2002 Dodge Ram 3500

Routine

Owners filed 44 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the steering. It has been recalled 1 time.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
70,000 milesMedian miles at failure

32 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 10,00020,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Structure5
000
Steering4
000
Unknown or Other3
000
Structure › Body3
000
Fuel System, Diesel3
000
Air Bags3
102
Suspension2
000
Power Train2
000
Fuel System, Other › Fuel Injection System2
000
Vehicle Speed Control1
000

1 safety recall

Part 573 reports
Visibility › Glass, Side/Rear07E104000
Filed Dec 11, 20071,657 vehiclesSafelite Fulfillment, Inc.

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."

Risk. 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.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Fuel System, Diesel › Storage › Tank Assembly
Filed Feb 17, 2023TN

Installed transfer fuel tank in back of my pickup truck, two weeks ago after putting 45 gals of fuel in tank, next morning tank was empty. Removed tank and found the bottom of tank has many holes from defective aluminum plate which entire tank is made from. Contacted manufacture ( RDS Manufacturing, 300 Industrial Park Drive, Perry, FL ). Was informed that water in contact with bottom probably caused the problem, my thought is when the sheet of aluminum was made there was contamination in the process therefor causing porosity in the sheeting. There are thousands of these tanks out there on the road and this can't be the only one with this problem, fuel leak of this magnitude is very dangerous on our highways.

Steering
Filed Apr 22, 2019160,000 milesVA

WHILE DRIVING MY TRUCK ON AT LEAST 10 TIMES THE VEHICLE HIT A BRIDGE OR BUMP IN THE ROAD THE VEHICLE STARTS TO HAVE A DEATH WOBBLE I CANT CONTROL IT I TRY TO STOP ON A HIGHWAY ALMOST WAS HIT BY A TRACTOR TRAILER AND OTHER VEHICLES EACH TIME I HAVE REPLACED ALOT OF FRONT END EQUIPMENT AND IT HAS 6 NEW TIRES ALSO THE DASH EXPLODED IN ALOT OF PIECES ANOTHER SAFETY ISSUE

Unknown or Other
Filed Jun 14, 2017100,000 milesVA

THE DASH IN MY TRUCK HAS BROKEN PIECES ARE COMING OUT REALLY BAD LOOKS LIKE IT EXPLODED WITH THE AIR CONDITION TURNED ON OR THE DEFROST PIECES HIT YOU IN THE FACE DODGE REFUSES TO HELP RECALL THIS EVERYONE I KNOW HAS THIS ISSUE WITH THERE DODGE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE WITH MY GRAND CHILDREN WHO RIDE IN THIS TRUCK ALSO

Unknown or Other
Filed May 13, 2017OK

HAVE A 2002 DODGE RAM 3500 THAT I BOUGHT NEW AND THE DASH HAS DISINTEGRATED. THE PLASTIC IS DEFECTIVE AND HAS CRUMBLED INTO A MULTITUDE OF PIECES. THESE PIECES FLY OUT OF THE AIR VENTS INTO YOUR EYES AND ARE SHARP AND WILL CUT LIKE A KNIFE. THIS IS A DANGER NOT ONLY TO MY EYES BUT IT I WAS TO HAVE A WRECK THEY WOULD FLY AND CUT YOU. HAVE HAD TO REMOVE THE PIECES FROM VENTS THAT WON'T BLOW OUT THAT HAVE GOTTEN INTO THE AC/HEAT DOOR FLAP. I HAVE NEVER HAD A DASH ON ANY CAR OR TRUCK FALL APART LIKE THIS. IF YOU JUST TOUCH IT IT FALLS APART.

Engine
Filed May 9, 2017130,000 milesGA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 3500. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE SERVICE VEHICLE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD GET BACK WITH THE CONTACT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

Suspension
Filed Oct 11, 201648,500 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 3500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHOOK VIOLENTLY AND VIBRATED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED IN EITHER DIRECTION. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL INJECTOR BUMP AND LIFT BUMP WERE FAULTY AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE WAS REMEDIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,500.

Unknown or Other
Filed Jun 13, 201610,000 milesTX

MY DODGE 3500 2002 DASHBOARD HAS FELL APART CAVED IN I CAN SEE THE INSIDE OF THE RADIO, AIR CONDITION VENTS ITS AWFUL AND I HAVE BOUGHT A COVER AND JUST DEALT WITH IT BUT NOW I WANT TO TRADE IT IN AND I KNOW IT WILL EFFECT THE TRADE IN VALUE

Service Brakes
Filed Oct 6, 2015CA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 3500. THE VEHICLE WAS HITCHED TO A 2015 PJ GOOSENECK TRAILER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH IN RAINY WEATHER CONDITIONS, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED AND THE ATTACHED VEHICLE FAILED TO SLOW DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER HYDRAULIC LINE FRACTURED FROM THE BRAKE CALIPER. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE HYDRAULIC LINE HIMSELF. NINE DAYS LATER, THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE FRONT DRIVER HYDRAULIC LINE SEPARATED FROM THE BRAKE CALIPER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT APPLICABLE.

Air BagsCrash2 injured
Filed Jun 2, 201517,000 milesMD

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 3500. WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH AND MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED TO RESPOND AND WOULD NOT TURN. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A ROCK CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO FLIP ONTO THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED, BUT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED HEAD AND BACK INJURIES AND LACERATIONS TO THE ARMS. THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED HEAD INJURIES, CUTS, AND ABRASIONS TO THE ARM FROM THE GLASS. BOTH OCCUPANTS REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INSTRUCTED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP AUTHORIZED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY, WHICH INDICATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE TIE ROD, THE STEERING MECHANISM, AND THE DRIVE TRAIN FRACTURED ON THE DRIVER SIDE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE DEFECTIVE PARTS WERE REPAIRED SIX YEARS BEFORE THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN AN UNKNOWN MANUFACTURER RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,000. UPDATED 10/8/15 *LN UPDATED 10/15/15*BF UPDATED 10/18/2017*CN

Steering
Filed Jan 5, 2015165,000 milesAR

I HIT A POTHOLE AND OMG YOU CAN NOT BELIEVE WHAT CAME AND NOW I'M FINDING OUT THAT ITS CALLED A DEATH WOBBLE AND THE NAME IS CORRECT BECAUSE IT MAKES U THINK YOUR ABOUT TO HIT A TREE OR SOMEONE ELSE ON THE ROAD JUST LUCKILY NO ONE WAS COMING THE OTHER WAY BECAUSE I PROMISE U I WOULD HAVE HIT THEM DODGE NEEDS TO FIX THE PROBLEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!,!!!!!!! *TR

Steering
Filed Feb 10, 2014TX

TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 13V528000 (STEERING) AND THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN SERVICED BECAUSE THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE REPAIR. THE DEALER INFORMED THAT ONE REMEDY PART WAS BEING SENT PER WEEK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. JS

Air Bags
Filed Jul 19, 201319,000 milesIN

DASH STARTED CRACKING ABOUT 2007 AND IS NOT STARTING TO FALL APART IN BIG SHARP PIECES. IF AIR BAG WOULD EVER GO OFF I DON'T KNOW WHERE THESE PIECES WOULD END UP, HOPEFULLY NOT IN ME. *TR

Structure
Filed Mar 25, 201315,000 milesIN

DASH BOARD BROKEN AND FALLING APART. PARTS FALLING IN ARE VERY SHARP AND DANGEROUS. IT IS LIKE SOMEONE HOLDING A KNIFE IN FRONT OF YOU WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, HOPING YOU DON'T HIT ANYTHING. *TR

Steering › Linkages › Tie Rod AssemblyCrash
Filed Oct 23, 201243,566 milesMT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 70 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A MEDIAN DIVIDER, SLID AND THEN CRASHED INTO ANOTHER MEDIAN DIVIDER BEFORE FINALLY LANDING IN A DITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE TIE ROD FAILED AND CAUSED THE CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 43,566.

Structure › Body
Filed Aug 30, 201250,000 milesOK

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASH BOARD HAD DEVELOPED A CRACK AND THE ELECTRICAL WIRES UNDERNEATH WAS EXPOSED TO THE VIEW. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

Power Train
Filed Jan 5, 2012125,000 milesMO

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFT SELECTOR REMAINED STUCK IN PARK AND SHE WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT INTO ANY OTHER GEAR. THE DEALER DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Sep 23, 2011160,000 milesCT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE TROUBLE SHIFTING GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE AFTER REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000. UPDATED 10/27/11*LJ

Structure › Body
Filed Sep 11, 2011OK

MY 2002 DODGE TRUCK IS LIKE SO MANY OTHERS, THE DASH IS CRACKING AND CRUMBLING INTO THE ELECTRICAL WIRING BEHIND THE DASH. DURING RESEARCH IT SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH A LOT OF THESE DODGES AND ALSO A SAFETY PROBLEM, WHICH DODGE HAS CHOOSE TO IGNORE. I REALIZE THAT TO SUM THIS IS NOT LIFE THREATENING BUT WITH SOME OF THE COMPLAINTS AND RESULTS OF THE DASH FOLLOWING INTO THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS UNDER THIS FAULTY DASH , IT COULD CAUSE ACCIDENTS AND OR SERIOUS INJURIES. *TR

Steering
Filed Jul 14, 2011130,000 milesOK

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE OUTPUT SHAFT FRACTURED AND HE WAS UNABLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE THE GEAR BOX WAS REPLACED. THE DEALER DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 130,000.

Structure
Filed Jul 13, 2011SC

I BOUGHT A 2002 DODGE 3500 BRAND NEW IN 2002. 4 MONTHS LATER THE DASH CRACKED. I BROUGHT THE TRUCK TO THE DEALER SHIP SEVERAL TIMES WITH MY WARRANTY AND THEY REFUSED TO FIX THIS ISSUE. SINCE THEN TO NOW WE HAVE CONTINUED TO CONTACT CHRYSLER CORP. AND THE DEALERSHIP WITH THIS ISSUE TO JUST BE PUT OFF TIME AND TIME AGAIN. YOU PAY 33,000 FOR A TRUCK WITHIN 4 MONTHS THE DASH CRACKS AND DODGE TELLS YOU ITS COSMETIC YOUR BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY WILL NOT COVER IT. I FEEL IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE PIECES OF THE DASH CAN COME LOOSE AND THE DASH ITSELF IS LOOSE. *TR

20 of 44 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2012
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
2012366980Above average
2011225550Above average
2010150940Do not drive
2009105520Do not drive
200817311140Do not drive
200721014140Do not drive
20062571142Do not drive
2005196761Fatalities reported
2004214740Above average
2003286910Do not drive
2002 — this page44100Routine
2001130130Routine
200058151Fatalities reported
1999104161Fatalities reported
19981051100Routine
19971251120Routine
19961241100Routine
1995108160Routine
199470170Routine
199320000Routine
199210000Routine
19914000Routine

Compare every Ram 3500 year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Dec 11, 2007. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.