2002 Dodge Ram 2500: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2002 Dodge Ram 2500: 0 recalls, 155 owner complaints and up to 14 mpg combined.

Recalls
0 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 2 equipment/tire recalls that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
2 aftermarket equipment / tire recalls replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Engine & cooling Equipment recall #06E024000 · 2006 · 44,386 vehicles
What's wrong: 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. Also, a small percentage of these kits were sold under the mopar performance parts brand name (p/nos. P5007069 and p5007070). All kits were manufactured from April 20, 1999, through September 23, 2004. These assemblies were manufactured as replacement equipment for certain Dodge pickup trucks…
Why it matters: A jammed open throttle could cause unintended acceleration of the vehicle, possibly resulting in a crash or increased stoping distances when braking.
The fix: K&n will provide owners with a free repair kit along with repair instructions. The recall began on April 20, 2006.
Visibility (wipers, glass) Equipment recall #07E104000 · 2007 · 1,657 vehicles
What's wrong: 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 break into small pieces as expected of tempered glass and fails to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 205, "glazing materials."
Why it matters: In the event of a vehicle crash, the occupant(s) May be seriously injured by shattered glass.
The fix: Safelite will notify its retail customers and replace the glass free of charge. Retail customers can contact safelite toll free at 1-888-843-2906. Safelite will notify its wholesale customers and reimburse wholesale customers for current inventory and at a specified rate for replacing their…
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 1 mention a fire, 6 injuries and 1 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Body & structure (40): the most common themes are rust / corrosion (4), door / lock issues (2).
- Steering (20): the most common themes are steering problems (15), noise or vibration (2).
- Transmission & drivetrain (19): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (5).
- Suspension (14): the most common themes are noise or vibration (4), steering problems (2).
The 2002 Dodge Ram 2500 has 155 owner complaints, ranking #19 of 22 Ram 2500 model years for complaints (well below the 293 average). Complaints peaked in 2011 (20 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 5 years old, at a median of 68,500 miles. Neighboring years: 2001 (469 complaints, 1 recalls), 2003 (661 complaints, 6 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.9 L 6-cyl | Automatic 3-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 13 | 15 | 14 | Regular |
| 5.9 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 11 | 16 | 13 | Regular |
| 5.2 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 12 | 14 | 13 | CNG |
| 5.2 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 11 | 14 | 12 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2002 Dodge Ram 2500.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
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FAQ
Does the 2002 Dodge Ram 2500 have any recalls?
NHTSA doesn't list any vehicle recalls for the 2002 Dodge Ram 2500, but 2 equipment or tire recalls may apply. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to be sure.
What are the most common 2002 Dodge Ram 2500 problems?
Owners have filed 155 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are body & structure (40), steering (20), transmission & drivetrain (19).
What gas mileage does the 2002 Dodge Ram 2500 get?
EPA ratings run up to 14 mpg combined (3.9 L, Automatic 3-spd), across 4 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2002 Dodge Ram 2500 repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.