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.

5.2

fairly significant
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
18,554 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 brakes problems

brakes problem

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2002 Dodge Ram 1500 Owner Comments

problem #16

Apr 052006

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

2002 Dodge Ram 1500 truck - the dash has cracked in several places. I actually saw it crack as I was driving home from work, on a smooth highway. Also, the rotors warped within the first year, the dealer turned them, even though we asked that they be replaced. Several months later we had the same problem with the rotors and the dealer turned them again. Once more, we had asked that they be replaced and we were told Dodge would not pay for the rotors to be replaced.

- Granbury, TX, USA

problem #15

Apr 102006

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 20,000 miles
The front brakes shudder violently when I try to stop. I had the brakes fixed but they are doing it again. You don't have to be a genius to know that the rotors are inferior!!! the dealer said this is not covered by warranty. I am the only driver of this truck so I know that I do not over brake... this is potentially dangerous.

- Stephens City, VA, USA

problem #14

Dec 042001

Ram 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 150 miles
The vehicle vibrated when the brakes were applied at various speeds of 0-65 mph. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The dealer notice water was not draining from the rotors. The excess water caused the rotors to become out of round.

- Canada, 00, USA

problem #13

Sep 102004

Ram 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 12,000 miles

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

2002 Dodge Ram 1500 4X4 - brake shimmy / shake, reduced braking power. Rotors replaced twice in 20,000, problem still hapenning. Could not stop quickly almost causing a severe accident.

- Stockholm, NJ, USA

problem #12

Feb 272004

Ram 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 32,000 miles
While driving vehicle jerked forward when consumer tried to down shift the transmission gears. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. In addition, consumer is having trouble with tires and its sidewall and requesting manufacturer to design tires for off road conditions. Front brake rotors are warped and the pads have 80 percent left at 34,000 miles.

- Fort Worth, TX, USA

problem #11

Oct 012003

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 26,000 miles
Rotors on 2002 Dodge Ram is warped. Again for third time in 6 months. Truck shimmies or shakes violently when brakes applied. Go to www.dodgetruckworld.com and look up brakes in the forum section. Dealer won't fix under warranty. Truck is almost uncontrollable when brakes applied at high speeds (20 and above).

- Kenner, LA, USA

problem #10

Nov 132003

(reported on)

Ram 1500

  • Automatic transmission
  • 20,000 miles

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

Vehicle pulsated when applying the brakes. Dealer replaced the rotors three times within the last 20,000 miles.

- Pullman, WA, USA

problem #9

Nov 122003

(reported on)

Ram 1500

  • miles
The owner had removed the wheels to check the brakes. Owner noticed all four-brake rotors had grooves. This problem caused the brakes to lose braking effectiveness. Both the manufacturer and dealer were contacted.

- Southgate, MI, USA

problem #8

Nov 112003

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 25,000 miles
2002 2wd Dodge Ram 1500 quad cab 4.7L - at 25000 miles, dealer found warped front rotors causing my described hard shimmy in front end while braking. Solution was to turn rotors to eliminate the warping. At 29500 miles, took truck to dealer again, and dealer informed that rotors needed to be turned again, and it needed new pads to correct the shimmy. Now at 32000 miles, shimmy is back and dealers are saying truck needs new rotors. Should not have to replace rotors on a truck that does not haul, tow, or is driven hard. I have owned trucks of other makes, and none needed brake rotors until at least 75000 miles. I feel there is some problem with this product that should be investigated. To the date, I have spent over $400 for these repairs, and they expect rotor replacement to cost nearly another $400.

- Coppell, TX, USA

problem #7

Sep 222003

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 22,000 miles
When applying the brakes steering wheel would jerk either right or left after driving approximately 50 mph. Took vehicle to dealership, and mechanic indicated that brake rotors were severely warped.

- Grand Forks, ND, USA

problem #6

Sep 202003

Ram 1500

  • 33,000 miles

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

While driving vehicle approximately 55 mph vehicle started to shake severely. Have taken vehicle to dealership, and mechanic indicated that the problem was worn disc rotors, which needed to be replaced.

- Crawfordville, FL, USA

problem #5

Aug 092003

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 27,709 miles
Wheels on my 2002 Dodge Ram with 17 inch alloy (grey looking) option wheels has air ventalation openings for the rotors which is too small and doesn't allow enough air to cool off rotors..this defect in the wheels opening causes rotors to overheat quickly and not be able to cool off. This warps the rotors causing increased stopping distances, and shimmy or shake when brakes applied. Truck vibrates harshly at highway speeds when going to slow down at off ramps. If wheels were designed to allow more air. I have brought to dealer to check brake system and it's found that brakes are fine but rotors are warped. 3000 miles later and rotors are warped again. This will keep happening unless I change rims and my Dodge Ram. At Dodge truck world.com there is a list of owners with same problem. This also could cause fire or inability to stop.

- Kenner, LA, USA

problem #4

Apr 212003

Ram 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 22,000 miles
I bought my 2002 Ram pre-owned it was a certified vehicle from oyster bay Dodge in New York. I called oyster bay Dodge to info them that my rotor were warped and found out they closed down. I contacted Chrysler and got nowhere. I looked for other Dodge owners and found more than I can count. www.dodgetruckworld.com/forums/topic.asp?id=56542 please contact me and let me know how to resolve this. I am very disappointed that I trusted the fact that it was certified by Dodge(forget what term you use for it)as being "new" and then when I try to get the issue resolved, find out the dealer is out of business. I have been driving since I bought it with very unsafe shaking brakes(rotor). I have well documented evidence that this is a serious safety issue and will start to inform anyone that I need to if we can't get this resolved. Thank you, brian winslow (914)774-7692 wander2166@aol.com.

- Ossining, NY, USA

problem #3

May 252003

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 24,000 miles
2002 Dodge Ram 1500 I just bought has a shke or shimmy at braking and highway speeds. On the interstate when driving 50mph truck shakes. Go 70mph truck is worse. So going 50 to 70 mphs truck shakes. The faster I go the more violently it shakes. This is a real distraction while driving. Tires are new, they show no wear. I have bought it with 23500 miles on it. It's al'so a certified truck. When stopping soon as you apply brakes it shimmies or shakes violently.

- Kenner, LA, USA

problem #2

May 202003

Ram 1500

  • miles
When the consumer attempted to stop the vehicle, it jerked. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the consumer was informed the rotors were warped.

- Portsmouth, VA, USA

problem #1

Oct 152002

Ram 1500

  • 33,000 miles
The vehicles rotors warped which caused extended stopping distance.

- Locust Grove, GA, USA

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