2002 Dodge RAM 1500 Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 44about this part
- Share
- 5%of 815 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 55,713miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 44 complaints about the steering of the 2002 Dodge RAM 1500, 5% of the 815 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 55,713 miles. 6 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My son was on the I-5 coming home from school when the seals blew on the rack and pinion. Upon taking it to a repair shop we were informed that this is a known defect of the Dodge ram trucks and they are known to blow any where from 50,000-100,000 miles. If we had known about this defect we would not have purchased the truck. When the seals blew the truck steering components began to grind and it was difficult to get it off the road. There was no warning and luckily my son had the opportunity to pull off the freeway with out injuring anyone. …”
NHTSA complaint #10692132, filed 2015-03, 102,500 miles“2002 Dodge RAM 1500 rack and pinion going out only 60,000 miles....also, they replaced A/C fan motor once...I paid several times...about to go out again (low humming noise is indicator - as noise increases, motor fails). I am so disappointed; as a special needs teacher I depend on this vehicle to transport me safely to and from my work....cannot depend on it. I hate it...it's been a pain since first problem with 18 miles on it!!! Please, hold Dodge accountable for their mistakes....”
NHTSA complaint #10312304, filed 2010-02, 60,000 miles“2002 Dodge RAM 1500. The power steering quit while I was driving and I was in a curve and almost wrecked. I have heard other people talking about this same problem. I thought safety was number one. But I guess this will not be a recall until some one from your office or someone you love is killed in this type of situation. I have read that people have ran of the road when this has happened or have struck a roadside object trying to stop. Come on people lets fix this issue.”
NHTSA complaint #10256336, filed 2009-01, 41,150 miles“I purchased my 2002 Dodge RAM 1500 about 3 months ago in august, the first incident occurred while driving down a very busy 35 MPH road just passed a dangerous school zone and I have a total loss of steering. Turns out my power steering rack and pinion has failed. Now in 12 month I have replaced the part 4 more times and it is still broken leaving me everytime with a total loss of steering. The truck now sits in my driveway as I pay for it every month because Dodge wont do anything about this problem that cant be fixed.”
NHTSA complaint #10362729, filed 2010-10, 8,300 miles“My husbands 6 month old Dodge RAM 1500 2002 tire came off while driving and caused a terrible accident. I was behind him in my car and had to pull him out of the truck. The aluminum spindal broke in half. Whcih many mechanics have looked at it and stated that this is what caused this truck to wreck. The airbags defaulted his body impression was in the steering wheel. The front left tire came completely detached from vechile.”
NHTSA complaint #10003558, filed 2003-01, 14,000 milesRelated recalls
- 03V078000Mar 10, 2003On certain pickup trucks, the electrical connector at the bottom of the steering column contains an under-sized terminal for the hvac blower motor circuit…Covers: Dodge RAM 1500 2002
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 47 | 7% |
| 2011 | 45 | 7% |
| 2010 | 41 | 8% |
| 2009 | 28 | 4% |
| 2008 | 103 | 19% |
| 2007 | 60 | 12% |
| 2006 | 84 | 11% |
| 2005 | 59 | 5% |
| 2004 | 86 | 8% |
| 2003 | 44 | 4% |
| 2002 | 44 | 5% |
| 2001 | 53 | 5% |
| 2000 | 17 | 3% |
| 1999 | 32 | 5% |
| 1998 | 28 | 5% |
| 1997 | 23 | 6% |
| 1996 | 23 | 8% |
| 1995 | 16 | 8% |
| 1994 | 17 | 15% |
| 1991 | 1 | 14% |
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 complaintsAir bags
46 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 30, 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