Model Year Problem Record

Dodge RAM 1500 2002 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 2002 Dodge RAM 1500: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

815Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints

3Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls

2Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations

96Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Vehicle Structure279 complaints

279 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Power Train100 complaints

100 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Electrical System94 complaints

94 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Engine81 complaints

81 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Suspension76 complaints

76 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Unknown Or Other62 complaints

62 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Visibility55 complaints

55 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 03V077000.

Air Bags48 complaints

48 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Steering44 complaints

44 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 03V078000.

Lighting42 complaints

42 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Brakes37 complaints

37 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control22 complaints

22 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Tires18 complaints

18 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 03V504000.

Equipment11 complaints

11 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Wheels11 complaints

11 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Fuel and Propulsion System7 complaints

7 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts6 complaints

6 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Latches, Locks and Linkages5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seats4 complaints

4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Driver Assistance and Stability Systems2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

03V077000Reported March 10, 2003 - 195,500 vehicles potentially affected

Visibility. Recall covering the visibility system, reported to NHTSA on March 10, 2003. The campaign covers an estimated 195,500 vehicles across all affected models.

03V078000Reported March 10, 2003 - 287,725 vehicles potentially affected

Steering. Recall covering the steering system, reported to NHTSA on March 10, 2003. The campaign covers an estimated 287,725 vehicles across all affected models.

03V504000Reported December 10, 2003 - 214 vehicles potentially affected

Tires. Recall covering the tires system, reported to NHTSA on December 10, 2003. The campaign covers an estimated 214 vehicles across all affected models.

Defect Investigations

NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.

PE02096Opened December 26, 2002 - Closed May 15, 2003

REAR AXLE FAILURE. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

PE02096Opened December 26, 2002 - Closed May 15, 2003

REAR AXLE FAILURE. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

20001

20013

200252

200394

200443

200539

200639

200767

200874

200955

201058

201176

201248

201331

201430

201533

201619

201718

201816

20197

20201

20214

20221

20233

20242

20261

How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.