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Jeep class action lawsuit overview:
- Who: Plaintiffs Jacob Reinkraut, Steve Smith, and Matthew Chapman filed a class action lawsuit against FCA US LLC.
- Why: FCA allegedly knew that some of its Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator vehicles contained a windshield defect that makes the windshield prone to cracking, fracturing, or chipping.
- Where: The Jeep class action lawsuit was filed in New Jersey federal court.
- What are my options: CarShield provides vehicle service protection to brands like Jeep.
FCA US LLC manufactures and sells certain Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator vehicles with a dangerous defect that makes their windshields prone to cracking, fracturing, or chipping, according to a class action lawsuit filed May 23 in New Jersey federal court.
Plaintiffs Jacob Reinkraut, Steve Smith, and Matthew Chapman say they have experienced the windshield defect in their Jeep vehicles and had to pay hundreds of dollars out of pocket to have their windshields replaced due to significant cracks.
The plaintiffs assert that they did not see anything impact the windshield before the cracks manifested.
Jeep windshield defect poses unreasonable safety hazard, class action says
FCA advertises its Wrangler and Gladiator vehicles as safe, dependable, and durable, the Jeep class action lawsuit says. However, they are allegedly manufactured with a defect that causes the front windshield to crack, fracture, or chip for reasons that would not cause a normal, non-defective windshield to fail.
The plaintiffs say that Jeep windshield cracking has occurred “during use of the defroster or having a small pebble from the road bounce up onto the windshield.”
When the Jeep windshield cracks, it can pose an unreasonable safety hazard because it affects the driver’s visibility and increases the risk of injury to vehicle occupants, the Jeep class action lawsuit alleges.
FCA knew about the Jeep windshield defect but concealed it from consumers, the plaintiffs claim. They note that FCA should have known about the issue from numerous customer complaints, field investigations, online forum discussions, and communications with service technicians.
Reinkraut, Smith, and Chapman say they would not have purchased their Jeep vehicles, or would have paid substantially less for them, had they known about the Jeep windshield defect.
The plaintiffs filed the Jeep class action lawsuit on behalf of themselves and a proposed class of consumers who have owned or leased Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Gladiator vehicles for model years 2016 to the present.
In May, more than 132,000 model year 2014-2016 Jeep Cherokees were recalled due to fire risk.
Have you experienced the Jeep windshield defect? Tell us about your experience in the comments!
The plaintiffs are represented by Bruce H. Nagel and Randee M. Matloff of Nagel Rice LLP.
The Jeep windshield class action lawsuit is Racob Reinkraut, et al. v. FCA US LLC, Case No. 2:23-cv-02792-JMV-CLW, in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey.
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23 thoughts onJeep class action claims some Wranglers, Gladiators contain windshield defect
Add me please, been thru 2 windshields in the last 6 months.
I have replaced 4 windshields on 2 different Jeep Cherokee Latitude Lux models 2019 and 2021. Both had the same exact issue where a tiny rock caused a large crack. All have been either in or very near to the black area around the outside of the windshield so none can be fixed, only replaced. Jeep needs to be held accountable for the Cherokee models as well.
I would love to get into a class action law suit for my 2022 Jeep Gladiator. The water pours into my vehicle on the passenger side. It is currently at the garage to be repaired, and I was just told the cost of the repair may not be under warranty. I just bought my Jeep Gladiator this past December.
I traded in a 5 yr old Jeep Wrangler that I had to replace a plastic radiator for a lot of money because it too was not covered.
I would also like in in the class action case as last winter I went to get in my Jeep and had noticed the windshield had cracked. The Jeep was sitting in my driveway anid it hadn’t appeared to have been hit with anything. Was really puzzled about the situation. I have had to drive it with a broken windshield since as I’ve had to sink $2,800 into it to get it running again. The day I got it back from dealership went to use the heater and it had quit working. Called the dealership and they told me I should’ve told them while I was on lot. I waited too long and they didn’t know if it was due to (my) human error or what but they’d be happy to put ne in the waiting list to get it serviced (& pay for the repairs)a.s.a.p. So at this time I can’t afford to pay out of pocket for a windshield
i also have thwete leak issue as well….i was wondering where TH* water came from…floor wet and i definitely smell mold….isnt that a big case in itself?
i have a 2016 sahara and also experienced the windshield chipping then eventually cracking…i was stunned when i saw the chips..yes there are 2 chips …one of them leading into a crack right almost center of the front windshield…i have 8 more payments on it …actually i am very close to selling the jeep to carmax….in fact, its only a couple weeks from now that i will be selling it. I would love to see what you guys think and let me know what my next step should be. Only reason i still have it is because the jeep popped up some codes…P0201 …P2302…P0103
My 2017 Jeep Wrangler cracked due to a small pebble hitting it last year in July 2022. It occurred again on September 11th, 2023 from a small pebble. Upon getting it fixed on September 13th, two days later another pebble striked the windshield causing a crack on September 15th that has resulted in another wind shield replacement.
My windshield cracked over night in my parking spot. My seats won’t click in lock. It’s like driving with a rocking chair seat. My heater kicks on every time I start my Jeep abc won’t let me turn off for a period of time. Gives me asthma attacks every time. 2020 Jeep wrangler Lt
I am interested in the Lawsuit, Reinkraut, et al, v FCA LLC concerning the windshields in Jeep Gladiators. I recently purchased a Gladiator, and before I could even take delivery, they had to put in a new windshield. Then during a trip in July I was hit with a rock which put a large circular crack in the top left portion of the glass. After having it replace, about 2 weeks later while sitting in my driveway, the glass just cracked, nothing hit it, I wasn’t even moving. The retailer that replaced the broken glas previously said it was impact damage. As of this time, I haven’t been able to replace this glass as I am trying to work out something with the retailer. I was informed that it seems that Jeep glass seems to be a problem, and that after market replacement glass, as opposed to OEM glass, seems to work better, but it’s not a proven fact. If this truly is an issue, I would like more information, or be added as a plaintiff to this case, or any like it.
Any one else having mold issues from Jeep wrangler leaking rain water? Water leaking threw door frame leaving floor soaked! Up to 3 inches of water has to be removed after storms! Creating mold issues in vehicle!
I don’t have any mold (mostly vehicle is kept in the garage) but you can’t open your door when it’s raining without getting drenched from water above the door.
I don’t have any mold (mostly vehicle is kept in the garage) but you can’t open your door when it’s raining without getting drenched from water above the door. I also had my windshield crack just sitting in my driveway.