2002 Dodge RAM VAN: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
14 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
56,030 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2002 model year. Data snapshot: . 12 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 14 complaints (21.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 5 | 35.7% |
| Braking behavior | 3 | 21.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 14.3% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 7.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 7.1% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Steering | 3 |
| Structure:Body | 2 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage | 1 |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Power Adjust | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | 1 |
Electrical System: 3; Steering: 3; Structure:Body: 2; Air Bags: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage: 1; Seats:Front Assembly:Power Adjust: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings: 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 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 1
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 2 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 |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 3 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
2004: 3; 2005: 2; 2006: 1; 2007: 1; 2008: 1; 2009: 1; 2010: 1; 2011: 2; 2014: 1; 2015: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 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 10056146 · 2004-01-29 (January 29, 2004)
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND SUDDENLY VEHICLE QUIT. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT A CAM BEARING BROKE, BRINGING VEHICLE TO A COMPLETE STOP. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALER. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 38,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10056146 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10056172 · 2004-01-30 (January 30, 2004)
FIRE IN DASHBOARD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10056172 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10078668 · 2004-06-23 (June 23, 2004)
MY 2002 DODGE CONVERSION VAN WOULD SIT OVERNIGHT THEN START THE NEXT DAY BUT STALL RIGHT AFTER STARTING. HAPPENED TWICE IN 3 WEEKS.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 3,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10078668 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10105684 · 2005-01-03 (January 3, 2005)
WINDOWS FOG OVER DANGEROUSLY, OBSTRUCTING VISION. DEALER REPORTS THAT AIR BLEND DOOR OF HEATER/DEFROSTER IS RUSTED SOLID PREVENTING THE ADMISSION OF FRESH AIR TO THE CABIN, AND THUS THE DEFROSTERS. ACCORDING TO THE DEALER THE DOOR IS RUSTED SOLID IN THE RECIRCULATE POSITION. I SUPPOSE THIS COULD RESULT IN EXCESS CARBON MONOXIDE BUILDUP AS WELL AS OBSTRUCTED VISION.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 28,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10105684 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10118657 · 2005-04-28 (April 28, 2005)
I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE GAS TANK ON MY FULL SIZE VAN. AFTER COMING TO A STOP A THUD CAN BE FELT COMING FROM UNDER THE VAN. IT ONLY HAPPENS WHEN THE FUEL LEVEL REACHES 3/4 TO 1/2. THE DEALER TOLD ME THERE ARE NO BAFFLES IN THE TANK AND REPLACING THE TANK MAY NOT CURE THE PROBLEM. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS MAY BECOME WORSE.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10118657 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10147400 · 2006-01-11 (January 11, 2006)
ON 11/07/05 I WAS DRIVING NORTH BOUND ON WESTERN AVE AT APPROX 4:30 PM,TRAVELING AT 40 MPH APPROACHING A RED LIGHT IN THE RIGHT LANE WITH 4 CARS IN FRONT OF ME ALL READY STOPPED,UPON MY DE PRESSING OF THE BRAKE PEDAL THERE WAS NO BRAKES, I TRIED AGAIN ,I DOWN SHIFTED ,AT THE LAST SECOND I SWERVED VIOLENTLY TO MISS THE CARS IN THE FIRST TWO RIGHT LANES,THEN COUNTERED CORRECTED TO MISS THE LEFT TURN LANE CARS ,FINALLY STRIKING A PICK UP TRUCK ,THAT WAS STOPPED AT THE RED LIGHT,THAT WAS OCCUPIED BY A FATHER, AND HIS TWO CHILDREN. A SHERIFFS OFFIC…
Owner-reported narrative. 36,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10147400 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10185044 · 2007-03-14 (March 14, 2007)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE 1500 RAM VAN. DURING A ROUTINE TUNE UP ON THE VEHICLE THE CONTACT WAS LYING ON FLOOR WITH HIS BACK FACING THE DRIVER'S SEAT WHEN THE POWER SEAT BUTTON WAS ACCIDENTALLY ENGAGED. THE CONTACT WAS PINED BETWEEN THE SEAT AND THE PEDAL WELL. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO REACH THE SWITCH TO PULL THE SEAT BACK. SOMEONE WAS UNSUCCESSFUL AT ATTEMPTING TO ASSIST HIM DUE TO THE SEAT BEING PUSHED FORWARD. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT'S ONLY OPTION WAS TO USE THE JAWS OF LIFE TO CUT THE DRIVER SEAT OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTA…
Owner-reported narrative. 15,385 miles reported. Look up ODI 10185044 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10243799 · 2008-09-28 (September 28, 2008)
THIS VEHICLE BELONGS TO VERIZON COMMUNICATIONS. THE VAN HAD AN UNDER HOOD FIRE THAT ORIGINATED IN THE ABS MODULE AREA. THE DRIVER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VAN WHILE IT WAS PARKED AT A JOBSITE WHERE HE WAS WORKING. HE CALLED 911 AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. HE DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY CABLES. DAIMLERCHRYSLER ISSUED SAFETY RECALL D20 IN 2004 TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM BUT THE RECALL REPAIR HAS NOT CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. VERIZON HAS HAD 29 INCIDENTS THAT OCCURRED AFTER THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED. TH…
Owner-reported narrative. 56,059 miles reported. Look up ODI 10243799 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
07V555000 · Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Lever And Linkage:Column Shift
Reported: 2007-12-04 (December 4, 2007)
ON CERTAIN VAN AND PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS, THE IGNITION/PARK SHIFT INTERLOCK SYSTEM MAY BECOME INOPERATIVE. THIS CAN ALLOW THE SHIFTER TO BE MOVED OUT OF THE "PARK" POSITION WITH THE IGNITION KEY REMOVED (OR IN THE "LOCK" POSITION). THIS CAN ALSO ALLOW THE IGNITION KEY TO BE REMOVED WHEN THE SHIFTER HAS NOT BEEN PLACED IN THE "PARK" POSITION.
Consequence: EITHER OF THESE CONDITIONS COULD ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO ROLL AWAY CAUSING A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE GEARSHIFT BLOCKER AND BRACKET ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JANUARY 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
NHTSA campaign record ↗