Cummins Lawsuit: Where the Ram Diesel Emissions Cases Stand
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Almost every Cummins lawsuit in the news traces back to one thing: emissions software in the 6.7-liter diesel engines in Ram 2500 and 3500 pickups. The government case settled in 2024 for a record $1.675 billion penalty. A $1.6 million shareholder settlement was approved in May 2026, and its claim deadline has passed. As of October 2026, the class actions for truck owners are still in court. There is no owner settlement and no owner claim form.
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Reviewed by Leonard Goldberg, Editor · Last updated
What the Cases Say Happened
According to the EPA, Cummins set up emissions software in Ram 2500 and 3500 diesel engines to act as defeat devices: features that reduce or switch off emission controls during normal driving. The EPA counts 630,000 model year 2013–2019 trucks with defeat devices. About 330,000 more model year 2019–2023 trucks had emission-control software that Cummins did not disclose when the engines were certified.
Owner class actions build on that. They allege that FCA US (Ram’s maker, now part of Stellantis) and Cummins marketed the trucks as cleaner than they were, and that buyers overpaid. A separate investor suit alleged that Cummins misled shareholders about the emissions problem. Cummins denied wrongdoing when it settled that suit. All of these are allegations. The government settlement does not decide the owners’ claims.
Case Details
Government case (settled): On January 10, 2024, the EPA, the Department of Justice and California announced settlements with Cummins under the Clean Air Act. Cummins says they became final and effective in April 2024. EPA settlement page.
Owner class action, 2013–2023 trucks: Biederman v. FCA US LLC, No. 3:23-cv-06640, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, before Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley. Filed December 27, 2023.
Owner class action, earlier Dodge Ram trucks: Bledsoe v. FCA US LLC, No. 4:16-cv-14024, Eastern District of Michigan, before Judge Terrence G. Berg. Filed in 2016. On appeal at the Sixth Circuit as No. 24-1094 and now No. 26-1860.
Investor class action (settled): Baker v. Cummins Inc., No. 1:25-cv-00430, Southern District of Indiana, before Judge Tanya Walton Pratt.
Status: Penalty Paid, Investor Deal Approved, Owner Cases Pending
Biederman (2013–2023 trucks): In February 2025, Judge Corley let about half of the 11 claims go forward, mostly under California consumer-protection laws. She dismissed the racketeering (RICO) and warranty claims. We could not confirm any later stage from the public docket. It does not show the case as closed.
Bledsoe (earlier trucks): On August 8, 2025, the Sixth Circuit affirmed in part, reversed in part and sent the case back to the trial court. A second appeal, No. 26-1860, was listed as pending on October 5, 2026.
Investors: Judge Pratt granted final approval of the $1.6 million settlement in orders entered May 22, 2026. The claim deadline was April 23, 2026, and that window has closed. The administrator, Strategic Claims Services, says “claims are being processed.”
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Who Is Affected by Which Case
Ram truck owners: The proposed Biederman class covers people in the U.S. who owned or leased a 2013–2023 Ram 2500 or 3500 with the Cummins 6.7-liter diesel as of December 23, 2023. A class has to be certified, or a settlement approved, before anyone is a class member. You do not need to sign up for anything now.
The emissions recall is separate. It covers model year 2013–2019 trucks only. Ram sends owners a letter. The fix is a software update, and repaired trucks get an extended emissions warranty. Model year 2020–2023 trucks are not part of the recall.
Investors: The settlement class is people who bought Cummins common stock between February 11, 2019 and December 21, 2023. The claim deadline was April 23, 2026.
What Has Been Paid and What Hasn't
Ram owners: no settlement, no fund, no claim form. No court has put a value on the Biederman or Bledsoe claims.
Investors: the fund is $1.6 million, before 30% attorneys’ fees and expenses. Only people who filed by April 23, 2026 share in it. No payment date has been published.
For context: an earlier, separate FCA/Cummins case over 2013–2015 Dodge Ram diesel exhaust systems, Raymo v. FCA US LLC (No. 2:17-cv-12168), settled for $6 million. Payments were estimated at about $100.40 per truck. That class covered buyers in certain states only. It needed no claim form, and its final approval hearing was set for October 10, 2024.
Cummins Lawsuit Timeline
- 1
December 27, 2023 — Owner Class Action Filed
Biederman v. FCA US LLC is filed in the Northern District of California. It covers 2013–2023 Ram 2500 and 3500 diesel trucks.
- 2
January 10, 2024 — Record Clean Air Act Settlement
The EPA, DOJ and California announce settlements with Cummins: a $1.675 billion penalty plus a recall. Cummins says they took effect in April 2024.
- 3
February 2025 — Owner Case Survives in Part
Judge Corley lets about half of the 11 claims proceed. She dismisses the RICO and warranty claims.
- 4
August 8, 2025 — Sixth Circuit Revives Bledsoe
In No. 24-1094, the appeals court affirms in part, reverses in part and sends the earlier-truck case back to Michigan.
- 5
May 22, 2026 — Investor Settlement Approved
Judge Pratt grants final approval of the $1.6 million shareholder settlement. The claim deadline was April 23, 2026.
- 6
October 2026 — Owner Cases Still Open
Bledsoe is back at the Sixth Circuit as No. 26-1860. Biederman is pending in California. There is no owner settlement or claim form.
Three Things to Watch For
A record penalty and a closed investor deal are easy to mix up. Imposters rely on that:
“Claim your share of the $1.675 billion”
That money is a government penalty, not a fund for truck owners. Any site or caller offering Ram owners a share of it, or asking a fee to release it, is not real.
Fake recall letters and paid “reflash” offers
The emissions recall is a free software update, and Ram notifies owners by letter. Check your VIN with a Ram dealer. Never pay a third party who claims to do the “official” update.
Late-claim offers for the investor settlement
The $1.6 million investor claim deadline was April 23, 2026. The administrator is Strategic Claims Services, (866) 274-4004. Anyone offering to file a late claim for a fee, or to buy your claim, is not acting for the court.
Cummins Lawsuit — Questions People Actually Ask
What is the Cummins lawsuit about?
Mostly emissions software in Cummins 6.7-liter diesel engines in Ram 2500 and 3500 pickups. The government case settled in 2024. Owner class actions and an investor suit followed. The owner cases are still pending as of October 2026.
I own a Ram diesel. Can I get money now?
Not as of October 2026. Neither owner case, Biederman nor Bledsoe, has a settlement, fund or claim form. If that changes, a court-appointed administrator will send notice to class members.
Is my truck part of the emissions recall?
The recall covers model year 2013–2019 Ram 2500 and 3500 diesel trucks, about 630,000 vehicles. Model year 2020–2023 trucks are not recalled. The fix is a software update, and repaired trucks get an extended emissions warranty. Ram notifies owners by letter.
Where did the $1.675 billion go?
It is a civil penalty paid to the United States and California, the largest ever under the Clean Air Act. It is not distributed to truck owners. Separately, Cummins funds the recall and mitigation projects, estimated at over $326 million.
Can I still file in the Cummins investor settlement?
No. The deadline for Baker v. Cummins Inc. (No. 1:25-cv-00430) was April 23, 2026. Final approval came in orders entered May 22, 2026. People who filed on time can contact Strategic Claims Services at (866) 274-4004.
Does getting the recall affect the owner class action?
It is part of the dispute. FCA has argued there is no case because the trucks are fixed for free under the recall. The owners argue they overpaid when they bought. No court has decided that question. Ask a lawyer before signing any release a dealer or a third party gives you.
Are the Labor Department records lawsuits against Cummins?
No. The 23 wage-and-hour records are federal investigations at workplaces operating under the Cummins name, which can include dealers and franchise locations. They are not lawsuits against Cummins Inc. and they create no claim for anyone.
What should Ram owners do right now?
Get the recall done if your truck is covered, and keep the paperwork. Keep your purchase or lease documents and any receipts for emissions repairs, such as catalytic converter work. Ignore anyone charging a fee to enroll you in a Cummins settlement.
Separate from this case: were you injured in the last 2 years?
Class-action payouts are fixed amounts through an administrator. A personal injury claim is a different case — and often worth far more. Free estimate, no obligation.
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