RoadVitals

2002 Dodge Ram Quad Cab

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.
206
Latest Dec 26, 2019
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.
0
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.
1
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.
13
12 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 206 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2002 Dodge Ram Quad Cab, most frequently naming the body & structure, steering and electrical categories. 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 16 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

No recalls in our database for this model year

That does not guarantee a specific vehicle is unaffected — recalls are issued against VINs, and new campaigns are announced regularly. Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov.

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

PE02096ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

REAR AXLE FAILURE

Opened Dec 26, 2002
Closed May 15, 2003

SEE ATTACHED REPORT.

POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 206
Body & structure
Filed Dec 26, 2019

THE PLASTICS USED IN THE 2002 DODGE RAM INTERIOR ARE A SAFETY ISSUE. THERE IS WIDESPREAD EVIDENCE ACROSS THE INTERNET SHOWING THE DASH BREAKING APART LIKE MINE. IT IS STRUCTURALLY UNSOUND AND DODGE SHOULD FIND A SAFE SOLUTION. IF I GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT SHARP SHARDS OF DASH FLYING AROUND IS MORE LIKELY TO CAUSE INJURY THAN THE IMPACT OF THE CRASH.

NHTSA ID
11291249
Incident
Feb 1, 2019
Mileage
180,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jun 2, 2019

BOUGHT TRUCK IN 2009. DRIVE A COUPLE TIMES A WEEK. TRANSMISSION HAS WENT OUT 5 TIMES NOW INCLUDING THIS MORNING. WAS TOLD BY A COWORKER THAT THERES AB ISSUE WITH THE DODGERS NOT CIRCULATING FLUID WHEN IDLING IN GEAR.??? EITHER WAY THIS WILL BE THE 5TH TIME IN 10 YEARS TAKING IT TO GET REBUILT!!!! WHICH HAS BEEN 2,500.00 TO 4,000.00 EACH TIME!!! REALLY BOUT TO GIVE UP ON DODGE

NHTSA ID
11217345
Incident
Jun 2, 2019
Mileage
180,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed May 27, 2018

REAR END LOCKED UP GOING DOWN HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, SENT ME SLIDING INTO THE SLOW LANE AND THEN OFF OF THE HIGHWAY INTO A DRIVEWAY COMING TO A HALTING STOP WITH MY TAILGATE WAS STILL PARTIALLY IN A HEAVILY TRAVELED HIGHWAY. THE DRIVESHAFT ALSO DROPPED DOWN AND EVENTUALLY CAME COMPLETELY OFF AND I HAD TO CALL A ROLL BACK TO COME GET TRUCK. I HAVE HAD THIS 2002 TRUCK FOR THE PAST 11 YEARS AND I HAVE NEVER BEEN NOTIFIED BY DODAGE THAT THIS COULD BE A MAJOR ISSUE. ALL IN ALL IT HAS BEEN A GOOD TRUCK. THIS INCIDENT REALLY SCARED ME, AS I WORK OUT OF THIS TRUCK WITH MY BUSINESS AND NOW I HAVE TO SUFFER A LOSS FOR NOT BEING ABLE TO WORK UNTIL I SPEND A GOOD SOME OF MONEY TO FIX THIS ISSUE SO I AM ABLE TO USE IT AGAIN.

NHTSA ID
11098139
Incident
May 26, 2018
Mileage
203,695 mi
Body & structure
Filed Mar 16, 2018

CRAKED DASH, SHARP METAL AND SHARP BROKEN CHUNKS OF PLASTIC THAT USED TO BE A DASHBOARD. NOT SAFE TO DRIVE THIS WAY! THE PARTS IF AVAILABLE ARE EXSPENSIVE, WHY IS THIS NOT RECALLED REPLACING USING BETTER SAFER PRODUCTS.

NHTSA ID
11079867
Incident
Jul 9, 2015
Mileage
89,000 mi
Filed Mar 13, 2018

I HAVE A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500 P/U TRUCK. I'M AWARE THAT IT'S OUT OF WARRANTY. I PLAN TO KEEP THIS TRUCK UNTIL I DIE. THE DASHBOARD IS COMPLETELY DAMAGED. I NOW HAVE A DASH COVER OVER IT. AND IT'S SEEM TO BE FALLING IN AS WELL. PLEASE CONSIDER REPLACING MY DASH SINCE IT'S THE WRONG MATERIAL ON ALL 3RD GENS WERE MADE OUT OF POLYVINYL CHLORIDE. AS TIME PASSES THEY DRY OUT AND CRACK. CAUSING PIECES TO FALL INSIDE CAUSING PROBLEMS WITH THE BLOWER AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. I PLAN TO TRAVEL FROM SAN DIEGO CA TO CHICAGO ILL. IN AUGUST IN MY TRUCK, I CAN'T PUT ANYTHING ON THE DASHBOARD WITHOUT THE FEAR OF DAMAGE OR MALFUNCTION TO THE ELECTRONICS OR OTHER PARTS UNDERNEATH.WITH LIQUIDS OR MORE PLASTICS FALLING INSIDE OR PASSING THOUGH THE THE DASH COVER ITS NOT WATER PROOF OR WATER RESISTANT PLEASE HELP... PLEASE HELP SAVE MY TRUCK, PLEASE AND KEEP ME SAFE ON THE ROAD.

NHTSA ID
11078845
Incident
Oct 1, 2015
Mileage
27,536 mi
Visibility
Filed Jan 24, 2018

BLOWS HEAT ONLY ON PASSENGER SIDE VENTS. BLOWS COOL AIR ON DRIVERS SIDE.

NHTSA ID
11064752
Incident
Jan 24, 2018
Mileage
208,000 mi
Body & structureVisibility
Filed Dec 12, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM QUAD CAB. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS FRACTURED ALONG THE AIR CONDITIONER AND HEATER VENT. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG COULD INADVERTENTLY DEPLOY BECAUSE OF THE FRACTURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER AND HEATER VENT WERE INOPERABLE ON THE LOWER SETTINGS DUE TO OBSTRUCTION FROM PIECES OF FRACTURED DEBRIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER AND HEATING SYSTEM WOULD ONLY FUNCTION ON A HIGH SETTING. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD DEFROSTER WAS INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
11054201
Incident
Jul 1, 2006
Mileage
103,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Feb 13, 2015

MICHELIN LATITUDE TIRES P265/70 R17 BOUGHT SEPT. 2011 FROM COSTCO IN INGLEWOOD CALIF. THE TREAD SURFACE IS PEELING FROM THE TIRE. THERE ARE SMALL CRATER LIKE AREAS WHERE THE TREAD HAS CRUMBLED AWAY. THE LATITUDE TIRE WAS ADVERTISED AS; "LATITUDE TOUR TIRES USE A SILICA-BASED TREAD COMPOUND MOLDED INTO A SYMMETRIC TREAD DESIGN". I WENT TO COSTCO TO SEE IF THEY WOULD WARRANTY THE TIRE. AT FIRST THEY TOLD ME THE DETERIORATION OF THE TIRE THREAD WAS DUE TO THE SURFACE THAT I DROVE ON. AFTER I ASSURED THE COSTCO SERVICE TECH THAT I DRIVE ON THE STREETS AND HIGHWAY, NOT OFF ROAD, HE SAID HE WOULD ONLY PRORATE THE TIRE VALUE BASED ON THE THREAD USE. THAT TURNED OUT TO BE 50 PERCENT OF ON A NEW SET OF TIRES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10683297
Incident
Feb 13, 2015

Manufacturer communications

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

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.

31-003-19

EQUIPMENT

Use of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of recycled or salvage parts.

3100619

EQUIPMENT; STRUCTURE

Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to structural repair parts usage.

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 Quad Cab by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
20031220144.5
2002Viewing2060139.6
20011180142.6

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.