2002 Dodge Ram 1500 Pickup
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Body, Seats & Latches
Body, Seats & Latches leads by volume: 286 of 815 complaints (35%) mention it.
Complaints filed fell from 1,112 in 2001 to 815 in 2002.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | vs. 2002 Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 3,900–4,800 | 3,900–4,800 | 3,900–5,200 | 3,900–4,800 | 3,900–7,750 | |
| Combined MPG | 13–16 | 13–16 | 12–16 | 13–16 | 10–16 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 11–14 / 15–19 | 11–14 / 15–19 | 10–14 / 14–19 | 11–14 / 15–19 | 9–14 / 14–19 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 555–684 | 555–684 | 555–741 | 555–684 | 555–889 | |
| Complaints filed | 513 | 1,112 | 815 | 1,170 | 1,097 | |
| Recalls issued | 3 | 3 | 6 | 5 | 8 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 37 | 65 | 55 | 76 | 84 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 8 | 35 | 14 | 12 | 29 | |
| Injuries reported | 50 | 80 | 62 | 80 | 95 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 1 | |
| Configurations compared | 5 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 Pickup have?
6 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 Pickup?
Body, Seats & Latches: 286 of 815 NHTSA complaints (35%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 Pickup get?
EPA rates it 12–16 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 Pickup?
EPA estimates $3,900–$5,200 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (8)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 4-spd | 6 | 3.7L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD | 13 mpg | 18 mpg | 15 mpg | $4,150 | 592 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Manual 5-spd | 6 | 3.7L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD | 14 mpg (high) | 19 mpg (high) | 16 mpg (high) | $3,900 (low) | 555 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 4-spd | 8 | 4.7L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD | 13 mpg | 18 mpg | 15 mpg | $4,150 | 592 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Manual 5-spd | 8 | 4.7L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD | 13 mpg | 17 mpg | 14 mpg | $4,450 | 635 g/mi |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic 4-spd | 8 | 5.9L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD | 11 mpg | 16 mpg | 12 mpg (low) | $5,200 (high) | 741 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 6 | Automatic 4-spd | 8 | 4.7L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD | 11 mpg | 16 mpg | 13 mpg | $4,800 | 684 g/mi |
| Configuration 7 | Manual 5-spd | 8 | 4.7L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD | 12 mpg | 16 mpg | 14 mpg | $4,450 | 635 g/mi |
| Configuration 8 | Automatic 4-spd | 8 | 5.9L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD | 10 mpg (low) | 14 mpg (low) | 12 mpg (low) | $5,200 (high) | 741 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 80 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 99 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 1 |
| Fuel System | 7 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Electrical | 94 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 1 |
| Brakes | 38 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Steering | 44 | 6 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 94 | 9 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 51 | 25 | 0 | 25 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 22 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 286 | 5 | 1 | 15 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 85 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Other | 73 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (6)
WHEELS:HUB · Campaign 10E040000 · Aug 23, 2010
Defect: FEDERAL-MOGUL IS RECALLING CERTAIN CARQUEST, NATIONAL, AND PERCISION BRAND WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES, P/NOS 515073 AND 515073, SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT ON MODEL YEAR 2002 THROUGH 2008 DODGE RAM 1500 PICKUP TRUCKS. THE INBOARD ROLL FORM USED TO MAINTAIN THE HUB ASSEMBLY CAN FATIGUE RESULTING IN NOISE AND/OR WHEEL SEPARATION ON THE TWO WHEEL DRIVE (2WD) APPLICATIONS. THE RISK OF THESE ISSUES DO NOT OCCUR ON THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE (4WD) APPLICATIONS, AND INSTALLATION ON THE 4WD APPLICATIONS ARE NOT PART OF THIS RECALL.
Consequence: A VEHICLE CRASH CAN OCCUR IF THE WHEEL SEPARATES FROM THE VEHICLE.
Remedy: FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND TECHNICIANS WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED HUB ASSEMBLIES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL AT 1-877-489-6659.
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR · Campaign 07E104000 · Dec 11, 2007
Defect: 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 FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 205, "GLAZING MATERIALS."
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT(S) MAY BE SERIOUSLY INJURED BY SHATTERED GLASS.
Remedy: SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS RETAIL CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE GLASS FREE OF CHARGE. RETAIL CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT SAFELITE TOLL FREE AT 1-888-843-2906. SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS AND REIMBURSE WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS FOR CURRENT INVENTORY AND AT A SPECIFIED RATE FOR REPLACING THEIR CUSTOMER'S GLASS. WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT SAFELITE'S WHOLESALE DIVISION, SERVICE AUTOGLASS TOLL FREE AT 1-888-246-6298. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 15, 2008.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING · Campaign 06E024000 · Mar 17, 2006
Defect: 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, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 23, 2004. THESE ASSEMBLIES WERE MANUFACTURED AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR CERTAIN DODGE PICKUP TRUCKS AND SUVS. A SMALL PIECE OF MATERIAL FROM THE TUBE WALL COULD BE SUCKED INTO THE ENGINE THROTTLE BODY, WHICH COULD CAUSE THE THROTTLE TO BECOME JAMMED IN THE OPEN POSITION.
Consequence: A JAMMED OPEN THROTTLE COULD CAUSE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION OF THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH OR INCREASED STOPING DISTANCES WHEN BRAKING.
Remedy: K&N WILL PROVIDE OWNERS WITH A FREE REPAIR KIT ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 20, 2006.
TIRES · Campaign 03V504000 · Dec 11, 2003
Defect: ON CERTAIN 4X4 PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH THE SNOW PLOW PREPARATION PACKAGE, THE TIRES SUPPLIED ON SOME VEHICLES MAY HAVE GROSS AXLE WEIGHT RATINGS THAT SLIGHTLY EXCEED THE MAXIMUM TIRE LOAD CAPACITY AS DEFINED IN FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 120, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS."
Consequence:
Remedy: DEALERS WILL PROVIDE REPLACEMENT P245/75R16 TIRES TO MEET THE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY SPECIFIED ON THE VEHICLE CERTIFICATION LABEL AND ACCOMMODATE THE ADDITION OF A COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE SNOW PLOW AND HARDWARE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 22, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-992-1997.
STEERING:COLUMN · Campaign 03V078000 · Mar 17, 2003
Defect: ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR AT THE BOTTOM OF THE STEERING COLUMN CONTAINS AN UNDER-SIZED TERMINAL FOR THE HVAC BLOWER MOTOR CIRCUIT. LOCALIZED HEATING FROM CURRENT FLOW WITH THE BLOWER SPEED SET ON HIGH MAY CAUSE THE TERMINAL CONTACTS TO RELAX AND LOSE ELECTRICAL CONTACT. THIS CAN CAUSE THE HVAC BLOWER MOTOR TO BECOME INOPERATIVE.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE IMPAIRMENT OF VISIBILITY IN INCLEMENT WEATHER, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A WIRING HARNESS OVERLAY TO CORRECT THIS CONDITION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 15, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR · Campaign 03V077000 · Mar 17, 2003
Defect: ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, THE DETENT SYSTEM ON THE EXTERIOR MIRROR HOUSINGS MAY LOSE THE FUNCTIONALITY.
Consequence: THIS COULD POTENTIALLY AFFECT REARWARD FIELD OF VISION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A MIRROR DETENT RETAINER KIT TO CORRECT THIS CONDITION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 10, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.