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EnginePart report

2002 Dodge RAM 1500 Engine Problems

Complaints
22about this part
Share
3%of 815 total for the year
Median mileage
116,500miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 22 complaints about the engine of the 2002 Dodge RAM 1500, 3% of the 815 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 116,500 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“Hello, I have had a problem with my Dodge ram the fuel line system just cracked and caused my vehicle to catch fire and blow up while myself in my 7 year old granddaughter was in the vehicle my vehicle has been maintained since day one when I bought it brand new never having problems with it other than your will wells were never drilled out to drain the water in the back I would like to know if you have had other issues with this vehicle on the same incident. …”

NHTSA complaint #11220970, filed 2019-06, 140 miles

“4.7l engine has a sludge build up problem which in turn causes engine total failure. I've had engine replaced 3 times with brand new remand from chrysler corp. And all engines were installed at ase certified shop and all have blown up also due to this sludge build up problem that chrysler corp is aware of but refuses to admit its engine factory defect and all my engines failed at 1,200 miles/ 1,468 miles/27,497 miles on last engine and all failed of same cause sludge build up.”

NHTSA complaint #11151648, filed 2018-11, 27,697 miles

“2002 Dodge RAM 1500 quad cab sport 4x2 1. Gas peddle has to be press down at all time in order for truck to stay on once I let go of gas peddle truck stalls. 2.first day I bought truck from deal I ask is this faint sound coming fom transmission, I was told Dodge dealer thats a sound that trasmission makes, I said really. 3.interior top dsah so thin sun is able to crack dash by it self with the hot heat and sharp plastic and its now dangerous its become a hazad toall occupants or pedestrians passegers. 4. …”

NHTSA complaint #10906392, filed 2016-09, 48,000 miles

“2002 Dodge ram quad cab sport 4x2 (1.)gas peddle has to be press down at all time in order for truck to stay on and once I let go of gas peddle truck stalls. (2.)first day I bought truck from dealership I ask, is that faint sound coming from transmission, I was told by Dodge dealer thats the sound transmission makes,I said really. (3.)interior top dash so thin sun is able to crack dash by its self with the hot heat and dash plastic is sharp and dangerous its become a hazard to all occupants or pedestrians, passegers. …”

NHTSA complaint #10906446, filed 2016-09, 48,000 miles

“Shortly after entering highway 281, my engine fell on it's face. I pushed the gas pedal but got nothing but RPM's from the engine. I began to move over to the right with no power, little steering, a dash full of error lights, and doing my best not to get hit by passing vehicles. Once I got to the side of the road, the engine wasn't running. I started the engine and checked my gauges. The check engine light was on, the water temp was near the red zone, and the engine sound like bowling ball in a dryer. …”

NHTSA complaint #10471443, filed 2012-08, 89,600 miles

Engine: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
201216323%
201115122%
20106213%
2009507%
2008356%
2007357%
2006334%
2005766%
2004747%
2003212%
2002223%
200150%
200031%
199941%
199810%
199731%
199621%
199510%

Other parts of the 2002 Dodge RAM 1500

Body and structure
278 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
99 complaints
Electrical system
93 complaints
Suspension
71 complaints
Other or unknown
62 complaints
Engine cooling
58 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
53 complaints
Air bags
46 complaints
Steering
44 complaints
Brakes
36 complaints
Exterior lighting
35 complaints
Vehicle speed control
22 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2002 Dodge RAM 1500

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology