Most common 2002 Dodge Ram Van problems
Share of the 14 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Dodge Ram Van complaints by model year
Best Ram Van years: 1995, 2002, 2003. Years to avoid: 1999, 2001. Compare all years →
2002 Dodge Ram Van recalls (1)
Power train › Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Column shift
On certain van and pickup trucks equipped with automatic transmissions, the ignition/park shift interlock system May become inoperative. This can allow the shifter to be moved out of the "park" position with the ignition key removed (or in the "lock" position).
Remedy: Dealers will replace the gearshift blocker and bracket assembly free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during January 2008. Owners May contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2002 Dodge Ram Van:
Safety belt cinching latch plate
There are no injuries or fatalities associated with this alleged defect.while conducting this investigation, odi found that the subject cinches meet the load bearing requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard 208, and that many of the reported failures were due to incorrect child safety seat installations.
What 2002 Dodge Ram Van owners say
Body & structure
Took Van in for inspection and was informed that the entire frame had rust issues. Was told the front frame was so bad I should just park it as that anything from the radiator to the engine could just fall out with one good jolt. Did a little research and found this is a common problem with these vehicles as with the Toyota trucks. The body shop I took it to said he had 13 of them this year alone. I crawled under there and there are large areas of frame that has just disappeared. Either poor quality steel or improper rust prevention at manufacture point could cause this much damage. Company should be made to step up and replace the frames.
On 8/8/14, a loud banging sound occurred when going over bumps and railroad tracks while driving to work. At that time, stopped driving Van until were able to take it to bettenhausen Chrysler Jeep in tinley park, il. On 8/14/14. On the same date, we were informed the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The area around the sway bar is completely rusted away. The other areas of the frame show rust and corrosion which will eventually cause the steering mechanism to fail making the vehicle very unsafe to drive. The proper procedures were followed to determine if Chrysler would warranty the repair of this vehicle since they have experienced this same problem with some of their other vehicles. Van was transported to riverdale body shop, tinley park, illinois, to determine the cost of repairs. Chrysler was contacted. On 8/27/14 were informed Chrysler would not warranty this vehicle. …
Electrical system
This vehicle belongs to verizon communications. The Van had an under hood fire that originated in the ABS module area. The driver noticed smoke coming from under the hood of the Van while it was parked at a jobsite where he was working. He called 911 and extinguished the fire with a fire extinguisher. He disconnected the battery cables. Daimlerchrysler issued safety recall d20 in 2004 to address this problem but the recall repair has not corrected the problem. Verizon has had 29 incidents that occurred after the recall was performed. This is an unsafe condition that warrants further investigation and action.
All power stops to vehicle, shutting entire engine, power brakes, steering off. It occurs daily, whil edriving on roads/freeways, creating a seriously hazardous situation. Dealer previously replaced the power control module. Problem recently started again. Dealer wants to replace the PCM again at huge cost, but cannot replicate problem and inst sure the PCM is the problem. Might be faulty wiring, but dealer cannot tell.
Steering
On 8/8/14, a loud banging sound occurred when going over bumps and railroad tracks while driving to work. At that time, stopped driving Van until were able to take it to bettenhausen Chrysler Jeep in tinley park, il. On 8/14/14. On the same date, we were informed the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The area around the sway bar is completely rusted away. The other areas of the frame show rust and corrosion which will eventually cause the steering mechanism to fail making the vehicle very unsafe to drive. The proper procedures were followed to determine if Chrysler would warranty the repair of this vehicle since they have experienced this same problem with some of their other vehicles. Van was transported to riverdale body shop, tinley park, illinois, to determine the cost of repairs. Chrysler was contacted. On 8/27/14 were informed Chrysler would not warranty this vehicle. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Dodge Ram 2500 Van. The contact stated while driving 2 MPH the steering mount broke from the frame causing a faulty wheel alignment. The vehicle was towed to the contacts home. The contact inspected the frame and notice excessive rust on the frame. The contact called the manufacturer regarding the frame and the manufacturer stated there were no related recalls. The contact stated if he was driving on the highway at high speeds a crash could have occurred. The failure mileage was 140,000.
2002 Dodge Ram Van engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.9L 6-cyl | 3-speed automatic | RWD | 13 / 15 / 14 |
| 5.9L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 11 / 16 / 13 |
| 5.2L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 12 / 14 / 13 |
EPA ratings. Class: Van.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2002 Dodge Ram Van a good car?
Based on 14 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2002 Ram Van rates average: 26% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Ram Van at the same age. It is one of the best Ram Van 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 Van?
The body & structure — 4 complaints, 29% of all complaints for this model year, most often about body. Next are the electrical system (3) and steering (3).
How many recalls does the 2002 Dodge Ram Van have?
There is 1 recall for the 2002 Dodge Ram Van, the most recent from December 4, 2007 (column shift). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Dodge Ram Van?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 1995, 2002 and 2003. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 1999 and 2001. See the full Dodge Ram Van years comparison.
At what mileage do 2002 Dodge Ram Van problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 56,000 miles; 42% 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.