2002 Dodge Ram 1500 engine problems
22 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the engine on the 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 — 3% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“I bought this truck new I still own problem is the cooling system does not function properly I have put new radiator and all heat and cooling in it the heat and air does not operate properly I have talked with crysler several times and they will help with issue it’s been like this about as long as…”
filed Mar 24, 2026
“2002 dodge ram 1500 4x4 5.9l was driving dow hey 10 when my back tries locked up couldn't get it in gear or out almost crash when got it on to side of road and stopped when it finally was able to go in a gear it was reverses and it would just make this god awful grinding nose truck was towed back…”
filed Mar 18, 2021
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Engine problems in other Ram 1500 years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 Ram 1500 | 163 | 23% |
| 2011 Ram 1500 | 151 | 22% |
| 2010 Ram 1500 | 61 | 13% |
| 2009 Ram 1500 | 50 | 7% |
| 2008 Ram 1500 | 35 | 6% |
| 2007 Ram 1500 | 35 | 7% |
| 2006 Ram 1500 | 33 | 4% |
| 2005 Ram 1500 | 76 | 7% |
| 2004 Ram 1500 | 74 | 7% |
| 2003 Ram 1500 | 21 | 2% |
| 2001 Ram 1500 | 5 | 0% |
| 2000 Ram 1500 | 3 | 1% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2002 Dodge Ram 1500
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.