2002 Dodge RAM Pickup Problems
- Complaints
- 22filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 49,500miles, 14 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2002 Dodge RAM Pickup (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 22 consumer complaints for the 2002 Dodge RAM Pickup. The part named most often is body and structure, with 8 complaints (36% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain (6) and air bags (4). 14 of the complaints include a mileage, and 50% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 49,500 miles. Of all complaints, 5 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 3 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 4 technical service bulletins for this model year. Body and structure complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the column shift filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Body and structure8 36%
- Air bags4 18%
- Electrical system3 14%
- Other or unknown2 9.1%
- Brakes1 4.5%
- Engine cooling1 4.5%
- Equipment1 4.5%
- Suspension1 4.5%
- Vehicle speed control1 4.5%
Also reported: Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).
Example complaints
Body and structure: “I purchased a 2002 Dodge ram as new in november of 2001. Within a couple of years (approximately 30,000 miles) from purchase, my dashboard started to crack. Within a year of seeing the first cracks, parts of the dash had literally turned to gravel. Pieces have dropped down and into the components that are beneath the dash, and I am afraid of what other problems, especially safety related, might arise from the cracking dashboard.”
NHTSA complaint #10211880, filed 2007-12, 30,000 milesTransmission and drivetrain: “Lsd portion of differential failed into small pieces of metal that could have become lodged in gears and caused catastrophic failure and potential accident . It appears that the design of the lsd is faulty as many units have failed. Lsd replaced at owners expense with zero assistance from Dodge.”
NHTSA complaint #10137419, filed 2005-09, 109,000 milesAir bags: “Involved in an collusion, air bags failed to deploy, impact area driver front to center of hood, speed over 40 MPH. Passenger sustained back and neck injury along with chest brusing from seatbelt. Spoke to Dodge dealer and comment was that sometimes the airbags will not go off if the impact does not energize miltipal sensors. Airbags in the other vehicle deployed.”
NHTSA complaint #10102105, filed 2004-12, 49,000 milesElectrical system: “The contact owns a 2002 Dodge ram. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer to have it repaired for NHTSA campaign id number 07v555000 (power train:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:column shift). The vehicle remained parked at the dealer the entire day without being repaired. The dealer did not provide an explanation as to why the vehicle had not been repaired. The contact stated that they experienced a failure once before as described in the recall, but could not give any details. The current and failure mileages were 69,000. …”
NHTSA complaint #10218117, filed 2008-02, 69,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
50% of the 14 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 31,100 and 65,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Recalls and investigations
- 07V555000Dec 4, 2007Power train › Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Column shiftCovers: Dodge RAM Pickup 2002, Dakota 2001–2002, Durango 2001–2002 +1 more
On certain van and pickup trucks equipped with automatic transmissions, the ignition/park shift interlock system may become inoperative. This can allow the shifter to be moved out of the "park" position with the ignition key removed (or in the "lock"…
Recall details for the 2002 Dodge RAM Pickup → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 4 on record; the latest 4 are shown.
- 10139596Sep 3, 2014Equipment, Body and structure. Part Description: Insulator on Lever Assy Manual Valve - Valve Body - RWD Transmission Issue Description: The manual valve insulator, attaching rivet and instruction sheet are now available as a…
- 10017651Nov 2, 2005Steering. Revised power steering system bleeding procedures.
- 10016603Aug 4, 2005Equipment. Air conditioning (a/c) cooling coil odor.
- 10016905Jun 1, 2005Engine cooling. Emissions recall e07-canister purge hoses. The canister purge hoses on about 7,800 of the above vehicles may develop cracks over time and release evaporative hydrocarbon (hc) which could exceed…
Other model years of the Dodge RAM Pickup
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 14 | 16,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2002 | 22 | 49,500 | 1 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 2001 | 20 | 44,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 2000 | 8 | 67,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1999 | 33 | 67,500 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1998 | 18 | 122,500 | 0 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1997 | 17 | 45,004 | 0 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1996 | 6 | 10,500 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1995 | 7 | 132,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
All Dodge RAM Pickup model years
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2002 Dodge RAM Pickup have?
NHTSA recorded 22 consumer complaints for the 2002 Dodge RAM Pickup as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2002 Dodge RAM Pickup is reported most often?
Body and structure is named most often, in 8 complaints (36% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain with 6.
Has the 2002 Dodge RAM Pickup been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage are problems with the 2002 Dodge RAM Pickup reported?
Among the 14 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 49,500 miles and the middle half falls between 31,100 and 65,000 miles; 50% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.