California Dodge Ram Steering Defect Class Action Settlement

California owners of Dodge Ram trucks with a problem in their steering systems can now get benefits from a Dodge Ram class action settlement.

This settlement is the product of a Dodge Ram class action lawsuit that began in 2014. Lead plaintiff Shaun Sater and other plaintiffs alleged that the steering linkage system in several models of Dodge Ram trucks was defective in a way that could cause the steering system to fail without warning, putting drivers and passengers at risk for a crash.

The alleged defect has to do with the steering system’s left tie rod ball stud. Recall notices issued by Chrysler in 2013 say that this part is vulnerable to fracture. The company reported it was aware that a certain number of accidents and injuries had been linked to this particular defect.

Chrysler, named in the lawsuit as defendant FCA US, issued a second recall in 2014 relevant to this alleged defect, offering repairs free of charge.

In July 2015, a separate enforcement action by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration resulted in a consent decree between that agency and Chrysler. The consent decree required the company to repurchase certain affected Dodge Ram vehicles that had not already received a steering linkage repair under any related recalls.

The current Dodge Ram class action settlement covers vehicles and owners who were not already covered by the NHTSA consent decree.

U.S. District Judge Virginia A. Phillips granted preliminary approval of this Dodge Ram class action settlement in March 2017. Under terms of the settlement, FCA US would create a settlement fund worth $3.1 million to cover payments to affected Class Members. The settlement provides for both cash payments and warranty extensions for qualifying Class Members.

Settlement benefits are available for qualifying owners of Dodge Ram trucks manufactured between July 2009 and December 2012 and purchased new in California between July 2009 and November 2013. Benefits will be distributed automatically to known Class Members.

Who’s Eligible

Class Members eligible for benefits include all persons who purchased a new affected vehicle within California between July 1, 2009 and Nov. 6, 2013, and who were not eligible for the repurchase program set up between FCA US and the NHTSA in their consent decree dated July 24, 2015.

Affected vehicles include the following models of Dodge Ram trucks:

• 2500 4×4 manufactured between July 1, 2009 and Jan. 21, 2012
• 3500 4×4 manufactured between July 1, 2009 and Dec. 22, 2012
• 3500 Cab Chassis 4×2 and 4×4 manufactured between July 1, 2009 and Dec. 22, 2012
• 4500 manufactured between July 1, 2009 and Dec. 22, 2012
• 5500 manufactured between July 1, 2009 and Dec. 22, 2012

Potential Award

Up to $250.

Qualifying Class Members will receive both a cash payment and a warranty extension.

Cash payments will amount to $250 for each affected Dodge Ram 4500 or 5500 and to $195 for each affected 2500 or 3500 Dodge Ram.

The warranty extension applies to replacement steering linkage components issued as part of the 2013 and 2014 recalls. Class Members may get these replacement parts repaired or replaced under warranty at an FCA US dealership should such service become necessary before the end of the 2017 calendar year.

Proof of Purchase

No proof of purchase or other documentation is necessary. Settlement benefits will be distributed automatically to qualifying Class Members.

FAQs

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS »

Exclusion Deadline

7/6/2017

Case Name

Shaun Sater, et al. v. FCA US LLC, Case No. 5:14-cv-00700, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California

Final Hearing

8/14/2017

UPDATE: The California Dodge Ram Steering settlement was granted final approval on August 16, 2017.  Let Top Class Actions know when you receive a check in the comments section below or on our  Facebook page.

Settlement Website

www.SteeringLinkageClassAction.com

Claims Administrator

Sater v. Chrysler Objections
c/o Dahl Administration
PO Box 3615
Minneapolis, MN 55403-0615
(888) 439-1790

Class Counsel

Eric H. Gibbs
GIBBS LAW GROUP LLP

Mark Dearman
ROBBINS GELLER RUDMAN & DOWD LLP

Defense Counsel

Kathy A. Wisniewski
THOMPSON COBURN LLP