2002 Dodge Ram 2500: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 155 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is structure (27% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Dec 2007
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 155 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“I purchased a 2003 dodge ram 2500 5.7 v8 4wd. My steering has gotten really loose over the last week. I brought it in to dealership for a previous recall. And the technician told me that my steering gear was going out and that it should not be bad.”Owner report · Steering · Apr 2021
“Driving down the road wont accelate then loose power , then afew a few minutes drives great then never know when it will not accelate drange losing power like that”Owner report · Engine · Jul 2020
“Dashboard has started cracking and sharp pieces of plastic have become loose creating a potential for them to become projectiles in the event of an accident. Seems most of the plastic trim pieces are brittle inside the vehicles passenger cabin.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Aug 2018
Show 7 more owner reports
“I am hearing a popping sound when turning the steering wheel, play in steering, truck is wobbling all over the place when driving on uneven roads, hissing sound coming from front end when accelerating. Play in steering gear box. The clicking popping sound I hear when turning steering wheel is when driving or not moving. I have had this truck pull far right on the road when going on uneven roads.”Owner report · Steering · Sep 2017
“While traveling on I-5 in portland, oregon, I lost control of the accelerator pedal, it when into a "dead pedal mode". I was on a very busy section of this interstate and had to immediately find a local off the side of the road next to an on ramp. It was a very dangerous situation. It was an electronic problem.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Mar 2017
“Cruise control was on and used accelerator petal to accelerate, engine rpm went to max and speed increased 20 mph and continued. Tapped accerator and turned of speed control, speed continued. Put gear in neutral and worked my way to road side. Found that cable frayed and jammed at high rpm. Disconnected cable and have not found replacement cable yet. Part discontinued”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Jun 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 dodge ram 2500. The contact stated that the dashboard was fractured in several areas. The failure started small, but worsened progressively. The manufacturer was not notified of this failure and no repairs were made. The failure mileage was 198,000.”Owner report · Structure · Apr 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 dodge ram 2500. While approaching a stop sign, the brake pedal was depressed but it took a greater amount of distance to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 180,000. The VIN was unavailable.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Nov 2014
“Truck garage kept for 10 of its 14 years. Current mileage 2017 = 90,000. Aug 2014 dash board began to crack and fall apart - truck had only 79,950 miles! Plastic pieces fall into dash holes and get stuck under dash amongst steering wheel, electrical wires/controls, etc. Plastic pieces can fall at any time whether in motion or stationary.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Aug 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 dodge ram 2500. The contact stated that the dashboard had a hole that was increasing in size and it was collapsing. The contact also stated that the air conditioning was malfunctioning. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 167,000.”Owner report · Structure · Jun 2014
When filing, owners marked a crash in 10 of these complaints and injuries in 6 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
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 PERFORMANCE PARTS BRAND NAME (P/NOS. P5007069 AND P5007070). ALL KITS WERE MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 20, 1999, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 23, 2004. THESE ASSEMBLIES WERE MANUFACTURED AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR CERTAIN DODGE PICKUP TRUCKS AND SUVS. A SMALL PIECE OF MATERIAL FROM THE TUBE WALL COULD BE SUCKED INTO THE ENGINE THROTTLE BODY, WHICH COULD CAUSE THE THROTTLE TO BECOME JAMMED IN THE OPEN POSITION.
Remedy: K&N WILL PROVIDE OWNERS WITH A FREE REPAIR KIT ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 20, 2006.
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 VEHICLES MAY NOT BREAK INTO SMALL PIECES AS EXPECTED OF TEMPERED GLASS AND FAILS TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 205, "GLAZING MATERIALS."
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 REIMBURSE WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS FOR CURRENT INVENTORY AND AT A SPECIFIED RATE FOR REPLACING THEIR CUSTOMER'S GLASS. WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT SAFELITE'S WHOLESALE DIVISION, SERVICE AUTOGLASS TOLL FREE AT 1-888-246-6298. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 15, 2008.
How other years compare
Check your exact Ram 2500 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2002 Dodge Ram 2500 reliable?
NHTSA has 155 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2002 Dodge Ram 2500. The most complained-about area is structure (27% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2002 Dodge Ram 2500 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 70,000 miles or less.
Does the 2002 Dodge Ram 2500 have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning engine and engine cooling. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.