FCA Dodge Ram Settlement Ends Lawsuit Over Alleged EGR Cooler Defect, Fire Risk

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FCA US, the North American branch of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA), has agreed to settle a consolidated class action lawsuit that alleged that defective exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) coolers found in certain 2014-2019 Dodge Ram trucks could crack internally over time and cause an engine fire.

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The FCA class action settlement covers all individuals who purchased or leased in the United States a model year 2014-2019 Dodge Ram 1500 EcoDiesel truck manufactured between June 12, 2013 and October 23, 2019.

According to court documents, the deal covers approximately 100,000 vehicles. Eligible class members will be able to check if their truck’s vehicle identification number (VIN) qualifies by contacting the settlement administrator or visiting the court-authorized FCA settlement website once it is established.

ClassAction.org will update this page when the official FCA cooler defect settlement website is launched.

The settlement agreement says that to receive reimbursement or compensation from the deal, class members must submit a timely, valid claim form or certain proof of payment for out-of-pocket repair costs.

Consumers can submit these documents by mail, email or online through the settlement website. Per the agreement, the deadline to do so is 60 days following the date the settlement receives final approval from the court.

As part of the deal, class members can submit a claim form for reimbursement of out-of-pocket tow truck, rental car and coolant costs related to a failed EGR cooler, the settlement agreement relays. The automaker will provide up to $750,000 to cover these claims, with rental car reimbursement claims capped at $500 per qualifying vehicle and coolant reimbursement claims limited to $75, the document adds.

The agreement states that, to qualify for this benefit, a completed claim form must be accompanied by proof of ownership of a covered vehicle, proof of payment of a reimbursable expense, and proof of a repair showing that the payment was made in connection with a concurrent repair of a failed EGR cooler.

Moreover, class members may file a claim form to receive a $3,000 payment if they experienced a vehicle fire caused by a failed EGR cooler, court documents share.

According to the agreement, a claim form for this FCA settlement payment must also include proof of ownership of a qualifying truck and proof that a fire occurred as a result of a faulty cooler, such as a police report, insurance report, fire department report or vehicle repair record mentioning an EGR cooler or origin in the area of one.

Related Reading: ‘Botched’: Class Action Alleges FCA Left Dodge Ram 1500 Drivers High and Dry with Recall Over Engine Fire Risk

In addition, the automaker will provide a warranty extension for qualifying vehicles that covers parts and labor costs to repair a failed EGR cooler, the settlement agreement says. The extended coverage lasts for five years from the date the cooler is replaced under the recall, the agreement relays.

If, as of the date the deal goes into effect, the warranty extension period has not yet expired for a class member, they can receive a free EGR cooler repair, if needed, at an authorized dealership, the settlement agreement says.

Court documents explain that FCA will reimburse consumers who have paid out of pocket to replace a failed cooler within five years of a replacement under the recall. To receive reimbursement for these out-of-pocket costs, class members must submit proof of repair and proof of payment, the settlement agreement adds.

The document points out that class members do not need to submit a claim form to receive the warranty extension and notes that coverage is tied to the vehicles, not to any owner or lessee.

The deal with FCA, which resolves the Dodge Ram cooler defect lawsuit, received preliminary approval from the court on September 11, 2025. The parties now await a hearing on March 17, 2026, at which time the court will decide whether to grant final approval to the terms of the settlement.

According to court documents, class members should expect to receive notice of the settlement within 90 days of the initial approval date.

The agreement states that FCA class action settlement payments will be issued to eligible consumers only if the deal is ultimately approved and after any appeals are resolved.

Did you know that some class action settlements require no proof to submit a claim? Check out the latest open class action settlements.