New Recall Means Ram Owners Can’t Register Trucks

Cummins, a prominent player in the automotive industry, recently found itself entangled in the second-largest penalty ever for violating the Clean Air Act. In a nutshell, the company was implicated in emissions standards violations affecting a staggering 960,000 trucks, a revelation detailed in the full story available here.

As is customary with significant industry issues, the repercussions extend beyond Cummins and its partner Ram, which utilizes Cummins engines. Owners of Ram trucks equipped with Cummins engines now find themselves navigating the fallout of an issue that may not even be of their making.

Instead, consumers seem to be the ones left to shoulder the load of some of the fallout which isn’t a good look for anyone and could leave some Ram owners in a tough situation.

To address the identified emission discrepancies, Cummins is initiating a recall. Ram owners are required to return to dealerships to have their Powertrain Control Module (PCM) reprogrammed. Fortunately, this process, though inconvenient, amounts to little more than a visit to the dealership for the truck to be plugged in and have new software downloaded.

However, complications may arise, particularly in states like California, known for stringent emission regulations. Owners of Cummins trucks dating back to 2013 may find themselves unable to register their vehicles until the issue is rectified, accompanied by the submission of a proof of correction form. Moreover, if a truck has undergone modifications to its emissions system, the problem may be irreparable, rendering the vehicle unable to be registered in the state.

The extent of this issue’s reach remains uncertain – whether confined to states with rigorous emission penalties or if correction forms will be mandated nationwide. It wouldn’t be surprising to witness a surge in Cummins-powered trucks hitting the market, with sellers opting to offload their vehicles to states with less stringent emission regulations. As this situation unfolds, the automotive landscape may witness a significant reshuffling of Cummins-powered trucks among states. The Fast Lane Truck