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U.S. public vehicle records

2002 Dodge RAM 3500 problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

44 owner complaints analyzed

0 distinct recall campaigns

66,850 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2002 model year. Data snapshot: . 32 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 7 of 44 complaints (15.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Steering behavior511.4%
Engine operation49.1%
Braking behavior49.1%
Electrical and battery issues49.1%
Fuel system concerns49.1%
Transmission and shifting36.8%

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.

Steering
7
Structure
6
Power Train
4
Air Bags
3
Fuel System, Diesel
3
Structure:Body
3
Suspension
3
Unknown Or Other
3
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Steering7
Structure6
Power Train4
Air Bags3
Fuel System, Diesel3
Structure:Body3
Suspension3
Unknown Or Other3

Steering: 7; Structure: 6; Power Train: 4; Air Bags: 3; Fuel System, Diesel: 3; Structure:Body: 3; Suspension: 3; Unknown Or Other: 3

Reported problems by failure mileage

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

Under 25,000
6
25,000 to 49,999
7
50,000 to 74,999
4
75,000 to 99,999
3
100,000 to 149,999
8
150,000 and above
4
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0006
25,000 to 49,9997
50,000 to 74,9994
75,000 to 99,9993
100,000 to 149,9998
150,000 and above4

Under 25,000: 6; 25,000 to 49,999: 7; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 8; 150,000 and above: 4

100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (8). 12 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.

2002
2
2003
6
2004
2
2005
2
2006
2
2007
2
2008
5
2010
2
2011
5
2012
3
2013
2
2014
1
2015
3
2016
2
2017
3
2019
1
2023
1
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20022
20036
20042
20052
20062
20072
20085
20102
20115
20123
20132
20141
20153
20162
20173
20191
20231

2002: 2; 2003: 6; 2004: 2; 2005: 2; 2006: 2; 2007: 2; 2008: 5; 2010: 2; 2011: 5; 2012: 3; 2013: 2; 2014: 1; 2015: 3; 2016: 2; 2017: 3; 2019: 1; 2023: 1

Pattern summary

Steering leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 4 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 4 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 10008598 · 2003-02-28 (February 28, 2003)

THE STEERING WHEEL HAD FROZEN, THE BRAKES WERE INOPERATIVE AND CAUSED LOSS CONTROL, THERE WAS NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND OR THE TRANSMISSION COMPARTMENT, ODOR POSSIBLY COMING FROM OIL OR TRANSMISSION FLUID, THE ENGINE WAS ROUGH AND STALLED, THE VALVE SPRING HAD BROKE, AND THE CONVERTER PUMP HAD FAILED. THE DEALER SAID THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS GONE AND NEEDED TO BE FURTHER INVESTIGATED. SCC *JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10008598 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10046050 · 2004-02-19 (February 19, 2004)

WHILE DRIVING OVER 60 MPH OR WHEN THE VEHICLE HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD, THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK VIOLENTLY, WHICH MADE IT VERY DIFFICULT FOR THE DRIVER TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE.*AK THE DEALER REPLACED THE STEERING STABILIZER AND THE TRACK BAR UNDER WARRANTY. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. 26,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10046050 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10050919 · 2003-12-22 (December 22, 2003)

LOSS OF POWER, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND ALL VEHICLE WILL DO IS IDLE(DOESN'T MATTER IF YOU'RE DOING 70MPH ON INTERSTATE OR 35MPH THROUGH TOWN). DANGEROUS AS YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN THIS WILL HAPPEN, YOU COULD BE PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC,ETC.*AK TRUCK HAS BEEN IN THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPT. 4 TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, THEY SAY IT'S FIXED BUT THIS STILL CONTINUES.

Owner-reported narrative. 2,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10050919 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10046736 · 2003-11-10 (November 10, 2003)

CONSUMER USED VEHICLE FOR LONG DISTANCE DRIVING, HE TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE. HE WAS TOLD THAT THE FRONT BRAKES WERE GOOD, BUT REAR BRAKES FAILED. MECHANIC SAID THAT THE HEAT FROM THE DISC ROTORS CAUSED THE RUBBER TO DETERIORATE, WHICH , IN TURN, CAUSED THE SEAL TO LEAK BRAKE FLUID. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10046736 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10001443 · 2002-12-23 (December 23, 2002)

THE AIR BAG LIGHT HAD STAYED ON, FLASHED, AND CHIMED. THE TECHNICIAN AT THE DEALER STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS COULD HAVE DEPLOYED AT ANY TIME, POSSIBLY DUE TO A WIRING PROBLEM. ALSO THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT HAD TIGHTENED ABNORMALLY. TS SCC

Owner-reported narrative. 14,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10001443 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10235843 · 2008-07-26 (July 26, 2008)

DASHBOARD ON MY AUG 2002 BUILT DODGE RAM 3500 HAS EXTENSIVE CRACKS. INTERNET SITES SHOW A NUMBER OF OTHER DODGE VEHICLES WITH THIS SAME ISSUE - SOME MUCH WORSE THAN MINE. POTENTIAL SAFETY RISKS INCLUDE DISTRACTING DRIVER DUE TO DASH CRACKING. OTHER OWNERS WITH MORE SEVERE CRACKS HAVE REPORTED ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURES DUE TO DASHBOARD CRACKS AND DASHBOARD FALLING INWARD. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 102,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10235843 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10142791 · 2005-11-15 (November 15, 2005)

DT: CONTACT STATES WHILE DRIVING HIS VEHICLE IT SMOKES AND LOSES POWER. WHILE PULLING OUT ON THE INTERSTATE IT LOSES ALL POWER. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE IN ON 11-15-05 TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTICS TEST PERFORMED THAT'S WHEN THE MECHANIC LET HIM KNOW THAT THE INJECTOR PUMP ALSO THE TRANSFER PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED . NO REPAIRS MADE AT THIS TIME. THE REPAIRS WILL BE MADE AT CONTACTS EXPENSE. VEHICLE IS PARKED AS OF NOW. *NM

Owner-reported narrative. 112,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10142791 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10346125 · 2010-07-29 (July 29, 2010)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. HE THEN FURTHER INSPECTED THE FAILURE AND FOUND THAT THE FUEL PUMP WITHIN THE FUEL TANK HAD FAILED. AS A RESULT, THE FUEL INJECTORS ALSO FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 63,700 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 64,400.

Owner-reported narrative. 63,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10346125 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10426876 · 2011-09-23 (September 23, 2011)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE TROUBLE SHIFTING GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE AFTER REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000. UPDATED 10/27/11*LJ

Owner-reported narrative. 160,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10426876 at NHTSA ↗