After you guys tactfully pointed out my dealer was blowing smoke up my skirt I did a little online research. I've attached a summary of post from the RAM forum that sheds some light on what's covered and what's not under the federal emissions warranty. It also gives us a peek behind the curtain at FCA. It's no wonder the dealers don't know what the heck they are doing. It starts at the top and flows downhill.
A Ram EcoDiesel owner last April wanted clarification on the emissions warranty. After not finding any definitive answer he emailed the EPA.
He asked:
"Good Day Mr. Ball,
I’m reaching out to you for clarification on what components of new diesel emission components are covered under the 8yr/80,000 mile federal emissions warranty. The PDF I downloaded (420f0908.pdf) states Catalytic converters, ECU and OBD systems are covered. Newer diesel vehicle emission systems have many more components to the emissions system and I have not been able to get a clear answer from the manufacturer on what specific components are covered.
I am specifically concerned about the following components of the emissions system:
Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF)
Diesel Exhaust Fluid system (DEF)
These components are critical to the emissions compliance, I have not been able to see them specifically listed as covered or exempt by either the manufacturer or EPA.
Thank you for your time."
The response was:
"Hello Mr. Jones,
Thank you for your inquiry regarding the federally required emissions warranty. The Clean Air Act requires manufacturers of light duty vehicles to warranty all emissions related components for 2 years or 24,000 miles and the specified major emission control components for 8 years or 80,000 miles. The specified major emission control components only include the catalytic converters, the electronic emissions control unit or computer (ECU), and the onboard emissions diagnostic (OBD) device or computer. Diesel Particulate Filters (DPF) are considered by EPA to be catalytic converters and are cover by the 8 year or 80,000 mile emissions warranty. Other components in the diesel exhaust fluid system are only cover by the 2 year or 24,000 mile emissions warranty.
Many pick-up trucks sold with diesel engines are actually heady duty vehicles. Any vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 8,500 lbs or greater is a heavy duty vehicle. These vehicles are not subject to the 8 year or 80,000 mile emissions warranty. The heavy duty regulations require a 5 year or 50,000 mile warranty for this class of vehicle (light heavy duty).
I hope this information is helpful.
Joel Ball
Light-Duty Vehicle Group
Compliance Division
United States Environmental Protection Agency
(734) 214-4238
ball.joel@epa.gov"
He then asked the same question to FCA:
"Dear Brian:
It is great to read of your interest in Ram!
I apologize for the delayed response. I have taken the liberty of
escalating your inquiry to our Ram Program Management team who have
stated that the 3.0L EcoDiesel Engine is covered under the 2 Years or
24,000 Miles Federal Emission Warranty and is not included within the 8
Year/80,000 mile warranty as this warranty is for gas engines only.
For more information on the 2015 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel Warranty, please
access the link below:
My Ram Trucks: Ram Owners Service Manuals - Ram Cars, Minivans, SUVs
If you have any further product questions about the current Ram lineup,
you are always welcome to reply back to this email and I will respond
back to you as promptly as I can. If you prefer, you can also reach us
directly with your questions at the Ram Product Information Center by
calling 1-866-726-4636. When you call, we can connect you directly to
your local dealership, providing your call is during the dealer's hours
of operation.
Thank you for your interest in Ram, Brian. We wish you the best!
Sincerely,
Nicole
Ram Product Information Center"
He then forwarded the EPA’s response to the FCA folks:
I just got a response from RAM after pushing a little harder and letting them know what the EPA said. Here's the response
"Dear Brian:
Thank you for your reply!
Please be advised, we are unable to comment in regards to what you have been informed by third party information. Unless the information has been officially released by FCA US LLC, I am unable to comment on this matter.
As previously stated, according to our Ram Program Management, the 2015 Ram 1500 equipped with the 3.0L EcoDiesel engine is covered under the 2 Years or 24,000 Miles Federal Emission Warranty and is not included within the 8 Year/80,000 mile warranty.
If you have any further product questions about the current Ram lineup, you are always welcome to reply back to this email and I will respond back to you as promptly as I can. If you prefer, you can also reach us directly with your questions at the Ram Product Information Center by calling 1-866-726-4636. When you call, we can connect you directly to your local dealership, providing your call is during the dealer's hours of operation.
I am sorry I could not provide you with a more favorable answer, Brian.
We wish you the best!
Sincerely,
Nicole
Ram Product Information Center "
He then sent FCA’s response to the EPA Contact and here is the EPA’s response:
"Hello Mr. Jones,
Thank you for bringing this to our attention. I have contacted Chrysler to discuss the matter and they have acknowledged their mistake and are correcting the warranty information in their manuals. They have assured me that the dealer computer systems have correctly identified that the 8year /80,000 mile warranty applies to these components on the diesel engines in light duty vehicles was well as gasoline and are confident that the dealerships will honor the warranty. If you have taken your vehicle to the dealer and have had the warranty denied based on the erroneous information in the manual, please send me the VIN number of your vehicle and I will contact Chrysler to get it straightened out.
Best Regards,
Joel Ball
Light-Duty Vehicle Group
Compliance Division
United States Environmental Protection Agency"
Another Ram EcoDiesel owners inquiry to the EPA elicited a slightly more detailed response:
Thank you for your inquiry regarding the federal emissions warranty. The Clean Air Act requires manufactures of light duty vehicles to warranty the emissions control system performance for 2 years or 24,000 miles and 8 years or 80,000 miles for specified major emissions control components which are: 1) the catalytic converter, 2) the electronic emissions control unit or computer (ECU), and 3) the onboard emissions diagnostic (OBD) device or computer. Additionally, manufactures are required to warranty any emission control or emission related component that fails to function or functions improperly because of a defect in materials or workmanship for 2 years or 24,000 miles (8 years or 80,000 miles for specified major emissions control components) under the emissions defect warranty.
The following web page provides more information regarding the federal emissions warranty requirements:
www.epa.gov/obd/pubs/420f09048.pdf
Vehicle technology is constantly changing; therefore there may be emissions control components or emissions related components which do not appear on this list. The 2 years/24,000 mile federal emissions warranty still applies to these components. A more complete list can be found in your owner's manual/warranty booklet. The specified major emissions control components are specified in the Clean Air Act as: 1) the catalytic converter, 2) the electronic emissions control unit or computer (ECU), and 3) the onboard emissions diagnostic (OBD) device or computer. The diesel SCR catalytic converter, Diesel oxidation converter, and the Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) are considered catalytic converters covered under the 8 year/80,000 mile warranty, however, the other components in the SCR system (e.g. exhaust sensors, DEF tank, valves, hoses, etc) are covered under the 2 year/24,000 mile warranties mentioned above.
I hope this information is helpful,
Joel Ball
Light-Duty Vehicle Group
Compliance Division
United States Environmental Protection Agency