More than a year has passed since Cummins agreed to pay $1.675 billion after the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency determined that its 6.7-liter turbo diesel was producing excess nitrogen oxide emissions in real-world driving. In plain terms, trucks running that engine were polluting more than allowed under federal rules. Because this engine sits in an enormous number of Ram heavy-duty pickups, the fallout has been hard to ignore.
As part of the settlement, Cummins committed to updating emissions control software on roughly 630,000 Ram 2500 and Ram 3500 trucks built between the 2013 and 2019 model years. The company also has to make sure at least 85% of those vehicles are brought in and updated within three years.
Why Cummins Is Increasing The Pressure
Over the past year, Cummins has tried to motivate owners with softer tactics, including extended warranty messaging, social media reminders, and various small perks. The response has been weaker than hoped, so the incentive is now much more direct.
Owners who complete the emissions recall under campaign code 67A can receive $500. There is also a limited higher payout for people who act quickly.
The recall mainly applies to Ram 2500 and Ram 3500 trucks from the 2013 through 2018 model years equipped with the Cummins 6.7-liter turbo diesel, which is about 409 cubic inches. Certain 2019 trucks are handled under a separate service action.
What The Recall Does And How Long It Takes
The fix itself is straightforward. Owners bring the truck to an authorized Ram dealer, where technicians install updated emissions calibration software. The procedure is typically completed in under an hour and is free to the owner.
The software update changes how the engine manages fuel injection and diesel exhaust fluid dosing with the goal of reducing NOx emissions. Cummins says most drivers will not notice a performance drop or a fuel economy hit, although some trucks from the 2016 through 2018 timeframe may see a slight reduction in efficiency during city driving or light load operation.
Warranty Coverage Intended To Calm Owner Concerns
To make the update easier to accept, the recall is paired with additional warranty coverage. Coverage is described as either 10 years or about 124,000 miles from the vehicle’s original in-service date, or 4 years or about 47,700 miles from the date the update is installed, whichever is more favorable for the owner.
Even so, some owners, especially those with high-mileage trucks that are still running well, continue to put it off. That hesitation is exactly why Cummins is now leaning on cash.
How The $500 And $1,000 Payments Work
The process is simple. Complete recall 67A at an authorized service center, then submit a claim through the official recall portal. Once the installation is confirmed, the owner can request the $500 payment.
The $1,000 payment is reserved for the first 750 owners who meet the requirements, complete the recall, and submit a claim after February 17, 2026. After those slots are filled, the incentive returns to the standard $500.
For Cummins, paying owners is likely cheaper than risking additional penalties if the company fails to reach the 85% completion target. For owners, it comes down to a basic question: is a free software update, extra warranty coverage, and up to $1,000 worth a quick dealer visit?
This article originally appeared on Autorepublika.com and has been republished with permission by Guessing Headlights. AI-assisted translation was used, followed by human editing and review.