Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2002 Dodge Ram owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Dt*: the contact stated while the vehicle was parked, there was a strong odor of gasoline present. Upon initial inspection, no leaks were detected. The contact alerted the dealer who instructed the contact to start the engine and upon doing so, flames erupted from the engine compartment. The fire quickly spread consuming the vehicle. No injuries were sustained, but the vehicle was a total loss. The fire department was alerted, and extinguished the flames. The police were on the scene and a report was taken. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where a factory representative inspected the vehicle. The findings of the inspection were not divulged. The manufacturer was notified.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Dodge Ram model r35. The contact was driving 5 MPH when smoke emitted inside of the vehicle and flames were visible from the hood. The failure caused the contact to drive into a ditch but there was no crash. The doors failed to open during the failure so the contact escaped by punching and shattering the windshield. The vehicle was towed to a private mechanic where the mechanic confirmed that the power disruption caught fire. The manufacturer was contacted. The vehicle was destroyed. The failure and the current mileages were 50,000.
Purchased 2002 quad cab with 23 miles form turlock auto plaza in April 2002, started noticing problems right away, door locks not unlocking, windows not operating, engine stalling, transmission slipping, radio intermittantly working, etc... Visited 3 local dealerships. Final diagnosis "gremlins" ??? Cannot duplicate problem . Even though they themselves noted the transmission slipping. On August 27, 2004 engine "blew up", on a major mountainous highway in the slow lane, vehicle was towed to turlock Dodge. Service advisor stated the vehicle would be covered under warranty as long as there were no modifications to the vehicle. On several occasions it was stated the vehicle would be covered and parts were ordered. However when the regional rep for daimler Chrysler went to see the vehicle. …
I have a 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 4.7l 2wd quad cab. On October 30th, my vehicle decided it was ganna let go of three sensors all at once. An ignition, timing, and ??hyac?? , cost me almost 750$ in parts and labor at my local dealership. One (1) week later my truck began to overheat. Upon inspection, I found a hairline fracture in the radiator fill reservoir stem. I came to the conclusion that the overheating was due to a pressurization problem. After that was fixed and the truck was running my radiator exploded under normal operating temperatures. After the radiator and the water pump and thermostat were replaced and I had the truck running again I drove down the road to provide sufficient circulation of the fluids and out of the sudden string of events it started to emit white smoke and I was running out of radiator fluid all due to a ruptured head gasket. …
2002 Dodge Ram 1500 quad cab has a surging problem at highway speed. The check engine light will come on and it is read as transmission fluid pressure sensor. This was replaced with a factory sensor and within 2 weeks it did it again. After 200 miles the light went out and the surging stopped only to start and stop repeatedly up to this date, 8/23/2010. How can a sensor repair itself? Impossible! Mileage at first check engine light was less than 100,000. Also dash is cracked to a completely unacceptable level for the age of the vehicle and mileage on dash at 138,000 with care taken to keep it clean and conditioned. Cracks began at 85,000 miles. Wipers when operating on high will lower speed and will continue to change from high to low intermittently unless they are turned off and turned back on several times. Do not consider this safe in any way. …
At 42000 miles the oil pressure gauge started dropping at the top of a hill. In less then a minutes the truck shut itself down. I drifted down the hill and tried to start it. There was no response. I called the dealer and had it towed. They requested all receipts for oil changes and ordered a new engine. They had said that thier mechanic put a breaker bar on it and couldn't move the engine. It had seized. When the new engine arrived a week later the mechanic went out to pull it in to swap engines. He forgot and tried to start it and it started right up. They called me and told me to pick it up that there was nothing wrong with it. At 52000 miles my engine began knocking. I took it to the dealership garage. Before even touching the vehicle the garage requisted all oil change receipts. Which I supplied to them. …
Started in 2005 with a blown lifter at 37000 miles. In 2008 the lifters,valves on one side blew as did the head. Dodge claimed I wasn't changing oil properly as it was full of sludge. The oil pump and sump clogged resulting in all the damage. $3800.00 to repair. In March 2009 lifters blew again. Cost $600.00 to repair. Shortly after that the oil pressure dropped. I changed the oil and it was full of sludge. I have been changing the oil every 1500 miles since March 2009 using rinsoline to try and clean motor. It still takes s 6-10 seconds after start to get oil pressure to motor. Lifters are tapping again and I am sure they are ready to go. I have changed the oil using castrol syntec 5-30 every 3000-4000 miles since I bought truck new in 10/2001. I believe the sludge issue is due to a faulty engine design on the 4.7 l v8 Dodge used. …
Purchased 2002 Dodge Ram used. At first service interval, rack and pinion boots were leaking, main seal was shot. Also had manifold leak, along with a steering problem that causes shaking at 40 MPH. Steering problem still remains, and there is a loud rattle that the dealership cannot find. This vehicle has been a nightmare, most recently, my fuel pump decided to quit working. Also, the interior trim, namely the hand grips on the driver and passenger door have been replaced numerous times, due to the cheap plastic that is used as a holding ring. Do not purchase this type of vehicle. Have had nothing but headaches with the truck, from the simple things, to the expensive things...was just told that my head gaskets are shot as well, have spent thousands on this truck, with no returns, do not get this year/model of Ram 1500.
Have owned 02 Ram 1500 quad cab short bed for over a year now. After purchasing in aug 02 had immediate problems with front end vibration/skip. Dealership replaced 3 sets of rims and 4 sets of tires, skip seams to be gone. However, continue to have vibration/shake at 40 MPH and above, seems as if it is a drive train or engine problem but milton Dodge in milton florida states there is no problem. If a water bottle is sitting in the cup holder you can really tell had bad the truck vibrates/shakes. Have over 12 dealer service invoices where they have tried to correct with no success.
2002 Dodge Ram 4wd 4 door currently on third engine after 2 drive train failures. Today the engine began making thudding noises, the vehicle bucked and the engine light was blinking. Further, when the front tire hits a small pot hole or other road deformity, the vehicle abruptly veers requiring drastic counter steering to correct, often nearly out of control. Repeated attempts to inform daimler-Chrysler corp. Have met with indifference and failure to acknowledge problem exists. I am concerned for my safety as well as my family's safety whenever I drive this vehicle. Keith bills.
Engine complaints in other Ram years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2002 Dodge Ram?
NHTSA has 37 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2002 Dodge Ram, 10% of the model year's 353 complaints. The component named most often is engine (9 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Dodge Ram engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2002 Dodge Ram, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2002 Dodge Ram engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 50,000 miles, and 35% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 3 fires and 3 injuries to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.