MYRModel Year Report

2002 Dodge RAM 1500

◆ Worse than typical
2002 Dodge RAM 1500
BUILT 2026-10-10

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
815
Recalls
6

Campaigns on file for 2002

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Structure

34% of complaints

Complaints per year

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 2001: 1,112 complaints 2002: 815 complaints 2002 815 2003: 1,171 complaints 2004: 1,097 complaints 2005: 1,169 complaints 2006: 792 complaints 2006 2007: 517 complaints 2008: 554 complaints 2009: 670 complaints 2009 2010: 485 complaints 2011: 688 complaints 2012: 697 complaints 2012 2014: 1 complaint
1991: 7 complaints 1991 1992: 0 complaints 1993: 6 complaints 1993 1994: 116 complaints 1995: 213 complaints 1995 1996: 298 complaints 1997: 361 complaints 1997 1998: 520 complaints 1999: 610 complaints 1999 2000: 513 complaints 2001: 1,112 complaints 2002: 815 complaints 2002 815 2003: 1,171 complaints 2004: 1,097 complaints 2005: 1,169 complaints 2005 2006: 792 complaints 2007: 517 complaints 2007 2008: 554 complaints 2009: 670 complaints 2009 2010: 485 complaints 2011: 688 complaints 2011 2012: 697 complaints 2014: 1 complaint 2014
1991: 7 complaints 1991 1992: 0 complaints 1992 1993: 6 complaints 1993 1994: 116 complaints 1994 1995: 213 complaints 1995 1996: 298 complaints 1996 1997: 361 complaints 1997 1998: 520 complaints 1998 1999: 610 complaints 1999 2000: 513 complaints 2000 2001: 1,112 complaints 2001 2002: 815 complaints 2002 815 2003: 1,171 complaints 2003 2004: 1,097 complaints 2004 2005: 1,169 complaints 2005 2006: 792 complaints 2006 2007: 517 complaints 2007 2008: 554 complaints 2008 2009: 670 complaints 2009 2010: 485 complaints 2010 2011: 688 complaints 2011 2012: 697 complaints 2012 2014: 1 complaint 2014

2002: 815 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19917
19920
19936
1994116
1995213
1996298
1997361
1998520
1999610
2000513
20011,112
2002815
20031,171
20041,097
20051,169
2006792
2007517
2008554
2009670
2010485
2011688
2012697
20141

Known problem areas

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

Structure

34% · 279 reports

Most commonly citing body and frame and members.

CRASHFIREINJURY
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, 2012-07-30

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, 2012-07-05

Power train

12% · 100 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and differential unit.

CRASHFIREINJURYDEATH
Show complaint excerpts

Right rear axle broke while driving 40-45 MPH. Dealer and manufacturer have been notified.

NHTSA ODI report, 2001-12-19

Electrical system

12% · 94 reports

Most commonly citing front underhood and instrument cluster/panel.

CRASHFIREDEATH
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, 2018-04-12

Also filed under Steering

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…

NHTSA ODI report, 2023-11-05

Suspension

9% · 76 reports

Most commonly citing front and rear.

CRASHINJURY
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, 2003-02-19

Engine and engine cooling

7% · 59 reports

Most commonly citing engine and gasoline.

FIREINJURY

Safety timeline

6 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2002Complaint volume 815 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. I
    2002-12-26Preliminary evaluationClosed 2003-05-15 Rear axle failure
  3. R
    2003-04-10Visibility03V077000 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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2003-04-10Steering03V078000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2003-12-22Tires03V504000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    2006-04-20Engine and engine cooling06E024000 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…

    Remedy: K&n will provide owners with a free repair kit along with repair instructions. The recall began on April 20, 2006.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. R
    2008-01-15Visibility07E104000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. R
    2010-09-15Wheels10E040000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2002 Dodge RAM 1500 — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Structure: 279 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 100 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 94 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 03V077000 · Visibility
  • Recall 03V078000 · Steering
  • Recall 03V504000 · Tires
  • Recall 06E024000 · Engine and engine cooling
  • Recall 07E104000 · Visibility
  • Recall 10E040000 · Wheels
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

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 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.