Is the 2002 Dodge Ram Quad Cab a bad year?
206 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Ram Quad Cab years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2002 Dodge Ram Quad Cab are in line with other Ram Quad Cab years. Body structure stands out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2002 Ram Quad Cab owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 76,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Body structureSTANDS OUT | 68 (33%) | 58k–94k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Engine | 18 (9%) | 12k–78k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Electrical system | 25 (12%) | 14k–68k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Steering | 23 (11%) | 14k–74k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Brakes | 18 (9%) | 11k–48k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Suspension | 17 (8%) | 17k–74k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 17 (8%) | 22k–63k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Air bags | 9 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 9 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 8 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Exterior lighting | 7 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Tires | 7 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Equipment | 5 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Seats | 5 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 76,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 206 complaints: 9 mention a crash · 4 mention a fire · 8 report an injury.
No complaints in the last 12 months; the newest was filed in Dec 2019.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
Recalls for the 2002 Dodge Ram Quad Cab: 0
No recall campaign lists this model year.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Dodge: 11
Repair instructions Dodge sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2002 Dodge Ram Quad Cab. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Service Four Piece Oil Pan Gasket All Cummins Equipped Vehicles ONLY The replacement oil pan gasket can be a four piece gasket rather than a single piece gasket
Gasket, Cylinder Head Cover Before replacing injectors for Diagnostic Trouble Codes P0201, P0202, P0203, P0204, P0205, and/or P0206…
KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC level part number
NHTSA defect investigations: 1
Rear axle failure
Neighbouring years
2001 Ram Quad Cab: 118 complaints, keep it · 2003 Ram Quad Cab: 122 complaints, keep it.
Every Dodge Ram Quad Cab year
2001 · 2002 · 2003 · All Ram Quad Cab years side by side
Other Dodge models: Dodge Avenger · Dodge Caliber · Dodge Caravan · Dodge Challenger · Dodge Charger · Dodge Dakota · Dodge Dart · Dodge Durango · Dodge Grand Caravan · Dodge Intrepid · Dodge Journey · Dodge Magnum · Dodge Neon · Dodge Nitro · Dodge Ram · Dodge Sprinter 2500 · Dodge Stratus. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2002 Dodge Ram Quad Cab a bad year?
206 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Ram Quad Cab years. At 76,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Dodge Ram Quad Cab?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: body structure (68), engine (18), electrical system (25), steering (23), brakes (18).
How many recalls does the 2002 Dodge Ram Quad Cab have?
No recall campaign lists this model year in NHTSA data. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.