The Lemon Index2002 Ram 1500.
The 2002 Ram 1500 is better than average by owner complaints: 290 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 72, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about suspension, it has 6 recalls, and it gets 12 to 16 mpg combined. The best Ram 1500 year is 2000.
Covers the whole Ram pickup line (1500, 2500 and 3500): Ram reports their sales together.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 1,014 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Ram 1500 year. 2002 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 40K to 102K miles on the car (726 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- body structure complaints mostly came at 53K–100K miles
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 35K–135K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 40K–120K miles
Recalls 6
- wheels 2010
FEDERAL-MOGUL IS RECALLING CERTAIN CARQUEST, NATIONAL, AND PERCISION BRAND WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES, P/NOS 515073 AND 515073, SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT ON MODEL YEAR 2002 THROUGH 2008 DODGE RAM 1500 PICKUP TRUCKS…
- visibility 2007
CERTAIN CURVED TEMPERED REPLACEMENT GLASS MANUFACTURED BY HANGZHOU SAFETY GLASS LTD AND SUPPLIED TO SAFELITE BY AUTO TEMP INC., IDENTIFIED AS DOT-430, AND SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN VEHICLES MAY NOT BRE…
- engine 2006
CERTAIN REPLACEMENT K&N FUEL PERFORMANCE KITS, P/NOS. 57-1509, 57-1511, 57-1511-1, 57-1517, 57-1517-1, 57-1527, AND 57-1530.
Show all 6 recalls
- tires 2003
ON CERTAIN 4X4 PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH THE SNOW PLOW PREPARATION PACKAGE, THE TIRES SUPPLIED ON SOME VEHICLES MAY HAVE GROSS AXLE WEIGHT RATINGS THAT SLIGHTLY EXCEED THE MAXIMUM TIRE LOAD CAPACITY AS DEFINED IN FEDER…
- steering 2003
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR AT THE BOTTOM OF THE STEERING COLUMN CONTAINS AN UNDER-SIZED TERMINAL FOR THE HVAC BLOWER MOTOR CIRCUIT.
- visibility 2003
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, THE DETENT SYSTEM ON THE EXTERIOR MIRROR HOUSINGS MAY LOSE THE FUNCTIONALITY.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Ram told dealers about
Ram sent dealers 29 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Final fitment of this suspension kit has revealed a potential interference between the…
- Part Description: Seal - Shift Shaft on RFE transmissions Issue Description: This seal…
- Part Description: Insulator on Lever Assy Manual Valve - Valve Body - RWD Transmission Issue…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedRear axle failure2002–2003
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★☆ · side — · rollover ★★★☆☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $4000–5350 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.7L 6-cyl, 4.7L 8-cyl, 5.9L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
When vehicle was in park on a flat surface and it rolled back, causing damage to vehicle. Dealer notified.
2002 Ram 1500 owner · NHTSA complaint 8014863
More owner reports
The mechanic was unable to perform a front end alignment because the right upper ball joint was defective. The ball joint was replaced.
NHTSA complaint 10103510
While attempting to accelerate out of the driveway vehicle would not accelerate. Consumer had vehicle towed to the dealer. Mechanic informed consumer that transmission failed.
NHTSA complaint 10048233
Quick answers
Is the 2002 Ram 1500 reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 1.4× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 72; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Ram 1500 year by this measure since 2010 is 2023.
What are the most common 2002 Ram 1500 problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are suspension (21%), transmission & drivetrain (15%) and steering (11%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2002 Ram 1500 have?
6 safety recalls (latest: wheels). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2002 Ram 1500 get?
12 to 16 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2002 Ram 1500 problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 40,000 and 102,600 miles. The middle report was at 70,000 miles, from 726 complaints.
Does the 2002 Ram 1500 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 15% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2002 Ram 1500 cost in fuel a year?
About $4000 to $5350 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2002 Ram 1500 have?
3.7L 6-cyl, 4.7L 8-cyl, 5.9L 8-cyl.
What Ram 1500 year is better than the 2002?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2018, 2017 and 2013.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works