3rd generation (DR/DH) · DR / DH · 7,866 complaints, 5,220 with mileage
Owners filed 7,866 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002–2008 Dodge Ram 1500, and 5,220 of them record the mileage at which the failure happened. That is enough to show not just what fails, but when.
Failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 38,000 and 116,000 miles. The median is 70,000 miles.
The most-reported areas are the airbag system (22.5% of complaints, typically around 90,000 miles), the transmission and driveline (16.0% of complaints, typically around 96,838 miles), body structure (8.0% of complaints, typically around 75,000 miles).
9 recall campaigns cover this generation.
| System | Complaints | Share | Typical mileage | Middle half |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 1,771 | 22.5% | 90,000 | 53,000–138,000 |
| Power Train | 1,255 | 16.0% | 96,838 | 50,000–145,300 |
| Structure | 633 | 8.0% | 75,000 | 53,058–100,000 |
| Electrical System | 561 | 7.1% | 66,972 | 35,000–105,000 |
| Suspension | 516 | 6.6% | 69,000 | 37,000–120,000 |
| Steering | 490 | 6.2% | 62,972 | 38,674–97,000 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 356 | 4.5% | 48,000 | 16,585–73,000 |
| Exterior Lighting | 309 | 3.9% | 64,000 | 41,000–92,000 |
| Engine | 296 | 3.8% | 100,000 | 60,000–137,000 |
| Unknown Or Other | 262 | 3.3% | 86,326 | 50,000–133,000 |
| Year | Complaints | With mileage |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 1,004 | 719 |
| 2003 | 1,363 | 807 |
| 2004 | 1,368 | 945 |
| 2005 | 1,630 | 920 |
| 2006 | 1,080 | 798 |
| 2007 | 701 | 508 |
| 2008 | 720 | 523 |
Complaints about this generation are not spread evenly across the vehicle, and the systems that generate the most of them do not all fail at the same point in a car's life. The median failure across all systems here is 70,000 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.
The airbag system accounts for 22.5% of complaints (1,771 reports, 422 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 90,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 53,000 and 138,000 miles.
The transmission and driveline accounts for 16.0% of complaints (1,255 reports, 857 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 96,838 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 50,000 and 145,300 miles.
Body structure accounts for 8.0% of complaints (633 reports, 467 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 75,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 53,058 and 100,000 miles.
The electrical system accounts for 7.1% of complaints (561 reports, 474 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 66,972 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 35,000 and 105,000 miles.
The suspension accounts for 6.6% of complaints (516 reports, 407 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 69,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 37,000 and 120,000 miles.
The steering accounts for 6.2% of complaints (490 reports, 408 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 62,972 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 38,674 and 97,000 miles.
Within this generation, complaint volume is not constant across model years. The 2005 model year drew the most — 1,630 complaints — while 2007 drew the fewest at 701. The median year sits at 1,080.
NHTSA records 9 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation. A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator concluded there was a safety defect or a standard was not met, and that a free remedy is owed to owners — including second and later owners.
The campaigns cluster around the airbag system (4), the steering (3), the transmission and driveline (1). Repeated recalls against the same area of the car generally mean the first remedy did not fully resolve the underlying problem.
Recall status is specific to the individual vehicle, not the model. Checking a VIN against NHTSA's lookup is free and takes under a minute, and it is the only way to know whether a particular car has had the work done.
Of the 7,866 complaints filed against this generation, 610 reported a crash; 140 reported a fire; 582 reported an injury; 18 reported a fatality. Crash-involved reports represent 7.8% of the total.
These are owner-reported outcomes, not verified investigations, and they are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. They are included because the distinction between a fault that strands a car and a fault that causes a collision is the one that matters most, and it is not visible in a complaint count alone.
For a buyer, failures on this generation are spread rather than concentrated: the middle half falls between 38,000 and 116,000 miles, with a median of 70,000. There is no single mileage threshold to watch, which means condition and maintenance records are more informative than the odometer.
On inspection, the airbag system and the transmission and driveline are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. The airbag system in particular shows a median failure mileage of 90,000, which gives a concrete number to compare against the odometer of any car you are considering.
None of this is a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on the individual car. Aggregate patterns describe a population; the example in front of you has its own history.
Exhaust manifold bolts snap at the head, producing a cold-start 'Hemi tick' and an exhaust leak that worsens as more bolts fail; warped manifold flanges and gasket leaks follow.
Head gasket failure after overheating, plus sludge buildup when oil changes lapse, leading to rocker-arm wear and oil starvation. The 3.7L V6 shares the sludging tendency.
Ball joint wear and 'death wobble' on 4WD models from worn track bar and steering linkage.
Dash pad cracking into sharp pieces that rattle and expose wiring — a defining complaint for this body.
| Campaign | Date | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 16V352000 | 2017-03-27 | Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module |
| 15V312000 | 2016-03-16 | Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module |
| 14V796000 | 2015-06-26 | Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit |
| 15V313000 | 2015-06-08 | Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module |
| 14V795000 | 2015-03-27 | Electrical System:Ignition:Switch |
| 14V770000 | 2015-02-03 | Air Bags |
| 13V528000 | 2014-01-17 | Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly |
| 13V529000 | 2014-01-16 | Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly |
| 11V350000 | 2011-10-03 | Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly |