Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
Rear end locked up going down highway at approximately 45 MPH, sent me sliding into the slow lane and then off of the highway into a driveway coming to a halting stop with my tailgate was still partially in a heavily traveled highway. The driveshaft also dropped down and eventually came completely off and I had to call a roll back to come get truck. I have had this 2002 truck for the past 11 years and I have never been notified by dodage that this could be a major issue. All in all it has been a good truck. This incident really scared me, as I work out of this truck with my business and now I have to suffer a loss for not being able to work until I spend a good some of money to fix this issue so I am able to use it again.
Bought truck in 2009. Drive a couple times a week. Transmission has went out 5 times now including this morning. Was told by a coworker that theres ab issue with the dodgers not circulating fluid when idling in gear.??? Either way this will be the 5th time in 10 years taking it to get rebuilt!!!! Which has been 2,500.00 to 4,000.00 each time!!! Really bout to give up on Dodge
Currently own a 2002 Dodge Ram quad cab. I have had numerous problems with my truck. I myself have also experienced the same problems with the transmission jerking as well as the vehicle completely shutting off when idling (and not even at long periods of time). At times when putting into reverse, the vehicle will not move at all and I have to completely shut off the truck and restart it to get it to move. I haven't had it reported at the dealer yet because they will be unable to duplicate. Just noticed a problem with my rear taillights. At different times, different bulbs would seem to go out causing the "lamp out" indicator lamp to illuminate. When I went to change the bulb myself (cause bulbs are not warranty), I found that the sockets were causing the bulb housing to melt inside the sockets as well as on the bulbs. …
Tl*- the contact stated that while driving at about 60 MPH in the 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 quad cab the transmission locked. The truck disengaged from overdrive, and the overdrive light turned on. He pushed the button to engage the overdrive. He drove about one mile and the transmission light turned on. He had to drive another 1/2 mile to get to safe place. Once there he put the truck in neutral, set the emergency brake ,and he checked the transmission fluid. He stated that when he checked the transmission fluid it seemed that there was too much on the dip stick. He turned off the vehicle and let the vehicle sit for about five minutes, checked again., and the fluid was normal on the dip stick. When he restarted the vehicle all lights on dash seemed to be normal. He drove another 100 miles and the vehicle was fine. …
2002 Dodge Ram 1500 quad cab has a surging problem at highway speed. The check engine light will come on and it is read as transmission fluid pressure sensor. This was replaced with a factory sensor and within 2 weeks it did it again. After 200 miles the light went out and the surging stopped only to start and stop repeatedly up to this date, 8/23/2010. How can a sensor repair itself? Impossible! Mileage at first check engine light was less than 100,000. Also dash is cracked to a completely unacceptable level for the age of the vehicle and mileage on dash at 138,000 with care taken to keep it clean and conditioned. Cracks began at 85,000 miles. Wipers when operating on high will lower speed and will continue to change from high to low intermittently unless they are turned off and turned back on several times. Do not consider this safe in any way. …
At 65 MPH using cruise control, daytime, dry pavement, good weather, brake warning light and ABS warning light illuminated with warning chime. At next exit, operator took vehicle to repair shop. Technician found right front wheel bearing assembly worn, allowing tire/wheel assembly to be moved 1-2'' from vertical. Vehicle had been checked during state inspection less than 400 miles previously and passed. A total failure in traffic at speed might have resulted in a loss of handling/braking that might have caused or worsened an accident. Failed part is available. Vehicle has also suffered numerous premature failures including: failure of driver heated seat, failure of electric fuel pump, nearly causing accident due to engine stoppage and loss of power steering, failure of instrument cluster, failure of front suspension components, and damage to spare tire due to mis-routed tail pipe. …
Transmission will not shift into first gear when putting in drive. Feels like it's starting off in third gear or something. Works if you put it in first gear, or second, just not drive. It happened all at once for no reason. Also air conditioning only works when moving. If you stop it doesn't work. I have had the freon checked and is okay. And now just today, it died for no reason. I stopped at the bank to make an overnight deposit, when back to my truck, and turned the key and nothing. Just like that. I had to walk at least a 1/2 mile to the nearest phone to have my son come get me. We jumped the vehicle and it started. But the instrument lights were flashing. Than just before I got home, the check gauges light came on and the battery gauge was at the highest level. It had no prior problems. One more thing, I have had the shocks replaced 5 times in front. …
Excessive stoplamp failures, replaced lamps due to melting of base repeatedly,4th time in 8 mos. No service kit or upgrades available, check Chevy, same tail light board set-up, same problems, perhaps they have a bulletin on problem? Severe shaking under braking, started at 15K miles, servicer refuses to cover under warranty (12K warranty), have found numerous issues with these rotors. Severe shaking on sweeping right hand freeway turns, presently scheduled for service at antioch/delta Dodge. Engine intermittently stalling, unable to duplicate problem when in for service, not noted on service tickets. Independent front end leakage, presently scheduled for service at antioch/delta Dodge. …
I took my truck to have an oil change and 60,000 mile service at the dealer. I was told that the rear end needed to be overhauled because the brackets to my rear differential were broken, and if I did not have it repaired, the brackets would fall down into the spider gears and while I was driving, it would cause the truck to lock up. I took it to get another opinion and was told the same thing. I was also told that if they repaired it back to the way it was manufactured, I would continue to have the same problem. I went online to http://www.minerich.com/dodge_ram.htm and read numerous reports of people with the same problem and had to have it repaired more than once. The shop I took it to did not restore it to the way it was manufactured, but instead fixed the problem so that it would not happen again. This truck is only used to be driven back and forth to work.
Ongoing vibration in rear axle at highway speeds. Dodge has rotated and rebalanced original tires, had Goodyear replace all 4 tires with new tires 3 times, has sent the truck to big-o for road force balancing 3 times, has rebalanced original driveshaft and then replaced the driveshaft with a new one all to no avail. Has been in for repairs 14 times so far. The final time Goodyear replaced the tires, their store manager performed his own test for vibration. He mounted and balanced the new tires and then put the truck into the air on a hydraulic lift taking it up to highway speed. He noted the vibration, then removed the tires from the wheels, still noted the vibration and then removed the wheels from the axle and still noted the vibration. This was noted to both repair dealers, also to no avail.
Related recalls
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.
Power train › Axle assembly
On certain 4x4 pickup trucks, the rear axle flange weld to the axle tube could fatigue and allow the brake caliper assembly to rotate.
Remedy: Dealers will install rear brake caliper reinforcements on the rear axle assemblies. Owner notification began December 9, 2002.
NHTSA investigations
Rear axle failure
See attached report.
Transmission complaints in other Ram years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2002 Dodge Ram?
NHTSA has 42 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2002 Dodge Ram, 12% of the model year's 353 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (15 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Dodge Ram transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 07V-555 (column shift, Dec 4, 2007); NHTSA recall 02V-159 (axle assembly, Jun 13, 2002). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2002 Dodge Ram transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 55,000 miles, and 36% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to transmission & drivetrain 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.