As we reported on December 29, Cummins ended up on the wrong side of the law after allegedly getting caught cheating on an emissions scam. Cummins’ “Dieselgate” issue is hurting more than just the company. Cummins’ wallet will be hit big—now to the tune of $2 billion when factoring in a $325 million charge for environmental remedies. But owners of the affected Ram diesel pickups will also be feeling some pain. Will you be among them?
Cummins Dieselgate recap
Recapping how we got here. Cummins is accused of scamming emissions testing by using software that made tailpipe emissions look EPA–compliant when tested, but allowed the engines to pump out excessive pollutants when on the road. For its part, Cummins denies wrongdoing. However, it signed an agreement with the U.S. government and the State of California that accounts for the big payout.
Now there’s a recall
However, earlier this week, the U.S. Department of Justice rolled out another announcement on the Cummins Dieselgate saga. Cummins must recall 600,000 Ram pickups. The recall forces Cummins to repair and replace the engine control software found in some 2013–2019 Ram 2500 and Ram 3500 diesels. While that’s not as time-consuming as physically removing and replacing parts, it will mean owners will have to surrender their trucks for as long as needed to reprogram the software. Does that mean sitting in the waiting room while the job is done? Or will it mean dropping off the truck and coming back later? Either way, it’s an inconvenience to the truck owner.
Could be more than just a software flash
But it could get deeper. Cummins must also “extend the warranty period for certain parts in the repaired vehicles.” It’s not clear what parts are involved in this detail, but the implication is clear. The Cummins software tweak could have done more than just pollute the atmosphere. That same tweak may have damaged some engine parts. What if those parts need replacement? That truck is going to be in the service bay for a longer period than required to reflash software.
Are you part of Cummins’ “more prosperous world”?
How do the principals in the Cummins Dieselgate affair feel? Stellantis, the truck manufacturer, didn’t have anything to say regarding the Justice Department announcement. Rather, they suggested media types contact Cummins for comment.
Cummins had its own spin. In its statement, it said the information released by the Justice Department doesn’t really cost it any more financially than what had come out when the story broke at the end of December. Since the company isn’t admitting any sort of guilt, not surprisingly it added, “We are looking forward to obtaining certainty as we conclude this lengthy matter and continue to deliver on our mission of powering a more prosperous world.”
We’re not sure just how the 600,000-or-so folks with the “cheating Cummins” engines feel about being part of “powering a more prosperous world.” Over the next three years—that’s the amount of time Cummins has been granted to perform the recall—Ram truck owners can stand by their mailboxes. They’ll be waiting for a letter telling them they need to bring the rig in for the revamp. Actually, Cummins has three years to bring in 85% of the affected trucks. The other 15% of you will get to wait in suspense even longer, as part of the Cummins Dieselgate debacle.
##RVT1139b
It almost sounds as if they copied the playbook from VW when it comes to diesel emissions testing.
Makes me glad we retained our 2003 Dodge Ram 2500 with the earlier ISB 5.9. No emissions on that machine, not even a DPF or Catalytic Converter. With the NV5600 it’s a great and reliable truck. Whenever my brother visits he wants to try and buy it from me. It lives in the garage and only comes out to haul hay, cattle or the tractors. Just turned 95K miles too. No more hauling fivers, we bought a Class a (gasser).
You have the best of both worlds. My old 2001 2500 was a workhorse and would return a genuine 21 mpg empty. Pity that it was noisy, harsh riding, poorly equipped and a bit cramped compared to the newer mega dollar offerings.
My Cummins 12 Valve lives in my Class A Motor Home.
I got some kind of notice but question whether this applies to all. Is it an emissions test issue (California Air Review Board, CARB)? I live in rural America. I drive in rural America. And I never – never drive in California. If RAM reprograms my software will I lose my ability to plug in my BullyDog to get the Tow Mode I have come to expect when towing all 12 tons of truck and 5th wheel up steep grades? Will this further decrease my fuel mileage, pouring more DEF onto the hot exhaust? Will it increase the frequency of throwing more fuel on the DPF to burn soot off? All to fix an emissions testing problem (for CARB)?
I would ignore the recall and continue enjoying the truck as it is.
If you don’t live in CA or some other [bleeped] state what’s your worry about CARB?
Because the California market is so large and influential that what California mandates ends up being the standard everywhere.
John, see my reply to Tom.
Tom, I think you are spot on with your comments on CARB. This is an appointed agency that has a far-reaching effect on not only California but other states like NY that follow their Communist-type mandates like sheep. No appointed “boards” of any type in any state should be allowed to pass blatant political laws down on their residents without some kind of vote or direct referendum by the public.
The huge issue is whether the “repair” will result in far less horsepower and torque than your engine previously had. That’s what VW had to do. In your truck or RV, that could make a huge difference in your ability to tow or run your RV.
Exactly. As with VW, this “fix” will obviously affect performance. (Otherwise, what would have been the point of cheating in the first place?) A lot of RAM owners may find their towing capabilities severely limited after this corrective fix. Then what happens? Will Stellantis willingly buy back trucks that are 5 to 11 years old that are no longer useful to their owners for their intended purpose? And at a meaningful price? I doubt it.
This is going to get messy.
As it should.
I heard all this during the Cummins SCR recall CM2250 that started several years ago and concludes next month. The internet rumor mill ran wild with claims that the recall (NOX emissions under load too high) included derating the engine, reducing torque/HP, blah, blah, blah.
I pulled before and after reports from my ECM reader on the key operating parameters. There was no reduction in HP, torque, fuel economy, etc. I had the work done at a rather small Cummins shop and specifically asked about derates, etc….nothing.
All the rumor mongering was just that.
Then what was the point of the cheat?
OMG. The sky is falling, the sky is falling due to an emissions issue. You people are going to kill the wallypoopoo toad. Fix the mfg problem, fine the company and drive on. If it doesn’t damage or death to life and limb, W*F?
Mindless people who think that deleting emissions control devices are fooling no one but themselves. I worked on diesels for years and I can attest that over fueling a diesel engine will eventually result in repairs..sooner or later you all will get your wallets out. Use a diesel engine for what it is intended to be used for and stop “blowing coal” because you think it’s funny.
Thank you, Russ and Tina! Our 2022 RV has a Cummins ISL 8.9 liter diesel engine (450 hp version) is outside the recall. Meanwhile our 1997 Dodge 3500 farm truck, which has a Cummins diesel engine, is well outside the years recalled.
I got the recall notice for my 3500 last week. I called my Dodge dealer and have an appointment in two weeks. It will be interesting to see how long the inspection/repair actually takes
Considering emissions control stuff, at least in my experience, adversely affects power, frankly I’d be inclined to ignore a recall like that. Thankfully, I don’t live in a state that does “sniff tests” anyway. Big Brother should mind his own business.
That is a stupid statement decrying emission controls. When I was growing up in the 1940s and 1950s in the San Fernando Valley, smog was a horrible part of our very frequent atmospheric poisoning. It would give me a headache that lasted until a wind came in to clear the air. Then came fuel injection to replace carburetors, catalytic converters and other smog abatement measures. Now, except for traffic, living in southern California, the air is incredibly better and no more smog headaches. Emission controls work impressively for all of our mutual benefit. Even if you are out in the country, emission controls are helping to preserve the only air that we have.
I remember getting a recall notice on my 2016 F-350 some years ago. The first Ford service guy I spoke to said he was old-school. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. So I didn’t. Then, some months later I took the truck in for an oil and filter change, and fuel filters changed as well. We were getting ready for yet another 2K trip to Houston. A different service guy convinced me it would be a good idea to get the software upgraded. Two days later the truck blew some major hose off the engine and I could barely get it back to Ford. Not to worry. It’s all under warranty. However, they didn’t have the parts. Eight weeks later the parts finally came in. I will not be doing any more recall stuff.
Yeah Tommy, I also got a recall for an emmissions adjustment last year on my 2019 F250 6.7 diesel. Took it in and asked the service writer what this will do to my mpg and she claimed she didn’t know. It was a simple computer flash. Got it back and I lost about half mile to a gallon. Have no idea what it did to my HP or torque. No other damage so far…
Yeah Matt, they never seem to know what exactly will change with their ‘upgrade’.
and where is your study, not just 1 truck, but a study on the people’s lungs following you? Maybe try thinking of others.
It’s just another government scam.
How could the recall have anything to do with the hoses? It was likely coincidental.
It had to do (supposedly) with the DPF. Once they ‘upgraded’ the software, the DPF suddenly FILLED UP, blocked any air from getting through, and the backup of pressure blew that hose (sorry, I don’t know what it was called) off the engine. By the time I got to the Ford dealer, my DPF showed over 200% clogged. The wait for parts was for a new DPF, which was on backorder – with no estimate as to how long. The service guy said they (Ford) were replacing them all over the country.
Supposedly, each state will get a list of vehicle vin #’s that didn’t get the recall done and they will not allow you to renew your registration. Big brother at its finest.
Happy they are enforcing this. People will breathe easier….
This sounds suspiciously like the VW diesel recall. The rules applied to the test sequences and were not clearly indicated that they had to apply during actual road use. The VW engines met the letter of the rules if not the overall intent. The EPA screwed up but VW decided to not embarrass them and bit the bullet. It looks like Cummins is doing the same thing as the US government is the largest end user of their products.
Just had the 67A EMC reflash completed. Truck was ready within 2 hours despite a non related incident at the dealership. No apparent change in drivability. Will reserve final judgement until first haul out next week. Fingers crossed
I own a chev duramax POS.
the government has mandated clean air, at the expense of the owner. Did they EVER consider locomotives and airplanes.. I look skyward and see smoke trailing planes. I see a train coming slightly uphill belching smoke from 3/4/or five locomotives. I pay for my truck and fuel. I can’t charge the extra cost of repairs or extra fuel burnt to some company or as the cost of doing business. I’m from the government, I’m here to help you.
Last night I spoke with someone from Cummins, and he said they have been working with the EPA for 4 years on this and it comes down to interpretation and procedure. Cummins admits no wrong so it looks like more out of control EPA heavy handedness.