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:
18 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
16 / 1
Average Mileage:
86,466 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 seat belts / air bags problems

seat belts / air bags problem

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2002 Dodge Ram 1500 Owner Comments (Page 2 of 2)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #18

May 312012

Ram 1500 6-cyl

  • 64,000 miles

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

Dodge collided with another vehicle in the front left and then the other vehicle spun around and hit the side of the Dodge. All safety airbags in car failed to deploy and no airbag check light was on during the life of the Dodge. Also the other vehicle was a Dodge and it had less damage and all airbags deployed in that vehicle.

- Wittmann, AZ, USA

problem #17

Jun 132007

Ram 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • 45,000 miles
5 years after manufacture of this vehicle the dashboards have gone from fractured to nearly completely dissolved. Through research this issue is applicable to all vehicles produced with this make and model. The issue has become a safety concern now that the air bags have become exposed and will not properly inflate if needed. Dodge has received more than 16,000 complaints and insists these faulty parts are the responsibility of the consumer. However they are more than happy to refer you a certified dealer with a replacement cost of approximately 975 dollars us.

- Okmulgee, OK, USA

problem #16

Aug 272010

Ram 1500 6-cyl

  • miles
Truck crashed into tree airbag did not deploy came face with steering wheel dash board, chest hit steering wheel and driver door hairline fracture of nose mouth wasbusted up and have problem with neck and back and large knot on forehad, ,truck was total out..,this is a 2002 Dodge Ram 1500, I would like to know why my airbag did not deploy.

- Lanett, AL, USA

problem #15

Jun 102009

Ram 1500

  • miles

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

Air bag light is on and will not go off.

- Hamburg, NJ, USA

problem #14

Feb 082008

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
A vehicle was left unattended on a hillside in direct sunlight after it had already hit a mailbox. I struck vehicle in left rear with my right front it totaled both vehicles. I was driving about 50 mph and never seen car prior to impact. It injured both passengers in back seat both front seat occupants were not injured but airbags never deployed.

- Cusseta, AS, USA

problem #13

Sep 152007

Ram 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 101,000 miles
Excessive cracks have formed in both dashboard pieces. The plastic has become very brittle and sharp pieces are beginning to fall into the wiring underneath. Nothing particular happened that caused it, they just appeared overnight. Conversations with the local Dodge dealer and Chrysler customer service yeilded no assistance. I am concerned of the sharp edges of the plastic falling into the dashboard wiring and causing electrical failures while driving or, in the event of an airbag deployment, shards of the shattering plastic impaling the driver or passenger.

- Jacksonville, NC, USA

problem #12

Nov 112007

Ram 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 136,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2002 Dodge Ram 1500. While driving 45mph, the vehicle collided into the driver side of a pick up truck. The air bags did not deploy at the time of the incident and there were no warning lights for the air bags prior to or after the incident. There was major damaged in the front of the vehicle. The collision caused the driveline of the vehicle to push towards the back of the vehicle. The failure and current mileage was at 136,000 miles.

- Fleming, OH, USA

problem #11

Mar 132006

Ram 1500 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 96,000 miles
I was traveling on a dirt road which is all we have in the area and the left rear tire blew out causing me to lose control of my 2002 Dodge Ram which then plowed over several trees and finally coming to rest head on in a group of 3 trees totaling my truck. The front end of the truck was more than extensively damaged and the air bag did not deploy causing neck and back injuries as well as my tooth being broke in half. Daimler Chrysler was notified and scanned the on board computer and stated that since no codes showed up that the air bags were fully functional.

- Altha, FL, USA

problem #10

Aug 172004

Ram 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 35,000 miles
Vehicle was involved in a head on collision with two light poles at 45 mph and airbags did not activate. The driver was knocked unconscious by the steering wheel and the passenger broke the windshield with his head. Only suffered minor injuries. Collision happened in Mexico.

- El Paso, TX, USA

problem #9

Dec 262004

Ram 1500 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving at interstate speed (70 mph), and switching lanes while on a bridge, the excessive bouncing and bad suspension of truck make me lose control of the truck. The truck pulled to the right and the rear end of the truck ended up spinning around, making a complete 180--- on a bridge!! I ended up slamming into the safety rail of the bridge. And the air bags didn't go off. Luckily, I wasn't injured. At first I thought the accident was my fault, but after talking to a few owners of this model, I figured out that many of us have had the same problems with this truck. The question is, why is this problem not being fixed?? I have talked to the dealer, and they just keep referring me to dealers from other towns.

- Pecos, TX, USA

problem #8

Aug 162004

Ram 1500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

While driving, the supplemental restraint light illuminated on the dashboard and remain on.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

problem #7

Oct 202003

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 22,400 miles
2002 Dodge Ram 1500 had a severe front end collison that totalled the truck and bent the frame into a diamond shape. Neither the passenger nor driver side air bags deployed. There was not a portion of the front end of the vehicle that did not sustain damage. Several body shops have stated that, that kind of collision is what the air bags are made for.

- Bay Minette, AL, USA

problem #6

May 252003

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • 11,000 miles
While traveling at 50 the right front tire slightly touched the gravel on an uneven parkway, and caused the driver to lose control of vehicle, the vehicle flipped and crashed. Upon impact, the air bags failed to deploy. The passenger was killed. When the tire left the road the consumer turned the wheel back to the left to get the vehicle back onto the road. The vehicle fishtailed in the rear and collided head on into the concrete culvert, flipped end over, and rolled upside down into a ditch. Neither air bag deployed. The consumer was told the size of the wheels should be redesigned due to the chassis. (the change of the center gravity caused the vehicle to be unstable)

- Onalaska, TX, USA

problem #5

Sep 262001

Ram 1500

  • miles
The clock spring was replaced 3 times, there was a problem with the door locks, speakers, and body scratches. Also no keyless entry as promised when the vehicle was purchased. Also the passenger door regulator was replaced, the roof seam leaked water

- Jamestown, NC, USA

problem #4

Mar 192003

(reported on)

Ram 1500

  • miles
The vehicle was involved in an accident, and the air bags failed to deploy.

- Manitowoc, WI, USA

problem #3

Nov 292002

Ram 1500

  • miles
At 25 mph our vehicle T-boned another vehicle traveling approximately 50 mph. The other vehicle is completely totaled, and there is extensive damage to the front end of the truck. The whole front end of the truck is pushed back and shifted to the left side of the vehicle, and the frame of the truck is bent. Despite the major damage, the air bags failed to deploy. Contacted Chrysler and repairs are on hold until investigated. Chrysler refuses to provide any information on the status of the investigation.

- Lawrenceville, GA, USA

problem #2

Nov 122002

(reported on)

Ram 1500

  • miles
Consumer called complaining about having problems with the alignment. Consumer also stated that the vehicle will not go straight. Dealer was contacted and stated that the aligment had problems. Also stated that has problems with the clockspring and it has been replaced four times.

- Masa, AR, USA

problem #1

Jun 162002

Ram 1500

  • miles
At 50mph vehicle crashed, and airbags did not deploy. Cause unknown. Dealer notified.

- Claremont, NC, USA

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