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Why has heater grid bolt failure not been fully addressed

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Buck2520

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I don’t understand why Ram has been allowed to disregard the Heater grid bolt failure problem. Researching it I find there was a class action settled and Ram has gone to glow plugs to fix the issue in new models. But those of us with models that are still under threat from this issue have not been provided any relief.

I sent the following email to Ram Cares but have gotten no responce

Vehicle concern, case number 94291146.

Received your email. What is going to happen if I go to my dealer, as suggested. I have made it abundantly clear I do not currently have a known issue with the heater grid nut. It has not fallen into my engine and cause a major engine failure or lead to my death (at this point). Nor do I suspect it is loose since I only have 25,000 miles on the vehicle and it is not a daily driver where the heater grid is used extensively.

My concern (once agin) is that there is a major engineering issue with the Cummins diesel engine in my Ram pickup. The heater grate bolt failure issue is well known and documented but not proactively addressed by Ram. I pull a 18,000 lb RV with my Ram. It is a great vehicle for this type of use. If I am in heavy traffic on a busy freeway and my heater grid bolt drops into my engine, I feel very confident this known failure of a Ram part will cause extreme danger for me and my family. This known Ram engineering issue could cost me and my family our lives.

It is unbelievable to me that Ram would allow this known defect to remain un-repaired in their Cummins engine. The only fix mentioned by my dealer was replacing the Ram heater grate with the Banks intake and heater system. This is not authorized by Ram or covered by Ram and would evidently void any Ram warranty. This fix would evidently be at my own cost since Ram has not authorized this repair of their faulty part. I am just a layperson, not an engineer or mechanic but how about doing something simple like putting a cotter pin under the bolt or tack welding the bolt in place. To do nothing proactively to fix this known defect is unacceptable. I know your company tries to emphasize the problem is rare, but this does not satisfy anyone’s desire to protect lives and ensure your company addresses known defects that could have deadly consequences. Your company does recognize the risk as they have redesigned the 2025 Ram to address this engineering fault.

I am asking Ram to proactively address this known issue to ensure my family and I (and other motorists) are as safe as possible while we use equipment manufactured by your company. Yes many things can happen on our roads to endanger our lives, but this is a known issue that can have major consequences. It is my understanding that Ram just deflects and denies any repair regarding this issue. This is not right, this is not a good business practice.

Please respond to my concern by email.
 
I live in the South so never need to use the Grid heater. I always just start the engine and do not let it cycle. Gets into the 20s in winter and starts every time. No need to pre heat. Hopefully this will wrk to prevent the bolt failure.
 
Move your screen to show voltage and if its low on initial start and for a while thats the grid heater drawing lots of power. The light doesn't necessarily stay on.
 
Buck2520 said:
I don’t understand why Ram has been allowed to disregard the Heater grid bolt failure problem. Researching it I find there was a class action settled and Ram has gone to glow plugs to fix the issue in new models. But those of us with models that are still under threat from this issue have not been provided any relief.

I sent the following email to Ram Cares but have gotten no responce

Vehicle concern, case number 94291146.

Received your email. What is going to happen if I go to my dealer, as suggested. I have made it abundantly clear I do not currently have a known issue with the heater grid nut. It has not fallen into my engine and cause a major engine failure or lead to my death (at this point). Nor do I suspect it is loose since I only have 25,000 miles on the vehicle and it is not a daily driver where the heater grid is used extensively.

My concern (once agin) is that there is a major engineering issue with the Cummins diesel engine in my Ram pickup. The heater grate bolt failure issue is well known and documented but not proactively addressed by Ram. I pull a 18,000 lb RV with my Ram. It is a great vehicle for this type of use. If I am in heavy traffic on a busy freeway and my heater grid bolt drops into my engine, I feel very confident this known failure of a Ram part will cause extreme danger for me and my family. This known Ram engineering issue could cost me and my family our lives.

It is unbelievable to me that Ram would allow this known defect to remain un-repaired in their Cummins engine. The only fix mentioned by my dealer was replacing the Ram heater grate with the Banks intake and heater system. This is not authorized by Ram or covered by Ram and would evidently void any Ram warranty. This fix would evidently be at my own cost since Ram has not authorized this repair of their faulty part. I am just a layperson, not an engineer or mechanic but how about doing something simple like putting a cotter pin under the bolt or tack welding the bolt in place. To do nothing proactively to fix this known defect is unacceptable. I know your company tries to emphasize the problem is rare, but this does not satisfy anyone’s desire to protect lives and ensure your company addresses known defects that could have deadly consequences. Your company does recognize the risk as they have redesigned the 2025 Ram to address this engineering fault.

I am asking Ram to proactively address this known issue to ensure my family and I (and other motorists) are as safe as possible while we use equipment manufactured by your company. Yes many things can happen on our roads to endanger our lives, but this is a known issue that can have major consequences. It is my understanding that Ram just deflects and denies any repair regarding this issue. This is not right, this is not a good business practice.

Please respond to my concern by email.
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What are you hoping to accomplish by your post?

Also, Banks is not the only solution, so the dealer is, as usual, clueless. BD Diesel makes a fix kit that uses the factory intake plenum and horn.

FWIW, I can't recall even one member here that has had any grid heater bolt failure in a 19+ truck.

Do the wiggle test at every oil change and go on with your life.
 
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The failure rate was so low it has been the rumour mill and fear mongering that has made it such a huge issue. The same thing has been happening for decades weather it be the KDP. The 53 block. And now the grid heater bolt. It is almost laughable that people have blown all of these into some huge ordeal that must be addressed. As stated wiggle the cable at oil change time or throw the BD kit or GDP kit on for piece of mind.
 
H3LZSN1P3R said:
The failure rate was so low it has been the rumour mill and fear mongering that has made it such a huge issue. The same thing has been happening for decades weather it be the KDP. The 53 block. And now the grid heater bolt. It is almost laughable that people have blown all of these into some huge ordeal that must be addressed. As stated wiggle the cable at oil change time or throw the BD kit or GDP kit on for piece of mind.
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Pardon the ignorance but what is the 53 block?
 
I understand that the problem may be somewhat rare, but it evidently happens and the life of my family is my first priority. I just met a guy who had this happen to him. Luckily no one injured but cost him $10,000 to fix it. I just don’t understand how in today’s world a company can get away with this sort of an engineering failure. I will not keep my 3500 Ram past 150,000 miles and will never buy a new one again, even if this issue is fixed on current models . I do love the truck and it is awsome for pulling my RV. It just seems wrong to me that a known engineering defect is not corrected by the maker.
Referencing post above, can someone tell me how to do the wiggle test and do you have photo of what and where to wiggle? Also, how does one start the truck without using the heater grid. As far as I know it is automatic when needed and there is no way to bypass it. As for what I hope to accomplish, I guess I would like Ram to address this issue under a recall since it is their engineering problem.
 
Buck2520 said:
I understand that the problem may be somewhat rare, but it evidently happens and the life of my family is my first priority. I just met a guy who had this happen to him. Luckily no one injured but cost him $10,000 to fix it. I just don’t understand how in today’s world a company can get away with this sort of an engineering failure. I will not keep my 3500 Ram past 150,000 miles and will never buy a new one again, even if this issue is fixed on current models . I do love the truck and it is awsome for pulling my RV. It just seems wrong to me that a known engineering defect is not corrected by the maker.
Referencing post above, can someone tell me how to do the wiggle test and do you have photo of what and where to wiggle? Also, how does one start the truck without using the heater grid. As far as I know it is automatic when needed and there is no way to bypass it. As for what I hope to accomplish, I guess I would like Ram to address this issue under a recall since it is their engineering problem.
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here ya go
 

Attachments

Ram did address the issue in the 2026 redesign. They're not going to retroactively fix anything. It's a risk/reward issue and thousands of companies and products "get away with" engineering failures. The grid heater bolt issue has been around since the 6.7L came in 2007.5. Failure mode is unlike others like the CP4 pump failure that can render the engine completely dead without warning as most bolt failures at most take out #6 cylinder and possibly turbo but keep running. Consequently, the risk of loss of life is extremely low and NHTSA will not issue a safety recall. Living comes with many risks and no guarantees.

You can press the start button twice to bypass the grid heater. These trucks don't really need it down to about -30F.

Honestly, if you're that concerned for their safety, why would you keep the truck at all?
 
Buck2520 said:
I will not keep my 3500 Ram past 150,000 miles and will never buy a new one again, even if this issue is fixed on current models . I do love the truck and it is awsome for pulling my RV. It just seems wrong to me that a known engineering defect is not corrected by the maker.
Click to expand...

Well you're out of luck then, because all 3 companies do the exact same thing. Ford has had so many CP4 fuel pump failures that the warranty claims they've paid out would make your eyes water, but guess what? They still use the same pump. When it blows it'll leave the truck on the side of the road with a $12,000 repair bill. Ford will try to weasel out of coverage by claiming "bad fuel" if they can. And they keep on using the same fuel pump. GM trucks are spitting out transmissions due to cheap, cost-cutting versions of the valve body. They're getting enough warranty claims on transmissions (and apparently new Duramax engines too if the internet is to be trusted) that it'll water your eyes. But they keep on using the same junk parts. These transmissions will strand your family on the side of the road, if not cause a crash. And GM keeps on puttin' them into trucks.

WHY? Money. They've figured out that putting cheap parts on trucks and paying a few of the warranty claims costs less than just building all the trucks with great parts to start with. The consumer will never win.

So my advice is buy the aftermarket Banks fix for the grid heater and enjoy your truck for the next 500k miles. Life goes on...
 
securityguy said:
Whether the grid heater is used or not isn't the issue. It WILL fail regardless...just a matter of time.
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It really isn’t a matter of time.

Think long and hard about how many 6.7 CTD powered vehicles are on the road, and compare them to the handful of fear mongering YouTube videos out there.

It’s simply not as prevalent of an issue as you’re making it out to be. Wiggle the nut each oil change, and move on with your life.

Or buy a ford & enjoy the CP4 glitter.
 
WXman said:
Well you're out of luck then, because all 3 companies do the exact same thing. Ford has had so many CP4 fuel pump failures that the warranty claims they've paid out would make your eyes water, but guess what? They still use the same pump. When it blows it'll leave the truck on the side of the road with a $12,000 repair bill. Ford will try to weasel out of coverage by claiming "bad fuel" if they can. And they keep on using the same fuel pump. GM trucks are spitting out transmissions due to cheap, cost-cutting versions of the valve body. They're getting enough warranty claims on transmissions (and apparently new Duramax engines too if the internet is to be trusted) that it'll water your eyes. But they keep on using the same junk parts. These transmissions will strand your family on the side of the road, if not cause a crash. And GM keeps on puttin' them into trucks.

WHY? Money. They've figured out that putting cheap parts on trucks and paying a few of the warranty claims costs less than just building all the trucks with great parts to start with. The consumer will never win.

So my advice is buy the aftermarket Banks fix for the grid heater and enjoy your truck for the next 500k miles. Life goes on...
Click to expand...
I was going to say the same thing other than the overpriced waste of money Banks fix
 
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