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:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
5 / 0
Average Mileage:
27,225 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 suspension problems

suspension problem

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2002 Dodge Ram 1500 Owner Comments

problem #16

Dec 012018

Ram 1500

  • 107,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2002 Dodge Ram 1500. While driving 75 mph, the rear wheels seized and the vehicle slid off the road without warning. There was no crash. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 107,000. The VIN was unknown.

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #15

Nov 082006

Ram 1500

  • 78,000 miles
The 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 slt was bought in 2006. 2 months later, the rear end had to be replaced. No warranty. (2000.00 out of pocket). Six months later, the front end went out. (2083.00 out of pocket). No more problems until 6 months ago. Had to replace all wheel bearings and brakes ( $1500 out of pocket) now, my mechanic says that the brakes and front suspension has to be replaced(another $2300 out of pocket) this truck has never been taken off-road. It has been very well taken care of. Dodge has been notified, no response. How can they expect us to keep buying their vehicles, when they can't or won't tell us what is going on? I have not received a recall for any of the things that have happened.

- Winston-Salem, NC, USA

problem #14

May 122003

Ram 1500

  • 18,003 miles
Dodge slt-1500 4X4, short bedshops around curves if you hit the slightest bump in roar, bridge or whatever. It seem the back end is to light or something is wrong back there.

- Salisbury, NC, USA

problem #13

Dec 032008

Ram 1500

  • 132,092 miles

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

Pinion gear failure. Replaced rear end from a different vehicle. Many people have told me that while driving down the road the rearend will lock up causing the vehicle to skid to a stop, causing damage to transmission, and drive shaft. Not to mention the 'safety hazards' of possibly causing a wreck, and worse injuring someone.

- Garrett, TX, USA

problem #12

Jul 102004

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 40,000 miles
When driving down any bumpy road, the rear of the truck is all over the place have to drive at 5 mph or less to maintain control of the truck. When it's rainy it's even worse. On the highway on wet weather you can see the rear of the truck swaying after a bump - very scary this started when the truck reached 40,000 miles - will there be a remedy for this - have taken it to different mechanics they also agree with the way the truck operates as described above.

- Devine, TX, USA

problem #11

Jan 242003

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 500 miles
My 2002 Dodge Ram has several potetial accident, causing problems, one when im driving in the rain or after a rain water in the road it causes M steering to lock up and I cannot steer. I reported this to a dealer in town and the service rep said that the steering will turn into manual drive and seem harder to steer, wow I could not believe I heard that and the problem has never been corrected and I have reported this to Dodge on several occassions. Also when im driving down the road or highway in the 2002 Dodge Ram and I run over a small bump such as on overpasses when the bridge portion meets the ground side my truck will lose control sometimes to the point of the rear end attempting to spin the truck around I guess the only thing that has prevented this is the forward movement itself, however I have come upon situations when im turning in a particular direction and a bump is in the road prior to the turn and the truck leaves me limited control as the rear end suspension reacting to the small bump attempts to make the trucks rear end jump and attempt to spend around. This is a very sick feeling and numerous passangers have expressed concern for this trucks fault as they experience this while riding in the truck.

- Port Arthur, TX, USA

problem #10

Mar 122004

Ram 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 42,000 miles

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

The rear right tire and assembly broke off my 2002 Dodge Ram while my wife and children were on the freeway. This caused the vehicle to rollover. Apparently a problem with the axle. I understand there has been a recall for a weak weld on the rear axle bracket. I never got such recall on my vehicle.

- Presidio, TX, USA

problem #9

Jan 082002

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 18,000 miles
Rear end of vehicle "dances" at highway speeds when going over even the slightest bumps.

- Fort Worth, TX, USA

problem #8

Dec 132002

Ram 1500

  • miles
The rear suspension is bouncing while driving the vehicle at 65mph, when the rear tire hit a bump. Dealer has been notified.

- Sacramento, CA, USA

problem #7

Nov 292001

Ram 1500

  • miles
The vehicle had a sever vibration at freeway speeds. Over time the vibration was so sever it caused sever back pain. After driving the vehicle for six months and having M=no option with the manufacturer I have disposed of the truck. The manufacturer knbows about the problem, and they have not disclosed the issues to the public. The problem also manifested as over steering and extreme reaction to road conditions. Chrysler has now added to their owners manual the suggestion to add sand bags to the bed of the truck to make it " ride better". they are not willing to offer any other assistance. I have many letters to document their position and attitude.

- Laguna Hills, CA, USA

problem #6

Sep 012002

Ram 1500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

When vehicle goes over a bump rear end skates around, and it feels as if vehicle is going to lose control.

- North Highland, CA, USA

problem #5

Aug 272002

(reported on)

Ram 1500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Since first day of purchase owner has noticed and complained that rear suspension has a tendency to sway when driving on a slump/bump in the road. Dealership is unaware what the cause is. Owner is concerned because his wife is afraid to drive due to erratic handling of vehicle on the road.

- Lincoln, CA, USA

problem #4

May 282002

Ram 1500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Rear end makes vehicle bounce when it hits a bump in the road, making it difficult to control vehicle. Consumer states that the bounce is so bad, that the tires seem to leave the pavement, when changing lanes, the vehicle literally jerks consumer into the next lane, the dealer can not find a remedy for the problem.

- Suisiun City, CA, USA

problem #3

May 242002

Ram 1500 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving 65 mph and towing a horse trailer, rear of vehicle locked up. Dealer determined rear axle needed to be replaced.

- Munroe Falls, OH, USA

problem #2

Dec 152001

Ram 1500 4WD

  • miles
No summary listed for above vehicle.

- Sidney, NE, USA

problem #1

Dec 112001

Ram 1500

  • miles
While traveling approximately 45 mph right rear tire came off, and left rear of vehicle collapsed. Rear of vehicle started sliding along the ground when it hit a median and was stopped. Driver suffered neck injury. Dealership examined vehicle, and determined the cause as "customer neglect." *note: On November 25, left rear tire had a blowout because of a road hazard. But, lugs: Nuts were stripped, and tire had to be removed professionally. Please provide any additional information / documentation.

- Auburn Hills, MI, USA

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