Chrysler Shaken Up by Dodge Ram Steering Defect Class Action Lawsuit

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On October 3, the Chrysler Group was hit with a class action lawsuit alleging that the steering in its popular pickup model, the Dodge Ram, contains a defect that causes the vehicle to shake uncontrollably when driving at high speeds.

Lead plaintiff Richard Samuel alleges in his class action lawsuit that while driving on the freeway in his 2007 model Dodge Ram 3500, the truck began shaking uncontrollably. Samuel claims the truck shook so violently he pulled over to see if he had a flat tire, but after verifying the tires were okay thought it was an isolated incident.

However, the same steering problem occurred again, Samuel alleges in the Dodge Ram class action lawsuit, and, even after providing a new alignment and tires, the shaky steering problem did not stop. He also alleges that later he received a recall notice for the tire rods in his truck, but his Ram did not include the recalled part according to the Chrysler dealership and the employees of the dealership did not know anything about the steering problems in his 2007 Dodge Ram.

In his class action lawsuit, Samuel claims that model year 2004-2012 Dodge Rams are subject to this “death wobble” due to a defect in their steering systems. The affected vehicles allegedly include the 2004-2012 Dodge Ram 2500; 2004-2012 Dodge Ram 3500; the 2007-2012 Dodge Ram 3500 Cab Chassis trucks; 2008-2012 Dodge Ram 4500 and 5500; and 2006-2008 Dodge RAM 1500.

The “death wobble” allegedly occurs when the Dodge Rams are traveling on uneven surfaces at speeds over 50 miles per hour, and will only stop when the vehicle is brought to a complete stop. The Dodge Ram class action lawsuit alleges that the defect stems from the steering linkage system.

According to the steering defect class action lawsuit, the steerage linking system should stabilize front wheels when trucks roll over bumps or other uneven surfaces at high speeds. However, in the defective Rams, the front wheels do not properly stabilize when the trucks go over uneven surfaces. Eventually, normal wear and tear on the vehicles results in uncontrollable shaking, the class action lawsuit alleges.

Chrysler has allegedly known about the problem since the mid-2000s and waited almost half a decade before issuing recalls that the Dodge Ram class action lawsuit describes as “botched.” “The recalls omitted many affected vehicles and provided replacement parts that were themselves defective,” alleges the class action lawsuit, “forcing Chrysler to make additional recalls to remedy previous ones.”

Additionally, due to high demand for parts, Chrysler has not be able to repair all the Dodge Rams that have been brought to dealerships in response to the recalls and problems due to the defect, the Dodge Ram class action lawsuit says. Samuel also alleges that there have been many other complaints documented online about the “death wobble.”

Samuel seeks class certification, as well as an injunction against Chrysler’s allegedly unlawful business practices, disgorgement of profits from the sale of the defective Dodge Rams, restitution, damages for unjust enrichment, negligence, negligent misrepresentation, failure to warn and unfair competition.

Chrysler was hit with a similar Dodge Ram steering defect class action lawsuit earlier this year.

Samuel is represented by Eric H. Gibbs with Girard Gibbs of San Francisco, and Gregory F. Coleman with Greg Coleman Law of Knoxville, Tenn.

The Dodge Ram Steering Defect Class Action Lawsuit is Richard Samuel v. Chrysler Group LLC, Case No. 8:14-cv-01608, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.