Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl contact owns a 2002 Dodge Ram 1500. While driving approximately 5 MPH the vehicle was hit by another vehicle on the drivers side. The vehicle accelerated full throttle and traveled 100 yards, and crashed into an electrical pole knocking it down. The vehicle continued to accelerate across a five lane highway and crashed into another vehicle. The vehicle rolled over on its side, traveled another 75 yards and then crashed into a brick building. The air bag did deploy. The contact sustained severe injures to the left side of his body and face. The contact was air lifted to a trauma center. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The failure and current mileage was 77,755.
Have had a cracked dashboard for quite some time now, I have filed a complaint before and could not get a resolution from Chrysler/Dodge. My dashboard has cracked to pieces causing a safety hazard. Finally my electrical systems have started to malfunction due to the pieces of my fallen dashboard falling on electrical components, there was a small short/fire that caused my cruise control to stop working and my dash lights also. I feel it has been long enough and something needs to be done before, someone not as lucky as me, gets really hurt from this safety hazard issue that has haunted us Dodge Ram owners for a long time. We need to get our dashboard replaced asap.
Dt*: the contact stated the speedometer needle malfunctioned by indicating high speeds as the vehicle was stopped in traffic. The ABS warning light and brake light illuminated intermittently. An independent mechanic was called and suggested a sensor May have failed. While the vehicle was parked over the weekend, the vehicle caught on fire. The fire department responded, and determined the fire started under the instrument panel on the drivers side, but had not completed the investigation. The manufacturer sent an investigator and photos were taken. Another parked vehicle was damaged due to the fire. A police report was taken.
The vehicle had gone into reverse and collided with another vehicle while depressing the accelerator pedal. The dealership was unable to duplicate the failure and could not locate the cause of the problem. The consumer shifted the gear to drive then stepped on the gas pedal, expecting to go forward, but it had gone backwards. The consumer jiggled the gear shift slightly and stepped on the gas again then it went forward. This problem occurred when the vehicle was started from park.
Dt*: the contact stated while the vehicle was parked in the driveway; the vehicle was running for about 30 seconds when the contact heard a pop and noticed there was a fire under the hood. The fire department was called and extinguished the fire. As a result, the vehicle was totaled. The fire marshall determined this was a product liability case. There were no problems with the vehicle prior to the incident. The contact used the cruise control twice a year.
Gas pedal stuck, and caused unintended accelerating while making a left turn onto a busy street. Vehicle spun out while my husband tried to get the pedal unstuck the truck spun out more and turned a 180 facing oncoming traffic back passenger tire hit against the cement median knocking the tire in and busting the axel.
2002 Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 5.9l was driving dow hey 10 when my back tries locked up couldn't get it in gear or out almost crash when got it on to side of road and stopped when it finally was able to go in a gear it was reverses and it would just make this god awful grinding nose truck was towed back home
When putting vehicle into drive, it accelerated backwards resulting in consumer hitting a parked Toyota truck. Dealer stated there was no solution because they were unable to duplicate the problem.
Tl contact owns a 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 pickup truck. The vehicle would surge over 200-500 rpms. She also stated that upon starting the vehicle and being in the park position, the vehicle would accelerate without intent. The fuel injection was cleaned and the throttle was replaced to no avail. The solenoid was also replaced and the transmission was cleaned; yet, that still didn't correct the failure. The manufacturer was contacted and would not take any liability for the failures. The vehicle was taken to back to the dealer for diagnostic testing; however, they were unable to produce any error codes or duplicate the failure. No repairs were made to date to correct the failure. The VIN was not available. The current and failure mileages were under 115,500.
Dashboard begin cracking and finally in a couple days of weeks broke apart completely as I had been in a crash.I called the company they said the warranty had expired.I told them I have 1992 Ford aerostar whose dashboard was completely .intact and that it was much older it had to be a structural defect. They offer to pay half which meant I had to pay 500.00 dollars, which I didn't have. I felt they should pay all of it. Also the airbag light is on and the RPM accelerate without me pushing the gas pedal.I took many times to the dealership and they said they would fix it but they never did.
Acceleration complaints in other Ram 1500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 2002 Dodge Ram 1500?
NHTSA has 22 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2002 Dodge Ram 1500, 3% of the model year's 815 complaints. The component named most often is cruise control (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for the 2002 Dodge Ram 1500, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 78,000 miles, and 31% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 3 fires and 2 injuries to speed control & acceleration problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.