CarModelProblems.com

2002 Dodge RAM 2500 Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Structure — runs 3.9× the fleet median for that category across the 1175 model-years tracked on this site.
155Complaints
2Recalls
10Crashes
1Fires
6Injured
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 (18.7% of complaints) — has no NHTSA recall or open investigation on file.

Structure complaints here are 3.9× 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 categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Structure29 · 18.7%No official action
Fuel System, Diesel13 · 8.4%No official action
Steering8 · 5.2%No official action
Structure:body7 · 4.5%No official action
Power Train:automatic Transmission6 · 3.9%No official action
Tires6 · 3.9%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

STRUCTURE29 · 18.7%
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL13 · 8.4%
Unspecified / other13 · 8.4%
STEERING8 · 5.2%
STRUCTURE:BODY7 · 4.5%
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION6 · 3.9%
TIRES6 · 3.9%
SUSPENSION5 · 3.2%
SUSPENSION:FRONT5 · 3.2%
AIR BAGS4 · 2.6%

Percentages are the share of the 155 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 — 2 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

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

“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN HE BEGAN TO PERFORM MAINTENANCE ON THE RADIO. WHILE…”NHTSA complaint 10404308 — filed 06/03/2011 · STRUCTURE
“MY 2002 DODGE RAM 2500 PICKUP DASH BOARD IS DISINTEGRATING. IT HAS BEEN WELL TAKEN CARE OF AND I HAVE NOT USED ANY SOLVENTS OR…”NHTSA complaint 10370302 — filed 12/12/2010 · STRUCTURE
“DASH BOARD CRACKING RIGHT DOWN THE MIDDLE FROM FRONT TO BACK.”NHTSA complaint 10331666 — filed 05/21/2010 · STRUCTURE

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

35200714920091024201142201315220154102017322019322021

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2002 Dodge RAM 2500?

Structure issues are the most-reported category, cited in 29 of 155 NHTSA complaints (18.7%), followed by fuel system, diesel (13), unspecified/other issues (13), steering (8). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 2002 Dodge RAM 2500 have?

155 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 10 involved a crash, 1 involved a fire, and 6 reported injuries. 1 deaths were reported.

Does the 2002 Dodge RAM 2500 have any recalls?

Yes — 2 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 07E104000. 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 2500'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.