2002 Dodge RAM 3500 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 11%of 44 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 71,120miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2002 Dodge RAM 3500, 11% of the 44 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 71,120 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The contact owns a 2002 Dodge RAM 3500. The contact stated that the gear shift selector remained stuck in park and she was unable to shift into any other gear. The dealer did not offer any assistance. The manufacturer had not been notified. No repairs were performed. The failure mileage was 125,000 and the current mileage was 130,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10442536, filed 2012-01, 125,000 miles“The contact owns a 2002 Dodge RAM 3500. The contact stated that it is extremely difficult to switch gears in the vehicle. While idling at a stop light with the clutch pedal depressed, the vehicle began drifting forward. He had to completely turn off the vehicle to stop it from drifting. The contact is in the process of having the vehicle inspected to determine the cause of the failure. The failure and current mileages were 116,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10230341, filed 2008-06, 116,000 miles“The contact owns a 2002 Dodge RAM 3500. While traveling approximately 30 MPH and making a right turn, the steering wheel failed to respond and would not turn. As a result, the contact crashed into a rock causing the vehicle to flip onto the passenger side. The driver side air bag deployed, but the front passenger side air bag did not. The driver sustained head and back injuries and lacerations to the arms. The front passenger sustained head injuries, cuts, and abrasions to the arm from the glass. Both occupants required medical attention. A police report was filed. …”
NHTSA complaint #10723028, filed 2015-06, 17,000 miles“The steering wheel had frozen, the brakes were inoperative and caused loss control, there was noise coming from the engine and or the transmission compartment, odor possibly coming from oil or transmission fluid, the engine was rough and stalled, the valve spring had broke, and the converter pump had failed. The dealer said that the transmission fluid was gone and needed to be further investigated. Scc”
NHTSA complaint #10008598, filed 2003-02Related service bulletins
- 11010205Oct 30, 2024Plate - Planetary
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 28 | 8% |
| 2011 | 9 | 4% |
| 2010 | 8 | 5% |
| 2009 | 4 | 4% |
| 2008 | 10 | 6% |
| 2007 | 14 | 7% |
| 2006 | 22 | 9% |
| 2005 | 32 | 16% |
| 2004 | 64 | 30% |
| 2003 | 26 | 9% |
| 2002 | 5 | 11% |
| 2001 | 14 | 11% |
| 2000 | 8 | 14% |
| 1999 | 22 | 21% |
| 1998 | 19 | 18% |
| 1997 | 26 | 21% |
| 1996 | 19 | 15% |
| 1995 | 19 | 18% |
| 1994 | 10 | 14% |
| 1992 | 1 | 10% |
Other parts of the 2002 Dodge RAM 3500
9 complaintsBody and structure
9 complaintsSteering
8 complaintsSuspension
5 complaintsAir bags
4 complaintsBrakes
4 complaintsOther or unknown
4 complaintsElectrical system
2 complaintsEngine cooling
2 complaintsTires
2 complaintsEngine
1 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 Dodge RAM 3500
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