48 of the 1,004 complaints about the 2002 Dodge RAM 1500 are about the airbag system — 5% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 70,000 miles.
48
Complaints
26
Crashes
0
Fires
17
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
AIR BAGS
While traveling at normal speeds approximately 40 mph a car ran a stop sign I t-boned them on their passenger side with my front end I hit them at approximately 40 mph my airbags did not deploy my face and chest hit the steering wheel and dash
NHTSA complaint #11436510 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
TURNED ON THE A/C AND DASH CRACKED AND WHITE POWDER WAS COMING OUT OF MY VENTS AND NOW MY HEATER IS NOT WORKING THAT HAPPENED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, I THINK THE AIRBAG CAME OPEN BUT DID NOT DEPLOY?
NHTSA complaint #11183292 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE CONTACT REAR ENDED THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER AND TWO PASSENGERS WERE INJURED AND SOUGHT MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN UNKNOWN LOT. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. **TR UPDATED 11/8/18
NHTSA complaint #11123069 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
MY TRUCK IS A 2002 DOGE RAM 1500. MY AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON. WHENT TO THE DEALER SHIP IT SEEMS THAT THEY DONT MAKE THE MAUGEL NO MORE. SO HOW CAN I DRIVE MY VEHICLE IF THE AIR BAGS DONT WORK. NEED HELP PARTS, IS DESCANTINUE.
NHTSA complaint #11067307 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
CAR ACCIDENT OCCURRED WHEN VEHICLES BACK CAB HYDROPLANED AND FISHTAILED OUT OF CONTROL AT LESS THEN 25MPH AND HIT A TREE HEAD ON. NO AIRBAG DEPLOYED AND DRIVER WAS HURT.
NHTSA complaint #10972170 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL. I WAS IN A HEAD ON COLLISION AT 45MPH WITH A RAV4 THAT TURNED INTO ME TRYING TO GET INTO A GAS STATION. 12/05/2016 I HAD MY SEAT BELT ON BUT NEITHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED. MY INSURANCE ADJUSTER RECOMMENDED BRINGING THIS TO DODGES ATTENTION. EVEN THE POLICE OFFICER SAID THAT I SHOULD LET DODGE KNOW. THE NEXT PAGE STOPPED WORKING. I INJURED MY NECK AND SHOULDERS AN ALSO MY RIGHT FOOT AN KNEE
NHTSA complaint #10935154 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V312000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
NHTSA complaint #10918782 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A SECOND VEHICLE. THE FRONT END SUSTAINED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE, BUT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A FRACTURED NECK, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,000. UPDATED 12/13/16*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED HE BLACKED OUT AT THE WHEEL, DROVE INTO A DITCH, HIT DRIVEWAY, WENT AIRBORNE ABOUT 30-50 FEET AND LANDED IN A DITCH. UPDATED 12/20/16.
NHTSA complaint #10904277 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
RECALL: MAY 2015, MADE MANY TRIPS TO DODGE DEALER IN 2015 AND EARLY 2016, THEY COULD NOT OR WOULD NOT REPAIR DEFECT
NHTSA complaint #10871352 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL- I OWN A LATE 2002 DODGE RAM 1500. 2002 WAS A MID YEAR CHANGE SO MY BODY IS EXACTLY THE SAME AS THE 2003-2007 (OR SO) RAMS. I'D BE WILLING TO BET THE FARM MY AIR BAG IS A TAKATA BRAND THE SAME AS THE 2003 WHICH HAS BEEN RECALLED. GIVEN THAT, WHY ISN'T MY VEHICLE ON THE LIST? THANK YOU
NHTSA complaint #10823270 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A PINE TREE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK, BACK, AND LEG. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK, BACK, AND LEFT LEG. THE OTHER PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE BACK AND HEAD. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT REQUIRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 195,982.
NHTSA complaint #10806307 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
I AM BEING IGNORED ON A SEAT BELT RECALL NEARLY ALL 4.7 ENGINES HAVE OIL PAN FAILURE
NHTSA complaint #10779008 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
DRIVING AND GOT SICK PASSED OUT HIT CONCRETE WALL AT LEAST 45 MPH AIR BAGS DID NOT IMPLODE TRUCK IS TOTALED DAMAGE TO TRUCK IS EXTENSIVE VERY UPSET THE AIR BAGS DID NOT WORK ANY RECALLS ON THIS THANK YOU
NHTSA complaint #10702152 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
DASHBOARD BEGIN CRACKING AND FINALLY IN A COUPLE DAYS OF WEEKS BROKE APART COMPLETELY AS I HAD BEEN IN A CRASH.I CALLED THE COMPANY THEY SAID THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED.I TOLD THEM I HAVE 1992 FORD AEROSTAR WHOSE DASHBOARD WAS COMPLETELY .INTACT AND THAT IT WAS MUCH OLDER IT HAD TO BE A STRUCTURAL DEFECT. THEY OFFER TO PAY HALF WHICH MEANT I HAD TO PAY 500.00 DOLLARS, WHICH I DIDN'T HAVE. I FELT THEY SHOULD PAY ALL OF IT. ALSO THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON AND THE RPM ACCELERATE WITHOUT ME PUSHING THE GAS PEDAL.I TOOK MANY TIMES TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD FIX IT BUT THEY NEVER DID.
NHTSA complaint #10649859 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
VEHICLE PROBLEM FIRST STARTED WHEN TURNING STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT ENTIRELY. CURRENTLY VEHICLE AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON AND OF THROUGH ALL RANGES OF STEERING.
NHTSA complaint #10608482 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
DASH IS CRACKING EVERYWHERE AND PIECES ARE FALLING OFF, DOUBT THAT IF THE VEHICLE WAS IN A CRASH THAT THE AIR BAG WOULD WORK PROPERLY, AND IF IT DID OR DID NOT, LITTLE PIECE OF THE DASH WOULD FLY EVERY WHERE AND CUT THE PASSENGERS AND THE AIR BAG. CONTACTED CHRYSLER AND THEY WILL DO NOTHING BELOW IS CHRYSLERS RESPONSE, LIKE THEY THREATEN YOU THAT IF YOU EMAIL AGAIN IT WILL GO IN THE CORPORATE RECORDS, I TOLD THEM I HOPE THAT IT DID. NEEDLESS TO SAY THEY DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW TO RETAIN CUSTOMERS AND SELL NEW TRUCKS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR RECENT EMAIL, ALTHOUGH IT DOES NOT CONTAIN ANY INFORMATION THAT WOULD CAUSE A CHANGE IN THE PREVIOUS DECISION. YOUR REQUEST MUST AGAIN BE RESPECTFULLY DECLINED. ANY FUTURE COMMUNICATION RELATED TO THIS ISSUE WILL BE RETAINED IN CORPORATE RECORDS.
NHTSA complaint #10596341 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE IN THE WIRING SYSTEM FROM THE FUSE BLOCK THIS IS KNOWN TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE DODGE RAMS THE ABS LIGHT, BRAKE LIGHT AND AIRBAG LIGHT AS WELL AS THE ENGINE LIGHT ALL COME ON ALSO THE ODOMETER AND SPEEDOMETER ALSO STOP WORKING. THIS STOPS THE ABS SYSTEM FROM WORKING AS WELL AS THE AIRBAGS I HAVE HAD TO CHANGE THE FUSE BLOCK AS WELL AS THE REAR SPEED SENSOR, AND THE DASH CLUSTER BECAUSE OF THIS OVER A THREE YEAR PERIOD NOW, THE FIRST TIME ALL OF MY LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING AS WELL AS THE DASH GAUGES AND DOOR LOCKS. WHY IS THIS AND ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THIS AND NOTHING SEEMS TO GET DONE ABOUT IT THE FIRST TIME I GOT A COPY OF A SERVICE BULLETIN AND DODGE TRIED TO TELL ME IT WAS ONLY GOOD FOR DIESEL MODELS AND I HAVE THE SAME ISSUES. THERE SEEMS TO BE A REAL HISTORY OF THESE PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE AND THE DEALERS ARE ALL AWARE OF THIS.
NHTSA complaint #10519767 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THERE WAS NO PASSENGER IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE WAS REPORTED TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 74,000.
NHTSA complaint #10514307 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
I WAS JUST DRIVING ALONG, CRACK MY DASH CRACKED FROM FRONT END TO ALMOST THE BACK. THE CRACK CAUSED ME TO JUMP SWERVE MY TRUCK ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. DODGE HAS BEEN NO HELP AND MY DASH HAS DETERIORATED EVEN MORE EVER SINCE, I'M GETTING VERY WORRIED IT MIGHT AFFECT THE AIR BAGS AS ALL THE DASH PIECES FALL INTO THE RECESS WHERE THE AIR BAGS ARE WHICH WOULD BE A BAD THING SHOULD THERE BE AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #10481076 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
MY DASH HAS COMPLETELY CRACKED AND IS IN PIECES,(SHARP PIECES), IT COULD AFFECT THE WIRING IN MY DASH, IF I DID HAVE AN ACCIDENT THE AIR BAGS IN THE DASH COULD THROW THOSE SHARP PIECES AT ME AND MY PASSENGERS. NOTE: THESE CRACK WERE AT NO FAULT OF MINE OR MY PASSENGERS. THE CRACKS STARTED TWO YEARS AFTER I BOUGHT THE TRUCK BRAND NEW.
NHTSA complaint #10461966 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
DODGE COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE IN THE FRONT LEFT AND THEN THE OTHER VEHICLE SPUN AROUND AND HIT THE SIDE OF THE DODGE. ALL SAFETY AIRBAGS IN CAR FAILED TO DEPLOY AND NO AIRBAG CHECK LIGHT WAS ON DURING THE LIFE OF THE DODGE. ALSO THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS A DODGE AND IT HAD LESS DAMAGE AND ALL AIRBAGS DEPLOYED IN THAT VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10460321 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
5 YEARS AFTER MANUFACTURE OF THIS VEHICLE THE DASHBOARDS HAVE GONE FROM FRACTURED TO NEARLY COMPLETELY DISSOLVED. THROUGH RESEARCH THIS ISSUE IS APPLICABLE TO ALL VEHICLES PRODUCED WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL. THE ISSUE HAS BECOME A SAFETY CONCERN NOW THAT THE AIR BAGS HAVE BECOME EXPOSED AND WILL NOT PROPERLY INFLATE IF NEEDED. DODGE HAS RECEIVED MORE THAN 16,000 COMPLAINTS AND INSISTS THESE FAULTY PARTS ARE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CONSUMER. HOWEVER THEY ARE MORE THAN HAPPY TO REFER YOU A CERTIFIED DEALER WITH A REPLACEMENT COST OF APPROXIMATELY 975 DOLLARS US.
NHTSA complaint #10425091 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
2002 DODGE RAM 1500 CRACKED DASHBOARD OVER AIR BAG ON PASSENGER SIDE . THIS PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE HAPPENING TOO MANY DODGE RAM PICKUPS FROM THE 1993 MODEL YEAR THROUGH 2005 MODEL YEAR. THE EDGE OF THE CRACKED PLASTIC IS SHARP AND POSE A SERIOUS INJURY PROBABILITY IN THE EVENT OF ACCIDENT AND AIRBAG INFLATION. A PERSON CAN EASILY CUT THEIR FINGER OR HAND WHILE CLEANING THE DASH ARE SERVICING THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10419772 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
THE DASH IN MY 2002 DODGE RAM 1500 IS CRACKING AND FALLING APART (DEFECTIVE PLASTIC)AND DODGE/CHRYSLER WILL NOT STAND BEHIND IT'S PRODUCT. THE AIR BAG IS RIGHT BELOW & CONNECTED TO THE PLASTIC THAT HAS CRACKED. I AM WORRIED THAT IF THE AIR BAG IS DEPLOYED THAT THIS PLASTIC (WHICH IS VERY SHARP PIECES) WILL BE VERY DANGEROUS TO ANYONE IN THE VEHICLE.I ALSO PICK UP MY GRANDCHILDREN EVERY DAY FROM SCHOOL AND THE DASH ON MY TRUCK HAS BROKEN IN SO MANY PLACES THAT IT IS NOW FALLING APART AND HUGE PIECES FALLING OUT.THIS PLASTIC IS VERY SHARP AND COULD SLICE OPEN ANYONE AROUND IT. I HAVE ALWAYS KEPT MY TRUCK PARKED IN A GARAGE SINCE I HAVE OWNED IT(2002)-SO THE SUN IS NOT THE PROBLEM-IT IS A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT THAT WAS INSTALLED ON MY VEHICLE WHEN BUILT. I HAVE CONTACTED MY DEALERSHIP TWICE AND THEY TELL ME THAT THERE IS NOTHING THEY WILL DO ABOUT IT.
NHTSA complaint #10355576 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
TRUCK CRASHED INTO TREE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY CAME FACE WITH STEERING WHEEL DASH BOARD,CHEST HIT STEERING WHEEL AND DRIVER DOOR HAIRLINE FRACTURE OF NOSE MOUTH WASBUSTED UP AND HAVE PROBLEM WITH NECK AND BACK AND LARGE KNOT ON FOREHAD,,TRUCK WAS TOTAL OUT..,THIS IS A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500,I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY MY AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY.
NHTSA complaint #10353017 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON AND WILL NOT GO OFF.
NHTSA complaint #10273833 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
SEVERE CRACKING OF UPPER TWO-PIECE DASH BOARD. MULTIPLE CRACKS RUNNING THROUGH DASH, LEAVING OPEN HOLES TO WIRING. CRACKED DASH SHIFTING, COULD INTERFERE WITH PASSENGER AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT.
NHTSA complaint #10255554 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
A VEHICLE WAS LEFT UNATTENDED ON A HILLSIDE IN DIRECT SUNLIGHT AFTER IT HAD ALREADY HIT A MAILBOX. I STRUCK VEHICLE IN LEFT REAR WITH MY RIGHT FRONT IT TOTALED BOTH VEHICLES. I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 50 MPH AND NEVER SEEN CAR PRIOR TO IMPACT. IT INJURED BOTH PASSENGERS IN BACK SEAT BOTH FRONT SEAT OCCUPANTS WERE NOT INJURED BUT AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED.
NHTSA complaint #10218821 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
A VEHICLE WAS LEFT UNATTENDED ON A HILLSIDE IN DIRECT SUNLIGHT AFTER IT HAD ALREADY HIT A MAILBOX. I STRUCK VEHICLE IN LEFT REAR WITH MY RIGHT FRONT IT TOTALED BOTH VEHICLES. I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 50 MPH AND NEVER SEEN CAR PRIOR TO IMPACT. IT INJURED BOTH PASSENGERS IN BACK SEAT BOTH FRONT SEAT OCCUPANTS WERE NOT INJURED BUT AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED.
NHTSA complaint #10218821 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
EXCESSIVE CRACKS HAVE FORMED IN BOTH DASHBOARD PIECES. THE PLASTIC HAS BECOME VERY BRITTLE AND SHARP PIECES ARE BEGINNING TO FALL INTO THE WIRING UNDERNEATH. NOTHING PARTICULAR HAPPENED THAT CAUSED IT, THEY JUST APPEARED OVERNIGHT. CONVERSATIONS WITH THE LOCAL DODGE DEALER AND CHRYSLER CUSTOMER SERVICE YEILDED NO ASSISTANCE. I AM CONCERNED OF THE SHARP EDGES OF THE PLASTIC FALLING INTO THE DASHBOARD WIRING AND CAUSING ELECTRICAL FAILURES WHILE DRIVING OR, IN THE EVENT OF AN AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT, SHARDS OF THE SHATTERING PLASTIC IMPALING THE DRIVER OR PASSENGER.
NHTSA complaint #10213694 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.