Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2002 Dodge Ram 1500
NHTSA data on file today
The 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns and 815 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #10E040000 WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLY NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #07E104000 CURVED TEMPERED AUTOMOTIVE REPLACEMENT GLASS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #06E024000 REPLACEMENT AIR INTAKE SYSTEMS/DEBRIS CAN ENTER NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #03V504000 DAIMLERCHRYSLER/FMVSS 120/TIRES NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #03V078000 DAIMLERCHRYSLER/STEERING COLUMN ELECTRICAL CONNECT NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #03V077000 DAIMLERCHRYSLER/EXTERIOR MIRRORS NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Structure 278 complaints
- Power Train 99 complaints
- Electrical System 93 complaints
- Suspension 71 complaints
- Unknown or Other 62 complaints
- Engine and Engine Cooling 58 complaints
Of the 815 complaints on file, 55 report a crash and 14 a fire; across all 815 complaints, owners report 62 injuries and 1 death (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $4,000–$10,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2002 Dodge RAM 1500 has a below-average reliability rating due to significant complaint volume and multiple recall campaigns. With 815 complaints and six recalls, issues span the structure, power train, and electrical system. The evidence suggests common failures, but without in-depth data, estimates remain broad.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| structure | 80,000–120,000 miles | $500–$1,500 | very common |
| power train | 60,000–100,000 miles | $700–$2,500 | common |
| electrical system | 70,000–110,000 miles | $150–$800 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter changes
- Brake fluid replacement
- Timing belt inspection
- Spark plug replacement
- Transmission fluid change
- Cooling system check
- Tire rotations
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Unresponsive HVAC blower
- Excessive tire wear
- Electrical issue lights
- Transmission slippage
- Steering column noise
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.