I bought this truck new I still own problem is the cooling system does not function properly I have put new radiator and all heat and cooling in it the heat and air does not operate properly I have talked with crysler several times and they will help with issue it’s been like this about as long as I have had it please help me and there’s a whole lot more people with same issue and it’s a very bad problem with the windshield keeps fogging up can not see the road or traffic
The worst 2002 Dodge RAM 1500 problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Body278
- Transmission99
- Electrical93
- Engine80
- Suspension71
- Visibility53
- Airbags46
- Steering44
- Brakes36
- Lights35
- Acceleration22
- Tires18
- Wheels11
- Fuel system7
- Seat belts6
- Locks5
- Seats4
- Driver assistance2
Specific symptoms reported on the 2002 Dodge RAM 1500
Stalling 34Headlights 22No deployment 18Engine failure 15Ball joint 13Check engine light 13Pulling 13Wipers 12Knocking 9Fire or smoke 9Overheating 9Power steering loss 8Jerking 7Misfire 7Windshield crack 7ABS 6Adaptive cruise 6Airbag light 6Brake failure 6Grinding brakes 6Door locks 6Loss of power 6Seat belt 6Tire blowout 6Transmission failure 5
Recalls 3
Tires
- What is wrong
- 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
- 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.
Recall number 03V504000 · Recall details
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 03V077000 · Recall details
Steering: column
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 03V078000 · Recall details
See all 3 recalls for the 2002 Dodge RAM 1500
Defect investigations
Rear axle failure
See attached report.
PE02096
Technical service bulletins for the 2002 Dodge RAM 1500 22
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Plate
- KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC level part number
- Disinfectant Solution Recommended for COVID-19
- Charging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty This information only bulletin discusses using the...
- Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard...
- Use of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to...
- Use of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision...
- Connecting to the DRB III Emulator for Cummins Engines
- Cummins Equipped Vehicles ONLY
- Service
2002 Dodge RAM 1500 fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.7L 6‑cyl | RWD | 13-14 | 18-19 | 15-16 |
| 4.7L 8‑cyl | RWD | 13 | 17-18 | 14-15 |
| 4.7L 8‑cyl | 4WD | 11-12 | 16 | 13-14 |
| 3.9L 6‑cyl | RWD | 13 | 15 | 14 |
| 5.2L 8‑cyl | RWD | 12 | 14 | 13 |
| 5.9L 8‑cyl | RWD | 11 | 16 | 12 |
| 5.9L 8‑cyl | 4WD | 10 | 14 | 12 |
What 2002 Dodge RAM 1500 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Dodge Ram 2002 ABS brake module failure. No recourse for repairs. Dodge has rendered this part obsolete and although they have the technology to repair or replace it they neglect to help thousands of vehicle owners.
The contact owns a 2002 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed at night, he became aware that the external lights and turn signal lights were not functioning properly. The lamp out warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
The heat stopped working so i replaced the blower motor and blower relay the heater switch and still have no heat. The wire gets hot to the touch. The heater only use to work on high then all of a sudden it just stopped all the way around
To put it as simple as I can describe it is a death wobble. that occurs every time you hit a bump in the road, hole, or pot hole. This truck has always had this death wobble from factory. The reason why this is a safety issue is because it causes the steering wheel to go out of balance and go into other lanes in the road and potentially cause an accident.
The contact owns a 2002 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated while attempting to turn on the heat in the vehicle, the HVAC system failed to operate as needed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the instrument panel needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated there was no recall for the failure. There was no additional assistance provided. The failure mileage was 50,000.
I was driving on the highway at about 65mph and at first I noticed that it felt like my tie rod ends were going bad. And then all of a sudden I felt an explosion and my truck made a sharp right dive into the right hand lane and caused the car in that lane to swerve right. I was then able to gain back control and gradually came to a stop on the right hand berm of the highway. The right rear tire appeared just as it does in the attached photos. The tire size is p264/70R17 no authorities were notified and the tire has not been inspected by anyone.
While traveling at normal speeds approximately 40 mph a car ran a stop sign I t-boned them on their passenger side with my front end I hit them at approximately 40 mph my airbags did not deploy my face and chest hit the steering wheel and dash
Pinion nut became loose. It was caught before it totally fell off, however if it did fall off the rear axle could possible seize up and cause loss of control of the vehicle. This is a 2002 Dodge Ram with the 9.25" rear axle and they appear to still have issues to this day with that axle model. The recall Dodge had in 2009/10 does not even begin to cover the number of Dodge Ram/Dakota vehicles with this issue. The axle in this vehicle was replaced in 2009 for another issue with an axle retainer clip falling off and causing the internal assembly to grind on the boss for the axle. So as the original owner, and with only 137,140 miles on the vehicle in 19 years, it has had multiple problems fixed under warranty, including total axle replacement and now it will have rebuilt again. There should be a real safety concern for all Dodge pickups with the 9.25" rear axle and a recall for every one of them, not just 2009/10. This has been happening for 20 years. When will the federal safety agency step up and hold Dodge to task for this issue. Regards, [XXX] Minden, NV INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
The brakes failed due to corrosion of the brake line from the master cyl. to the LH front brake flex hose. The brake fluid simply came out of the line. There was insifficient fluid pressure to do any wheel braking. Luckily, I had just moved off from a stop and was applying the brakes to slow down on a bend. The corrosion occured under a plastic clip that is there to keep adjacent brake lines from vibrating against each other. The corrosion occured in an area that is not inspectable unless the front wheel and wheel arch cover is first removed.
Compare the 2002 Dodge RAM 1500
Other model years
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Questions about the 2002 Dodge RAM 1500
Is the 2002 Dodge RAM 1500 reliable?
Owners have filed 815 complaints about the 2002 Dodge RAM 1500, 1.2 times a typical RAM 1500 model year.
What is the 2002 Dodge RAM 1500 year score?
The 2002 Dodge RAM 1500 scores 68 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Dodge RAM 1500: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2002 Dodge RAM 1500?
Body and structure, with 278 complaints, typically around 75,000 miles. Next is transmission (99).
How many recalls does the 2002 Dodge RAM 1500 have?
3 recalls, covering tires, visibility and steering.
What year does the Dodge RAM 1500 have the most body problems?
The Dodge RAM 1500 model years with the most body complaints are 2001 (548 complaints), 2002 (278 complaints) and 2000 (248 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 2002 Dodge RAM 1500 get?
Official estimates for the 2002 Dodge RAM 1500 range from 12 to 16 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.7L 6-cyl, RWD) gets 13-14 city and 18-19 highway.
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