MYRModel Year Report

2002 Dodge RAM 2500

▲ Better than typical
2002 Dodge RAM 2500
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:39:30.199Z

This year had at least 30% fewer 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
155
Recalls
2

Campaigns on file for 2002

Investigations
0

None on file

Top problem
Structure

26% of complaints

Complaints per year

1991: 16 complaints 1991 1992: 32 complaints 1993: 39 complaints 1994: 168 complaints 1994 1995: 267 complaints 1996: 291 complaints 1997: 213 complaints 1997 1998: 225 complaints 1999: 313 complaints 2000: 211 complaints 2001: 469 complaints 2002: 155 complaints 2002 155 2003: 661 complaints 2004: 581 complaints 2005: 422 complaints 2006: 668 complaints 2006 2007: 362 complaints 2008: 317 complaints 2009: 214 complaints 2009 2010: 236 complaints 2011: 298 complaints 2012: 283 complaints 2012
1991: 16 complaints 1991 1992: 32 complaints 1993: 39 complaints 1993 1994: 168 complaints 1995: 267 complaints 1995 1996: 291 complaints 1997: 213 complaints 1997 1998: 225 complaints 1999: 313 complaints 1999 2000: 211 complaints 2001: 469 complaints 2002: 155 complaints 2002 155 2003: 661 complaints 2004: 581 complaints 2005: 422 complaints 2005 2006: 668 complaints 2007: 362 complaints 2007 2008: 317 complaints 2009: 214 complaints 2009 2010: 236 complaints 2011: 298 complaints 2011 2012: 283 complaints
1991: 16 complaints 1991 1992: 32 complaints 1992 1993: 39 complaints 1993 1994: 168 complaints 1994 1995: 267 complaints 1995 1996: 291 complaints 1996 1997: 213 complaints 1997 1998: 225 complaints 1998 1999: 313 complaints 1999 2000: 211 complaints 2000 2001: 469 complaints 2001 2002: 155 complaints 2002 155 2003: 661 complaints 2003 2004: 581 complaints 2004 2005: 422 complaints 2005 2006: 668 complaints 2006 2007: 362 complaints 2007 2008: 317 complaints 2008 2009: 214 complaints 2009 2010: 236 complaints 2010 2011: 298 complaints 2011 2012: 283 complaints 2012

2002: 155 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
199116
199232
199339
1994168
1995267
1996291
1997213
1998225
1999313
2000211
2001469
2002155
2003661
2004581
2005422
2006668
2007362
2008317
2009214
2010236
2011298
2012283

Known problem areas

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

Structure

26% · 40 reports

Most commonly citing body and frame and members.

INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

The vehicle oscillates violently on cement roads due to stiffness of the frame and wrong wheel base. The dealer is unable to fix the problem.

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-04-26

Steering

15% · 23 reports

Most commonly citing gear box (other than rack and pinion) and steering wheel/handle bar.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

I have been to dealerships in California and find that their job is to rufuse to address problems with truck. No safety defect listed.

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-09-20

Power train

14% · 21 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

CRASHINJURYDEATH
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Dodge RAM 2500. While parked with the key in the ignition and the engine shut off, the contact's child haphazardly moved the gear shifter, which was located on the steering column.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-07-20

Suspension

10% · 16 reports

Most commonly citing front and upper ball joint.

Show complaint excerpts

This truck has a violent vibration bouncing osilaltion on the freeway. Other truck don't do this. The dealer says no problem with it and they wont do anything. I complained after 1 mile of ownership. The truck is not safe.

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-03-22

Fuel system, diesel

8% · 13 reports

Safety timeline

2 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. 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 →

  2. 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 →

Buy-smart checklist

2002 Dodge RAM 2500 — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Structure: 40 reports on file for this year.
  • Steering: 23 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 21 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 06E024000 · Engine and engine cooling
  • Recall 07E104000 · Visibility
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2002 Dodge RAM 2500 reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2002 Dodge RAM 2500 is rated "better than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Dodge RAM 2500?
The most-reported component is structure, accounting for 26% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2002 Dodge RAM 2500 have?
2 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.