Owners of 2013 RAM 2500s report strong diesel fuel and exhaust fumes entering the cabin via the ventilation system, particularly during idling and DPF regeneration. One owner states the smell resembles charcoal lighter fluid vaporizing and caused nausea. Dealers dismiss the issue as "normal," but owners insist it poses a health and safety hazard. Separately, the water pump fails frequently (37,500–109,000 miles), causing coolant leaks and overheating; one case documents flames from the engine compartment during remote ignition. Recall 17V562000 was issued but parts remained unavailable for extended periods, with one vehicle sitting at a dealer 30+ days while awaiting replacement components. Engine knock at higher mileage (148K+) appears to be a chronic defect; multiple independent mechanics report rebuilding several 2013–2014 Cummins engines for the same issue. Intake manifold heaters fail, the turbo actuator fails, and transmission torque converters drain fluid back into the trans during parking, causing dangerous neutral shifts on grades. DEF system contamination and injector failures recur despite repair. Recalls 14V635000 and 67A were issued but parts unavailability prevented timely repair across dozens of vehicles, with manufacturers providing case numbers but little substantive relief.
Failure modes owners describe
Diesel fuel and exhaust fumes in cabin during idling and regeneration
Strong diesel smell and fumes enter the cab via ventilation system, particularly during DPF regeneration events or cold-start operation. Owners report odors similar to charcoal lighter fluid vaporizing. Owner states fumes cause nausea and health concerns.
When: During idling, DPF regeneration, and in cold climates; earliest reported at 8,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Strong diesel smell in cabin from ventilation; Fumes intensify while stopped; Smell during regeneration process; Nausea and health concerns reported
Repairs/costs cited: No repair documented. Workaround: disable fresh-air intake, use recirculated air, roll down windows
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers state regeneration fumes are 'normal'; manufacturer denies issue
Water pump failure and engine fire risk
Water pump fails, causing coolant leak and engine overheating. One case reports flames from engine compartment during cold-start remote ignition. Recall 17V562000 issued but parts unavailable for extended period.
When: 37,500–109,000 miles; one incident at 37,500 during remote start
Symptoms owners cite: Engine overheating; Coolant leak from engine compartment; Flames from engine compartment; Coolant low warning light
Repairs/costs cited: Water pump replacement attempted; replacement unit also defective in one case. Owner paid out-of-pocket when parts unavailable
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Recall 17V562000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); parts remained unavailable for months, delaying repair beyond reasonable timeframe
Engine knock and bearing/internal failure
Engine develops audible knock at elevated mileage, consistent with internal bearing or bottom-end failure. Multiple independent mechanics report seeing this in multiple 2013–2014 models, suggesting a defect in the 6.7L Cummins generation.
When: 148,000 miles; pattern reported across forums for similar year/model
Symptoms owners cite: Engine knock detected while driving highway at cruise; Progressive knock severity
Repairs/costs cited: Engine rebuild or replacement required; owner reports two mechanics have already rebuilt multiple 2013–2014 Cummins engines for this issue
Intake manifold heater failure and valve damage
Intake manifold heater fails, triggering check engine light. Repair required replacement of intake manifold, piston, and exhaust valve. Independent mechanic notes failure is common in similar vehicles.
When: 102,188 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine warning light illuminated at 80 mph
Repairs/costs cited: Intake manifold heater, piston, intake manifold, and exhaust valve replaced at dealer
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer contacted (Case 71625455); no further assistance offered despite confirmed common failure
Throttle response lag under load
Engine exhibits 2–3 second unresponsiveness when throttle is reapplied after backing off at cruise speed (e.g., 35 mph). Owner suspects torque management to protect drivetrain but reports dangerous delay in acceleration, especially during passing or emergency maneuvers.
When: During cruise and throttle transitions
Symptoms owners cite: 2–3 second lag in engine response after throttle reapplication; Dangerous delay during turning across traffic; Loss of forward propulsion when needed
Diesel particulate filter failure and catalyst clogging
DPF ruptures or explodes internally, blocking the catalytic converter. Results in immediate loss of engine power and near-collision hazard on highway. Manufacturer denies warranty coverage, classifying catastrophic failure as a 'wear item'.
When: Mileage not stated; while on interstate highway
Symptoms owners cite: Immediate loss of engine power; Near-collision from following vehicles; Check engine light
Repairs/costs cited: DPF and catalytic filter replacement required
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Warranty claim denied; manufacturer classified failure as wear item despite catastrophic nature
Turbo actuator failure
Turbocharger actuator requires replacement. Owner disputes cost given vehicle age and ongoing recall issues.
When: 2013 model year
Symptoms owners cite: Turbo actuator failure requiring replacement
Repairs/costs cited: $3,549.18 parts and labor cost
Transmission torque converter drainback and neutral shift
Torque converter allows transmission fluid to drain back into trans during parking, dropping level 0.5 quart or more. Results in soft gear engagement, transmission shifting to neutral instead of lower gear during deceleration, and uncontrolled roll-back on slight grades.
When: After extended parking
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission fluid drains overnight or longer; Soft gear engagement; Vehicle rolls backward on slight uphill grade; Transmission shifts to neutral instead of lower gear during deceleration; Free-wheeling down hill when engine RPM drops to 900–1000; Engine stall
DEF system contamination and injector failure
Diesel exhaust fluid becomes contaminated, triggering check engine and DEF warning lights. DEF injector requires replacement along with wiring harness and SCR. Defect recurs after repair. Also reported: truck fails to regenerate after recall 67A flash, possibly due to missing T05 SCR update on some units.
When: 41,529 miles for contamination; occurs after recent recall work
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine and DEF warning lights; Engine shutdown countdown timer; DEF system failure; Failure to regenerate after recall reflash
Repairs/costs cited: DEF injector, wiring harness, and SCR replacement; contamination recurred on same vehicle; covered under recall 67A warranty initially but parts unavailable
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 17V562000 and recall 67A issued; parts delayed indefinitely, vehicle immobile at dealer for 30+ days
Fuel filler and tank vent system malfunction
Fuel spills out of tank during refueling. Diagnosis identified sticking check ball in fuel tank and sticking flapper in filler neck. Required full tank replacement, fuel pump transfer, and filler neck installation.
When: At fueling event; full diagnosis at dealer
Symptoms owners cite: Fuel spills during refueling; Repeated spill on second refuel attempt; Tank accepts minimal fuel (only $1.72 in one instance)
Repairs/costs cited: Complete fuel tank replacement, fuel transfer pump and filler neck replacement; flapper and check ball replaced
Recall parts unavailability and delays
Manufacturers issue recalls (14V635000, 17V562000, 67A) but parts remain unavailable for extended periods—months to a year or longer—preventing owners from completing safety repairs. Owners receive recall notices but dealers cannot perform work, leaving vehicles in unsafe or non-functional condition.
When: Recalls issued 2014–2017; delays extend well beyond reasonable repair windows through 2017–2018
Symptoms owners cite: Recall notice sent but parts unavailable; Vehicle cannot be serviced under recall; Dealer confirms no ETA on parts; Delays exceed manufacturer's reasonable timeframe commitments
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs possible; vehicle remains unrepaired for months. One case: vehicle immobile at dealer for 30+ days awaiting DEF injector, harness, and SCR parts
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recalls 14V635000, 17V562000, 67A issued; Chrysler/Dodge/RAM states parts unavailable and cannot provide delivery timeline. Manufacturer case numbers provided but minimal further assistance
Synthesized from 28 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer
allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.