Ram 1500 Lemon Law

Ram recalled about 131,700 Ram 1500 trucks equipped with the 5.7-liter Hemi eTorque mild-hybrid system because the engine can suddenly stall or shut down from an over-rich fuel condition under certain operating conditions. Stalling in traffic is a serious safety hazard; the recall remedy is a powertrain control module software calibration.

Separately, owners widely report that the 12-volt battery powering the eTorque system drains quickly, causing the system to shut off or malfunction — which can affect power steering, brake assist, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot detection, hazard flashers, and the infotainment center. The RAM 1500 and Jeep Wagoneer eTorque stalling issue has also drawn regulatory scrutiny.

A recall isn't automatically a lemon. But when the stalling continues after the software fix, the 12-volt/eTorque problems keep recurring, or your truck spends significant time in the shop, California's Lemon Law may entitle you to a buyback, replacement, or cash settlement — with the manufacturer paying your attorney fees.

A recall is not automatically a lemon — it's the manufacturer acknowledging a defect and offering a free repair. California's Lemon Law (the Song-Beverly Act) comes into play when a substantial defect can't be fixed after a reasonable number of attempts, or when your 1500 has been out of service for 30 or more cumulative days.

If your Ram 1500 qualifies, you may be entitled to a buyback (a refund of what you've paid, minus a mileage offset), a replacement vehicle, or a cash-and-keep settlement — and Ram pays your attorney fees on a successful claim, so pursuing your case costs you nothing out of pocket.