CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2002 has the well-known and documented problem with their dashboards falling to pieces, but it also has engine failure from oil sludge. That's a doube shot of awful in your morning coffee.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
58,066 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2002 Dodge Ram 1500 miscellaneous problems

miscellaneous problem

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2002 Dodge Ram 1500 Owner Comments (Page 1 of 4)

problem #67

Jul 132023

Ram 1500

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

To put it as simple as I can describe it is a death wobble. that occurs every time you hit a bump in the road, hole, or pot hole. This truck has always had this death wobble from factory. The reason why this is a safety issue is because it causes the steering wheel to go out of balance and go into other lanes in the road and potentially cause an accident.

- Mableton, GA, USA

problem #66

Oct 112021

Ram 1500

  • miles
While traveling at normal speeds approximately 40 mph a car ran a stop sign I t-boned them on their passenger side with my front end I hit them at approximately 40 mph my airbags did not deploy my face and chest hit the steering wheel and dash

- Pensacola, FL, USA

problem #65

Jun 142019

Ram 1500

  • 140 miles
Hello, I have had a problem with my Dodge Ram the fuel line system just cracked and caused my vehicle to catch fire and blow up while myself in my 7 year old granddaughter was in the vehicle my vehicle has been maintained since day one when I bought it brand new never having problems with it other than your will wells were never drilled out to drain the water in the back I would like to know if you have had other issues with this vehicle on the same incident. Myself in my granddaughter inhale very toxic fumes before we were able to get out the truck as it was on fire and inches away when it exploded.pics and report wont download thank you

- Bridgeton, MO, USA

problem #64

Apr 302019

Ram 1500

  • 86,402 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Vehicle will not go into reverse or drive. Will not come out of park. Stuck in driveway cannot move needs to be towed in for repair. He will turn but vehicle will not shift out of park.

- Plano, TX, USA

problem #63

Apr 122018

Ram 1500

  • 161,000 miles
The FCM and pdc are extremely bad on the 2002 Dodge. They corrode causing your brake lights, blinkers, headlights and emergency flasher not to work. Dodge should have been mandated to recall and replace both parts on every truck. The corrosion is do to the poor design of the pdc "fuse box" with holes in the bottom allowing water and moisture to enter the pdc and start to corrode. This in turn causing the FCM " front control module" to short out. This is a severe danger to the truck owner as well as other motorists and pedestrians on the road. This is a very serious matter and needs to be looked in to and fixed. I have personally experience this and have almost been hit several times by motorists behind me do to the fact my taillights quit working and my blinkers did as well. I have replaced my FCM and pdc 4 times already and each one shorts out after a year. That's $600-$1200 each time. Dodge is responsible for this problem.

- Corsicana, TX, USA

problem #62

Jun 062017

Ram 1500

  • 0 miles
My dashboard has hole in it. Its been cracking for a while and really didn't pay att

- Teaneck, NJ, USA

problem #61

Dec 062005

Ram 1500

  • 35,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

About 3 years after buying my new Dodge truck the dashboard started to fall apart, become brittle. Its currently in complete pieces. The vehicle has always been in motion and has always been protected from the sun. I know there are a lot of cases just like mine. Pictures will be available.

- Palmdale, CA, USA

problem #60

Jun 242017

Ram 1500

  • 9,658 miles
The dash is cracking and pieces fall down into the vent then when I turn on heat or air pieces come flying out hitting myself or passingers in eyes and face

- Ooltewah, TN, USA

problem #59

Oct 222009

Ram 1500

  • 140,000 miles
The dash and dash components are cracking and or breaking causing sharp edges and flaying debris. I have resorted to using gorilla glue and a dash mat to minimize these issues but it has gotten so bad that this is no longer sufficient. I have taken the truck to a dealer and I have had them inspect this issue. Please see attached.

- Rogers, AR, USA

problem #58

Jun 272017

Ram 1500

  • 117,000 miles
While having the evaporator replaced, the dash came apart in pieces. The pieces can not be put back together and reinstalled safely. The dash should not be made of a plastic that could break apart and cause damage in an accident.

- West Milton, OH, USA

problem #57

Nov 012013

Ram 1500

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Dash is falling apart causing the defroster to not blow air across windshield properly, so that the windshield does not defog. This causes visibility issues and a hazard.

- Lewisville, TX, USA

problem #56

Jun 062005

Ram 1500

  • miles
Dashboard of my Ram 1500 2002 has been breaking into pieces in the first 3 years. Started slow but eventually it's everywhere. I have asked at the dealership about this problem and found out on many occasions that they are aware but don't offer a solution or even a good replacement. Only to buy a new truck made with a better dashboard because the replacement they sell is only $900 but made with the same materials. Will be back at the same place with pieces of dashboards hitting our eyes, mouth or face. It is a danger to visibility while driving and a shame that a company can be allowed to use such low grade material that is sold to hard working individuals. I can accept if a few dashboards ended the same way but I've heard of too many being the same and that should be a recall before having someone go blind or die in an auto accident.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #55

Sep 142014

Ram 1500

  • miles
The dash has cracked in about 12 places.

- Loganville, GA, USA

problem #54

Dec 012010

Ram 1500

  • miles
Dashboard cracking and falling in to the air vents then being sent out a high rate of speed. Dodge has had a problem with the dash and there should be a recall on it.

- Knoxville, TN, USA

problem #53

Jan 012008

Ram 1500

  • 48,000 miles
2002 Dodge Ram quad cab sport 4X2 (1.)gas peddle has to be press down at all time in order for truck to stay on and once I let go of gas peddle truck stalls. (2.)first day I bought truck from dealership I ask, is that faint sound coming from transmission, I was told by Dodge dealer thats the sound transmission makes, I said really. (3.)interior top dash so thin sun is able to crack dash by its self with the hot heat and dash plastic is sharp and dangerous its become a hazard to all occupants or pedestrians, passegers. (4.)the whole back tail light found hanging tried to hook it back up its made of plastic components crack with no way of hooking it with nuts, so for now I tape it in place, it truly falls under a recall. (5.)ac works but no heater slite warm. (6.)mirror cover on passenger side has fallen off on freeway. (7.)all engine components seem to brake to fast due to being made of plastic clips wires not stable to hold on to devices once they brake off, some also crack off into devices, crack into devices which cause vehicle problems and issues that affect mulitiple hazards to truck speed, suspension, steering, fuel/propulsion, lighting, powertrain, brakes, engine, electrical, ele/ stability, rir bag, body, wheels, seat belt, visibility/wipers, in general all aspects has some kind of hazardous components that needs mandatory recalls.

- San Jose, CA, USA

problem #52

Jan 012008

Ram 1500

  • 48,000 miles
2002 Dodge Ram 1500 quad cab sport 4X2 1. gas peddle has to be press down at all time in order for truck to stay on once I let go of gas peddle truck stalls. 2.first day I bought truck from deal I ask is this faint sound coming fom transmission, I was told Dodge dealer thats a sound that trasmission makes, I said really. 3.interior top dsah so thin sun is able to crack dash by it self with the hot heat and sharp plastic and its now dangerous its become a hazad toall occupants or pedestrians passegers. 4. the whole back tail light found hanging tried to hook it back up its made of plastic components crack with noway of hooking it with nuts so for now I type it in place, its truly falls under a recall. 5.ac works but no heater. 6.mirror cover on passenger side has fallen off on freeway. 7.all engine components seem to brake to fast due to being made of plastic clips wires not stable to hold on to devices, hoses fall off, crack into devices which cause veichal problems and isusses that affect mulitiple hazards to truck speed control, suspension, steering, fuel/propulsion, lighting, powertrain, brakes, engine, electrical, elec, /stability, air bags, body, wheels, seats, seat belts, visibility/wipers, in general all aspects has some kind of hazardous componets that need mandatory recalls.

- San Jose, CA, USA

problem #51

Sep 142016

Ram 1500

  • 140,000 miles
Dash board started cracking and now is completely destroyed, parts of broken dash are falling into vents and obstructing blower motor. Dash will need to be replaced, no way to fix extensive damage. The damage gets worse every time I use the vehicle, damage has been ongoing for the past 12 months.

- Janesville, WI, USA

problem #50

Aug 032016

Ram 1500

  • 150,000 miles
Dashboard cracking and falling apart is hazardous when you cut air or defrost on debris and sharp objects fly in your eyes.

- Ninety Six, SC, USA

problem #49

Oct 102007

Ram 1500

  • miles
Dash board cracking all over...shed kept...help!

- Livingston, TX, USA

problem #48

May 032011

Ram 1500

  • 85,000 miles
Dash is cracked big pieces broken and falling in messed up air box so that air and heat don't come out hot or cold sharp pieces could fly in to your face.

- Winston-Salem, NC, USA

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