Jeep clutch defect class action overview:
- Who: FCA USA is facing a class action lawsuit claiming 2018-2023 Jeep Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited and 2020-2023 Gladiator have a clutch defect.
- Why: The clutch pressure plate can become overheated, fracture and then allow heated debris to contact an ignition source and create a fire hazard in the vehicle, the lawsuit claims.
- Where: The Jeep class action was filed in federal court in Michigan.
FCA USA is facing a class action lawsuit claiming the 2018-2023 Jeep Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited and 2020-2023 Gladiator have a defect in the clutch that can cause the vehicle to lose power in traffic or create a fire hazard.
The vehicle’s clutch pressure plate can become overheated, fracture and then allow heated debris to contact an ignition source and create a fire hazard in the vehicle, the Jeep class action claims.
“These high temperatures in turn create a failure condition that causes the vehicle to be unusable,” the Jeep clutch defect lawsuit says. “Additionally, due to the forces, materials and mechanisms involved, a malfunctioning or incorrectly designed clutch can create dangerous conditions, including fires.”
Recalls and clutch replacements haven’t fixed issue as hazard remains, Jeep class action says
Jeep has recalled the vehicles but been unable to fix the issue despite a pair of recalls that led the Jeep clutches to be replaced with “identical, failure prone units and installing ineffective software,” according to the Jeep class action.
Jeep owners have had to pay out-of-pocket expenses to repair the issues, have costs coming related to future repairs or replacements or lost value in future sales of the vehicles, the Jeep clutch defect lawsuit says.
Chrysler issued a recall earlier this month for more than 97,000 of its model year 2022-2024 Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer vehicles over concerns they contain defective third-row seat belt buckles that are inaccessible or damaged.
Do you have a Jeep that is impacted by the clutch defect? Let us know in the comments.
The plaintiffs are represented by Joel D. Smith and Matthew A. Girardi of Bursor and Fisher P.A. along with Nick Suciu III of Milburg Coleman Bryson Phillips Grossman PLLC.
The Jeep clutch defect class action lawsuit is Myslivecek, et al. v. FCA US LLC, Case No. 2:23-cv-12980-LVP-KGA, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan.
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11 thoughts onJeep class action claims certain vehicles have clutch defect
I have a Jeep Wrangler Willys I was sent a recall noticed that said they expect to have a solution around March of 2021 I had had it for 4 years with just over 10,000 miles on it for fear of breaking down so I am limited to driving close to home. I have contacted the dealership they gave me phone number 800 334 9200 they only said there is nothing they can do the engineers are working on trying to resolve the issue. I have not changed anything on the Jeep it is 100% stock It appears that Jeep does not give a crud about there loyal customers well being.
I’m waiting to see if I get reimbursed for the ACT clutch I had installed into my Jeep Wrangler JLU 2021 by a private repair shop. I need to drive cross country and could not afford to wait until this summer to get a new one. And I’ve since seen many owners who continue to have trouble with the replacement clutches. I do not trust the dealers to fix this problem based on what I’ve seen online via forums and a Facebook site mentioned above.
I have a 2021 wrangler. I have call3d the dealership several times about recall. The only answer they give me is that they don’t have the parts.
I have a jeep 2020 manual gladiator. I received a recall notice in April of 2023. I have called several dealerships to try and fix the problem and was told by all of them that there is no fix. In the meantime the clutch has overheated several times and constantly slips when changing gears and is becoming not drivable. I explained this to all of the dealerships and was told there is nothing they can do.
2023 JLU Rubicon, started smelling something I thought at times around 3,500 miles, put in ACT at 4,000
I have a 2020 rubicon going on its third clutch. And only have 18500 miles on it
My 2018 exploded in Tennessee w 46k miles after having #1Cochran in Natrona heights pa replace the clutch with the same bad clutch and having the original 3 recalls completed. Transmission casing sent shrapnel through engine. Jeep quoted me $13000. I had it shipped back to my dealership they quoted $11500. I ended up having a private shop complete all repairs and put an aftermarket clutch in. I had purchased the vehicle used and was unaware that the clutch was replaced prior to my purchase.
I started the fb page jeep clutch recall. We have a large group who have had the same issues. Pretty sure it was our group who got the 4th recall
I have a 2018 Wrangler Sahara. The clutch went out three weeks after I bought it (it was used). After I had to paid to have it replaced I received a recall, BUT since it wasn’t replaced by a Jeep dealership they won’t reimburse me. How do they expect me to know what the recall requirements are before I get the recall???
I’m very disappointed in the corporation and I highly doubt that I would ever buy one of their products in the future.
I have a 2017 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubucon Recon, (purchased New2017) that is currently setting at the Jeep Dealership with a Transmission that has both Clutch Burned out and will not Drive. My Service Contract Company denied the Claim to pay for Repair because the Vehicle had 35″ Tires on it, which are the same tires that were on the Vehicle when the Contract was written 15 Month before the problem occurred.
I had a 2021 Jeep Wrangler Sahara with approx 35k miles. I received a recall notice in March but was told I’d be notified when a repair was available. On 10/26/23 my clutch exploded causing a fire while driving 70mph on hwy with 2 nephews, age 4 and 5.