Complaints
59
Crashes
4
Fires
0
Injuries
6
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0
Worst 2002 Dodge 3500 Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#17 complaints
Steering Defects
Avg mileage:104,100 mi
Crash-related:1
#26 complaints
Structural Problems
Avg mileage:72,200 mi
#34 complaints
Airbags
Crash-related:1
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2002 Dodge 3500.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steering Defects | 7 | 1 | — | 104,100 mi | |
| Structural Problems | 6 | — | — | 72,200 mi | |
| Airbags | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Diesel Fuel System | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Body Structure | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Other:Fuel Injection System | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine Problems | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Diesel:Storage:Tank Assembly | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Injectors | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Other:Delivery:Fuel Pump | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Latches / Locks | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Manual Transmission | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Brakes | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Suspension:Front | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Upper Ball Joint | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Defects | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Tires:Valve | 1 | — | — | — |
Steering Defects
7
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
104,100
Structural Problems
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
72,200
Airbags
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Transmission / Drivetrain
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Diesel Fuel System
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Body Structure
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension Failures
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Other:Fuel Injection System
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Hydraulic Brakes
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine Problems
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Diesel:Storage:Tank Assembly
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Injectors
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Other:Delivery:Fuel Pump
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Latches / Locks
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Manual Transmission
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Brakes
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Front
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Upper Ball Joint
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Tire Defects
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Tires:Valve
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2002 Dodge 3500. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Dodge 3500 Years
2002 Dodge 3500 — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2002 Dodge 3500 reliable?
Verdict: Below Average Complaints. The 2002 Dodge 3500 has 59 NHTSA complaints, 4 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Steering Defects with 7 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2002 Dodge 3500?
Top reported problems: Steering Defects (7 complaints, avg 104,100 mi); Structural Problems (6 complaints, avg 72,200 mi); Airbags (4 complaints). 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 3500?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 89,377 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 3500?
NHTSA complaints for the 2002 Dodge 3500 include 4 crash-related reports, 0 fire reports, 6 injuries, and 0 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 3500 have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 2002 Dodge 3500 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 3500?
Fewer complaints than typical for this model. That's a good sign, but every individual car is different — the VIN still tells you what happened to this specific one.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Dodge 3500 reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2002 Dodge 3500
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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