2002 Dodge Ram Pickup: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 22 owner complaints on record; most reports concern structure.
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 22 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“My dodge ram 1500 pickup has a very unsafe condition in the from of a cracking and broken dashboard. I would hate to think of coming in contact with it in a collision. *tr”Owner report · Structure · May 2010
“Cracking of dashboard, after reading the complaints on here and numerous other sites it appears to be a trend that needs to be looked at. I have cut my hand once already on mine and there is no telling how many other people have also. *tr”Owner report · Structure · Jan 2010
“Tl*the contact owns a 2002 dodge ram pickup. The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign id number 07v555000 (power train:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:column shift). The dealer stated that they did not have the parts available to repair the vehicle. The contact called two other dealers and they stated the same thing. He has been waiting for four months and the vehicle still has not been repaired. The failure mileage was 50,000 and current mileage was 51,000. The consumer stated the dash was severely cracked in 3 places and the windshield needed to be replaced. Updated 05/01/14”Owner report · Visibility · Jan 2009
Show 7 more owner reports
“Dodge ram 2002 3500 truck the brake disc pads come unglued from the backing plate defect was found on 3 of the 4 brake disc pads. Dodge is using poor or the wrong glue there was lots of life in the disc pads and was under 30,000 miles on the truck. *tr”Owner report · Equipment · Jun 2008
“Tl*the contact owns a 2002 dodge ram pickup. After parking the vehicle, it began to roll forward. Instinctly, the contact attempted to jump in the vehicle to stop it, but she fell and was dragged. The vehicle drove over her left leg, which resulted in her being hospitalized for three months. The contact recently discovered NHTSA campaign id number 07v555000 (power train:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:column shift). The current mileage was 54,690 and failure mileage was 54,615. Updated 04/28/08. *lj”Owner report · Power Train · Dec 2007
“2002 dodge ram 1500 dashboard cracks just appeared in a truck that is in showroom condition seems like it would be a safety issue if the air bag goes off in an accident it could cause more injury then it would prevent. *tr”Owner report · Structure · Apr 2007
“Lsd portion of differential failed into small pieces of metal that could have become lodged in gears and caused catastrophic failure and potential accident . It appears that the design of the lsd is faulty as many units have failed. Lsd replaced at owners expense with zero assistance from dodge. *nm”Owner report · Power Train · Aug 2005
“Involved in an collusion, air bags failed to deploy, impact area driver front to center of hood, speed over 40 mph. Passenger sustained back and neck injury along with chest brusing from seatbelt. Spoke to dodge dealer and comment was that sometimes the airbags will not go off if the impact does not energize miltipal sensors. Airbags in the other vehicle deployed.*ak”Owner report · Air Bags · Dec 2004
“I purchased a 2002 dodge ram as new in november of 2001. Within a couple of years (approximately 30,000 miles) from purchase, my dashboard started to crack. Within a year of seeing the first cracks, parts of the dash had literally turned to gravel. Pieces have dropped down and into the components that are beneath the dash, and I am afraid of what other problems, especially safety related, might arise from the cracking dashboard. *tr”Owner report · Structure · Nov 2004
“While driving at approximately 35 mph, vehicle went off the road and hit a tree stump. Front air bags did not deploy, and there was no indication before the crash that there was a problem with the air bags. Driver sustained minor bruises to the facial area. *ak”Owner report · Air Bags · Sep 2003
When filing, owners marked a crash in 5 of these complaints and injuries in 3 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 1 campaign
ON CERTAIN VAN AND PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS, THE IGNITION/PARK SHIFT INTERLOCK SYSTEM MAY BECOME INOPERATIVE. THIS CAN ALLOW THE SHIFTER TO BE MOVED OUT OF THE "PARK" POSITION WITH THE IGNITION KEY REMOVED (OR IN THE "LOCK" POSITION). THIS CAN ALSO ALLOW THE IGNITION KEY TO BE REMOVED WHEN THE SHIFTER HAS NOT BEEN PLACED IN THE "PARK" POSITION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE GEARSHIFT BLOCKER AND BRACKET ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JANUARY 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Check your exact Ram Pickup 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 Pickup reliable?
NHTSA has 22 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 2002 Dodge Ram Pickup. The most complained-about area is structure.
Does the 2002 Dodge Ram Pickup have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning power train:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:column shift. 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.