AttorneyReview
    Back to Blog
    Consumer Protection

    Dodge Ram 1500 EcoDiesel Settlement: Up to $3,575 Plus Free 5-Year Warranty by May 16, 2026

    JC
    Published May 8, 2026Last updated May 5, 20267 min read
    Share this article

    Need a Consumer Protection Attorney?

    Get matched with pre-screened attorneys in your area. Free consultation, no obligation.

    Get Matched Free
    100% FreeNo ObligationConfidential
    A dark gray full-size pickup truck sits on cracked asphalt outside a service facility with its hood raised, exposing the engine bay. A clipboard holding service paperwork and a wrench rests on the front fender. Other vehicles and a metal warehouse building are visible in the overcast background.
    A reminder to gather your repair records and check whether you qualify for an open vehicle defect class action settlement.

    If you owned or leased a 2014–2019 Dodge Ram 1500 EcoDiesel truck manufactured between June 12, 2013, and October 23, 2019, you may be entitled to up to $3,575 in cash reimbursement plus a five-year warranty extension on EGR cooler repairs from a class action settlement that closes May 16, 2026. Truck owners whose vehicles caught fire because of a failed exhaust gas recirculation cooler can claim an additional $3,000 — and unlike the warranty extension, which applies automatically, the cash payments require a claim form filed before the deadline.

    The lawsuit, Crawford v. FCA US LLC, alleged that the EGR coolers in 2014–2019 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel trucks were susceptible to thermal fatigue, leading to cracks, coolant leaks, and in some cases combustion within the intake manifold and engine fires. FCA US — the North American branch of Stellantis — denies wrongdoing but agreed to the settlement to avoid lengthy litigation. The court granted final approval on March 17, 2026.

    Who Qualifies for the Dodge Ram Settlement

    You are a class member if you purchased or leased in the United States a model year 2014–2019 Dodge Ram 1500 EcoDiesel truck — including the 1500 Classic — manufactured between June 12, 2013, and October 23, 2019. Both original purchasers and subsequent owners qualify, regardless of whether the truck has been resold.

    You do not need to have experienced EGR cooler problems to receive the warranty extension benefit, but to claim cash reimbursement, you must have incurred eligible out-of-pocket expenses. Excluded from the class are FCA US, its affiliates and employees, anyone who previously settled individually with FCA over related issues, and anyone who opted out by the February 8, 2026, exclusion deadline.

    To verify whether your specific truck is covered, enter your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) into the lookup tool on the official settlement website. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard at the base of the windshield or on the driver's side door post.

    What You Can Receive

    The settlement provides four types of benefits, each with different eligibility requirements.

    Five-year warranty extension — applies automatically to all eligible trucks. Covers parts and labor for EGR cooler repairs for five years from the date the EGR cooler was replaced under FCA's October 2019 recall (recall VB1). If your truck still falls within this five-year window when the settlement takes effect, you can take it to an authorized FCA dealership for free repair without filing any settlement document.

    EGR cooler repair reimbursement — for class members who paid out of pocket to replace a failed EGR cooler within five years of the recall. Reimbursement is for the full documented cost. Required documentation: proof of repair (invoice or service record showing EGR cooler replacement) and proof of payment (receipts, credit card statements, or canceled checks).

    Other out-of-pocket reimbursements — up to $500 per truck for rental car costs, up to $75 per truck for coolant, plus tow truck costs (no per-truck cap, but subject to the overall $750,000 settlement cap on these categories combined). Required: proof of payment plus proof the payment was made in connection with a contemporaneous repair of a failed EGR cooler.

    Vehicle fire payment — $3,000 for class members whose eligible truck suffered a fire caused by a failed EGR cooler. Required documentation: proof of ownership (VIN), proof of the fire (police, insurance, or fire department report), and proof that a failed EGR cooler caused the fire (police, insurance, fire department, or vehicle repair record referencing the EGR cooler or the engine area where the cooler is located).

    Why This Settlement Exists

    The 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 engine in the Ram 1500 was marketed as a fuel-efficient alternative to gasoline V8 engines, promising superior torque and fuel economy in the full-size pickup segment. The EGR cooler is part of the emissions system, recirculating exhaust gas back into the combustion chamber to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions.

    According to the complaint in Crawford v. FCA US LLC, the EGR coolers in 2014–2019 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel trucks were susceptible to thermal fatigue. Over time, the coolers could crack, allowing coolant to leak into the intake manifold. When the coolant entered the manifold during combustion, it could ignite and cause an engine fire.

    FCA issued a recall in October 2019 (recall VB1) covering approximately 108,000 model year 2014–2019 Ram 1500 trucks. The plaintiffs argued that the recall did not adequately address the underlying defect, that some replacement coolers also failed, and that FCA owed reimbursement for out-of-pocket costs owners absorbed before and after the recall. The class action consolidated multiple lawsuits filed in federal court between 2020 and 2022.

    FCA US has not been found liable. The settlement is a voluntary resolution to avoid lengthy litigation.

    Key Deadlines

    EVENT DATE
    Preliminary approval grantedSeptember 11, 2025
    Objection deadlineJanuary 9, 2026 (passed)
    Opt-out deadlineFebruary 8, 2026 (passed)
    Final approval grantedMarch 17, 2026
    Claim deadlineMay 16, 2026

    How to File Your Claim

    The official settlement website is EcoDieselEGRCoolerCase.com. You can file online, by email, or by mail.

    Online — complete the claim form at the settlement website. You will need your VIN, current mileage (unless you no longer own the vehicle), and supporting documentation appropriate to the type of claim.

    Email — download the PDF claim form from the settlement website, complete it, attach supporting documents, and email everything to claims@ecodieselegrcoolercase.com.

    Mail — send the completed PDF claim form with documentation to: Crawford v. FCA US LLC, Settlement Administrator, P.O. Box 4219, Portland, OR 97208-4219. Mailed claims must be postmarked by May 16, 2026.

    Claimants choose their preferred payment method on the form: digital payment (Venmo, Zelle, or virtual prepaid card) or a physical check mailed to the provided address.

    Speaking of legal matters...

    Need Help with Your Case?

    Our network of accredited attorneys specializes in cases just like yours. Get a free consultation today.

    Documentation Checklist by Claim Type

    Before filing, gather the documents you will need.

    For all claims: proof of ownership or lease (VIN, registration, title, lease agreement, or bill of sale).

    For EGR cooler repair reimbursement: repair invoice or service record showing the EGR cooler was replaced; proof of payment such as a receipt, credit card statement, bank statement, or canceled check.

    For tow truck, rental car, or coolant reimbursement: proof of payment plus documentation showing the payment was made in connection with a contemporaneous EGR cooler repair (typically a service order or invoice referencing the EGR cooler).

    For fire claims: proof of the fire (police report, insurance claim documentation, or fire department report) plus proof that a failed EGR cooler caused the fire (the same reports plus, if available, a vehicle repair record or insurance assessment specifically referencing the EGR cooler or the area of the engine where the cooler sits).

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How do I know if my truck qualifies?

    Enter your VIN at EcoDieselEGRCoolerCase.com. If your truck is a model year 2014–2019 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel manufactured between June 12, 2013, and October 23, 2019, it qualifies. You can also call the settlement administrator at 1-888-885-2707 with your VIN ready.

    I sold my truck — am I still eligible?

    Yes, if you owned or leased the truck during the relevant period and incurred out-of-pocket expenses related to the EGR cooler defect. You can file for reimbursement of those documented expenses even if you no longer own the truck. Subsequent owners may also qualify if they incurred their own expenses.

    Do I need a claim form for the warranty extension?

    No. The five-year warranty extension applies automatically to all eligible trucks. Take your truck to an authorized FCA dealership for covered EGR cooler repairs — you do not need to submit a settlement document.

    What if I never had any EGR cooler problems?

    You still receive the warranty extension automatically. To claim cash reimbursement, however, you must have incurred eligible out-of-pocket expenses such as a repair payment, tow truck cost, rental car, or fire-related loss.

    How much can I really claim?

    The maximum cash recovery for a single class member is approximately $3,575 — full reimbursement for documented EGR cooler repair, plus up to $500 rental car, up to $75 coolant, plus the $3,000 fire payment if applicable. Claims for tow truck and rental car costs are subject to a $750,000 overall cap across all class members.

    What documentation does the fire claim require?

    You need proof the fire occurred (police, fire department, or insurance report) and proof the fire was caused by a failed EGR cooler. The latter typically requires a service record or insurance investigation that explicitly references the EGR cooler or the part of the engine where it sits. Without that connection in writing, the fire claim may not qualify for the $3,000 payment.

    What if I miss the May 16 deadline?

    The warranty extension applies regardless — you can still take your truck to an FCA dealership for covered repairs. But you cannot file for any cash reimbursement after May 16, 2026, and you cannot sue FCA individually for the same alleged defect because you did not opt out by February 8, 2026.

    Did the FCA recall fix the problem?

    The October 2019 recall (VB1) replaced the EGR coolers in approximately 108,000 affected trucks. The plaintiffs argued in court that some replacement coolers also failed, which is part of why the warranty extension covers five years from the date of the recall replacement. If your replacement cooler has failed within that five-year window, the extension entitles you to a free repair.

    How long until I receive payment?

    The settlement administrator will issue payments after the court resolves any appeals. Final approval was granted on March 17, 2026, so absent appeals, payments are anticipated to begin distributing in mid-to-late 2026.

    Where can I get more information?

    The official settlement website is EcoDieselEGRCoolerCase.com. The settlement administrator can be reached at 1-888-885-2707 or by email at claims@ecodieselegrcoolercase.com.

    Disclaimer

    This content is for general informational purposes only, is not legal advice, and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Joy Coleman is licensed in Georgia and New Jersey and is not licensed to practice law in any other state. Readers should consult a qualified attorney licensed in their jurisdiction.

    If you have questions about a vehicle defect, an engine fire, or your rights in a product liability class action settlement, search for a consumer protection attorney on AttorneyReview.com to connect with qualified legal counsel in your area.

    Not sure where to start? Use our Get Matched feature to be connected with a pre-screened attorney for a free consultation — no obligation.

    Need a Consumer Protection Attorney?

    Get matched with pre-screened attorneys in your area. Free consultation, no obligation.

    Get Matched Free
    100% FreeNo ObligationConfidential

    Legal information only — not legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is formed. Laws vary by jurisdiction. Deadlines are strict. Don't wait. If you have a potential case, contact Counsel immediately.

    Related Articles

    Explore more articles on our blog.