RoadVitals

2002 Dodge Ram 2500

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
155
Latest Apr 13, 2021
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Dec 11, 2007
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
11
6 injuries, 1 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 155 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2002 Dodge Ram 2500, most frequently naming the body & structure, fuel system and steering categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 28 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
07E104000

VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR

Dec 11, 2007
1,657 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN CURVED TEMPERED REPLACEMENT GLASS MANUFACTURED BY HANGZHOU SAFETY GLASS LTD AND SUPPLIED TO SAFELITE BY AUTO TEMP INC., IDENTIFIED AS DOT-430, AND SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN VEHICLES MAY NOT BREAK INTO SMALL PIECES AS EXPECTED OF TEMPERED GLASS AND FAILS TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 205, "GLAZING MATERIALS."
The risk: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT(S) MAY BE SERIOUSLY INJURED BY SHATTERED GLASS.
The remedy: SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS RETAIL CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE GLASS FREE OF CHARGE. RETAIL CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT SAFELITE TOLL FREE AT 1-888-843-2906. SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS AND REIMBURSE WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS FOR CURRENT INVENTORY AND AT A SPECIFIED RATE FOR REPLACING THEIR CUSTOMER'S GLASS. WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT SAFELITE'S WHOLESALE DIVISION, SERVICE AUTOGLASS TOLL FREE AT 1-888-246-6298. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 15, 2008.
SAFELITE FULFILLMENT, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
06E024000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Mar 15, 2006
44,386 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN REPLACEMENT K&N FUEL PERFORMANCE KITS, P/NOS. 57-1509, 57-1511, 57-1511-1, 57-1517, 57-1517-1, 57-1527, AND 57-1530. ALSO, A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THESE KITS WERE SOLD UNDER THE MOPAR PERFORMANCE PARTS BRAND NAME (P/NOS. P5007069 AND P5007070). ALL KITS WERE MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 20, 1999, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 23, 2004. THESE ASSEMBLIES WERE MANUFACTURED AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR CERTAIN DODGE PICKUP TRUCKS AND SUVS. A SMALL PIECE OF MATERIAL FROM THE TUBE WALL COULD BE SUCKED INTO THE ENGINE THROTTLE BODY, WHICH COULD CAUSE THE THROTTLE TO BECOME JAMMED IN THE OPEN POSITION.
The risk: A JAMMED OPEN THROTTLE COULD CAUSE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION OF THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH OR INCREASED STOPING DISTANCES WHEN BRAKING.
The remedy: K&N WILL PROVIDE OWNERS WITH A FREE REPAIR KIT ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 20, 2006.
K&N ENGINEERING, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 155
SteeringSuspension
Filed Apr 13, 2021

I PURCHASED A 2003 DODGE RAM 2500 5.7 V8 4WD. MY STEERING HAS GOTTEN REALLY LOOSE OVER THE LAST WEEK. I BROUGHT IT IN TO DEALERSHIP FOR A PREVIOUS RECALL. AND THE TECHNICIAN TOLD ME THAT MY STEERING GEAR WAS GOING OUT AND THAT IT SHOULD NOT BE BAD.

NHTSA ID
11407919
Incident
Apr 9, 2021
Mileage
122,153 mi
Driver assistanceEngineFuel system
Filed Jul 18, 2020

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WONT ACCELATE THEN LOOSE POWER , THEN AFEW A FEW MINUTES DRIVES GREAT THEN NEVER KNOW WHEN IT WILL NOT ACCELATE DRANGE LOSING POWER LIKE THAT

NHTSA ID
11340058
Incident
Jul 1, 2020
Mileage
70,000 mi
Filed Sep 16, 2019

DASHBOARD HAS STARTED CRACKING AND SHARP PIECES OF PLASTIC HAVE BECOME LOOSE CREATING A POTENTIAL FOR THEM TO BECOME PROJECTILES IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. SEEMS MOST OF THE PLASTIC TRIM PIECES ARE BRITTLE INSIDE THE VEHICLES PASSENGER CABIN.

NHTSA ID
11255680
Incident
Aug 18, 2018
Mileage
85,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Jun 11, 2019

CRUISE CONTROL WAS ON AND USED ACCELERATOR PETAL TO ACCELERATE, ENGINE RPM WENT TO MAX AND SPEED INCREASED 20 MPH AND CONTINUED. TAPPED ACCERATOR AND TURNED OF SPEED CONTROL, SPEED CONTINUED. PUT GEAR IN NEUTRAL AND WORKED MY WAY TO ROAD SIDE. FOUND THAT CABLE FRAYED AND JAMMED AT HIGH RPM. DISCONNECTED CABLE AND HAVE NOT FOUND REPLACEMENT CABLE YET. PART DISCONTINUED

NHTSA ID
11219184
Incident
Jun 7, 2016
Mileage
95,000 mi
AirbagsElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Feb 5, 2018
Crash reported

THE PLASTIC DASHBOARD AND RELATED UNDERPINNINGS AND SUPORT STRUCTURE FOR EVERYTHING FROM PASSENGER AIRBAG,RADIO, CLIMATE CONTROL AND VENTS, HEADLIGHT, MIRROR DEFROSTER, GAUGE POD, ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC PLUG, ETC. BEGAN DISINTEGRATING IN LARGE SHARP PIECES WHILE DRIVING. THESE PIECES CUT WIRING AND FLES FOR ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING AND ARE DISTRACTING AND DANGEROUS IN MULTIPLE WAYS WORSE IF IN AN ACCIDENT. I HAD TO REMOVE RADIO, AND DISABLE AIRBAGS FOR SAFETY. REPLACEMENT PARTS ALONE ARE POTENTIALLY IN THE THOUSANDS, NOT INCLUDING LABOR AND WIRING HARNESS REPAIRS.

NHTSA ID
11066927
Incident
Nov 1, 2007
Mileage
149,000 mi
Filed Dec 31, 2017

THE DASH HAS CRACKED INTO SEVERAL PIECES THAT ARE NOW A HAZZARD OF FLYING SHARDS IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. ALSO THERE ARE HOLES INT THE DASH WHERE THE PIECES HAVE BROKEN OUT THAT CAN ALLOW DEBRIS TO FALL INSIDE THE DASH THAT CAN CAUSE FIRES OR ELECTRICAL SHORTS.

NHTSA ID
11057759
Incident
Oct 31, 2004
Steering
Filed Nov 30, 2017

I AM HEARING A POPPING SOUND WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL, PLAY IN STEERING, TRUCK IS WOBBLING ALL OVER THE PLACE WHEN DRIVING ON UNEVEN ROADS, HISSING SOUND COMING FROM FRONT END WHEN ACCELERATING. PLAY IN STEERING GEAR BOX. THE CLICKING POPPING SOUND I HEAR WHEN TURNING STEERING WHEEL IS WHEN DRIVING OR NOT MOVING. I HAVE HAD THIS TRUCK PULL FAR RIGHT ON THE ROAD WHEN GOING ON UNEVEN ROADS.

NHTSA ID
11051463
Incident
Sep 29, 2017
Mileage
144,222 mi
Suspension
Filed Sep 12, 2017

DODGE RAM "DEATH WOBBLE" OR SHIMMY PHENOMENON, WHILE IN MOTION AND ENCOUNTERING HIGHWAY ROAD SURFACE CHANGES.

NHTSA ID
11022886
Incident
Aug 28, 2017
Mileage
128,392 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

S1203000003 REV.A

SERVICE BRAKES

Trac-Rite Operation Diagnosis, Chatter, Shudder, Moving From A Stop And Turning

101232

POWER TRAIN

Plate - Planetary

9004275

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:IMMOBILIZER/PROXIMITY:KEY/SENDER

KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC level part number. The "AB" NIC level will not program to these platforms. For all other platforms, if the "AB" NIC level will not program to the vehicle, use the "AC" NIC level part and submit a part warranty.

9004275

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:IMMOBILIZER/PROXIMITY:KEY/SENDER

KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC level part number. The "AB" NIC level will not program to these platforms. For all other platforms, if the "AB" NIC level will not program to the vehicle, use the "AC" NIC level part and submit a part warranty.

23-015-20

EQUIPMENT; STRUCTURE

Disinfectant Solution Recommended for COVID-19

08-049-20

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT

Charging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty This information only bulletin discusses using the correct test equipment for testing batteries and charging systems, and also warranty reimbursement when battery replacements are necessary.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Dodge Ram 2500 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2015000—
2014000—
20122835156.1
20112974152.8
20102364154.9
20092145358.5
20083179360.1
200736111461.5
20066689560.5
20054229866.0
20045819865.1
20036619660.4
2002Viewing1552048.2
20014682153.2
20002112152.2
19993132152.3
19982252049.9
19972131149.8
19962911252.6
19952671655.2
19941681856.0
1993390239.2
1992320347.5
1991160447.3

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.