ram dealership

Ram Truck Infernos

By: Andrea Plata

There are very few vehicle defects as terrifying and dangerous as defects that result in a vehicle fire.  While California consumers have relied on Dodge Ram to produce reliable work trucks for years, recently, a spate of vehicle fires has led to increased concerns about the safety of Ram Trucks and numerous lawsuits have been filed to protect consumers’ rights.  Also, recently a recall has been issued for Ram trucks due to reported vehicle fires. The recall was issued for nearly 20,000 model year 2021 Ram 2500, Ram 3500, Ram 3500 CB Chassis, Ram 4500 Cab Chassis, and Ram 5500 Cab Chassis trucks equipped with 6.7L Cummins engines. 

What is an Automobile Recall? 

An automobile recall is issued when either a manufacturer or the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration investigates and determines that a vehicle, equipment, car seat, or tire creates an unreasonable safety risk or fails to meet a consumer’s reasonable standard. Once a recall has been issued for a vehicle, the manufacturer is required to fix the problem. Manufacturers may repair or replace a defective part or offer a refund. In some instances, the manufacturer may repurchase the vehicle. 

Ram Truck Engine Fires 

According to Ram, after a thorough investigation into consumer’s complaints, it was determined that the intake air heaters are the likely cause of engine fires. Sources claim that engine fires are possible in the Ram trucks because of electrical shorts inside the intake air heater relays. Consumers are reporting truck fires even when the vehicles are turned off. The Ram truck fire recall includes 19,214 vehicles in the U.S. and 685 in Canada and is expected to begin April 30, 2021. At this time, it is still unclear how the company intends on remedying the issues with the intake air heaters. 

One owner of a 2016 Ram 1500 described the issues to NHTSA as follows: while “while driving 60 mph, abnormal sounds were coming from the engine which caused the vehicle to stall, the contact was able to pull over to the side of the road and the engine compartment was on fire.”  Other vehicle owners have also described terrifying situations involving their trucks’ engines failing and their vehicles becoming engulfed in flames.  

What Can You Do About Your Ram Truck? 

If you are driving one of the Ram truck models listed above and have suffered through repeated repairs or a vehicle fire, we are here to help. We invite you to call the California Consumer Attorney’s to discuss your claim. You are a protected consumer under California law and CCA’s experienced lawyers can help you fight back against the automaker. 

Call CCA today for a free consultation: (833) LEMON-FIRM. We will get you the compensation you deserve – and at no cost to you!

About the Author
Sepehr Daghighian is a partner with CCA that is well-versed in all aspects of lemon-law litigation. A 2005 graduate of Loyola Law School, Mr. Daghighian has been practicing litigation throughout the state of California for over 13-years. In this time, Mr. Daghighian has advocated on behalf of California consumers in hundreds of lemon law cases throughout our great state. Mr. Daghighian has also successfully tried numerous such cases to verdict in both Federal and State Court.