2002 Dodge RAM 1500: common problems

Owners of the 2002 Dodge RAM 1500 filed 815 complaints with NHTSA, most often about structure and powertrain. Details by component below, with sources.

Key figures

Owner complaints: 815
involving a crash: 55

What fails most often

1 Structure 34% of all complaints
2 Powertrain 12% of all complaints
3 Electrical system 11% of all complaints
4 Suspension 9% of all complaints
5 Engine and cooling 7% of all complaints
6 Visibility 7% of all complaints
7 Air bags 6% of all complaints
8 Steering 5% of all complaints

Circle size and colour show each component’s share of NHTSA complaints. Schematic only, not a drawing of the exact model.

Structure: 278 complaints (34% of all), 5 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Powertrain: 99 complaints (12% of all), 6 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Electrical system: 93 complaints (11% of all), 3 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Suspension: 71 complaints (9% of all), 7 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Engine and cooling: 58 complaints (7% of all).

Engines and transmissions

US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.

3.7 L · petrol · 6 cyl
4.7 L · petrol · 8 cylnamed in 9 complaints
5.9 L · petrol · 8 cylnamed in 2 complaints
automatic, 4-speed
manual, 5-speednamed in 1 complaints

Drive: RWD, AWD

Symptoms owners describe

How many of the 815 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).

A/C or heater51 · 6%
headlights and tail lights36 · 4%
stalls while driving34 · 4%
vibration27 · 3%
knocking, grinding or other noise26 · 3%
warning lights, check engine25 · 3%
windows, sunroof25 · 3%
steering or power steering problems24 · 3%
smoke, burning smell, fire23 · 3%
rust, corrosion19 · 2%

Components owners complain about

Component	Owner complaints	involving a crash
Structure	278	5
Powertrain	99	6
Electrical system	93	3
Suspension	71	7
Engine and cooling	58	0
Visibility	53	1
Air bags	46	24
Steering	44	6
Exterior lighting	35	0
Service brakes	35	3
Engine	22	2
Vehicle speed control	22	5
Tires	18	1
Equipment	11	0

What owners report

Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.

While traveling at normal speeds approximately 40 mph a car ran a stop sign I t-boned them on their passenger side with my front end I hit them at approximately 40 mph my airbags did not deploy my face and chest hit the steering wheel and dash
Air bags · crash · 2021-10-12 · NHTSA complaint #11436510
The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. The driver and two passengers were injured and sought medical attention. The vehicle was towed to an unknown lot. The dealer was not contacted for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure.
Air bags · crash · 2018-08-28 · NHTSA complaint #11123069
They corrode causing your brake lights, blinkers, headlights and emergency flasher not to work. Dodge should have been mandated to recall and replace both parts on every truck.
Electrical system · crash · 2018-04-12 · NHTSA complaint #11084850
12/05/2016 I had my seat belt on but neither airbag deployed. My insurance adjuster recommended bringing this to dodges attention. Even the police officer said that I should let dodge know. The next page stopped working. I injured my neck and shoulders an also my right foot an knee
Air bags · crash · 2016-12-13 · NHTSA complaint #10935154
Dash board has shattered and the air condition/heater does not blow.
Structure · crash · 2015-02-05 · NHTSA complaint #10681598
Gas pedal stuck, and caused unintended accelerating while making a left turn onto a busy street. Vehicle spun out while my husband tried to get the pedal unstuck the truck spun out more and turned a 180 facing oncoming traffic back passenger tire hit against the cement median knocking the tire in and busting the axel.
Engine · crash · 2013-02-17 · NHTSA complaint #10498413
The vehicle accelerated full throttle and traveled 100 yards, and crashed into an electrical pole knocking it down. The vehicle continued to accelerate across a five lane highway and crashed into another vehicle. The vehicle rolled over on its side, traveled another 75 yards and then crashed into a brick building.
Vehicle speed control · crash · 2011-03-17 · NHTSA complaint #10390479
2002 dodge ram 1500 wheel hub bearing assembly separation / wheel separation, while traveling at a speed of 35 -40 mph on the highway, my vehicle began to shake and pull to the right and then the wheel right front wheel hub bearing assembly failed causing my vehicle to become disabled during a snow storm.
Suspension · crash · 2010-03-02 · NHTSA complaint #10315751

When owners complained

NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.

20012
200250
2003100
200442
200539
200638
200767
200874
200955
201058
201176
201248
201331
201430
201533
201619
201718
201816
20197
20201
20214
20221
20233
20242
20261

Comparison

By complaint count this model year ranks 353 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 1% most complained about).

On average one model year of the RAM 1500 has 540 complaints (23 years in the data). This year has 815, above average.

What to check before buying

Structure. Rails, pillars, panel gaps, signs of pulling or welding.
Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
Suspension. Wheel alignment, control arms, subframe, even tire wear.

Questions and answers

What are the most common problems with the 2002 Dodge RAM 1500?

Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: structure, powertrain, electrical system. Total complaints: 815. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: A/C or heater (6%), headlights and tail lights (4%), stalls while driving (4%).

How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2002 Dodge RAM 1500?

NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.

Should I buy a 2002 Dodge RAM 1500 from a US auction?

Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.

Other 2002 models

Read also

Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.