RoadVitals

2002 Dodge Ram Quad Cab Body & structure Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the body or structure system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Body & structure reportsComplaints 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.
68
Latest Dec 26, 2019
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
33%
of 206 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
1

What this page shows

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2002 Dodge Ram Quad Cab submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 68 reports on file name it.

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

Owner reports naming body or structure

The 25 most recent of 68, in the owner's own words

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
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
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
Body & structure
Filed Apr 24, 2013

I HAVE 2002 DODGE RAM 1500 WITH A CRACKED DASH WHICH IS BAD THE CRACKS STARTED OUT SMALL AND NOW THERE ARE SEVERAL. IN THE EVENT OF AN AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT WHAT IS TO STOP THIS DASH FROM SEPARATING AND CAUSING LIFE THREATENING INJURIES. DODGE NEEDS TO RECOGNIZE THIS AS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN AND RECALL FOR REPLACEMENT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10509402
Incident
Apr 24, 2013
Mileage
102,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Dec 11, 2012

AT APPROXIMATELY 25,000 ON MY VEHICLE, IN THE YEAR OF 2004, I NOTICED SMALL CRACKS STARTING TO FORM ON THE DASHBOARD THIS PROGRESSED INTO MUCH LARGER CRACKS, COMPLETELY DESTROYING THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD OVER THE YEARS. THIS WAS A SAFETY ISSUE, BECAUSE SMALL SEGMENTS OF THE PLASTIC MATERIAL FELL INTO THE BACK OF THE DASHBOARD CAUSING FAILURE OF THE AIR CONDITIONER VENTS, DEFROSTER, AND ILLUMINATION OF THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS. A RECALL SHOULD HAVE BEEN ISSUED BASED ON THE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS BY DISSATISFIED OWNERS. CHRYSLER CORPORATION HAS AGREED TO REPAIR THE DASHBOARD, BUT ONLY IF I AGREE TO A $500 DEDUCTIBLE, IN WHICH I HAVE NOT AGREED TO, SIMPLY BECAUSE I BELIEVE THEY ARE TRYING TO CHARGE ME THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL PRICE, OF THE DASHBOARD. I WOULD APPRECIATE ANY ASSISTANCE IN THIS MATTER. THANK YOU. ..UPDATED 01/17/2013 *BF

NHTSA ID
10493962
Incident
Apr 1, 2004
Mileage
25,000 mi
Body & structureElectrical
Filed Sep 26, 2011

DASH IS CRACKING IN SEVERAL PLACES DROPPING PARTS OF DASHBOARD INTO FAN MOTOR TO OVERHEAT CAUSING INTERFERENCE WITH AIR CONDITIONER OPERATION. *TR

NHTSA ID
10427217
Incident
Sep 8, 2009
Body & structure
Filed Aug 23, 2011

THE TOP OF THE DASH ON MY 2002 DODGE RAM IS SEVERELY CRACKED. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN TAKING PLACE SINCE APPROXIMATELY 2004 AND IS NOW STARTING TO WORK IT'S WAY TO THE FRONT OF THE DASH. I THOUGHT THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED BECAUSE IT WAS PARKED OUTSIDE, BUT I HAVE SINCE LEARNED THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AMONG MANY (IF NOT MOST) DODGE RAMS. I ALSO DID NOT KNOW THAT THERE WAS A PLACE TO REPORT THIS PROBLEM UNTIL NOW. OTHERWISE, I WOULD HAVE REPORTED THIS YEARS AGO. *TR

NHTSA ID
10421243
Incident
Oct 1, 2004
Mileage
35,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Aug 16, 2011

I HAVE A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500 QUAD CAB 4X4 AND MY DASHBOARD IS CRACKING AND LOOKING LIKE A JIGSAW PUZZLE. IT STARTED WITH ONE CRACK AT THE WINDOW AREA AND NOW THEY ARE ALL OVER THE DASH. I HAVEN'T DONE ANYTHING TO CAUSE THIS TO HAPPEN, IT JUST CRACKS AND KEEPS CRACKING. *KB

NHTSA ID
10419741
Incident
Feb 1, 2003
Mileage
100,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Aug 10, 2011

FRAME RAILS ARE CORRODING. DRIVER'S SIDE HAS A 3' 6" SECTION OF BADLY CORRODED FRAME. THERE ARE HOLES LARGE ENOUGH TO PUT THREE FINGERS THROUGH. PASSENGER'S SIDE IS BEGINNING TO CORRODE. FRAME HAS NOT FAILED YET. *TR

NHTSA ID
10418383
Incident
Aug 7, 2011
Mileage
61,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jul 26, 2011

I OWN A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500. THE DASH IS CRACKING. SEARCHING ONLINE I HAVE FOUND I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH PROBLEM. I ALSO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH MY AIRBAG LIGHT GOING ON AND OFF. MY TRUCK HAS BEEN GARAGE KEPT SINCE I BOUGHT IT AND ONLY HAS 76,000 MILE ON IT. I THINK THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO WITH A RECALL SINCE I SEE SO MANY PROBLEMS OBSERVED ONLINE WITH THIS YEAR OF TRUCK. I AM AFRAID THAT WITH WIRING UNDER THE DASH IT MIGHT POSE A SAFETY PROBLEM. MY AIRBAG LIGHT DID NOT START GOING ON AND OFF UNTIL I NOTICED BY DASH CRACKED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10415256
Incident
Jun 15, 2011
Mileage
75,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jul 18, 2011

I HAVE A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500 QUARD CAB TRUCK. THE DASHBOARD HAS CRACKS FROM ONE SIDE TO THE OTHER.FROM THE FRONT OF THE DASH TO THE BACK OF IT. *KB

NHTSA ID
10413458
Incident
Jun 1, 2007
Mileage
80,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jul 18, 2011

I HAVE A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500 TRUCK. THE DASHBOARD HAS SEVERAL CRACKS IN IT FROM ONE SIDE TO THE OTHER. I SAW ON THE NEWS THAT OTHER RAM TRUCK OWNERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM *KB

NHTSA ID
10413454
Incident
Jun 1, 2007
Body & structure
Filed Feb 22, 2011

I JUST PURCHASED A 2002 DODGE 1500 QUAD CAB AND ABOUT A WEEK AFTER I BOUGHT IT THE DASH HAS CRACKED IN 3 DIFFERENT PLACES FROM WINDSHIELD TO FRONT OF DASH. I WAS CLEANING THE DASH AND DID NOT SEE ONE OF THE CRACKS AND CUT MY HAND ON IT. THEY HAVE VERY SHARP EDGES ON THEM. AT THIS TIME I HAVE NOT REPAIRED IT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10384056
Incident
Feb 20, 2011
Mileage
96,500 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jan 22, 2011

THE DASH ON OUR 2002 DODGE RAM QUAD CAB IS CRACKED FROM THE WINDSHIELD TO THE OUTSIDE MOLDING. IF I WAS EVER IN AN ACCIDENT THE PIECES WOULD FLY OFF AND PASSENGERS AND DRIVER WOULD SUSTAIN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. I CAN'T BELIEVE CHRYSLER CORP HAS NOT FIXED THIS KNOW PROBLEM. THEY NEED TO FIX THE PROBLEM AND BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE MAKE THEM FIX IT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10378274
Incident
Jun 1, 2003
Body & structure
Filed Jan 7, 2011

THIS IS MY SECOND COMPLAINT FOR CRACKING/CRUMBLING DASHBOARDS ON 2002 DODGE RAM 1500 QUAD CAB. FIRST COMPLAINT WAS MADE FEB. 2009 WITH FAILURE DATE OF JULY 28, 2008, ODI ID NUMBER : 10259545. I HAVE NOT SEEN ANY INVESTIGATION REPORTS ONLY CLIMBING CONSUMER COMPLAINTS. I CAN'T BELIEVE THERE HAS BEEN NO PROGRESS. MY FINGERS ARE CROSSED SOMETHING WILL HAPPEN SOON. *TR

NHTSA ID
10375166
Incident
Jul 28, 2008
Mileage
75,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Dec 27, 2010

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND HIT A POTHOLE. THE DASHBOARD CRACKED IN SEVERAL PLACES AND PART OF THE VENT FELL DOWN. *TR

NHTSA ID
10372588
Incident
Dec 3, 2010
Mileage
100,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Nov 4, 2010
1 injury reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 3500 QUAD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS CRACKING FROM THE WINDSHIELD TO THE MOLDING. THE CONTACT WAS CUT ON THE FINGER WHEN THE DASHBOARD CAVED IN AND HE ATTEMPTED TO PULL IT BACK OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE DASHBOARD WOULD BE REPLACED AT HIS EXPENSE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 160,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 140,000.

NHTSA ID
10364074
Incident
Nov 21, 2009
Mileage
140,000 mi
Body & structureSteeringSuspension+1 more
Filed Oct 21, 2010

I HAVE A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500 QUAD CAB 4X4, VERY WELL MAINTAINED AND WAS NEVER ABUSED. ABOUT 8 MONTHS AGO I NOTICED A CRACK ON THE DASHBOARD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. WITHIN SEVERAL MONTHS ONE CRACK HAD GROWN TO 6 CRACKS. THEN ABOUT 1 MONTH AGO THE AIR WOULD NOT FLOW THROUGH THE DASH VENTS ANYMORE. IN ORDER TO FIND OUT THE PROBLEM I HAD TO REMOVE THE DASH BOARD TO GET THE HEAT AND AIR SYSTEM. WHEN I REMOVED THE DASH BOARD IT CRUMBLED INTO ABOUT 20 PCS. UPON INSPECTION OF THE AIR PROBLEM I FOUND OUT THE BLEND DOOR THAT CONTROLS THE AIR TO THE DASH WAS BROKEN. SEEMS THIS IS A PROBLEM. I AM NOW HAVING TO REPLACE THE DASHBOARD, FRONT AND REAR PC AND THE 4 BLEND DOORS IN THE AIR SYSTEM. WHILE REPLACING THE SHOCKS I NOTICED THE RACK AND PINION WAS LEAKING EXTREMELY BAD WHICH HAS NEVER LEAKED BEFORE. NO NOISE WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL, NO WARNING LIGHT TO ADVISE OF THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10361536
Incident
Oct 16, 2010
Mileage
88,470 mi
Body & structure
Filed Sep 24, 2010

2002 DODGE RAM QUADCAB PU- DASHBOARD FALLING APART. NO EVENTS LEADING UP TO IT EXCEPT FOR DAILY USE. IT IS CRUMBLING AS I TYPE. PIECES COULD LODGE IN DEFROSTER TO CAUSE FAILURE. SEEMS LIKE A SAFETY CONCERN TO ME. *TR

NHTSA ID
10357357
Incident
Aug 16, 2010
Mileage
45,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Aug 28, 2010

DASH CRACKING AND COLLAPSED IN 2002 DODGE RAM 1500 CREW CAB TRUCK. THE DAMAGE CONTINUES TO GET WORSE AND NOW MY ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS IN JEOPARDY, ALONG WITH MY LACK OF PROTECTION THAT IS PROVIDED BY A SOLID DASH. *TR

NHTSA ID
10352467
Incident
Aug 28, 2009
Mileage
78,000 mi
Body & structureVisibility
Filed Aug 27, 2010

2002 DODGE RAM 1500 QUAD CAB PU. CRACKED DASHBOARD. SHARP EDGES COULD BE A SERIOUS ISSUE. ALSO, THE SUN VISORS FALL DOWN UNEXPECTEDLY CAUSING TEMPORARY LIMITED VISIBILITY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10352324
Incident
Feb 10, 2009
Mileage
84,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jul 13, 2010

2002 DODGE QUAD CAB 1500 THE DASH IS FALLING APART. IT HAS SEVERAL CRACKS AND THE VENTS GRATES ARE FALLING CREATING JAGGED EDGES WHICH COULD EFFECT AIR BAG SAFETY AND POTENTIAL WIRING DAMAGE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10343009
Incident
Mar 9, 2006
Mileage
89,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jul 3, 2010

THE DASH ON MY 2002 DODGE RAM 1500 IS CRACKING AND FALLING APART. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD IF THE TRUCK IS IN AN ACCIDENT, SHARP PIECES OF PLASTIC COULD INJURY PEOPLE IN THE TRUCK AND INTERFERE WITH THE AIRBAGS. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF OTHER REPORTS JUST LIKE MINE ON THE INTERNET BUT DODGE WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT BUT CHARGE THE CUSTOMER APPROXIMATELY $800.00 TO REPLACE IT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10341330
Incident
Jun 25, 2010
Mileage
107,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jun 28, 2010

2002 DODGE RAM 1500 . CRACKED DASHBOARD . DASH IS CRACKING SO BAD THAT IT IS STARTING TO GET HOLES . FALLING PLASTIC WITH JAGGED EDGES . EXPOSING WIRES THAT COULD POSSIBLE CAUSE SHORTS OR FIRES . *TR

NHTSA ID
10340337
Incident
Jun 1, 2009
Mileage
54,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jun 5, 2010

I OWN A '02 DODGE RAM 1500 QUAD CAB. DASH IS CRACKING WHILE DRIVING, ONCE I HIT A POT HOLE, A PIECE FLEW OFF AND HIT ME IN THE FACE. I WAS LUCKY THAT NO ONE WAS TRAVELING FROM THE OTHER DIRECTION. I COULD HAVE BEEN IN A HEAD ON COLLISION BECAUSE I JERK THE WHEEL TO THE LEFT WHEN THE PIECE HIT ME UNDER MY RIGHT EYE. I AM CONCERN THAT THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD THAN A COSMETIC PROBLEM. I BOUGHT A DASH COVER SO I WOULD NOT GET HIT AGAIN, BUT THE WEIGHT SEEMS TO HAVE ACCELERATED THE CRACKING. THE DASH PART COST OVER $700 AND IS MADE OF THE SAME MATERIAL AND THE PROCESS WILL REPEAT. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE!! PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM, THANK YOU. *TR

NHTSA ID
10334715
Incident
May 20, 2010
Mileage
150,241 mi

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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .