Problems with 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 POWER TRAIN

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 dodge ram 1500. the vehicle was serviced for an ignition shift park interlock recall, but a nhtsa campaign id number was not found. when the vehicle was retrieved from the dealer, the gear was able to shift from park without the brake being applied. the gear was shifted back into park and the contact exited the vehicle. the vehicle then began to roll backwards. the contact was knocked to the ground by the door when he attempted to jump back in the vehicle. he was also run over by a tire. the vehicle rolled through a yard and a ditch before crashing into a fence. the contact sustained back injuries and abrasions on his foot. a police report was filed. the vehicle was not taken back to the dealer because they wanted to charge just to inspect the vehicle. the current and failure mileages were 157,000. updated 06/05/08.

2002 dodge ram 1500 quad cab sport 4x2 1. gas peddle has to be press down at all time in order for truck to stay on once i let go of gas peddle truck stalls. 2.first day i bought truck from deal i ask is this faint sound coming fom transmission, i was told dodge dealer thats a sound that trasmission makes, i said really. 3.interior top dsah so thin sun is able to crack dash by it self with the hot heat and sharp plastic and its now dangerous its become a hazad toall occupants or pedestrians passegers. 4. the whole back tail light found hanging tried to hook it back up its made of plastic components crack with noway of hooking it with nuts so for now i type it in place, its truly falls under a recall. 5.ac works but no heater. 6.mirror cover on passenger side has fallen off on freeway. 7.all engine components seem to brake to fast due to being made of plastic clips wires not stable to hold on to devices, hoses fall off, crack into devices which cause veichal problems and isusses that affect mulitiple hazards to truck speed control, suspension, steering,fuel/propulsion,lighting,powertrain, brakes,engine,electrical,elec, /stability,air bags, body, wheels,seats,seat belts,visibility/wipers, in general all aspects has some kind of hazardous componets that need mandatory recalls.

2002 dodge ram quad cab sport 4x2 (1.)gas peddle has to be press down at all time in order for truck to stay on and once i let go of gas peddle truck stalls. (2.)first day i bought truck from dealership i ask, is that faint sound coming from transmission, i was told by dodge dealer thats the sound transmission makes,i said really. (3.)interior top dash so thin sun is able to crack dash by its self with the hot heat and dash plastic is sharp and dangerous its become a hazard to all occupants or pedestrians, passegers. (4.)the whole back tail light found hanging tried to hook it back up its made of plastic components crack with no way of hooking it with nuts, so for now i tape it in place, it truly falls under a recall. (5.)ac works but no heater slite warm. (6.)mirror cover on passenger side has fallen off on freeway. (7.)all engine components seem to brake to fast due to being made of plastic clips wires not stable to hold on to devices once they brake off, some also crack off into devices, crack into devices which cause vehicle problems and issues that affect mulitiple hazards to truck speed, suspension, steering, fuel/propulsion, lighting, powertrain, brakes, engine, electrical, ele/ stability, rir bag, body, wheels, seat belt, visibility/wipers, in general all aspects has some kind of hazardous components that needs mandatory recalls.

Intermittent lamp failures internally, lamp out circuit malfunctioning, rear differential failed (approaching the second failure in 40,000 miles), rear universal joint has failed twice, with a third replacement to occur soon, transmission failures. any one of these systems failing while on the road could cause a serious safety issue, for myself, my passengers, and other drivers. so far, it has been in and out of the shop, old parts are no longer available, however if required i will retain them next time they fail. i've contacted dodge, the first reply was a "spam mail" of coupons for oil changes, and tire rotations (the message i sent them was professional and extensive to the issues i was having), after copying the message again the next day, a representative told me that there is nothing they can do about it. i've retained the message if any parties are interested. *tr

I have a 02 dodge ram 4x4 quad cab with the 360 engine and the transmission is messed up i contacted a local shop and the solenoids are bad and the shop owner stated that this is a very common problem with these trucks he tried to get the parts and no one has them they are on back order till next week that says to me this is a failure on dodge for faulty equipment. *tr

(1)no events leading up to the failure. (2)rear end locked up at 55 mph, caused us to slide off the road and into the ditch. truck had to be towed home. (3)replacement not available as it was discontinued. parts are too expensive to be repaired at this time. dealer quote on parts $3500. failure at 92k miles on a $30k truck that is not a 4x4. *tr

Rear clips broken in 2002 dodge ram 1500. *jb

Rear differential began making a humming noise under load. it had progressively gotten worse until failure. pinion bearings are bad. this is an ongoing problem with the dodge truck products. a repair shop in my town just did 3 rebuild on this type truck in one week. a recall should be issued . this rear end could come apart and injury could be happen. *tr

I have a 2002 dodge 1500 pickup with the limited slip rear differential. my differential "came apart" at 37,000 miles. since my incident i have discovered numerous other people with this differential in '02-'05 pickups have had similar problems. i would think this is a safety issue as if the broken parts were to get into the ring and pinion gears it could cause the truck to go out of control and crash. the manufacture is aware of the problem but seems unconcerned. i think this issue needs to be investigated. bob brandenberg. *nm

Found metal pieces the rear differential of my 2002 dodge ram 1500 quad cab 4x4. the whole rear end had to be replaced. this is apparently a well documented known problem based on hundreds of forum threads under "c-clip", "retainer clip" and/or "clutch pack retainer" problems. *jb

My 2002 dodge ram vehicle began to shake uncontrollably, i was on the ramp getting onto the interstate. i though my tires were been ripped off. i immediately stopped the vehicle only to hear the bottom of the car been banged as if the floorboard was coming up into the vehicle. i had the car towed only to find out i am lucky to be alive with my three children and my three nieces and nephews that were riding with me to the children's museum. the universal joint had completely broken of the transmission and made a hole on the bottom of the truck onto the floorboard. luckily i stopped the car on time before a tragedy would have occurred. i feel the truck is not old enough for this to happen and i have never been on any type of collision that would have caused this. when i spoke to the closest dealership and my home dealership, they only cared about having or not having an extended warranty, and that they would have to look at the vehicle to make sure i did not cause the problem (how could i have ripped the u-joint). ultimately, they said, it would be up to chrysler if they would be willing to do anything for me at all. what a great company and customer service huh?? *nm

The retaining clips fail in the rear differential of all 02-2005 (maybe 2006) 9.25" lsds are affected from dodge ram's. mine has failed once and has been replaced under warranty. the problem is dodge just replaces them with the same ones that will continue to fail. *jb

On saturday april 15, 2006 we were driving home and the transmission in our 2002 dodge ram truck began slipping. we had to drive in low gear to get home. we took the truck to schaefer and strominger, the dealer we purchased the truck brand new from in 2002 and were told "oh its probably just a switch, we'll replace it and its good you bought the power train warranty...well this 2002 truck on has approximately 26,000 miles on it! after having the truck for over a week, i was told the whole transmission had to be replaced on this truck....a truck that only has 26,000 miles on it. well not only schaefer and strominger, but also chrysler themselves don't have enough sense to give me a loaner car for the inconvenience of dealing with their defective product. there is no way i should have to be replacing the transmission in a truck that is hardly driven and has never, ever hauled anything. i have spoken to a lot of people about this, i am finding out that this is a problem everyone is having with these trucks and something needs to be done to chrysler to make them fix these at no cost to the consumer. i am thoroughly disgusted with the "oh well, what a shame" attitude chrysler has, we consumers spend a lot of money on these vehicles and we all deserve not only a better product, but also better customer service. please tell me there is someone out there who can make these manufactures stand behind the products they sell before someone gets seriously hurt or killed driving on of these trucks. *jb

First, the automatic transmission failed due to an overdrive band that broke and then the whole transmission had to be rebuilt. second, i had the mechanics check the differential for normal servicing. it was determined that the ltd slip component had broken, which then caused bearings to break, which then nearly destroyed the axle housing. $4500 or more to repair transmission and to replace rear axle. 77337 miles, no off road use and gentle driving habits. i can have the old axle i believe. 10 days in shop so far. *nm

Power train - axle shaft broke the axle shaft broke while the vehicle was traveling on a highway. the entire wheel and tire assembly fell off the vehicle. the vehicle spun out of control. *nm

My 2002 dodge pickup developed a buzzing/rattle while driving.i first thought it to be an exhaust system failure.it turned out to the drive shaft.my truck only has 75,000 miles on it,and has never been in an accident.the dealer techs say the inner shaft failed.i still have the old part.

Cluncking noise under hood. left upper control arm and ball joint. this truck has only 55,000 no off roading

First the transmission is slipping in 3rd gear at times,this has been an on going issue that the dealer can't reproduce. the lamp out light goes on and off with the bell this will do it intermittently for as long as 30 min straight and this truck is all over the road when you hit bumps at high speed. *jb

The differential broke in half while driving at approximately 55 mph, vehicle went off the road and down to a ditch. the vehicle is currently immobile. *ak......mad eall tires flat, and rear passenger tire detached/fell off the truck. no police report obtained. consumer claimed police were trying to get money in exchange of the report. on epicture included. *ak

With 65,000 miles on 2002 dodge ram 4x4 quad cab. transmission failed. only do ordinary driving, no hauling of any kind. of course no warranty. $3000 to get a new transmission. *ak

While driving 45 mph asphalt turned into gravel and vehicle hydro planed, landed on gravel, and passenger's side aluminum wheels broke. the vehicle hydro planed, again, twisted, and landed on roof. the vehicle was totaled. the driver sustained injuries, and was taken to hospital for surgery. *ak *sc the axle assembly failed.

Problems with vehicle's transmission.*mr the vehicle was taken to the dealer on three different occasions because of the engine light illuminating, the first time the dealer stated it was a transmission problem and the computer would need to be replaced, the second time the engine light illuminated again and the dealer stated it was sending the same code and they would replace the solenoid. the third time after having no transportation for three days, the consumer and his wife were told that a ball bearing in the valve body of the transmission was in the wrong place. *jb

While driving vehicle jerked forward when consumer tried to down shift the transmission gears. dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. *ak in addition, consumer is having trouble with tires and its sidewall and requesting manufacturer to design tires for off road conditions. front brake rotors are warped and the pads have 80 percent left at 34,000 miles. *la

While driving at 30 mph consumer heard a knocking noise coming from the rear. vehicle was taken to the dealer, who found that the differential fluid needed changing. dealer changed the fluid and charged the consumer for the work.*ak

Speedometer stopped functioning. found that sensor on top of differential was dislodged and oil was coming from differential. took truck to dealer. dealer replaced differential, pinion bearing, and sensor. *la

Vehicle has had repeated failures of rear axle components. all appear to be related to overstated towing capacity. after purchasing a trailer well within the vehicles tow rating the vehicle on the first trip out with the trailer exhibited a putrid smell that could not be located. this occurred on 07-25-03 at just under 8500 miles. the dealer could not locate the source of the smell, an independent garage found coagulated differential fluid and metal shavings in the rear axle. see your odi number 786051 for a similar case. the rear gears were replaced. on 12-01-03 at 10638 miles i was able to limp the truck with the trailer attached into southside dodge/kia in kissimmee, fl. the entire rear axle was so badly damaged including the antilock brake sensors that the entire unit had to be replaced. on 12-06-03 my wife and i retrieved the trailer. the truck was having trouble maintaining expressway speeds into a headwind on this trip. upon arrival at our home 265 miles later we again smelled the overheated rear axle fluid. later inspection at the dealer showed it to be burnt smelling, and discolored. further repairs are now awaited. i will be forwarding complete documentation today via usps.*ak

While attempting to accelerate out of the driveway vehicle would not accelerate. consumer had vehicle towed to the dealer. mechanic informed consumer that transmission failed. *ak

Vibration in rear of vehicle. *jb

Wheel and hub coming off. *ak

When vehicle is put into a particular gear it will not respond. when the gear shift is put in park it is really in neutral. when in drive it is really in reverse. *ak when changing gears, reading in the dash board is not synchronized with the shift from park to drive. truck was repaired 4 time but with no avail. consumer feared that it was the electronic gear indicator. this is because when vehicle was in park, consumer's wife witnessed that the back-up light went on. *la

While driving at night consumer did not know what gear the vehicle was in because shift lights are on all the gears, making it difficult to judge which gear the vehicle was in. *ak

Wobble in the rear wheels which has caused me on a couple of occasions to almost lose control of the vehicle. i have notified daimlerchrysler of this problem also.*ak

Vehicle has had to have universal joints replaced three times. each time, dealer indicated that this was a known problem and that there seems to be some defective parts out there. they indicated that if they are not replaced in a timely fashion, then damage could occur to the drive shaft. problem is noticed when vehicle is moved from a stopped position. there is a metal-on-metal knocking sound heard from under the vehicle (and felt). it happens one time during initial acceleration. sometimes felt while shifting gears as well. vehicle purchased april 2002. first replacement was 06/24/03 at 33,716 miles second replacement was 04/01/04 at 54,257 miles third replacement was 07/14/04 at 62,636 miles. i now have 84,000 miles and it looks like it is happening again. the vehicle is out of warranty and i am sure i am going to get soaked by dodge for this one. i have had many problems like this with the vehicle and poor dodge service has caused the problems. in the past i kept telling them something was wrong with the suspension. when they found nothing wrong with the suspension, they could have looked a bit further but they did not... it ended up costing me 2 new tires (the old tires only had 20k on them and were worn beyond belief). it was an alignment issue. the dealership in question is stetler dodge in york, pa. i had a blower motor problem in the past they ignored (turned out to be a recall item), bad amplifier, brake problems and the vehicle floats all over the place when hitting little bumps. hard to control.

The transmission gear went into neutral, without warning. *jb the transmission problems began at 1k miles,and at 6k miles a new transmission was installed. the manufacturer felt that the problem was remedied. scc

Transmission goes into high gear too soon causing too much downshifting when i need to speed up. goes into overdrive at 45 mph. very sluggish when i need to speed up unless i give it a lot of gas pedal and then it drops out of overdrive and skips 4th gear and goes down to 3rd gear.

Vehicle has a hard shift or bump when reaching about 20 mph. happens mostly on the up shift and during cooler weather. 8jb

While driving, vehicle started shaking and stalled without warning. please provide additional information. ts

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... they put the wrong fluid in it from the factory and burnt it up! its ony 3 years old and i got it in nov of 2002.... i have put 4 sets of front and rear brakes on it since i have had it! i took it in to be fixed everytime and it happins again with in 6 months! last dodge i will own!!!!

None

I am the owner of a dodge 2002 truck. it has a transmission problem that the dealers are telling everyone just to "hold on" basically, when the truck shifts into 2nd gear it jolts and surges forward. i was told yesterday by rick gladwell dodge in morehead city, nc. (252-247-2003) that it is more of an inconvienence to the driver rather than a mechanical failure waiting to happen. they claim that it is a module that needs reprogramming and that until the epa approves it that there is not much they can do. dt

6-11-2002 truck died out in motion. 6-15-2002 bells in truck came on, no dummy lights lasted 10-15 min then stopped on its own, also this day truck died out once in reverse, 3 times in drive. on this day i had vehicle towed to dealer. 6-22-2002 truck stuck in reverse. engine reved in reverse as if in nuetral but was clearly in reverse. car was driven to dealer that day. 6-29-2002 stuck in reverse again. dealer contacted - i was told to contact a service manager on 7-1-2002 , i obviously have an intermitent problem and nothing can be done until they can prove there is a problem. *ak

Consumer states rear differential began making loud pinging sounds as if metal was cooling after the vehicle had been towing a trailer for three hours on the highway. paint was bubbling off of the differnetial. dealer found the entire differential and rear axle bearings needed to be replaced. *tt

When cruise control is set and vehicle goes on an upgrade or hits it will accelerate intensively. consumer feels if on ice it could be very dangerous.*ak. consumer states there are also problems with the transmission.*jb

Right rear axle broke while driving 40-45 mph. dealer and manufacturer have been notified. *ak consumer sent broken shaft to dealer for testing, but dealer denied any claims, stating that it was driver neglect, one person was injured in accident caused by the defective rear axle. *tt

Have had several problems with this vehicle. some haven't been reported to the dealer yet. the transmission problem has been happening since i've had the vehicle. it shifts hard at about 2200 rpm's or around 25-30mph. dealer can't duplicate. i've had other problems that were not listed including brakes and alternator. the drivers side door mirror has recently broken and now flops in the wind on the free way and is unusable. i filed a claim with my insurance company, then found that it was a huge problem with other owners of the same vehicle. the ventilation from the panel is aslo sent to the floor vents despite the dial being set to "panel" not "floor". the tailgate cables are mismatched. the dealer told me that it was normal. i won't place anything on the tailgate in fear that the cable might break. the exterior turn signals are not synched with the displayed trun signals. the simultaneous flash is not there. also, the alternator was found to be defective at around 600 miles. it was causing a high pitched squeaking sound similar to what a defective belt may sound like. it was replaced, but started doing it again at 6750 miles. the hood has slight dents in it like someone hit it with a ball pen hammer. apparently chrysler knows about this. i'll be taking it in the first chance i get to try to have it fixed. i've had this truck a 3 different dealers in hope that the next one would be more help than the previous. no such luck. i've had to take time off from work (about 6 days total; had to wait at dealership since it was an out of town purchase ) and rent cars 5 times while having it worked on at a local dealership in order to get to work. i've had nothing but bad luck with this vehicle. daimler-chrysler has dreadful quality control and i can't say much more for the dealers. i hope i can get the issues with this truck resolved someday. dt