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 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Dodge Ram quad cab. The contact stated that the dashboard was fractured along the air conditioner and heater vent. The contact was concerned that the front passenger air bag could inadvertently deploy because of the fracture. The contact stated that the air conditioner and heater vent were inoperable on the lower settings due to obstruction from pieces of fractured debris. The contact stated that the air conditioner and heating system would only function on a high setting. The contact also stated that the windshield defroster was inoperable. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed or repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer were contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 103,000. The VIN was not available.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Dodge Ram model r35. The contact was driving 5 MPH when smoke emitted inside of the vehicle and flames were visible from the hood. The failure caused the contact to drive into a ditch but there was no crash. The doors failed to open during the failure so the contact escaped by punching and shattering the windshield. The vehicle was towed to a private mechanic where the mechanic confirmed that the power disruption caught fire. The manufacturer was contacted. The vehicle was destroyed. The failure and the current mileages were 50,000.
The plastics used in the 2002 Dodge Ram interior are a safety issue. There is widespread evidence across the internet showing the dash breaking apart like mine. It is structurally unsound and Dodge should find a safe solution. If I got into an accident sharp shards of dash flying around is more likely to cause injury than the impact of the crash.
Craked dash, sharp metal and sharp broken chunks of plastic that used to be a dashboard. Not safe to drive this way! The parts if available are exspensive, why is this not recalled replacing using better safer products.
I own a 2002 Dodge Ram 2500 and for several years now, the dashboard has been cracked and is over time caving in. I brought this to the attention of boniface hiers Dodge in merritt island, fl and they said it was not under warranty and therefore would be my expense if I wanted it replaced. Recently, I have experienced problems with my lights and believe it May be caused by the dashboard issue. Our local news channel is running a story on this issue right now (www.local6.com, click on problem solvers)and has located several people throughout central florida that are having similar problems. I did not realize this was such a popular issue and I definitely feel something should be done to repair this problem. Some of the other owners are saying that the dashboard is causing problems with wiring and could cause headlights to fail. …
Dashboard on my 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 quad cab snapped in four pieces while driving over a speed bump. I searched for a dashboard on the internet and found a lot of complaints that this is happening to a lot of Dodge vehicles, even some 2006 models. It seems that the plastic that they used to make this dashboards its not durable at all. Thought maybe the south texas heat had caused the dash to weaken, but have also found out its happening in a lot of different zip codes. There is some vehicles that have holes on the dash that are in 18in in diameter, I have become very concerned about this issue, and have contacted Chrysler with no success on even taking a look at what happened to my vehicle, they are apparently not doing anything about it. …
I have a 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 quad cab 4x4, very well maintained and was never abused. About 8 months ago I noticed a crack on the dashboard on the passenger side. Within several months one crack had grown to 6 cracks. Then about 1 month ago the air would not flow through the dash vents anymore. In order to find out the problem I had to remove the dash board to get the heat and air system. When I removed the dash board it crumbled into about 20 pcs. Upon inspection of the air problem I found out the blend door that controls the air to the dash was broken. Seems this is a problem. I am now having to replace the dashboard, front and rear pc and the 4 blend doors in the air system. While replacing the shocks I noticed the rack and pinion was leaking extremely bad which has never leaked before. No noise while turning the steering wheel, no warning light to advise of the problem.
At approximately 25,000 on my vehicle, in the year of 2004, I noticed small cracks starting to form on the dashboard this progressed into much larger cracks, completely destroying the entire dashboard over the years. This was a safety issue, because small segments of the plastic material fell into the back of the dashboard causing failure of the air conditioner vents, defroster, and illumination of the dashboard lights. A recall should have been issued based on the thousands of complaints by dissatisfied owners. Chrysler corporation has agreed to repair the dashboard, but only if I agree to a $500 deductible, in which I have not agreed to, simply because I believe they are trying to charge me the difference between the wholesale and retail price, of the dashboard. I would appreciate any assistance in this matter. Thank you. ..updated 01/17/2013
Purchased 2002 Dodge Ram used. At first service interval, rack and pinion boots were leaking, main seal was shot. Also had manifold leak, along with a steering problem that causes shaking at 40 MPH. Steering problem still remains, and there is a loud rattle that the dealership cannot find. This vehicle has been a nightmare, most recently, my fuel pump decided to quit working. Also, the interior trim, namely the hand grips on the driver and passenger door have been replaced numerous times, due to the cheap plastic that is used as a holding ring. Do not purchase this type of vehicle. Have had nothing but headaches with the truck, from the simple things, to the expensive things...was just told that my head gaskets are shot as well, have spent thousands on this truck, with no returns, do not get this year/model of Ram 1500.
Tl contact owns a 2002 Dodge Ram. While the vehicle was stationery, the exterior body paint exposed a white spot the size of a softball. The defect was located on the driver's side door and the hood. In addition, there was bubbling on the exterior paint near the driver's side fuel tank. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer and they stated that the exterior body paint defect would eventually rust from the inner to the outer surface. The authorized dealer advised that the vehicle be brought in when it begins to rust and possibly repaired at no cost. As of July 24, 2008, the vehicle has not been repaired. The contact took the vehicle to an auto body shop for a second opinion. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 85,000 and current mileage was 89,000.
Body complaints in other Ram years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 2002 Dodge Ram?
NHTSA has 91 complaints about the body & structure of the 2002 Dodge Ram, 26% of the model year's 353 complaints. The component named most often is body (6 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Dodge Ram body problems?
No. NHTSA lists no body & structure recall for the 2002 Dodge Ram, 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 body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 75,000 miles, and 3% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 2 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.