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FaultScore report

2002 Dodge RAM Pickup problems

Owners have filed 29 complaints about the 2002 Dodge RAM Pickup with NHTSA between 2002 and 2010. The largest single group is the body & structure. Across this model's run it ranks 2 of 6 worst.

Read the complaints What breaks Worst years for the Dodge RAM Pickup All 2002 cars
D

FaultScore 68/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Dodge RAM Pickup.

How this is worked out

The numbers

29

Complaints

5

Crashes reported

1

Fires reported

3

Injuries reported

50,000 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

26%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

What kind of bad

The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.

Complaint volume 58 vs 50 Severity 100 vs 50 Early failure 45 vs 50
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 58
Against the median year of the Dodge RAM Pickup. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
31% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — 45
26% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.

How 2002 compares with every other Dodge RAM Pickup

Click any bar to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 2002 Dodge RAM Pickup

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Body & Structure 8 27.6%

Median failure at 57,000 miles

Transmission & Drivetrain 6 20.7%

Median failure at 54,615 miles

Airbags 4 13.8%

4 crashes, 0 fires · median 45,300 mi

Electrical System 3 10.3%

0 crashes, 1 fires · median 69,000 mi

Equipment & Accessories 2 6.9%

Median failure at 30,000 miles

Other & Unspecified 1 3.4%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 1 3.4%

Median failure at 50,000 miles

Acceleration & Cruise Control 1 3.4%
Suspension 1 3.4%

1 crashes, 0 fires

Brakes 1 3.4%

Median failure at 30,000 miles

Engine & Cooling 1 3.4%

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

1,000 – 9,999 miles 1 5.3%
25,000 – 49,999 miles 7 36.8%
50,000 – 74,999 miles 9 47.4%
75,000 – 99,999 miles 1 5.3%
100,000 – 149,999 miles 1 5.3%

When owners complained

A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.

Apr 2002 peak 3 Dec 2010

NHTSA investigations into the 2002 Dodge RAM Pickup

An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.

PE02096 Opened 26 Dec 2002 Closed 15 May 2003 POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY

REAR AXLE FAILURE

SEE ATTACHED REPORT.

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

at 54,615 miles Phoenix, AZ 1 injured

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM PICKUP. AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE, IT BEGAN TO ROLL FORWARD. INSTINCTLY, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO JUMP IN THE VEHICLE TO STOP IT, BUT SHE FELL AND WAS DRAGGED. THE VEHICLE DROVE OVER HER LEFT LEG, WHICH RESULTED IN HER BEING HOSPITALIZED FOR THREE MONTHS. THE CONTACT RECENTLY DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V555000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT). THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 54,690 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,615. UPDATED 04/28/08.

NHTSA complaint #10223702 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 49,000 miles Aynor, SC Crash 1 injured

AIR 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 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 31,100 miles Woodsboro, MD Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, VEHICLE WENT OFF THE ROAD AND HIT A TREE STUMP. FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, AND THERE WAS NO INDICATION BEFORE THE CRASH THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE AIR BAGS. DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR BRUISES TO THE FACIAL AREA.

NHTSA complaint #10042096 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Conowingo, MD Crash

AIR BAGS

WHILE DRIVING AT 20/30 MPH, VEHICLE WAS IN A FRONTAL COLLISION AND NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED UPON IMPACT. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS. TS

NHTSA complaint #10006012 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 45,300 miles Carlyle, IL Crash

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION. UPON IMPACT NEITHER THE PASSENGER NOR DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. *MR *NLM

NHTSA complaint #8022040 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Vidor, TX Crash

SUSPENSION:FRONT

DODGE RAM WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. HAD IT REPAIRED BY DEALERSHIP. CURRENTLY VEHICLE HAS BEEN RIPPING FRONT TIRES APART. MECHANIC STATED THERE WAS A MALFUNCTION ON FRONT END SUSPENSION, REFERRED CONSUMER TO MANUFACTURER.

NHTSA complaint #8006813 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

Fort Campbell, KY

STRUCTURE

CRACKING OF DASHBOARD, AFTER READING THE COMPLAINTS ON HERE AND NUMEROUS OTHER SITES IT APPEARS TO BE A TREND THAT NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT. I HAVE CUT MY HAND ONCE ALREADY ON MINE AND THERE IS NO TELLING HOW MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE ALSO.

NHTSA complaint #10372653 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 57,000 miles Blue Springs, MO

STRUCTURE

MY DODGE RAM 1500 PICKUP HAS A VERY UNSAFE CONDITION IN THE FROM OF A CRACKING AND BROKEN DASHBOARD. I WOULD HATE TO THINK OF COMING IN CONTACT WITH IT IN A COLLISION.

NHTSA complaint #10356382 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 30,000 miles Saint Paul Park, MN

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

DODGE RAM 2002 3500 TRUCK THE BRAKE DISC PADS COME UNGLUED FROM THE BACKING PLATE DEFECT WAS FOUND ON 3 OF THE 4 BRAKE DISC PADS. DODGE IS USING POOR OR THE WRONG GLUE THERE WAS LOTS OF LIFE IN THE DISC PADS AND WAS UNDER 30,000 MILES ON THE TRUCK.

NHTSA complaint #10305339 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 30,000 miles Saint Paul Park, MN

EQUIPMENT

DODGE RAM 2002 3500 TRUCK THE BRAKE DISC PADS COME UNGLUED FROM THE BACKING PLATE DEFECT WAS FOUND ON 3 OF THE 4 BRAKE DISC PADS. DODGE IS USING POOR OR THE WRONG GLUE THERE WAS LOTS OF LIFE IN THE DISC PADS AND WAS UNDER 30,000 MILES ON THE TRUCK.

NHTSA complaint #10305339 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 50,000 miles Portland, OR

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM PICKUP. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V555000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT). THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS AVAILABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CALLED TWO OTHER DEALERS AND THEY STATED THE SAME THING. HE HAS BEEN WAITING FOR FOUR MONTHS AND THE VEHICLE STILL HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 51,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE DASH WAS SEVERELY CRACKED IN 3 PLACES AND THE WINDSHIELD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 05/01/14

NHTSA complaint #10267478 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 50,000 miles Portland, OR

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM PICKUP. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V555000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT). THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS AVAILABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CALLED TWO OTHER DEALERS AND THEY STATED THE SAME THING. HE HAS BEEN WAITING FOR FOUR MONTHS AND THE VEHICLE STILL HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 51,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE DASH WAS SEVERELY CRACKED IN 3 PLACES AND THE WINDSHIELD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 05/01/14

NHTSA complaint #10267478 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 50,000 miles Portland, OR

STRUCTURE

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM PICKUP. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V555000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT). THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS AVAILABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CALLED TWO OTHER DEALERS AND THEY STATED THE SAME THING. HE HAS BEEN WAITING FOR FOUR MONTHS AND THE VEHICLE STILL HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 51,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE DASH WAS SEVERELY CRACKED IN 3 PLACES AND THE WINDSHIELD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 05/01/14

NHTSA complaint #10267478 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 65,000 miles Pierson, FL

STRUCTURE

2002 DODGE RAM 1500 CRACKED DASHBOARD.

NHTSA complaint #10236181 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 54,615 miles Phoenix, AZ 1 injured

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM PICKUP. AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE, IT BEGAN TO ROLL FORWARD. INSTINCTLY, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO JUMP IN THE VEHICLE TO STOP IT, BUT SHE FELL AND WAS DRAGGED. THE VEHICLE DROVE OVER HER LEFT LEG, WHICH RESULTED IN HER BEING HOSPITALIZED FOR THREE MONTHS. THE CONTACT RECENTLY DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V555000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT). THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 54,690 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,615. UPDATED 04/28/08.

NHTSA complaint #10223702 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 69,000 miles Dawson, GA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

TL*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. UPDATED 03-11-08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED PAINT WAS FADING ON VEHICLE AND HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE IGNITION SHIFT ABOUT THREE YEARS AGO. UPDATED 03/11/08

NHTSA complaint #10218117 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 69,000 miles Dawson, GA

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT

TL*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. UPDATED 03-11-08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED PAINT WAS FADING ON VEHICLE AND HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE IGNITION SHIFT ABOUT THREE YEARS AGO. UPDATED 03/11/08

NHTSA complaint #10218117 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 69,000 miles Dawson, GA

STRUCTURE

TL*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. UPDATED 03-11-08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED PAINT WAS FADING ON VEHICLE AND HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE IGNITION SHIFT ABOUT THREE YEARS AGO. UPDATED 03/11/08

NHTSA complaint #10218117 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 30,000 miles North Richland Hills, TX

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 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 39,000 miles Dania, FL

STRUCTURE

2002 DODGE RAM 1500 DASHBOARD CRACKS JUST APPEARED IN A TRUCK THAT IS IN SHOWROOM CONDITION SEEMS LIKE IT WOULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE IF THE AIR BAG GOES OFF IN AN ACCIDENT IT COULD CAUSE MORE INJURY THEN IT WOULD PREVENT.

NHTSA complaint #10197897 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 75,000 miles Pearland, TX

STRUCTURE

DASHB OARD ON 2002 DODGE RAM PICKUP CRACKING AND FALLING APART.

NHTSA complaint #10190602 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 109,000 miles Holden Beach, NC

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT

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 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 49,000 miles Aynor, SC Crash 1 injured

AIR 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 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 4,500 miles Huntsville, AR

POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)

WHILE DRIVING AT 5 MPH TRANSFER CASE KICKED THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL. VEHICLE SLID DOWN A STEEP INCLINE. CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER, WHO INFORMED THE CONSUMER IT WOULD BE THREE WEEKS BEFORE THE VEHICLE COULD BE SEEN. MANUFACTURER WAS NOT AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10057765 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Houston, TX

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN

DEFECTIVE AC FAN MOTOR AND WIRING HARNESS

NHTSA complaint #10045473 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 31,100 miles Woodsboro, MD Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, VEHICLE WENT OFF THE ROAD AND HIT A TREE STUMP. FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, AND THERE WAS NO INDICATION BEFORE THE CRASH THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE AIR BAGS. DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR BRUISES TO THE FACIAL AREA.

NHTSA complaint #10042096 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EL Paso, TX

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

CONSUMER IS REQUESTING HELP WITH COMPLAINT. *MR THE CONSUMER REQUESTED AN UPDATE OF THE STATUS OF THE COMPLAINT. *SCC

NHTSA complaint #10031801 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Pittsburgh, PA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE BLOWER MOTOR WIRING. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER THE BLOWER MOTOR WAS NOT BROKEN BUT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE CONSUMER THE MOTORS WAS BROKEN. *NLM

NHTSA complaint #10018201 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Conowingo, MD Crash

AIR BAGS

WHILE DRIVING AT 20/30 MPH, VEHICLE WAS IN A FRONTAL COLLISION AND NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED UPON IMPACT. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS. TS

NHTSA complaint #10006012 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 45,300 miles Carlyle, IL Crash

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION. UPON IMPACT NEITHER THE PASSENGER NOR DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. *MR *NLM

NHTSA complaint #8022040 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Rising SUN, IN

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

THE VEHICLE ACCELERATEED ON ITS OWN WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING DUE TO DEFECTIVE THROTTLE POSITION CONTROL SENSOR FAILURE AND WAS REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #567325 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.