Category: Chrysler

Chrysler FCA

Fiat Chrysler Faces Lawsuit Claiming Valve Train System Defect Resulting in Engine Failure

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A recent lawsuit has drawn attention to a significant defect in the valve train systems of vehicles produced by FCA. The lawsuit alleges that the defect causes engine failure, leading to buyer safety hazards. Commencing in January 2023, the discovery process has embarked on its journey, with an anticipated culmination in July 2024. The model years that fall under this lawsuit range from 2014 to the present day.

The Defect

The valve train system plays a vital role in regulating the movement of valves within the engine and is a critical component in ensuring the proper functioning of the engine. This system needs to operate efficiently to ensure optimal engine performance and fuel economy. The alleged defect in the valve train system can cause engine seizing by disrupting the smooth regulation of the valves’ movements, leading to a chain reaction of malfunctions within the engine. 

Lawsuit Claims

Damage or misalignment within the valve train system can prompt a range of issues, including power loss, misfires, and, ultimately, engine failure. These dire consequences may jeopardize human safety and even pose a life threat.

In addition to the inconvenience of being stranded on the road, engine failure can result in expensive repairs or even the need for a full engine replacement. It can also create safety hazards, such as sudden loss of power, difficulty in steering or braking, and increased risk of accidents. 

Impact on Consumers

The impact of the engine failure can be significant on consumers. Financially, it can lead to unexpected repair costs, reduced vehicle value, and even total engine replacement expenses. The potential safety hazards that arise from engine failure can also direct to physical harm, causing emotional distress and trauma. Additionally, the inconvenience of experiencing an unanticipated vehicle breakdown can result in significant disruptions in daily life. Therefore, the impact on consumers can be extensive and multifaceted, highlighting the need for timely detection and resolution of any defects in vehicle components.

Vehicles Subjected To Recall

The plaintiffs intend to initiate legal action on behalf of owners or lessees of FCA vehicles that are fitted with the following: 

  • Gen III 5.7-liter HEMI 
  • 6.4-liter HEMI 392 V-8 engine

The list of vehicles in the partial lawsuit comprises of: 

  • Dodge Charger (Models 2014-16)
  • Dodge Challenger (Models 2014-2016)
  • Jeep Grand Cherokee (Models 2014-2022)
  • Chrysler 300 (Models 2014-2016)
  • Dodge Durango (Models 2014-2021)
  • RAM 1500 (Models 2014-2022)
  • RAM 2500 (Models 2014-2022) 
  • RAM 3500 (Models 2014-2022). 

It’s difficult to predict the duration of this process, and it could potentially be prolonged.

Summary Statement

Ignoring the lawsuit’s allegation that a defect in the valve train system is responsible for engine failure would amount to severe negligence, given the potential harm it could cause. It is essential for automakers to prioritize the safety of their customers by thoroughly testing and ensuring the reliability of their products. As consumers, you should remain vigilant and hold companies accountable for any carelessness that puts lives at risk.

We Can Assist You!

Get the compensation you deserve for a vehicle sold with manufacturing faults. The Lemon Firm knows how to successfully secure compensation for clients. Don’t hesitate to take action and claim. Simply dial (833) LEMON FIRM to talk to our Lemon Law experts.

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Chrysler Pacifica’s Stalling Defects Led the Company to Another Class-Action

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Have you ever been a buyer of Chrysler? Your family might love the over-commodious minivan with beautiful looks. However, this car company has undergone several lawsuits regarding different malfunction issues. Today, we are going to discuss the stalling issues of the Chrysler Pacifica. The problem has landed the company in another class-action case.

Chrysler Pacifica – An Equally Comfortable and Cargo-Space Minivan

A spacious and comfortable vehicle must be your top priority if you have a big family. Since its inception in 1925, the Chrysler brand has pleased customers with unique designs, artistry, insightful inventions, and technology. The Chrysler model Pacifica is adorned with its high-end family features and versatile exteriors. This 8-seater minivan won the parents’ trust regarding safety, interior volume, convenient features, etc. It has been proven that this family-admired vehicle has been picked up for “Parents’ Best Family Car 2022” for the 3rd time in a row. 

The rear fold-flat seats are an extra benefit for shuttling cargo along with people. Amazon Fire TV compatibility and back occupant alert are the latest and appreciable features of the 2022 Pacifica. This minivan provides entertainment and reliable protection on long drives and family trips. 

Minivan Issues That Lead to a Lawsuit

How did a great car like the Chrysler Pacifica hit a class-action case? Unfortunately, it’s true! The owners of Chrysler have faced some irrefutable problems. The Chrysler Pacifica lawsuit was filed as a result of the following issues with the minivan:

  • The major problem was stalling. Consumers reported that the Chrysler Pacifica car stalls or shuts off during the drive. These stalling defects are due to the design faults of the 9-speed transmission in car engines.
  • The minivan stops functioning upon a complete loss of power. The driver of the car lost control of the steering wheel and could not modify the vehicle’s speed.
  • The customers considered the stalling of minivans a challenging and potentially damageable issue.
  • Above all, all the drivers indicated that the problem arose without any prior indication.

Class Action in 2017 and 2018

On behalf of the issues mentioned above, a lawsuit was filed against FCA (a company producing many cars, including the Chrysler Pacifica) in December 2017. The plaintiff accused the Chrysler Pacifica car of stalling and its engine shutting down. He claimed that the synchronization between the crankshaft position and engine timing had been lost, causing the car engine to hold up and stall. Moreover, the minivan reflected signal transmission issues, leading to the sudden power loss and idleness, the case filer continued. 

Another class-action case was filed just after a year. The constant stalling defects caused the subsequent Chrysler Pacifica lawsuit in October 2018. Following the 2017 lawsuit, FCA recalled their customers for updating the software of minivans to solve transmission issues. However, the plaintiffs in the latter case alleged that:

  • There was no improvement in the stalling problem even after the software update. The drivers faced similar issues afterward.
  • The new software is nothing but merely a repackaged tech application, the case filer claimed, which was available before the recall. 
  • Furthermore, the lawsuit document alleged that the company was already aware of the stalling problem, but instead of addressing and solving that issue, the FCA dealership covered the symptoms or even denied the car’s power issues.

How Could a Lawsuit Help?

This lawsuit could help consumers in the following ways:

  • The court could have asked the company to extend the warranties of the Chrysler Pacifica.
  • The company might be asked to repair all the defective cars free of charge.
  • Ban the company from selling defective cars until the problem is solved.
  • The court could have asked the FCA to notify its consumers about the claimed defect.

Let’s see the remarks of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles regarding the allegations in the stalled class-action case.

FCA Statement Regarding the Lawsuit

The NHTSA has initiated an official inquiry into the Chrysler Pacifica. There were 57 complaints to the NHTSA regarding power breakdowns. All these complaints and investigations forced the FCA to take action. Finally, on January 12, 2018, the company recalled the Chrysler owners for a software update of the car. The company accepted that the stalling problem resulted from faulty software, causing the power steering to stick and increasing the chances of road accidents. As the company failed to overcome the problem, it was hit by another class action. The lawsuit was more effective and fruitful for the customers of Chrysler Pacifica. Even though the company refused all the allegations of misdeeds, FCA shook hands on the settlement. 

Chrysler Minivan Stalling Lawsuit Settlement

The Chrysler Pacifica car-stall lawsuit has reached an agreement for the models of 2017-2021. The settlement was made for the minivans supplied with 9-speed automatic transmissions and 3.6-liter V6 engines. The company has agreed to increase the warranty period of the crankshaft sensor of the minivan to five years or 60,000 miles, which was only three years previously. Moreover, the Chrysler Pacifica lawsuit causes the FCA to give reimbursements. The corporation is obliged to compensate its customers who updated their crankshaft position sensors on their own. The car owner is required to bring the repair slips to claim their refund. The settlement document mentioned that the above indemnification would only apply to those Pacifica minivans leased or purchased five years before the agreed date. 

Chrysler Pacifica car stalls have also provided Chrysler owners the benefit of replacing their cars. This class action case allowed the class members to file a lawsuit against FCA for replacing their minivans. The plaintiff can file the case in the settlement’s arbitration program depending upon the extent of the stalling defect and the claimant’s state of lemon law.

Bottom Line

Whereas the stalling defects of the Chrysler Pacifica depleted the repute of FCA, it also led to compensation orders of more than $80,000 to the attorney and $20,000 to the two claimants. The final hearing in the Chrysler Pacifica lawsuit will be held on February 15, 2023. In the event the settlement is approved, it may benefit you to opt out of the class can file an individual claim against the manufacturer for a more substantial and deserving recompense.

Please contact us if you are worried about receiving just compensation for the manufacturing faults. Our professional and experienced attorneys and case analysts at the Lemon Firm may be able to help you recover full damages for your troubles. 

Call (833)-Lemon-Firm and speak to our experts today!

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Dodge And Chrysler’s Minivans Hit With Sliding Door Malfunctioning

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Dodge and Chrysler’s minivans are again in the news headlines for car functionality issues as the electrical issues and problems in integrated power modules occupy the history of these vehicles. The recent complaints are about the minivan sliding-door-lock defects. Probes by NHTSA and companies’ comments, along with a detailed discussion of the issues, are included in this article.

Chrysler and Dodge Minivans – The Family Admired Vehicles

Chrysler Minivan and Dodge Caravan are perfect for a large family. With the large interior volume, these minivans are considered a family favorite for easy and comfortable long drives. When it comes to purchasing a new car which feature concerns you most? The response of the majority of automobile owners is safety! Both the Dodge and Chrysler minivans are equipped with reliable and properly tested safety features. Moreover, these minivans are honored to receive various impressive safety crash test ratings that further ensure the vehicle’s safety.

The Chrysler variant model Pacifica won the best model award in 2021. It’s available with gas and a hybrid drivetrain, improving gas consumption. After consolidation with Chrysler, FCA shut down the production of some vehicles, including the Dodge Grand Caravan. Although the sales figure is quite reasonable, the Dodge caravan discontinued the production run in 2020.

Car Models with the Malfunctioning

Are all Dodge and Chrysler cars reported to have a problem? According to news sources, the problem has been detected in Chrysler Town and Country minivans and Dodge Grand Caravans manufactured between 2015 and 2019. The minivan owners face serious sliding door issues as the door lock is stuck and fails. The users alleged that the problem frequently develops within the warranty term. In addition to these models, minivans manufactured in 2001 are likewise particularly vulnerable, with repeated sliding-door problems.

Problems Addressed By the Owners – Sliding Door Lock Defects

Dodge and Chrysler minivan customers encountered the following issues:

  • The Dodge Caravan’s rear sliding doors failed to unlock, forcing the passengers to use the front door to come out of the car
  • The Chrysler Town & Country lock system acted up when it remained open and unlatched throughout the drive.
  • A Chrysler owner also reports the automatic sliding door issues; the door is closed spontaneously on the hand of the complainer after she opened it with the car remote.

These manual and automatic lock failures sparks danger in the community of the minivan holders. They are concerned about the minivan sliding door problem’s severe consequences and high safety risks. Multiple consumers lodged a complaint with the NHTSA, confirming the commonality of these incidents.

Investigation of the Problem by NHTSA

The seriousness of an issue is measured by the reaction or response of the victims. In the case of an issue under discussion, a total of 365 complaints were filed against the Chrysler and Dodge minivan door lock defects. The owners asserted that each or two sliding door locks of the 2016 Towing & Country Chryslers models and Dodge Caravans were defective and fell over prematurely. Have you ever experienced the minivan sliding door problem? Like dozens of others, if you have suffered too, there is good news then!

The Investigation office started its scrutiny regarding the defects on July 2021. After a thorough inspection of the minivan sliding door problem, the NHTSA discovered that 99 percent of the vehicles in question had reached their expiry time. The subjected minivans were at the age where breakdowns are common. Furthermore, the probe noted that 96 percent of the Dodge and Chrysler minivan sliding door issues arose before 2020 when the cars had been operating for around four years. In concluding remarks, the NHTSA said they did not find any causality, injury, or crash report. However, they will continue to look into the matter for the safety and security of the civilians.

FCA’S Steps Regarding the Minivan Sliding Door Problem

Customers are the backbone of any company. A company’s customers play a central role in its success. Whether a small retailer or a large enterprise, its customers have a core value in the developmental journey of the company. Therefore, listening to and solving your clients’ issues should be one of the prime goals of any company.

Considering these facts, the minivan companies also contributed to addressing and resolving the sliding door issues.

In their first move, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) directed the dealers of the company to change sliding door lock actuators rather than the whole lock system or latch assemblies. FCA gave these instructions through the technical service bulletin issued in June 2020.

Owners have complained further about the vivid buzzing sound produced by the 2016 Chrysler and Dodge minivan door lock functions. To compensate for this sliding door issue, the company has certified its warranty extension for the sliding door lock actuators for 1 million miles or 15 years. This deal was only valid on Dodge and Chrysler’s minivans manufactured from May 1, 2015, to January 9, 2017. Chrysler has also begun informing customers of their new program, which would repay the repair costs initially paid by the minivan owners.

What to Do When You Face Sliding Door Issues?

Have you ever experienced the Chrysler and Dodge minivan door lock breakdown? Sliding door issues are no doubt troublesome incidents and have high safety concerns. Fixing these problems is mandatory to avoid any unwanted encounters.

Following are some of the suggestions to cope with the minivan sliding door problems:

  • Carefully observe your vehicle at the time of lock issue.
  • Take your minivan immediately to the authorized Dodge or Chrysler dealership for repair.
  • Ensure that the approved service dealership appropriately documented your entire case in their record. 
  • Take and secure all the copies of repair receipts.

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.

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Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep Lawsuit Over Ticking, Knocking Engine Noise

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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.

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Should I opt out of the Tigershark Class action lawsuit?

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Chrysler, Dodge Ram & Jeep have reported that their vehicles have had oil consumption problems which resulted in automatic notification or warnings and in some cases shutdowns without warning. There are other common reports of excessive emissions due to large amount of release of oil into the exhaust.

This resulted in a Class action being filed in US district court. About potential class vehicles 3.7 were sold. with the Tigershark 2.4L Engines.

  • 2016-2018 Fiat 500x
  • 2015-2017 Chrysler 200
  • 2015-2018 Ram Pro Master City
  • 2013-2016 Dodge Dart
  • 2017-2018 Jeep Compass
  • 2014-2019 Jeep Cherokee
  • 2015-2018 Jeep Renegade

In their lawsuit, they stated various problems they encountered with the Tigershark 2.4L engine. They also included the failure of piston rings to connect with the cylinders that caused the Tigershark engine to consume a lot of oil.

Drivers were not informed by the system about the low rate levels of oil. And, also the system could not notify them if there were a need to change the oil. However, the system could inform about all oil information after the engine had been shut down or completely damaged.

Chrysler company did not accept all statements against Tigershark engine in this lawsuit which they described as Normal conditions.

Lawsuit settlement

Though this case had paused for a while, both parties were through mediation and agreement terms and conditions. They have been able to come up with a decided settlement. However, it still needs a final certification from the judge which will take place on December 1st, 2022. You may be able to recover more than the Class action will yield if you opt out, and we can help.

Warranty

The client is to get an expanded warranty period of seven years. Where by is also equivalent to 100,000 miles. This warranty extension is granted upon starting with the time a client took their vehicle to service. Some Chrysler clients may not benefit from this relief of 7 years warranty since some models might have already covered their warranty periods. More Exclusively in the old models like 2013.

Customer satisfaction notification (CSN)

However, this program had already been established by Chrysler to clients before the lawsuit settlement. They implemented free CSN for all clients who had a problem with oil consumption. And this implies particular modules like CSN W84, CSN W80, and CSN W20.

An owner of any above models, with any complaint about oil consumption issues. Will be required to provide the vehicle to be tested. And if the car fails the test? These are the available reap benefits that had put in place provided in the lawsuit settlement by Chrysler. 

A customer will be, specified the amount of $340 cash with the replacement of the engine block concerning the oil consumption problem in their vehicles. 

Customers will have to claim through submitting reimbursement claims for the charges they incurred in servicing their cars in issues regarding oil usage.

The lawsuit settlement requires Chrysler to pay all the charges that customers incurred during servicing or repairing their cars, due to Tigershark engine, such as transportation, towing, repairing, renting cars, and many others. However, a client should submit a document which  shows incurred costs aiming at validity and timing.

The amount of $3000 to $1000 is supposed to be paid to 42 people who sued the company. And $7.5 million will be given to the lawyers who represent them, in courts of law. According to the lawsuit settlement, if officially decreed by the judge.

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. You may be able to recover more than the Class action will yield if you opt out of the class action, and we can help. Call (833) Lemon-Firm to speak with a Lemon law expert today.

GM Lawsuits

Fiat Chrysler Nears Plea Deal In U.S. Emissions Fraud Probe

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It has been reported that Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) is nearing an agreement to plead guilty to criminal conduct for evading emission requirements surrounding Ram pickup trucks and Jeep sport-utility vehicles with diesel engines. Reuters reports that a source estimates the penalty may run between $250 million and $300 million dollars.

The report states that FCA employees installed or conspired to install illegal software in certain diesel-equipped vehicles and deceive government emission testing, allowing them to pollute beyond legal parameters without detection. In many cases, this could allow the vehicle to perform better, without being constrained as much as competitors in the same class.

Some time ago, The NHTSA also opened an investigation into nearly 605,000 heavy-duty Ram trucks all of which use 6.7-liter Cummins turbo diesel engines. Complaints revolve around loss of motive power, with most incidents occurring above 25 mph and resulting in the “permanent disablement of the vehicle.” Vehicles under suspicion include all Ram 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 HD pickups from 2019-2020 Model Year.

Back In the emissions fraud case, the fraudulent upgrades were detected in Jeep and Ram trucks equipped with the 3.0-liter EcoDiesel engines. Earlier reports indicate that 100,000 EcoDiesel models — namely the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Ram 1500 — allegedly evaded emissions requirements.

Right now, representatives of both FCA and the Justice Department declined to comment, however, 3 FCA employees have been arrested in this case and will stand trial in 2022. Furthermore, FCA already agrees to pay approximately $800 million to settle civil litigation on top of legal fees, smaller settlements, and potential sales losses as the emissions scandal wore on.

A plea agreement would cap a series of investigations dating back to 2015 surrounding diesel-powered vehicles in FCA’s U.S. lineup. This investigation is only targeting the U.S unit of the Italian-American automaker vehicles spanning model years 2014 to 2016.

Due to these emission cheating scandals; people’s interest is shifting to electric vehicles. The European automakers had promoted “clean diesel” technology but this incident uncovered that diesel vehicles polluted far more in real-world driving. Now, automakers are accelerating electric vehicle development to comply with tougher, post-Dieselgate pollution standards.

TRIAL SET FOR 2022
The FCA discussions are heating up as one of its employees prepares to face trial next year conspired to install illegal software about pollution from the vehicles and continued the deception even after officials caught Volkswagen cheating on government emissions tests. In April, the Justice Department unveiled charges against two additional FCA employees in the alleged emissions fraud. Italian authorities arrested one of the two additional employees in September.

FCA has previously resolved related civil allegations while denying cheating on emissions tests. Other legal troubles have also dogged the automaker. In March, the company pleaded guilty to violating U.S. labor law, admitting it conspired to make illegal payments to union officials.

In the emissions probe, the criminal case against FCA is expected to track closely with one against Volkswagen that the Justice Department unveiled in 2017, the people said. Volkswagen admitted to cheating on government emissions tests with diesel-powered vehicles, in the process misleading the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and customers. The German automaker pleaded guilty to charges including conspiracy to defraud the United States, commit wire fraud and violate the Clean Air Act.

Volkswagen agreed to pay $2.8 billion to resolve that criminal case and billions of dollars more to settle Justice Department civil allegations and lawsuits from vehicle owners and state officials. FCA, spoke with senior Justice Department officials in recent months to push back against a demand that the company pleads guilty, the people familiar with the matter said.

Justice Department officials rejected FCA’s request for the more lenient treatment.

In talks with U.S. prosecutors, FCA has emphasized the automaker’s January 2019 agreement to pay roughly $800 million to settle civil litigation brought by the Justice Department, state officials, and consumers alleging the company’s vehicles evaded emissions requirements, one of the people said.

Separately, FCA this year resolved legal claims from customers who opted out of the earlier settlement with consumers, according to court records.

If you, a loved one or friend owns a Diesel Dodge Ram call 833-Lemon-firm or click >a href=”http://thelemonfirm.com/contact/”>http://thelemonfirm.com/contact/ for a free consult with a case analyst today!

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Lawsuit Against Chrysler for Active Head Restraint System

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By: Nicole Halavi

In October 2020, a class-action lawsuit against Chrysler alleged that several models are equipped with a headrest that will deploy and injure an occupant without being triggered by a crash impact.

The following are the models equipped with the allegedly defective head restraint systems:

  • 2010-2018 Dodge Journey
  • 2010-2011 Dodge Nitro
  • 2010-2012 Jeep Liberty
  • 2010-2017 Jeep Patriot or Compass
  • 2010-2012 Dodge Caliber
  • 2010-2018 Dodge Caravan
  • 2010-2018 Chrysler Town & Country
  • 2011-2018 Dodge Durango
  • 2011-2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  • 2010-2014 Chrysler Sebring/Avenger
  • 2010-2014 Chrysler 200

The automaker was allegedly aware of the defective head restraint system but concealed its knowledge from its customers.

What is an Active Head Restraint System?

Back in 2010, Chrysler began equipping these models with active head restraint systems manufactured by Grammer. The system was meant to prevent a driver or passenger from whiplash in a rear-end crash. The restraint system uses a padded front and back with 2 springs that sit between these sections. The front portion contains a sled, which is a plastic bracket containing a metal rod called a striker pin. On the other hand, the back portion contains a hook connected to a sensor.

A loaded headrest, or a headrest that hasn’t deployed, is kept in place by the compressed springs in the middle of the headrest portion and the hook in the back part grabbing onto the striker pin in the front part. Ultimately, upon the sensors detecting a rear-end crash, the hook releases the striker pin and the front of the headrest deploys to catch the occupant’s head.

The suit alleges that this restraint system will suddenly activate because the sled is made of weak plastic polymer and when it reacts with a chemical compound in the striker pin’s coating, a negative interaction results. The plastic polymer is allegedly too weak to withstand the interaction with such a compound. This is evidenced by cracks in the plastic when the chemical compound on the striker pin contacts the polymer. Once the plastic degrades, the sled is no longer able to withstand the pressure of the spring-loaded headrest and thus, deploys as soon as the sled breaks.

Not surprisingly, Chrysler accuses the customer of tampering with the system when complaints are made about a headrest that deploys without an impact. The customer is then forced to pay for the headrest repair, which can cost more than $800 for just one headrest. If a customer is unable to afford this repair, they can only continue to operate the vehicle with a defective headrest that has already been deployed.

The lawsuit alleges the government received 94 Chrysler head restraint complaints during a 3-year period prior to October 2018, with 35 of those complaints alleging that the headrests deployed suddenly while driving. Even more concerning is that some plaintiffs must continue to struggle with chronic migraines and neck pain due to this defect.

What Can I Do if My Chrysler is Equipped With a Defective Head Restraint System?

If you are driving a Chrysler equipped with a defective headrest restrains system, California’s lemon laws are here to protect you and prevent any further complications. The attorneys at CCA are very knowledgeable about the defective head restraint systems equipped in the various Chrysler models 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!

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Chrysler Lifetime Powertrain Warranty Lawsuit

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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!

Chrysler

Lawsuit Alleging Defective Door Panels on Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger

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By: Nicole Halavi

Chrysler has been one of the biggest automobile manufacturers in the United States since it was founded in 1952. The Chrysler 300 is known to have one of the most powerful engines available in a domestically manufactured vehicle. Despite its popularity, this model has been the subject of recent complaints concerning a multitude of defects.  The Dodge Charger is another popular model that has also been the target of many complaints. Following these complaints from Dodge and Chrysler owners, a class action lawsuit was recently filed against Fiat Chrysler. Allegedly, the automaker was aware of a defect in the door panels and yet continued to market them.

CCA is here to help if your Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger or Dodge Daytona is equipped with flimsy and defective door panels. We invite you to call our experts today for a free consultation: (833) LEMON-FIRM.

What Are the Issues in the Chrysler and Dodge Door Panels that Resulted in a Class Action Lawsuit?

A recent class-action suit filed against Fiat Chrysler (FCA US) claims that some of their models are equipped with faulty door panels that easily unhinge from the car frame. The suit includes current and previous owners or 2014-2021 Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, and Dodge Daytona models.

Allegedly, FCA US has been aware of the problems since 2015 and knew that these affected owners would be forced to shoulder the repair expenses. The lawsuit also mentions that even when repairs are performed under warranty, the same defective door panels are installed. 

According to the lawsuit, the problem has also affected the side airbags, door locks, anti-theft mechanisms, and the heating/cooling system. Although they have been aware of the issue for years, Chrysler has allegedly done nothing to address the problem and continues to conceal the matter to sell the affected models.

An excerpt from the lawsuit states, “Defendant’s goal in refusing to make repairs in a reasonably prompt fashion is obvious: some customers will forgo the repairs, have the repair completed elsewhere, or neglect the repair until their warranties expire, thus saving Defendant the cost of making the in-warranty repairs.”

According to one of the plaintiffs, an owner of the 2016 Chrysler 300c, she dealt with the problem not once but multiple times, even after getting it repaired. Over time, all four of her door panels started coming off and separating from the frame. This led to other complications too. It affected the interior temperature control system as hot air streams were entering the vehicle from the door cavity. This owner says she had called Chrysler, and they refused to provide her with any type of repair or replacement. She says this complication has caused her to drive as little as possible.

What Can I Do if My Chrysler Model Has a Flimsy Door Panel?

If you own one of the models mentioned above and have experienced any trouble with your door panels, California’s lemon laws are here to protect you and prevent further complications. At CCA, our lawyers are well aware of the door panel issues and the details of the recent lawsuit filed. We can help you get the compensation you deserve – and at no cost to you!

If you are experiencing any of the above-mentioned issues with your vehicle, do not hesitate to contact our experts for a free consultation at: (833) LEMON-FIRM.

Line of Chrysler and Dodge vehicles, Chrysler 300 in focus

Chrysler Oil Consumption Lawsuits

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By: Nicole Halavi

Chrysler has been one of the biggest automobile manufacturers in the United States since it was founded in 1952. While Chrysler vehicles have been a popular choice amongst consumers, several models have allegedly been exhibiting transmission defects and overall reliability issues. One of the most recent lawsuits filed against FCA concerns a design/manufacturing defect in the 2.4L Tigershark Engine that results in excessive oil consumption. Oil consumption issues are much more than a frustration – oil consumption is typically a symptom of serious engine defects and can lead to premature engine failure.

If your Chrysler model has been exhibiting any ongoing oil consumption issues, CCA is here to help. Feel free to call our experts today for a free consultation: (833) LEMON-FIRM.

What is the basis of the defect that led to an oil consumption lawsuit against FCA?

The recent lawsuit against FCA alleges that Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Fiat vehicles frequently stall because of defective Tigershark engines. Allegedly, the engine is equipped with piston rings that fail to perform properly with the cylinders, which ultimately causes the vehicle to burn excess oil. This defect burdens owners with the act of constantly refilling the vehicle with oil, as a failure to do so increases the risk of stalling and sudden failures.

Additionally, the lawsuit also states that Chrysler’s oil indicator system does not alert the driver of the oil levels; the indicators only activate after the engine begins to stall or dies completely. In the long term, the defect can also lead to premature wear of the vehicle’s internal parts. According to the lawsuit, FCA has been well aware of the oil consumption issues since 2015. However, it refuses to recall these defective vehicles.

Below are a few excerpts from complaints filed by users regarding the oil consumption issues:

“It is impossible for me to wrap my head around the random inconsistent oil burning consumption of this inadequately built 2.4 liter, 4 cylinder engine. There is nothing about the consumption that is “within specs” to anyone’s standard except JEEP. What can I possibly expect from this car as the engine ages when I consider the issues I am experiencing with a new engine? I am now more concerned than ever and feel extremely unsafe in this vehicle.” – owner of a 2019 Jeep Cherokee.

“I have had this 2016 Dodge Dart for about 8 months. Today the car died while idling at a stoplight. I got it to start again after a few minutes. I called the dealership and they told me to check my oil level. I had changed the oil myself about 3 months beforehand and had put the amount of oil that the owner’s manual recommended into the car. But when I checked the oil after talking to the dealership, my oil level was extremely low! Apparently these cars burn oil and if the level gets too low they will stall.” – owner of a Dodge Dart.

What Can I Do if My Chrysler is Subject to Any of the Oil Consumption Issues Discussed?

If your Chrysler model has exhibited any of the oil consumption problems discussed above, such as stalling, sudden failures, and excessive oil consumption, CCA’s lawyers are here to help – and at no cost to you! CCA is equipped with a powerful team of lawyers who are trained to handle complicated lemon law cases and get you the relief that you deserve.

If your vehicle has been exhibiting any defects or issues, please contact our experts for a free consultation at (833) LEMON-FIRM.