has been cracking in several places for the past 2 years. Multiple cracks are deepening and widening an new cracks developing. Concerned about exposed wiring and potential airbag malfunction.
I have a 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 and over the past year it has developed multiple cracks on the dash. The major concern is the integrity of the dash around the passenger airbag. Due to the cracking, if the airbag were to deploy, I fear that the cracked dash would cause multiple pieces of plastic to fly around the cabin. I…
Transmission
99 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 82,500 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, driveline, axle assembly, manual transmission.
Vehicle has had to have universal joints replaced three times. Each time, dealer indicated that this was a known problem and that there seems to be some defective parts out there. They indicated that if they are not replaced in a timely fashion, then damage could occur to the drive shaft. Problem is noticed when…
Rear differential began making a humming noise under load. It had progressively gotten worse until failure. Pinion bearings are bad. This is an ongoing problem with the Dodge truck products. A repair shop in my town just did 3 rebuild on this type truck in one week. A recall should be issued . This rear end could come…
Electrical
93 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 81,000 miles. Parts named most often: wiring, ignition, instrument cluster/panel, 12v/24v/48v battery.
: the contact stated while applying pressure to the accelerator pedal the engine sputtered. The check engine, airbag, and check gauges lights illuminated. The dealership was alerted. Updated 03/28/06
Driving through a puddle after a rain storm, several safety features stopped functioning: wipers, turn signals, horn, headlight control. I'm not sure what else is not functioning but these have been verified. Narrowed the problem down to the fcm (front control module). The fcm is connected to the ipm (integrated power…
Engine
80 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 71,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, cooling system, exhaust system.
While driving down the highway the check gauges light and audible alarm came on. I looked down to see I had no oil pressure on my truck. It was a 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 quad cab 4x4 with 69043 miles. I immediately pulled over and checked the oil. Everything seemed ok. I thought start the truck to see if there was a fluke…
Originally with no warning the truck would just die at intersections. Now it is starting to die when driving, even while turning. My teenage son usually drives this truck and I am truly afraid he is going to get in an accident. With the vehicle only having only 73,000 miles on it, I would not expect such a dangerous…
Suspension
71 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 56,000 miles. Parts named most often: front, rear, multiple axle.
First the transmission is slipping in 3rd gear at times,this has been an on going issue that the dealer can't reproduce. The lamp out light goes on and off with the bell this will do it intermittently for as long as 30 min straight and this truck is all over the road when you hit bumps at high speed.
When driving any speed, the consumer would hear a squeaking noise coming from the front end of the vehicle. The dealership stated the upper ball joint was defective. The consumer stated that the vehicle is rarely used off road. A noise is heard on bumpy surfaces.
Other or unspecified
62 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 76,500 miles.
I have a 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 quad cab. The other day, I got into my truck and noticed a small crack in the center of the dash near the vent. Next day, I get in and there are 4 cracks. Today, my dash cracked over the edge near the passenger side airbag. After getting online and seeing that this is a common problem, I…
02 Dodge Ram 1500 dash falling apart. Shorted radian wires and rubbing air bag on the passenger side causing significant possibility for air bag failure. Dodge dealer offers no recall or recourse other than costly repair, only to reoccur. Feel like this is an extreme safety hazard in many ways.
Visibility and wipers
53 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 61,500 miles. Parts named most often: defroster/defogger/hvac system, rearview mirrors/devices, power window devices and controls, windshield wiper/washer.
: the contact stated the electric windows work intermittently on the passenger side front, the passenger side rear and the driver's side. The dealership has inspected the vehicle three times. The first time there was a switch installed on the passenger door. The 2nd time, the dealership could not duplicate the…
Wiper module failure/ loss of visibility / safety issue from water intrusion into module causing corrosion and wiper module/ motor failure.
Air bags
46 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 70,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.
I was just driving along, crack my dash cracked from front end to almost the back. The crack caused me to jump swerve my truck almost causing an accident. Dodge has been no help and my dash has deteriorated even more ever since, I'm getting very worried it might affect the air bags as all the dash pieces fall into the…
The contact owns a 2002 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the front driver's side air bag deployed. There was no passenger in the vehicle. The contact also stated that the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure was reported to the manufacturer. The VIN…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2002 Dodge Ram 1500 recalls
Wheels and tires: tires
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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."
Visibility and wipers: exterior
Risk: This could potentially affect rearward field of vision, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
On certain pickup trucks, the detent system on the exterior mirror housings may lose the functionality.
Steering: column
Risk: This condition could cause impairment of visibility in inclement weather, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Rear axle failure
Summary
See attached report.
Questions about the 2002 Dodge Ram 1500
- What are the most common problems with the 2002 Dodge Ram 1500?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: body and structure (278 complaints, typically around 75,000 miles); transmission (99 complaints, typically around 82,500 miles); electrical (93 complaints, typically around 81,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 have?
- 3 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from December 10, 2003 (wheels and tires). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2002 a bad year for the Dodge Ram 1500?
- It is 5th of 14 Ram 1500 model years by number of complaints, with 815 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.