chrysler vehicles

Chrysler Lifetime Powertrain Warranty Lawsuit

In October 2020, a class action lawsuit was filed against Chrysler concerning the automaker’s lifetime powertrain warranty. The plaintiff seeks to represent consumers who purchased a Chrysler vehicle in Kansas and were provided a lifetime powertrain warranty on or after October 31, 2009.

The plaintiff bought his Chrysler in 2009 and since then has taken his vehicle in to a dealer every 3,000 miles for routine services and inspections. In 2014, the plaintiff took his Ram to a dealer for an oil change, where the technicians performed a 23-point inspection of the vehicle. The plaintiff claims he was unaware that the powertrain inspection wasn’t included in this service. Subsequently, in 2016, the plaintiff noticed his Ram making ticking noises so he took his vehicle to the dealer once more where technicians now found broken bolts in or on the exhaust manifold. The automaker refused to honor the warranty, forcing plaintiff to pay over $1,300 for the repair. In his lawsuit, the plaintiff claims that Chrysler should have marketed the lifetime powertrain warranty as a “5-year extendable warranty.”

Chrysler filed a motion to dismiss the suit, claiming the three-year statute of limitations bars the claim. The automaker argues that the statute began when the plaintiff purchased his vehicle in 2009 and he did not file suit until 2018. However, the Court did not agree. The statute of limitations did not begin running until the plaintiff had to pay for the vehicle repair in 2016 because Chrysler would not honor the warranty. Thus, the plaintiff’s claim is not barred.

Ultimately, the judge ruled in favor of the plaintiff and agreed that Chrysler should have explained to the plaintiff that it was his responsibility to “actively request a powertrain inspection.” The judge also allowed a claim for breach of implied warranty because of problems concerning the exhaust manifold.

What Can I Do if I’m Told My Repairs Are Not Under Warranty?

If you are experiencing any of the above-mentioned issues, California’s lemon laws are here to protect you and prevent any further complications. The attorneys at CCA are very knowledgeable about the Chrysler powertrain warranty discussed above and will work with you to fight back against the automaker.

Please do not hesitate to call CCA today for a free consultation: (833) LEMON-FIRM. We’ll get you the compensation you deserve – and at no cost to you!

About the Author
Sepehr Daghighian is a partner with CCA that is well-versed in all aspects of lemon-law litigation. A 2005 graduate of Loyola Law School, Mr. Daghighian has been practicing litigation throughout the state of California for over 13-years. In this time, Mr. Daghighian has advocated on behalf of California consumers in hundreds of lemon law cases throughout our great state. Mr. Daghighian has also successfully tried numerous such cases to verdict in both Federal and State Court.