2002 Dodge Ram Club Cab Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2002 Dodge Ram Club Cab, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Electrical222.2%
- Brakes111.1%
- Heating & air conditioning111.1%
- Powertrain (other)111.1%
- Suspension111.1%
- Transmission111.1%
- Airbags111.1%
- Visibility111.1%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
TRANSMISSION WILL NOT SHIFT INTO FIRST GEAR WHEN PUTTING IN DRIVE. FEELS LIKE IT'S STARTING OFF IN THIRD GEAR OR SOMETHING. WORKS IF YOU PUT IT IN FIRST GEAR, OR SECOND, JUST NOT DRIVE. IT HAPPENED ALL AT ONCE FOR NO REASON. ALSO AIR CONDITIONING ONLY WORKS WHEN MOVING. IF YOU STOP IT DOESN'T WORK. I HAVE HAD THE FREON CHECKED AND IS OKAY. AND NOW JUST TODAY, IT DIED FOR NO REASON. I STOPPED AT THE BANK TO MAKE AN OVERNIGHT DEPOSIT, WHEN BACK TO MY TRUCK, AND TURNED THE KEY AND NOTHING. JUST LIKE THAT. I HAD TO WALK AT LEAST A 1/2 MILE TO THE NEAREST PHONE TO HAVE MY SON COME GET ME. WE JUMPED THE VEHICLE AND IT STARTED. BUT THE INSTRUMENT LIGHTS WERE FLASHING. THAN JUST BEFORE I GOT HOME, THE CHECK GAUGES LIGHT CAME ON AND THE BATTERY GAUGE WAS AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL. IT HAD NO PRIOR PROBLEMS. ONE MORE THING, I HAVE HAD THE SHOCKS REPLACED 5 TIMES IN FRONT. AND MY BACK ONES ARE NOW BROKE. I HAVE NEVER BEEN OFF ROAD IN THIS TRUCK, I DON'T "HOT ROD" IT, JUST NORMAL EVERYDAY CITY DRIVING. *NM
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON -- RAN ON DRB III FOUND DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES SET FOR P1698 NO CCD, J1850 MESSAGE FROM TCM CLEARED ALL DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES RESET ALL VALUES AND ROAD TEST FOR 150 MILES *** RIGHT FRONT OF VEHICLE SCRAPED (HAD PAINT FROM ANOTHER VEHICLE) * RENTAL 02/10/03 - 02/17/03. *NLM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE VEHICLE'S FRONT END SHAKES WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THE ROTORS WERE FOUND TO BE DEFECTIVE, AND REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK THIS WEEK FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THERE ARE NO RECALLS TO DATE. *LA
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
TRANSMISSION WILL NOT SHIFT INTO FIRST GEAR WHEN PUTTING IN DRIVE. FEELS LIKE IT'S STARTING OFF IN THIRD GEAR OR SOMETHING. WORKS IF YOU PUT IT IN FIRST GEAR, OR SECOND, JUST NOT DRIVE. IT HAPPENED ALL AT ONCE FOR NO REASON. ALSO AIR CONDITIONING ONLY WORKS WHEN MOVING. IF YOU STOP IT DOESN'T WORK. I HAVE HAD THE FREON CHECKED AND IS OKAY. AND NOW JUST TODAY, IT DIED FOR NO REASON. I STOPPED AT THE BANK TO MAKE AN OVERNIGHT DEPOSIT, WHEN BACK TO MY TRUCK, AND TURNED THE KEY AND NOTHING. JUST LIKE THAT. I HAD TO WALK AT LEAST A 1/2 MILE TO THE NEAREST PHONE TO HAVE MY SON COME GET ME. WE JUMPED THE VEHICLE AND IT STARTED. BUT THE INSTRUMENT LIGHTS WERE FLASHING. THAN JUST BEFORE I GOT HOME, THE CHECK GAUGES LIGHT CAME ON AND THE BATTERY GAUGE WAS AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL. IT HAD NO PRIOR PROBLEMS. ONE MORE THING, I HAVE HAD THE SHOCKS REPLACED 5 TIMES IN FRONT. AND MY BACK ONES ARE NOW BROKE. I HAVE NEVER BEEN OFF ROAD IN THIS TRUCK, I DON'T "HOT ROD" IT, JUST NORMAL EVERYDAY CITY DRIVING. *NM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
U JOINT FAILED AT REAR AXLE AFTER 38,000 MILES. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
TRANSMISSION WILL NOT SHIFT INTO FIRST GEAR WHEN PUTTING IN DRIVE. FEELS LIKE IT'S STARTING OFF IN THIRD GEAR OR SOMETHING. WORKS IF YOU PUT IT IN FIRST GEAR, OR SECOND, JUST NOT DRIVE. IT HAPPENED ALL AT ONCE FOR NO REASON. ALSO AIR CONDITIONING ONLY WORKS WHEN MOVING. IF YOU STOP IT DOESN'T WORK. I HAVE HAD THE FREON CHECKED AND IS OKAY. AND NOW JUST TODAY, IT DIED FOR NO REASON. I STOPPED AT THE BANK TO MAKE AN OVERNIGHT DEPOSIT, WHEN BACK TO MY TRUCK, AND TURNED THE KEY AND NOTHING. JUST LIKE THAT. I HAD TO WALK AT LEAST A 1/2 MILE TO THE NEAREST PHONE TO HAVE MY SON COME GET ME. WE JUMPED THE VEHICLE AND IT STARTED. BUT THE INSTRUMENT LIGHTS WERE FLASHING. THAN JUST BEFORE I GOT HOME, THE CHECK GAUGES LIGHT CAME ON AND THE BATTERY GAUGE WAS AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL. IT HAD NO PRIOR PROBLEMS. ONE MORE THING, I HAVE HAD THE SHOCKS REPLACED 5 TIMES IN FRONT. AND MY BACK ONES ARE NOW BROKE. I HAVE NEVER BEEN OFF ROAD IN THIS TRUCK, I DON'T "HOT ROD" IT, JUST NORMAL EVERYDAY CITY DRIVING. *NM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
TRANSMISSION WILL NOT SHIFT INTO FIRST GEAR WHEN PUTTING IN DRIVE. FEELS LIKE IT'S STARTING OFF IN THIRD GEAR OR SOMETHING. WORKS IF YOU PUT IT IN FIRST GEAR, OR SECOND, JUST NOT DRIVE. IT HAPPENED ALL AT ONCE FOR NO REASON. ALSO AIR CONDITIONING ONLY WORKS WHEN MOVING. IF YOU STOP IT DOESN'T WORK. I HAVE HAD THE FREON CHECKED AND IS OKAY. AND NOW JUST TODAY, IT DIED FOR NO REASON. I STOPPED AT THE BANK TO MAKE AN OVERNIGHT DEPOSIT, WHEN BACK TO MY TRUCK, AND TURNED THE KEY AND NOTHING. JUST LIKE THAT. I HAD TO WALK AT LEAST A 1/2 MILE TO THE NEAREST PHONE TO HAVE MY SON COME GET ME. WE JUMPED THE VEHICLE AND IT STARTED. BUT THE INSTRUMENT LIGHTS WERE FLASHING. THAN JUST BEFORE I GOT HOME, THE CHECK GAUGES LIGHT CAME ON AND THE BATTERY GAUGE WAS AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL. IT HAD NO PRIOR PROBLEMS. ONE MORE THING, I HAVE HAD THE SHOCKS REPLACED 5 TIMES IN FRONT. AND MY BACK ONES ARE NOW BROKE. I HAVE NEVER BEEN OFF ROAD IN THIS TRUCK, I DON'T "HOT ROD" IT, JUST NORMAL EVERYDAY CITY DRIVING. *NM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE CLOCK SPRING WAS DEFECTIVE AND THE WARRANTY DID NOT COVER THIS -PART. THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON. NO RECALL RECEIVED. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
I PURCHASED MY 2002 DODGE RAM CLUB CAB LAST SUMMER OUT OF OREGON THE PREVIOUS OWNER FAILED TO MENTION IT HAD THIS ISSUE WITH THE HEATING SYSTEM SO UNFORTUNATELY I DO NOT KNOW THE MILEAGE AT WHICH IT FAILED OR IF THEY HAD ATTEMPTED PREVIOUS REPAIRS. MY 2002 DODGE RAM 1500 QUAD CAB HEATING SYSTEM HAS FAILED. ONLY HEATS ON PASSENGER SIDE AND WILL FOG UP WINDOWS WHEN RUNNING HEATER. IF YOU PUT IT ON DEFROST TO CLEAR FOG IT ONLY BLOWS COLD AIR. ALSO ONLY OPERATES ON HIGHEST STEERING. WITH CHILDREN IN THE VEHICLE IT IS NECESSARY TO RUN THE HEATER DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER AND VISIBILITY IS GREATLY REDUCED DUE TO THE FOGGINESS OF THE WINDSHIELD CREATING A SAFETY HAZARD. AS THIS IS MY COMMUTING VEHICLE IT MUST BE DRIVEN DAILY. REPAIRS ARE ESTIMATED AT $1000 AND THE REPAIR MAN SAID IT WILL ONLY BE A TEMPORARY FIX BECAUSE THE BOX WITH THE ACTUATOR DOORS AS WELL AS THE HEATER CORES IN THESE TRUCKS WAS POORLY CONSTRUCTED AND THEY GO OUT AND NEED TO BE REPLACED OFTEN. THIS INVOLVES THEM REMOVING THE WHOLE DASH. I HAVE FOUND SO MANY OTHER PEOPLE ONLINE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THEIR HEATING SYSTEM THAT SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE BEFORE AN ACCIDENT HAPPENS. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .