2002 Dodge Ram Quad 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 Quad 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
- Body & structure6827.5%
- Steering239.3%
- Electrical239.3%
- Engine228.9%
- Brakes187.3%
- Suspension176.9%
- Airbags93.6%
- Transmission93.6%
- Visibility93.6%
- Powertrain (other)83.2%
- Fuel system83.2%
- Tires & wheels72.8%
- Other / unspecified72.8%
- Interior & seats72.8%
- Exterior lighting62.4%
- Heating & air conditioning20.8%
- Driver assistance20.8%
- Seat belts20.8%
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
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
SIMULTANEOUS FAILURE OF THE INTER AND OUTER TIE RODS, UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS ON A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500 QUAD CAB. THE VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN USE AS A WORK TRUCK, DRIVEN ON DIRT ROADS AND CURRENTLY HAS 120,000 HIGHWAY MILES. RACK AND PINION IS LEAKING OIL, AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED IS COMING A PART. *TR
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
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
KNOCK ON MY DOOR FROM THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, SAID MY TRUCK BURNED UP. IT WAS NOT DRIVEN THAT DAY. ANY ELECTRICAL RECALLS FOR THIS VEHICLE? *TR
DASH IS CRACKING IN SEVERAL PLACES DROPPING PARTS OF DASHBOARD INTO FAN MOTOR TO OVERHEAT CAUSING INTERFERENCE WITH AIR CONDITIONER OPERATION. *TR
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
2002 DODGE RAM 1500 QUAD CAB HAS A SURGING PROBLEM AT HIGHWAY SPEED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL COME ON AND IT IS READ AS TRANSMISSION FLUID PRESSURE SENSOR. THIS WAS REPLACED WITH A FACTORY SENSOR AND WITHIN 2 WEEKS IT DID IT AGAIN. AFTER 200 MILES THE LIGHT WENT OUT AND THE SURGING STOPPED ONLY TO START AND STOP REPEATEDLY UP TO THIS DATE, 8/23/2010. HOW CAN A SENSOR REPAIR ITSELF? IMPOSSIBLE! MILEAGE AT FIRST CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS LESS THAN 100,000. ALSO DASH IS CRACKED TO A COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE LEVEL FOR THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE AND MILEAGE ON DASH AT 138,000 WITH CARE TAKEN TO KEEP IT CLEAN AND CONDITIONED. CRACKS BEGAN AT 85,000 MILES. WIPERS WHEN OPERATING ON HIGH WILL LOWER SPEED AND WILL CONTINUE TO CHANGE FROM HIGH TO LOW INTERMITTENTLY UNLESS THEY ARE TURNED OFF AND TURNED BACK ON SEVERAL TIMES. DO NOT CONSIDER THIS SAFE IN ANY WAY. INTERMITTENT WIPER USE WITH DELAY FEATURE SEEMS TO BE COMPLETELY OKAY. AIR CONDITIONER WILL ONLY BLOW COLD AIR ON DRIVER'S SIDE AND BLOWS WARM AIR ON PASSENGER SIDE. AFTER 45 MINUTES OF A/C USE, ROARING SOUND ISSUES FROM THE VENTS AND A GRADUAL DECREASE IN ALL AIR BEGINS UNTIL ONLY WISPS OF AIR ESCAPES FROM DRIVER SIDE VENTS.
STARTED IN 2005 WITH A BLOWN LIFTER AT 37000 MILES. IN 2008 THE LIFTERS,VALVES ON ONE SIDE BLEW AS DID THE HEAD. DODGE CLAIMED I WASN'T CHANGING OIL PROPERLY AS IT WAS FULL OF SLUDGE. THE OIL PUMP AND SUMP CLOGGED RESULTING IN ALL THE DAMAGE. $3800.00 TO REPAIR. IN MARCH 2009 LIFTERS BLEW AGAIN. COST $600.00 TO REPAIR. SHORTLY AFTER THAT THE OIL PRESSURE DROPPED. I CHANGED THE OIL AND IT WAS FULL OF SLUDGE. I HAVE BEEN CHANGING THE OIL EVERY 1500 MILES SINCE MARCH 2009 USING RINSOLINE TO TRY AND CLEAN MOTOR. IT STILL TAKES S 6-10 SECONDS AFTER START TO GET OIL PRESSURE TO MOTOR. LIFTERS ARE TAPPING AGAIN AND I AM SURE THEY ARE READY TO GO. I HAVE CHANGED THE OIL USING CASTROL SYNTEC 5-30 EVERY 3000-4000 MILES SINCE I BOUGHT TRUCK NEW IN 10/2001. I BELIEVE THE SLUDGE ISSUE IS DUE TO A FAULTY ENGINE DESIGN ON THE 4.7 L V8 DODGE USED. I KNOW FIND THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. I FEEL THE NHTSA SHOULD LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE. THANK YOU *TR
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
AT 65 MPH USING CRUISE CONTROL, DAYTIME, DRY PAVEMENT, GOOD WEATHER, BRAKE WARNING LIGHT AND ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED WITH WARNING CHIME. AT NEXT EXIT, OPERATOR TOOK VEHICLE TO REPAIR SHOP. TECHNICIAN FOUND RIGHT FRONT WHEEL BEARING ASSEMBLY WORN, ALLOWING TIRE/WHEEL ASSEMBLY TO BE MOVED 1-2'' FROM VERTICAL. VEHICLE HAD BEEN CHECKED DURING STATE INSPECTION LESS THAN 400 MILES PREVIOUSLY AND PASSED. A TOTAL FAILURE IN TRAFFIC AT SPEED MIGHT HAVE RESULTED IN A LOSS OF HANDLING/BRAKING THAT MIGHT HAVE CAUSED OR WORSENED AN ACCIDENT. FAILED PART IS AVAILABLE. VEHICLE HAS ALSO SUFFERED NUMEROUS PREMATURE FAILURES INCLUDING: FAILURE OF DRIVER HEATED SEAT, FAILURE OF ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP, NEARLY CAUSING ACCIDENT DUE TO ENGINE STOPPAGE AND LOSS OF POWER STEERING, FAILURE OF INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, FAILURE OF FRONT SUSPENSION COMPONENTS, AND DAMAGE TO SPARE TIRE DUE TO MIS-ROUTED TAIL PIPE. SOME OF THESE ARE MANUFACTURER DESIGN DEFECTS, OTHERS ARE TROUBLESHOOTING OR REPAIR ERRORS AT DEALER. TWO EVENTS (FUEL PUMP, WHEEL BEARING) MIGHT HAVE CAUSED ACCIDENT WITH INJURY/DEATH POSSIBLE OUTCOME. *JB
I HAVE LEES THAN 45000 MILES ON MY TRUCK AND THE BREAK PADS ON THE FRONT HAVE BEEN CHANGED SIX TIMES. ROTORS ARE FINE, THE LAST THREE TIMES THE PADS WERE CHANGED IN LESS THEN 18 MONTHS. WHEN GETTING THE PADS FROM A NATIONAL AUTO STORE THE COMPUTER BROUGHT UP BIGGER PADS THAT WOULD BE FOR MY QUAD CAB. THEY DIDN'T FIT AND I HAD TO GO WITH THE REGULAR CAB BRAKE PADS. I CONTACTED THE DEALER THEY CHECKED THEM OUT AND SAID IT WAS THE RIGHT SIZE CALIPER ON THE TRUCK. WHEN I TOLD THEM ABOUT THE AUTO STORE ONLY BRINGING UP THE LONGER PADS THEY OFFERED TO CHANGE MY ROTORS AND BREAK FOR A GREAT DEAL OF $400. NO THANK YOU. *NM
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
SIMULTANEOUS FAILURE OF THE INTER AND OUTER TIE RODS, UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS ON A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500 QUAD CAB. THE VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN USE AS A WORK TRUCK, DRIVEN ON DIRT ROADS AND CURRENTLY HAS 120,000 HIGHWAY MILES. RACK AND PINION IS LEAKING OIL, AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED IS COMING A PART. *TR
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
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY 2002 DODGE RAM 1500 HAD A SEVERE FRONT END IMPACT , THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY., RESULTING IN MY NECK BREAKING AND MY WIFE BEING INJURED . THE SEAT BELTS WERE IN USE ON BOTH OF US. *TR
I HAD NOTICED A CRACK IN MY DASH ONE DAY AFTER WORK AND NOW THERE ARE SEVERAL. THE ONE THAT CONCERNS ME MOST, IS THE ONE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OVER THE AIR BAG COMPARTMENT. I KEEP MY VEHICLE IN VERY GOOD SHAPE SO THIS PROBLEM IS NOT DUE TO NEGLECT. THE MATERIAL USED JUST SEEMS TO BE VERY BRITTLE AND I AM AFRAID IF ANYTHING WAS TO HAPPEN CAUSING THE PASSENGER AIR BAG TO DEPLOY, WHAT IS THE BRITTLE DASH PIECES ARE GOING TO DUE TO MY PASSENGER. I DO BELIEVE THIS COULD LEAD TO A SERIOUS INJURY TO SOMEONE'S FACE OR EYES. AS OF NOW CHRYSLER SEEMS TO BE SAYING THAT THIS IS NOT A MANUFACTURES PROBLEM, I DISAGREE, I ALSO OWN A 97' DODGE RAM TRUCK THAT DOES NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM. CURRENT VEHICLE IS A 02' RAM 1500. *TR
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 60 MPH IN THE 2002 DODGE RAM 1500 QUAD CAB THE TRANSMISSION LOCKED. THE TRUCK DISENGAGED FROM OVERDRIVE, AND THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT TURNED ON. HE PUSHED THE BUTTON TO ENGAGE THE OVERDRIVE. HE DROVE ABOUT ONE MILE AND THE TRANSMISSION LIGHT TURNED ON. HE HAD TO DRIVE ANOTHER 1/2 MILE TO GET TO SAFE PLACE. ONCE THERE HE PUT THE TRUCK IN NEUTRAL, SET THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ,AND HE CHECKED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. HE STATED THAT WHEN HE CHECKED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID IT SEEMED THAT THERE WAS TOO MUCH ON THE DIP STICK. HE TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE AND LET THE VEHICLE SIT FOR ABOUT FIVE MINUTES, CHECKED AGAIN., AND THE FLUID WAS NORMAL ON THE DIP STICK. WHEN HE RESTARTED THE VEHICLE ALL LIGHTS ON DASH SEEMED TO BE NORMAL. HE DROVE ANOTHER 100 MILES AND THE VEHICLE WAS FINE. HE STATED THAT THE NEXT MORNING HE DROVE TO WORK AND BACK HOME, AND THE NEXT DAY THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED. THE NEXT DAY THE OVER DRIVE OFF LIGHT TURNED ON AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. MHAD TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN FIRST GEAR AND DROVE TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS VEHICLE HAD 87,000 MILES, AND WAS INFORMED HIM THAT SOMETHING CAME LOOSE IN THE TRANSMISSION ,AND THAT WAS WHAT CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO SEIZE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER, AND WAS TOLD THAT MAYBE SOMEONE WILL GET BACK WITH HIM AT LATER DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 87879.*AK
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT ABOUT 60 MILES PER HOUR OR SO I LOST MY OVERDRIVE AND 3 RD GEAR OF MY TRANSMISSION. DODGE DEALER REPORTS THE VALVE BODY WENT OUT ON MY TRUCK IT HAD ONLY BEEN OUT OF WARRANTY BY ABOUT 3000 MILES. DODGE WOULD NOT WORK WIT ME EVEN THOU THEY ADMITTED TO HAVING SOME COME IT. SO I HAD TO HAVE THE VALVE BODY REPLACED. WHILE SITTING IN THE SERVICE AREA WAITING FOR MY TRUCK TO BE FIXED A CUSTOMER CAME IN TO GET A HEATER CORE FOR HIS 2002. GUESS WHAT LESS THEN A MONTH AFTER SPENDING 1300.00 TO GET MY TRANSMISSION FIXED THE HEATER CORE WENT OUT ON MINE . IS THIS COMMON OR AM I JUST THE LUCKY ONE? AS THE HEATER CORE FAILED IT DID DUMP ANTI FREEZE IN THE CAB OF THE TRUCK AND ON THE CARPET. I HAVE YET TO HAVE THE HEATER CORE REPLACED. *JB
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
BLOWS HEAT ONLY ON PASSENGER SIDE VENTS. BLOWS COOL AIR ON DRIVERS SIDE.
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.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
FUEL LIFT PUMP FAILURE, FOLLOWED SHORTLY AFTER BY A MAIN FUEL PUMP FAILURE (VP 44). THE CUMMINS 5.9 DIESEL DODGE RAM HAS ONLY 60,000 HIGHWAY MILES ON IT! AT 50,000 MILES THE REAR BRAKES WERE COMPLETELY WORN OUT TO THE POINT OF BEING DANGEROUS. *TR
VEHICLE STALLED ON FREEWAY - LOSS OF POWER - COULD NOT START. *TR
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE MOUNTING CABLE FRACTURED AND THE SPARE TIRE DETACHED FROM THE CABLE. THE SPARE TIRE LANDED ON THE PAVEMENT AND SKIDDED ACROSS INCOMING TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THAT THE SPARE TIRE WINCH ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT ORDERED THE PARTS AND INSTALLED IT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
DASHBOARD (BADLY CRACKED). AT THIS POINT THE DASH ON THIS VEHICLE HAVE BEEN BREAKING OFF LIKE A WAFER COOKIE AND EXPOSING THE COMPONENTS UNDERNEATH A/C ,ELECTRICAL,STEERING COMPONENTS. *LN
RECEIVING HITCH FACTORY INSTALLED WITH THE 2 OF THE 4 BOLTS MISSING ALMOST LOST TRAILER GOING DOWN THE ROAD. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
DASH ON 2002 1500 DODGE QUADCAB BOUGHT NEW IN 2003 HAS BEEN CRACKING FOR MORE THAN 3 YEARS. THE DEALER KNOWS IT IS A PROBLEM BUT THE FACTORY IS IN DENIAL. NOW IT IS CAUSING ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. MY LIGHT HAVE GONE OUT SUDDENLY. MY ALARM WIRING WAS CUT BY THE DASH AND THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. THE SPEAKER HAVE BEEN RUINED. IT IS NOW BECOMING A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
THE REAR DOOR LOCKS ON THE 2002 RAM 1500 WILL NOT UNLOCK WITHOUT HITTING THE BUTTON MORE THAN 8-9 TIMES. THIS WAS FRUSTRATING BECAUSE I PAID THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS FOR THIS TRUCK, AND I WOULD EXPECT THINGS LIKE THIS TO WORK ON FIRST TRY.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
ALL THE SUDDEN ALL REAR LIGHTS WENT OFF TOOK TO GARAGE THEY COULDN'T TELL WHAT WAS WRONG AFTER PAYING TO FIND OUT NOTHING AND THEY HAVING TRUCK FOR 2 DAYS AND DEAD BATTERY FROM TRYING A BUNCH OF [XXX], I BROUGHT IT HOME AND STARTED TO TRY FOR MYSELF IT WAS THE FUSE BOX OF ALL THINGS I HAVE NEVER IN MY LIFE HEARD OF HAVING TO REPLACE FUSE BOX ABOUT 500.00 , AND DASH IS CRACKED ALL OVER THE PLACE PRICED TO REPLACE COST ABOUT 700.00 I WILL WAIT TO SEE IF THEY ARE GOING TO REPLACE IT ALREADY HAD TO GET DEFROSTER VENT FIXED FROM STUFF FALLING IN THERE ,I HAVE SEEN A LOT OF OWNERS COMPLAIN ABOUT THESE THINGS GOING WRONG BUT I THOUGHT ONE MORE MY MAKE A DIFFERENCE . I WOULD HOPE THAT THIS IS RECALLED BEFORE SOME ONE GETS INJURED AND ALL SO THE BACK DOOR WIRING ON BOTH SIDES WENT BAD HAD TO REPAIR THEY I WOULD THING THAT IS A FIRE ISSUE BUT WHO AM I THE CONSUMER WE DON'T KNOW ANYTHING THAT'S WHY I A WOMEN FIX MY OWN TRUCK. HOPE SOMETHING IS DONE ABOUT THESE PROBLEMS.. *TR INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
REAR DOOR WIRING FAILURE CAUSING THE WIRES TO SHORT OUT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, SPEEDOMETER, DOOR LOCKS, POWER WINDOWS, DOOM LIGHTING. THE WIRING FAILURE IS DUE TO A POOR DESIGN AND POOR QUALITY OF MATERIALS USED ON BOTH SIDES OF THE READ DOORS WIRING SYSTEM BETWEEN THE B PILLAR CONNECTOR AND THE DOOR. THIS CAN BE IDENTIFIED BY REMOVING THE BLACK RUBBER BOOTH. *TR
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
A/C CONDENSER SHROUD FAN STOPPED. INTERNET SEARCH REVEALED THAT THE DESIGN WAS DEFECTIVE AND REPLACED WITH A NEW DESIGN AT A REPLACEMENT COST OF APPROX $500.00. *JB
AT 65 MPH USING CRUISE CONTROL, DAYTIME, DRY PAVEMENT, GOOD WEATHER, BRAKE WARNING LIGHT AND ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED WITH WARNING CHIME. AT NEXT EXIT, OPERATOR TOOK VEHICLE TO REPAIR SHOP. TECHNICIAN FOUND RIGHT FRONT WHEEL BEARING ASSEMBLY WORN, ALLOWING TIRE/WHEEL ASSEMBLY TO BE MOVED 1-2'' FROM VERTICAL. VEHICLE HAD BEEN CHECKED DURING STATE INSPECTION LESS THAN 400 MILES PREVIOUSLY AND PASSED. A TOTAL FAILURE IN TRAFFIC AT SPEED MIGHT HAVE RESULTED IN A LOSS OF HANDLING/BRAKING THAT MIGHT HAVE CAUSED OR WORSENED AN ACCIDENT. FAILED PART IS AVAILABLE. VEHICLE HAS ALSO SUFFERED NUMEROUS PREMATURE FAILURES INCLUDING: FAILURE OF DRIVER HEATED SEAT, FAILURE OF ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP, NEARLY CAUSING ACCIDENT DUE TO ENGINE STOPPAGE AND LOSS OF POWER STEERING, FAILURE OF INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, FAILURE OF FRONT SUSPENSION COMPONENTS, AND DAMAGE TO SPARE TIRE DUE TO MIS-ROUTED TAIL PIPE. SOME OF THESE ARE MANUFACTURER DESIGN DEFECTS, OTHERS ARE TROUBLESHOOTING OR REPAIR ERRORS AT DEALER. TWO EVENTS (FUEL PUMP, WHEEL BEARING) MIGHT HAVE CAUSED ACCIDENT WITH INJURY/DEATH POSSIBLE OUTCOME. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
REAR DOOR WIRING FAILURE CAUSING THE WIRES TO SHORT OUT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, SPEEDOMETER, DOOR LOCKS, POWER WINDOWS, DOOM LIGHTING. THE WIRING FAILURE IS DUE TO A POOR DESIGN AND POOR QUALITY OF MATERIALS USED ON BOTH SIDES OF THE READ DOORS WIRING SYSTEM BETWEEN THE B PILLAR CONNECTOR AND THE DOOR. THIS CAN BE IDENTIFIED BY REMOVING THE BLACK RUBBER BOOTH. *TR
WHEN GOING SLOW THIS VEHICLE WILL AT TIMES SHUT OFF WHICH CAUSES YOU TO LOOSE THE BRAKES AND STEERING. THE FIRST TIME THIS OCCURRED I WAS ON A 360 DEGREE TURN EXIT RAMP AND WAS ABLE TO POP THE CLUTCH AND GET IT GOING AGAIN. THAT TIME THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE DIFFERENTAL. IT HAS HAPPENED AGAIN REPEATEDLY CAUSING ME TO ALMOST RUN THROUGH A BAR ONE TIME WITH MY SON IN THE TRUCK. THE NEXT TIME I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THEY TOLD ME IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE COMPUTOR AND THAT DODGE WAS WORKEING TO DEVELOP A PROGRAM TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM. 8 MONTHS LATER THEY HAVE JUST COME OUT WITH THE PROGRAM AND I WAS JUST IN AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THE TRUCK SHUTTING OFF AND MY NOT BEING ABLE TO CONTROL IT AND HAVING NO BRAKES OR STEERING. IT IS IN THE SHOP TODAY HOPEFULLY BEING FIXED YET AGAIN
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
ON TWO OCCASIONS, UPON INSTALLING A CHILD SEAT IN THE MIDDLE SECTION OF THE REAR SEAT IN MY 2002 QUAD CAB DODGE RAM, THE PLASTIC TENSION CLIP ON THE SEAT BELT THAT HOLDS THE TENSION TO KEEP THE SEAT BELT IN PLACE HAS BROKEN. FIRST TIME, DODGE REPLACED FOR FREE, THE SECOND OCCURRENCE, 10 MONTHS & 14,000 MILES LATER THE CLIP BROKE AGAIN. THE SECOND OCCURRENCE, DODGE REPLACED THE PART, BUT NOT THE LABOR. FIRST OCCURRENCE TOOK PLACE IN OCTOBER OF 2004, AND SECOND OCCURRENCE HAPPEN IN AUGUST OF 2005. *NM
LETTER WRITTEN TO THE PRESIDENT OF CHRYSLER-DODGE ON 3/2004 REGARDING THIS IMPORTANT MISSING SAFETY FEATURE. DEAR MR. ZETSCHE: I PURCHASED A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500 QUAD CAB IN LATE 2001 OF WHICH I AM CURRENTLY MAKING PAYMENTS THROUGH CHRYSLER FINANCIAL. HOWEVER, THERE HAS BEEN A CONSIDERABLE SAFETY CONCERN OF MINE SINCE PURCHASING MY TRUCK IN LATE 2001. THIS CONCERN REVOLVES AROUND THE LACK OF BACK SEAT HEAD RESTS (RESTRAINTS) FOR THE MODEL YEAR IN QUESTION. I COMMUTE WITH MY THREE DAUGHTERS AGES 16, 12, 10, AND HAVE ALWAYS FELT THAT MY TWO YOUNGEST CHILDREN, WHICH RIDE IN THE REAR SEAT, ARE AT AN CONSIDERABLE RISK FROM HEAD INJURY IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. THE LACK OF THESE REAR SEAT HEAD RESTS (RESTRAINTS) PLACES THE BACK OF THE CHILDRENS HEADS DIRECTLY AGAINST THE REAR GLASS OF THE CAB. I RECENTLY VISITED MY LOCAL DODGE DEALER - PLANET DODGE IN MIAMI, FL. - AND LOOKED AT THE 2004 DODGE HEMI'S WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF TRADING UP MY TRUCK NEXT YEAR. I IMMEDIATELY NOTICED THAT ALL OF THE 2004 DODGE TRUCKS HAVE COLLECTIVELY INCORPORATED THIS SAFETY FEATURE FROM THE FACTORY. I PRESUME THAT THERE WAS A SAFETY CONSIDERATION WHICH ADDED TO THE DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF THIS ITEM. SINCE THESE SAFETY HEAD RESTS (RESTRAINTS) WERE NOT DESIGNED INTO THE 2002 DODGE RAM 1500 QUAD CAB THAT I PURCHASED. I REQUEST THAT CHRYSLER RETROFIT THE NEWLY DESIGNED HEAD RESTS (RESTRAINTS) AS A SAFETY PRECAUTION IMMEDIATELY. I WELCOME ANY OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS THIS MATTER FURTHER WITH YOU. THANKING YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR ATTENTION IN THIS MATTER TONY QUINTANA *LA
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 .