Dodge Ram 2002-2008: Crash Tests and Safety Ratings
Crash test and safety ratings for the 3rd generation Dodge Ram reveal important safety information that you'll want to know before making your next truck purchase.
This article applies to the Dodge Ram (2002-2008).
When shopping for a vehicle, it's important to understand just how safe the vehicle you choose will be in a crash. You will want a vehicle that not only protects you and your occupants from injury if you are ever hit by another driver while on the road, but one that is also loaded with top safety features. Safety features are important for a number of reasons. First, they are designed to prevent injuries in the event of a collision and could spell the difference between life and death. Second (although equally important for many drivers) they can also reduce your insurance costs, since vehicles that receive a higher safety rating are cheaper to insure. Let's find out how the third generation Dodge Ram 1500 performed across key safety test descriptions.
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)
The IIHS is a non-profit organization that rates injuries caused by vehicle crashes. All of their research findings are available to the public and can be found by visiting the organization's official website. The goal of the organization is to reduce the number of injuries caused by passenger vehicles in order to make roadways safer for drivers and passengers. They also rate consumer products that are designed to protect children in collisions.
Year |
Moderate Front Overlap |
Head Restraints |
Seats |
|---|---|---|---|
2002 |
Good | N/A | N/A |
2003 |
Good | Acceptable | Acceptable |
2004 |
Good | Acceptable | Acceptable |
2005 |
Good | Acceptable | Acceptable |
2006 |
Good | Pass | Pass |
2007 |
Good | Pass | Pass |
2008 |
Good | Pass | Pass |
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
The NHTSA is a governmental agency that tests vehicle safety. Its mission is to reduce crash-related injuries and deaths. All crash test data is available free of charge to the public as well as the automotive industry and Chrysler, the vehicle manufacturer of the Dodge Ram 1500.
The 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 received four stars on both driver side and passenger side frontal crash safety. Side crash safety was not tested. Two-wheel drive trucks received three stars on rollover safety.
Safety Recalls
A safety recall for a vehicle occurs when a vehicle or its equipment is found to be defective. Either the NHTSA or the manufacturer of the vehicle can initiate a safety recall. Once a safety recall is issued, the manufacturer must notify their consumers in writing that the safety recall is currently underway and provide instructions on how consumers can receive free repairs for their defective components.
The 2008 Dodge Ram 1500 received safety recalls for 12 components, including, but not limited to:
- Faulty driver's frontal air bag that could lead to problems with deployment
- Faulty steering wheel that could lead to loss of control
- Faulty wheel caps that could lead to separation from wheel
- Faulty gear box that could lead to steering loss
- Malfunctioning windshield wipers that could lead to malfunctioning module assemblies
Common Questions
Which safety features come loaded on the 2002 Dodge Ram 1500?
The 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 comes loaded with side airbags and rear-wheel anti-lock brakes. Rear head curtain airbags and anti-lock brakes are optional.
Were there any significant improvements in safety ratings from the 2nd to 3rd generation trucks?
Yes! The most significant improvement was in the front moderate overlap test, which advanced from a "poor" rating for 2nd generation trucks to a "good" rating for 3rd generation trucks.
How did the 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 perform in rollover tests?
The 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 received a "good" rating for head/neck, chest as well as right and left leg injuries. The truck received an "acceptable" rating for structure and restraints.
Featured Video: Front Crash Test '02-'06 Dodge Ram 1500
Related Sites
- Dodge Ram 1500 Safety - CarComplaints.com
- Dodge Ram 1500 Crew Cab Pickup Ratings - IIHS.org
- Dodge Ram 1500 Extended Cab Pickup Ratings - IIHS.org
