2002 Dodge RAM 1500 Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 46about this part
- Share
- 6%of 815 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 70,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 46 complaints about the air bags of the 2002 Dodge RAM 1500, 6% of the 815 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 70,000 miles. 24 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Takata recall- I own a late 2002 Dodge RAM 1500. 2002 was a mid year change so my body is exactly the same as the 2003-2007 (or so) rams. I'd be willing to bet the farm my air bag is a takata brand the same as the 2003 which has been recalled. Given that, why isn't my vehicle on the list? Thank you”
NHTSA complaint #10823270, filed 2016-01, 126,000 miles“My dash has completely cracked and is in pieces,(sharp pieces), it could affect the wiring in my dash, if I did have an accident the air bags in the dash could throw those sharp pieces at me and my passengers. Note: these crack were at no fault of mine or my passengers. The cracks started two years after I bought the truck brand new.”
NHTSA complaint #10461966, filed 2012-06, 27,000 miles“I was just driving along, crack my dash cracked from front end to almost the back. The crack caused me to jump swerve my truck almost causing an accident. Dodge has been no help and my dash has deteriorated even more ever since, I'm getting very worried it might affect the air bags as all the dash pieces fall into the recess where the air bags are which would be a bad thing should there be an accident.”
NHTSA complaint #10481076, filed 2012-10, 70,000 miles“Dash is cracking everywhere and pieces are falling off, doubt that if the vehicle was in a crash that the air bag would work properly, and if it did or did not, little piece of the dash would fly every where and cut the passengers and the air bag. Contacted chrysler and they will do nothing below is chryslers response, like they threaten you that if you email again it will go in the corporate records, I told them I hope that it did. Needless to say they don't understand how to retain customers and sell new trucks. …”
NHTSA complaint #10596341, filed 2014-06, 25,000 miles“I hit a tree doing 45 MPH no air bags deployed on either the drivers or passenger side of the truck. I had severe damage to my face and I am facing two more operations in the next year. Cause for air bags not deploying is unknown but chrysler corp has checked the computer and found no codes in the computer to cause the air bags not to come out. The truck was a total loss. They have not found out why they did not deploy.”
NHTSA complaint #10156348, filed 2006-04, 80,103 milesAir bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 80 | 11% |
| 2011 | 13 | 2% |
| 2010 | 14 | 3% |
| 2009 | 34 | 5% |
| 2008 | 165 | 30% |
| 2007 | 169 | 33% |
| 2006 | 193 | 24% |
| 2005 | 376 | 32% |
| 2004 | 368 | 33% |
| 2003 | 458 | 39% |
| 2002 | 46 | 6% |
| 2001 | 84 | 8% |
| 2000 | 41 | 8% |
| 1999 | 61 | 10% |
| 1998 | 63 | 12% |
| 1997 | 24 | 7% |
| 1996 | 10 | 3% |
| 1995 | 11 | 5% |
| 1994 | 7 | 6% |
Other parts of the 2002 Dodge RAM 1500
278 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
99 complaintsElectrical system
93 complaintsSuspension
71 complaintsOther or unknown
62 complaintsEngine cooling
58 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
53 complaintsSteering
44 complaintsBrakes
36 complaintsExterior lighting
35 complaintsEngine
22 complaintsVehicle speed control
22 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 Dodge RAM 1500
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology