279 of the 1,004 complaints about the 2002 Dodge RAM 1500 are about the body and structure — 28% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 75,000 miles.
279
Complaints
5
Crashes
1
Fires
11
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
STRUCTURE:BODY
THE BEAM UNDER THE BED OF THE TRUCK IS BREAKING APART. NO OTHER PART UNDER THE TRUCK HAD THIS PROB. NO CORROSION ANY OTHER PLACE BUT THE BEAM OF THE TRUCK
NHTSA complaint #11338270 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE FRAME AROUND THE STEERING BOX DISCONNECTED FROM THE STEERING DUE TO EXCESSIVE RUST. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CALLED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 65,000.
NHTSA complaint #11150278 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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A FEW YEARS AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THE DASH BEGAN TO DEVELOP CRACKS AND HOLES. THIS HAS GOTTEN WORSE AND WORSE TO THE POINT WHERE A DASH COVER HAD TO BE PURCHASED TO AVOID THINGS FALLING DOWN BEHIND THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. CURRENTLY, THERE IS MORE MISSING THAN STILL IN PLACE IN THE VEHICLE. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN THIS GENERATION, AND DODGE HAS NOT ADDRESSED IT, OTHER THAN TO CLAIM IT IS STRICTLY COSMETIC. THE PLASTIC PIECES ARE EXTREMELY SHARP, AND HAVE RESULTED IN A NUMBER OF SUPERFICIAL CUTS WHEN WORKING ON THE DEFROST VENTS, OR WHEN ADJUSTING THE CARPETED DASH COVER. OTHER PIECES HAVE FALLEN INTO THE VENTS AND THEN BEEN EJECTED INTO BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER'S FACES WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER/HEATER ARE TURNED ON. PIECES OF PLASTIC RATTLE BEHIND THE DASH, AND HAVE FALLEN INTO THE AIR CONDITIONER CONTROLS AND RADIO HARNESS, POSSIBLY BEING THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE OF THE FRONT SPEAKERS (BUT NOT VERIFIED) IF THEY HAVE CUT THE WIRES. IF THE AIRBAG DEPLOYS, THE PERDON IN THE SEAT IS LIKELY TO BE BLINDED OR DISFIGURED FROM THE AMOUNT OF DANGEROUSLY SHARP SHRAPNEL, ASSUMING IT HAS NOT ALREADY BEEN CUT AND RENDERED USELESS. REPLACEMENT DASHES FROM DODGE ARE PRICED AT NEARLY $1,000, WHICH IS A RIDICULOUSLY EXORBITANT AMOUNT TO EXPECT CUSTOMERS TO PAY IN ORDER TO FIX A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT INSTALLED BY THE COMPANY. OVERLAYS OF DECENT QUALITY COST NEARLY A THIRD OF THAT.
NHTSA complaint #11149560 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS EXTENSIVE RUST, CORROSION, AND HOLES ALONG THE ENTIRE FRAME AND UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME WAS DETACHING DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED AND DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000.
NHTSA complaint #11090087 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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MY DASHBOARD HAS HOLE IN IT. ITS BEEN CRACKING FOR A WHILE AND REALLY DIDN'T PAY ATT
NHTSA complaint #11062924 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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DASH IS FALLING APART. EVERY DAY PIECES ARE COMING OFF. ALSO I NEED TO REPLACE THE HEATER CORE AND I'M AFRAID THE THAT THE DASH WILL COMPLETELY FALL APART.
NHTSA complaint #11048121 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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I'M CONCERNED THE CRACKED DASH WILL BECOME SHARP PLASTIC PROJECTILES IF THE AIRBAG EVER DEPLOYS.
NHTSA complaint #11002962 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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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.
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND VIBRATED VIOLENTLY. AFTER STOPPING THE VEHICLE, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT SWAY BARS DETACHED AND THE STEERING CONTROL ARMS SEPARATED DUE TO RUSTING OF THE SUBFRAME. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 158,888.
NHTSA complaint #10910822 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS CRACKED AND FRACTURED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REMEDIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 149,000.
NHTSA complaint #10897236 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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THE DASHBOARD IS BREAKING APART AND THROWING SHARDES OF IT IN MY FACE WHEN DRIVING
NHTSA complaint #10735884 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS FRACTURED COMPLETELY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
NHTSA complaint #10723636 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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DASHBOARD CRACKING - VEHICLE IS ALWAYS COVERED OR GARAGED OR UNDER A COVERED PARKING SPOT. DASH STARTED CRACKING AROUND MAY 2010 WHILE LIVING IN OKLAHOMA AND HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. PIECES HAVE BROKEN AND FALLEN INTO THE VENTS, AND WHEN THE DEFROST IS TURNED ON OR WHEN THE AC IS TURNED ON, SMALL TO MEDIUM PIECES FLY OUT AND CAN HIT SOMEONE, MYSELF OR FRONT SEAT PASSENGER IN THE EYE. AND IF INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE AIR BAGS ARE DEPLOYED, PIECES COULD BREAK OFF AND DO MORE INJURY TO OCCUPANTS. I HAVE BEEN HIT IN THE FOREHEAD WITH PIECES ALREADY.
NHTSA complaint #10706382 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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DASHBOARD IS CRACKING AND LITTLE PIECES OF PLASTIC ARE COMING OUT OF THE AC.
NHTSA complaint #10703452 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT MULTIPLE FRACTURES DEVELOPED ON THE DASHBOARD OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DASHBOARD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #10700701 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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DASHBOARD CAME APART, PLASTIC FLYING IN CAB.
NHTSA complaint #10683574 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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DASH BOARD HAS SHATTERED AND THE AIR CONDITION/HEATER DOES NOT BLOW.
NHTSA complaint #10681598 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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I HAVE EMAILED DODGE MANY YEARS AGO ABOUT THE SAFETY ISSUE OF MY DASH BUSTING IN SEVERAL PLACES WHEN MY TRUCK WAS JUST ONE YEAR OLD. THE ONLY RESPONSE I RECEIVED WAS AN OFFER TO BUY A DISCOUNTED DASH. I FEEL THIS IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT AND I REALIZE MY TRUCK IS NOW 12 YEARS OLD BUT THIS HAPPENED IN ONLY 1 YEAR. I HAVE SINCE READ WHERE I AM NO WHERE NEAR ALONE. DODGE KNOWS THERE IS A PROBLEM AND HAS DONE NOTHING TO CORRECT IT.
NHTSA complaint #10678162 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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DASHBOARD HAS BEEN CRACKING SINCE 2006, NOW DASHBOARD HAS COMPLETELY CRUMBLED APART. TOTALLY UNSAFE HAZARDOUS SITUATION NOW.
NHTSA complaint #10660249 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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MY DASHBOARD IS CRACKING AND FALLING APART IN ON ITSELF I HAVE TRIED BLOWING BUT IT CONTINUES TO CRACK APART AND IT IS FALLING IN ON THE DASH AFRAID IF ITS EVER IN AN ACCIDENT CLASSIC WILL FLY EVERYWHERE AND CUT OR KILL SOMEONE. IT STARTED DOING THIS IN TWO THOUSAND AND TEN AFTER I MOVED TO FLORIDA. AND THE PAINT ON THE VEHICLE HOOD QUARTER PANELS FRONT AND UPPER DOORS AND AROUND THE LOWER DOORS IS FADING AWAY.
NHTSA complaint #10660095 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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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.
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. HOWEVER, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD ILLUMINATED AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS MERGED TO THE EMERGENCY LANE AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. ALSO, THE VEHICLE OVER HEATED MULTIPLE TIMES. IN ADDITION, THE DASHBOARD BEGAN TO CRACK AND LATER COLLAPSED. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE CRACK WAS NEAR THE AIR BAG AND COULD POTENTIALLY INADVERTENTLY DEPLOY THE AIR BAG. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL TO MALFUNCTION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PIECES FROM THE DASH BOARD FELL INTO THE AIR VENTS CAUSING THE A/C UNIT TO MALFUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE ENGINE AND DASHBOARD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000.
NHTSA complaint #10637095 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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THE DASH HAS CRACKED ON IS FALLING APART INTO PIECES. THESE PIECES ARE FALLING INTO THE DASH AND DEFROSTER VENT. IF THE PASSENGER AIR BAG DEPLOYS IT WILL SEND PLASTIC INTO THE AIR.
NHTSA complaint #10632448 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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I AM THE OWNER OF 2002 DODGE RAM 1500 PICKUP TRUCK AND RECENTLY TOOK IT TO THE SHOP FOR A MUFFLER REPAIR. THE TECHNICIAN THAT WAS DOING THE REPAIR NOTIFIED ME OF THE EXTENSIVE CORROSION THAT WAS ON THE LEFT HAND SIDE OF THE VEHICLES FRAME JUST UNDER THE DRIVER SIDE AFT DOOR. THE CORROSION IS THE WORST I HAVE EVER SEEN AND HAS DEEMED THE VEHICLE NOT DRIVABLE. I HAD JUST PULLED MY CAMPER THE WEEK BEFORE WITH MY WIFE AND 3 KIDS IN THE CAR. THE FRAME IS LITERALLY HANGING ON BY A PIECE OF METAL 3 INCHES WIDE, THE BOTTOM AND SIDES OF THE FRAME ARE COMPLETELY GONE IN A 16 INCH SECTION. IN MY OPINION IT IS COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE FOR A VEHICLE THAT IS ONLY 12 YEARS OLD TO BE SCRAPPED BECAUSE OF DEFECTIVE METAL. NOT TO MENTION THAT IF I HAD NOT HAD MY MUFFLER REPAIRED I NEVER WOULD HAVE SEEN THE CORROSION AND WOULD HAVE PUT MY FAMILIES LIVES AT RISK. HOW MANY OWNERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR VEHICLES AND DO NOT EVEN KNOW? I HAVE PICTURES BUT COULD NOT ATTACH THEM TO THIS MESSAGE.....YOU REALLY NEED TO SEE THE PICS.
NHTSA complaint #10611298 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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DASHBOARD STARTED CRACKING - DEALER SAID OUT OF WARRANTY - CRACKING HAS CONTINUED. THIS VEHICLE HAS 44000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER AND IS IN BEAUTIFUL CONDITION EXCEPT FOR THE AWFUL DASHBOARD PROBLEM. IF I EVER HAVE A BAD ACCIDENT THE DASHBOARD WILL COME APART AND CAUSE ADDED INJURIES TO THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS. IT IS TIME FOR RAM TO STEP UP AND GIVE SOME HELP TO ALL ITS CUSTOMERS WITH THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE SEEN VARIOUS PICTURES SHOWING THE DASHBOARDS COMPLETELY COLLAPSED. THIS IS CLEARLY BEYOND A COSMETIC ISSUE AND INTO A SAFETY ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #10610837 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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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.
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DASH PANEL CAVING IN AND CRACKING ALL OVER. PARTS OF THE DASH HAVE BROKEN OFF AND FALLEN INSIDE THE CONSOLE CREATING A POSSIBLY DANGEROUS SCENARIO OF DAMAGED WIRING OR DEBRIS FLYING OFF WHILE TRAVELING DOWN THE ROAD.
NHTSA complaint #10565378 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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DASHBOARD STARTED CRACKING IN 2010 AND HAS PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE. IT NOW HAS OPEN HOLES AND COMPLETELY CRACKED. AND SINCE THE LAST FEW MONTHS IT IS CAUSING ELECTRICAL FAILURE AND DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. THIS SITUATION I HAVE NOW FOUND OUT TO BE VERY COMMON FOR MY TRUCK AND NOW REALIZE THAT THIS IS NOT COMMON WEAR FOR THIS OR ANY OTHER VEHICLE. CHRYSLER HAS TOLD ME THEY ARE NOT EXCEPTING ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PRODUCT FAILURE AND THAT IT'S UP TO ME TO PAY FOR THE COSTLY REPAIRS. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE AS THIS PROBLEM IS CLEARLY A PRODUCT DEFECT THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF AND SHOULD AT NO COST TO THE CONSUMER BE FIXED.
NHTSA complaint #10561007 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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DASH CAME APART , CRACKING PIECES FALLING DOWN INSIDE VENTS,SHARP PIECES EVERYWHERE DUE TO POOR MATERIAL AND CHEAP CRAFTSMANSHIP DODGE IS GOING TO GET SOMEONE SERIOUSLY HURT OR KILLED OVER THEM NOT TAKING CARE OF THIS ISSUE THAT EVERY DODGE OWNER HAS SUFFERED FROM MAN UP AND MAKE IT RIGHT YOU DON'T MIND STICKING YOUR HAND OUT WHEN ITS TIME TO BUY YOUR TRUCKS.
NHTSA complaint #10554154 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS CRACKED AND STARTING TO CRUMBLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
NHTSA complaint #10538578 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.