Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2002 Dodge Ram 2500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Dodge Ram 2500. The contact stated that the dashboard was fractured in several areas. The failure started small, but worsened progressively. The manufacturer was not notified of this failure and no repairs were made. The failure mileage was 198,000.
My 2002 Dodge Ram 2500 quad truck dash board started to crack about three years ago. When I checked with my dealer I was told that it would not be covered by warranty. Shortly later I was walking in a walmart parking lot and notice a 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 which had a dash board cracked worse than mine. I then made a trip to many used car lots--I found that seven (7) out of ten (10) 2001+ Dodge Ram pickups I checked had cracked dashes. I contact Dodge with my complaint and what I had observed in other Dodge pick ups and asked about any recall for the problem. I was sent the typical form letter that said sorry not under warranty nor recall. Now where cracks joined chunks of the dash have fell in leaving gaping holes with jagged edges. …
Have had nothing but trouble with my 02 Ram 2500 truck. Rear brake pads had nothing but rust holding the pads in place, had the turbo and fuel pump replaced, u-joints and yoke on 4wd shaft worn out and hanger bearing on rear drive shaft worn out at about 70,000mi, tail gate cable broke after only two years, when clicking from high beam to low beam occasionally all lights go out, cannot use heated mirrors because they will blow a fuse and I won't have any heat, and now all ball joints and tie rod ends are worn and need replaced. I bought this truck new with only 75 miles on it, when I had the fuel pump and turbo replaced at around 78,000 miles, my mileage increased from about 350 miles per tank to about 550 miles per tank of fuel. Highway driving is much higher mpg. Fuel gage no longer works, empty at half tank of fuel now. Was quarter tank and empty. …
2002 Dodge dashboard is completely failed. Falling in and creating sharp objects in behind dash and on floorboards. Pulled a sharp shard of plastic from my sons mouth 2 days ago that I had missed from the floor board. The plastic made his mouth bleed. I'm very glad he didn't try to swallow it. I hope others are aware of this and keep the small objects from the children also!! Dodge needs to fix this safety problem. Not to mention what all those plastic shards would do in an high speed impact scenario. Please let's get this problem fixed with all new reliable safe material. Dodge offered me a free dash the last time I called them however they wanted me to pay for labor. The product I asked is the exact same and has not been updated. I'm not paying for this to just happen again even if it is for labor only. …
Tl contact owns a 2002 Dodge Ram 2500. The contact stated that the clutch locked up and the vehicle was inoperable. While driving 55 MPH, it seems as if the clutch releases and the rpms increase before the vehicle begins to drive normally. The contact took the vehicle to a dealer approximately twelve times, but they can never duplicate the failure. The clutch has been replaced twice. The failure occurs intermittently. The current mileage was 35,000 and failure mileage was 500. Updated 01/24/08 the dealer stated wiring plug fuse blown, alarm will go off with key in ignition or not, pdc cover broken, difficult to start in cold weather, noticed a burning smell, and fuel injection. Updated 01/24/08
During a routine stop at red light on 55 MPH road the metal brake line ruptured where it is routed along the frame between the gas tank and frame. Rusted through, no way to inspect. Dealer reported this was a common failure on Dodge pick-ups. During this stop the pedal went to the floor, able to pump and get a little front brake, and the ABS and brake lights came on in the dash assembly. I crimped the line added brake fluid and limped to local dealer for replacement. Dealer knows about problem so Dodge has to know and should change material or routing of brake line. George the consumer provided a repair invoice. Updated 09/05/07
No "event" LED to failure. Issue is a potential safety issue that has been documented in an investigative report on www.local6.com out of orlando. My 2002 Dodge Ram 2500 quad cab has a defective dashboard that has begin to collapse. The report referenced documents identical issues leading to everything from electrical shorts and loss of lights during night driving to loss of vehicle operation. Problem is apparently widespread, specific to Dodge and expanding. Most vehicles are older than mine but cracks appear to be starting in the same place and all proceed to collapse. Scott cooper was the investigative reporter for channel 6 news.
Tl contact owns a 2002 Dodge Ram 2500. The contact noticed that the dashboard was abnormal in June 2008. In September of 2009, he was walking toward the vehicle and noticed a hole in the dashboard and that it was caving inward. The manufacturer advised him that they were unable to offer him any assistance since it was not a safety issue. The manufacturer later stated that they would pay 25% towards the repair if it was repaired at an authorized dealer. The vehicle had not been repaired. The current mileage was approximately 132,000. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000. Updated 1/11/09 updated 01/13/10.
I was maneuvering in a parking lot backing up and bumped into a lift gate on a truck then part of dash top came off and fell into lap ,later complete dash bezel fell off while going down road I had to grab before it got tangled up in steering wheel ,now there are cracks all in dash and glove box dash seems like its going fall apart I tried to get dealership that I purchased from to repair but they wouldn't do anything and have since closed this is a very dangerous situation I paid 40K for a truck that is falling apart Dodge/Chrysler should fix this and make it right very good truck otherwise.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Dodge Ram 2500. The contact stated that the dash board was cracked and was starting to collapse. Also, the contact mentioned that the left fuel pump would intermittently fail and cause the vehicle to independently decelerate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the technician diagnosed that the dash board, fuel tank and injector pump needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 70,000 and the current mileage was 92,000.
Body complaints in other Ram 2500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 2002 Dodge Ram 2500?
NHTSA has 40 complaints about the body & structure of the 2002 Dodge Ram 2500, 26% of the model year's 155 complaints. The component named most often is body (7 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Dodge Ram 2500 body problems?
No. NHTSA lists no body & structure recall for the 2002 Dodge Ram 2500. 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 2500 body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 62,000 miles, and 9% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 0 fires and 3 injuries to body & structure 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.