2002 Dodge Ram 1500 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Structure (223) · Power Train (36) · Structure:body (33)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Dodge Ram 1500 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
582 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (1)
Wheels:hub 2010-08-23 · campaign 10E040000 · 34,604 vehicles
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 OF THESE ISSUES DO NOT OCCUR ON THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE (4WD) APPLICATIONS, AND INSTALLATION ON THE 4WD APPLICATIONS
Risk: A VEHICLE CRASH CAN OCCUR IF THE WHEEL SEPARATES FROM THE VEHICLE.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (22)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Power Train 2024-10-30 · 101232 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
plate - planetary
Electrical System:ignition:anti-Theft:immobilizer/Proximity:key/Sender 2020-07-22 · 9004275 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
key, master if replacing the key/fobik on a wj, kj, tj, or pt cruiser, use the "ac" nic level part number. the "ab" nic level will not program to these platforms. for all other platforms, if the "ab" nic level will not program to the vehicle, use the "ac" nic level part and submit a part warranty.
Electrical System:ignition:anti-Theft:immobilizer/Proximity:key/Sender 2020-07-22 · 9004275 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
key, master if replacing the key/fobik on a wj, kj, tj, or pt cruiser, use the "ac" nic level part number. the "ab" nic level will not program to these platforms. for all other platforms, if the "ab" nic level will not program to the vehicle, use the "ac" nic level part and submit a part warranty.
Structure 2020-04-30 · 23-015-20 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
disinfectant solution recommended for covid-19
Equipment 2020-04-22 · 08-049-20 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
charging system, battery diagnostic tools and warranty this information only bulletin discusses using the correct test equipment for testing batteries and charging systems, and also warranty reimbursement when battery replacements are necessary.
Structure 2019-11-20 · 3100519 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
use of aftermarket parts this bulletin involves discussing fca us llc position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of aftermarket parts.
Showing the 6 most recent of 22 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-03-24 · Engine“i bought this truck new i still own problem is the cooling system does not function properly i have put new radiator and all heat and cooling in it the heat and air does not operate properly i have talked with crysler several times and they will help with issue it’s been like this about as long as i have had it please help me and there’s a whole lo…”
2024-11-13 · Service Brakes“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.…”
2024-06-12 · Exterior Lighting“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. t…”
2023-11-05 · Electrical System“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 …”
2023-07-13 · Unknown Or Other“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 ac…”
2023-02-15 · Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel · 50,000 mi“the contact owns a 2002 dodge ram 1500. the contact stated while attempting to turn on the heat in the vehicle, the hvac system failed to operate as needed. the vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the instrument panel needed to be replaced. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was contacted and stated there w…”
2022-05-29 · Tires“i was driving on the highway at about 65mph and at first i noticed that it felt like my tie rod ends were going bad. and then all of a sudden i felt an explosion and my truck made a sharp right dive into the right hand lane and caused the car in that lane to swerve right. i was then able to gain back control and gradually came to a stop on the righ…”
2021-10-12 · Unknown Or Other · 💥 crash“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…”
2021-10-11 · Power Train“pinion nut became loose. it was caught before it totally fell off, however if it did fall off the rear axle could possible seize up and cause loss of control of the vehicle. this is a 2002 dodge ram with the 9.25" rear axle and they appear to still have issues to this day with that axle model. the recall dodge had in 2009/10 does not even begin …”
2021-06-30 · Service Brakes“the brakes failed due to corrosion of the brake line from the master cyl. to the lh front brake flex hose. the brake fluid simply came out of the line. there was insifficient fluid pressure to do any wheel braking. luckily, i had just moved off from a stop and was applying the brakes to slow down on a bend. the corrosion occured under a plastic…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.