2002 Dodge Ram 1500 vs 2003 Dodge Ram 1500
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 | 2003 Dodge Ram 1500 |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 815 | 1,170 |
| Recall campaigns | 3 | 1 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 22 | 28 |
| Investigations | 1 | 3 |
| Crash reports | 55 | 76 |
| Fire reports | 14 | 12 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 12–16 | 13–16 |
| Median reported mileage | 71,000 mi | 70,000 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Dodge Ram 1500 | Dodge Ram 1500 |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | 278 | 237 |
| Air Bags | 46 | 457 |
| Power Train | 99 | 125 |
| Electrical System | 93 | 61 |
| Suspension | 71 | 57 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 58 | 56 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 30 | 62 |
| Steering | 44 | 44 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Stalling | 55 | 43 |
| Vibration / shaking | 24 | 41 |
| Rust / corrosion | 20 | 28 |
| Electrical failures | 13 | 10 |
| Hesitation / surging | 10 | 0 |
| Clunking / rattling | 10 | 6 |
| Check engine light | 9 | 9 |
| Overheating | 9 | 0 |
2002 Dodge Ram 1500
2003 Dodge Ram 1500
Compare all Dodge Ram 1500 vs Dodge Ram 1500 years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.