Our 2017 Ram 2500 6.7L Cummins had a "Low DEF" light come on. I verified this code prior to taking it to Speck at a local Autozone. To be specific, the code in question was P203F (Low DEF). Having confirmed this, we took our Ram into Speck for diagnosis into why the code was not resetting. We received a call from Angel, the service manager, who informed us they had also discovered a P207F (DEF quality code) and the cause was contaminated DEF in our truck's DEF tank. We had just filled up the tank prior to receiving the original code (P203F) and while the DEF gauge was registering as 100% full, the check engine code was still on. Angel informed us, due to the contamination in our DEF the $2400 repair would not be covered under warranty. I was informed the mechanic had pulled a sample from our truck and it registered as 34%. According to American Petroleum Institute, 34% concentration of urea is still within specifications; however, Speck advised it was of their opinion the DEF was contaminated and it would not be covered.
I contacted the local fueling station and got in touch with the fuel company. A sample was pulled from the DEF bulk tank and a sample from my truck, at my own request. Both samples were sent off to a Pilot J lab and returned with results showing zero contaminants or any reason to warrant the code being thrown. This information was provided to both Speck and FCA Corporate who both continued to deny the repair under warranty.
This all took place over the course of two weeks, during which we were denied a rental and so were out of our truck for the entire duration. I finally instructed the dealership to clean out the tank and pump with distilled water, reinstall, and I'd deal with the issue myself. After picking the truck back up, I provided my own DEF and the codes cleared themselves. I put in 105+ miles after picking it up and have not seen the code return. At no time did Speck change their diagnosis of the truck and at the time of pickup, had me sign an acknowledgement I was refusing the repair.
The quoted repair was for a part which did not require any fix. The diagnosis was not a diagnosis at all -- it was simply looking at the first possible cause for the code (P207F) and shoving that down my throat. When presented with information which showed the original diagnosis was not legitimate, Speck did not look into any other causes for the code and again indicated I needed to replace the pump.
What is the point in having a warranty when the dealership and corporate turn a blind eye to legitimate information, simply to deny the repair in order to turn a profit. Based on this experience, I agree with the notion dealerships employee salesmen (service writes) and parts changers (mechanics). The notion of repairing vehicles is out the window.
In closing, the DEF pump they quoted cost $1,750. Interestingly enough, I could source the same MOPAR DEF pump from Athens Dodge for $1,190 shipped. Of course, there turned out to be nothing wrong with the pump in the first place, but still -- if you need service, save yourself a headache and go somewhere else. If you're looking to simply have parts changed out on a whim, go to Speck.
- Jonathan read more
