2002 Dodge RAM 1500 recalls and problems

The 2002 Dodge RAM 1500 has 3 recalls and 815 owner complaints on file with NHTSA; the most reported problem area is structure.

How the 2002 compares

High

Fewest complaintsMost complaints

High complaint count among 14 RAM 1500 model years — 5th most.

3recalls

815complaints

55crashes

14fires

62injuries

70,000median miles

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not verified and not adjusted for sales. Ranking compares this model's own years only.

Does your car have an open recall?
Recalls apply to specific vehicles. Only a VIN lookup on NHTSA's official site shows whether yours is affected and still unrepaired.

Check your VIN →

3 recalls

Tires

Dec 10, 2003 · NHTSA campaign 03V504000 · 214 vehicles

Problem: 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."

Original NHTSA wording

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 & notes

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 daimlerchrysler at 1-800-992-1997.

Daimlerchrysler recall no. C40.customers can also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Steering

Mar 10, 2003 · NHTSA campaign 03V078000 · 287,725 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Original NHTSA wording

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.

Risk: This condition could cause impairment of visibility in inclement weather, increasing the risk of a crash.

Original NHTSA wording

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

Remedy & notes

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 a reasonable time should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

Daimlerchrysler recall no. C11.customers can also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Visibility

Mar 10, 2003 · NHTSA campaign 03V077000 · 195,500 vehicles

Problem: On certain pickup trucks, the detent system on the exterior mirror housings May lose the functionality.

Original NHTSA wording

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

Risk: This could potentially affect rearward field of vision, increasing the risk of a crash.

Original NHTSA wording

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

Remedy & notes

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 remedy within a reasonable time should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

Daimlerchrysler recall no. C10.customers can also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Recall text as published by NHTSA and the manufacturer.

What owners complain about

Structure278

Engine80

Unknown or other62

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA; one complaint can name several areas. Not verified by NHTSA.

Complaints by year filed

NHTSA investigations

REAR AXLE FAILURE

PE02096 · opened Dec 26, 2002 · closed May 15, 2003

Summary

SEE ATTACHED REPORT.

2002 vs. other Dodge RAM 1500 years

Owner complaints by model year; the darker bar is the 2002. Click a bar to switch year.

Questions

Does the 2002 Dodge RAM 1500 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns covering the 2002 Dodge RAM 1500, the latest from Dec 10, 2003 (tires). A recall applies to specific vehicles: enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours is affected and still open.

What are the most common problems with the 2002 Dodge RAM 1500?

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA most often mention structure (278), power train (99), electrical system (93). Complaints are consumer reports and are not verified by NHTSA.