2016 Ram EcsoDiesel goes up in flames

[Richard Wilson]

I wanted to find out if anyone else has ever heard of a 2016 RAM 1500 Eco Diesel going up in flames with no warning?

2 weeks ago, on the drive to work, my 2016 Eco Diesel lost power at 65MPH on Freeway. I tried to accelerate as the truck was still running, but no power, so I pulled to the shoulder, but as I was doing so, I noticed dark smoke behind the truck (saw smoke in side mirrors) . When I stopped on the shoulder, I pulled hood release and got out to raise hood, but by that time there was dark smoke coming from under hood, so I moved away from truck and within 2 minutes the entire front half of the truck was fully engulfed in flames.
I had never experienced any issues with the truck to this point, as I purchased new in 2016 and it has been the best truck I had ever owned to that point. I loved the power and the fuel economy, pulling both travel trailer and 16ft cargo trailer over 70 times a year. I had approx. 65K miles on the truck and up to that point had never experienced any engine related issues.
So I'm wondering if there is anything that I can do? who do I contact at FAC and if I do, will they even care. This was the first RAM truck that I had ever purchased, as I had always owned Chevy truck prior to purchasing this 2016 Ram Eco Diesel.
Now I see that in 2018 and in 2019, Ram does not offer the Eco Diesel as an option, so what's up with that? If there something that I should have known? I never received any engine or powertrain related recalls.
Any help would be greatly appreciated, as now I'm without a truck and I'm probably going to pay $10K to $20K out of pocket to get back into a new RAM 2500, with the cummings i6 Diesel, because would never think of purchasing another Ram Eco Diesel after the experience I had 2 weeks ago.

 

[eljefe]

There is one other owner that posted pics of his truck up in flames. I can't remember who it is though. Glad you got out of the truck safely, but sorry for your loss.


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[eljefe]

Post this is the Ram 1500 Diesel Forum and you'll get lots of responses.


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[FXCLM5]

yes lots of reports of this, i was posting about this on the ram1500diesel forum and was banned for it.

that forum doesnt acknowledge it

but multiple reports of it on the bookface groups, anywhere from injectors causing fires to dpf causing fires

i posted an entire bookface chat script about a guy who had his dpf cause a fire, that forum basically claimed I was the OP of that post and I was coming onto their forum and spreading rumors...... lol

 

[crash68]

Best of my recollection is two other EcoDiesels that have gone up in flames like this. One of them had been parked for the better part day, most likely it was electrical/battery related. The other was while the owner was driving like this.

Now I see that in 2018 and in 2019, Ram does not offer the Eco Diesel as an option, so what's up with that? If there something that I should have known? I never received any engine or powertrain related recalls.

There are also 2018 EcoDiesels on the road. So far 2019 is the only model year that the EcoD has not been built yet. The EcoDiesel has already been announced for the Ram and Jeep Gladiator, both on the way, most likely undergoing EPA certification.
The 2016 model year had an initial RRT related to the oil viscosity change. There was a TCM update that all model years were subject to.
The 2017 model year was delayed and has revamped ECM tuning for EPA compliance certification.
Only other recalls I can think of have been airbag and tailgate lock recalls

 

[Hawaii_Built]

Glad you're okay, OP and very sorry for the loss of your truck. I'm curious, was it modded in any way? What was the mileage?

 

[Richard Wilson]

The Truck was not modified in any way. 100% stock and as I mentioned before, I never had a problem with it. I had the oil changed every 10K miles and the truck had approx. 75K miles on it. I'm glad I was the only one in the truck that morning when the fire happened, as it could have been ugly if we (my wife and two daughters) were in the truck as well. The only recall that I had done on the truck was the read axel shaft replacement and I wasn't worried about the tailgate latch recall.

In this day and age, when you spend $45K on a vehicle, you don't expect it to go up in flames 3 years after purchase, especially when it never had any issues.

In my mind, I would think that FCA would want to look into this and do the right thing - or at least look into this.

I reached out to FCA customer service and I did received and email back, which said

Dear Richard,

I’d like to thank you for reaching out to the Ram Truck Information Center to express your feedback regarding the Ram Truck lineup. We remain committed to a complete customer satisfaction experience and I appreciate the time taken to express and share your comments and concerns with us.

I do regret to read of the circumstances surrounding your prior 2016 Ram 1500 and I do appreciate the time taken to share these comments with us.

With regards to your inquiry concerning special purchasing offers for your next vehicle purchase, I am only privy to the current incentive information that is posted on the Ram Truck homepage when you select "Incentive/Offers", from the "Shopping Tools" tab and enter your zip code. Upcoming incentive information is not provided to us or posted on the Ram Truck homepage until the first day the new incentives may take effect. I am providing you with the direct link in order for you to view the current incentives listed in your area as follows:

 

[hardEight]

Dang, sorry man.

@RamCares

 

[indept]

Sorry for your loss, it's good nobody was hurt.

I dont know what bothers me more,
That it burned or that Ram was so blah about it.
Also the diesel forum flaming you. Reminds me of the F150 forums when I was researching trucks before I bought my Ram. They were positive until someone complained about their truck, then they trashed the guy complaining....

 

[chrisbh17]

Not under powertrain warranty still? If 60K mile warranty, it was barely outside of it.

Although I suppose no one should be surprised how FCA blew it off. That alone would prevent me from wanting another FCA product, ever.

At least no one was hurt.

 

[Omegasupreme]

Wow. These trucks are really poorly built. Scary!!

 

[chrisbh17]

Wow. These trucks are really poorly built. Scary!!

No need for FUD......if they were "really poorly built" this would be a regular occurrence.

 

[meedom]

I thought Eco diesels had 100,000 mile power train warranty??

 

[RamCares]

I wanted to find out if anyone else has ever heard of a 2016 RAM 1500 Eco Diesel going up in flames with no warning?

2 weeks ago, on the drive to work, my 2016 Eco Diesel lost power at 65MPH on Freeway. I tried to accelerate as the truck was still running, but no power, so I pulled to the shoulder, but as I was doing so, I noticed dark smoke behind the truck (saw smoke in side mirrors) . When I stopped on the shoulder, I pulled hood release and got out to raise hood, but by that time there was dark smoke coming from under hood, so I moved away from truck and within 2 minutes the entire front half of the truck was fully engulfed in flames.
I had never experienced any issues with the truck to this point, as I purchased new in 2016 and it has been the best truck I had ever owned to that point. I loved the power and the fuel economy, pulling both travel trailer and 16ft cargo trailer over 70 times a year. I had approx. 65K miles on the truck and up to that point had never experienced any engine related issues.
So I'm wondering if there is anything that I can do? who do I contact at FAC and if I do, will they even care. This was the first RAM truck that I had ever purchased, as I had always owned Chevy truck prior to purchasing this 2016 Ram Eco Diesel.
Now I see that in 2018 and in 2019, Ram does not offer the Eco Diesel as an option, so what's up with that? If there something that I should have known? I never received any engine or powertrain related recalls.
Any help would be greatly appreciated, as now I'm without a truck and I'm probably going to pay $10K to $20K out of pocket to get back into a new RAM 2500, with the cummings i6 Diesel, because would never think of purchasing another Ram Eco Diesel after the experience I had 2 weeks ago.

View attachment 163734

View attachment 163735

Hi Richard Wilson,
We are terribly sorry to hear about your experience. We are happy that no one was hurt. Please send our team a private message and we would be happy to have a case escalated for you.
Alex
Ram Social Care Specialist

 

[Kapt]

I thought Eco diesels had 100,000 mile power train warranty??

They do

 

[ctdodge]

View attachment 163735

I don't think buffing is gonna work on this one. I'd say you're gonna need a little bondo!

Really glad you made it out safely! I wouldn't take it out on Ram, every make and model out there
has gone up in flames at one point or another. I just hope insurance covers you!!!

 

[ctdodge]

Wow. These trucks are really poorly built. Scary!!

REALLY???

Name one brand that has never had a vehicle go up in flames. From the lowly Yugo to the high end Mercedes and everything in between - they have all had a carbecue!

 

[crash68]

From the lowly Yugo to the high end Mercedes and everything in between - they have all had a carbecue!

Even all electric cars like Teslas have caught on fire and blown up...and they don't even run on a flammable fuel.

 

[Kapt]

I love my truck, but I almost wish it would do that. Why? Because my loan sucks!!! I'm $13K underwater on it. I literally owe $13K more than my truck is worth. I love it though, so I really don't want that to happen. Just random thoughts

 

[JohnnyMac]

I love my truck, but I almost wish it would do that. Why? Because my loan sucks!!! I'm $13K underwater on it. I literally owe $13K more than my truck is worth. I love it though, so I really don't want that to happen. Just random thoughts

Uh Oh....Now that you've gone public with your thoughts, the guys from FCA in the black suits and dark sunglasses just put your name on "The List"....