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.

9.0

really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
$1,000
Average Mileage:
67,950 miles
Total Complaints:
6 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (6 reports)
2002 Dodge Ram 1500 body / paint problems

body / paint problem

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2002 Dodge Ram 1500 Owner Comments

problem #6

Jan 012011

Ram 1500 ST 4.7L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,000 miles

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

Both rear fender wells have rusted areas. Some rusted through as well as the bottom of the tailgate. Again I think this was defective steel and a design flaw I think Dodge should be responsible for the cost of the fixing.

- dmb1948, Wilmington, VT, US

problem #5

Nov 022010

Ram 1500 LX 360

  • Automatic transmission
  • 75,500 miles

well iv seen a lot of the same in dodge trucks,and that is rust rust rust on the boxes of these trucks,one guy i talked to said it was a act of nature,hahaha nature doesn't put salt on the roads ,there's a problem with the way they're putting these boxes together ,mine was less than ten years old and i could punch a hole right through the side of my box. is that nature? i put another used box from a junk yard that looked good and now that one is rusted out again. nature hahaha. how about fiber glass?

- Ken G., Magnolia, IL, US

problem #4

May 012006

Ram 1500 SLT 4.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 90,000 miles

THERE IS SO MUCH RUST OUT ON THIS TRUCK THAT DODGE SHOULD BE EMBARRASSED THAT THEY EVEN CHARGED MONEY FOR THESE TRUCKS.I HAVE A 96 THAT'S IN MUCH BETTER SHAPE.

- lkeene, Brownsburg, IN, US

problem #3

Nov 042009

Ram 1500 XLT 5.9L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 76,000 miles

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

2002 Dodge Ram 1500 XLT quad cab. I noticed the paint bubbling on the passanger side around the wheel well on the bed about a year ago. It seem to get worse every week when I looked at it. I knew I ws going to get it fixed at some point. Before you knew it, the paint was falling off and it was rusting at such a rapid pace. Now this week I dropped it off at a very good local body shop to have it repair for $687.69. To sand the whole side of the bed, repair the rust and repaint. I get a phone call yesterday from the body shop!!!!!! The reason why it is rusting is water is somehow getting in between the outer shell and the inner skin. There is a foam material in between and it is soaked with water. So the rust is from the inside and working its way out. The only way to repair it is to remove the outer shell and remove all the foam. At $2000 per side. I can't afford that. I just paid the truck off after 5 year at $450 a month. I brought it with 46000 and only have 81000 on it now. I baby the truck, and now it is just going to rust away.

DODGE HAS TO KNOW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, AND THEY NEED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT! IF I CANT GET DODGE TO ADMIT TO THIS PROBLEM, I WILL BAD MOUTH DODGE TILL THE DAY I DIE.

- John M., Maple Shade, NJ, US

problem #2

Jan 012009

Ram 1500

  • Automatic transmission
  • 55,000 miles

The truck is rusting out over the rear wheel. I have noticed other 2002 rams doing the same thing. Dodge should stand behind this defect!

- Bill R., Delaware, OH, US

problem #1

Feb 012011

Ram 1500 Sport 5.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 41,000 miles

Purchased 2002 Dodge Ram Sport New from Richmond Dodge, just north of detroit. Vehicle garage kept and has only 41,201 Miles on it. It is driven back and forth to work only on paved roads. Truck bed all of a sudden developed rust bubbles just above rear wheel wells on the truck bed without warning. My truck looks as new except for that area. Waxed and washed truck as if it where a show car for the last 9 years..what happened? The dealer told me it was not a manufacture problem and that my warranty had expired long ago, so I was on my own. I am dumbfounded as to why it rusted. The underside in the wheel well looks fine, so it is not from the road grime.. very disappointed with this dodge product. Looks to me after reading all the other complaints that they have a manufacture issue and wont recognize it.

Shame on you Dodge!

- Eric S., Detroit, MI, US

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