DodgeViper2002Overview/dodge/viper/2002/base/
SR platform

2002 Dodge Viper

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2002 Viper.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Manual 6-spd

The 2002 Dodge Viper is a two-door passenger car built on the SR platform and paired exclusively with a six-speed manual transmission, delivering an EPA-rated 10 city, 19 highway, and 13 combined miles per gallon. This model year sits at the problematic end of the Viper's complaint trajectory across its 1992-2016 model span, recording the highest owner complaint count of 12 incidents with engine and engine cooling issues leading the reported problems, despite experiencing zero recalls. The stark contrast between this year's 12 complaints and the previous year's single complaint highlights notable reliability volatility within the model's production run, suggesting that 2002 represented a particularly problematic chapter in the Viper's history.

Model year201720162015201420132010200920082002

Quick specs

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

Lug nut torque80-100 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy10/19/13 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 78 · 650 CCA battery, OE oil filter 05281090AB. Note the factory fuel filter, front wiper blades and thermostat are now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known.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 78 · 650 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP275-35ZR18; REAR: P335-30ZR18OEM · verified
Wheel / rim10; Rear: 13 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter05281090AB
Engine air filter05245265AE
Fuel filter04708317 discontinued
Spark plug68304020AA
BatteryBB78F101AA
Front wiper blades04642532 discontinued
Serpentine belt04763795AD alt 04763863AC
Thermostat53041078AC discontinued · alt 04763839AC

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionManual 6-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length176.8 in
Overall width75.6 in
Overall height44.1 in
Wheelbase96.1 in
Curb weight3424 lb
Track (front / rear)59.4 / 60.6 in

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined10 / 19 / 13 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Viper of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

3.9–5.0 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 3.90 sec — 2000 GTS ACR Coupe
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2001GTS Coupe 8.0L V104.10 sec12.20 sec450 hpRWD
2001GTS ACR Coupe 8.0L V104.16 sec12.19 sec450 hpRWD
2001GTS ACR Coupe 8.0L V104.30 sec12.60 sec450 hpRWD
2001GTS ACR Coupe 8.0L V104.30 sec12.40 sec450 hpRWD
2000GTS ACR Coupe 8.0L V103.90 sec12.40 sec450 hpRWD
2000GTS ACR Coupe 8.0L V104.00 sec12.10 sec450 hpRWD
2000RT/10 Roadster 8.0L V104.25 sec12.33 sec450 hpRWD
1999GT2 Coupe 8.0L V104.00 sec12.10 sec450 hpRWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

Torque lug nuts to 80-100 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 25.0 ft-lbs. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Engine torques

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings63 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts55 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug25.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts80-100 ft-lbs

Ignition

Spark Plug Gap0.033-0.038 in
Spark Plug Torque20.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.88 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil TypeND 8 oil
Oil Capacity4.75 oz
Standard BCI Group Number78
Standard BCI Cranking Performance650 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test15; Do not allow pressure to exceed 20 psi.
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief16-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature195 °F
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 / 80 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle38 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.030; Rear: 0.030 specification
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0005 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.003 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.244 in / 0.871 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To1.264 in / 0.85 in
Rotor Discard at or Under1.197 in / 0.803 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 2 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Coat M8 Bolts with a suitable locking and seal adhesive. Coat threads with clean engine oil. · Bolts 1-12

135.0 ft. lbs.35 ft. lbs
290 degrees; Bolts A-H90 degrees
18.0 ft. lbs.8 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
120 ft. lbs., Step 2: 8520 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 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 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 7,500 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 22,500 miBrake Linings (inspect) · Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Suspension Ball Joint (lubricate) · Tie Rod (lubricate)
At 52,500 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 60,000 miSpark Plug Wires (replace) · Spark Plugs (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.

The 2002 Viper stands as a distinct anomaly in the generation's federal record: its 12 complaints represent a sharp spike from the single complaint logged in 2001 and the six in 2003, yet it is the only model year from 1996 through 2004 to record zero recalls and zero investigations. Technical Service Bulletins remain moderate at 23, consistent with the 21–34 range seen across the early-2000s run, suggesting dealer-level attention without regulatory escalation. Complaints cluster in Engine & Engine Cooling and Power Train (two each), with three crash-related reports but no fire incidents; the data does not specify root causes for any category. Compared to the surrounding years — where recalls held steady at three to four annually — the absence of formal actions in 2002 implies either that the reported issues did not meet safety thresholds or that they emerged too late in the cycle for agency response. The complaint surge alone warrants scrutiny, but the lack of recalls or investigations tempers the risk profile. This is a viable purchase year provided a pre-purchase inspection focuses on the powertrain and cooling systems flagged in the complaint data.

0
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
23
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
12
Owner complaints
3 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 12 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine & Engine Cooling2
Power Train2
Tires1
Engine & Engine Cooling,Equipment1
Engine & Engine Cooling,Power Train1
Electrical System,Air Bags1
Air Bags1
Steering1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 23 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
90042752020-07-22Electrical SystemKEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC…
90042752020-07-22Electrical SystemKEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC…
23-015-202020-04-30EquipmentDisinfectant Solution Recommended for COVID-19
08-049-202020-04-22Electrical SystemCharging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty This information only bulletin…
31005192019-11-20StructureUse of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with…

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 Viper. 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

Does the 2002 Viper have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 0 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Viper get?

EPA figures are 10 city / 19 highway / 13 combined mpg.