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FCA US LLC has been hit with a class action lawsuit over an alleged manufacturing defect in certain Jeep Wrangler vehicles that damages the vehicles’ radiators, oil coolers and other components, causing the heater, defroster and air conditioning systems to fail.
According to plaintiffs Donna Mooradian and William Mooradian, Chrysler manufactures engine component parts by using expendable sand molds to form metal parts from alloys, a process called the sand-casting method.
The alleged radiator defect affects model year 2012 through 2017 Jeep Wrangler vehicles, the class action says. These vehicles have a Pentastar V-6 3.6-liter engine, which is reportedly made using a die-casting method instead of a sand-casting method. However, a sand-crafting method is used to make the cylinder head located on top of the engines.
The radiator defect allegedly occurs because Chrysler fails to sufficiently purge casting sand from the cylinder head during the manufacturing process. This excess sand gradually “seeps out” and causes the Jeep Wranglers’ radiators and oil coolers to “fill with a sludge-like residue that damages and ultimately destroys these and other components,” according to the Jeep Wrangler class action lawsuit.
“Plaintiffs and the Class do not learn of the existence of the Manufacturing Defect until the heating and cooling systems fail even though the sand starts to shed from the cylinder head and collect in the radiator immediately after the vehicle is driven,” the Jeep Wrangler class action lawsuit says.
When heating and cooling systems fail, the vehicle’s safety is compromised, the plaintiffs say. For example, drivers cannot defrost their vehicles, making it unsafe to drive in certain cold-weather conditions.
The plaintiffs assert Chrysler should have known about the manufacturing defect because pre-sale testing of the vehicles would have detected the issue by 2011. Further, hundreds of consumer complaints were lodged against Chrysler over this alleged manufacturing defect, so Chrysler should have been aware of the issue by June 2012.
However, Chrysler failed to disclose the radiator defect to consumers who had purchased the affected vehicles and continued to sell vehicles that allegedly contained the defect. Further, Chrysler refuses to cover the costs of labor and repair for the manufacturing defect during the warranty period, claiming instead that the problem was caused by owner misuse or external factors, the Jeep Wrangler class action lawsuit alleges.
The plaintiffs claim they leased a new 2013 Jeep Wrangler in 2013. After a few years, they noticed the heater and defroster emitted only cool air. When they took the vehicle in to a dealer, they were told that the radiator, oil cooler and heater core would need to be replaced, and that the repair was not covered under warranty.
The Jeep Wrangler class action lawsuit brings claims against FCA US LLC for breach of express warranty, breach of implied warranties, breach of the Magnuson Moss Warranty Act, and breach of the Ohio Consumer Sales Practices Act.
The plaintiffs are represented by Jack Landskroner and Drew Legando of Landskroner Grieco Merriman LLC; Daniel K. Bryson and John Hunter Bryson of Whitfield Bryson & Mason LLP; and Gregory F. Coleman of Greg Coleman Law PC.
The Jeep Wrangler Manufacturing Defect Class Action Lawsuit is Donna Mooradian, et al. v. FCA US LLC, Case No. 1:17-cv-01132, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Eastern Division.
UPDATE: The Jeep Wrangler Manufacturing Defect Class Action Lawsuit was dismissed on December 21, 2017, due to individual settlements being reached.
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325 thoughts onJeep Wrangler Class Action Says Vehicles Have Manufacturing Defect
2014 Jeep Wrangler Sahara unlimited purchased new with 9 miles on it—- it is my daily driver, vacation takin, you name it, we drive vechile. In December of 2016, the temp started to get a little higher than normal. Took it to the mechanic shop—radiator need to be replaced. Within 6 months, I noticed oil leaking but couldn’t figure out where from so back to the shop for another major expense, oil filter housing cracked and must be replaced. Another 6 months passes, over heating again. This go round, we had a 50/50 chance of it being the thermostat or blower motor. I chose to go the cheaper route and have the thermostat replaced. To my surprise, that was it!!!! Now here I am, yet again my jeep is over hearing worse than ever so it’s back to the damn shop for the blower motor!!!!! I have every receipt for every part purchased, labor put into fixing the prob, and almost every oil change since purchase date!! SIGN ME UP!!!!
I am having the same above issues on my 2015 Rubicon. How do I join this lawsuit?
I have a 2015 Jeep wrangler. I bought the vehicle when it had 19 thousand miles, and now I have 21 thousand miles. I have had the vehicle for almost 4 month, but to be honest the vehicle never slept a week at my house. I have been going to the dealership back and forth for a huge engine oil issues. They have tried to fix the vehicle for four times and the vehicle have not been successfully fixed. I have been experiencing so many problems unbelievable…….
My 2018 JKU just had a flood of radiator fluid under it and it only has 3500 miles on it. I haven’t even had it for 2 months!! How do I get on the class action. Looks like I will need it.
How do I participate in the class action lawsuit???
I have a 15 Wrangler took it in to the dealership because I smelled coolant. Couldn’t find a leak and is not getting hot but they did a pressure test and said I would need a new radiator.It only has 37,000 miles on it and it is not covered under warranty they say… nor is it part of the powertrain warranty. I keep reading of all these radiator problems there should be a recall
How can I be apart of this suit. 2015 Jeep Wrangler. Same problems.
I have a 2015 Jeep Wrangler JK with 49K on it and took it in because the radiator fan started running while driving. Dealership told me I had a radiator leak at a seam and it needed to be replaced. $142 for diagnostic visit and $600 for the replacement. Service Manager told me it was not uncommon. I asked him if he was effing kidding me? What are my options? How do I get into the Class Action?
I have the 2017 Jeep wrangler unlimited black ops. I live in Canada and I took it to the dealer since it was overheating and smell of oil… the coolant tank was empty. took it to the dealer and they found the radiator and the fans is damaged. and now they say there’s some oil leaking and they don’t know what’s causing that…. still with no car and waiting for them. I don’t know if they lawsuit will be in Canada as well?
I have a 2015 Wrangler Sahara. I have been back to the dealer under warranty multiple times and also 12 at $100 per visit on a extended warranty. The problem is still not repaired and I was forced to call Jeep/Chrysler who left me with a reference # and told me I would be contact. Jeep is now going back to the dealer today for the same problem with a leak. I have also experienced the loss of heat and paid for that repair under the extended warranty. The time spent running back to the dealer and out of pocket costs have been ridiculous. The information regarding the ongoing problem was never shared with me the owner on every visit to the dealer.