CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2002 has the well-known and documented problem with their dashboards falling to pieces, but it also has engine failure from oil sludge. That's a doube shot of awful in your morning coffee.

8.2

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$880
Average Mileage:
84,050 miles
Total Complaints:
522 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. Dodge should recall the dashboard (safety issue) (281 reports)
  2. not sure (115 reports)
  3. replace dashboard (105 reports)
  4. class action lawsuit against Dodge for inferior dashboards (16 reports)
  5. bought an aftermarket dash replacement (3 reports)
  6. dashboard, vents, radio replacement (1 reports)
2002 Dodge Ram 1500 accessories - interior problems

accessories - interior problem

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2002 Dodge Ram 1500 Owner Comments (Page 1 of 27)

problem #522

Feb 012019

Ram 1500 SLT 5.9L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 180,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The plastics used in my 2002 Dodge Ram is a safety issue. It appears to be well documented and Dodge needs to find a solution to the dash splitting and breaking apart. My dash is in several pieces. There is an aftermarket cap that will fit over the dash, and it seems is my only option. I wish there was something more structurally sound to fix my problem. I can't even go to a salvage yard to get another one without the replacement breaking apart.

- Michael P., West Fork, US

problem #521

Jun 202018

Ram 1500 Dashboard 4.8L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 120,000 miles

Dodge needs to have a recall on their dashboards. I got into an accident - my insurance doesn't want to believe me that my dash cracked during an accident - the dash is so brittle I'm scared to drive it, due to shrapnel hitting me or my passenger.

- William T., Portland, Or, US

problem #520

Aug 312019

Ram 1500 SLT 5.9L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 201,000 miles

Shards of plastic blowing in my face is bulls** - new straight cracks everyday. Dodge you should be ashamed of this, you f cheap bastards just to save a dollar, yah bulls... and since you f* r don't want to fix it, LOWER THE F PRICE OF YOUR VEHICLES YOU F R ON A NEW TRUCK. DRIVE IT OFF THE LOT YOU LOOSE 15000 DOLLARS. I F WOULD LOVE TO SEE THE DODGE BROTHERS TODAY - THEY WOULD FIRE ALL YOU M AND FIX IT THEMSELVES.

- Clarence&mandy G., DREXEL, MO, US

problem #519

Sep 012009

Ram 1500 Sport 4.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 75,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I've never had a vehicle that had such a problem with cracking dashboards and air vents clogged due to the brittle interior cowl design. Every year a new crack! The dash is disintegrating and I paid $30,000 for this truck! I should be able to spend my money on mechanical problems... not a cracking dash with the interior COWL falling apart inside causing problems with the heating & air! Blend doors are blocked and pieces of plastic and/mesh blowing out of the vent! The air no longer is able to be routed to the proper outlets because of the crap falling apart inside blocking the blender doors. My AC/heat is embarrassing to run with passengers in my truck because vents are stopped up with muck due to the "cowling" mesh bull-crap that dodge used within the dash/vent/blending system! I can't get air out of the vents or the defrost!!!!!! The air seeps out WHERE IT CAN because the vents are ALL BLOCKED!!! Why should I have to pay to fix a manufacturing flaw!!!

- pixbuss55, Tarboro, North Carolina, United States

problem #518

Jan 072019

Ram 1500 SLT 5.9

  • Automatic transmission
  • 146,000 miles

Forward section completely broken apart; numerous pieces. Main part of the dash has one large crack. Ought to be a recall item. I have a 2004 Toyota Sienna with minor dash cracking problem. Toyota issued a recall several years ago and replaced all affected dash assemblies at no charge.

- Daniel P., Bainbridge, OH, US

problem #517

Sep 202018

Ram 1500 SLT 4.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 175,654 miles

click to see larger images

cracks in dashboard cracks in dashboard

This problem showed up about 7 years ago, but at the time I didn't have the money to fix it. Recently the dash has gotten so bad that is now falling in and I have holes in my dashboard and Dodge wants over 800 dollars to replace it and that doesn't include install.

- Sean S., Denver, CO, US

problem #516

Jan 092008

Ram 1500 SLT 5.9L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 198,050 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The cracked dash not only looks bad but it just keeps on cracking. When using the heater trash keeps blowing out.

- Dennis M., Suffolk, VA, US

problem #515

Aug 012018

Ram 1500 XLE 4.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 119,500 miles

Dashboard starting to fall apart causing internal dashboard problems with AC wiring and mechanical issues along with flying sharp objects in a possible car crash. No other automaker has ever had such a serious condition and not corrected it. This is a very wide spread Dodge issue!!!!!

- johnwayne70726, Denham Springs, US

problem #514

Jan 012003

Ram 1500 4.7L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 10,000 miles

THE INTERIOR COWL AS DODGE CALLS IT IS JUNK. Pieces fell into the heating and a/c system and clogged the blend doors. The entire dash and heater core box had to be removed to remove the broken pieces of plastic. Four hours labor just for removal of dash and box. NOT HAPPY WITH DODGE!!!!!!!

- Alan J., Paradise, CA, US

problem #513

Aug 012015

Ram 1500 SLT 4.7L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 122,000 miles

click to see larger images

cracks in dashboard cracks in dashboard cracks in dashboard

This has been an excellent truck I bought in 2011 from a previous owner. The dash began to split in different places 3-4 years after I bought it. I have never had a vehicle do this before in my life. Very disappointed.

- Jim R., Springfield, US

problem #512

Feb 142017

Ram 1500 4.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 110,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

click to see larger images

cracks in dashboard cracks in dashboard cracks in dashboard

This is unacceptable. I want this fixed. I have never had dashboards broken in all the cars and truck I have owned.

- bbudd, Gulfport, US

problem #511

Jun 012015

Ram 1500 Sport 4.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,000 miles

it started out in 2015 with just a crack in the dash. the next year there were multiple cracks and in 2017 the defroster vents cracked and broke. in 2017 the dash is really cracking bad and I can actually take out huge chunks and have seen other dodge trucks in town with the same problem. dodge has a problem here. I really like the truck but would be hesitant to buy another dodge for fear this might happen. if dodge would reimburse the cost of a dash cover, they would be in my good graces again and I will continue to patronize them

- Ralph M., Boscobel, US

problem #510

May 012008

Ram 1500 ST 4.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 62,000 miles

This is about the worst customer service of any product sold in the USA. Dodge will tell you their products are better than the competition. That is just fine, but when there is a flaw in the product accept the responsibility for replacement. That is what a good company would do. I just know if there is an accident with my truck and a piece of that dash becomes lodged in me there will be a lawsuit because there is enough data to show neglect on the part of dodge.

- Thomas H., Ventura, CA, US

problem #509

Dec 062005

Ram 1500 Sport 4.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 35,000 miles

Bought my 2002 Dodge Truck brand new around 2005 my dashboard started falling apart. the truck has always been taken care of and covered from the sun. Dashboard is in complete pieces.

- Miguel A., Palmdale, US

problem #508

Jun 012016

Ram 1500 SLT 4.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 115,000 miles

THE DASH IS FALLING APART. EVERY DAY PIECES BREAK OFF. HAVE A COVER OVER IT RIGHT NOW SO IT LOOKS COSMETICALLY BETTER. THE HEATER CORE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND I'M SCARED THAT THE DASH WILL COMPLETELY DISINTEGRATE WHEN I REMOVE IT TO REPLACE THE CORE. HELP!!!

- Les M., Manhattan Beach, US

problem #507

Jun 282017

Ram 1500 SLT 5.9L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 98,565 miles

its ridiculous, as when I turn on the air or the heat, pieces of the vent cover go flying thru the air. hitting me in the eye and other fellow passengers

- geneanmmark, Ooltewah, US

problem #506

Oct 222009

Ram 1500 Sport 4.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 185,639 miles

click to see larger images

cracks in dashboard

The dash started cracking shortly after I bought the truck in 2009. Within a short time the dash was getting really bad so I used gorilla glue on it and put a dash cover on it. I have had to replace the center bezel 3 times because it started breaking and falling apart, causing sharp edges and flying debris.

I took it to the dealer and had it inspected. (Please see attachment.).

- Brian K., Rogeers, US

problem #505

Jan 142015

Ram 1500 LX 4.7V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 250,000 miles

they need to fix their screw up. can't find a single good dash anywhere. if you order a new one its around $800.

- Manuel P., Conway, US

problem #504

Sep 012009

Ram 1500 Quad Cab 4x4 5.9L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 88,200 miles

The initial Crack was'the too bad. It is the subsequent degradation that is unacceptable

- glbsigb, Westminster, US

problem #503

Oct 182016

Ram 1500 Quad Cab 4x4 5.9L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 98,675 miles

The speakers in the dash blew when plastic debris from the cracked dash got into them.

- glbsigb, Westminster, US

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