2002 Dodge RAM PICKUP problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
22 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
49,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2002 model year. Data snapshot: . 14 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Structure is the most frequently named component, appearing in 8 of 22 complaints (36.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 13.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 13.6% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 4.5% |
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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Structure | 8 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Lever And Linkage:Column Shift | 3 |
| Air Bags | 2 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 2 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 1 |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 1 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Fan | 1 |
Structure: 8; Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Lever And Linkage:Column Shift: 3; Air Bags: 2; Air Bags:Frontal: 2; Electrical System:Ignition: 1; Electrical System:Wiring: 1; Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Fan: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 6 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 5 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 6; 50,000 to 74,999: 5; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (6). 8 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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2002 | 4 |
| 2003 | 5 |
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2007 | 3 |
| 2008 | 3 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 3 |
2002: 4; 2003: 5; 2004: 2; 2005: 1; 2007: 3; 2008: 3; 2009: 1; 2010: 3
Pattern summary
Structure leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 1 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 10218117 · 2008-02-15 (February 15, 2008)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO HAVE IT REPAIRED FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V555000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT). THE VEHICLE REMAINED PARKED AT THE DEALER THE ENTIRE DAY WITHOUT BEING REPAIRED. THE DEALER DID NOT PROVIDE AN EXPLANATION AS TO WHY THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THEY EXPERIENCED A FAILURE ONCE BEFORE AS DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL, BUT COULD NOT GIVE ANY DETAILS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 69,000.…
Owner-reported narrative. 69,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10218117 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10223702 · 2008-04-08 (April 8, 2008)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM PICKUP. AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE, IT BEGAN TO ROLL FORWARD. INSTINCTLY, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO JUMP IN THE VEHICLE TO STOP IT, BUT SHE FELL AND WAS DRAGGED. THE VEHICLE DROVE OVER HER LEFT LEG, WHICH RESULTED IN HER BEING HOSPITALIZED FOR THREE MONTHS. THE CONTACT RECENTLY DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V555000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT). THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 54,690 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,615. UPDATED 04/28/08. *LJ
Owner-reported narrative. 54,615 miles reported. Look up ODI 10223702 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10018201 · 2003-05-05 (May 5, 2003)
THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE BLOWER MOTOR WIRING. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER THE BLOWER MOTOR WAS NOT BROKEN BUT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE CONSUMER THE MOTORS WAS BROKEN. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10018201 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10045473 · 2003-11-05 (November 5, 2003)
DEFECTIVE AC FAN MOTOR AND WIRING HARNESS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10045473 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10305339 · 2010-02-04 (February 4, 2010)
DODGE RAM 2002 3500 TRUCK THE BRAKE DISC PADS COME UNGLUED FROM THE BACKING PLATE DEFECT WAS FOUND ON 3 OF THE 4 BRAKE DISC PADS. DODGE IS USING POOR OR THE WRONG GLUE THERE WAS LOTS OF LIFE IN THE DISC PADS AND WAS UNDER 30,000 MILES ON THE TRUCK. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 30,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10305339 at NHTSA ↗