The 2002 Dodge Ram has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 90,588 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 152 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the air bags. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC04V1850002004-04-1244,588 affected
Defect
ON CERTAIN VAN AND WAGON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4-WHEEL ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEMS (ABS), AFTERMARKET BATTERIES MAY LEAK ELECTROLYTE ONTO THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR, WHICH CAN COMPROMISE SEALING INTEGRITY OF THE CONNECTOR.
Consequence
THIS MAY ALLOW DEVELOPMENT OF A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE CONNECTOR, WHICH COULD EVENTUALLY LEAD TO A FIRE.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR FOR ELECTROLYTE DAMAGE AND REPLACE THE CONNECTOR AS NECESSARY. THE RECALL WILL BEGIN ON SEPTEMBER 27, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
POWER TRAIN02V1590002002-06-1346,000 affected
Defect
ON CERTAIN 4X4 PICKUP TRUCKS, THE REAR AXLE FLANGE WELD TO THE AXLE TUBE COULD FATIGUE AND ALLOW THE BRAKE CALIPER ASSEMBLY TO ROTATE.
Consequence
DURING ROTATION, THE BRAKE LINE COULD SEPARATE FROM THE CALIPER RESULTING IN A BRAKE FLUID LOSS IN THE REAR BRAKE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL REAR BRAKE CALIPER REINFORCEMENTS ON THE REAR AXLE ASSEMBLIES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 9, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT…
Complaints by component
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
11
9crashes8injuries
STRUCTURE
9
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
7
SUSPENSION
7
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
6
1fires1injuries
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR
6
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
5
AIR BAGS
4
3crashes2injuries1deaths
EQUIPMENT
4
1crashes
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
4
Total complaints152
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“The contact owns a 2002 dodge ram 1500. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at various speeds, the abs warning light illuminated and the vehicle seized. The contact managed to coast the vehicle to the shoulder of the road and place the vehicle in park. The contact exit the…”
“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…”
“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…”
“The dash in my 2002 dodge ram quad cab pickup began to crack and has now completely shattered. There are pieces that have broken off and are now effecting my heating and cooling system. I am concerned that if I hit a bump to hard that a piece might actually dislodge and harm someone. Or cause even…”
“1) electrical problems. Lights kept going in and out 2) dash cracking and crumbling. Pieces falling into air vents and preventing windshield from defrosting! Dangerous! Could cause an accident. Dash is in such bad shape that if passenger air bag were to be deployed it could kill someone due to…”
“1) electrical problems. Lights kept going in and out 2) dash cracking and crumbling. Pieces falling into air vents and preventing windshield from defrosting! Dangerous! Could cause an accident. Dash is in such bad shape that if passenger air bag were to be deployed it could kill someone due to…”
“1) electrical problems. Lights kept going in and out 2) dash cracking and crumbling. Pieces falling into air vents and preventing windshield from defrosting! Dangerous! Could cause an accident. Dash is in such bad shape that if passenger air bag were to be deployed it could kill someone due to…”
“The dash was fine no events until sept.2008. Opened the truck up one day to reveal a huge crack in the dash. The dash is cracking in the rate of 2 cracks in 2008 and one in 2009 ,one in 2010. We are up to 4 cracks now. Hasn't been fixed. I am hearing horror stories of this causing serious…”
Defect investigations
InvestigationPE02096 Opened 2002-12-26 · closed 2003-05-15
REAR AXLE FAILURE
SEE ATTACHED REPORT.
InvestigationPE02096 Opened 2002-12-26 · closed 2003-05-15
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2002 Dodge Ram as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.