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2002 Dodge Ram 3500 Problems and Recalls

Owners filed 44 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Dodge Ram 3500, most often about the fuel system (21% of complaints, typically around 62,500 miles). It is 13th of 13 Ram 3500 model years by number of complaints.

Complaints44
Recalls0
Crashes reported2
Fires reported0
Injuries reported2

Most common 2002 Dodge Ram 3500 problems

  1. Fuel system

    9 complaints · 21%

    Half of these problems showed up before 62,500 miles. Parts named most often: fuel injection system, delivery, storage.

    I own a 2002 Dodge Ram 3500 24v cummings diesel. I experienced a very serious engine failure my engine just turned off all its own. Apparently this is an well documented incident with this make and model. The failure is the lift pump, you will notice what a problem this is by going to any search engine with the search…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2006, at 61,570 miles
    The contact owns a 2002 Dodge Ram 3500. The contact stated the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. He then further inspected the failure and found that the fuel pump within the fuel tank had failed. As a result, the fuel injectors also failed. The vehicle was not inspected or…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2010, at 63,700 miles

  2. Body and structure

    9 complaints · 21%

    Half of these problems showed up before 90,000 miles. Parts named most often: body.

    My 2002 Dodge Ram 3500 pickup dash board is cracking. First it started as a small crack and now it has become a crack almost a foot long. There are other cracks in the dash as well (around the gauge cluster). At times my low beam lights flicker on and off while driving at night. Nothing has been done about the cracked…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2007, at 96,000 miles
    Dashboard on my aug 2002 built Dodge Ram 3500 has extensive cracks. Internet sites show a number of other Dodge vehicles with this same issue - some much worse than mine. Potential safety risks include distracting driver due to dash cracking. Other owners with more severe cracks have reported electrical system…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2008, at 102,000 miles

  3. Steering

    8 complaints · 18%

    Half of these problems showed up before 89,500 miles. Parts named most often: linkages.

    The contact owns a 2002 Dodge Ram 3500. The contact stated that while driving 5 MPH, the output shaft fractured and he was unable to steer the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic where the gear box was replaced. The dealer did not offer any assistance. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure.…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2011, at 130,000 miles
    The contact owns a 2002 Dodge Ram 3500. While driving approximately 60 MPH over a bump in the road, the front end of the vehicle suddenly shook violently and vibrated. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact heard a knocking noise when the steering wheel was turned in…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2016, at 48,500 miles

  4. Transmission

    5 complaints · 11%

    Parts named most often: manual transmission.

    Tl contact owns a 2002 Dodge Ram 3500. The contact stated that it is extremely difficult to switch gears in the vehicle. While idling at a stop light with the clutch pedal depressed, the vehicle began drifting forward. He had to completely turn off the vehicle to stop it from drifting. The contact is in the process of…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2008, at 116,000 miles
    The contact owns a 2002 Dodge Ram 3500. The contact stated that the gear shift selector remained stuck in park and she was unable to shift into any other gear. The dealer did not offer any assistance. The manufacturer had not been notified. No repairs were performed. The failure mileage was 125,000 and the current…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2012, at 125,000 miles

  5. Suspension

    5 complaints · 11%

    Half of these problems showed up before 45,000 miles. Parts named most often: front.

    The contact owns a 2002 Dodge Ram 3500. While driving approximately 60 MPH over a bump in the road, the front end of the vehicle suddenly shook violently and vibrated. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact heard a knocking noise when the steering wheel was turned in…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2016, at 48,500 miles
    This is an additional problem to my 2002 Dodge Ram 3500 maxi van. Upon receiving my vehicle back after 2 months and having driven it with still the same problems with the brakes I have had no success with the dealership and was told there was nothing wrong. 01/30/06 I noticed a severe marble noise under my feet when…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2006, at 37,072 miles

  6. Air bags

    4 complaints · 9%

    Parts named most often: frontal.

    The air bag light had stayed on, flashed, and chimed. The technician at the dealer stated that the air bags could have deployed at any time, possibly due to a wiring problem. Also the passenger seat belt had tightened abnormally. Ts scc
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2002, at 14,000 miles
    Dash started cracking about 2007 and is not starting to fall apart in big sharp pieces. If air bag would ever go off I don't know where these pieces would end up, hopefully not in me.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2013, at 19,000 miles

  7. Brakes

    4 complaints · 9%

    Parts named most often: foundation components.

    This is an additional problem to my 2002 Dodge Ram 3500 maxi van. Upon receiving my vehicle back after 2 months and having driven it with still the same problems with the brakes I have had no success with the dealership and was told there was nothing wrong. 01/30/06 I noticed a severe marble noise under my feet when…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2006, at 37,072 miles

  8. Engine

    3 complaints · 7%

    Parts named most often: engine.

    While driving at any speed the truck shut down and lost all power. The truck restarted, and consumer was able to proceed with caution. Dealer had the vehicle for 48 hours and could not duplicate the problem.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2003, at 29,000 miles
    The contact owns a 2002 Dodge Ram 3500. While driving 50 MPH, the service vehicle warning indicator illuminated and the engine stalled. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The manufacturer stated that they would…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2017, at 130,000 miles

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 3500 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 3500

What are the most common problems with the 2002 Dodge Ram 3500?
By NHTSA owner complaints: fuel system (9 complaints, typically around 62,500 miles); body and structure (9 complaints, typically around 90,000 miles); steering (8 complaints, typically around 89,500 miles).
How many recalls does the 2002 Dodge Ram 3500 have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2002 Dodge Ram 3500. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls in case one is issued later.
Is the 2002 a bad year for the Dodge Ram 3500?
It is 13th of 13 Ram 3500 model years by number of complaints, with 44 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.

Other Dodge Ram 3500 years

Dodge Ram 3500 problems by year