Most common 2002 Dodge Ram 3500 problems
Share of the 44 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Dodge Ram 3500 complaints by model year
Best Ram 3500 years: 2002, 2000, 1999. Years to avoid: 2012, 2011, 2006, 2007, 2008. Compare all years →
What 2002 Dodge Ram 3500 owners say
Fuel & propulsion system
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.
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.
Body & structure
I own a 2002 Dodge 3500 1 ton dually and my dash has started to crack. I called my local Dodge dealer in claremore oklahoma ( melton Dodge ) and they gave me a number to contact the manf. With which is [phone]. I called them and they told me my dash would have to be inspected by a Dodge dealer to verify that the crack was not caused by me and then LED me to believe that they would make good on it. I took my truck to melton Dodge in claremore oklahoma and they did their inspection and found out the defect had nothing to do with me and it was in fact a Dodge defect. I called the manuf. And they told me that since it was not hindering the airbag and I had a 140,000 miles on it they refused to do anything about it. …
My 2002 Dodge Ram 3500 pickup dash board is cracking. First it started as a small crack and now it has become a crack almost a foot long. There are other cracks in the dash as well (around the gauge cluster). At times my low beam lights flicker on and off while driving at night. Nothing has been done about the cracked dash, I contacted my local Dodge dealer and they said that there was no recall on the item and they could do nothing. A new dash quoted $455.00 just in parts. That is far to much for a dash that should have not cracked in the first place, and for a truck that is not that old.
Steering
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. …
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.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2002 Dodge Ram 3500 a good car?
Based on 44 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2002 Ram 3500 rates better than average: 78% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Ram 3500 at the same age. It is one of the best Ram 3500 years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2002 Dodge Ram 3500?
The fuel & propulsion system — 9 complaints, 20% of all complaints for this model year, most often about fuel injection system. Next are the body & structure (9) and steering (8).
How many recalls does the 2002 Dodge Ram 3500 have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2002 Dodge Ram 3500. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Dodge Ram 3500?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2002, 2000 and 1999. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2012, 2011, 2006, 2007 and 2008. See the full Dodge Ram 3500 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2002 Dodge Ram 3500 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 70,000 miles; 41% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.