Ram 2500 fuel smell problems

Filed Feb 10, 2026 · Engine · FL

Vehicle: 2023 Ram 2500 Diesel (6.7L Cummins) – approx. 36,000 miles, under factory warranty Complaint Summary: Our 2023 Ram 2500 diesel is producing visible smoke from the engine bay and a persistent ticking/clicking noise from the engine. This occurs while driving and at idle. We have video evidence of smoke coming from under the hood and recordings of the abnormal engine noise. Safety Concerns: The smoke creates a serious fire hazard and risk of mechanical failure. Engine-bay smoke can indicate an electrical short, fuel or oil leak, overheating component, or exhaust/turbo malfunction. This poses a risk of engine compartment fire, including the possibility of fire after the vehicle is turned off. the federal safety agency Recall 23V‑060 for 2021–2023 Ram HD diesels describes electrical failures that can cause under-hood fires, showing this vehicle line has known fire-related safety issues. The smoke also presents a health and inhalation risk, especially to our children who ride in the vehicle. Diesel/exhaust fumes entering the cabin can cause respiratory irritation and impair driver alertness. A sudden escalation could result in loss of power, breakdown, or fire while driving. Dealer Response: We brought the vehicle to an authorized Ram dealership in February 2026. Despite the truck being fully under warranty, the dealer stated that because there is “no active recall,” they will not repair or further diagnose the problem. No meaningful corrective action was taken. Evidence Available: Videos showing smoke from the engine bay, audio/video of the ticking noise, and dealership service paperwork. We are requesting the federal safety agency investigate this as a potential safety defect due to fire risk, toxic fume exposure, and the manufacturer’s failure to address a dangerous condition in a nearly new, warrantied vehicle. We are paying on this vehicle monthly, are scared to drive with our children in the car. We have to pull over and not drive the vehicle due to how strong the cabin odor is.

Filed Aug 7, 2025 · Engine, Fuel system · CA

Subject: Fuel System Failure Resulting in Engine Damage – 2020 RAM 2500 Pickup VIN: [XXX] Complaint Summary: I am submitting this complaint to formally report a dangerous and costly fuel system defect in my 2020 Dodge Ram 2500 Pickup (VIN: [XXX] ) that has resulted in catastrophic engine damage. Although Chrysler has issued a recall for the high-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) in many 2020 Ram trucks equipped with the 6.7L Cummins engine, I was told that my vehicle was not included in the recall—even though it exhibits all the classic symptoms of HPFP failure. This is a safety hazard and a potential emissions violation. Details of the Incident: In June 2025, I brought my truck to Tracy Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM after experiencing engine misfires, loss of power, and a knocking noise. The dealership diagnosed a P0303 cylinder misfire and noted a fuel smell in the engine oil, as documented in repair order #[XXX]. Despite extensive diagnostic work—including compression tests, leak-down, and injector swaps—the misfire remained unresolved, and a tapping noise persisted. The technician explicitly noted fuel contamination in the oil and suspected internal engine damage due to a fuel system issue. To further investigate, I submitted an oil sample to Blackstone Laboratories. The lab confirmed the engine oil was heavily diluted with diesel fuel—over 10% fuel contamination, which reduced the viscosity from 5W40 to the equivalent of 5W20. This is consistent with HPFP failure leaking fuel into the crankcase. The oil report also noted excessive steel wear and recommended immediate oil change and fuel system inspection. At no time was a check engine light present, nor was there a clear diagnostic code for HPFP failure. Chrysler continues to deny responsibility even though the evidence clearly points to a failed HPFP—a well-documented issue for this engine model and year. The cost of diagnosis and parts alone has exceeded $4,000, and the engine is likely destroy INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA

Filed Mar 1, 2021 · 1 miles · CA

We get diesel exhaust fumes in the cab when the heater is on. The fumes are worse when at a stop or light.

Filed Feb 15, 2021 · 68,800 miles · TN

Severe diesel exhaust fumes/smell in cab of truck. Happens when heat is turned on and sometimes can smell from outside of vehicle while running. It is bad while driving but worse when stationary at stop sign or stop light.

Filed Aug 3, 2020 · Engine · 4,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2014 ram 2500. The contact stated that there was an abnormal diesel exhaust fumes inside the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to huntington beach chrysler dodge jeep ram located at 16701 beach blvd, huntington beach, ca 92647, eight times however, the mechanics were unable to duplicate the failure. The contact stated the technician replaced some exhaust vents behind the seats, the exhaust pipe underneath the cabin and also replaced clamps in the turbo engine. The contact stated that fumes were present in the vehicle only when the air conditioning or heating were activated. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure through arbitration when the contact requested a vehicle buy-back. The contact was informed that the vehicle was out of warranty. The failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 4,000. *bf

Filed Apr 25, 2018 · 4,000 miles · MT

Exhaust smell in cab. Intermittent at slow speeds. Dealer says use reciculation on AC to keep exhaust from cabin

Filed Feb 6, 2017 · Fuel system, Seats · 500 miles · TX

New vehicle 2015 bought in 2017 as original owner. Leaking from headliner, can't inflate to proper psi due to instability and hydroplaning, rust underneath seating from water damage, exhaust smell when interior circulation button is not depressed when windows up. Multiple issues as new vehicle with 450 miles on it.

Filed Dec 29, 2016 · Fuel system · 1,000 miles · CO

Diesel exhaust smell in cab sometimes very strong causes headaches dizziness when stopped at stoplights, signs, idling or moving slow. Opening windows does not really help unless you are moving, cannot sit an idle and stay in cab very long. Cool or cold weather seems to make it worse. Have had it into the dealer twice for the issue but they can never find it.

Filed Jul 1, 2016 · Engine · 2,800 miles · CA

I have a 2014 ram 2500. When at a stop with the defrost on and the vehicle is regening I get the diesel exhaust smell. I understand while defrost is on, it is pulling in fresh air. I took it to dodge and they can not force regen the truck. So I took it to another shop, after putting over 300 miles on the truck. While making circles around the dealer to try and get it to act up. The other shop did a desoot. Instantly you get the smell in the truck. They kept the truck over night and smoked the full exhaust system. Found a minor leak at the tail pipe clamp. They where unable to find any other leaks. Took it back to dodge and they did a desoot also and noticed the smell. The smell was not as strong as it has been for me and my family. A desoot is not a full regen cycle. So I would imagine the smell will not be as strong. Dodge was unable to find any leaks but acknowledges the smell. Dodge was going to replace the egr and chrysler care called them and told them no. That the smell is normal and there is nothing they can do. Chrysler care then told them if customer smells the fumes just turn off the defroster. I have driven many chevy's and fords for work purposes and never have I smelled exhaust during regen. The engineer that stopped all work on my truck also stated it is just physics. When in regen mode and you come to a stop there is no pressure forcing the additional back pressure out. So I managed to save up and purchase my first new $65,000 truck just to poison my family with exhaust fumes.

Filed May 12, 2016 · Fuel system · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2015 ram 2500. The contact noticed strong fuel fumes emitting from the vents of the vehicle. The fumes caused severe headaches to the contact and the contact's son. The contact's son passed out numerous times due to the fumes. The dealer was notified and was unable to provide a repair solution. The contact had an independent source test for carbon monoxide and it was determined that there was an extremely high level of fumes in the vehicle. The contact waited for months for the dealer to escalate the concern to the manufacturer. The contact and passenger continued to receive medical treatment. The contact was unable to determine when the vehicle would be repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.