Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
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).
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
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Dodge Ram 1500. While driving at an unknown speed, the contact's vehicle crashed into a second vehicle. The front end sustained significant damage, but the air bags did not deploy. The driver sustained a fractured neck, which required medical attention. A police report was filed and the vehicle was towed. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 129,000. Updated 12/13/16 the consumer stated he blacked out at the wheel, drove into a ditch, hit driveway, went airborne about 30-50 feet and landed in a ditch. Updated 12/20/16.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Dodge Ram 1500. While driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle crashed into a pine tree. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained injuries to the neck, back, and leg. The passenger sustained injuries to the neck, back, and left leg. The other passenger sustained injuries to the back and head. Medical attention was not required. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The VIN was unavailable. The approximate failure mileage was 195,982.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Dodge Ram 1500. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the contact rear ended the preceding vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. The driver and two passengers were injured and sought medical attention. The vehicle was towed to an unknown lot. The dealer was not contacted for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000. * updated 11/8/18
Driving and got sick passed out hit concrete wall at least 45 MPH air bags did not implode truck is totaled damage to truck is extensive very upset the air bags did not work any recalls on this thank you
On June 4th,2005 my wife had an accident in a 2002 Dodge pickup. On her way to work she was driveing around 45 miles an hour. Until a cat ran in front of her by reflax she tried to aviod the cat so she swerved to the right and struck a mailbox then she swerved to the left trying to gian control of the truck. Then while trying to gian control swerved back to the right going over a ditch and entering private property. Then she struck a pine tree which also struck some power lines. When she crashed into the pine tree the airbags didn't deploy also the seat belt didn't lock ethier. My wife hit the steering wheel with the chest and her elbows. Agter she hit the steering wheel she bounced back tothe set which caused her neck pian and left soulder and her left side of her lower back. Which lead to her damageing her lower back she was also taken to the emergncy room by an ambulance. …
I rented this truck from enterprise, I was blinded by an oncoming 18 wheeler and ran into a big truck that stopped in front of me. The first problem was the brakes locked up sending me into the opposite lane where an 18 wheeler was coming at me. I let off the brakes and did a controlled crash into the truck in front of me. The driver side air bag did not deploy causing me great pain and injuries that have yet to be fully determined. Lawyers told me that sine I was not killed I could never win a battle with the auto makes so once again the small guy gets the short end of the stick. I just thought by reporting this too you, you May be able to get this information out to other people who own this kind of defective product and possibly save a life. Thank you for your time. ***dimsii ivoq entry posted after 12/12/02 cut-over to artemis****770770
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.
I hit a tree doing 45 MPH no air bags deployed on either the drivers or passenger side of the truck. I had severe damage to my face and I am facing two more operations in the next year. Cause for air bags not deploying is unknown but Chrysler corp has checked the computer and found no codes in the computer to cause the air bags not to come out. The truck was a total loss. They have not found out why they did not deploy.
Takata recall. I was in a head on collision at 45mph with a rav4 that turned into me trying to get into a gas station. 12/05/2016 I had my seat belt on but neither airbag deployed. My insurance adjuster recommended bringing this to dodges attention. Even the police officer said that I should let Dodge know. The next page stopped working. I injured my neck and shoulders an also my right foot an knee
Airbag complaints in other Ram 1500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2002 Dodge Ram 1500?
NHTSA has 46 complaints about the air bags of the 2002 Dodge Ram 1500, 6% of the model year's 815 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (14 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags 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 airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 70,000 miles, and 10% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 24 crashes, 0 fires and 24 injuries to air bags 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.