Fiat Chrysler and Cummins were hit with a class action lawsuit alleging the Cummins engine in Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 trucks is defective causing low gas mileage and high emissions.
Lead plaintiffs claim in their class action lawsuit that Fiat Chrysler and Cummins have been leveraging a defect in the selective catalytic converter installed in the engine of Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 pickups in competing lawsuits, leaving owners to pick up the costs of higher emissions and lower mileage.
“A cardinal rule of business is that you fix a product if it is defective,” argues the Dodge Ram class action. “Indeed, most companies consider it their moral and legal obligation to do so. But when [Fiat Chrysler] and Cummins discovered at least as early as 2014 that the selective catalytic converter (SCR) system in certain Dodge Ram trucks was defective—and that these trucks were emitting harmful pollutants and experiencing a precipitous drop in performance—they did not rush to fix the problem. Instead, they sued each other and used the defect as leverage in their negotiations over who was going to pay to fix it.”
According to the Dodge Ram class action, Fiat Chrysler and Cummins have been evading responsibility for the defect. In fact, say the plaintiffs, in one case where the companies sued each other, Cummins stated that a recall of Dodge Rams with the defective engine was in the public interest.
The plaintiffs allege that nearly 135,000 Dodge Rams are affected by the defect in the Cummins engine. The defect affects model year 2013-2017 Dodge Ram pickups with a Cummins 6.7-liter diesel engine, say the plaintiffs.
According to the FCA class action lawsuit, the selective catalytic converter system (SCR) in the Cummins engine breaks down and emits excessive emissions that violate both California and federal standards. Further, allege the plaintiffs, the diesel particulate filter becomes clogged with soot and the truck burns more fuel to clear the filter. In fact, say the plaintiffs, trucks that are serviced at the dealership are subject to having their systems “flashed,” leading to further damage and increased use of fuel.
“The Defendants never disclosed that their defective SCR system would ultimately cost the consumer several hundred dollars a year because of increased fuel costs,” charge the plaintiffs.
“The Defect is part of a long-running saga involving efforts by auto and engine companies to meet (and evade) the EPA’s emissions requirements,” alleges the lawsuit. The Dodge Ram class action explains that diesel engines pose a particular problem when it comes to emissions; however, car and engine companies rushed to create “clean diesel” after seeing a new opportunity for growth.
According to the class action this all changed after the Environmental Protection Agency accused Volkswagen of cheating emissions standards. This didn’t stop with Volkswagen’s passenger vehicles, say the plaintiffs, diesel engines in Dodge Ram pickups were not working as advertised too. “In fact, the EPA recently announced that FCA’s Dodge Ram 1500 ‘EcoDiesel’ trucks (model years 2014–2016) contain defeat devices,” the lawsuit states.
Further, allege the plaintiffs, when the emissions system shuts down or stops, the Dodge Rams go into “limp mode,” which requires them to reach a dealership within 175 miles. This puts car owners in expensive and potentially dangerous situations by forcing the trucks to move slowly in high speed traffic areas.
The plaintiffs seek to represent all current and former owners and lessees of model year 2013-2017 Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks.
The plaintiffs are represented by Steve W. Berman and Jerrod C. Patterson of Hagens Berman Sobel Shapiro LLP, E. Powell Miller and Sharon S. Almonrode of The Miller Law Firm PC, Christopher A. Seeger of Seeger Weiss LLP, James E. Cecchi of Carella Bryne Cecchi Olstein Brody & Angello PC, and Eric J. Artrip of Mastando & Artrip.
The Dodge Ram Defective Diesel Engine Class Action Lawsuit is Jeremy Raymo, et al. v. FCA US LLC, et al., Case No. 2:17-cv-12168-TGB-SDD, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan.
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34 thoughts onDodge Ram Class Action Says Cummins Engine Defect Reduces MPG
2020 ram 2500 by it back
Got dreaded message, truck has 49,000. First told me it was the def pump and SGR valve. They never checked the output of DEF and we’re going only by fault code. After replacing dealer tells me truck needs a new ECM. I pay $8400 and drive 7 miles and engine light comes on. Dealer takes off def injector and replaces. This all seems like BS, based on common owner knowledge the injector pump should have been first place to start checking because come to find out the fault codes displayed originally could have been caused by the def injector. Should start troubleshooting at cheapest and easiest point working backwards in accordance with system functionality. And, I told them there has been an on and off engine light since I’ve purchased new and dealers always tell me it was a ghost light…..I’m retired Army and $8400 is a nice chunk of change. How do I proceed?
I own a 2014 ram 2500 diesel crew cab, I have had problems with the def sense I bought it. It seem like I have to put anywhere between 1k and 4K into the def system every year. Even most diesel mechanics are baffle with this stuff. I would love to be part with this class action law suit!
I have a 17 ram with the cummins that has been getting worse and worse fuel mileage. I got it new and every time I took it to the dealer they would plug in and flash it.
I have had multiple problems with my 3500 had dodge DEF system shut down extremely poor gas economy as low as 1 mph and 2 no power poor Acceleration and exhaust fumes emitted into the cab during regin transmission shutters when shifting
I’ve got more problems than just that with my 2017. I wish I never bought it. They should have to buy them back!!
I agree 100% with ya!! I have 2017 that has had more problems than the last 5 vehicles I’ve owned. Add me
Own 2014 Dodge Ram 2500 with 6.7 Cummings engine
What is process to file for reimbursement
I have a 2014 Ram Cummins Megacab that has had the SCR and DEF pump replaced already at less than 80k miles. How do I join this class action lawsuit?
2017 2500 Cummings auto…problems from the start..dealer says “normal” been in touch with Chrysler lemon dept but getting run around. Need attorneys in hawaii.
How do I know if my 2016 2500 diesel is affected by this?
I have a 2017 Dodge Ram 2500 crew cab diesel, automatic transmission, 4X4 long bed with 17,200 miles. How do I know if my truck is an emissions problem truck? Another common problem that I and many Dodge 2500 series automatic diesel Ram owners are having is with the rear suspension. When Dodge replaced leaf springs with coil springs in 2014, the rear the problems began. Severe shuddering occurs when accelerating from stop, in straight line on dry pavement causing the dash and the entire truck to shudder violently. Dodge call it axle twist or wheel hop because of the extreme torque. Professional driveline/differential shops say the problem is with the two piece driveline angle at the carrier bearing. I agree with the shops and not dodge. Dodge suggested that I purchase a Billestine shook kit and install same on me truck. I did so, and the problem still exists. Additionally, the Billestine kit bolts to the top of the stock Dodge differential where there is a flat area, already drilled and taped for the kit. Also, there is a frame cross member with two shock ears in place from the factory. Dodge knows there’s a problem or they wouldn’t sell their trucks with the two aforementioned locations in place for the factory. Problem is that Dodge don’t own up to the problem. They buyer ( truck owner) is just to put up with the shudder and/or fix the problem/s them selves. Any ideas what can be done about this factory problem? Any other similar complaints?
There are also similar problems with the 2012 model year 2500 and 3500 Dodge Ram trucks, with the Cummins diesel. My truck (At 47,000 miles) DPF recently malfunctioned, requiring a the dealer to perform a forced regeneration (Costing $249) of the DPF, because the entire emission system was full of diesel soot.