2002 Dodge RAM: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
116 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
37,827 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2002 model year. Data snapshot: . 35 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags:Frontal is the most frequently named component, appearing in 11 of 116 complaints (9.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 15 | 12.9% |
| Steering behavior | 11 | 9.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 6 | 5.2% |
| Engine operation | 4 | 3.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 1.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 0.9% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Air Bags:Frontal | 11 |
| Structure | 9 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 7 |
| Suspension | 7 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 6 |
| Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/Devices:Exterior | 6 |
| Unknown Or Other | 5 |
| Air Bags | 4 |
Air Bags:Frontal: 11; Structure: 9; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 7; Suspension: 7; Engine And Engine Cooling: 6; Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/Devices:Exterior: 6; Unknown Or Other: 5; Air Bags: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 12 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 10 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 8 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 4 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 12; 25,000 to 49,999: 10; 50,000 to 74,999: 8; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 1
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (12). 81 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 |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 2 |
| 2002 | 42 |
| 2003 | 27 |
| 2004 | 18 |
| 2005 | 7 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 8 |
| 2008 | 3 |
| 2011 | 4 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2021 | 1 |
2001: 2; 2002: 42; 2003: 27; 2004: 18; 2005: 7; 2006: 2; 2007: 8; 2008: 3; 2011: 4; 2012: 2; 2021: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags:Frontal leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 15 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 11 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 6 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 10001782 · 2002-12-31 (December 31, 2002)
WHILE TRAVELING BETWEEN 45 TO 65 MPH, WHEN VEHICLE DRIVES OVER UNEVEN PAVEMENT THE VEHICLE REARS OFF TO THE RIGHT. DEALER CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. TS
Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10001782 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10001809 · 2003-01-02 (January 2, 2003)
CONSUMER STATES THAT THERE ARE HOLES IN THE BACK OF THE STEERING WHEEL AND KEYS GET CAUGHT IN THE IGNITION. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *TS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10001809 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10002459 · 2003-01-09 (January 9, 2003)
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY THERE IS A LOUD VIBRATION AND BUMPING NOISE. PLEASE FURNISH ADDITIONAL INFORMATION DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10002459 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10004290 · 2003-01-21 (January 21, 2003)
TRUCK HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOUR TIMES FOR THE TRANSMISSION. CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING IT FEELS AS THROUGH THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING. PH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10004290 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10007248 · 2003-03-05 (March 5, 2003)
ODI #768732: BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED. HOWEVER CLANKING NOISE AT FRONT LEFT AND RIGHT WHEEL AREA STILL EXISTED. INSPECTION REVEALED PIVOT ARMS HAD ROTATED, MAKING CONTACT WITH THE SUSPENSION ARM FRAME MOUNT AREA WHICH CAUSED GOUGES IN THE FRAME MOUNT AREA. FURTHER INSPECTION REVEALED EXHAUST LEAK FROM BOTTOM SIDE OF MUFFLER. *TT *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10007248 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10007334 · 2003-03-07 (March 7, 2003)
LEFT FRONT CONTROL ARM WERE NOT REPLACED, ONLY THE BRAKE PADS. DEALERSHIP CLAIMED THIS WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER, THERE WAS STILL A CLANKING NOISE AT FRONT LEFT AND RIGHT WHEEL AREA. CONSUMER'S INSPECTION REVEALED THAT ON BOTH SIDES THE PIVOT ARMS WERE LOOSE AND HAD ROTATED SEVERAL TIMES HITTING THE SUSPENSION ARM FRAME MOUNT AREA AND THERE WERE GOUGES IN THE FRAME MOUNT. FURTHER INSPECTION ALSO REVEALED EXHAUST LEAK ON THE BOTTOM SIDE OF THE MUFFLER AT THE BACK WELD OR SEAL OF THE UNIT. CONSUMER PLANNED ON TAKING VEHICLE TO ANOTHER DE…
Owner-reported narrative. 2,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10007334 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10008538 · 2002-11-05 (November 5, 2002)
PULLED OFF INTERSTATE FOR GAS AND HEARD REAR DIFFERENTIAL MAKING A LOUD GRINDING NOISE. VEHICLE WAS PULLING A SMALL UTILITY TRAILER. PAINT HAS BEEN BUBBLING OFF THE DIFFERENTIAL. DEALER FOUND ENTIRE DIFFERENTIAL AND REAR AXLE BEARINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. REPAIR WAS DONE AT DEALERSHIP, AND UPON RETURNING HOME, THE REAR END FAILED AGAIN , SAME SYMPTOMS. ENTIRE DIFFERENTIAL AND REAR AXLE BEARINGS WERE REPLACED A SECOND TIME.***** DIMS 11 IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS******769323. *AK *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 3,670 miles reported. Look up ODI 10008538 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10008711 · 2003-03-04 (March 4, 2003)
THE VEHICLES STEERING, TRANSMISSION AND SUSPENSION FAILED. *AK *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10008711 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
02V159000 · Power Train:Axle Assembly
Reported: 2002-06-13 (June 13, 2002)
ON CERTAIN 4X4 PICKUP TRUCKS, THE REAR AXLE FLANGE WELD TO THE AXLE TUBE COULD FATIGUE AND ALLOW THE BRAKE CALIPER ASSEMBLY TO ROTATE.
Consequence: DURING ROTATION, THE BRAKE LINE COULD SEPARATE FROM THE CALIPER RESULTING IN A BRAKE FLUID LOSS IN THE REAR BRAKE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL REAR BRAKE CALIPER REINFORCEMENTS ON THE REAR AXLE ASSEMBLIES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 9, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
NHTSA campaign record ↗04V185000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module
Reported: 2004-04-12 (April 12, 2004)
ON CERTAIN VAN AND WAGON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4-WHEEL ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEMS (ABS), AFTERMARKET BATTERIES MAY LEAK ELECTROLYTE ONTO THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR, WHICH CAN COMPROMISE SEALING INTEGRITY OF THE CONNECTOR.
Consequence: THIS MAY ALLOW DEVELOPMENT OF A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE CONNECTOR, WHICH COULD EVENTUALLY LEAD TO A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR FOR ELECTROLYTE DAMAGE AND REPLACE THE CONNECTOR AS NECESSARY. THE RECALL WILL BEGIN ON SEPTEMBER 27, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
NHTSA campaign record ↗