2002 Dodge RAM problems
Owners have filed 152 complaints about the 2002 Dodge RAM with NHTSA. Power train accounts for 12.5% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of suspension at 10.5%.
Complaints152
Crashes21
Fires4
Injuries23
Deaths2
What owners report breaking
Power train 12.5% · 19
Suspension 10.5% · 16
Structure 9.9% · 15
Air bags 9.9% · 15
Engine and engine cooling 9.2% · 14
Service brakes, hydraulic 8.6% · 13
Visibility 7.2% · 11
Steering 6.6% · 10
Severity
Of those complaints, 21 describe a crash, 4 describe a fire, 23 report an injury and 2 report a death.
Reading the numbers
Across the 9 model years of the Dodge RAM in this data, 2002 draws comparatively few complaints; 1996 is the outlier year.
Filings have fallen off, 10 in the last three years against 15 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 35,000 miles.
In owners' own words
As a state trooper, I have had a rancher explain to me that three of his 2002 Dodge 4x4 trucks have had the transfer case and drive axle "explode". One incident sent a part through the floorboard of the truck into the cab. Could these incidents be associated with the june 13, 2002 recall on brakes? The conversation came up when I told the rancher of my newly purchased Dodge pick-up truck. Thank you. Power train
Transfer case is leaking, vehicle has been taken into dealership five times already for transfer case leak, but solutions do not work. *Akconsumer received no help from the dealership. Consumer is requesting replacement of vehicle. Also there was a noise coming from the front of vehicle, the passenger quad door will not open with the inner handle, the lock rods were out of adjustment. Power train
The consumer placed the vehicle into park, while exiting the vehicle the door knocked the consumer to the ground. The vehicle continued to roll into a creek. The consumer stated that the gear was in park, however she was not sure if it came out of park. The manufacture will be contacted. Power train · reported at 70,000 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…
Other Dodge RAM years
1996 905 complaints · 25.4% service brakes, hydraulic 1997 513 complaints · 17.0% service brakes, hydraulic 1998 644 complaints · 20.0% service brakes, hydraulic 1999 496 complaints · 19.2% service brakes, hydraulic 2000 212 complaints · 12.7% service brakes, hydraulic 2001 417 complaints · 14.1% steering