2002 Dodge RAM Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 14about this part
- Share
- 12%of 116 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 27,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 14 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2002 Dodge RAM, 12% of the 116 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 27,000 miles. 2 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“While driving 30 MPH, the engine stalled due to engine sludge . The consumer pulled over and had the vehicle towed. The dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. The cause was not determined. Please provide more information.”
NHTSA complaint #10107291, filed 2005-01, 40,000 miles“The vehicle stalled while driving at 55 MPH. The consumer managed to pull over and had the vehicle towed. The dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. The cause has yet to be determined.”
NHTSA complaint #10071913, filed 2004-04, 49,000 miles“Left front control arm were not replaced, only the brake pads. Dealership claimed this would fix the problem. However, there was still a clanking noise at front left and right wheel area. Consumer's inspection revealed that on both sides the pivot arms were loose and had rotated several times hitting the suspension arm frame mount area and there were gouges in the frame mount. Further inspection also revealed exhaust leak on the bottom side of the muffler at the back weld or seal of the unit. Consumer planned on taking vehicle to another dealership.”
NHTSA complaint #10007334, filed 2003-03, 2,700 miles“My truck stalls unexpectedly up to 3 times a day almost alway in the evening. This happens within the first 3 miles that I drive. The truck is then very hard to get started and keep running. I have had the truck in for service 3 times, and have also contacted the customer service center and repeatedly get un returned phone calls. This truck is life threatening to me my family and anyone else that is around when this happens.”
NHTSA complaint #765350, filed 2002-08“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10434257, filed 2011-11, 50,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10024083Jan 8, 2008Positive crankcase ventilation (pcv) system freezes in extreme cold ambient temperatures -- involves installing revised pcv system components.
- 10019529Feb 1, 2006Positive crankcase ventilation (pcv) system freezes in extreme cold ambient temperatures.
- 10015075Apr 28, 2005New water pump for 3.7l engine - no longer common with 4.7l. Advanced service information #05-002.
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 1 | 4% |
| 2008 | 2 | 8% |
| 2007 | 1 | 6% |
| 2006 | 2 | 8% |
| 2005 | 15 | 38% |
| 2004 | 5 | 9% |
| 2003 | 8 | 15% |
| 2002 | 14 | 12% |
| 2001 | 29 | 9% |
| 2000 | 15 | 10% |
| 1999 | 37 | 10% |
| 1998 | 38 | 8% |
| 1997 | 30 | 8% |
| 1996 | 57 | 9% |
| 1995 | 51 | 8% |
| 1994 | 28 | 6% |
| 1993 | 4 | 7% |
| 1992 | 7 | 12% |
| 1991 | 1 | 2% |
| 1990 | 3 | 13% |
| 1989 | 1 | 4% |
| 1988 | 4 | 18% |
| 1987 | 1 | 6% |
| 1986 | 2 | 11% |
| 1985 | 2 | 20% |
Other parts of the 2002 Dodge RAM
17 complaintsSuspension
16 complaintsAir bags
15 complaintsBody and structure
15 complaintsBrakes
13 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
11 complaintsSteering
8 complaintsOther or unknown
6 complaintsElectrical system
5 complaintsEquipment
5 complaintsSeats
4 complaintsVehicle speed control
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 Dodge RAM
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