MYRModel Year Report

2002 Dodge RAM 1500

◆ Worse than typical
2002 Dodge RAM 1500
BUILT 2026-09-02

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Dodge RAM 1500 Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2002 highlighted. 1991: 7 complaints 1991 1992: 0 complaints 1993: 6 complaints 1994: 116 complaints 1994 1995: 213 complaints 1996: 298 complaints 1997: 361 complaints 1997 1998: 520 complaints 1999: 610 complaints 2000: 513 complaints 2000 2001: 1112 complaints 2002: 815 complaints 2002 2003: 1170 complaints 2003 2004: 1097 complaints 2005: 1167 complaints 2006: 792 complaints 2006 2007: 517 complaints 2008: 553 complaints 2009: 670 complaints 2009 2010: 485 complaints 2011: 688 complaints 2012: 695 complaints 2012 2014: 1 complaints 2014
2002: 815 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19917
19920
19936
1994116
1995213
1996298
1997361
1998520
1999610
2000513
20011112
2002815
20031170
20041097
20051167
2006792
2007517
2008553
2009670
2010485
2011688
2012695
20141

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

STRUCTURE 34%

34% of complaints: structure — 279 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing body and frame and members.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

I WAS REAR ENDED AT A RED LIGHT AND MY DASH BOARD SUSTAINED MULTIPLE FRACTURES. PART OF THE DASH BOARD FRACTURED AND BECAME AIRBORNE IN THE VEHICLE. IT WAS THE SIZE OF AN IPHONE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120730

THE DASH CAP IN MY DODGE RAM 1500 HAS CRACKED IN SEVERAL PLACES. THIS HAS CAUSED MANY VERY SHARP SHARDS OF PLASTIC THAT WOULD BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS IN A COLLISION RESULTING IN UNNECESSARY INJURY TO ANY PASSENGERS IN THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120705

POWER TRAIN 12%

12% of complaints: power train — 100 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and differential unit.

CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATH
Show complaint excerpts

RIGHT REAR AXLE BROKE WHILE DRIVING 40-45 MPH. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20011219

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 12%

12% of complaints: electrical system — 94 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing front underhood and instrument cluster/panel.

CRASH FIRE DEATH
Show complaint excerpts

THE FCM AND PDC ARE EXTREMELY BAD ON THE 2002 DODGE. THEY CORRODE CAUSING YOUR BRAKE LIGHTS, BLINKERS, HEADLIGHTS AND EMERGENCY FLASHER NOT TO WORK. DODGE SHOULD HAVE BEEN MANDATED TO RECALL AND REPLACE BOTH PARTS ON EVERY TRUCK.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180412

Also filed under STEERING and UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The heat stopped working so i replaced the blower motor and blower relay the heater switch and still have no heat. The wire gets hot to the touch. The heater only use to work on high then all of a sudden it just stopped all the way around

NHTSA ODI report, 20231105

SUSPENSION 9%

9% of complaints: suspension — 76 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing front and rear.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

TRAVELING AT AROUND 70MPH ON I30 EAST MILE 16 I HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD CAUSING THE TRUCK TO SWAY UNCONTROLLABLY AND CAUSING A SPIN OUT INTO THE CENTER DIVIDE. WEATHER WAS CLOUDY AND ROAD WAY WAS DRY.

NHTSA ODI report, 20030219

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 7%

7% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 59 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing engine and gasoline.

FIRE INJURY

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2002 — complaint volume: 815
I 20021226 — PE (closed 20030515)

REAR AXLE FAILURE

R 20030410 — visibility

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, THE DETENT SYSTEM ON THE EXTERIOR MIRROR HOUSINGS MAY LOSE THE FUNCTIONALITY.

Remedy: 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 SERV

Campaign 03V077000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20030410 — steering

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 TH

Remedy: 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

Campaign 03V078000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20031222 — tires

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

Remedy: 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

Campaign 03V504000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20060420 — engine and engine cooling

CERTAIN REPLACEMENT K&N FUEL PERFORMANCE KITS, P/NOS. 57-1509, 57-1511, 57-1511-1, 57-1517, 57-1517-1, 57-1527, AND 57-1530. ALSO, A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THESE KITS WERE SOLD UNDER THE MOPAR PERFORMAN

Remedy: K&N WILL PROVIDE OWNERS WITH A FREE REPAIR KIT ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 20, 2006.

Campaign 06E024000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20080115 — visibility

CERTAIN CURVED TEMPERED REPLACEMENT GLASS MANUFACTURED BY HANGZHOU SAFETY GLASS LTD AND SUPPLIED TO SAFELITE BY AUTO TEMP INC., IDENTIFIED AS DOT-430, AND SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN

Remedy: SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS RETAIL CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE GLASS FREE OF CHARGE. RETAIL CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT SAFELITE TOLL FREE AT 1-888-843-2906. SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS AND REIM

Campaign 07E104000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20100915 — wheels

FEDERAL-MOGUL IS RECALLING CERTAIN CARQUEST, NATIONAL, AND PERCISION BRAND WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES, P/NOS 515073 AND 515073, SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT ON MODEL YEAR 2002 THROUGH 2008 DODGE RA

Remedy: FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND TECHNICIANS WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED HUB ASSEMBLIES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL AT

Campaign 10E040000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2002 Dodge RAM 1500 — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for structure issues (279 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for power train issues (100 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (94 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 03V077000 (visibility) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 03V078000 (steering) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 03V504000 (tires) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E024000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 07E104000 (visibility) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 10E040000 (wheels) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1994 ▲ 1995 ▲ 1996

WORST YEARS

■ 2003 ■ 2005 ◆ 2001

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2002 Dodge RAM 1500 reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2002 Dodge RAM 1500 is rated "worse than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2002 Dodge RAM 1500?

The most-reported component is structure, accounting for 34% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2002 Dodge RAM 1500 have?

6 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.