Buyer's guide
Buying a Used 6.7 Cummins (2007.5-2018): Which Era, What to Check and What It Costs
Published · Updated · 12 min read
The 6.7 Cummins long block rarely fails, so buying one comes down to the hardware bolted around it, and that depends on the model year. Choose wrong and you inherit a $1,750 to $5,400 turbo or actuator repair, a DEF pump, or the grid heater bolt that owners say cost them $3,000 to $20,000 when it reached a cylinder.
This buyer's guide uses the same 656 NHTSA owner complaints as our 6.7 Cummins problems report, sorted into the three eras of the engine, plus the mileage owners stated when each problem appeared, Ram's recalls and warranty extensions, and current part prices. The problems report explains each failure in depth; this guide is about choosing a truck.
The short answer
- Which era: 2007.5-2009 trucks carry 33 of the 56 DPF complaints. 2013-2018 trucks carry every DEF complaint and 50 of 54 turbo actuator complaints. 2010-2012 trucks draw the fewest engine complaints (10 that name a problem), with a data gap on 2011-2012 Ram 3500s.
- 2013 vs 2015 vs 2018: same hardware. The 2015 Ram 2500/3500 has a turbo actuator warranty extension (program X99); 2013-2017 trucks have the water pump recall; 2017-2018 trucks draw the most actuator and grid heater complaints.
- Mileage: owners reported turbo actuator failures at a median of about 80,000 miles, DPF and DEF problems at about 42,000 to 44,000, and some within the first few thousand miles. Low miles do not mean low risk.
- What to check: recalls and extensions on the VIN, the grid heater hardware and code P2609, the exhaust brake, regeneration and DEF messages, and the oil level.
- The best sign: a grid heater upgrade receipt, recalls closed, and a truck that worked on the highway rather than idling.
The one idea: pick the era first, then check that era's weak spots
Every 6.7 in a 2007.5-2018 Ram has EGR and a diesel particulate filter (DPF). From 2013 Ram added a DEF/SCR system and a different variable-geometry turbo. aggregated So the question is not "is the 6.7 reliable" but which set of problems you would rather own: frequent regenerations on an early truck, or DEF and an electronic turbo actuator on a later one. The grid heater bolt is on every year. aggregated
Best years for the 6.7 Cummins: the three eras compared
Short answer: 2010-2012 trucks have the fewest engine complaints in our data, but they are now 14 or more years old and the data has a gap. 2007.5-2009 trucks are the DPF era. 2013-2018 trucks are newer and carry DEF, the turbo actuator and most grid heater complaints. No era is one to avoid outright; buy the best truck in the era you choose.
| Era | Emissions and turbo | Diesel complaints | Name an engine problem | DPF | Turbo actuator | DEF / SCR | Grid heater | Water pump | Recalls and programs to check |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007.5-2009 | EGR + DPF, no DEF. Holset HE351VE turbo | 131 | 48 | 33 | 2 | - | 1 | - | Recall 08V-641 (silencer pad on the EGR cooler, 2007-2008) |
| 2010-2012 | EGR + DPF, no DEF. Updated EGR cooler design. HE351VE turbo | 81 | 10 | 3 | 2 | - | - | 1 | Recall 14V-635 (fuel heater connector, 2010-2014 built to Sept 2013) |
| 2013-2018 | EGR + DPF + DEF/SCR. Holset HE300VG turbo | 444 | 176 | 20 | 50 | 53 | 19 | 15 | Recalls 17V-562 (water pump, 2013-2017), 15V-592 (ECM, some 2016), 14V-635 (to 2014); actuator warranty extensions X99 (2015 2500/3500) and X93 (2013-2015 4500/5500) |
Complaints: NHTSA owner complaints filed on 2007-2018 Dodge and Ram 2500, 3500, 4500 and 5500 trucks, pulled 2026-09-12, extra NHTSA model names added 2026-10-10; the same counts as our 6.7 Cummins problems report. Raw counts, not adjusted for sales; 2013-2018 is six model years against three for each earlier era, and NHTSA returns no complaints for 2011-2012 Ram 3500 pickups. Recalls: NHTSA recall records. Extensions: Ram bulletins 09-005-22 and 09-001-22.
How to read this table. Counts are complaints, not failures, and 2013-2018 covers six model years and far more trucks still on the road. Three things matter for a buyer:
- 2007.5-2009: the DPF era. These trucks have no DEF and regenerate their filter more often, and how the truck was driven decides a lot. An early owner reported the filter warning at 80% full every three days on a truck with 3,000 miles.
- 2010-2012: the quiet years, with a caveat. Only 10 complaints name an engine problem, but NHTSA returns no complaints at all for 2011-2012 Ram 3500 pickups under any name we found, and these trucks are the age where condition matters more than design.
- 2013-2018: the DEF and actuator era. 53 DEF complaints and 50 turbo actuator complaints, but also the trucks most buyers want: newer, with the later interiors and the SCR system that cuts down regenerations.
"The vehicle only has 3,000 miles on it. The diesel particulate filter warning light reads 80% full."
Owner of a 2009 Ram 2500, 2010. The light came on every three days. NHTSA complaint 10306650
2013 vs 2015 vs 2018 6.7 Cummins
Short answer: the hardware is the same from 2013 to 2018, so compare trucks, not years. The differences are on paper: which recalls apply and which warranty extensions might still help you.
- 2013-2017: water pump recall 17V-562 (Concentric pumps without a vent hole can leak coolant and raise fire risk). Check that it was done. verified
- 2015 Ram 2500 and 3500: Ram extended the warranty on the turbocharger actuator (bulletin 09-005-22, program X99). Owners quote the terms as 15 years or 150,000 miles. Ask a Ram dealer to check the VIN. verified
- 2013-2015 Ram 4500 and 5500 cab chassis: a similar extension with an updated actuator (09-001-22, program X93); one owner quoted it as 10 years or 180,000 miles. verified
- 2016: a recall for the engine control module on trucks built in a two-week window in 2015 (15V-592). Several 2016 owners told NHTSA the actuator extension did not cover their year. verified
- 2017-2018: the most turbo actuator complaints (25 of 54) and most grid heater complaints. The grid heater complaints were all filed from 2023 on, so that reflects owners learning about it as much as the design. aggregated
At what mileage do 6.7 Cummins problems show up?
Short answer: the turbo actuator is a mid-life problem; owners who stated a mileage put it at a median of about 80,000 miles. DPF and DEF problems show up at any mileage, with a median around 42,000 to 44,000 and some in the first few thousand miles. The grid heater bolt failures with a stated mileage ranged from 48,000 to 162,000 miles.
| Problem | Complaints that state the mileage | Median miles | Range | Under 50,000 miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Turbo actuator / VGT | 19 of 54 | 80,000 | 17,809 to 135,800 | 6 |
| DPF clogging | 19 of 56 | 43,900 | 500 to 272,000 | 10 |
| DEF / SCR system | 20 of 53 | 41,614 | 1,200 to 110,214 | 11 |
| Grid heater bolt | 5 of 20 | 83,015 | 48,000 to 162,000 | 1 |
Mileage as owners stated it in the complaint, read by hand: NHTSA owner complaints filed on 2007-2018 Dodge and Ram 2500, 3500, 4500 and 5500 trucks, pulled 2026-09-12, extra NHTSA model names added 2026-10-10. Small samples; one owner, one number. It shows when owners ran into the problem, not a service life.
What that means when you look at a truck:
- Under 50,000 miles is not a free pass. About half the DPF and DEF complaints with a mileage were under 50,000. On these systems, how the truck was used matters more than how far it went.
- 60,000 to 130,000 miles is the actuator window. Most stated actuator failures fall here. Ask whether the actuator or turbo was replaced, and on a 2015, whether the X99 extension covered it.
- High mileage is fine if the hardware was done. A truck at 150,000 miles with a replaced actuator, a grid heater upgrade and receipts can be a safer buy than a 60,000-mile truck with none of it.
"The Cummins 6.7L Turbocharger Actuator has failed at 17,809 miles on this vehicle."
Owner of a 2014 Ram 5500 fire truck, 2025. Ram told the owner the extension had expired. NHTSA complaint 11650605
Before you drive out to see it
- Run the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup: 08V-641 on 2007-2008 pickups (silencer pad that can sag onto the EGR cooler), 14V-635 on 2010-2014 (fuel heater connector), 15V-592 on some 2016s (engine control module), 17V-562 on 2013-2017 (water pump). verified
- Call a Ram dealer with the VIN for warranty extensions (X99, X93) and service history.
- Ask for records: grid heater hardware, turbo or actuator, DEF pump, DPF cleaning or replacement, fuel filters, and how the truck was used (towing on the highway, or short trips and idling).
- Ask the seller not to start it before you arrive.
Step 1: cold start and the grid heater
What to do. On a cold engine, watch the wait-to-start light, then start it. Ask whether the grid heater hardware was upgraded and look for the receipt.
What you will see. A clean start with the light cycling normally. A stored or recent P2609 or P0542 (intake air heater circuit) means the hardware may already be burning; it can be the first sign before the bolt breaks off. verified Our report explains how the bolt reaches cylinder 6.
What it costs. An upgrade kit lists for about $220 plus labor. Price it into your offer on any truck without it.
Step 2: scan for codes
Read stored and pending codes. The ones that matter by era: soot-load and regeneration codes on any year; on 2013-2018 trucks, turbo actuator codes U010C, P003A, P00AF, P0046 and P0234 (the ones Ram's extension bulletin lists) and DEF and NOx codes. verified Low fuel pressure (P0087) points at the lift pump and filters, a cheaper fix than the high-pressure side. aggregated
Step 3: hood up and underneath
- Coolant: level, crust at the water pump, and on 2013-2017 whether recall 17V-562 was done. A water pump lists for about $220 to $240.
- EGR cooler: coolant loss with white, sweet-smelling exhaust. The cooler lists for about $640 (2007.5-2009) or $2,090 (2010-2018). aggregated
- Fuel filters and water separator: ask when they were changed; a filter set lists for about $79.
- DEF (2013-2018): look for white crust at the DEF tank, lines and dosing injector, a sign of leaks or crystallized fluid. aggregated
Step 4: the test drive
What to do. Drive at least 30 minutes, including highway speed. Switch the exhaust brake on and lift off: the truck should slow noticeably. Watch for regeneration and DEF messages.
What you will see. A strong exhaust brake and no messages. A weak or missing exhaust brake, low power or limp mode on a 2013-2018 truck points to the turbo actuator. "Exhaust filter full" or frequent regeneration messages point to DPF loading. A DEF warning starts a countdown to a 5 mph limit. verified
"The DEF system failed at 89k. When it failed the truck started bellowing toxic ammonia from the exhaust."
Owner of a 2015 Ram 2500, 2022. The DEF pump listed at $1,400 at the dealer. NHTSA complaint 11479478
Step 5: the dipstick
Check the oil level after the drive. A level above full, or oil that smells of diesel, means fuel is getting into the oil, often from failed regenerations; on a 6.7 that needs an explanation before you buy. aggregated
The transmission (the 68RFE automatic or a manual on most of these trucks) has its own complaint history that this engine guide does not cover. Have it checked too.
What you found, and what to do about it
| You found | It probably means | What it can cost | Our take |
|---|---|---|---|
| No grid heater upgrade, or P2609 / P0542 stored | The bolt hardware is original or already burning | Kit about $220; $3,000 to $20,000 reported if it reaches a cylinder | Negotiate the upgrade into the price |
| Weak exhaust brake, actuator codes on a 2015 2500/3500 | Turbo actuator, possibly under the X99 extension | Free if covered; owners paid $1,750 to $3,900 for an actuator otherwise | Investigate with a Ram dealer first |
| Weak exhaust brake, actuator codes on another year | Turbo actuator or turbo | Owners paid $1,750 to $3,900 for an actuator, $5,400 with the turbo | Negotiate |
| Frequent regeneration messages, short-trip history | DPF loading | Owners paid $2,000 to $3,000 for a filter | Negotiate and find the cause |
| DEF warning or countdown | DEF pump, sensor or fluid | DEF pump $1,400 dealer list in one report | Negotiate |
| Open recall on the VIN | A free repair not yet done | Free | Investigate: get it done first |
| Oil above full or smelling of fuel | Fuel in the oil | Varies | Walk away unless the cause is found |
| Receipts for grid heater kit, actuator and DEF work | The usual problems are handled | - | Good sign. |
Part prices are list prices at the time of publication. Owner-reported costs come from NHTSA complaints and show what those owners paid in those years, not a quote. We do not have reliable labor estimates.
What we cannot tell you
- Which era is most reliable. We have no sales or mileage totals by year, so complaint counts cannot become failure rates.
- 2011-2012 Ram 3500 pickups. NHTSA returns no complaints for them under any name we found.
- How long a part lasts. The mileage table shows when the owners who stated a number ran into the problem: 5 to 20 owners per problem, one number each.
- What a truck is worth. We do not track used truck prices.
- The transmission. It is outside this engine guide.
FAQ
What is the best year for the 6.7 Cummins?
Our data does not name one. 2010-2012 trucks have the fewest engine complaints, but they are old and the 2011-2012 Ram 3500 data is missing. 2007.5-2009 is the DPF era; 2013-2018 adds DEF and the turbo actuator. Pick the era that fits your budget, then the truck with the records.
2013 vs 2015 6.7 Cummins: which is better?
The engine hardware is the same. The 2015 Ram 2500 and 3500 have a Ram warranty extension on the turbo actuator (program X99), which owners quote as 15 years or 150,000 miles, so a 2015 can be the better buy if the VIN still qualifies. Both years are in the 2013-2017 water pump recall.
Is the 6.7 Cummins reliable?
The long block rarely appears in NHTSA complaints. What owners report is the hardware around it: the DPF on early trucks, the DEF system and turbo actuator on 2013-2018 trucks, and the grid heater bolt on all of them. A truck with those handled is a good bet; one without them carries real cost.
Is a 6.7 Cummins with 150,000 miles worth buying?
It can be. Owners reported most turbo actuator failures between about 60,000 and 130,000 miles, and DPF and DEF problems at any mileage. A high-mileage truck with the actuator done, a grid heater upgrade and records can be a safer buy than a low-mileage truck with none.
Is there a warranty extension on the 6.7 Cummins turbo actuator?
Yes, for some trucks. Ram bulletin 09-005-22 (program X99) covers certain 2015 Ram 2500 and 3500 pickups, and 09-001-22 (program X93) covers certain 2013-2015 Ram 4500 and 5500 cab chassis with an updated actuator. Ask a Ram dealer to check the VIN.
What should I check before buying a 6.7 Cummins?
Recalls and warranty extensions on the VIN, the grid heater hardware and code P2609, stored codes, the exhaust brake on a test drive, regeneration and DEF messages, the coolant and water pump, and the oil level. Ask how the truck was used and for receipts.
Go deeper
Each of these pages shows the sources behind every claim, the confidence tier and the part numbers:
- 6.7 Cummins problems: what actually breaks on 2007.5-2018 Ram diesels
- Cummins 6.7 (2007.5-2018) platform page
- Failure modes: Grid heater bolt · VGT turbo and actuator · DPF clogging · DEF / SCR system · Water pump · Fuel in the oil
- Parts: Grid heater upgrade kit · 2013-2018 turbo · Water pump · Fuel filter set
- Related: Buying a used 5.9 Cummins · 2019-2024 Ram 6.7 Cummins problems · How we verify and tag facts
Sources. NHTSA owner complaints database (US government public domain), keyword-matched and limited to complaints that clearly involve the diesel; failure mileages read by hand from the complaint text; owner quotes are taken from complaint narratives with capitalization normalized, and complaint numbers are given so you can read them in full. NHTSA recall records 08V-641, 14V-635, 15V-592 and 17V-562. Ram bulletins 09-005-22 and 09-001-22 from NHTSA's manufacturer communications index. Emissions hardware by model year from the platform record. Part prices are list prices at the time of publication. Torque Index aggregates and cross-checks public information, takes no paid placement and does not provide repair or inspection services.
Going to see one? Take the Cummins 6.7L ISB Diesel buyer's checklist: every documented failure of this engine in inspection order, printable, with repair budgets.