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2002 Dodge Ram 2500 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 155 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Dodge Ram 2500, most often about the body and structure (26% of complaints, typically around 62,000 miles). It is 13th of 13 Ram 2500 model years by number of complaints.
Most common 2002 Dodge Ram 2500 problems
Body and structure
40 complaints · 26%Half of these problems showed up before 62,000 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
I own a 2002 Dodge Ram 2500 cummins diesel pickup. This is the previous body style that ran from 1994 to 2002 in the 2500 and 3500 trucks. When I switch from high beams to low beams, the lights shut off completely. It is extremely dangerous to have your lights go out at highway speeds with oncoming traffic. I have…
Dash started to crack. Now I have a large hole in the dash, several cracks and a small hole in the dash. I also have holes and cracks in the bezel. It is a shame Dodge is not replacing the dash. I have a 74 camaro and the dash is not cracked, have a few 95 chevys, a 95 buick, 99 chevy in my family and none of them…
Fuel system
24 complaints · 16%Half of these problems showed up before 62,500 miles. Parts named most often: delivery, fuel injection system, storage.
Tl contact owns a 2002 Dodge Ram 2500. While driving 68 MPH the vehicle stalled. He was able to slow down and drive onto the emergency lane. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the diesel injection pump was repaired under the warranty. The failure recurred and the dealer only paid half of the cost to replace the…
The contact owns a 2002 Dodge Ram 2500. The contact stated that while attempting to park, he applied the brakes but the vehicle would not stop. A clicking noise was heard and the vehicle eventually stopped. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where they noticed that the front suspension was damaged. The…
Steering
20 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 84,500 miles. Parts named most often: steering wheel/handle bar, gear box (other than rack and pinion), linkages, hydraulic power assist.
The vehicle in question is a 2002 Dodge Ram 2500 pickup.although no failure was experienced, it came very close. Steering became very loose and was allowed to go till there was a1/2 inch travel of the steering wheel from side to side. Upon inspection and removal of the intermediate shaft it was discovered to have the…
The steering in the 2nd generation rams is subpar. They road walk, and get so far out of alignment they can not be properly aligned. This is shown as Dodge went from one steering design (a better one) to another in 2000 year trucks. In 2003 they tried to improve on the system but it was not any good. Now they are…
Transmission
19 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 65,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, manual transmission, driveline, clutch assembly.
Drove in driveway put in park, went inside to get something quick came out and crash.. Came out of park and into reverse went across street hit curb turned right and down in front of neighbors house and rear end then hit center of light pole for $5,000 damage also all plastic dash, cup holder, and sunglass holder all…
My Dodge 2500 quad cab truck with cummins engine has suffered it second transmission failure in 14 months. It is still under warranty, and the dealerhip will fix, however this level of failure is extreeme for a new vehicle. The current failure feels like the auto transmission lock up will not dis-engage when comming…
Suspension
14 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 49,000 miles. Parts named most often: front, rear.
A 20002 Dodge truck with 48000 needed upper ball joints, this was discovered while driving down the highway when the passenger side right front wheel nearly came off. The consumer first thought it was a was loose lug nut but upon inspection the nuts were tight, but the ball joint was worn and loose. This was the first…
Have had nothing but trouble with my 02 Ram 2500 truck. Rear brake pads had nothing but rust holding the pads in place, had the turbo and fuel pump replaced, u-joints and yoke on 4WD shaft worn out and hanger bearing on rear drive shaft worn out at about 70,000mi, tail gate cable broke after only two years, when…
Brakes
13 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 87,500 miles. Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, foundation components, power assist.
The vacuum pump on my 2002 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 ho cummins diesel truck is defective and I just found out that it controls the brakes also. I was informed that this was the secound one in three - four weeks.
The contact owns a 2002 Dodge Ram 2500. When the brake pedal was depressed, the brakes locked up. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing; however, the specifics of the diagnosis could not be provided. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The…
Wheels and tires
13 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 72,500 miles. Parts named most often: rim, temporary/emergency spare tire, tread/belt.
Dt: contact stated while driving on a dirt road at approximately 15 MPH the rear passenger's side tire blew out. He took the vehicle to a tire shop to have the other tires checked. The mechanic at the shop told him the reason the tire had blown out was because the rims cracked.
The contact owns a 2002 Dodge 2500 diesel. The vehicle had cooper discoverer atr tires, line size lt265/75/r16, dot number [VIN]. The contact was driving 65 MPH when the rear passenger tire failed. The thread separated from the sidewall of the tire, damaging the wheel rim. The manufacturer was contacted and advised…
Other or unspecified
13 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 82,500 miles.
Truck garage kept for 10 of its 14 years. Current mileage 2017 = 90,000. Aug 2014 dash board began to crack and fall apart - truck had only 79,950 miles! Plastic pieces fall into dash holes and get stuck under dash amongst steering wheel, electrical wires/controls, etc. Plastic pieces can fall at any time whether in…
Dashboard has started cracking and sharp pieces of plastic have become loose creating a potential for them to become projectiles in the event of an accident. Seems most of the plastic trim pieces are brittle inside the vehicles passenger cabin.
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 2500 recalls
NHTSA lists no recalls for this model year.
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.
Questions about the 2002 Dodge Ram 2500
- What are the most common problems with the 2002 Dodge Ram 2500?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: body and structure (40 complaints, typically around 62,000 miles); fuel system (24 complaints, typically around 62,500 miles); steering (20 complaints, typically around 84,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2002 Dodge Ram 2500 have?
- NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2002 Dodge Ram 2500. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls in case one is issued later.
- Is the 2002 a bad year for the Dodge Ram 2500?
- It is 13th of 13 Ram 2500 model years by number of complaints, with 155 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.