Wheels:hub
NHTSA campaign 10E040000 · 2010 · reported 08/23/2010
A VEHICLE CRASH CAN OCCUR IF THE WHEEL SEPARATES FROM THE VEHICLE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
2002 Dodge RAM 1500 Problems & Recalls
Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026
High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Structure — runs 5.6× the fleet median for that category across the 1175 model-years tracked on this site.
815Complaints
6Recalls
55Crashes
14Fires
62Injured
1Deaths
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Is this problem acknowledged?
The most-reported problem — Structure (28.5% of complaints) — has no NHTSA recall or open investigation on file.
Structure complaints here are 5.6× the median for that category across the 1175 model-years tracked on this site.
None of the 6 most-reported categories on this page have a recall or open investigation on file — they rest on unverified owner reports alone.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Structure | 232 · 28.5% | No official action | — |
| Electrical System | 65 · 8% | No official action | — |
| Power Train | 44 · 5.4% | Investigation closed | PE02096 |
| Structure:body | 38 · 4.7% | No official action | — |
| Suspension | 35 · 4.3% | No official action | — |
| Air Bags | 34 · 4.2% | No official action | — |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Complaints by component
Percentages are the share of the 815 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
Recalls — 6 campaigns
Visibility:glass, Side/rear
NHTSA campaign 07E104000 · 2007 · reported 12/11/2007
IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT(S) MAY BE SERIOUSLY INJURED BY SHATTERED GLASS. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Engine And Engine Cooling
NHTSA campaign 06E024000 · 2006 · reported 03/15/2006
A JAMMED OPEN THROTTLE COULD CAUSE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION OF THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH OR INCREASED STOPING DISTANCES WHEN BRAKING. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Steering:column
NHTSA campaign 03V078000 · 2003 · reported 03/10/2003
THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE IMPAIRMENT OF VISIBILITY IN INCLEMENT WEATHER, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Visibility:rearview Mirrors/devices:exterior
NHTSA campaign 03V077000 · 2003 · reported 03/10/2003
THIS COULD POTENTIALLY AFFECT REARWARD FIELD OF VISION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Tires
NHTSA campaign 03V504000 · 2003 · reported 12/10/2003
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.… Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What owners report
“WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD WHISTLING NOISE.”NHTSA complaint 10020210 — filed 05/20/2003 · STRUCTURE
“WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH I DROVE OVER A ROUGH, UNEVEN PATCH OF ROAD I LOSS CONTROL OF THE REAR OF MY TRUCK. IT WAS…”NHTSA complaint 10007475 — filed 10/10/2002 · STRUCTURE
“WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE, CONSUMER DISCOVERED THAT THE BED OF THE TRUCK HAD COME IN CONTACT WITH THE CAB AND CAUSED DAMAGE…”NHTSA complaint 566162 — filed 06/19/2002 · STRUCTURE
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Complaint trend by year filed
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Dodge RAM 1500?
Structure issues are the most-reported category, cited in 232 of 815 NHTSA complaints (28.5%), followed by electrical system (65), unspecified/other issues (62), power train (44). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many complaints does the 2002 Dodge RAM 1500 have?
815 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 55 involved a crash, 14 involved a fire, and 62 reported injuries. 1 deaths were reported.
Does the 2002 Dodge RAM 1500 have any recalls?
Yes — 6 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 10E040000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Has NHTSA acted on the 2002 Dodge RAM 1500's reported problems?
0 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.
Is a complaint proof of a defect?
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.
