general problems of the 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 - part 2

A few years after the vehicle was purchased, the dash began to develop cracks and holes. This has gotten worse and worse to the point where a dash cover had to be purchased to avoid things falling down behind the instrument cluster. Currently, there is more missing than still in place in the vehicle. This is a common problem in this generation, and Dodge has not addressed it, other than to claim it is strictly cosmetic. The plastic pieces are extremely sharp, and have resulted in a number of superficial cuts when working on the defrost vents, or when adjusting the carpeted dash cover. Other pieces have fallen into the vents and then been ejected into both driver and passenger's faces when the air conditioner/heater are turned on. Pieces of plastic rattle behind the dash, and have fallen into the air conditioner controls and radio harness, possibly being the cause of the failure of the front speakers (but not verified) if they have cut the wires. If the airbag deploys, the perdon in the seat is likely to be blinded or disfigured from the amount of dangerously sharp shrapnel, assuming it has not already been cut and rendered useless. Replacement dashes from Dodge are priced at nearly $1,000, which is a ridiculously exorbitant amount to expect customers to pay in order to fix a defective product installed by the company. Overlays of decent quality cost nearly a third of that.

I was stopped by police due to the fact that my parking/running lights were not working. The signals and stop lights worked fine. My 2002 Dodge ram is at the garage. They found the circuit board (power distribution center) under the fuse box is burned out. Cost from Dodge, $400. 00. I think this is a safety issue, there is no indication that the light went out from the cab. The dash lights worked and the head lights worked. The garage informed me that is happening a lot to other Dodge rams.

Dashboard begin cracking and finally in a couple days of weeks broke apart completely as I had been in a crash. I called the company they said the warranty had expired. I told them I have 1992 Ford aerostar whose dashboard was completely . Intact and that it was much older it had to be a structural defect. They offer to pay half which meant I had to pay 500. 00 dollars, which I didn't have. I felt they should pay all of it. Also the airbag light is on and the rpm accelerate without me pushing the gas pedal. I took many times to the dealership and they said they would fix it but they never did.

: the contact stated while applying pressure to the accelerator pedal the engine sputtered. The check engine, airbag, and check gauges lights illuminated. The dealership was alerted. Updated 03/28/06.

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.

There is an electrical problem with the instrument cluster,which is causing the head lights, blinkers, and interior lights not to function. Owner will contact manufacturer. Other electrical problems included fog lamps; windshield wipers; turn signals, brake lights and all cluster functions. Dealer replaced a shorted cluster.

My computer system went out in my 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 truck. I spoke with an individual named chris on 9/15/04 ref#12633025. The manufacturer will not take any steps to rectify this problem because I was told that there aren't any recalls on the computer systems in these trucks. It's going to cost me $600. 00 to get this problem with my lemon fixed.

Vehicle stalled when making left turns and/or braking. This resulted in loses of power steering and brakes. Took vehicle to dealer, and mechanic performed a diagnostic test, but no failure was found.

Parking lights and tail lights do not function. Lamp out indicator light on dash is not on. Problem diagnosed to be in the fuse box circuit boards also known as the pdc (power distribution center). Apparently corrosion occurs inside the box and the ground is lost. Original equipment part number is 56045433ae. That part number is no longer available and has been replaced by part number 56045433af. Neither part is available for purchase from Dodge dealers. There depots also show no stock and they do not know when the part will be available. As the corrosion continues other electronic components of the vehicle could be lost resulting in a serious safety issue.