Dodge Ram 2500 Problems & Lemon Law Claims

This Ram 2500 owner experienced repeated drivetrain, powertrain, diesel emissions, engine, and transmission-related problems. Early in the repair history, the owner reported a roaring or grinding sound when slowing down, check engine lights, and repeated regeneration concerns. The truck allegedly went into regeneration too often, at times approximately every 40 to 70 miles, and the owner reported that it would get stuck in regeneration and would not finish the regeneration cycle.

The repair history included repeated inspections for check engine light and regeneration concerns, loose air cleaner box fasteners, replacement of an aftermarket air filter, turbocharger replacement after oil was found pooled in the turbo inlet, DPF removal and stationary desoot, replacement of the EGR cooler and EGR valve, replacement of the DPF after code P2459, and replacement of the diesel exhaust pressure differential sensor.

The owner later returned with a tapping noise from the engine area when warm. The dealer verified the concern, removed the valve cover, found excessively worn pushrods, created a STAR case, removed the cab, removed the cam and lifters, inspected the lifter bores, dropped the oil pan, inspected the bearings, removed the head, and obtained approval for a short block replacement.

The repair history also included a hard-shifting transmission complaint. The dealer verified the transmission fluid level, installed a pressure gauge, found low fluid pressure, determined that the pump was not producing adequate pressure, removed the crossmember and transfer case, removed the transmission, found torque converter damage, and performed transmission-related repairs involving the pump, torque converter, valve body, and transmission oil components.

The case ultimately resulted in a cash settlement for the client.

What Attorney Lucas Duhon Says

This is a strong Ram 2500 example because it shows a long, repeated pattern rather than one isolated complaint. The vehicle had 12 repair visits and 229 days out of service, with recurring diesel and emissions complaints, repeated regeneration issues, DPF concerns, EGR repairs, turbocharger replacement, engine tapping, short block replacement, and transmission hard-shifting repairs.

This Ram 2500 owner experienced repeated diesel emissions, DPF, and check engine light concerns. The owner first reported a check engine light, and the dealer replaced a failed NOx sensor after confirming the sensor was installed correctly and was not damaged.

Later, the owner returned with an exhaust filter full message. The dealer found DTCs P1451, P2463, and P242F, noted that the soot load was at its maximum, performed a stationary desoot, cleared the codes, and road tested the vehicle. That visit also included Safety Recall Z20 for electronic stability control and anti-lock brake module reprogramming.

The owner continued returning with particulate filter and check engine light complaints. The repair history included replacement of the upstream NOx sensor, repeated stationary desoot procedures, DPF replacement, installation of a new exhaust temperature sensor because the old sensor could not be removed from the faulty DPF, and recall activity involving Y78 high pressure fuel pump, ZA3 transmission dipstick, and ZB8 tailgate latch alignment.

The owner later reported a Service DEF system message and continued engine drivability concerns. A STAR case was started, and the dealer again replaced the DPF, completed the Y78 recall, updated the PCM, performed a quick learn, reset the DPF in the PCM, and road tested the truck. Additional visits involved continued check engine light and diesel filter messages, replacement of the differential pressure sensor, DCU update, aftertreatment system testing, replacement of an aftermarket air filter with an OEM filter, fuel filter replacement, fuel system cleaner, and additional stationary desoot procedures.

The case ultimately resulted in a cash settlement for the client.

What Attorney Lucas Duhon Says

This is a strong Ram 2500 example because it shows the diesel emissions pattern very clearly. The vehicle had 9 repair visits and 44 days out of service for repeated check engine lights, exhaust filter warnings, soot accumulation, DPF concerns, NOx sensor repairs, DPF replacement, DEF system messaging, PCM updates, quick learn procedures, and repeated desoot or regeneration-related work.

This Ram 2500 owner experienced repeated electrical, interior, engine, diesel emissions, and no-start concerns. Early in the repair history, the owner reported that the driver seat would not move and that there was a burning smell under the seat. The repair history later showed that the memory seat module was not responsive, there was no power present, and the vehicle needed a new TIPM.

The dealer removed and replaced the TIPM, but the owner continued reporting driver seat and pedal adjustment problems.

The repair history also included RSU 23-003 for a 2022 model year Ram 2500 diesel no-start issue, starter nut replacement, and multiple recall or customer satisfaction items, including tailgate latch alignment and ZA3 for the 6.7L Ram Heavy Duty transmission dipstick. The dealer later documented that the TIPM had been installed, but the memory seat module had internal failure and was on order.

The owner continued returning for the driver seat issue. On a later repair visit, the dealer found the memory seat module was red on topology, found no power at the module connector, inspected multiple connectors and splices, found a faulty circuit breaker, installed a known good breaker, and noted that the seat was functioning normally. That same repair visit also included diesel emissions-related work. The dealer found DTC P1451, referenced TSB 18-005-23, updated the PCM software, performed a regeneration, drove the vehicle above 55 mph to allow aftertreatment sensors to learn, and performed a quick learn procedure.

The final major repair visit involved a no-start condition. The owner stated he tried to start the truck with remote start in the morning, but when he went outside, the truck was not on. When he pressed the ignition button, a heater grid message appeared and the vehicle would not start. The repair history included 13A for the 2021 to 2023 Ram Heavy Duty grid heater relay, replacement of the intake air heater relay, 97A radio software reprogramming, Y43 6.7L diesel particulate matter sensor installation and PCM reprogramming, and ZA3 transmission dipstick, vent tube, and owner manual insert work.

The owner also again reported that the driver’s side front seat was still not adjustable and that the vehicle was unsafe to drive because the seat could not be adjusted to the driver’s height. The dealer created a STAR case and was instructed to check fuses and wiring related to the memory seat module and STAR connector.

The case ultimately resulted in a cash settlement for the client.

What Attorney Lucas Duhon Says

This is a strong Ram 2500 example because the vehicle had 7 repair visits and 411 days out of service, with repeated electrical and module-related issues affecting basic vehicle use.

The driver seat problem was not just a comfort complaint. The owner reported a burning smell, the seat would not move, the pedals would not adjust, and the repair records later noted the vehicle was unsafe to drive because the seat could not be adjusted to the driver’s height.

The repair history also involved TIPM replacement, memory seat module failure, circuit breaker and wiring diagnostics, STAR case involvement, no-start complaints, grid heater relay work, diesel emissions software updates, and multiple recall or customer satisfaction repairs.

This Ram 2500 owner experienced repeated drivetrain, powertrain, diesel emissions, rear differential, and axle-related problems. Early in the repair history, the owner reported that the starter seemed to be dragging and that the vehicle made a screeching noise when cranking. The dealer found the starter was drawing too many amps. The dealer also found a screeching or metallic-type noise after the engine started, metal debris when the inspection cover was removed, deflection in the flexplate ring gear while the engine was running, worn ring gear teeth, and a warped flexplate that caused the starter not to fully disengage. The starter and flexplate were replaced.

The owner later returned with drivetrain complaints, including a clunking noise when putting the truck in forward or reverse and applying gas, a malfunction powertrain message, and a knocking noise when shifting into Drive or Reverse. The repair history also included a rear hub seal issue that caused the brake shoe to slap in the rotor, replacement of the right rear hub seal, replacement of differential fluid and additive, and Safety Recall 55B for the anti-lock brake system control module software.

The owner also experienced diesel emissions-related problems. The repair history showed a check engine light and exhaust filter full warning, with DTCs P1451-00 for DPF system performance, P2463-00 for particulate soot accumulation, and P242F-00 for DPF ash restriction. The dealer found DPF readings over 9.0 g/L, determined that the DPF was plugged, replaced the DPF, cleared codes, test drove the vehicle, and performed regeneration and SCR recalibration.

The owner later reported knocking in the rear end at takeoff in forward or reverse, especially on uneven surfaces, and stated that he could feel the issue in the driver’s seat. The dealer found a whining noise, isolated it to the rear end with chassis ears, removed the rear differential cover, found metallic flake in the fluid, and noted an odd wear pattern on the ring and pinion. The dealer replaced the ring and pinion, pinion bearings, pinion seal, and side bearings, set backlash, and refilled the differential.

The final repair involved a rear axle popping complaint, where the dealer found a loose right lower trailing arm bolt, torqued it to specification, and test drove the vehicle.

The case ultimately resulted in a cash settlement for the client.

What Attorney Lucas Duhon Says

This is a strong Ram 2500 example because the repair history involves multiple related drivetrain and powertrain complaints over 7 repair visits and 97 days out of service.

The case is useful because it shows several recurring Ram 2500 themes in one vehicle: starter and flexplate problems, metallic drivetrain noises, DPF restriction, exhaust filter warnings, rear differential failure signs, metallic debris in fluid, ring and pinion replacement, and rear axle popping.

Even when some individual visits are short, the overall pattern matters. Repeated drivetrain, diesel emissions, and axle complaints can strengthen a claim because they show the truck continued returning to the dealership for serious use, reliability, and drivability concerns.

This Ram 2500 owner experienced a serious drivetrain and rear differential concern. The owner reported vibration while turning and while driving at approximately 65 mph. The repair history shows that the dealership performed a major rear differential repair, including installation of a rear axle assembly, ring and pinion gear kit, drive pinion bearings, differential side bearings, drive pinion seal, pinion bearing spacers, shim kit, and required axle and gear lubricants.

The records also noted that a part was on backorder, and the vehicle was out of service for 177 days on this repair visit.

The case ultimately resulted in a cash settlement for the client.

What Attorney Lucas Duhon Says

This is a strong Ram 2500 example even though there was only 1 repair visit. The seriousness of the repair and the amount of downtime are the key facts.

A nearly new heavy-duty truck with vibration while turning and at highway speeds, followed by a rear differential overhaul, ring and pinion replacement, rear axle assembly work, and 177 days out of service, presents a significant warranty claim issue.