Complaints
1,004
Crashes
74
Fires
22
Injuries
79
Fatalities
2
Recalls
0
Worst 2002 Dodge 1500 Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#1232 complaints
Structural Problems
Avg mileage:89,045 mi
Crash-related:3
#265 complaints
Electrical Faults
Avg mileage:100,208 mi
Crash-related:2
Fires:2
#344 complaints
Transmission / Drivetrain
Avg mileage:117,133 mi
Crash-related:2
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2002 Dodge 1500.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Structural Problems | 232 | 3 | — | 89,045 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 65 | 2 | 2 | 100,208 mi | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 44 | 2 | — | 117,133 mi | |
| Body Structure | 38 | 1 | 1 | 99,452 mi | |
| Suspension Failures | 35 | 3 | — | 78,791 mi | |
| Airbags | 34 | 15 | — | 148,850 mi | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 25 | — | — | 104,874 mi | |
| Steering Defects | 25 | 3 | — | 68,379 mi | |
| Engine Problems | 22 | 2 | 1 | 113,186 mi | |
| Engine & Cooling | 22 | — | — | 68,879 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 22 | — | — | 50,469 mi | |
| Automatic Transmission | 19 | — | 1 | 50,597 mi | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 18 | 4 | 2 | 75,566 mi | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 14 | 11 | — | 43,113 mi | |
| Suspension:Front | 14 | 2 | — | 81,862 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 13 | — | — | 20,987 mi | |
| Suspension:Rear | 13 | 1 | — | 54,449 mi | |
| Tire Defects | 13 | 1 | — | 44,124 mi | |
| Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit | 11 | 1 | — | 65,972 mi | |
| Steering:Rack And Pinion | 9 | 1 | — | 65,364 mi | |
| Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System | 9 | — | — | 89,812 mi | |
| Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:Fan/Motor | 9 | — | — | 85,578 mi | |
| Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/Devices | 9 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/Devices:Exterior | 9 | 1 | — | 44,000 mi | |
| Other Equipment | 7 | — | — | 64,500 mi | |
| Wheel Issues | 7 | 2 | — | 142,400 mi | |
| Instrument Cluster | 6 | — | — | 103,333 mi | |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 6 | — | 4 | 43,003 mi | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 6 | — | — | 78,926 mi |
Structural Problems
232
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
89,045
Electrical Faults
65
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
2
Avg Miles
100,208
Transmission / Drivetrain
44
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
117,133
Body Structure
38
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
99,452
Suspension Failures
35
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
78,791
Airbags
34
complaints
Crashes
15
Fires
—
Avg Miles
148,850
Headlight/Taillight Failures
25
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
104,874
Steering Defects
25
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
68,379
Engine Problems
22
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
1
Avg Miles
113,186
Engine & Cooling
22
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
68,879
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
22
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
50,469
Automatic Transmission
19
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
50,597
Unintended Acceleration
18
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
2
Avg Miles
75,566
Air Bags:Frontal
14
complaints
Crashes
11
Fires
—
Avg Miles
43,113
Suspension:Front
14
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
81,862
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor
13
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
20,987
Suspension:Rear
13
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
54,449
Tire Defects
13
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
44,124
Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit
11
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
65,972
Steering:Rack And Pinion
9
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
65,364
Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System
9
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
89,812
Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:Fan/Motor
9
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
85,578
Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/Devices
9
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/Devices:Exterior
9
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
44,000
Other Equipment
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
64,500
Wheel Issues
7
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
142,400
Instrument Cluster
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
103,333
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
4
Avg Miles
43,003
Hydraulic Brakes
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
78,926
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2002 Dodge 1500. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Dodge 1500 Years
2002 Dodge 1500 — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2002 Dodge 1500 reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 2002 Dodge 1500 has 1,004 NHTSA complaints, 74 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Structural Problems with 232 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2002 Dodge 1500?
Top reported problems: Structural Problems (232 complaints, avg 89,045 mi); Electrical Faults (65 complaints, avg 100,208 mi); Transmission / Drivetrain (44 complaints, avg 117,133 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2002 Dodge 1500?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 87,128 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2002 Dodge 1500?
NHTSA complaints for the 2002 Dodge 1500 include 74 crash-related reports, 22 fire reports, 79 injuries, and 2 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2002 Dodge 1500 have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 2002 Dodge 1500 as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 2002 Dodge 1500?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Dodge 1500 reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2002 Dodge 1500
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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