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Dodge RAM VanModel year report

2002 Dodge RAM Van Problems

Complaints
14filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
56,030miles, 12 complaints with mileage
Recalls
1campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
13 mpgcombined, 5.9L 8-cyl RWD · 11 city / 16 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2002 Dodge RAM Van (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 14 consumer complaints for the 2002 Dodge RAM Van. The part named most often is body and structure, with 4 complaints (29% of the total), followed by electrical system (3) and steering (3). 12 of the complaints include a mileage, and 42% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 56,030 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 2 a fire, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 17 technical service bulletins for this model year. Body and structure complaints overlap with 7 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Electrical system complaints overlap with 4 technical service bulletins 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.

Example complaints

Body and structure: “Total loss of steering due to severe frame rot, which LED to the detachment of the steering mounts on the passenger side. Luckily it happened at a slow speed, at that point had to be towed. Had just exited highway at speeds of 65 MPH. I informed Dodge of this problem approximately 6 months ago, basically they don't care. Vehicle is only 8 years old. If it is happening to my van it is happening to all vans. Action needs to be taken quickly in order to save lives.”

NHTSA complaint #10397262, filed 2011-04, 140,000 miles

Electrical system: “All power stops to vehicle, shutting entire engine, power brakes, steering off. It occurs daily, whil edriving on roads/freeways, creating a seriously hazardous situation. Dealer previously replaced the power control module. Problem recently started again. Dealer wants to replace the PCM again at huge cost, but cannot replicate problem and inst sure the PCM is the problem. Might be faulty wiring, but dealer cannot tell.”

NHTSA complaint #10329756, filed 2010-05, 88,000 miles

Steering: “The contact owns a 2002 Dodge Ram Van 3500. While the vehicle was parked the steering wires broke in half and the steering box snapped off. He attempted to file a claim with the manufacturer and was denied; however, a supervisor advised him to have the steering box diagnosed by the dealer. He has not taken the vehicle to the dealer. The failure mileage was 56,000.”

NHTSA complaint #10289935, filed 2009-10, 56,000 miles

Air bags: “On 11/07/05 I was driving north bound on western ave at approx 4:30 pm,traveling at 40 MPH approaching a red light in the right lane with 4 cars in front of me all ready stopped,upon my de pressing of the brake pedal there was no brakes, I tried again ,I down shifted ,at the last second I swerved violently to miss the cars in the first two right lanes,then countered corrected to miss the left turn lane cars ,finally striking a pick up truck ,that was stopped at the red light,that was occupied by a father, and his two children. …”

NHTSA complaint #10147400, filed 2006-01, 36,600 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

42% of the 12 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 36,600 and 110,000 miles.

8%0–108%10–2525%25–5017%50–758%75–10025%100–1508%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (12 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 56,030 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

320052007200920112015
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2002 Dodge RAM Van. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
RAM Van · coupe not rated4 / 4———

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2002 Dodge RAM Van version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Ram Van 1500 2WD3.9L 6-cyl3-speed automatic131514$4,800
Ram Van 1500 2WD5.2L 8-cyl4-speed automatic111412$5,600
Ram Van 1500 2WD5.9L 8-cyl4-speed automatic111613$5,150
Ram Van 2500 2WD3.9L 6-cyl3-speed automatic131514$4,800
Ram Van 2500 2WD5.2L 8-cyl4-speed automatic111412$5,600
Ram Van 2500 2WD5.9L 8-cyl4-speed automatic111613$5,150
Ram Van 2500 2WD CNG5.2L 8-cyl · natural gas4-speed automatic121413$3,550

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2002 Dodge RAM Van → · 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. 17 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 17 bulletins →

Other model years of the Dodge RAM Van

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20031650,0000—14—Stable
20021456,0301—13—Not enough data
20013360,0001—14Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20002949,0000——Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19994771,0000——Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199822111,3741———Stable
19971695,0000———Stable
19961831,3650———Stable
199514144,0000———Not enough data
19946—0———Not enough data

All Dodge RAM Van model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2002 Dodge RAM Van have?

NHTSA recorded 14 consumer complaints for the 2002 Dodge RAM Van as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2002 Dodge RAM Van is reported most often?

Body and structure is named most often, in 4 complaints (29% of the total), followed by electrical system with 3.

Has the 2002 Dodge RAM Van been recalled?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2002 Dodge RAM Van get?

The EPA rates the 2002 Dodge RAM Van (Ram Van 1500 2WD, 5.9L 8-cyl) at 13 mpg combined, 11 city and 16 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $5,150 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2002 Dodge RAM Van reported?

Among the 12 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 56,030 miles and the middle half falls between 36,600 and 110,000 miles; 42% 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. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

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.