Fiat Chrysler Class Action Filed Over Faulty Engine Part

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A second class action lawsuit has been filed against Fiat Chrysler over allegedly defective catalytic converters in certain vehicle models.

Lead plaintiff Elizabeth Crump claims that Fiat Chrysler failed to inform her and other vehicle owners of the problem affecting the following vehicles: 2011-2016 Dodge Journey, 2011-2014 Chrysler 200/Dodge Avenger, 2011-2012 Dodge Caliber, and the 2011-2016 Jeep Compass/Patriot.

Crump contends that in addition to the defective catalytic converter, Fiat Chrysler bungled the recall, subjecting California consumers to a long waiting period before their vehicle can be repaired and pass emissions testing in order to obtain a registration.

Fiat Chrysler announced the recall in March, affecting more than 860,000 Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep vehicles due to the faulty catalytic converter.

“Catalytic converters are comprised of, in part, precious metals, such as palladium. The market for palladium is ‘already reeling from shortages,’” contends the Fiat Chrysler recall class action lawsuit.

“Because the equipment to perform repairs on their vehicles may be in short supply, and the vehicles’ fixes are being made available on a set quarterly schedule with the oldest vehicles first, consumers must wait their turn for a fix.”

According to the FCA class action lawsuit, the Environmental Protection Agency announced that owners subject to emissions testing may not be able to drive vehicles affected by the recall until they are fixed.

Further, the California Air Resources Board stated that vehicle owners within California who fail to get their recalled vehicle repaired will be barred from registering their vehicles.

“Approximately 900,000 Fiat Chrysler consumers like Plaintiff Crump are outraged to learn from news reports that surfaced on March 13, 2019 that they must (among other things) devote time and energy to obtaining critical vehicle repairs,” alleges the class action lawsuit.

The Fiat Chrysler class action lawsuit points out that without a valid registration, not only can the car owner not drive the vehicle, the vehicle cannot be sold.

Further, alleges the plaintiff, Fiat Chrysler failed to properly account for and inform vehicle owners about the effect of a delayed recall. Instead, owners had to learn from government agencies notifying them that they would potentially not be able to drive their cars.

“Instead of disclosing to consumers the true nature and extent of its vehicles’ emissions issues, FCA has continued its ardent efforts to boost its own bottom line, at consumers’ considerable expense and inconvenience,” the FCA class action states.

This is the second class action lawsuit to hit Fiat Chrysler over the recall. A Michigan woman also contends that she and other vehicle owners were not informed about the massive recall and the effect it would have on the ability to use and sell vehicles.

This Fiat Chrysler class action lawsuit seeks to represent a nationwide Class of vehicle owners affected by the recall, along with an Arizona subclass.

The plaintiff is represented Ron Kilgard, Lynn Lincoln Sarko and Alison Chase of Keller Rohrback LLP.

The Fiat Chrysler Recall Class Action Lawsuit is Crump v. Fiat Chrysler America NV, et al., Case No. 4:19­-cv­-00194, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona.