U.S. public vehicle records

2002 Dodge RAM 1500 problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

815 owner complaints analyzed

3 distinct recall campaigns

70,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2002 model year. Data snapshot: 2026-09-12 (September 12, 2026). 583 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Structure is the most frequently named component, appearing in 232 of 815 complaints (28.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic	Matching reports	Share of complaints
Braking behavior	80	9.8%
Steering behavior	73	9.0%
Electrical and battery issues	65	8.0%
Engine operation	37	4.5%
Transmission and shifting	34	4.2%
Fuel system concerns	3	0.4%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Structure

232

Electrical System

Unknown Or Other

Power Train

Structure:Body

Suspension

Air Bags

Exterior Lighting

Structure: 232; Electrical System: 65; Unknown Or Other: 62; Power Train: 44; Structure:Body: 38; Suspension: 35; Air Bags: 34; Exterior Lighting: 25

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000

25,000 to 49,999

105

50,000 to 74,999

120

75,000 to 99,999

107

100,000 to 149,999

104

150,000 and above

Under 25,000: 86; 25,000 to 49,999: 105; 50,000 to 74,999: 120; 75,000 to 99,999: 107; 100,000 to 149,999: 104; 150,000 and above: 61

50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (120). 232 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

2026

2000: 1; 2001: 3; 2002: 52; 2003: 94; 2004: 43; 2005: 39; 2006: 39; 2007: 67; 2008: 74; 2009: 55; 2010: 58; 2011: 76; 2012: 48; 2013: 31; 2014: 30; 2015: 33; 2016: 19; 2017: 18; 2018: 16; 2019: 7; 2020: 1; 2021: 4; 2022: 1; 2023: 3; 2024: 2; 2026: 1

Pattern summary

Structure leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 80 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 73 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 65 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Complaint evidence

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10004356 · 2003-01-22 (January 22, 2003)

CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON THE SNOW CONSUMER FEELS THAT ONLY THE FRONT BRAKES WORK BUT NOT THE REAR ONES. DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THERE IS NO PROBLEMS WITH IT. TS

Owner-reported narrative. 1,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10004356 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10006635 · 2002-12-19 (December 19, 2002)

I RENTED THIS TRUCK FROM ENTERPRISE, I WAS BLINDED BY AN ONCOMING 18 WHEELER AND RAN INTO A BIG TRUCK THAT STOPPED IN FRONT OF ME. THE FIRST PROBLEM WAS THE BRAKES LOCKED UP SENDING ME INTO THE OPPOSITE LANE WHERE AN 18 WHEELER WAS COMING AT ME. I LET OFF THE BRAKES AND DID A CONTROLLED CRASH INTO THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME. THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY CAUSING ME GREAT PAIN AND INJURIES THAT HAVE YET TO BE FULLY DETERMINED. LAWYERS TOLD ME THAT SINE I WAS NOT KILLED I COULD NEVER WIN A BATTLE WITH THE AUTO MAKES SO ONCE AGAIN THE…

Owner-reported narrative. 6,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10006635 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10003558 · 2003-01-28 (January 28, 2003)

MY HUSBANDS 6 MONTH OLD DODGE RAM 1500 2002 TIRE CAME OFF WHILE DRIVING AND CAUSED A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT. I WAS BEHIND HIM IN MY CAR AND HAD TO PULL HIM OUT OF THE TRUCK. THE ALUMINUM SPINDAL BROKE IN HALF. WHCIH MANY MECHANICS HAVE LOOKED AT IT AND STATED THAT THIS IS WHAT CAUSED THIS TRUCK TO WRECK. THE AIRBAGS DEFAULTED HIS BODY IMPRESSION WAS IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE FRONT LEFT TIRE CAME COMPLETELY DETACHED FROM VECHILE.

Owner-reported narrative. 14,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10003558 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10019715 · 2003-05-13 (May 13, 2003)

WHILE DRIVING THE STEERING BOLT BECAME LOSE AND CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO JUMP AROUND. THIS MADE IT DIFFICULT FOR THE DRIVER TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. NLM

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10019715 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10010824 · 2003-03-21 (March 21, 2003)

VEHICLE HAS LUNGED FORWARD WHILE IN DRIVE. ENGINE IDLE ELECTRONICALLY ADVANCES WHILE TRANSMISSION IN DRIVE, DRIVER MUST KEEP FOOT FIRMLY DEPRESSED ON BRAKE TO AVOID ACCIDENT. ALSO HAVING SIGNIFICANT ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS - SPECIFICALLY GAUGES DO NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY AND HORN/LIGHTS ENGAGE. PROBLEMS ARE INTERMITTENT. *NLM

Owner-reported narrative. 15,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10010824 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10022258 · 2003-05-29 (May 29, 2003)

DIFFICULTIES INSTALLING THE BLOWER MOTOR WIRING HARNESS. PH

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10022258 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10000856 · 2003-01-09 (January 9, 2003)

I HAVE A 2002 DODGE RAM THAT REPLACED A LEMON 2001 DODGE RAM. THE 02 HAS HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE FRONT END PULLING AND SHACKING SINCE THE DAY RECEIVED THE TRUCK IT HAS BEEN IN FOR SERVICE 5 TIMES SINCE AUGUST 5TH 2002. IT ALSO HAS PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE IDLE ALLWAYS DROPPING BELOW 500 RPMS AND TRYING TO STALL ALONG WITH VERY HARD DOWNSHIFTING WHEN COMING TO A STOP. THE DEALERS ALLWAYS SAY UNABLE TO DUPLICATE PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH IT HAPPENS ON MY WAY HOME FROM THE DEALER IT IS VERY FRUSTARTING TO DROP OFF THE TRUCK FOR DAYS AT A TIME ONCE OR TWI…

Owner-reported narrative. 34 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000856 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10001883 · 2003-01-02 (January 2, 2003)

WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. TS

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10001883 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10007714 · 2003-02-18 (February 18, 2003)

TRANSMISSION GOES INTO HIGH GEAR TOO SOON CAUSING TOO MUCH DOWNSHIFTING WHEN I NEED TO SPEED UP. GOES INTO OVERDRIVE AT 45 MPH. VERY SLUGGISH WHEN I NEED TO SPEED UP UNLESS I GIVE IT A LOT OF GAS PEDAL AND THEN IT DROPS OUT OF OVERDRIVE AND SKIPS 4TH GEAR AND GOES DOWN TO 3RD GEAR.

Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10007714 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10009409 · 2002-11-26 (November 26, 2002)

ENGINE HAS ROUGH IDLE WHEN TRANSMISSION IS IN REVERSE OR DRIVE, WITH ENGINE AT IDLE SPEED. I HAVE DRIVEN OTHER IDENTICAL VEHICLES THAT DID NOT EXHIBIT THIS CONDITION. CONDITION GROWING MORE SEVERE. *TS *NLM **DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12-12-02 CUT OVER TO ARTEMIS**770148

Owner-reported narrative. 250 miles reported. Look up ODI 10009409 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10108446 · 2005-02-02 (February 2, 2005)

2002 DODGE RAM 1500. RUSTED VENTS IN GAS CAP CAUSING LEAK AND DEPRESURIZATION OF GAS TANK. LEADING TO ENGINE NEEDS SERVICING LIGHT TO APPEAR ON DASHBOARD. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. 46,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10108446 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10257909 · 2009-02-06 (February 6, 2009)

2002 DODGE RAM 1500 HAD A LEAK IN THE EXHAUST SYSTEM AND CAUGHT FIRE. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE FIRE DAMAGED THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE TRUCK, AND MELTED THE GAS TANK AND BED LINER. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. 52,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10257909 at NHTSA ↗