2002 Dodge Ram Quad Cab: problems, recalls and reliability
0 recalls and 206 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is structure (32% of complaints); the 2001 and 2003 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 206 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Bought truck in 2009. Drive a couple times a week. Transmission has went out 5 times now including this morning. Was told by a coworker that theres ab issue with the dodgers not circulating fluid when idling in gear.??? Either way this will be the 5th time in 10 years taking it to get rebuilt!!!! Which has been 2,500.00 to 4,000.00 each time!!! Really bout to give up on dodge”Owner report · Power Train · Jun 2019
“The plastics used in the 2002 dodge ram interior are a safety issue. There is widespread evidence across the internet showing the dash breaking apart like mine. It is structurally unsound and dodge should find a safe solution. If I got into an accident sharp shards of dash flying around is more likely to cause injury than the impact of the crash.”Owner report · Structure · Feb 2019
“Craked dash, sharp metal and sharp broken chunks of plastic that used to be a dashboard. Not safe to drive this way! The parts if available are exspensive, why is this not recalled replacing using better safer products.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jul 2015
Show 7 more owner reports
“Knock on my door from the fire department, said my truck burned up. It was not driven that day. Any electrical recalls for this vehicle? *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2014
“I have 2002 dodge ram 1500 with a cracked dash which is bad the cracks started out small and now there are several. In the event of an airbag deployment what is to stop this dash from separating and causing life threatening injuries. Dodge needs to recognize this as a major safety concern and recall for replacement. *tr”Owner report · Structure · Apr 2013
“Rear door wiring failure causing the wires to short out the instrument cluster, speedometer, door locks, power windows, doom lighting. The wiring failure is due to a poor design and poor quality of materials used on both sides of the read doors wiring system between the b pillar connector and the door. This can be identified by removing the black rubber booth. *tr”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Sep 2011
“Frame rails are corroding. Driver's side has a 3' 6" section of badly corroded frame. There are holes large enough to put three fingers through. Passenger's side is beginning to corrode. Frame has not failed yet. *tr”Owner report · Structure · Aug 2011
“I own a 2002 dodge ram 1500. The dash is cracking. Searching online I have found I am not the only one with problem. I also have a problem with my airbag light going on and off. My truck has been garage kept since I bought it and only has 76,000 mile on it. I think this issue needs to be looked into with a recall since I see so many problems observed online with this year of truck. I am afraid that with wiring under the dash it might pose a safety problem. My airbag light did not start going on and off until I noticed by dash cracked. *tr”Owner report · Structure · Jun 2011
“I just purchased a 2002 dodge 1500 quad cab and about a week after I bought it the dash has cracked in 3 different places from windshield to front of dash. I was cleaning the dash and did not see one of the cracks and cut my hand on it. They have very sharp edges on them. At this time I have not repaired it. *tr”Owner report · Structure · Feb 2011
“My 2002 dodge ram 1500 had a severe front end impact , the air bags did not deploy., resulting in my neck breaking and my wife being injured . The seat belts were in use on both of us. *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · Nov 2010
When filing, owners marked a crash in 9 of these complaints and injuries in 12 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
How other years compare
Counts are not adjusted for time on the road here - see all Ram Quad Cab years ranked fairly for the age-adjusted comparison.
Check your exact Ram Quad Cab 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 Quad Cab reliable?
NHTSA has 206 owner complaints and 0 recall campaigns on record for the 2002 Dodge Ram Quad Cab. The most complained-about area is structure (32% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2002 Dodge Ram Quad Cab problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 61,000 miles or less.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.