DodgeRAM 1500 Pickup20023.7L/dodge/ram-1500-pickup/2002/3-7l/
DR platform

2002 Dodge RAM 1500 Pickup — 3.7L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2002 RAM 1500 Pickup 3.7L.

Engine 3.7LTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2002 Dodge RAM 1500 sits on the DR chassis and is powered by a robust 3.7‑liter inline‑six, paired with a four‑speed automatic transmission that delivers steady, predictable performance for both hauling and everyday driving. With 5.0 quarts of 10W‑30 API‑rated oil, the engine is engineered for durability and smooth operation, while the vehicle’s EPA rating of 13/18/15 mpg underscores its balance between power and fuel economy. In the broader context of the model’s reliability record—spanning 1991 to 2010 with the lowest complaints in 1991 and a peak in 2005—the 2002 model year reflects a period of relative steadiness, suggesting a dependable platform for researchers examining long‑term durability trends.

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type10W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque135 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy13/18/15 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 65 - LATE · 650 - LATE CCA battery, OE oil filter 04781452BF. Note the factory fuel filter is now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 65 - LATE · 650 - LATE CCAOEM · verified
Tire size6350/6550 GVWROEM · verified
Wheel / rim9 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter04781452BF alt 05281090AB
Engine air filter68441763AA
Fuel filter04798825AD discontinued · alt 04897498AA
Spark plugSPZFR6F11G alt 68303921AA
Front wiper blades55077100AE
Serpentine belt05135746AA alt 53032307AC
Thermostat52028185AC alt 68174083AA

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length228.7 in
Overall width78.7 in
Overall height79.5 in
Wheelbase127.2 in
Curb weight4482 lb
Track (front / rear)66.9 / 65.7 in

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined13 / 18 / 15 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5.0 qt of 10W-30 API engine oil, GL-5 · 80W-90 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 135 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 25.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear OilGL-5 · 80W-90
Differential Gear Oil Capacity7.2 Pints,
Differential Gear OilGL-5 · 80W-90
Differential Gear Oil Capacity10 Pints,
Engine CoolantHOAT · MS9769
Engine CoolantHOAT · MS9769
Engine Oil10W-30 · API

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs8.3 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts130 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts70 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts25 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug25.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs21 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Leaf Spring to Axle (U-bolts)6010
Leaf Spring to Chassis Bracket6010
Leaf Spring to Rear Shackle6010
Leaf Spring Rear Shackle to Chassis Bracket6010
Lug Nuts135 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug30.0-40.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug30.0-40.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub175 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)200 rpm
Spark Plug Gap0.035 in
Spark Plug Torque30.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.50 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil TypeSP-10
Oil Capacity6.00 oz
Standard BCI Group Number65 - LATE
Standard BCI Cranking Performance650 - LATE cca
Optional BCI Group Number27

Service checks

Pressure Test15 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature192-199 °F
Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum54.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)44.0-54.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance13-16 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Injector Primary Resistance10.8-13.2 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression100 Minimum psi

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket24 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle130 ft-lbs / 100 ft-lbs
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.001 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.005 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.1 in / 1.181 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To1.1 in / 1.181 in
Rotor Discard at or Under1.039 in / 1.117 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
120 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9020 ft. lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
16 ft. lbs. ( 1 ft. lbs. at a time.), step 2: bolts 5-12: 6 ft. lbs., step 3: all to 6 ft. lbs., step 4: all to 12 ft. lbs., step 5: all to 126 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi; coolant every 7,500 mi. The big-interval services (every 7,500 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 6,000 miTransmission Assembly (inspect)
Every 7,500 miBrake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Brake Line (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 22,500 miBrake Linings (inspect)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Transfer Case Assembly (inspect fluid level)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · PCV Valve (inspect) · Spark Plug Wires (replace)
Every 100,000 miTransmission Fluid & Filter (replace)

Owner how-tos

Condensed service procedures for routine maintenance. Procedures that require dealer diagnostic equipment are identified and summarized only.

Common procedures

Key fob — remote (RKE) programming programming new fob buttons Dealer tool OEM · verified
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith)
WhyTransmitter codes are written into the receiver in the passenger door module
Anti-theft (SKIS) — module initialization after immobilizer module replacement Dealer tool OEM · verified
When neededAfter Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool
Also requiredThe vehicle's four-digit PIN code

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

6
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
0
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
0
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

No owner complaints on record with NHTSA for this vehicle.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 6 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

10E040000Wheels:HubReported 23/08/2010

FEDERAL-MOGUL IS RECALLING CERTAIN CARQUEST, NATIONAL, AND PERCISION BRAND WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES, P/NOS 515073 AND 515073, SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT ON MODEL YEAR 2002 THROUGH 2008 DODGE RAM 1500 PICKUP… Remedy: FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND TECHNICIANS WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED HUB ASSEMBLIES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY…

07E104000Visibility:Glass, Side/RearReported 11/12/2007

CERTAIN CURVED TEMPERED REPLACEMENT GLASS MANUFACTURED BY HANGZHOU SAFETY GLASS LTD AND SUPPLIED TO SAFELITE BY AUTO TEMP INC., IDENTIFIED AS DOT-430, AND SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN VEHICLES MAY NOT… Remedy: SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS RETAIL CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE GLASS FREE OF CHARGE. RETAIL CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT SAFELITE TOLL FREE AT 1-888-843-2906. SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific RAM 1500 Pickup. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2002 RAM 1500 Pickup 3.7L take?

5.0 qt of 10W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2002 RAM 1500 Pickup have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 3.7L get?

EPA figures are 13 city / 18 highway / 15 combined mpg.