2025 Ram 1500 Big Horn CEL @ 1350 Miles

[Skobain]

Posted this in 5thGenRams forum, wanted to reference it here if some people arent in that forum as well as this one, just for awareness.

I purchased a 2025 Ram 1500 Big Horn (with the standard output hurricane engine) on the 29th of June. Only had like 30 miles on it, rode smooth, absolutely loved everything about the truck. I started noticing that the remote start was very intermittent. Some times when I would attempt a remote start, the lights would flash like it was going to start, but the engine wouldnt turn over. Other times, it would actually start and shut off after 5-10 seconds. This previous Monday (15 July) morning when I was trying to remote start the truck for going to work, it started and shut off immediately. I tried remote starting it again while standing next to it a few times, but it still wouldn’t start. About 15 minutes later, I noticed the check engine light was on, so I took it a few hours later to the dealership. By the end of that same day they were able to tell me that the CEL is populating dude to misfires on start up. Haven’t really been stressing this as I have a warranty on the vehicle of course. Today, Thursday 18 July, they give me an update saying that the cause of the misfires is foreign fluid in fuel, and it’s not covered by warranty. They haven’t given me a quote for anything yet, but I’m frustrated as I’ve never had this issue before, especially having only filled up at the same gas stations I’ve used for my Mustang and Edge (all 3 vehicles using 93). Based on what I’ve been reading in this forum for the new 2025 Rams, I’m half-expecting for them to give me the vehicle back after cleaning the lines and the CEL to populate again after anywhere between a day and a week. Also dealt with the driver side mirror folding all the way forward to the hood with ‘auto-folding’ option turned on and popping in and out of position (dealership is replacing the mirror), and they connect apple carplay skips frequently when listening to podcasts or music. This is my first truck and I still love it. I’m not necessarily looking for answers, just needed to vent a little, especially with the truck being so new, and wanted to put the information out there if anyone else runs into this.

 

[DanAR]

Curious as to how contaminated fuel would cause issues with remote start but I assume the truck starts fine from the cab since you didn’t mention any issues. Did it even try to turn over when it failed o remote start? Sort of sounds like voodo diagnosing to me but all this new electronics in vehicles and it’s operation is a mystery to me.

 

[KeithP]

Curious as to how contaminated fuel would cause issues with remote start but I assume the truck starts fine from the cab since you didn’t mention any issues. Did it even try to turn over when it failed o remote start? Sort of sounds like voodo diagnosing to me but all this new electronics in vehicles and it’s operation is a mystery to me.

Just a guess here, but thinking the truck recognizes the remote start and shuts itself down if there are any faults to avoid any possible damages. When starting normally it assumes a humanoid is present and will shut it down if necessary.

 

[Daw14]

Curious as to how contaminated fuel would cause issues with remote start but I assume the truck starts fine from the cab since you didn’t mention any issues. Did it even try to turn over when it failed o remote start? Sort of sounds like voodo diagnosing to me but all this new electronics in vehicles and it’s operation is a mystery to me.

If it throws a code for a misfire it will prevent remote starting.

 

[Skobain]

Yeah I was going to see what the previous individuals said, I believe the remote start becomes disabled because of the misfire issue. A little update that I also posted in my referenced thread with 5thgenram forums, they took a fuel sample and determined it was foreign fluid in the fuel and their quoting me $1200 to flush the fuel system. I’ve requested for them to contact me when they’re available to pull a new sample since the original sample has evaporated, so I can be present for the pull of that sample and the testing. I understand this can be a real issue but with so many other people dealing with this exact issue, I’m extremely skeptical of the diagnosis. If it ends up not being a problem with contaminated fuel, I’ll be out $1200 since it’s not covered under warranty regardless.

 

[Skobain]

Someone in the other thread also said that apparently Ram is aware of this situation and has some sort of specialist working approximately 80 cases I believe. I’m worried if I move to fast with getting an erroneous issue fixed I’ll be out $1200 and still not have the real issue fixed and covered under warranty. @RamCares

 

[Skobain]

One small update, the service person left a message on my phone and said when they took the fuel sample, you could see separation in the sample that was probably water. If there’s enough water mixed with the fuel to cause misfires on startup, could that have actually come from a bad fill-up at a gas station or is that an issue with the system somewhere drawing in rain/water from a car wash, anything like that?

 

[KKBB]

One small update, the service person left a message on my phone and said when they took the fuel sample, you could see separation in the sample that was probably water. If there’s enough water mixed with the fuel to cause misfires on startup, could that have actually come from a bad fill-up at a gas station or is that an issue with the system somewhere drawing in rain/water from a car wash, anything like that?

It could be either...typically it is from bad gas at a station, but I have seen both scenarios!!

 

[blackbetty14]

For $1200 I wouldn't be letting them flush the system. You could try pumping the fuel out yourself and refilling. You can also add heat to the fuel to help with the water if thats what it is. I would fill up at a diff station or pump some into a tank and test it yourself. It sounds like a load of BS but I work in the fuel industry and it definitely happens (water in the fuel that is). Some people even spray it into the intake on purpose (me as well) but not on a ram.

I would suck the fuel out through the the will with some kind of extraction device or see if you can disconnect the fuel line and run the pump to just empty the tank out into buckets. Add some HEET to the fuel and dump in some known good fuel. Water won't affect anything filter wise etc.

Depending on what you find you might need to change stations (but let them know on the water issue) Or find a new dealer.

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[Raymond1821]

Posted this in 5thGenRams forum, wanted to reference it here if some people arent in that forum as well as this one, just for awareness.

I purchased a 2025 Ram 1500 Big Horn (with the standard output hurricane engine) on the 29th of June. Only had like 30 miles on it, rode smooth, absolutely loved everything about the truck. I started noticing that the remote start was very intermittent. Some times when I would attempt a remote start, the lights would flash like it was going to start, but the engine wouldnt turn over. Other times, it would actually start and shut off after 5-10 seconds. This previous Monday (15 July) morning when I was trying to remote start the truck for going to work, it started and shut off immediately. I tried remote starting it again while standing next to it a few times, but it still wouldn’t start. About 15 minutes later, I noticed the check engine light was on, so I took it a few hours later to the dealership. By the end of that same day they were able to tell me that the CEL is populating dude to misfires on start up. Haven’t really been stressing this as I have a warranty on the vehicle of course. Today, Thursday 18 July, they give me an update saying that the cause of the misfires is foreign fluid in fuel, and it’s not covered by warranty. They haven’t given me a quote for anything yet, but I’m frustrated as I’ve never had this issue before, especially having only filled up at the same gas stations I’ve used for my Mustang and Edge (all 3 vehicles using 93). Based on what I’ve been reading in this forum for the new 2025 Rams, I’m half-expecting for them to give me the vehicle back after cleaning the lines and the CEL to populate again after anywhere between a day and a week. Also dealt with the driver side mirror folding all the way forward to the hood with ‘auto-folding’ option turned on and popping in and out of position (dealership is replacing the mirror), and they connect apple carplay skips frequently when listening to podcasts or music. This is my first truck and I still love it. I’m not necessarily looking for answers, just needed to vent a little, especially with the truck being so new, and wanted to put the information out there if anyone else runs into this.

 

[Raymond1821]

This sounds like BS to me. I would not be in a hurry to pay out $1200 for possible water contaminated gas. There are additives that can be added to fuel so the water will mix with the gas and burn off over time. Back in the day there were water injection systems for gas engines. Unlike diesel which can not tolerate water in the fuel gas engines are more forgiving. If in fact there are 80 other cases pending it even sounds more like something else is going on.

 

[Marshall]

If you can find water in that tank, then I would be talking to the service station you use all the time. I have heard of this with mixed diesel / gas, Company had to replace a lot of fuel.
I would want proof of what the hell is going on.

There was a thread a couple weeks about bad gas, that someone got in Mexico but I don't think it was water.

 

[gto64gto]

It could be either...typically it is from bad gas at a station, but I have seen both scenarios!!

I know this sounds crazy, but I can tell you it works. Put a couple of bottles of rubbing alcohol in your tank. It mixes with water and will then mix with gas. Never had to do this but once to get rid of water. Hope this helps. I'm 77 and had to do this several times over the years.

 

[gto64gto]

I know this sounds crazy, but I can tell you it works. Put a couple of bottles of rubbing alcohol in your tank. It mixes with water and will then mix with gas. Never had to do this but once to get rid of water. Hope this helps. I'm 77 and had to do this several times over the years.

 

[Wild one]

I know this sounds crazy, but I can tell you it works. Put a couple of bottles of rubbing alcohol in your tank. It mixes with water and will then mix with gas. Never had to do this but once to get rid of water. Hope this helps. I'm 77 and had to do this several times over the years.

Methal hydrate basically gasline antifreeze for us guys in the colder sections of North America,lol.

 

[commander]

Hopefully, you get you fuel at the same station, or brand. I had something similar happen at a Marathon station in South Bend Indiana. Filled up and my car rand like s**t. ended up having it trailered home. Since it was an older car (52 Studebaker Convertible) I dropped the tank had it cleaned and reinstalled it. I sent a very lengthy "hate" letter to Marathon. I assumed I'd never hear from them, but not only did they contact me, they asked for all the receipts and how much time I had in the repairs, then they sent me a check! Shocked the heck out of me. They admitted that the station I had filled up at, had "issues" and other complaints. So, there are companies that DO take responsibility for their products. I now keep all gas receipts, not just because of that, but in S.C. we can write off the taxes that we pay on fuel!