2002 Dodge RAM 2500 Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 20about this part
- Share
- 13%of 155 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 84,500miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 20 complaints about the steering of the 2002 Dodge RAM 2500, 13% of the 155 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 84,500 miles. 2 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.
“I purchased a 2003 Dodge RAM 2500 5.7 v8 4wd. My steering has gotten really loose over the last week. I brought it in to dealership for a previous recall. And the technician told me that my steering gear was going out and that it should not be bad.”
NHTSA complaint #11407919, filed 2021-04, 122,153 miles“I am hearing a popping sound when turning the steering wheel, play in steering, truck is wobbling all over the place when driving on uneven roads, hissing sound coming from front end when accelerating. Play in steering gear box. The clicking popping sound I hear when turning steering wheel is when driving or not moving. I have had this truck pull far right on the road when going on uneven roads.”
NHTSA complaint #11051463, filed 2017-11, 144,222 miles“Death wobble. Experience when hitting small/minor bumps in the road or railroad tracks. Violent shaking causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle and almost impossible to keep your foot on the brake pedal to try to come to a stop. Shaking is so violent that the driver is bounced around in the seat, momentarily airborne and itesm in the truck fly around. Lawsuit was issused on 2004 and newer models but affects older models as well. We now have paid $900 in parts to fix the death wobble that had we known was an issue, would not have purchased the truck. …”
NHTSA complaint #10958570, filed 2017-03, 160,000 miles“The steering in the 2nd generation rams is subpar. They road walk, and get so far out of alignment they can not be properly aligned. This is shown as Dodge went from one steering design (a better one) to another in 2000 year trucks. In 2003 they tried to improve on the system but it was not any good. Now they are putting on the 2009/10 steering components on the 2003-2008 trucks leaving the 2000-2002 trucks to suffer from a highly dangerous and unreliable steering setup. …”
NHTSA complaint #10435477, filed 2011-11, 60,000 miles“The vehicle in question is a 2002 Dodge RAM 2500 pickup.although no failure was experienced, it came very close. Steering became very loose and was allowed to go till there was a1/2 inch travel of the steering wheel from side to side. Upon inspection and removal of the intermediate shaft it was discovered to have the lower universal joint in complete failure do to corrosion and complete loss of the bearing. The vehicle is out of warranty but Dodge was asked to review the case. …”
NHTSA complaint #10392719, filed 2011-03, 109,000 milesSteering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 109 | 39% |
| 2011 | 210 | 70% |
| 2010 | 152 | 64% |
| 2009 | 155 | 72% |
| 2008 | 175 | 55% |
| 2007 | 199 | 55% |
| 2006 | 231 | 34% |
| 2005 | 153 | 36% |
| 2004 | 140 | 24% |
| 2003 | 159 | 24% |
| 2002 | 20 | 13% |
| 2001 | 69 | 15% |
| 2000 | 38 | 18% |
| 1999 | 36 | 12% |
| 1998 | 24 | 11% |
| 1997 | 10 | 5% |
| 1996 | 20 | 7% |
| 1995 | 14 | 5% |
| 1994 | 15 | 9% |
| 1993 | 6 | 15% |
| 1992 | 5 | 16% |
| 1991 | 3 | 19% |
Other parts of the 2002 Dodge RAM 2500
40 complaintsFuel system
24 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
19 complaintsOther or unknown
15 complaintsSuspension
14 complaintsBrakes
13 complaintsTires
9 complaintsEngine cooling
8 complaintsAir bags
6 complaintsVehicle speed control
5 complaintsWheels
5 complaintsElectrical system
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 Dodge RAM 2500
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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