2002 Dodge RAM 1500: engine failure

Filed Dec 6, 2018 · Suspension, Wheels · 107,000 miles · KY

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 dodge ram 1500. While driving 75 MPH, the rear wheels seized and the vehicle slid off the road without warning. There was no crash. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 107,000. The VIN was unknown.

Filed Mar 24, 2017 · Engine · 180,000 miles · MT

Engine failure while driving on highway. Head or head gasket as it is burning lots of water. Flows out of tailpipes. So many problems with this motor it should be recalled as there is no cheap fix. From sludge to overheating problems that ruin the motor there are few options to replace other than a rebuilt that has been altered to correct all said problems. Fairly high priced I might add. Dodge should claim some responsibility and help out rather than ignoring this issue. This engine has failed too many times the same way to be coincidence.

Filed Jul 4, 2015 · Transmission · 144,000 miles · OH

While driving down a two lane road, a loud sound came from the rear end of the vehicle and the rear axle seized up. Rear springs detached and drive shaft also came loose.

Filed Jan 9, 2015 · Transmission · 159,000 miles · IN

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 dodge ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH, the rear wheels seized without warning. After inspecting the vehicle, the contact discovered that the rear drive shaft disengaged from the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 13v038000 (power train). The failure mileage was 159,000.

Filed Dec 19, 2014 · Transmission · 148,000 miles · NJ

Rear axle seized and the drive shaft fell off. Mechanic stated that pinion nut loosen, causing the rear axle to seize. The drive shaft also detach, which almost caused a crash. Can forward pictures if needed..

Filed Jun 12, 2014 · Suspension · 171,000 miles · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 dodge ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle made a loud noise and within minutes the rear axle seized. The contact was able to control the vehicle and merged to the side of the road. After inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed that the drive shaft had separated from the rear axle. The vehicle was towed to the contact home. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was mileage was 171,000.

Filed Jun 3, 2013 · Steering · 156,000 miles · NJ

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 dodge ram 1500. The contact stated that the steering wheel seized and could not be turned left. The failure occurred as soon as the vehicle was started. The contact also stated that the power steering fluid leaked continuously. The vehicle was neither diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 156,000.

Filed Apr 10, 2012 · Engine · 97,000 miles · CA

My 2002 ram van 1500 6 cyl engine failed state required smog check. The check engine light went on prior to this. The smog report showed 3 cylinders out of 6 were misfiring. The diagnosis was damaged valves and lost compression. After the mechanic opened the engine he found both heads to be cracked. He also found problems with the water pump and radiator. The total cost of repair was $3100. After further investigation I found out that there are thousands of 1500 engines that failed for the same reason. As with the other owners I changed my oil at regular intervals and maintained the vehicle properly. I had a 1997 1500 in which the same thing happened. Dodge denies responsibility and blames the sludge build up on poor maintenance. Since it was no longer under warranty I was forced to repair it. There should be a national recall of this vehicle's engine and I should get reimbursed by dodge for the repairs. I unfortunately didn't have a choice but to repair the engine but fear that the design defect will result in subsequent failure of the same nature. Dodge should be held responsible for this. Please help.

Filed Jul 9, 2010 · Engine · 110,000 miles · HI

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.

Filed Aug 17, 2009 · Engine · 110,000 miles · CO · 1 injury

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.

Filed Jul 30, 2008 · Engine · 170,000 miles · TN

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.

Filed Jun 29, 2007 · Body · 40,000 miles · AZ

Corroded dashboard. As of two years ago the dashboard has literally been cracking into small pieces exposing the internal wiring/airbag equipment, which will have the tendency to cause defects with headlamps, engine failure, etc.