10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
53,046 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2002 Dodge Ram 1500:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #20

Feb 182021

Ram 1500

  • 163,000 miles
2002 Dodge Ram 1500 4X4 5.9L was driving dow hey 10 when my back tries locked up couldn't get it in gear or out almost crash when got it on to side of road and stopped when it finally was able to go in a gear it was reverses and it would just make this god awful grinding nose truck was towed back home

- San Bernardino, CA, USA

problem #19

Mar 152006

Ram 1500

  • 35,000 miles
Dashboard begin cracking and finally in a couple days of weeks broke apart completely as I had been in a crash.I called the company they said the warranty had expired.I told them I have 1992 Ford aerostar whose dashboard was completely.intact and that it was much older it had to be a structural defect. They offer to pay half which meant I had to pay $500 dollars, which I didn't have. I felt they should pay all of it. Also the airbag light is on and the RPM accelerate without me pushing the gas pedal.I took many times to the dealership and they said they would fix it but they never did.

- Brownsville Tx., TX, USA

problem #18

Feb 142013

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • 176,000 miles
Gas pedal stuck, and caused unintended accelerating while making a left turn onto a busy street. Vehicle spun out while my husband tried to get the pedal unstuck the truck spun out more and turned a 180 facing oncoming traffic back passenger tire hit against the cement median knocking the tire in and busting the axel.

- Butte, MT, USA

problem #17

Jul 282012

Ram 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • 89,600 miles
Shortly after entering highway 281, my engine fell on it's face. I pushed the gas pedal but got nothing but RPM's from the engine. I began to move over to the right with no power, little steering, a dash full of error lights, and doing my best not to get hit by passing vehicles. Once I got to the side of the road, the engine wasn't running. I started the engine and checked my gauges. The check engine light was on, the water temp was near the red zone, and the engine sound like bowling ball in a dryer. There was fluid on the ground or smoke from the tailpipes so I felt it was safer to get off the highway with the truck. Near the exit, I pulled in a station where I checked the truck and top-off the water. The sound was like a dropped rocker arm. I had the truck towed to the dealer where they from the "factory" coating inside the oil pan had delaminated and was sucked into the pickup tube. The coating then plugged the screen and pickup tube. I called Dodge cares and they tried to blame me then the oil. I told them I've never used additives, always use mobil one, and I had receipts dating back to the day I drove the truck off the lot new. They claimed this was a non-issue and it had not be reported before now. I have always taken very good care of my vehicles and to be told a manufacturing error is my fault does not set well with me. Now I have to replace the whole engine because some engineer was dumb enough to coat the inside surface of the oil pan. I normally travel during the night into early hours of the day. What if this had happen while I was out in the middle of no-where. I'm handicapped; I couldn't have walked a quart of a mile for help. What if my 70-year mother had been driving my truck at the time! this could have been real bad!!! and then to be told it's non-problem. I have pictures if you want to see them.

- Mcallen, TX, USA

problem #16

Sep 012011

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • 114,000 miles
Have had a cracked dashboard for quite some time now, I have filed a complaint before and could not get a resolution from Chrysler/Dodge. My dashboard has cracked to pieces causing a safety hazard. Finally my electrical systems have started to malfunction due to the pieces of my fallen dashboard falling on electrical components, there was a small short/fire that caused my cruise control to stop working and my dash lights also. I feel it has been long enough and something needs to be done before, someone not as lucky as me, gets really hurt from this safety hazard issue that has haunted us Dodge Ram owners for a long time. We need to get our dashboard replaced asap.

- Mcallen, TX, USA

problem #15

Mar 102011

Ram 1500

  • 77,755 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Dodge Ram 1500. While driving approximately 5 mph the vehicle was hit by another vehicle on the drivers side. The vehicle accelerated full throttle and traveled 100 yards, and crashed into an electrical pole knocking it down. The vehicle continued to accelerate across a five lane highway and crashed into another vehicle. The vehicle rolled over on its side, traveled another 75 yards and then crashed into a brick building. The air bag did deploy. The contact sustained severe injures to the left side of his body and face. The contact was air lifted to a trauma center. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The failure and current mileage was 77,755.

- Watauga, TX, USA

problem #14

Nov 102009

Ram 1500

  • 115,500 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 pickup truck. The vehicle would surge over 200-500 rpms. She also stated that upon starting the vehicle and being in the park position, the vehicle would accelerate without intent. The fuel injection was cleaned and the throttle was replaced to no avail. The solenoid was also replaced and the transmission was cleaned; yet, that still didn't correct the failure. The manufacturer was contacted and would not take any liability for the failures. The vehicle was taken to back to the dealer for diagnostic testing; however, they were unable to produce any error codes or duplicate the failure. No repairs were made to date to correct the failure. The VIN was not available. The current and failure mileages were under 115,500.

- Wappingers Falls, NY, USA

problem #13

Oct 032009

Ram 1500

  • 50,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Dodge Ram 1500. When attempting to decelerate, he experiences unintended vehicle acceleration. After repeated brake application and shifting the vehicle into the neutral gear, the vehicle will stop. The vehicle not been inspected by the dealer. The current and failure mileages were 50000.

- Horicon, WI, USA

problem #12

Oct 232006

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 120,000 miles
: the contact stated the speedometer needle malfunctioned by indicating high speeds as the vehicle was stopped in traffic. The ABS warning light and brake light illuminated intermittently. An independent mechanic was called and suggested a sensor may have failed. While the vehicle was parked over the weekend, the vehicle caught on fire. The fire department responded, and determined the fire started under the instrument panel on the drivers side, but had not completed the investigation. The manufacturer sent an investigator and photos were taken. Another parked vehicle was damaged due to the fire. A police report was taken.

- Mabank, TX, USA

problem #11

Mar 142006

Ram 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 78,598 miles
: the contact stated while applying pressure to the accelerator pedal the engine sputtered. The check engine, airbag, and check gauges lights illuminated. The dealership was alerted. Updated 03/28/06

- Detroit, MI, USA

problem #10

Jan 122005

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 3,000 miles
When engaging the cruise control it would intermittently cause the vehicle to shift and advance to a higher speed. Dealer was notified via phone. The dealer or a repair shop made no inspection at this time. The vehicle has accelerated suddenly a number of times in the past 3 years. The cruise control was recently fixed but that was because it didn't work at all.

- Grayslake, IL, USA

problem #9

Jan 232004

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 14,275 miles
Speedometer stopped functioning. Found that sensor on top of differential was dislodged and oil was coming from differential. Took truck to dealer. Dealer replaced differential, pinion bearing, and sensor.

- Port Deposit, MD, USA

problem #8

Dec 302003

Ram 1500

  • 9,000 miles
When putting vehicle into drive, it accelerated backwards resulting in consumer hitting a parked Toyota truck. Dealer stated there was no solution because they were unable to duplicate the problem.

- Williams, AZ, USA

problem #7

Dec 022003

(reported on)

Ram 1500 6-cyl

  • 200 miles
The vehicle had gone into reverse and collided with another vehicle while depressing the accelerator pedal. The dealership was unable to duplicate the failure and could not locate the cause of the problem. The consumer shifted the gear to drive then stepped on the gas pedal, expecting to go forward, but it had gone backwards. The consumer jiggled the gear shift slightly and stepped on the gas again then it went forward. This problem occurred when the vehicle was started from park.

- Williams, AZ, USA

problem #6

Mar 132003

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 15,000 miles
Vehicle has lunged forward while in drive. Engine idle electronically advances while transmission in drive, driver must keep foot firmly depressed on brake to avoid accident. Also having significant electrical problems - specifically gauges do not function properly and horn/lights engage. Problems are intermittent.

- Abita Springs, LA, USA

problem #5

Oct 312002

(reported on)

Ram 1500

  • miles
No summary.

- North Richland Hills, TX, USA

problem #4

Apr 152002

Ram 1500

  • miles
We purchased this truck 2/28/02. By the end of March early April, the truck began to stall sporadically and has even jumped gears while in motion once. The truck has been returned to the dealership 8-9 times and we have been told everytime they can not duplicate the problem. Promises upon promises have been made to re-flash the computer system because we were told they (Dodge) think the trucks computer system is telling the truck to shut down. One time while riding down the road the truck lost complete power to all interior systems (I.e. air condition, stereo, windows) and we had to pull over. The truck has stalled both in reverse and in drive, the transmission has locked up on the dealership (in reverse). From Feb. 28, 02 to June 28, 02 the truck was in the shop over 25 days. On July 8, 2002, the driver side mirror completely broke and would spin around in circles. When we contacted the dealership we were told it was on a national backorder. While waiting for the passenger side mirror, the driver side mirror broke in the same fashion. All in all we had to wait until 9/9/02 to have the mirrors fixed. While waiting we had to tape the mirrors in place so we could see while driving. This was extremely dangerous at times and made it difficult to travel. We have stopped taking the truck to the dealership for now because we get now where with them or DaimlerChrysler/Dodge. I have since contacted the attorney general to help pursue this matter. When paying $30,000 for a truck and then being refused repair for a problem that can and has definetly altered the market value and our confidence that we have a safe truck to drive/ride in is in-excusable. After researching on the NHTSA web site we are not the only people complaining of these problems. Let's all get together and make Dodge stand up to their problems.

- Secretary, MD, USA

problem #3

May 022002

Ram 1500 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
When cruise control is set and vehicle goes on an upgrade or hits it will accelerate intensively. Consumer feels if on ice it could be very dangerous.. consumer states there are also problems with the transmission.

- Hales Corners, WI, USA

problem #2

Dec 262001

Ram 1500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
When vehicle is at a complete stop at idle, vehicle will quit running or rev up to 1000 rmps, and lurch forward. Contacted dealer, who informed consumer they were aware of the problem, and their quick solution was to leave air conditioner on.

- Oklahoma City, OK, USA

problem #1

Apr 122002

(reported on)

Ram 1500

  • miles
While driving and upon pressing brakes, vehicle will lurch about eight or nine feet.this has happened at least five times. Took vehicle to dealer, and problem has not been remedied as of yet.

- Lawrenceville, GA, USA