2002 Dodge Ram 3500: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 44 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is structure (22% 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 44 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“While driving my truck on at least 10 times the vehicle hit a bridge or bump in the road the vehicle starts to have a death wobble I cant control it I try to stop on a highway almost was hit by a tractor trailer and other vehicles each time I have replaced alot of front end equipment and it has 6 new tires also the dash exploded in alot of pieces another safety issue”Owner report · Steering · Apr 2019
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 dodge ram 3500. While driving approximately 60 mph over a bump in the road, the front end of the vehicle suddenly shook violently and vibrated. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact heard a knocking noise when the steering wheel was turned in either direction. In addition, while driving, the vehicle suddenly would not accelerate. An independent mechanic diagnosed that the fuel injector bump and lift bump were faulty and would need to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired and the failure was remedied. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 48,500.”Owner report · Suspension · Oct 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 dodge ram 3500. While driving 50 mph, the service vehicle warning indicator illuminated and the engine stalled. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The manufacturer stated that they would get back with the contact. The failure mileage was 130,000.”Owner report · Engine · Jun 2016
Show 7 more owner reports
“The dash in my truck has broken pieces are coming out really bad looks like it exploded with the air condition turned on or the defrost pieces hit you in the face dodge refuses to help recall this everyone I know has this issue with there dodge this is a safety issue with my grand children who ride in this truck also”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jan 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 dodge ram 3500. The vehicle was hitched to a 2015 pj gooseneck trailer. While driving approximately 35 mph in rainy weather conditions, the brake pedal was engaged and the attached vehicle failed to slow down. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the rear passenger hydraulic line fractured from the brake caliper. The contact replaced the hydraulic line himself. Nine days later, the vehicle was repaired and the front driver hydraulic line separated from the brake caliper. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was not applicable.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Sep 2015
“I hit a pothole and omg you can not believe what came and now I'm finding out that its called a death wobble and the name is correct because it makes u think your about to hit a tree or someone else on the road just luckily no one was coming the other way because I promise u I would have hit them dodge needs to fix the problem!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!,!!!!!!! *tr”Owner report · Suspension · Apr 2014
“Tl-the contact owns a 2006 dodge ram 3500. The contact stated there was a recall under NHTSA campaign id number 13v528000 (steering) and the vehicle had not been serviced because the part was unavailable to perform the repair. The dealer informed that one remedy part was being sent per week. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The contact had not experienced a failure. Js”Owner report · Steering · Dec 2013
“Dash started cracking about 2007 and is not starting to fall apart in big sharp pieces. If air bag would ever go off I don't know where these pieces would end up, hopefully not in me. *tr”Owner report · Structure · Jul 2013
“Dash board broken and falling apart. Parts falling in are very sharp and dangerous. It is like someone holding a knife in front of you when driving down the road, hoping you don't hit anything. *tr”Owner report · Structure · Mar 2013
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 dodge ram 3500. The contact stated that while traveling 70 mph, the contact crashed into a median divider, slid and then crashed into another median divider before finally landing in a ditch. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to a private mechanic where it was discovered that the tie rod failed and caused the crash. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about the issue. The failure and current mileages were 43,566.”Owner report · Steering · Oct 2012
When filing, owners marked a crash in 2 of these complaints and injuries in 2 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 1 campaign
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 3500 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 3500 reliable?
NHTSA has 44 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 2002 Dodge Ram 3500. The most complained-about area is structure (22% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2002 Dodge Ram 3500 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 66,850 miles or less.
Does the 2002 Dodge Ram 3500 have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning visibility:glass, side/rear. 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.