The Used Car Index

2002 Dodge Ram 1500 problems

NHTSA lists 815 complaints for the 2002 Dodge Ram 1500, 55 of them mention a crash and 14 mention a fire. 43 complaints mention an injury, with 62 injuries and 1 deaths reported.

Data build 2026-10-08.

NHTSA lists this vehicle as DODGE RAM 1500.

At a glance

Complaints
815
With crash
55
With fire
14
With injury (complaints)
43
Injuries
62
Deaths
1
Recalls
3
Do not drive recalls
0
Park outside recalls
0
Recall potential units (maximum)
287,725
Investigations
1
Open investigations
0
Manufacturer communications
22

Complaints per 100k sold unavailable. No sales source is available for this record.

Where the complaints are

Top systems
SystemComplaintsShare of this vehicle's complaints
STRUCTURE27834.1%
POWER TRAIN9912.1%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM9311.4%
SUSPENSION718.7%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER627.6%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING587.1%
VISIBILITY516.3%
AIR BAGS465.6%
STEERING445.4%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING354.3%
Top subsystems
SystemSubsystemComplaints
STRUCTUREBODY43
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGENGINE27
POWER TRAINAUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION24
SUSPENSIONFRONT23
POWER TRAINDRIVELINE22
VISIBILITYDEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM21
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICFOUNDATION COMPONENTS18
VISIBILITYREARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES18
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMWIRING15
AIR BAGSFRONTAL14

One complaint can name several systems, so shares can add to more than 100 percent.

Model-generated complaint tags: This model year has not been tagged.

Recalls

See new recalls and investigations this week.

3 recalls.

03V504000

Date: 2003-12-10. Systems: TIRES.

Defect: ON CERTAIN 4X4 PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH THE SNOW PLOW PREPARATION PACKAGE, THE TIRES SUPPLIED ON SOME VEHICLES MAY HAVE GROSS AXLE WEIGHT RATINGS THAT SLIGHTLY EXCEED THE MAXIMUM TIRE LOAD CAPACITY AS DEFINED IN FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 120, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS."

Consequence: Unavailable

Remedy: DEALERS WILL PROVIDE REPLACEMENT P245/75R16 TIRES TO MEET THE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY SPECIFIED ON THE VEHICLE CERTIFICATION LABEL AND ACCOMMODATE THE ADDITION OF A COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE SNOW PLOW AND HARDWARE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 22, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-992-1997.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

03V078000

Date: 2003-03-10. Systems: STEERING.

Defect: ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR AT THE BOTTOM OF THE STEERING COLUMN CONTAINS AN UNDER-SIZED TERMINAL FOR THE HVAC BLOWER MOTOR CIRCUIT. LOCALIZED HEATING FROM CURRENT FLOW WITH THE BLOWER SPEED SET ON HIGH MAY CAUSE THE TERMINAL CONTACTS TO RELAX AND LOSE ELECTRICAL CONTACT. THIS CAN CAUSE THE HVAC BLOWER MOTOR TO BECOME INOPERATIVE.

Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE IMPAIRMENT OF VISIBILITY IN INCLEMENT WEATHER, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A WIRING HARNESS OVERLAY TO CORRECT THIS CONDITION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 15, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

03V077000

Date: 2003-03-10. Systems: VISIBILITY.

Defect: ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, THE DETENT SYSTEM ON THE EXTERIOR MIRROR HOUSINGS MAY LOSE THE FUNCTIONALITY.

Consequence: THIS COULD POTENTIALLY AFFECT REARWARD FIELD OF VISION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A MIRROR DETENT RETAINER KIT TO CORRECT THIS CONDITION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 10, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

Investigations

1 investigations; 0 open.

PE02096

Opened: 2002-12-26. Closed: 2003-05-15.

REAR AXLE FAILURE

SEE ATTACHED REPORT.

Systems: POWER TRAIN.

Linked campaign numbers: None listed.

Manufacturer communications

22 manufacturer communications.

Communications by system
SystemCount
EQUIPMENT10
STRUCTURE8
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING5
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM4
Plate, Planetary1
POWER TRAIN1
WHEELS1

11010205

Date: 2024-10-30. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: POWER TRAIN.

Plate - Planetary

10221686

Date: 2020-07-22. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC level part number. The "AB" NIC level will not program to these platforms. For all other platforms, if the "AB" NIC level will not program to the vehicle, use the "AC" NIC level part and submit a part warranty.

10229256

Date: 2020-07-22. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC level part number. The "AB" NIC level will not program to these platforms. For all other platforms, if the "AB" NIC level will not program to the vehicle, use the "AC" NIC level part and submit a part warranty.

10175743

Date: 2020-04-30. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: EQUIPMENT, STRUCTURE.

Disinfectant Solution Recommended for COVID-19

10175735

Date: 2020-04-22. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EQUIPMENT.

Charging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty This information only bulletin discusses using the correct test equipment for testing batteries and charging systems, and also warranty reimbursement when battery replacements are necessary.

10169247

Date: 2019-11-20. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: EQUIPMENT.

Use of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of recycled or salvage parts.

10169249

Date: 2019-11-20. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: EQUIPMENT, STRUCTURE.

Use of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of aftermarket parts.

10220097

Date: 2019-11-20. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: EQUIPMENT, STRUCTURE.

Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to structural repair parts usage.

10220099

Date: 2019-11-20. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: STRUCTURE.

Use of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of recycled or salvage parts.

10220101

Date: 2019-11-20. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: STRUCTURE.

Use of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of aftermarket parts.

Notes on this record

  • Complaints from the API and bulk file are merged and deduplicated by ODI number; the API alone misses records.
  • System and subsystem counts are numbers of distinct complaints, recalls or communications that name them. One record can name several systems, so shares across systems can add to more than 100 percent; a single share never exceeds 100 percent.
  • Recalls are counted once per campaign, investigations once per action and manufacturer communications once per NHTSA id, even when NHTSA lists several model names for the same record.
  • A sales denominator is a calendar-year proxy, not the population of vehicles still in use. Rates are copied from verified pipeline output.

Other names NHTSA uses

None listed.

Matched NHTSA models

Matched labels and complaints
NHTSA model labelComplaints
RAM 1500815

Same model, other years

All model years | All Dodge models

Other Dodge models, 2002

Sources

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