Dodge Ram 1500 2002–2008
3rd generation (DR/DH)
NHTSA data through 12 August 20267,866 complaints, 5,220 with mileageMethod
On this generation, failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 38,000 and 116,000 miles.
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 192 complaints (3.7%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 11,700
- 25%
- 38,000
- Median
- 70,000
- 75%
- 116,000
- 90%
- 158,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–5,000 | 303 | 5.8% |
| 5,000–10,000 | 138 | 2.6% |
| 10,000–15,000 | 189 | 3.6% |
| 15,000–20,000 | 122 | 2.3% |
| 20,000–25,000 | 138 | 2.6% |
| 25,000–30,000 | 123 | 2.4% |
| 30,000–35,000 | 170 | 3.3% |
| 35,000–40,000 | 186 | 3.6% |
| 40,000–45,000 | 200 | 3.8% |
| 45,000–50,000 | 167 | 3.2% |
| 50,000–55,000 | 207 | 4.0% |
| 55,000–60,000 | 160 | 3.1% |
| 60,000–65,000 | 221 | 4.2% |
| 65,000–70,000 | 207 | 4.0% |
| 70,000–75,000 | 181 | 3.5% |
| 75,000–80,000 | 181 | 3.5% |
| 80,000–85,000 | 193 | 3.7% |
| 85,000–90,000 | 141 | 2.7% |
| 90,000–95,000 | 147 | 2.8% |
| 95,000–100,000 | 151 | 2.9% |
| 100,000–105,000 | 180 | 3.4% |
| 105,000–110,000 | 74 | 1.4% |
| 110,000–115,000 | 102 | 2.0% |
| 115,000–120,000 | 93 | 1.8% |
| 120,000–125,000 | 119 | 2.3% |
| 125,000–130,000 | 112 | 2.1% |
| 130,000–135,000 | 115 | 2.2% |
| 135,000–140,000 | 78 | 1.5% |
| 140,000–145,000 | 95 | 1.8% |
| 145,000–150,000 | 67 | 1.3% |
| 150,000–155,000 | 92 | 1.8% |
| 155,000–160,000 | 63 | 1.2% |
| 160,000–165,000 | 69 | 1.3% |
| 165,000–170,000 | 44 | 0.8% |
| 170,000–175,000 | 44 | 0.8% |
| 175,000–180,000 | 42 | 0.8% |
| 180,000–185,000 | 42 | 0.8% |
| 185,000–190,000 | 25 | 0.5% |
| 190,000–195,000 | 33 | 0.6% |
| 195,000–200,000 | 14 | 0.3% |
| 200,000+ | 192 | 3.7% |
What this can and cannot tell you: these are complaints owners chose to file, not a failure rate. Popular models accumulate more of them simply by being common. How this is built.
Owners filed 7,866 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002–2008 Dodge Ram 1500, and 5,220 of them record the mileage at which the failure happened. That is enough to show not just what fails, but when.
Failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 38,000 and 116,000 miles. The median is 70,000 miles.
The most-reported areas are the airbag system (22.5% of complaints, typically around 90,000 miles), the transmission and driveline (16.0% of complaints, typically around 97,000 miles), body structure (8.0% of complaints, typically around 75,000 miles).
9 recall campaigns cover this generation.
What fails, and when
- Airbag system90,000median 90,000 miles, middle half 53,000 to 138,000
- Transmission and driveline97,000median 96,838 miles, middle half 50,000 to 145,000
- Body structure75,000median 75,000 miles, middle half 53,000 to 100,000
- Electrical system67,000median 66,972 miles, middle half 35,000 to 105,000
- Suspension69,000median 69,000 miles, middle half 37,000 to 120,000
- Steering63,000median 62,972 miles, middle half 39,000 to 97,000
- Engine and its cooling system48,000median 48,000 miles, middle half 17,000 to 73,000
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airbag system | 1,771 | 22.5% | 90,000 | 53,000–138,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 1,255 | 16.0% | 97,000 | 50,000–145,000 |
| Body structure | 633 | 8.0% | 75,000 | 53,000–100,000 |
| Electrical system | 561 | 7.1% | 67,000 | 35,000–105,000 |
| Suspension | 516 | 6.6% | 69,000 | 37,000–120,000 |
| Steering | 490 | 6.2% | 63,000 | 39,000–97,000 |
| Engine and its cooling system | 356 | 4.5% | 48,000 | 17,000–73,000 |
| Exterior lighting | 309 | 3.9% | 64,000 | 41,000–92,000 |
| Engine | 296 | 3.8% | 100,000 | 60,000–137,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 262 | 3.3% | 86,000 | 50,000–133,000 |
Which systems, and when
Complaints about this generation are not spread evenly across the vehicle, and the systems that generate the most of them do not all fail at the same point in a car's life. The median failure across all systems here is 70,000 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.
The airbag system accounts for 22.5% of complaints (1,771 reports, 422 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 90,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 53,000 and 138,000 miles.
The transmission and driveline accounts for 16.0% of complaints (1,255 reports, 857 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 96,838 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 50,000 and 145,300 miles.
Body structure accounts for 8.0% of complaints (633 reports, 467 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 75,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 53,058 and 100,000 miles.
The electrical system accounts for 7.1% of complaints (561 reports, 474 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 66,972 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 35,000 and 105,000 miles.
The suspension accounts for 6.6% of complaints (516 reports, 407 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 69,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 37,000 and 120,000 miles.
The steering accounts for 6.2% of complaints (490 reports, 408 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 62,972 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 38,674 and 97,000 miles.
Differences between model years
Within this generation, complaint volume is not constant across model years. The 2005 model year drew the most — 1,630 complaints — while 2007 drew the fewest at 701. The median year sits at 1,080.
Recalls and what they cover
NHTSA records 9 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation. A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator concluded there was a safety defect or a standard was not met, and that a free remedy is owed to owners — including second and later owners.
The campaigns cluster around the airbag system (4), the steering (3), the transmission and driveline (1). Repeated recalls against the same area of the car generally mean the first remedy did not fully resolve the underlying problem.
Recall status is specific to the individual vehicle, not the model. Checking a VIN against NHTSA's lookup is free and takes under a minute, and it is the only way to know whether a particular car has had the work done.
Reported severity
Of the 7,866 complaints filed against this generation, 610 reported a crash; 140 reported a fire; 582 reported an injury; 18 reported a fatality. Crash-involved reports represent 7.8% of the total.
These are owner-reported outcomes, not verified investigations, and they are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. They are included because the distinction between a fault that strands a car and a fault that causes a collision is the one that matters most, and it is not visible in a complaint count alone.
What this means if you are buying one
For a buyer, failures on this generation are spread rather than concentrated: the middle half falls between 38,000 and 116,000 miles, with a median of 70,000. There is no single mileage threshold to watch, which means condition and maintenance records are more informative than the odometer.
On inspection, the airbag system and the transmission and driveline are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. The airbag system in particular shows a median failure mileage of 90,000, which gives a concrete number to compare against the odometer of any car you are considering.
None of this is a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on the individual car. Aggregate patterns describe a population; the example in front of you has its own history.
Documented problems
Engine (5.7l Hemi) 2003–2008
Exhaust manifold bolts snap at the head, producing a cold-start 'Hemi tick' and an exhaust leak that worsens as more bolts fail; warped manifold flanges and gasket leaks follow.
Engine (4.7l V8) 2002–2008
Head gasket failure after overheating, plus sludge buildup when oil changes lapse, leading to rocker-arm wear and oil starvation. The 3.7L V6 shares the sludging tendency.
Steering / Front Suspension 2002–2008
Ball joint wear and 'death wobble' on 4WD models from worn track bar and steering linkage.
Interior 2002–2008
Dash pad cracking into sharp pieces that rattle and expose wiring — a defining complaint for this body.
By model year
| Year | Complaints | With mileage |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 1,004 | 719 |
| 2003 | 1,363 | 807 |
| 2004 | 1,368 | 945 |
| 2005 | 1,630 | 920 |
| 2006 | 1,080 | 798 |
| 2007 | 701 | 508 |
| 2008 | 720 | 523 |
Recalls (9)
| Campaign | Date | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 16V352000 | 2017-03-27 | Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module |
| 15V312000 | 2016-03-16 | Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module |
| 14V796000 | 2015-06-26 | Power Train:driveline:differential Unit |
| 15V313000 | 2015-06-08 | Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module |
| 14V795000 | 2015-03-27 | Electrical System:ignition:switch |
| 14V770000 | 2015-02-03 | Air Bags |
| 13V528000 | 2014-01-17 | Steering:linkages:tie Rod Assembly |
| 13V529000 | 2014-01-16 | Steering:linkages:tie Rod Assembly |
| 11V350000 | 2011-10-03 | Steering:linkages:tie Rod Assembly |
What owners reported
Regarding the new body style Dodge 1500 RAM pickup. My truck is less than a year old and about 15000 miles. It has a steering problem. Generally, it pulls to the right, dangerously! The second day of my ownership, went to the dealer and they aligned it. Told me if i still had a problem, it was a tire problem. The…
2002 · 25 miles · Steering
I have a 2002 Dodge RAM that replaced a lemon 2001 Dodge RAM. The 02 has had a problem with the front end pulling and shacking since the day received the truck it has been in for service 5 times since august 5th 2002. It also has problems with the engine idle allways dropping below 500 rpms and trying to stall along…
2002 · 34 miles · Problems owners could not categorise
At speeds above 30 MPH, vehicle demonstrates lack of control when encountering rough/uneven road surface. Vehicle experiences excessive jump/bounce in front and rear suspension. Tire pressure decreased from tire manufacturer recommended 44 PSI to Dodge recommended 35 PSI. This action helped to restore low speed…
2002 · 100 miles · Tyres
Everything bad on my 2002 RAM 4WD. I have had new bearings in my truck,radiator 2x,fron axles 3x,rear axles 2x, new engine, power steering hoses 2x, i hate ths truck i will never oen a Dodge again... I have already told alot of people not to buy a Dodge. Driving down the road at 55 MPH and the rear end locks up...…
2002 · 100 miles · Transmission and driveline
Built from 5,220 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-08-12 · open data · reproduce this page