2002 Dodge RAM 1500 engine problems

ENGINE

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 I have had it please help me and there’s a whole lot more people with same issue and it’s a very bad problem with the windshield keeps fogging up can not see the road or traffic

NHTSA complaint #11726774 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

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 HOME

NHTSA complaint #11403626 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

WHILE DRIVING ALL OF THE GAUGES HAVE QUIT WORKING HEADLIGHTS STAY ON WILL NOT TURN OFF.

NHTSA complaint #11228709 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. AN INDEPENDENT TOWING COMPANY TOWED THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE WIRE HARNESS CONVERTIBLE BOX HAD A LOT OF CORROSION AROUND IT AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. A COLLISION SHOP WAS CONTACTED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

NHTSA complaint #11219740 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

4.7L ENGINE HAS A SLUDGE BUILD UP PROBLEM WHICH IN TURN CAUSES ENGINE TOTAL FAILURE. I'VE HAD ENGINE REPLACED 3 TIMES WITH BRAND NEW REMAND FROM CHRYSLER CORP. AND ALL ENGINES WERE INSTALLED AT ASE CERTIFIED SHOP AND ALL HAVE BLOWN UP ALSO DUE TO THIS SLUDGE BUILD UP PROBLEM THAT CHRYSLER CORP IS AWARE OF BUT REFUSES TO ADMIT ITS ENGINE FACTORY DEFECT AND ALL MY ENGINES FAILED AT 1,200 MILES/ 1,468 MILES/27,497 MILES ON LAST ENGINE AND ALL FAILED OF SAME CAUSE SLUDGE BUILD UP.

NHTSA complaint #11151648 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

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.

NHTSA complaint #10968328 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

DROPPED VALVE SEATS LOCKED UP MY 4.7 LITER ENGIN

NHTSA complaint #10954590 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

PARKED TRUCK AT BROOKSHIRES TO GET GAS, STARTED TRUCK UP AND BAM BLEW THE INTAKE OUT THE BACK KILLED THE ENGINE EVERYONE HIT THE PAVEMENT IT WAS SO LOUD LIKE A BOMB! STARTED IT BACK UP BAD KNOCKING AND STARTED TO REV ITSELF UP TO 5K RPMS DUE TO VACUUM LEAK WITH INSERT DAMAGED ON BACK OF INTAKE. TOOK ENGINE ALL APART TO FIND A VALVE SEAT SHATTERED DESTROYING THE HEAD ON BOTH SIDES DUE TO THE VALVESEAT BREAKING INTO ABOUT 20 SMALL PIECES IT SUCKED A FEW OVER ACROSS THE ENGINE TO CYLINDERS ACROSS RUINING 2 PISTONS, BOTH HEADS, HAVE ALL EVIDENCE STILL.

NHTSA complaint #10928942 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

2002 DODGE RAM 1500 QUAD CAB SPORT 4X2 1. GAS PEDDLE HAS TO BE PRESS DOWN AT ALL TIME IN ORDER FOR TRUCK TO STAY ON ONCE I LET GO OF GAS PEDDLE TRUCK STALLS. 2.FIRST DAY I BOUGHT TRUCK FROM DEAL I ASK IS THIS FAINT SOUND COMING FOM TRANSMISSION, I WAS TOLD DODGE DEALER THATS A SOUND THAT TRASMISSION MAKES, I SAID REALLY. 3.INTERIOR TOP DSAH SO THIN SUN IS ABLE TO CRACK DASH BY IT SELF WITH THE HOT HEAT AND SHARP PLASTIC AND ITS NOW DANGEROUS ITS BECOME A HAZAD TOALL OCCUPANTS OR PEDESTRIANS PASSEGERS. 4. THE WHOLE BACK TAIL LIGHT FOUND HANGING TRIED TO HOOK IT BACK UP ITS MADE OF PLASTIC COMPONENTS CRACK WITH NOWAY OF HOOKING IT WITH NUTS SO FOR NOW I TYPE IT IN PLACE, ITS TRULY FALLS UNDER A RECALL. 5.AC WORKS BUT NO HEATER. 6.MIRROR COVER ON PASSENGER SIDE HAS FALLEN OFF ON FREEWAY. 7.ALL ENGINE COMPONENTS SEEM TO BRAKE TO FAST DUE TO BEING MADE OF PLASTIC CLIPS WIRES NOT STABLE TO HOLD ON TO DEVICES, HOSES FALL OFF, CRACK INTO DEVICES WHICH CAUSE VEICHAL PROBLEMS AND ISUSSES THAT AFFECT MULITIPLE HAZARDS TO TRUCK SPEED CONTROL, SUSPENSION, STEERING,FUEL/PROPULSION,LIGHTING,POWERTRAIN, BRAKES,ENGINE,ELECTRICAL,ELEC, /STABILITY,AIR BAGS, BODY, WHEELS,SEATS,SEAT BELTS,VISIBILITY/WIPERS, IN GENERAL ALL ASPECTS HAS SOME KIND OF HAZARDOUS COMPONETS THAT NEED MANDATORY RECALLS.

NHTSA complaint #10906392 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

2002 DODGE RAM QUAD CAB SPORT 4X2 (1.)GAS PEDDLE HAS TO BE PRESS DOWN AT ALL TIME IN ORDER FOR TRUCK TO STAY ON AND ONCE I LET GO OF GAS PEDDLE TRUCK STALLS. (2.)FIRST DAY I BOUGHT TRUCK FROM DEALERSHIP I ASK, IS THAT FAINT SOUND COMING FROM TRANSMISSION, I WAS TOLD BY DODGE DEALER THATS THE SOUND TRANSMISSION MAKES,I SAID REALLY. (3.)INTERIOR TOP DASH SO THIN SUN IS ABLE TO CRACK DASH BY ITS SELF WITH THE HOT HEAT AND DASH PLASTIC IS SHARP AND DANGEROUS ITS BECOME A HAZARD TO ALL OCCUPANTS OR PEDESTRIANS, PASSEGERS. (4.)THE WHOLE BACK TAIL LIGHT FOUND HANGING TRIED TO HOOK IT BACK UP ITS MADE OF PLASTIC COMPONENTS CRACK WITH NO WAY OF HOOKING IT WITH NUTS, SO FOR NOW I TAPE IT IN PLACE, IT TRULY FALLS UNDER A RECALL. (5.)AC WORKS BUT NO HEATER SLITE WARM. (6.)MIRROR COVER ON PASSENGER SIDE HAS FALLEN OFF ON FREEWAY. (7.)ALL ENGINE COMPONENTS SEEM TO BRAKE TO FAST DUE TO BEING MADE OF PLASTIC CLIPS WIRES NOT STABLE TO HOLD ON TO DEVICES ONCE THEY BRAKE OFF, SOME ALSO CRACK OFF INTO DEVICES, CRACK INTO DEVICES WHICH CAUSE VEHICLE PROBLEMS AND ISSUES THAT AFFECT MULITIPLE HAZARDS TO TRUCK SPEED, SUSPENSION, STEERING, FUEL/PROPULSION, LIGHTING, POWERTRAIN, BRAKES, ENGINE, ELECTRICAL, ELE/ STABILITY, RIR BAG, BODY, WHEELS, SEAT BELT, VISIBILITY/WIPERS, IN GENERAL ALL ASPECTS HAS SOME KIND OF HAZARDOUS COMPONENTS THAT NEEDS MANDATORY RECALLS.

NHTSA complaint #10906446 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

I AM BEING IGNORED ON A SEAT BELT RECALL NEARLY ALL 4.7 ENGINES HAVE OIL PAN FAILURE

NHTSA complaint #10779008 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

I WAS ON MY WAY HOME FROM PICKING UP MY PAYCHECK DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IN THE FAST LANE DOING AROUND 70 MPH WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY TRUCK SHUT DOWN WITH NO WARNING AND THEN RESTARTED. I IMMEDIATELY GOT OFF OF THE HIGHWAY AND TOOK BACK ROADS. ABOUT 1.5 MILES FROM MY HOME AT A RED LIGHT THE TRUCK ONCE AGAIN SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY, NO ENGINE, NO ELECTRIC, NOTHING, IT WAS COMPLETELY DEAD ON A FAIRLY BUSY ROAD. I HAD TO HAVE THE TRUCK TOWED HOME AND HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET IT STARTED AT ALL. I WENT ONLINE TO SEE WHAT MIGHT BE THE CAUSE AND HAVE FOUND MANY RELATED CASES TO WHAT I AM DEALING WITH.

NHTSA complaint #10759289 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

CRACKED DASHBOARD. PARTS OF THE DASHBOARD ARE FALLING DOWN INTO AIR CONDITIONER AND EVERYTHING ELSE UNDER IT. THERE ARE PARTS OF THE FOAM THAT ARE FLYING OUT OF THE AIR CONDITIONER VENTS AND PIECES ARE COMING OUT THE VENTS, HEAS HAVE BEEN REPLACED AND NOW ENGINE SOUNDED LIKE IT EXPLODED NOW IT NEEDS AN ENGINE VEHICLE MODEL YEAR HAS MANY KNOWN NON RECALLED ISSUES

NHTSA complaint #10746284 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. HOWEVER, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD ILLUMINATED AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS MERGED TO THE EMERGENCY LANE AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. ALSO, THE VEHICLE OVER HEATED MULTIPLE TIMES. IN ADDITION, THE DASHBOARD BEGAN TO CRACK AND LATER COLLAPSED. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE CRACK WAS NEAR THE AIR BAG AND COULD POTENTIALLY INADVERTENTLY DEPLOY THE AIR BAG. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL TO MALFUNCTION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PIECES FROM THE DASH BOARD FELL INTO THE AIR VENTS CAUSING THE A/C UNIT TO MALFUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE ENGINE AND DASHBOARD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000.

NHTSA complaint #10637095 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

I HAVE A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500 QUAD CAB AND HAVE HAD TO REPLACE ALL THE HEATING AND COOLING COMPONENTS IN THIS TRUCK IN THE PAST FEW YEARS. LAST YEAR I STARTED HAVING AN ISSUE WITH THE HEAT/AC NOT WORKING UNLESS THE STEERING WHEEL WAS IN THE UP POSITION. I HAD ALL THE PARTS TO THE CONTROL BOARD BEHIND THE DASH REPLACED, ALL NEW KNOBS, ETC. STILL DIDN'T WORK. THEN WE STARTED DIVING INTO THESE SITES THAT TALK ABOUT ALL/ANY ISSUES THAT PEOPLE ARE HAVING WITH THIS MODEL TRUCK. SO WE SEE THAT WE NEED TO REPLACE THE REGISTER IN THE STEERING COLUMN. WELL THAT WORKED FOR ABOUT A WEEK AND NOW, AGAIN, IF I WANT AC/HEAT I HAVE TO RAISE THE STEERING UP AND DRIVE. NOT VERY SAFE!! ARE DEALERSHIPS HONORING RECALLS FOR THIS PART STILL? WHAT ABOUT ALL THE WIRING? DOES THAT NEED TO BE REPLACED TO STOP THE CONSTANT BLOWING UP OF THE REGISTER? THIS IS A GREAT LOOKING TRUCK BUT THE MONEY DUMPED INTO IT TO KEEP IT ON THE ROAD IS OUTRAGEOUS. I COULD HAVE PURCHASED TWO TRUCKS BY NOW.

NHTSA complaint #10621689 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

I HAVE A 2002 WITH THE 4.7L THAT I AM HAVING OVERHEATING ISSUES THAT I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED BEFORE. WHEN DRIVING AROUND TOWN OR EVEN ON THE HIGHWAY UNDER 65 MY THERMOSTAT NEVER GOES ABOVE JUST UNDER HALFWAY. DRIVING IN TOWN I HAVE YET TO SEE IT GO ABOVE THAT POINT. HOWEVER, WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY IF I INCREASE MY CRUISING SPEED TO 70, MY THERMOSTAT CLIMBS. WHEN GOING 70-75 IT WILL GO UP TO ABOUT THE 1 O'CLOCK POINT BEFORE I SLOW DOWN, SO I DON'T KNOW HOW FAR IT WOULD GO IF I CONTINUED. I REPLACED THE THERMOSTAT, FLUSHED THE RADIATOR, REPLACED THE FAN CLUTCH . BUT THE PROBLEM REMAINS.

NHTSA complaint #10595248 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

WAS DRIVING TRUCK FROM STORE WHEN I STARTED HEARING A LOUD TAPPING NOISE COMING FROM MY ENGINE. I TOOK IT TO MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THAT THE VALVE SEATS HAD DROPPED. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH DODGE RAM 1500 TRUCKS WITH 4.7 L ENGINES. I WENT TO DODGE DEALERSHIP BEFORE GOING TO MECHANIC AND THEY TOLD ME MY PROBLEM WAS THAT I HAD NOT CHANGED MY OIL . I CHANGED MY OIL EVERY 5,000 MILES ON MY OWN BECAUSE EVERYTIME I WOULD TAKE MY TRUCK TO THE DEALERSHIP TO GET OIL CHANGED THEY WOULD CHARGE ME A COUPLE OF HUNDRED DOLLARS FOR OTHER SERVICES. THEY WOULD TELL ME THAT IF I DIDN'T GET THESE OTHER SERVICES PERFORMED THAT IT WOULD VOID OUT MY WARRANTY. NOW I AM STUCK WITH A TRUCK WITH 116,500 MILES AND I HAVE TO REPLACE AN EXPENSE MOTOR.

NHTSA complaint #10564457 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE LOW COOLANT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND WHITE SMOKE STARTED TO EMIT FROM THE EXHAUST. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT HE WAITED FOR VEHICLE TO COOL DOWN AND ADDED COOLANT FLUID TO THE RADIATOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO REPAIR SHOP OR DEALER TO BE INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF FAILURE WHO FILED A REPORT AND DID NOT OFFER ANY ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 54,000.

NHTSA complaint #10473736 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

2002 DODGE RAM 1500 DRIVING AT 55 MPH CAME TO A STOP, SUDDENLY WHITE SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT OF TAIL PIPE WITH SWEET SMELL OF ANTI-FREEZE. VEHICLE WILL LOSE POWER TOLD THAT ENGINE HEADS NEED TO BE REPLACED. THERE IS A ENGINE DESIGN FLAW FOR THIS YEAR AND MODEL THAT DODGE IS NOT WILLING TO ADMIT NOR REPAIR THERE ARE MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS BUT THERE WAS NEVER A RECALL. VEHICLE WILL SMOKE UPON STARTING AND SMOKE WILL COME BACK OFF AND ON. JUST WANT DOD GE TO ADMIT THE ISSUE AND COVER REPAIR.

NHTSA complaint #10472391 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

SHORTLY AFTER ENTERING HIGHWAY 281, MY ENGINE FELL ON IT'S FACE. I PUSHED THE GAS PEDAL BUT GOT NOTHING BUT RPM'S FROM THE ENGINE. I BEGAN TO MOVE OVER TO THE RIGHT WITH NO POWER, LITTLE STEERING, A DASH FULL OF ERROR LIGHTS, AND DOING MY BEST NOT TO GET HIT BY PASSING VEHICLES. ONCE I GOT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, THE ENGINE WASN'T RUNNING. I STARTED THE ENGINE AND CHECKED MY GAUGES. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON, THE WATER TEMP WAS NEAR THE RED ZONE, AND THE ENGINE SOUND LIKE BOWLING BALL IN A DRYER. THERE WAS FLUID ON THE GROUND OR SMOKE FROM THE TAILPIPES SO I FELT IT WAS SAFER TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY WITH THE TRUCK. NEAR THE EXIT, I PULLED IN A STATION WHERE I CHECKED THE TRUCK AND TOP-OFF THE WATER. THE SOUND WAS LIKE A DROPPED ROCKER ARM. I HAD THE TRUCK TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY FROM THE "FACTORY" COATING INSIDE THE OIL PAN HAD DELAMINATED AND WAS SUCKED INTO THE PICKUP TUBE. THE COATING THEN PLUGGED THE SCREEN AND PICKUP TUBE. I CALLED DODGE CARES AND THEY TRIED TO BLAME ME THEN THE OIL. I TOLD THEM I'VE NEVER USED ADDITIVES, ALWAYS USE MOBIL ONE, AND I HAD RECEIPTS DATING BACK TO THE DAY I DROVE THE TRUCK OFF THE LOT NEW. THEY CLAIMED THIS WAS A NON-ISSUE AND IT HAD NOT BE REPORTED BEFORE NOW. I HAVE ALWAYS TAKEN VERY GOOD CARE OF MY VEHICLES AND TO BE TOLD A MANUFACTURING ERROR IS MY FAULT DOES NOT SET WELL WITH ME. NOW I HAVE TO REPLACE THE WHOLE ENGINE BECAUSE SOME ENGINEER WAS DUMB ENOUGH TO COAT THE INSIDE SURFACE OF THE OIL PAN. I NORMALLY TRAVEL DURING THE NIGHT INTO EARLY HOURS OF THE DAY. WHAT IF THIS HAD HAPPEN WHILE I WAS OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF NO-WHERE. I'M HANDICAPPED; I COULDN'T HAVE WALKED A QUART OF A MILE FOR HELP. WHAT IF MY 70-YEAR MOTHER HAD BEEN DRIVING MY TRUCK AT THE TIME! THIS COULD HAVE BEEN REAL BAD!!! AND THEN TO BE TOLD IT'S NON-PROBLEM. I HAVE PICTURES IF YOU WANT TO SEE THEM.

NHTSA complaint #10471443 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

AIR CONDITIONING WORKS FINE, AS LONG AS THE VEHICLE IS MOVING. WHEN STOPPED AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS OR INTERSECTIONS, THE A/C GETS WARM, AS IF THE CONDENSER IS NOT WORKING. WHEN STARTING UP AGAIN, IT GETS COLD AFTER A BIT OF TIME. SEARCHED THE INTERNET, AND FOUND THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT OCCURS OFTEN, AND MANY SAID CHECK THE FUSE #39. ON AUG. 1, I CHECKED THE FUSE, AND FOUND THAT THE PLASTIC AND METAL PARTS OF THE FUSE HAD MELTED ONTO THE SPOT IT WAS PLUGGED INTO. ALL OF THE OTHER FUSES SEEM TO BE FINE, BUT THERE IS A TINY CHUNK OF METAL I CANNOT REMOVE FROM THE FUSEBOX TO PLUG IN ANOTHER FUSE, NOR DO I WANT TO PLUG IN ANOTHER FUSE, AS I DON'T KNOW WHY THE PREVIOUS ONE MELTED. I AM NOT SURE IF THIS IS COVERED IN ANY RECALLS. ALSO, WHEN I TRIED TO HAVE THE TRUCK INSPECTED, IT FAILED FOR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, AND THERE ARE SEVERAL RECALLS LISTED IN THE POSSIBLE CAUSE LIST FOR THE CODE THAT REGISTERED IN THE INSPECTION MACHINE.

NHTSA complaint #10469281 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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.

NHTSA complaint #10454721 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

THIN CRACKS APPEARED ON UPPER RIGHT OF THE MAIN RADIATOR, FLUID LEAKING OUT. CAR HAD NOT SUSTAINED ANY ACCIDENT AND IS A CLEAN TITLE. MY CONCLUSION IS THAT INFERIOR PRODUCTS/POLYMERS WERE USED TO MANUFACTURE THIS RADIATOR. THIS IS NOT AN AFTERMARKET RADIATOR, BUT THE ONE THAT CAME WITH THE VEHICLE FROM THE MANUFACTURER.

NHTSA complaint #10452989 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE ALERTED HER THAT THE RADIATOR HOSE BLEW. THE CONTACT DID NOT KNOW THE DETAILS IN REGARDS TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE IT WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD BURN COOLANT AT AN EXCESSIVE RATE AND THE ENGINE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY STALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10426517 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

VEHICLES 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.

NHTSA complaint #10413434 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

UPPER RADIATOR HOSE BLEW-OUT,@42,000 MILES , AFTER REPLACING INCREASE IN ENGINE TEMP. REPLACED THERMOSTAT AND RADIATOR, TEMP REMAINED ELEVATED. VEHICLE NEVER OVERHEATED. ENGINE VALVES STARTED TAPPING, ANTIFREEZE ACCUMULATION ON THE INSIDE OF ENGINE OIL CAP. BAD HEADGASKETS. ENGINE OIL & FILTER CHANGED EVERY 2500 MILES. NOW WITH THE WARM WEATHER, ONLY OCCASIONAL ENGINE TAPPING AND NO ANTIFREEZE ON THE INSIDE OF ENGINE OIL CAP. HEAD GASKETS MUST BE LEAKING OR SHRINKAGE OF THE GASKETS WITH THE COLD WEATHER. CONTACTED DODGE AND THEY SAY THAT THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS! CHECKED ONLINE AND FOUND MULTIPLE DODGE VEHICLE OWNERS WITH THE 4.7 LITRE ENGINE HAVE EXPERIENCED SIMILAR PROBLEMS. POOR ENGINE DESIGN, THIN WALLED ENGINE BLOCK, LUBRICATION HOLES IN ROCKER ARMS NOT DRILLED IN CORRECT LOCATION= CHECK REPLACEMENT ROCKER ARMS AS OPPOSED TO ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT. THIS IS A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500 PICKUP 4.7 ENG 43,000 MILES. CHRYSLER SHOULD HAVE A ENGINE RECALL AND REPLACED THESE DEFECTIVE ENGINES AS THEY WERE ONLY AVAILABLE FOR A FEW YEARS AND THEN DISCONTINUED, I WONDER WHY!!

NHTSA complaint #10400715 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.