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.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
12 / 0
Average Mileage:
63,451 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2002 Dodge Ram 1500 body / paint problems

body / paint problem

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2002 Dodge Ram 1500 Owner Comments (Page 10 of 13)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #61

Jan 012005

Ram 1500

  • 90,000 miles

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

2002 Dodge Ram truck has several cracks in dashboard. This could be a safety concern from flying debris in case of an accident. This apparently is a major problem with Dodge trucks as many people have described this problem on the internet, but Dodge has not issued a recall.

- Belle, WV, USA

problem #60

May 012008

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • 76,000 miles
I have a 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 and over the past year it has developed multiple cracks on the dash. The major concern is the integrity of the dash around the passenger airbag. Due to the cracking, if the airbag were to deploy, I fear that the cracked dash would cause multiple pieces of plastic to fly around the cabin. I would not write this complaint if I thought this were an isolated problems. I have read endless complains on blog sites of people with the exact same problem in similar years of this vehicle. This seems to be a systemic problem and is a safety concern that should be addressed by the manufacturer.

- Killeen, TX, USA

problem #59

Aug 012007

Ram 1500

  • 100,000 miles
Cracks in dashboard from windshield to instrument panels.

- Justin, TX, USA

problem #58

Apr 202008

Ram 1500

  • 72,000 miles

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

I own a 2002 Dodge 1500 pickup and keep it up very well. I stayed in a carport and is taken care of. The dash has begun to disintegrated and fall apart leaving wiring and other items exposed. I believe this to be a defect in material of Dodge.

- Winfield, AL, USA

problem #57

Jan 012004

Ram 1500

  • 50,000 miles
I have a 2002 Dodge Ram 1500. The dash board is cracked in several places. I recently found out that this is happening to thousands of Ram owners across the nation. I contacted my dealer about the issue. But there's no recall on it, so they wont fix it unless I pay $1000+! this is a major issue, and Dodge needs to resolve it.

- North Lauderdale, FL, USA

problem #56

Jan 042008

Ram 1500 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 42,500 miles
The dashboard of my 2002 Dodge Ram truck is literally splintering before my eyes. There are numerous other reports of this incident happening with a lot of other Dodge trucks around the same year as mine. It starts with cracking... then the dashboard starts falling off in pieces! I believe that this is a safety issue caused by a defect in the manufacturing process by Dodge! the dashboard is literally falling apart before my very eyes!!

- Brandon, MS, USA

problem #55

Jan 222005

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 75,000 miles

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

2002 Dodge Ram pickup- dash has been cracking in several places for the past 2 years. Multiple cracks are deepening and widening an new cracks developing. Concerned about exposed wiring and potential airbag malfunction.

- Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

problem #54

Apr 102008

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 67,977 miles
2002 Dodge Ram 1500 with 67,000 miles - dashboard has cracked in 6 places. Dealer says that it is a defect but will not replace. There are thousands of owners with the same problem and Dodge will not stand by their product.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #53

Jan 312008

Ram 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles
Dash is cracking on passenger side and is jeopardizing the function of passenger airbag. The faulty dashes were reported by numerous Dodge owners and is obviously a faulty part. Dodge says that they cannot replace it because the truck is out of warranty. The piece will cost $540 and installation is $600.

- Ephrata, PA, USA

problem #52

Mar 252008

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • 69,000 miles
The dashboard for my truck Dodge Ram 1500 2002 is cracked and I bought a premium warranty and don't cover the dashboard and the Dodge parts want me to pay $500 for replace the dashboard is no fear and we need help.

- Dallas, TX, USA

problem #51

Apr 172007

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles

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

Dashboard cracks: Riding down the road I hear a loud pop sound and notice my very well taken care of vehicle has a large crack in the dash. A few days later I notice another and then more, what is the problem? I start investigating over the internet and I see this is a wide spread problem, due to poor materials, with late model Dodge trucks that has not been addressed by the Dodge Corp. And we the consumers would like some rectification.

- Panama City, FL, USA

problem #50

Mar 012005

Ram 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
I own a 2002 Dodge Ram pickup, as noted in overwhelming number of complaints, the dashboard has numerous cracks developing as we speak. Again, after taking it to the dealership to no avail, they would be so happy to replace it for $723. I believe that these dashes are defective and should be replaced. I have owned much older cars with not one crack developing as long as I have owned them. I am appalled that nothing has been done before now to fix the problem. I am afraid that if we were in an accident, we would be severely hurt by sharp flying debris compounding it with the force of the airbag deployment. This truck has never been in an accident whatsoever, so the damage is caused by a defect in workmanship therefore should be replaced!!!!!!

- New Bern, NC, USA

problem #49

Feb 222008

Ram 1500

  • miles
2002 Dodge truck- daschboard cracked in 20 different places. Both forward and rear pieces. If I were to have an accident it would shatter and could cause severe injuries. This should be a recall of upmost importance. I have seen thousands of complaints, same as mine. Why the stall?

- Daleville, AL, USA

problem #48

Feb 172008

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 82,522 miles
I have a 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 quad cab 4.7 litre engine. It has 82,000 miles and has developed several splits (cracks) on the dash. If you view www.carcomplaints.com/Dodge/ram_1500/2002/accessories-interior/cracks_in_dashboard.shtml, you will see several of teh same complaints. The failure of tha dash could interfere with the safe operation of the airbag deployment system. Dodge refuses to issue a recall. I suspect that replacing the dash would not solve the problem if the stock dashes are made of theh same material. It is either a plastic problem or design flaw. There needs to be a recall with a replacement item that will not create this issue. Please do not let Dodge hide behind this defect that may result in a death.

- Little Elm, TX, USA

problem #47

Jan 202008

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,000 miles
Dashboard of my 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 single cab two wheel drive truck is cracked. One of the pieces is sticking up and a passenger has cut their hand as a result.

- Austin, TX, USA

problem #46

Dec 252007

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The dash of my 2002 Dodge Ram is cracking and I fear it may collapse, exposing all electrical wiring and connections to sun related damage. I am aware that this is a nationwide problem affecting thousands of Dodge owners.

- Redondo, CA, USA

problem #45

Jan 012005

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 98,000 miles
I have a 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 quad cab. The dashboard has cracked laterally towards the passenger compartment in several different places and could ultimately disintegrate upon a head on collision causing additional injury to the driver and passengers. The dash is literally in four distinct sectional cracks and could expose the heating/ac lines underneath or cause them to dislodge into the passenger compartment upon impact. The dealer claims that this problem is considered normal wear and not covered or a safety hazard. They do recognize that this is a problem as they have offered to sell me a replacement dash cover.

- Huntsville, AL, USA

problem #44

Jan 012003

Ram 1500

  • miles
2002 Dodge Ram quad cab 2" by 4" hole collapse in dashboard for no reason ie collision. I also had a 1998 Dodge Ram which sustained a longer but narrower crack.

- Gray, GA, USA

problem #43

Aug 282007

Ram 1500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
I own a 2002 Dodge Ram 1500. My dash has developed a large crack that runs vertically from the front to back on the passenger side along side where the airbag is. I consider this not only a factory defect, but also a potential safety concern. Should the air bag go off there is the potential that the dash fragments could go airborne and cause personal injury to the occupants. I have seen numerous complaints posted regarding this issue, and am pleased to know that I am not the only one experiencing this. It certainly appears to me that this is an issue that merits a recall. I have contacted Dodge customer service department and they have neither confirmed nor denied that there is a problem. They however have offered to replace the dash, with a $200 deductible attached. It is my understanding that there is a nation wide back order on these dashes. This in itself tells me that there is major problem.

- Corpus Christi, TX, USA

problem #42

Nov 052007

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 95,000 miles
My 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 quad cab has several cracks on the dash on the front vents, side vents, and along the top. I have had problems with my radio volume not turning down and some of the speakers coming in and out.

- Crestview, FL, USA

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