DODGE RAM 2500 · model year

2002 DODGE RAM 2500

210 NHTSA complaints, 14 crash reports, and 2 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2002DODGERAM 2500 carries 210 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 14 crashes, 3 fires, 6 injuries, and 1 fatality. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2002 RAM 2500 is structure with 29 filings, followed by fuel system, diesel (13) and unknown or other (13). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 2 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 20 investigation files overlapping the 2002 RAM 2500, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

210
Complaints
14
Crashes
3
Fires
6
Injuries
1
Deaths

Total Complaints

210 filings

Crashes Reported

14 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
STRUCTURE29
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL13
UNKNOWN OR OTHER13
STEERING8
STRUCTURE:BODY7
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION6
TIRES6
SUSPENSION5
SUSPENSION:FRONT5
AIR BAGS4
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM4
POWER TRAIN4
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL4
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR3
STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)3

Recalls (2)

06E02400015/03/2006

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

CERTAIN REPLACEMENT K&N FUEL PERFORMANCE KITS, P/NOS. 57-1509, 57-1511, 57-1511-1, 57-1517, 57-1517-1, 57-1527, AND 57-1530. ALSO, A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THESE KITS WERE SOLD UNDER THE MOPAR PERFORMANCE PARTS BRAND NAME (P/NOS. P5007069 AND P5007070). ALL KITS WERE MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 20, 1999,

07E10400011/12/2007

VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR

CERTAIN CURVED TEMPERED REPLACEMENT GLASS MANUFACTURED BY HANGZHOU SAFETY GLASS LTD AND SUPPLIED TO SAFELITE BY AUTO TEMP INC., IDENTIFIED AS DOT-430, AND SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN VEHICLES MAY NOT BREAK INTO SMALL PIECES AS EXPECTED OF TEMPERED GLASS AND FAILS TO CONFORM TO FEDER

Recent Complaints

20210413STEERING

I PURCHASED A 2003 DODGE RAM 2500 5.7 V8 4WD. MY STEERING HAS GOTTEN REALLY LOOSE OVER THE LAST WEEK. I BROUGHT IT IN TO DEALERSHIP FOR A PREVIOUS RECALL. AND THE TECHNICIAN TOLD ME THAT MY STEERING GEAR WAS GOING OUT AND THAT IT SHOULD NOT BE BAD.

Mileage: 122,153

20210413SUSPENSION

I PURCHASED A 2003 DODGE RAM 2500 5.7 V8 4WD. MY STEERING HAS GOTTEN REALLY LOOSE OVER THE LAST WEEK. I BROUGHT IT IN TO DEALERSHIP FOR A PREVIOUS RECALL. AND THE TECHNICIAN TOLD ME THAT MY STEERING GEAR WAS GOING OUT AND THAT IT SHOULD NOT BE BAD.

Mileage: 122,153

20200718ENGINE

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WONT ACCELATE THEN LOOSE POWER , THEN AFEW A FEW MINUTES DRIVES GREAT THEN NEVER KNOW WHEN IT WILL NOT ACCELATE DRANGE LOSING POWER LIKE THAT

Mileage: 70,000

20200718FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WONT ACCELATE THEN LOOSE POWER , THEN AFEW A FEW MINUTES DRIVES GREAT THEN NEVER KNOW WHEN IT WILL NOT ACCELATE DRANGE LOSING POWER LIKE THAT

Mileage: 70,000

20200718VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WONT ACCELATE THEN LOOSE POWER , THEN AFEW A FEW MINUTES DRIVES GREAT THEN NEVER KNOW WHEN IT WILL NOT ACCELATE DRANGE LOSING POWER LIKE THAT

Mileage: 70,000

20190916UNKNOWN OR OTHER

DASHBOARD HAS STARTED CRACKING AND SHARP PIECES OF PLASTIC HAVE BECOME LOOSE CREATING A POTENTIAL FOR THEM TO BECOME PROJECTILES IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. SEEMS MOST OF THE PLASTIC TRIM PIECES ARE BRITTLE INSIDE THE VEHICLES PASSENGER CABIN.

Mileage: 85,000

20190611VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

CRUISE CONTROL WAS ON AND USED ACCELERATOR PETAL TO ACCELERATE, ENGINE RPM WENT TO MAX AND SPEED INCREASED 20 MPH AND CONTINUED. TAPPED ACCERATOR AND TURNED OF SPEED CONTROL, SPEED CONTINUED. PUT GEAR IN NEUTRAL AND WORKED MY WAY TO ROAD SIDE. FOUND THAT CABLE FRAYED AND JAMMED AT HIGH RPM. DISCONNECTED CABLE AND HAVE NOT FOUND REPLACEMENT CABLE YET. PART DISCONTINUED

Mileage: 95,000

20180205CrashAIR BAGS

THE PLASTIC DASHBOARD AND RELATED UNDERPINNINGS AND SUPORT STRUCTURE FOR EVERYTHING FROM PASSENGER AIRBAG,RADIO, CLIMATE CONTROL AND VENTS, HEADLIGHT, MIRROR DEFROSTER, GAUGE POD, ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC PLUG, ETC. BEGAN DISINTEGRATING IN LARGE SHARP PIECES WHILE DRIVING. THESE PIECES CUT WIRING AND FLES FOR ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING AND ARE DISTRACTING AND DANGEROUS IN MULTIPLE WAYS WORSE IF IN AN ACCIDENT. I HAD TO REMOVE RADIO, AND DISABLE AIRBAGS FOR SAFETY. REPLACEMENT PARTS ALONE ARE POTENTIALLY IN THE THOUSANDS, NOT INCLUDING LABOR AND WIRING HARNESS REPAIRS.

Mileage: 149,000

20180205CrashELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE PLASTIC DASHBOARD AND RELATED UNDERPINNINGS AND SUPORT STRUCTURE FOR EVERYTHING FROM PASSENGER AIRBAG,RADIO, CLIMATE CONTROL AND VENTS, HEADLIGHT, MIRROR DEFROSTER, GAUGE POD, ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC PLUG, ETC. BEGAN DISINTEGRATING IN LARGE SHARP PIECES WHILE DRIVING. THESE PIECES CUT WIRING AND FLES FOR ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING AND ARE DISTRACTING AND DANGEROUS IN MULTIPLE WAYS WORSE IF IN AN ACCIDENT. I HAD TO REMOVE RADIO, AND DISABLE AIRBAGS FOR SAFETY. REPLACEMENT PARTS ALONE ARE POTENTIALLY IN THE THOUSANDS, NOT INCLUDING LABOR AND WIRING HARNESS REPAIRS.

Mileage: 149,000

20180205CrashEXTERIOR LIGHTING

THE PLASTIC DASHBOARD AND RELATED UNDERPINNINGS AND SUPORT STRUCTURE FOR EVERYTHING FROM PASSENGER AIRBAG,RADIO, CLIMATE CONTROL AND VENTS, HEADLIGHT, MIRROR DEFROSTER, GAUGE POD, ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC PLUG, ETC. BEGAN DISINTEGRATING IN LARGE SHARP PIECES WHILE DRIVING. THESE PIECES CUT WIRING AND FLES FOR ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING AND ARE DISTRACTING AND DANGEROUS IN MULTIPLE WAYS WORSE IF IN AN ACCIDENT. I HAD TO REMOVE RADIO, AND DISABLE AIRBAGS FOR SAFETY. REPLACEMENT PARTS ALONE ARE POTENTIALLY IN THE THOUSANDS, NOT INCLUDING LABOR AND WIRING HARNESS REPAIRS.

Mileage: 149,000

20171231UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THE DASH HAS CRACKED INTO SEVERAL PIECES THAT ARE NOW A HAZZARD OF FLYING SHARDS IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. ALSO THERE ARE HOLES INT THE DASH WHERE THE PIECES HAVE BROKEN OUT THAT CAN ALLOW DEBRIS TO FALL INSIDE THE DASH THAT CAN CAUSE FIRES OR ELECTRICAL SHORTS.

20171130STEERING

I AM HEARING A POPPING SOUND WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL, PLAY IN STEERING, TRUCK IS WOBBLING ALL OVER THE PLACE WHEN DRIVING ON UNEVEN ROADS, HISSING SOUND COMING FROM FRONT END WHEN ACCELERATING. PLAY IN STEERING GEAR BOX. THE CLICKING POPPING SOUND I HEAR WHEN TURNING STEERING WHEEL IS WHEN DRIVING OR NOT MOVING. I HAVE HAD THIS TRUCK PULL FAR RIGHT ON THE ROAD WHEN GOING ON UNEVEN ROADS.

Mileage: 144,222

20170912SUSPENSION

DODGE RAM "DEATH WOBBLE" OR SHIMMY PHENOMENON, WHILE IN MOTION AND ENCOUNTERING HIGHWAY ROAD SURFACE CHANGES.

Mileage: 128,392

20170523FatalPOWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT WAS A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER. WHILE A MOTHER WAS ATTEMPTING TO EXIT A 2002 DODGE RAM 2500 WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING, THE TWO YEAR OLD PASSENGER IN THE VEHICLE SHIFTED THE VEHICLE FROM THE PARK POSITION INTO REVERSE. THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS AND CAUSED THE MOTHER TO FALL. THE CHILD SUBSEQUENTLY FELL OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND WAS RUN OVER BY FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL. THE CHILD WAS TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE TO THE NEARBY HOSPITAL. THE CHILD WAS PRONOUNCED DECEASED UPON ARRIVAL. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE POLICE REPORT NUMBER WAS: 2017-6489. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE SHIFT INTERLOCK FUNCTION FAILED TO OPERATE AS INTENDED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 138,013. .UPDATED 09/07/17 *BF *JS

Mileage: 138,013

20170331UNKNOWN OR OTHER

TRUCK GARAGE KEPT FOR 10 OF ITS 14 YEARS. CURRENT MILEAGE 2017 = 90,000. AUG 2014 DASH BOARD BEGAN TO CRACK AND FALL APART - TRUCK HAD ONLY 79,950 MILES! PLASTIC PIECES FALL INTO DASH HOLES AND GET STUCK UNDER DASH AMONGST STEERING WHEEL, ELECTRICAL WIRES/CONTROLS, ETC. PLASTIC PIECES CAN FALL AT ANY TIME WHETHER IN MOTION OR STATIONARY.

Mileage: 79,950

20170306VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

WHILE TRAVELING ON I-5 IN PORTLAND, OREGON, I LOST CONTROL OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, IT WHEN INTO A "DEAD PEDAL MODE". I WAS ON A VERY BUSY SECTION OF THIS INTERSTATE AND HAD TO IMMEDIATELY FIND A LOCAL OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD NEXT TO AN ON RAMP. IT WAS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. IT WAS AN ELECTRONIC PROBLEM.

Mileage: 155,570

20170303STEERING

DEATH WOBBLE. EXPERIENCE WHEN HITTING SMALL/MINOR BUMPS IN THE ROAD OR RAILROAD TRACKS. VIOLENT SHAKING CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO KEEP YOUR FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO TRY TO COME TO A STOP. SHAKING IS SO VIOLENT THAT THE DRIVER IS BOUNCED AROUND IN THE SEAT, MOMENTARILY AIRBORNE AND ITESM IN THE TRUCK FLY AROUND. LAWSUIT WAS ISSUSED ON 2004 AND NEWER MODELS BUT AFFECTS OLDER MODELS AS WELL. WE NOW HAVE PAID $900 IN PARTS TO FIX THE "DEATH WOBBLE" THAT HAD WE KNOWN WAS AN ISSUE, WOULD NOT HAVE PURCHASED THE TRUCK. COMPLETELY UNSAFE TO DRIVE WHEN IT IS OUR DAILY DRIVER AND WE CANNOT AFFORD TO PARK IT AND PURCHASE ANOTHER VEHICLE TO REPLACE IT WITH. CANNOT SELL IN CURRENTY CONDITION HAVING A "DEATH WOBBLE". NO GUARANTEE THAT THE PURCHASED PARTS WILL FIX THE PROBLEM.

Mileage: 160,000

20170303SUSPENSION

DEATH WOBBLE. EXPERIENCE WHEN HITTING SMALL/MINOR BUMPS IN THE ROAD OR RAILROAD TRACKS. VIOLENT SHAKING CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO KEEP YOUR FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO TRY TO COME TO A STOP. SHAKING IS SO VIOLENT THAT THE DRIVER IS BOUNCED AROUND IN THE SEAT, MOMENTARILY AIRBORNE AND ITESM IN THE TRUCK FLY AROUND. LAWSUIT WAS ISSUSED ON 2004 AND NEWER MODELS BUT AFFECTS OLDER MODELS AS WELL. WE NOW HAVE PAID $900 IN PARTS TO FIX THE "DEATH WOBBLE" THAT HAD WE KNOWN WAS AN ISSUE, WOULD NOT HAVE PURCHASED THE TRUCK. COMPLETELY UNSAFE TO DRIVE WHEN IT IS OUR DAILY DRIVER AND WE CANNOT AFFORD TO PARK IT AND PURCHASE ANOTHER VEHICLE TO REPLACE IT WITH. CANNOT SELL IN CURRENTY CONDITION HAVING A "DEATH WOBBLE". NO GUARANTEE THAT THE PURCHASED PARTS WILL FIX THE PROBLEM.

Mileage: 160,000

20170128UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THE DASHBOARD HAS LITERALLY BROKEN INTO PIECES AND SHARDS 3 YEARS AFTER WE PURCHASED THE TRUCK. IT IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AS WE HAVE GREAT CONCERNS FOR THE SAFETY OF THOSE DRIVING AND/OR RIDING IN THE VEHICLE. THE SHARDS ARE VERY SHARP AND COULD EITHER PUNCTURE THE AIRBAG OR CAUSE HARM TO AN INDIVIDUAL IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. THERE ARE MANY VEHICLES WITHIN A PERIOD OF YEARS MADE BY THIS MANUFACTURER THAT HAVE ALL HAD THIS SIMILAR ISSUE. IT IS OBVIOUSLY DUE TO A DEFECT IN THE PLASTIC USED IN THE DASHBOARDS AND THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT OFFERED A RECALL FOR THIS REAL SAFETY ISSUE. WOULD THEY SETTLE FOR THIS WITH THEMSELVES OR THEIR LOVED ONES IN A VEHICLE WITH THIS ISSUE. THE DASHBOARD IS LITERALLY DISINTEGRATING.

Mileage: 30,000

20170111UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THE DASH IS CRACKING AND DISINTEGRATING AND THE SHARP SHARDS OF THE PLASTIC DASH PIECES ARE A SAFETY HAZARD.

Mileage: 1

Compare 2002DODGERAM 2500 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 1 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2002 DODGE RAM 2500 have?
The 2002 DODGE RAM 2500 has 210 NHTSA complaints, 14 crashes, 3 fires, 6 injuries, and 1 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2002 DODGE RAM 2500?
Yes, the 2002 DODGE RAM 2500 has 2 recall(s). The most common affected component is ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 DODGE RAM 2500?
The most-complained component for the 2002 DODGE RAM 2500 is STRUCTURE with 29 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL and UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
Is the 2002 DODGE RAM 2500 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.