Dodge, Jeep Transmission Defect Class Action Lawsuit Overview:
- Who: A Jeep driver lodged a class action lawsuit against FCA US LLC.
- Why: The plaintiff claimed Chrysler failed to tell consumers about defective continuously variable transmissions installed in some of their Jeep Patriot, Jeep Compass and Dodge Caliber vehicles. A judge has dismissed the case.
- Where: The Jeep transmission defect class action lawsuit was dismissed in a California federal court.
A judge has thrown out a class action lawsuit brought by a Jeep owner who alleged Fiat Chrysler (FCA) didn’t tell drivers about defects with the automatic transmission system on some of its vehicles.
In an order posted Feb.19 in a California federal court, U.S. District Judge Jesus G. Bernal ruled that much of the plaintiff’s claims were based on expert testimony that was later struck down so the allegations did not stand.
One expert brought for lead plaintiff Steve Zuehlsdorf was challenged by FCA, which argued that the mechanical engineer’s testimony should be struck because he was unqualified and his opinions and methodology were unreliable.
Since Zuehlsdorf’s “sole evidence of damages was predicated on the now-stricken testimony … the court finds no triable issue of fact as to damages,” the judge found. “The court thus grants the [motion for summary judgment] and dismisses the complaint with prejudice.”
Chrysler Failed To Disclose Problem To Consumers, Class Action Alleges
In the original complaint, filed in 2021, the lawsuit alleged that Chrysler manufactured, marketed and sold model year 2010-13 Jeep Patriot, 2010-13 Jeep Compass and 2010-12 Dodge Caliber vehicles with a defective transmission and failed to disclose the problem to consumers.
Zuehlsdorf claimed the vehicles were fitted with a defective Jatco JF011E continuously variable transmission (CVT), which causes sudden, unexpected violent jerking and shaking when a driver attempts to accelerate.
He said Chrysler intentionally withheld information about the defect from consumers, even though it had known about it since as early as 2007, when it first began selling the vehicles equipped with the defective CVTs.
He has claimed FCA was guilty of unjust enrichment and in violation of California’s Consumers Legal Remedies Act, California Business & Professions Code § 17200, the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act and the California Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act.
Meanwhile, Chrysler was part of another class action lawsuit filed recently that alleged it, along with GM, intentionally concealed from consumers the presence of explosive airbags in some of its trucks.
Have you purchased a Dodge or Jeep with transmission problems? Let us know what you think of this case being dismissed, in the comments!
The plaintiff is represented by Jordan L. Lurie, Tarek H. Zohdy, Cody R. Padgett and Trisha K. Monesi of Capstone Law APC.
The Dodge, Jeep Transmission Defect Class Action Lawsuit is Zuehlsdorf v. FCA US LLC, Case No. 2:18-cv-07639, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.
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8 thoughts onUpdate: Dodge, Jeep Transmission Defect Class Action Dismissed
2011 jeep compass purchased new from Bremerton dealer. Didn’t like the way the transmission felt and sounded. Called dealer and they said that was normal. I asked about service intervals and the told me the transmission doesn’t require service. Paid the car off and shortly after the transmission went out with only 100k miles on it. Quoted $7000 to repair from a very reputable local transmission shop and was told they get several vehicles with these cvt transmissions in every week. I’ve owned 4 jeeps over the last 30 years and after not receiving any support for repair and the false information from the dealer when purchased, I will never purchase another.
I was not aware of the complications of transmission with my Jeep Compass. I just finished paying it off in gull it hit 115k and transmission just crashed out of no where its going to be $6500 we were quoted from a reputable transmission company. It cheaper to just buy a used one online. I feel this is unfair jeep should be held liable to good standards transmission should work until $150k at least
Pick n pull are $2200 just for avused one not including labor and the car is in great shape has bells & whistles is an amazing car 2012
Just purchased a 2018 Jeep Compass had it fir avoyt 6 mths and just started having an errir light coming on in the jeep. And the error light says Service Air bag. Now this is totally new to me. I am finding out it is very expensive to service an air bag. Just dont know what to do about this situation. I hsve only had the car only for mths now. Tried to take it back where I got it from and he will not help me. Just hoping that some kindbof settkement woyld come up to help me with it.
I have a 2013 Dodge Dart that had the cable replaced and has since given out after only one year of the replacement leaving me stranded at a gas station after attempting to put it into park. Dodge thinks it can just give out a one year replacement transmission bushing for a vehicle which the sole purpose of is movement? Then leaving the customer 500-1000$ out on the cost? Yeah, never buying a Chrysler make again. Especially being a known issue to then push onto the customer asking to replace a transmission bushing every year sounds criminal to me, make better part replacements. How does my first transmission bushing last nearly 9 years and the replacement lasts 2? Ultimately I’m really frustrated and wish that there could be more clarity on why this problem is pushed onto the customer for a seemingly bad design for cost.
I have a 2012 Jeep Compass Sport w a CVT transmission and having issues with. Transmission went out ,vehicle will not move @ 154000. I can’t afford $5000 to repair vehicle for a rebuilt transmission
I have a 2012 Jeep Compass Sport w a CVT transmission and having issues with. Transmission went out ,vehicle will not move @ 154000
We have a 2012 Jeep Compass with less than 100k miles. Jerky action when accelerating and can’t drive on the highway because the RPMs run hot. Eventually, the check engine light comes on and the car shuts off. The fault code read something like “Transmission Overtemp” or something. We should have done our research. Well played dealer, well played. Still runs as an around-town car but not much else.
I own a 2011 Dodge Caliber, that the engine runs great, but the car won’t move an inch because the transmission has gone completely out. The car has a grand total of 135,000 miles on It. This has caused me great hardship because it was my only transportation, and to replace the transmission will be $3000 plus labor. I can’t afford that.