Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2002 Dodge Ram 1500, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Structure278
- Power train99
- Electrical system93
- Suspension71
- Unknown or other62
- Engine and engine cooling58
- Visibility51
- Air bags46
- Steering44
- Exterior lighting35
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 62 injuries and 1 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 13 variants: combined 15.0–20.0 L/100 km (about 12–16 mpg US), CO₂ 345–460 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ram 1500 · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 16.9 | 12.6 | 15.0 |
| Ram 1500 · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 17.8 | 13.3 | 15.7 |
| Ram 1500 · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 18.4 | 13.1 | 16.0 |
| Ram 1500 · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 18.3 | 13.4 | 16.1 |
| Ram 1500 Van · Van: Cargo · Regular gasoline | 18.1 | 15.5 | 16.9 |
| Ram 1500 4X4 · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 19.1 | 14.5 | 17.1 |
| Ram 1500 Wagon · Van: Passenger · Regular gasoline | 18.4 | 15.8 | 17.2 |
| Ram 1500 4X4 · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 20.5 | 15.1 | 18.1 |
| Ram 1500 Van · Van: Cargo · Regular gasoline | 21.4 | 14.7 | 18.4 |
| Ram 1500 · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 22.1 | 14.9 | 18.9 |
| Ram 1500 Van · Van: Cargo · Regular gasoline | 21.3 | 16.8 | 19.3 |
| Ram 1500 Wagon · Van: Passenger · Regular gasoline | 21.4 | 16.9 | 19.4 |
| Ram 1500 4X4 · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 23.0 | 16.3 | 20.0 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
ON CERTAIN 4X4 PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH THE SNOW PLOW PREPARATION PACKAGE, THE TIRES SUPPLIED ON SOME VEHICLES MAY HAVE GROSS AXLE WEIGHT RATINGS THAT SLIGHTLY EXCEED THE MAXIMUM TIRE LOAD CAPACITY AS DEFINED IN FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 120, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS."
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, THE DETENT SYSTEM ON THE EXTERIOR MIRROR HOUSINGS MAY LOSE THE FUNCTIONALITY.
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR AT THE BOTTOM OF THE STEERING COLUMN CONTAINS AN UNDER-SIZED TERMINAL FOR THE HVAC BLOWER MOTOR CIRCUIT. LOCALIZED HEATING FROM CURRENT FLOW WITH THE BLOWER SPEED SET ON HIGH MAY CAUSE THE TERMINAL CONTACTS TO RELAX AND LOSE ELECTRICAL CONTACT. THIS CAN CAUSE THE HVAC BLOWER MOTOR TO BECOME INOPERATIVE.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Dodge told its dealers about the 2002 Dodge Ram 1500: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 11010205 | Plate - Planetary |
| 10229256 | 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. |
| 10224768 | Connecting to the DRB III Emulator for Cummins Engines |
| 10223854 | Service - Four Piece Oil Pan Gasket All Cummins Equipped Vehicles ONLY - The replacement oil pan gasket can be a four piece gasket rather than a single piece gasket. This applies to Cummins 5.9L and 6.7L engines only. Installation: 1. Clean the oil pan T-joints.~ 2. Fill the T-joint between the pan rail/gear housing and pan rail/rear seal retainer with sealant. Use Mopar Silicone Rubber Adhesive Sealant or equivalent. 3. Apply a 2-mm [0.063-in] bead of Mopar Engine Sealant RTV Silicone Rubber Adhesive, to the oil pan flange.~ 4. The four piece gasket will need to be assembled to make |
| 10221686 | 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. |
| 10220101 | Use of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of aftermarket parts. |
| 10220099 | 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. |
| 10220097 | Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to structural repair parts usage. |
| 10191460 | Valve Body. These may cause over drive cycling. |
| 10191455 | Cummins Equipped Vehicles ONLY - The replacement oil pan gasket can be a four piece gasket rather than a single piece gasket. This applies to Cummins 5.9L and 6.7L engines only. |
| 10175743 | Disinfectant Solution Recommended for COVID-19 |
| 10175735 | 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. |
| 10169249 | Use of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of aftermarket parts. |
| 10169247 | 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. |
| 10169245 | Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to structural repair parts usage. |
| 10139596 | Part Description: Insulator on Lever Assy Manual Valve - Valve Body - RWD Transmission Issue Description: The manual valve insulator, attaching rivet and instruction sheet are now available as a kit. If the insulator requires replacement please order kit 68253161AA. Insulator only used on Auto-RWD transmission Note: The color of the insulator is not relevant for service. |
| 10139595 | Part Description: Insulator in Lever Assembly - Valve Body - Trans Issue Description: The manual valve insulator, attaching rivet and an instruction sheet are now available as a kit. If the insulator requires replacement lease order 68253099AA. Note: Insulator color is not relevant for service |
| 10139009 | 68069384A$, R8069384A$, 68086182A$, R8027067A$, RL002012A$ - Gasket, Cylinder Head Cover Before replacing injectors for Diagnostic Trouble Codes P0201, P0202, P0203, P0204, P0205, and/or P0206, please make sure that the wiring loom and/or connector in the valve cover gasket is not the root cause to your concern. In addition, make sure that the wiring attaching nuts are torqued to their proper value.~ |
| 10136906 | Part Description: Seal - Shift Shaft on RFE transmissions Issue Description: This seal (04799346) is replaceable with Seal Kit (68235551AA), which includes a seal and retainer. The Seal Kit is applicable to all (5)45RFE transmissions. |
| 10129008 | 82212076, 82203694 - Fabric Cleaner This "fabric cleaner" is not intended for sale in California, the otc states (Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington dc), and some ladco states (Illinois, Michigan, and Ohio). Mopar offers an alternative product (82213192) which is a water based product approved for sale in the aforementioned states.~ ~ Please inform the customer & your prep dept that spraying excessive amounts of the fabric protector on load floors will result in the breaking down of the adhesive (glu |
| 10015075 | NEW WATER PUMP FOR 3.7L ENGINE - NO LONGER COMMON WITH 4.7L. ADVANCED SERVICE INFORMATION #05-002. *TT |
| 10005515 | FINAL FITMENT OF THIS SUSPENSION KIT HAS REVEALED A POTENTIAL INTERFERENCE BETWEEN THE SUPPLIED TIE ROD END AND THE FACTORY WHEEL WHICH DOES NOT ALLOW THE O.E. WHEELS TO BE RE-USED. RANCHO IS RECOMMENDING 17 X 18 INCH WHEEL WITH 5 INCHES OF BACK SPACING (WITH UP TO A 35 INCH TIRE). *TT |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
REAR AXLE FAILURE
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation