CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2002 has the well-known and documented problem with their dashboards falling to pieces, but it also has engine failure from oil sludge. That's a doube shot of awful in your morning coffee.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
34,321 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2002 Dodge Ram 1500 engine problems

engine problem

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2002 Dodge Ram 1500 Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #25

Aug 122010

Ram 1500

  • 60,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

2002 Dodge Ram 1500 4.7L- only 60,000 miles. Driving truck and then with no warning, engine lite comes on, gauges all shoot in the wrong direction. Pulled over but too late, blew the head gasket. There is a problem with this engine design and after checking the web, there are too many people out there with the same issue.

- Fremont, CA, USA

problem #24

Jul 082010

Ram 1500

  • 110,000 miles
Unexpected engine stall, particularly while driving. Would drive at normal speeds with no unusual acceleration or loads (50 mph max where I live), as foot is removed from accelerator, RPM's drop off to zero (stall) while in motion, sometimes at speeds up to 50 mph causing loss of power steering and power brakes, with last incident occurring on a long turn on highway causing a surprising and sudden loss of reasonable control of vehicle, further causing me to cross center line into oncoming traffic. Furthermore, had difficult time pulling over and nearly overran safe stopping area due to power brake loss, causing me to reach a ditch near shoulder, thus nearly causing rollover that was avoided by attempting to ride out of ditch prior to reaching utility pole which by doing so, caused vehicle to swerve back into traffic (not oncoming), all while having to wrestle steering wheel and brakes to get vehicle to respond enough to finally be able to pull safely off the road. Engine stall does not occur each time and is intermittent with no real indication as to why. After Dodge mechanic was unable to determine problem, I researched myself and found many other people with similar problem related to sludge. Asked mechanic to verify, and later confirmed was the case, but, says was my fault!?! (I change oil every 2.5K - 3K without fail as per mfg requirements). Ultimately have learned of possible design flaw by Dodge regarding poor oil flow through engine ports, etc, of which corporate readily denies. I see absolutely no reason whatsoever how this can not be a serious design flaw that nearly killed me, my daughter and the poor guy in the oncoming lane. Only correction available is new engine which has not been done due to excessive costs, therefore truck now sits. I am a well rounded driver with lots of experience in most vehicles, large trucks and heavy equipment and can handle situations better than most people. It takes a lot to put fear in my heart and this really scared me.

- Koloa, HI, USA

problem #23

Jun 102010

Ram 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • 95,000 miles
2002 Dodge 4X4 1500 4.7L V8. Tons of owners of this make, model, and engine size have had the exact same problem with the 4.7L V8. An issue that happens all of the sudden and leaves us stranded. Oil sludge, is the cause of overheating, rods and lifters ticking and knocking in the passengers side of the engine. What causes this problem is poor design of the block, and poor cooling for the engine. There are literally tons of complaints on line and in dealerships on this make, model, and engine size. And Dodge will not own up to this issue. It is extremely un safe for this engine to be driving around. There are little children and elderly people who could be left on the side of the road if this problem is not addressed.

- Yellville, AR, USA

problem #22

Aug 072009

Ram 1500

  • 110,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I was driving on the highway at about 55 miles an hour when the engine blew causing me to almost get hit in traffic. The engine blew, however there is a tsb in regards to the oil pressure stating that is not an issue. The only way to correct this problem is to replace the engine. There is numerous complaints on the web stating the same results as mine. Dodge states that I caused this problem.

- Grand Junction, CO, USA

problem #21

May 132008

Ram 1500

  • 170,000 miles
We have a 2002 Dodge Ram 1500. We are the only owner and have taken good mechanical care of this truck. My husband drives a good distance to work and we have around 170xxx miles on this truck. Haven't had alot of trouble out of it until it started misfiring and not starting. Not to bad right....wrong only a few days later the cylinders started missing. Now we are told that we must buy a new engine for it. The junk yard models cost around 1700 dollars. We still owe around $3100 so considering what we owe and the insurance of 450 every six months it isn't even worth fixing time you add in labor. This is so ridiculous we thought we would have drove this truck for a long time. I have an older Ford and it has 350xxx miles on it and I bought this one used I guess it was to much to hope for, for this Dodge Ram to last long.

- Sharps Chapel, TN, USA

problem #20

Feb 152007

Ram 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 69,042 miles
While driving down the highway the check gauges light and audible alarm came on. I looked down to see I had no oil pressure on my truck. It was a 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 quad cab 4X4 with 69043 miles. I immediately pulled over and checked the oil. Everything seemed ok. I thought start the truck to see if there was a fluke in the warning. The oil pressure came up and I set there everything was ok. I proceeded down the highway. Shortly thereafter paying close attention to the oil pressure I noticed it dropping again. I pulled over and called the local dealership and then a tow truck to pick up and deliver my truck to the dealer. The dealership says the motor needs replacing and will not be covered under warranty. Oil sludge has built up in the motor. The oil has been changed three times by a Dodge dealership once by a local garrage and the other 5 times by me. I have changed the oil as reccommened by the vehicle manual. The failure has caused a engine loss and replacement is required. I have tried to work extensivley with the dealership and Chrysler corporation with refusal from both. The truck is currently at failure waiting for warranty repairs.

- Reidsville, NC, USA

problem #19

Jan 012006

Ram 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

2002 Dodge Ram 1500 5.9 - vehicle often stalls or almost stalls due to coming to a stop at a stop sign/light, driving below 5 mph, or starting the truck. The rpms will drop below 500 and the truck will start to spudder & then stall. It stalled coming up to a stop sign more than once causing the steering wheel to lock and almost causing accidents. Took it to the dealer, couldn't find a problem so I had fuel system cleaned & throttle body cleaned. Did not fix issue.

- Park Ridge, NJ, USA

problem #18

Dec 212006

Ram 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 73,400 miles
Driving on rt. 10 in NJ, oil pressure gauge dropped and engine made a loud noise and stopped. Barely made it to the side of the road, after almost getting rear ended. Had it towed to dealer where Dodge's independent inspector said it was the thermostat. Had engine replaced by my mechanic and was determined to be sludge build up with the pump completely clogged and the oil screen also clogged with metal fragments.

- Lake Hopatcong, NJ, USA

problem #17

Aug 282006

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 85,000 miles
Dodge 1500 Ram truck, engine seized. Chrysler corporation will not honor the claim due to findings of sludge in the engine. I have provided records of maintenance on the vehicle.

- Imperial Beach, CA, USA

problem #16

Jun 012004

Ram 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 38,000 miles
: the contact stated while driving at 65mph, the vehicle lost power. The vehicle was pulled off the road and the engine shut off and restarted. Once the vehicle started, it took 5 minutes for the power to be completely functional. The check engine light illuminated previously when the vehicle lost power. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however the problem can not be duplicated.

- Newark, DE, USA

problem #15

Mar 012003

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 14,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Vehicle has had to be serviced for engine stalling six times. The cause of the problem is still undetermined.

- Garland, TX, USA

problem #14

Oct 032002

Ram 1500

  • miles
Complaint involving 2002 Dodge Ram truck. (nar) the consumer has experienced ongoing problems with vehicle and requested that the dealership repurchase the vehicle.

- Quitman, TX, USA

problem #13

Jan 142004

(reported on)

Ram 1500

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
2002 Dodge Ram 1500 has experienced an ongoing problem with stalling. The consumer stated when he stepped on the clutch to downshift, the engine stopped.

- Colonia, NJ, USA

problem #12

Jan 012003

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 15,000 miles
My 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 has been stalling when I start to slow down for red lights or stops signs almost causing crashes. Not only is it a safety problem but it's a new truck and shouldn't be doing this.

- Ashland, KY, USA

problem #11

Oct 272003

(reported on)

Ram 1500

  • 2,000 miles
Vehicle stalled when making left turns and/or braking. This resulted in loses of power steering and brakes. Took vehicle to dealer, and mechanic performed a diagnostic test, but no failure was found.

- North Dartmouth, MA, USA

problem #10

Apr 122003

Ram 1500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The engine stalled while the vehicle was idling at a stop light. The dealer performed numerous updates, repaired a vacuum leak, replaced the throttle body and gasket and the vehicle still continued to stall.

- Sedalia, MO, USA

problem #9

Aug 062003

(reported on)

Ram 1500

  • miles
Consumer states while air conditioner A/C is turned off vehicle would idle low, resulting in stalling. Dealer has been contacted.

- Sarasota, FL, USA

problem #8

Nov 202001

Ram 1500 4WD

  • 250 miles
Engine has rough idle when transmission is in reverse or drive, with engine at idle speed. I have driven other identical vehicles that did not exhibit this condition. Condition growing more severe. **dimsii IVOQ entry posted after 12-12-02 cut over to artemis**770148

- Kernersville, NC, USA

problem #7

Apr 282003

(reported on)

Ram 1500

  • miles
When the vehicle came to a stop, it stalled.

- San Jose, CA, USA

problem #6

Sep 012002

Ram 1500

  • 3,000 miles
The vehicle stalled without warning, when at a stop.

- Marietta, GA, USA

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