Stellantis class action overview:
- Who: A Michigan federal judge trimmed claims in a class action lawsuit against Stellantis.
- Why: The judge ruled that the consumers failed to provide enough evidence to support their claims that the automaker sold vehicles with defective door panels.
- Where: The Stellantis class action lawsuit was filed in Michigan federal court.
A Michigan federal judge trimmed a class action lawsuit alleging certain Dodge Chargers and Chrysler 300s have warp-prone door panels, leaving just one claim standing.
During a Nov. 3 hearing, U.S. District Judge Matthew F. Leitman dismissed drivers’ express warranty claims and a claim under the Arizona Consumer Fraud Act, leaving only a claim under Texas’ Deceptive Trade Practices Act.
The Stellantis class action lawsuit alleges the automaker used a low-cost polymer prone to warping in warm temperatures for the interior trim of 2014–2019 Chrysler 300 and Charger vehicles, causing door panels to warp and separate from the frame when exposed to heat.
Leitman said the alleged door defect was not covered by warranty, so breach of warranty claims brought by three of the four named plaintiffs failed.
The judge granted summary judgment to Stellantis’ North American unit, FCA US LLC, on plaintiff Justin Rudick’s Arizona Consumer Fraud Act claim because Rudick purchased his 2018 Dodge Charger used.
Arizona law generally does not allow subsequent purchasers to bring claims against a manufacturer, the judge said.
The drivers argued FCA had provided quality assurances by giving Rudick’s Charger a “certified pre-owned” designation. The assurances were misleading because FCA was aware of the door defect but did not tell dealers to disclose it, they argued.
The judge found that Rudick failed to show he purchased the car as “certified pre-owned” or to explain what FCA’s certification process involved, including whether it would have ensured the door was in good condition.
Judge invites Stellantis to refile sanctions motion
The only claim left in the Stellantis class action lawsuit is a claim for violation of the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act brought by named plaintiff Matthew Schrader.
Schrader was also the subject of a sanctions motion discussed at the hearing because he sold his 2018 Dodge Charger before Stellantis could inspect it.
FCA argued the loss of the vehicle warranted the complete dismissal of Schrader’s claim.
Judge Leitman said FCA’s motion failed to explain why inspectors needed physical access to the vehicle or why the existing photographs of Schrader’s car were insufficient.
He invited FCA to refile its sanctions motion with additional details about the inspection process.
What do you think about the judge’s decision to trim the Stellantis class action lawsuit? Let us know in the comments.
The plaintiffs are represented by Eric D. Barton and Melody R. Dickson of Wagstaff & Cartmell LLP, E. Adam Webb and Matthew C. Klase of Webb Klase & Lemond LLC and David H. Fink and Nathan J. Fink of Fink Bressack.
The Stellantis class action lawsuit is Johnson, et al v. FCA USA LLC, Case No. 4:20-cv-12690, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan.
Don’t Miss Out!
Check out our list of Class Action Lawsuits and Class Action Settlements you may qualify to join!
Read About More Class Action Lawsuits & Class Action Settlements:
One thought on Dodge and Chrysler drivers lose all but one claim in door panel defect class action lawsuit
2019 chrysler 300s sign me up