Emily Sortor  |  May 21, 2020

Category: Auto News

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Fiat Chrysler car sign

A group of Fiat Chrysler drivers have filed a class action lawsuit against the manufacturer, saying their engines are defective and burn too much oil.

They argue this defect causes economic injury to drivers as well as potential physical injury to drivers and others.

The Fiat Chrysler automobiles oil defect class action lawsuit was filed by Kyle Davis, Stephanie Thornton, Roberto Hernanez, Kimberly Eager, Mikaelyn McDowell, Holly Hickman, Amber Portugal, Michael Sanchez, and Arteal Jordan. They say that vehicles equipped with a 2.4L Tigershark MultiAir II Engine were affected by the defect.

The drivers claim that despite caring for the vehicles appropriately and performing regular, recommended oil changes, they experienced a defect in their vehicles that caused the engines to burn off too much oil, and then shut off or stall as a result of the problem.

Allegedly, they and other customers were not warned that the engines were defective before they purchased the vehicles — they say that the vehicles were represented to them as safe.

The Fiat Chrysler engine defect class action lawsuit states that the drivers were financially injured by the defect because if they had known it, they would not have purchased their vehicles or would not have paid as much as they did for them.

According to the customers, some Fiat Chrysler automobiles possess defective engines that burn off or consume an abnormally high amount of oil.

This can allegedly cause the Class vehicles to shut down during use, which puts the driver and others at risk of injury and death. The customers argue that the engine defect is a result of either the manufacturing or design of the engines.

The plaintiffs state that car manufacturers have a duty to make sure the vehicles they sell are safe to drive.

They explain that oil pressure affects safety, so car manufacturers must ensure that the vehicle does not consume excessive oil which could cause the oil pressure to drop too low before an oil change is recommended. If the oil pressure drops too low, the engine can shut off without warning while the vehicle is in operation. 

To support this claim, the drivers explain that Fiat Chrysler itself has stated that “an engine stall could cause a crash without prior warning.”

According to the customers, Fiat Chrysler did not disclose that the vehicle had a defect, despite being aware of the defect and fully conscious of the high stakes of such a defect.

Fiat Chrysler car lotThe Fiat Chrysler automobiles class action lawsuit goes on to say that the dangerous problem with the vehicles does not stop at the engine’s oil consumption.

The car owners say the problem is made worse by the fact that the Class vehicles’ oil indicator system does not alert drivers to the fact that their engine oil is running low. 

According to the drivers, this means they can only become aware of the low oil level and high oil consumption of the engine after the problem results in an engine stall or shut off. They stress that the stalls and engine shut offs occur when the vehicles do not recommend an oil change at that time.

The Fiat Chrysler oil consumption problem class action lawsuit states that FCA has long been aware of the problem, but attempted to conceal the defect.

The company allegedly went so far as to describe the excessive oil consumption defect as “normal” in a technical service bulletin. This was supposedly done to avoid the economic consequences of acknowledging the defect and having to recall millions of affected vehicles.

Instead of acknowledging the problem and conducting an order to repair the vehicles, the drivers argue that Fiat Chrysler has passed on the economic injury related to this danger defat to consumers.

With no help from the car manufacturer, drivers must discover the problem, seek out repairs and pay for these repairs to make their vehicles usable, says the Fiat Chrysler automobiles class action lawsuit.

Have you experienced engine problems with your vehicle? Share your story in the comments section below. 

The drivers are represented by Steve W. Berman and Elaine T. Byszewski of Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP, E. Powell Miller of The Miller Law Firm PC, and by Jeffrey S. Goldenberg and Todd Naylor of Goldenberg Schneider LPA.

The Fiat Chrysler Oil Consumption Defect Class Action Lawsuit is Kyle Davis, et al. v. FCA US LLC, Case No. 2:20-cv-11223-RHC-MJH, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan.

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74 thoughts onFiat Chrysler Class Action Says Engines Contain Oil Defect

  1. Heather Shepherd says:

    I have a 2018 Fiat 500X that is consuming oil very fast. My mechanic could find no sign of a leak but the car was stalling during acceleration from a stop and while driving. I carry oil in my car at all times because I never know when it is going to act up. This happens as early as weeks after an oil change and no one can fix the problem. Please add me to the class action suit.

  2. Amber Loebs says:

    I have a Chrysler 2017 200 and have had nothing but problems with oil since I purchased. It’s been back to dealership numerous times for almost killing me by no warning and shutting off going 45 mile an hour driving and oil gone. No warning no check engine light no low oil warning nothing just dead stop while driving …so frustrated

  3. Imma Vilches García says:

    Hello I have the same problem with my Fiat500L. The engine consumes excess oil, spending a liter approximately every 1000km. My mechanic has opened the engine there is a problem with the cylinder head and pistons. Manufacturing problem. Fiat Spain does not recognize the fault and tells me that I have to pay for the repair.

  4. Sara Schuler says:

    How do I seek help after buying a Ram3500 2019 Diesel with faulty CP4 fuel pump that was recalled and no Chrysler dealership will fix the recall??? I need help!

  5. N English says:

    2017 Jeep Renegade – Engine troubles. Went to dealer and was told I would need to pay $7000 to have engine replaced. Please add me to the lawsuit!

  6. Rick pettengill says:

    2013 Chrysler 200 ,3500.00 lifetime warranty,car engine was damaged by there mechanic, said cost more too fix than car worth, garage kept since new ,130k miles,GA e me 3000.00 bac said that’s all they could do,

  7. Renee Jolley says:

    I have a Fiat 500x with the oil problem but the people at the dealership won’t believe me. Plz add me to the lawsuit.

    1. Blake Thompson says:

      My 2012 fiat 500 has been eating oil. Did an oil change at 111k miles and just got a CEL today. Went to check it and it was COMPLETELY EMPTY. It’s insane I’m only at 112,700. The car runs and drives great when it has oil. I thought for sure that 5 quarts would be fine until my next 4k oil change. 4.5-5 quarts in almost 2k miles is wild. Have an old 1990 4.3 v6 that runs like a dream after 30 years. These new cars suck. Add me to the lawsuit please.

  8. Jonathan E. Palmer says:

    The client’s 2008 Jeep burns 1 quart of oil every 1000 miles. Despite a LifeTime Warranty, the company will not pay to repair as they claim the cost exceeds the value of the vehicle. Doesn’t LifeTime mean until the owner dies or sells the car? How can he join in the class action?

  9. Bob Graham says:

    We bought a 2020 jeep Cherokee and it uses a quart of oil every 500 miles it has the 4 cylinder fiat engine if the oil gets low it goes into limp mode and shuts off the dealer told us to just carry extra oil Chrysler should have to replace the vehicle or change the engine.

  10. RHONDA MCELLHENNEY says:

    I am currently trading my 2016 fiat 500 in because the exact same problem happened to me. No “change oil” light ever came on, but the car shut off twice. Almost burnt dry of oil. I bought the car at Carmax in January 2021. They had to know about the oil issue. Sign me up for the lawsuit.

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