Complaints
152
Crashes
21
Fires
4
Injuries
23
Fatalities
2
Recalls
0
Worst 2002 Dodge Ram Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#111 complaints
Air Bags:Frontal
Avg mileage:41,000 mi
Crash-related:9
#29 complaints
Structural Problems
Avg mileage:81,000 mi
#37 complaints
Automatic Transmission
Avg mileage:65,000 mi
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2002 Dodge Ram.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags:Frontal | 11 | 9 | — | 41,000 mi | |
| Structural Problems | 9 | — | — | 81,000 mi | |
| Automatic Transmission | 7 | — | — | 65,000 mi | |
| Suspension Failures | 7 | — | — | 2,700 mi | |
| Engine & Cooling | 6 | — | 1 | 30,600 mi | |
| Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/Devices:Exterior | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Airbags | 4 | 3 | — | — | |
| Other Equipment | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Body Structure | 3 | — | 1 | — | |
| Suspension:Front | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension:Rear | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System | 2 | — | 1 | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Lever And Linkage:Column Shift | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Head Restraint | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Steering:Gear Box:Shaft Sector | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Steering:Rack And Pinion | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Structure:Body:Door | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Defects | 2 | — | — | — |
Air Bags:Frontal
11
complaints
Crashes
9
Fires
—
Avg Miles
41,000
Structural Problems
9
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
81,000
Automatic Transmission
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
65,000
Suspension Failures
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
2,700
Engine & Cooling
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
30,600
Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/Devices:Exterior
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Airbags
4
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Other Equipment
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Hydraulic Brakes
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering Defects
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Body Structure
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Front
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Rear
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical Faults
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Transmission / Drivetrain
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Lever And Linkage:Column Shift
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seats:Front Assembly:Head Restraint
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering:Gear Box:Shaft Sector
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering:Rack And Pinion
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Body:Door
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Tire Defects
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2002 Dodge Ram. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Dodge Ram Years
2002 Dodge Ram — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2002 Dodge Ram reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 2002 Dodge Ram has 152 NHTSA complaints, 21 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Air Bags:Frontal with 11 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2002 Dodge Ram?
Top reported problems: Air Bags:Frontal (11 complaints, avg 41,000 mi); Structural Problems (9 complaints, avg 81,000 mi); Automatic Transmission (7 complaints, avg 65,000 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2002 Dodge Ram?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 45,938 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2002 Dodge Ram?
NHTSA complaints for the 2002 Dodge Ram include 21 crash-related reports, 4 fire reports, 23 injuries, and 2 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2002 Dodge Ram have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 2002 Dodge Ram as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 2002 Dodge Ram?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Dodge Ram reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2002 Dodge Ram
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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