2002 Dodge RAM

▲ Better than typical

2002 Dodge RAM
RENDERED 2026-09-17T02:33:28.172Z

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 PER YEAR

2002: 116 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
1981	2
1983	1
1984	2
1985	10
1986	18
1987	18
1988	22
1989	28
1990	23
1991	52
1992	63
1993	56
1994	481
1995	612
1996	625
1997	398
1998	483
1999	366
2000	147
2001	318
2002	116
2003	53
2004	58
2005	40
2006	25
2007	17
2008	25
2009	9
2010	27
2011	0

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

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

POWER TRAIN 16%

16% of complaints: power train — 18 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and differential unit.

SUSPENSION 14%

14% of complaints: suspension — 16 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing rear and front.

CRASH INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH RIGHT REAR TIRE CAME OFF, AND LEFT REAR OF VEHICLE COLLAPSED. REAR OF VEHICLE STARTED SLIDING ALONG THE GROUND WHEN IT HIT A MEDIAN AND WAS STOPPED. DRIVER SUFFERED NECK INJURY.

NHTSA ODI report, 20011226

Also filed under WHEELS

AIR BAGS 13%

13% of complaints: air bags — 15 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frontal.

CRASH INJURY DEATH

Show complaint excerpts

WHILE TRAVELING AT 50 THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE SLIGHTLY TOUCHED THE GRAVEL ON AN UNEVEN PARKWAY, AND CAUSED THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE FLIPPED AND CRASHED. UPON IMPACT, THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE PASSENGER WAS KILLED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20030609

THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *JB

NHTSA ODI report, 20030319

AT 25 MPH OUR VEHICLE T-BONED ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH. THE OTHER VEHICLE IS COMPLETELY TOTALED, AND THERE IS EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END OF THE TRUCK.

NHTSA ODI report, 20021210

STRUCTURE 13%

13% of complaints: structure — 15 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing body and door.

FIRE INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

THE DASHBOARD STARTED CRACKING AROUND 60,000 MILES. IT HAS CONTINUED TO CRACK AND ALL OF THE PLASTIC VENT COVERS HAVE FALLEN APART INTO THE VENTS.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120424

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 12%

12% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 14 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing engine and manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe.

FIRE INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

THE FACTORY UNDERCOATING WAS PUT SO HEAVY AND SLOPPY THAT WHEN THE ENGINE EXHAUST SYSTEM HEATS UP THE UNDERCOATING DRIPS ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND EXHAUST PIPE "FLASHING" CAUSING HAZARDOUS FUMES TO ENTER THE CAB OF THE VEHICLE THRU THE AIR...

NHTSA ODI report, 20010924

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20021209 — power train

ON CERTAIN 4X4 PICKUP TRUCKS, THE REAR AXLE FLANGE WELD TO THE AXLE TUBE COULD FATIGUE AND ALLOW THE BRAKE CALIPER ASSEMBLY TO ROTATE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL REAR BRAKE CALIPER REINFORCEMENTS ON THE REAR AXLE ASSEMBLIES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 9, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED

Campaign 02V159000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20021226 — PE (closed 20030515)

REAR AXLE FAILURE

R 20040927 — service brakes, hydraulic

ON CERTAIN VAN AND WAGON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4-WHEEL ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEMS (ABS), AFTERMARKET BATTERIES MAY LEAK ELECTROLYTE ONTO THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR, WHICH CAN COMPROMISE SEALING IN

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR FOR ELECTROLYTE DAMAGE AND REPLACE THE CONNECTOR AS NECESSARY. THE RECALL WILL BEGIN ON SEPTEMBER 27, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLE

Campaign 04V185000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20060701 — exterior lighting

CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE N

Remedy: CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.

Campaign 06E049000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20070905 — equipment

CERTAIN CEQUENT 90 DEGREE 7-WAY RIGHT ANGLE ADAPTORS SOLD BY DISTRIBUTORS IN TOW PACKAGES FOR AFTERMARKET SALES TO TOW 5TH WHEEL RV TRAVEL TRAILERS. DUE TO INCORRECT WIRING OF THE HARNESS, THE TRAILE

Remedy: ALL OF THE DEFECTIVE TOW PACKAGES ARE STILL AT THE DISTRIBUTOR LEVEL AND HAVE NOT BEEN SOLD TO ANY CONSUMERS.

Campaign 07E066000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090511 — exterior lighting

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONF

Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Campaign 09E012000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090828 — visibility

CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 1,364 WINDSHIELD WIPER MODULES, P/N 55077098AJ, SOLD DURING THE 2008 AND 2009 CALENDAR YEAR FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT ON MY 2002-2009 DODGE RAM PICKUP TRUCKS.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIPER MODULE ASSEMBLIES WITH VENTED WIPER MOTOR HOUSINGS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Campaign 09E009000 — check if this car was fixed