2002 DODGE RAM 1500 — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

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N/A

Safety Rating

1,003

Owner Complaints

74 Crashes 22 Fires 2 Deaths

6

Recalls

ACTIVE RECALL

1

Service Bulletin

1

Investigation

Overview of the 2002 DODGE RAM 1500

The 2002 DODGE RAM 1500 has received a total of 1,003 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 6 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with WHEELS:HUB, VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. 1 technical service bulletin have been issued by Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Structure (232 complaints), Electrical System (65 complaints), and Unknown Or Other (62 complaints).

Recalls for the 2002 DODGE RAM 1500

NHTSA has recorded 6 recalls for the 2002 DODGE RAM 1500, potentially affecting up to 564,086 vehicles.

Recall 10E040000 — WHEELS:HUB

| 34,604 vehicles affected

Defect: FEDERAL-MOGUL IS RECALLING CERTAIN CARQUEST, NATIONAL, AND PERCISION BRAND WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES, P/NOS 515073 AND 515073, SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT ON MODEL YEAR 2002 THROUGH 2008 DODGE RAM 1500 PICKUP TRUCKS. THE INBOARD ROLL FORM USED TO MAINTAIN THE HUB ASSEMBLY CAN FATIGUE RESULTING IN NOISE AND/OR WHEEL SEPARATION ON THE TWO WHEEL DRIVE (2WD) APPLICATIONS. THE RISK...

Consequence: A VEHICLE CRASH CAN OCCUR IF THE WHEEL SEPARATES FROM THE VEHICLE.

Remedy: FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND TECHNICIANS WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED HUB ASSEMBLIES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL AT 1-877-489-6659.

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Recall 07E104000 — VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR

| 1,657 vehicles affected

Defect: CERTAIN CURVED TEMPERED REPLACEMENT GLASS MANUFACTURED BY HANGZHOU SAFETY GLASS LTD AND SUPPLIED TO SAFELITE BY AUTO TEMP INC., IDENTIFIED AS DOT-430, AND SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN VEHICLES MAY NOT BREAK INTO SMALL PIECES AS EXPECTED OF TEMPERED GLASS AND FAILS TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 205, "GLAZING MATERIALS."

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT(S) MAY BE SERIOUSLY INJURED BY SHATTERED GLASS.

Remedy: SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS RETAIL CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE GLASS FREE OF CHARGE. RETAIL CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT SAFELITE TOLL FREE AT 1-888-843-2906. SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS AND REIMBURSE WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS FOR CURRENT INVENTORY AND AT A SPECIFIED RATE...

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Recall 06E024000 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

| 44,386 vehicles affected

Defect: CERTAIN REPLACEMENT K&N FUEL PERFORMANCE KITS, P/NOS. 57-1509, 57-1511, 57-1511-1, 57-1517, 57-1517-1, 57-1527, AND 57-1530. ALSO, A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THESE KITS WERE SOLD UNDER THE MOPAR PERFORMANCE PARTS BRAND NAME (P/NOS. P5007069 AND P5007070). ALL KITS WERE MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 20, 1999, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 23, 2004. THESE ASSEMBLIES WERE MANUFACTURED AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR CERTAIN DODGE PICKUP TRUCKS AND...

Consequence: A JAMMED OPEN THROTTLE COULD CAUSE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION OF THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH OR INCREASED STOPING DISTANCES WHEN BRAKING.

Remedy: K&N WILL PROVIDE OWNERS WITH A FREE REPAIR KIT ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 20, 2006.

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Recall 03V504000 — TIRES

| 214 vehicles affected

Defect: ON CERTAIN 4X4 PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH THE SNOW PLOW PREPARATION PACKAGE, THE TIRES SUPPLIED ON SOME VEHICLES MAY HAVE GROSS AXLE WEIGHT RATINGS THAT SLIGHTLY EXCEED THE MAXIMUM TIRE LOAD CAPACITY AS DEFINED IN FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 120, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS."

Remedy: DEALERS WILL PROVIDE REPLACEMENT P245/75R16 TIRES TO MEET THE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY SPECIFIED ON THE VEHICLE CERTIFICATION LABEL AND ACCOMMODATE THE ADDITION OF A COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE SNOW PLOW AND HARDWARE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 22, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT...

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Recall 03V077000 — VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR

| 195,500 vehicles affected

Defect: ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, THE DETENT SYSTEM ON THE EXTERIOR MIRROR HOUSINGS MAY LOSE THE FUNCTIONALITY.

Consequence: THIS COULD POTENTIALLY AFFECT REARWARD FIELD OF VISION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A MIRROR DETENT RETAINER KIT TO CORRECT THIS CONDITION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 10, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE...

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Recall 03V078000 — STEERING:COLUMN

| 287,725 vehicles affected

Defect: ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR AT THE BOTTOM OF THE STEERING COLUMN CONTAINS AN UNDER-SIZED TERMINAL FOR THE HVAC BLOWER MOTOR CIRCUIT. LOCALIZED HEATING FROM CURRENT FLOW WITH THE BLOWER SPEED SET ON HIGH MAY CAUSE THE TERMINAL CONTACTS TO RELAX AND LOSE ELECTRICAL CONTACT. THIS CAN CAUSE THE HVAC BLOWER MOTOR TO BECOME INOPERATIVE.

Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE IMPAIRMENT OF VISIBILITY IN INCLEMENT WEATHER, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A WIRING HARNESS OVERLAY TO CORRECT THIS CONDITION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 15, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN...

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Owner Complaints for the 2002 DODGE RAM 1500

1,003 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2002 DODGE RAM 1500. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.

Structure
Complaints: 232 3 Crashes 12 Injuries
Electrical System
Complaints: 65 2 Crashes 2 Fires 1 Death
Unknown Or Other
Complaints: 62 2 Crashes 1 Fire 3 Injuries
Power Train
Complaints: 44 2 Crashes 1 Injury 1 Death
Structurebody
Complaints: 38 1 Crash 1 Fire 1 Injury
Suspension
Complaints: 35 3 Crashes
Air Bags
Complaints: 34 15 Crashes 14 Injuries
Exterior Lighting
Complaints: 25
Steering
Complaints: 25 3 Crashes 2 Injuries
Engine And Engine Cooling
Complaints: 22 2 Injuries
Engine And Engine Coolingengine
Complaints: 22 1 Injury
Engine
Complaints: 21 2 Crashes 1 Fire 3 Injuries
Power Trainautomatic Transmission
Complaints: 19 1 Fire
Vehicle Speed Control
Complaints: 18 4 Crashes 2 Fires 1 Injury
Air Bagsfrontal
Complaints: 14 11 Crashes 12 Injuries
Suspensionfront
Complaints: 14 2 Crashes
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdiscrotor
Complaints: 13
Suspensionrear
Complaints: 13 1 Crash 4 Injuries
Tires
Complaints: 13 1 Crash 2 Injuries
Power Traindrivelinedifferential Unit
Complaints: 11 1 Crash
Steeringrack And Pinion
Complaints: 9 1 Crash 1 Injury
Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac System
Complaints: 9
Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac Systemfanmotor
Complaints: 9
Visibilityrearview Mirrorsdevices
Complaints: 9
Visibilityrearview Mirrorsdevicesexterior
Complaints: 9 1 Crash
Equipment
Complaints: 7
Wheels
Complaints: 7 2 Crashes
Electrical System Instrument Clusterpanel
Complaints: 6
Electrical Systemwiringfront Underhood
Complaints: 6 4 Fires
Service Brakes Hydraulic
Complaints: 6
Service Brakes Hydraulicantilocktraction Controlelectronic Limited Slip
Complaints: 6 1 Crash
Electrical Systemignition
Complaints: 5 1 Crash
Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasoline
Complaints: 5
Power Trainaxle Assembly
Complaints: 5 1 Crash 2 Injuries
Power Traindrivelinedriveshaft
Complaints: 5
Suspensionfrontcontrol Armupper Ball Joint
Complaints: 5 1 Crash
Visibility
Complaints: 5
Electrical Systemwiringfuses And Circuit Breakers
Complaints: 4
Engine And Engine Coolingcooling System
Complaints: 4
Exterior Lightingturn Signal
Complaints: 4
Latcheslockslinkagesdoorslatch
Complaints: 4
Power Trainautomatic Transmissionlever And Linkagecolumn Shift
Complaints: 4 1 Crash 1 Injury
Power Traindriveline
Complaints: 4
Steeringhydraulic Power Assist System
Complaints: 4
Electrical Systemwiring
Complaints: 3
Exterior Lightingtail Lights
Complaints: 3 1 Fire
Fuel System Gasolinestoragetank Assemblyfiller Pipe And Cap
Complaints: 3
Seat Belts
Complaints: 3 1 Crash 4 Injuries
Service Brakes
Complaints: 3
Tirestreadbelt
Complaints: 3
Vehicle Speed Controlcruise Control
Complaints: 3 1 Fire
Visibilitypower Window Devices And Controls
Complaints: 3
Electrical Systemwiringinteriorunder Dash
Complaints: 2 1 Fire
Engine And Engine Coolingcooling Systemfan
Complaints: 2
Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust Systemmanifoldheadermufflertail Pipe
Complaints: 2
Equipmentmechanicalaccessory Scissorscrewbottle Jacklift
Complaints: 2
Exterior Lightingbrake Lights
Complaints: 2
Fuel System Gasoline
Complaints: 2
Power Trainaxle Assemblyaxle Shaft
Complaints: 2
Power Traindrivelineuniversal Joint
Complaints: 2
Seat Beltsfrontretractor
Complaints: 2 1 Crash 1 Injury
Seats
Complaints: 2
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentshoses Linespiping And Fittings
Complaints: 2 1 Crash 2 Injuries
Steering Steering Wheelhandle Bar
Complaints: 2
Structurebodydoor
Complaints: 2
Structurebodytailgatehinge And Attachments
Complaints: 2 1 Crash
Structureframe And Members
Complaints: 2 2 Injuries
Suspensionfrontcontrol Armlower Ball Joint
Complaints: 2 1 Crash
Suspensionfronthub
Complaints: 2 1 Crash
Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac Systemheater Core
Complaints: 2
Visibilitywindshield Wiperwashermotor
Complaints: 2
Visibilitywiper
Complaints: 2
Wheelshubcapcover
Complaints: 2
Electrical System12v24v48v Battery
Complaints: 1
Electrical Systemhorn
Complaints: 1
Electrical Systemignitionswitch
Complaints: 1
Electronic Stability Control Esc
Complaints: 1 1 Crash
Electronic Stability Controlautomatic Asc
Complaints: 1
Engine And Engine Coolingcooling Systemradiator Assembly
Complaints: 1
Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust System
Complaints: 1 1 Fire
Equipmentapplianceair Conditioner
Complaints: 1
Equipmentelectricalanti Theft Devices
Complaints: 1
Exterior Lightingfog Lightsswitch
Complaints: 1 1 Fire 1 Injury
Exterior Lightingheadlights
Complaints: 1
Exterior Lightingheadlightsconcealment Devices
Complaints: 1
Exterior Lightingheadlightsswitch
Complaints: 1 1 Fire 1 Injury
Exterior Lightingtail Lightsswitch
Complaints: 1 1 Fire 1 Injury
Exterior Lightingturn Signalflasher Unit
Complaints: 1
Exterior Lightingturn Signalswitch
Complaints: 1
Fuel System Gasolinefuel Injection System
Complaints: 1
Fuelpropulsion System
Complaints: 1 1 Fire 2 Injuries
Interior Lighting
Complaints: 1
Latcheslockslinkages
Complaints: 1
Parking Brakeindicator Light
Complaints: 1 1 Fire
Power Trainautomatic Transmissiongear Position Indication Prndl
Complaints: 1
Power Trainaxle Hubs
Complaints: 1 1 Crash 1 Injury
Power Trainmanual Transmission
Complaints: 1
Power Trainmanual Transmissionshift Pattern Indicator
Complaints: 1
Seat Beltsfrontbuckle Assembly
Complaints: 1
Seatsfront Assemblypower Adjust
Complaints: 1
Seatsmidrear Assembly
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Airantilockinterconnecting Assemblywiring
Complaints: 1 1 Fire
Service Brakes Airsupplyhoses Linespiping And Fittings
Complaints: 1 1 Crash
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdisc
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdisccaliper
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdiscpads
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsmaster Cylinder
Complaints: 1
Steeringcolumn
Complaints: 1 1 Crash
Steeringhydraulic Power Assistpower Steering Fluid
Complaints: 1
Steeringlinkagesknucklespindlearm
Complaints: 1 1 Crash 1 Injury
Steeringlinkagestie Rod Assembly
Complaints: 1
Structurebodyhood
Complaints: 1
Structurebodytailgate
Complaints: 1
Structureframe And Membersunderbody Shields
Complaints: 1
Suspensionfrontcontrol Armupper Arm
Complaints: 1
Suspensionfrontstabilizer Bar
Complaints: 1
Suspensionfrontwheel Bearing
Complaints: 1
Suspensionmultiple Axle
Complaints: 1
Suspensionrearsprings
Complaints: 1
Tirespressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems
Complaints: 1
Tiressidewall
Complaints: 1
Vehicle Speed Controlaccelerator Pedal
Complaints: 1 1 Crash 1 Injury
Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac Systemwindshieldelectrical Heating Element
Complaints: 1
Visibilityglass Siderear
Complaints: 1
Visibilityrear Window Wiperwasher
Complaints: 1
Visibilitywindshield
Complaints: 1
Visibilitywindshield Wiperwasher
Complaints: 1
Wheelslugsnutsboltsstuds
Complaints: 1
Wheelsrim
Complaints: 1

Most Recent Complaints

#11625032 | SERVICE BRAKES | | N/A miles
Dodge Ram 2002 ABS brake module failure. No recourse for repairs. Dodge has rendered this part obsolete and although they have the technology to repair or replace it they neglect to help thousands of vehicle owners.
#11594041 | EXTERIOR LIGHTING | | N/A miles
The contact owns a 2002 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed at night, he became aware that the external lights and turn signal lights were not functioning properly. The lamp out warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
#11553692 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | | N/A miles
The heat stopped working so i replaced the blower motor and blower relay the heater switch and still have no heat. The wire gets hot to the touch. The heater only use to work on high then all of a sudden it just stopped all the way around
#11531959 | SUSPENSION | | N/A miles
To put it as simple as I can describe it is a death wobble. that occurs every time you hit a bump in the road, hole, or pot hole. This truck has always had this death wobble from factory. The reason why this is a safety issue is because it causes the steering wheel to go out of balance and go into other lanes in the road and potentially cause an accident.
#11531959 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | | N/A miles
To put it as simple as I can describe it is a death wobble. that occurs every time you hit a bump in the road, hole, or pot hole. This truck has always had this death wobble from factory. The reason why this is a safety issue is because it causes the steering wheel to go out of balance and go into other lanes in the road and potentially cause an accident.

View all Structure complaints →

Safety Rating for the 2002 DODGE RAM 1500

NHTSA has not yet tested the 2002 DODGE RAM 1500 in its New Car Assessment Program.

Technical Service Bulletins for the 2002 DODGE RAM 1500

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) has issued 1 technical service bulletin (TSBs) for the 2002 DODGE RAM 1500. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.

082702 — WHEELS

FINAL FITMENT OF THIS SUSPENSION KIT HAS REVEALED A POTENTIAL INTERFERENCE BETWEEN THE SUPPLIED TIE ROD END AND THE FACTORY WHEEL WHICH DOES NOT ALLOW THE O.E. WHEELS TO BE RE-USED. RANCHO IS RECOMMENDING 17 X 18 INCH WHEEL WITH 5 INCHES OF BACK SPACING (WITH UP TO A 35...

NHTSA Investigations for the 2002 DODGE RAM 1500

NHTSA has opened 1 investigation into potential safety defects in the 2002 DODGE RAM 1500.

Investigation PE02096 — POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT Closed

Opened:

REAR AXLE FAILURE

Other Model Years of the DODGE RAM 1500

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Other DODGE Models

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