2002 Dodge RAM 3500: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Most common problems
Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 7 of 44 complaints (15.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 5 | 11.4% |
| Engine operation | 4 | 9.1% |
| Braking behavior | 4 | 9.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 9.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 4 | 9.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 6.8% |
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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Steering | 7 |
| Structure | 6 |
| Power Train | 4 |
| Air Bags | 3 |
| Fuel System, Diesel | 3 |
| Structure:Body | 3 |
| Suspension | 3 |
| Unknown Or Other | 3 |
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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 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 |
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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 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 |
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
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 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 10015449 · 2003-04-08 (April 8, 2003)
THE VEHICLE ROLL BACKWARDS WHEN PARKED ON AN INCLINE. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 26,239 miles reported. Look up ODI 10015449 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10022974 · 2003-06-12 (June 12, 2003)
VALVE STEM CAME OFF DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE AND AIR CAME OUT OF TIRE. THE VALVE STEM BLEW OFF.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10022974 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10044644 · 2003-10-23 (October 23, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE TRUCK SHUT DOWN AND LOST ALL POWER. THE TRUCK RESTARTED, AND CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PROCEED WITH CAUTION. DEALER HAD THE VEHICLE FOR 48 HOURS AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 29,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10044644 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 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 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 ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.