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:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
24,077 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 #17

Jun 142010

Ram 1500

  • 86,312 miles

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

Replaced rack and pinion four times along with the upper control arm, upper/lower ball joints, and tie rod ends. This last time the boots on the rack and pinion busted power steering fluid was lost causing steering to lock up. The severe underlying issue to the failure of the rack and pinion is the left and right steering knuckles are faulty causing the tires to turn to far which is causing the damage to the rack and pinion busting which is causing the drainage of power steering fluid and locking up the steering.

- Great Lakes , IL, USA

problem #16

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 #15

Jan 042009

Ram 1500

  • 159,000 miles
While driving to work early in the morning, roads were wet, temperature was 23 degrees. Was driving on a two lane roadway about 40 mph. Was on a straight stretch when truck started to fish tail slightly. Rear of the truck slid slightly toward drivers side. I turned the wheels slightly in the direction of the slide and then started to turn the wheels back the other direction as truck started to straighten out. At that point I felt something give in the front end on the drivers side. The truck started pulling across the center line and off the other side of the road. I was heading straight for a telephone pole. I tried pushing the brakes fully, but the pedal went to the floor. I cut the wheels all the way to the right, just missing the telephone pole. My front fender struck a steel pole filled with cement next to a split rail fence. When I got out of the truck, the front drivers side tire was laying under the truck, only held on by the tie rod end. This was by no means a very bad case of sliding and over steering. The upper ball joint had just separated causing the tire to buckle under. I was lucky to have escaped this accident without injury or having my truck roll over. I have seen alot of problems with the Dodge durangos with the ball joint separation and I can only imagine it is the same suspension parts used in the Dodge Ram 1500 4X4 trucks. This needs to be checked into before someone gets killed.

- Prosperity, PA, USA

problem #14

Apr 252006

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

When driving on rough pavement, this truck jumps all over the road. I almost was thrown into a retaining wall yesterday. You have no control of the steering on rough surfaces!! dangerous.

- Little River Academy, TX, USA

problem #13

Mar 242005

Ram 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 56,000 miles
First the transmission is slipping in 3rd gear at times, this has been an on going issue that the dealer can't reproduce. The lamp out light goes on and off with the bell this will do it intermittently for as long as 30 min straight and this truck is all over the road when you hit bumps at high speed.

- Oscoda, MI, USA

problem #12

May 282003

Ram 1500

  • miles
The front suspension made a clunky noise. Dealer inspected four times and problem still exist.

- Dallas, TX, USA

problem #11

Jan 082002

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

Vehicle constantly pulls to the right. Had front end aligned and tires rotated. No problem found otherwise by dealer.

- Fort Worth, TX, USA

problem #10

May 212003

Ram 1500

  • miles
The vehicle hit a bump while driving which caused the vehicle to shake and the driver lost control.

- San Jose, CA, USA

problem #9

Apr 082003

(reported on)

Ram 1500

  • miles
When the vehicle started out between 15 - 17 rpms, the vehicle vibrated.

- Needham, MA, USA

problem #8

Dec 182002

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 30,000 miles
Traveling at around 70mph on I30 East mile 16 I hit a bump in the road causing the truck to sway uncontrollably and causing a spin out into the center divide. Weather was cloudy and road way was dry. Truck has always had a tendency to sway when hitting even the smallest bumps in the road this was the first time it was completely uncontrollable.

- Bryant , AR, USA

problem #7

Nov 122002

(reported on)

Ram 1500

  • miles

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

Vehicle developes a vibration/front end bounce at approximate speeds of 35-45 mph and then again at 55-65 mph, but worse. Does not occur prior to 35 mph and then disappears between 45-55 mph only to show up again at previous stated speed 55-65 mph. Dealership is aware but can not fix problem.

- Pace, FL, USA

problem #6

Sep 052002

Ram 1500

  • miles
Vibration in front end at all speeds after 30 mph.

- Melbourne, FL, USA

problem #5

Sep 272002

(reported on)

Ram 1500

  • miles
Ts

- Austin, TX, USA

problem #4

Jul 252002

Ram 1500

  • miles
Consumer states when driving and if hit any bump in the road the car violently pulls to the right.

- Lincoln, CA, USA

problem #3

Jul 302002

(reported on)

Ram 1500

  • miles
Vehicle's front end jumps from side to side when going over broken pravement causing lose of control of truck. Also the rear wheels skates from side to side when going over broken pravement in road causing lose of control.

- Compton, CA, USA

problem #2

Jun 272002

(reported on)

Ram 1500 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Front end skates across the lane if a bump is hit at highway speed. Problem has existed since February. Dealer was notified.

- Durham, NC, USA

problem #1

Mar 012002

Ram 1500 Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While traveling on highway and without prior warning, steering wheel will wander off to the left. Dealership is aware of problem.

- Grapeland, TX, USA

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