Five problems related to engine cooling system have been reported for the 2002 Dodge Ram 1500. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Vhicles are known to run hot, something to do with the headgasket, I am told. The rack and pinion leaks and has to be watched. They are bad to have dead cylinders I am not sure when this first was a problem, but the vehicle has been parked now for several months because of these problems. . It is my understanding that the auto company has made corrections to newer vehicles for these faulty components without notification of owners.
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.
2002 Dodge Ram 1500 rack and pinion going out only 60,000 miles. . . . Also, they replaced a/c fan motor once. . . I paid several times. . . About to go out again (low humming noise is indicator - as noise increases, motor fails). I am so disappointed; as a special needs teacher I depend on this vehicle to transport me safely to and from my work. . . . Cannot depend on it. I hate it. . . It's been a pain since first problem with 18 miles on it!!! please, hold Dodge accountable for their mistakes. . . .
On Thursday August 28, 2008, I was leaving an interview going on the highway and all of a sudden my truck began to start smoking. I got out my vehicle and raised the hood to see what was going on. When I looked under the hood smoke was coming from the engine, and fluid was pouring out from the reservoir holes. I looked in my vehicle and the temperature gauge was at the half way mark and their was no indication lights on indicating that something was wrong. At this time I let my vehicle cool off and I added some antifreeze. I attempted to drive my vehicle and could only go about a half a mile down the highway and the same problem occurred again with no indications of the vehicle running hot. So at this time I called a towing service and had to wait approximately four hours for a tow truck to come and tow my vehicle home. The next day I had my truck towed to a mechanic and he said that the motor had burned up. I then had it towed to the dealer ship and when the mechanics their inspected my truck they said that the cooling fan inside the "ecm" had malfunctioned and that the motor was burned up. The service advisor said that I was going to need a new motor and that it was going to cost me approximately $7800. 00. Which I want the manufacturer to pay for since there was no indication of these problems.
Front axle, I have replaced the front axles of my 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 on both sides at 100,000 miles and the axle on the right side is now gone out again, 1. 5 years later. The oil pump has gone out along with all the tensioners, rear axle is going out, truck overheats and no one can find the problem.