Lawsuit Against Chrysler for Active Head Restraint System

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!

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!

Chrysler Oil Consumption Lawsuits

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.

Chrysler Vehicle’s Frustrating and Dangerous Transmission Defects

By: Nicole Halavi

The lawyers at CCA have been helping clients whose Chrysler vehicles have exhibited transmission defects for years. Our clients have complained of a variety of transmission issues, including harsh shifts, poor acceleration, vehicle hesitation, jerky shifts, metal in the transmission fluid, and premature transmission failure. Transmission problems are particularly frustrating because, oftentimes, dealerships are unable to diagnose or repair such issues. Clients come to us frustrated because the dealership has repeatedly told them that there was “no problem found” or that the transmission is “operating as designed.” Fortunately, for such clients, California’s strong consumer protection laws protect consumers when automakers turn their backs on them.
If your Chrysler vehicle has been exhibiting any ongoing transmission issues or defects, CCA is here to help. We invite you to call our experts today for a free consultation: (833) LEMON-FIRM.
What are the Persistently Exhibited Transmission Issues in the Chrysler Models?
Recently, a class-action lawsuit was filed against FCA regarding a defect in the ZF 9HP 9-speed transmission that in several Chrysler models. The alleged transmission defect caused an array of issues such as unexpected jerks, lurches, harsh gear shifts, and sudden transmission failure. Consumers have also claimed that the transmission defect led to problems with the gear system, which then resulted in grinding and the inability to shift gears.
According to the lawsuit, the ZF 9HP 9-speed transmission system was intended to be an improvement of the older transmission models. The ZF 9HP 9-speed transmission boasts a unique design that promotes better performance and fuel economy while maintaining all of the benefits the older model displayed.
Other Chrysler customers also allege that the transmission defects caused problems with the accelerators, such as a sudden loss of power, and premature wearing of transmission components.
The lawsuit also expresses that the problems presented are not minor and will require expensive repairs or replacements of the defected transmission components.
An owner of the Cherokee Trailhawk 3.2L expressed his issues with the transmission as follows: “When driving my 2017 Jeep Cherokee Trail Hawk in Yosemite, the transmission would not down shift below 4th gear even when I came to a complete stop. This has also happened when I was coming home from work, but the transmission would not shift below 5th gear.”
Another complaint from a user of the 2017 Renegade Trailhawk stated the following: “Transmission shifts rough, slams into gear, causes stalling. Have complained to three different dealers, Northwest Hills in Torrington, CT, Mitchell in Simsbury CT and Gengras in East Hartford. None of them have recorded the complaint and all of them have dismissed it as “transmission learning”, and tried to convince me that it is not a problem.”
Below is a list of vehicles included in the class action lawsuit filed against FCA:
• 2016-2019 Jeep Cherokee
• 2016-2019 Jeep Renegade
• 2016-2018 Chrysler 200
• 2016-2019 ProMaster City
What Can I Do if My Chrysler Model is Subject to Any of the Defects Discussed?
If your Chrysler has exhibited any of the transmission problems discussed above, such as rough gear shifting, sudden failures, and jerks, CCA’s lawyers are here to help – and at no cost to you! CCA is equipped with a 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.