The 2002-2006 Dodge Ram safety features

Information courtesy of Dodge. We are not associated with Dodge.

Impact Protection

The frame of the all-new 2002 Dodge Ram is designed to absorb much of the energy in the event of an impact, partly through indentations and holes into the front rail tips which allow the vehicle's front crush zone to absorb more of the impact energy so there are reduced G-forces exerted on passengers. The heel part of the frame, located immediately behind the wheel wells, is reinforced for added crash integrity.

Full-vehicle computer impact modeling was used to design the 2002 Ram's seat belts and air bags, which are sourced from a single supplier to further improve their performance.

Both front outboard seat belt systems have pyrotechnic pretensioners which tighten the belts when an air bag activates, keeping the occupant securely in place. The constant force retractors (CFR) play out seat belt webbing in a controlled manner when the belt is at risk of tightening too firmly and causing an injury. The driver's side seat belt in the Regular Cab model is equipped with a tension reducer to improve comfort.

High strength, hot-stamped steel beams in the doors are lighter while improving protection in the event of a side impact. Optional side curtain air bags offer added head protection to front and rear outboard passengers in side impact situations. These air bag curtains are integrated into the headliner just above the truck's doors.

The 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 pickup meets new, more stringent federal head impact safety standards a year in advance of the requirement.

Optional power adjustable accelerator and brake pedals are available on all 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 models with an automatic transmission. This allows shorter drivers to adjust the pedals for comfort while maintaining a safe distance from the air bag module. The full rearward position is designed for a 6-foot-2-inch, 200-pound plus driver, while the full forward position will comfortably accommodate a 4-foot-11-inch, 108-pound person.

The back seat of the Quad Cab is now larger to better accommodate child safety seats and booster seats. Because children in child safety seats and booster seats no longer have to be placed in the Quad Cab's front seat, engineers were able to delete the truck's air bag on-off switch. An air bag on-off switch remains available in the Regular Cab model.

To make installation of child safety seats more sure and secure, tether anchors have been added to the center and right passenger positions in the Regular Cab, and in all three seating positions of the Quad Cab's rear seat. The rear outboard seating positions in the Quad Cab also feature seat belts with cinching latch plates that help provide more secure child safety seat installation.

Accident avoidance

Four-wheel disc brakes are now standard. The brakes are by far the largest in the industry shorten stopping distance, and increase responsiveness and lining life. A new type of brake booster delivers two different rates of force depending on how hard the driver presses on the brake pedal.

A rear-wheel anti-lock braking system remains standard on all 2002 Ram 1500 models. The system includes Electronic Variable Brake Proportioning (EVBP) that balances front-to-rear braking effort. Brake proportioning makes better use of the rear brakes when the truck is lightly loaded, balancing front-to-rear lining wear while reducing instances of rear-wheel anti-lock action. Four-wheel disc ABS with EVBP is optional on the 2002 Dodge Ram.

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