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Chrysler is currently facing class action lawsuits due to knocking or tapping noise from the engine. If you own or lease a 2008 to 2021 Dodge, Chrysler, or Jeep vehicles equipped with a Hemi engine and experienced any of the following problems, your vehicle may pose a safety risk to drivers and passengers.
- Ticking, knocking, or tapping noise from the engine
- Loss of power
- Rough-running engine
- Engine failure
In May 2022, some owners filed lawsuits against Chrysler over engine ticking noise that includes several models equipped with Gen III 5.7-liter HEMI or 6.4-liter HEMI 392 V8 engines.
According to the lawsuit, HEMI V8 engines use valve train systems called multi-displacement systems that are defective and malfunction, causing engine ticking noise, failures of the camshafts, lifters, and finally failures of the HEMI engines.
Owners say that Fiat Chrysler vehicles allegedly “buck, surge, misfire, idle roughly and make abnormal noises including ticking, knocking, and chirping.”
Attorneys are investigating the same issues with Dodge & Jeep vehicle models and preparing a lawsuit for a permanent fix and compensation for drivers.
Which Vehicles Are Under Investigation?
The class action lawsuit says this is a “partial list” of the affected vehicles and investigating all 2008-2021 vehicle models equipped with a Hemi engine.
- Dodge Challenger and Dodge Challenger SRT
- Chrysler 300
- Dodge Charger
- Dodge Durango
- Jeep Grand Cherokee
- Dodge Ram/Ram 1500
- Jeep Commander
- Dodge Ram/Ram 2500
- Dodge Ram/Ram 3500
As per the lawsuit, the alleged defects cause wear to the HEMI engines and damage valve train components and camshafts.
Pieces of valve train components circulate in the engine oil and damage the cylinders to the point of complete failure of the HEMI engines. This causes owners to suffer decreased values and forces them to spend thousands of dollars to replace the lifters, camshafts, and HEMI engines.
According to the class action lawsuit, replacing the engines and components does not fix the problem because the replacement engines and parts are just as defective as the original components.
The plaintiffs also claim Chrysler dealers often make repairs because the “lifters not totally replaced, other engine components that were damaged by the valve train’s failure may not be replaced at all.”
Due to metal pieces circulating through the oil and HEMI engine, Chrysler customers are expected to pay about $15,000 to replace the HEMI V8 engines. Then replaced Chrysler engines make the exact same ticking noise and other problems until owners replace the HEMI engines again.
The lawsuit alleges FCA has been aware of the HEMI engine defects since 2012 but the automaker has not done anything to fix the problem and allegedly told customers the ticking and other strange noises were normal and no repairs are necessary.
“FCA has also failed to authorize permanent or complete repairs under warranty. In this way, FCA has effectively and knowingly transferred the costs of repair to consumers, despite the requirements of its express warranties.” — Chrysler engine class action lawsuit
As per the lawsuit, Chrysler issued STAR Case Report S1709000010 in 2017 which said, “[t]his communication documents a record of past experiences” and “captures all previous cases known that appear to be similar or related to the vehicle symptom / condition.”
“Customer complaints may include abnormal engine noise, rough idle, lack of power, misfire. Upon investigation, it may be found that there is excessive camshaft lobe wear/lifter wear (roller failure) on one or more cam lobes and that camshaft/lifter replacement is necessary.” — STAR Case Report S1709000010
Dealers were told:
“If excessive camshaft lobe wear/lifter wear (roller failure) has been identified, further inspection should be performed before attempting repair. Removal of the Oil Control Vale (OCV) for the Variable Valve Timing (VVT) system should be performed to inspect for debris.”
Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep Driver Complaints: Engine Knocking, Ticking Noises
The following are some complaints posted by Dodge, Jeep, and Chrysler drivers who experienced ticking and knocking noises with their vehicles.
I heard a ticking noise coming from the right side of the engine…We could only hear it from outside the vehicle. This appears to be a common issue. The mechanic knew exactly what it was when I told him we had a ticking noise in a Durango…” — 2015 DODGE DURANGO DRIVER
so I noticed this annoying racket coming from the engine while I’m driving near a wall, other cars or a divider. It gets louder when MDS is on and becomes faint again when all cylinders fire up. I tried parking and revving the motor up but heard absolutely nothing at all. Is this the infamous Hemi tick?” — BIGPAV7, 2010 JEEP COMMANDER DRIVER
Have Questions? Talk With Us Now
If you are an automobile owner and have manufacturing issues, you can contact us regarding your involvement in this or any potential class-action lawsuit. Serious vehicle problems require serious legal representation, especially when you are bringing a claim against a major automaker.
At the Lemon Firm, our experienced Attorneys have been able to successfully recover compensation for our clients who were sold a vehicle with manufacturer defects, and we can do the same for you. Call (833) Lemon-Firm to speak with a Lemon law expert today.