DodgeRAM Van, Wagon20025.9L V8/dodge/ram-van-wagon/2002/5-9l-v8/
AB platform

2002 Dodge RAM Van, Wagon — 5.9L V8

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2002 RAM Van, Wagon 5.9L V8.

Body VANEngine 5.9L V8Transmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2002 Dodge RAM Van, Wagon sits on the AB chassis and is powered by a robust 5.9‑liter V8 mated to a four‑speed automatic transmission, delivering the modest fuel economy of 11 mpg city, 16 mpg highway, and 13 mpg combined while carrying a 5.0‑quart oil capacity with 10W‑30 API‑rated fluid. Its generous V8 displacement and durable platform made it a workhorse for cargo and passenger duties, yet the model’s reliability record is tempered by 975 owner complaints—most frequently centered on structural issues—and 13 factory recalls documented for the year. This combination of solid mechanical fundamentals and a comparatively high incidence of structural concerns places the 2002 RAM Van at a middle point in the model’s longevity narrative, suggesting that while the powertrain remains dependable, owners and researchers should scrutinize the body integrity when evaluating long‑term durability.

Model year200320022001200019991997199619951994

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 torque80-110 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy11/16/13 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 27 · 600 CCA battery, OE oil filter 04781452BF. Note the factory fuel filter and cabin air filter are now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known.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 27 · 600 CCAOEM · verified
Tire size7700/8700/9200 GVWROEM · verified
Wheel / rim6.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter04781452BF alt 05281090AB
Engine air filter68441763AA
Fuel filter04798825AD discontinued · alt 04897498AA
Spark plug68303921AA alt 68303918AA
BatteryBB65F121AA
Front wiper blades55077100AE
Serpentine belt05135746AA alt 53032307AC
Thermostat53021051AB alt 52028185AC
Cabin air filter05003108AA discontinued

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 / combined11 / 16 / 13 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 80-110 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 25.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2. 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.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear OilGL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity6.3 Pints, non_mvc
Differential Gear OilGL-5 · 80W-90
Differential Gear Oil Capacity7.2 Pints,
Differential Gear OilGL-5 · 80W-90
Differential Gear Oil Capacity10 Pints,
Engine Oil10W-30 · API

Engine torques

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings48 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts55 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts25 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug25.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug44.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug44.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug37.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug25.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Leaf Spring to Axle (U-bolts)110.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring to Chassis Bracket110.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring to Rear Shackle90.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring Rear Shackle to Chassis Bracket110.0 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts80-110 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug30.0-40.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug30.0-40.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub180 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 ManufacturerChampion
Spark Plug TypeRC12LC4
Spark Plug Gap0.040 in
Spark Plug Torque30.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Oil GroupPAG
Oil TypeSP-15
Standard BCI Group Number27
Standard BCI Cranking Performance600 cca
Optional BCI Group Number27
Optional BCI Cranking Performance750 cca
Standard BCI Group Number27

Service checks

Pressure Test15 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Pressure Test15 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum54.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)44.0-54.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance13-16 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression100 Minimum psi

Brakes

Brake ApplicationWITH 12 inch DRUM / WITH STANDARD
Torque Caliper to Bracket24 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle210 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket24 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle130 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket24 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle100 ft-lbs
Brake ApplicationWITH 12 inch DRUM / WITH STANDARD

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 2 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Coat new bolts with the specified engine oil.

150.0 ft. lbs.50 ft. lbs
2105.0 ft. lbs.105 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 6 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Coat new bolts with the specified engine oil.

152.0 ft. lbs.52 ft. lbs
2loosen all bolts 360 degrees360 degrees
377.0 ft. lbs.77 ft. lbs
477.0 ft. lbs.77 ft. lbs
590 degrees90 degrees
690 degrees90 degrees
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 6,000 mi; spark plugs every 30,000 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 6,000 miDriveshaft U-Joint (lubricate) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Transmission Assembly (inspect)
Every 7,500 miBrake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Crankcase Breather Bottle (drain) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Oil (drain & refill)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Power Booster Unit (inspect) · Fuel Filter (replace) · Steering Linkage (lubricate) · Water Pump (inspect)
Every 22,500 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Suspension Ball Joint (inspect) · Wheel Bearing (inspect)
Every 24,000 miEngine Breather Filter (clean)
Every 30,000 miCrankshaft Vibration Damper (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Radiator Fan Clutch (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace)
Every 37,500 miBands (adjust) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)
Every 45,000 miTransfer Case Assembly (inspect fluid level)
At 52,500 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

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.

Owner complaints about the 2002 Dodge RAM Van, Wagon lead in one area — the structure, 249 of 975 reports (26%), well ahead of the next concern. None of this vehicle's 1 recall campaigns target the structure, so those reports read as owner-reported wear-and-tear rather than an acknowledged defect. 76 of the reports describe a crash and 20 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the structure pattern above. These are tallies of what owners actually reported to the federal government, not an editorial score — and higher-selling models naturally rack up more reports.

13
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
93
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
2
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
975
Owner complaints
76 involved a crash · 20 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 975 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Structure249
Power Train91
Engine & Engine Cooling60
Suspension55
Unknown Or Other50
Visibility48
Electrical System47
Air Bags45

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

07V555000Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Lever And Linkage:Column ShiftReported 04/12/2007

ON CERTAIN VAN AND PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS, THE IGNITION/PARK SHIFT INTERLOCK SYSTEM MAY BECOME INOPERATIVE. THIS CAN ALLOW THE SHIFTER TO BE MOVED OUT OF THE "PARK" POSITION WITH THE… Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE GEARSHIFT BLOCKER AND BRACKET ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JANUARY 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 93 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
1012322024-10-29Power TrainPlate - Planetary
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…

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 Van, Wagon. 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 Van, Wagon 5.9L V8 take?

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

Does the 2002 RAM Van, Wagon have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 13 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 5.9L V8 get?

EPA figures are 11 city / 16 highway / 13 combined mpg.