If you have a Ram Heavy-Duty pickup truck, then you might need to get things checked out. The Ram 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 cab chassis models equipped with the Cummins turbodiesel engine may stall or catch fire. 

Ram Heavy Duty trucks are an imminent safety risk 

The Ram Heavy Duty models that are equipped with the Cummins turbo diesel engine are considered to be ticking time bombs. Due to the potential fire hazard, a class action lawsuit against Stellantis cites an imminent safety risk to the public. 

If the 2019 – 2020 Ram 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 models don’t burst into flames, they could still suffer from the engine suddenly stalling while the vehicle is in motion. Plus, it might not restart. Both situations increase the risk of accidents and injuries. 

The problem is caused by the Bosch CP4 pump or the high-pressure fuel pump that may prematurely fail. It could introduce debris into the fuel system and starve the engine. The pump could run dry, meaning there is no lubrication to prevent metal from rubbing on metal.  

Ram is currently unaware of any accidents or injuries related to this problem. 

What to do if your Ram truck is at risk 

If your Ram Heavy-Duty truck falls under this recall, then you will be notified. Stellantis will start notifying owners via mail by January 1, 2022. However, that’s quite a few weeks away. 

You can take action sooner by visiting the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHSTA) site here to enter your 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). The NHSTA campaign number for this recall is 21V-880. 

Ram’s number for this recall is Y78. You can call Ram at 800-853-1403 with any questions or concerns that you may have related to this issue. 

If your truck is at risk, then you will have to take it to the dealership for maintenance. A new high-pressure fuel pump will be installed, and the software will be updated free of charge. We are unsure about how long the process will take. 

You don’t have to return to the same dealership where you purchased your truck for maintenance. Any local Ram dealership is fine. We recommend calling ahead or scheduling an appointment online to avoid long wait times. If you already had your fuel pump replaced, Stellantis will reimburse you for the costs. 

Why are these Ram fuel pumps so dangerous? 

Ram Heavy-Duty trucks like the Ram 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 were equipped with the Bosch CP4 pump. But it’s no longer being used because its design is incompatible with American diesel fuel. Costs to repair each vehicle is at least $10,000. 

Hagens Berman has filed six other lawsuits against Ford, FCA, and GM concerning this fuel injection pump in other diesel trucks. They are the same fuel pumps involved in a class-action lawsuit filed in 2019 involving General Motors’ Heavy-Duty Duramax trucks. 

Berman shared that the vital part for truck owners, regulators, and the public to know is that this defect poses a significant risk to the safety of Dodge Ram truck drivers and others sharing the road. 

We will keep an eye out for more information related to these faulty fuel pumps. It’s possible that other recalls from Ford or GM may follow.