Ram 1500 Diesel Owners Awarded $3,000 in Fire Settlement

The acrid smell of burning coolant and the terror of an engine fire haunted thousands of Ram 1500 EcoDiesel owners for years. Today, relief arrives as a federal court approves a sweeping settlement that could put up to $3,000 in the pockets of owners whose trucks caught fire due to defective exhaust components, ending a six-year legal battle.

Settlement Resolves Dangerous EGR Defect

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) initiated a critical recall in October 2019 affecting 108,000 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel trucks in the U.S. after federal investigators confirmed a design flaw. According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recall 19V-733, the exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) cooler was prone to thermal fatigue cracks, allowing coolant to leak onto hot engine components. This defect created a significant fire hazard, with multiple owners reporting sudden engine compartment fires – some causing total vehicle losses. The recall mandated replacement of EGR coolers and intake manifolds, but many owners faced repeated failures even after repairs.

Under the newly approved class action settlement covering 2014-2019 models manufactured between June 2013 and October 2019, FCA provides substantial protections:

• Extended Warranty: Five-year coverage on replacement EGR coolers from installation date
• Expense Reimbursement: Tow truck fees, rental car costs, and coolant purchases related to EGR failures
• Fire Compensation: Up to $3,000 for owners submitting fire reports from police, insurance, or fire departments
• Plaintiff Awards: $130,000 total for 26 named plaintiffs ($5,000 each)
• Legal Fees: $2.45 million awarded to plaintiffs’ attorneys

Eligibility and Claim Process Explained

Owners seeking compensation must act promptly. Claim forms are available through the official settlement administrator website, with deadlines typically falling 90-120 days after final court approval. To qualify for the maximum $3,000 fire compensation, owners must provide verifiable documentation clearly linking the fire origin to the EGR system area. For reimbursement of repair-related expenses, receipts and repair orders showing out-of-pocket costs are required.

Impacted trucks include all 2014-2019 Ram 1500 models equipped with the 3.0L EcoDiesel V6 engine. Owners who previously paid for EGR-related repairs may still qualify for reimbursement even if their vehicle didn’t experience a fire. Legal experts recommend retaining all service records and immediately documenting any recurring issues with the EGR system, as demonstrated in previous diesel engine recalls.

While this settlement brings closure, it underscores the critical importance of prompt recall compliance. If you own an affected Ram EcoDiesel, immediately check your VIN status and preserve all service documentation – your safety and compensation depend on it.

Must Know

Q: Which Ram trucks qualify for this settlement?
A: 2014-2019 Ram 1500 models with 3.0L EcoDiesel engines manufactured between June 12, 2013 and October 23, 2019. Verify eligibility using your VIN on NHTSA’s recall database.

Q: How do I prove my truck had an EGR-related fire?
A: Submit official documentation: police reports, fire department reports, or insurance claims explicitly noting the fire originated near the EGR cooler. Photos and repair invoices strengthen claims.

Q: What costs does the settlement reimburse?
A: Qualifying expenses include EGR cooler replacements (if paid out-of-pocket), coolant purchases, tow truck fees, and rental car costs incurred due to EGR system failures. Save all receipts.

Q: How long will warranty extensions last?
A: Five years from the date of the initial EGR cooler replacement. If the new cooler fails within this period, FCA covers repair costs at authorized dealerships.

Q: When is the claim deadline?
A: Deadlines will be set after final court approval (expected late 2025). Monitor the official settlement website or NHTSA recalls for updates. Typically, claims periods last 90-120 days.

Q: Why are attorneys receiving $2.45 million?
A: Class action legal fees are court-approved and compensate lawyers for six years of litigation, expert analysis, and administrative costs. Such allocations are standard in complex automotive defect cases.