RAM Lawsuit Awards $2 Million to Attorneys, $24,000 Distributed Among Eight Owners | Carscoops

      The legal proceedings commenced in 2023 concerning a hydraulic control unit in heavy-duty Ram trucks.

      Recently, a class action lawsuit was filed by Ram owners against the brand over defective hydraulic control units.

      The parties have now reached a settlement worth millions, and Ram has issued a recall.

      Each of the eight plaintiffs will receive $3,000, while their attorneys are set to receive an impressive $2 million.

      Automakers frequently deal with lawsuits, and following this latest settlement, Stellantis has one less issue to contend with. The class action involved plaintiffs who alleged that Ram sold trucks containing faulty components. To resolve the matter, Ram is recalling approximately 317,000 trucks and compensating the impacted owners. However, the amount received by the owners pales in comparison to the fees their lawyers will receive.

      To clarify the details of the case, multiple Ram truck owners expressed concerns about their hydraulic control units (HCUs), suspecting they were defective. This issue originated in 2023. Owners with defective HCUs experienced the loss of anti-lock braking, cruise control, and traction control.

      One plaintiff even ceased driving his truck entirely due to the problem, with estimated repair costs ranging from $1,200 to $1,700 likely influencing that decision. The case progressed through court and mediation sessions throughout 2024.

      In November of that year, Ram announced a recall affecting over 317,000 trucks, including those involved in the class action. The eight plaintiffs will receive $3,000 each, while their attorneys will earn $2 million.

      The automaker claims that the majority of the settlement's benefits will come to everyday owners through the recall. This includes reimbursements for those who paid for repairs out of their own pockets, an extension of the warranty, and reimbursement for rental vehicles. The extended warranty will cover the recalled trucks for eight years from their in-service date.

      Which Models Are Included?

      The affected models comprise Ram 2500 and 3500 pickups from 2017 and 2018, as well as Ram 3500, 4500, and 5500 chassis cabs from those same years. Stellantis indicates that all affected trucks will receive a replacement HCU under the recall, with the hope that the warranty will not be needed again. The automaker has also informed owners that the replacement process takes less than two hours, and alternative transportation can be provided by their dealers if necessary.

      A $2 million payout for the attorneys is a rare occurrence. As for the truck owners, they will receive their $3,000 checks and hopefully enjoy a safer driving experience.