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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
I bought a 2014 jeep sahara unlimited 2 water pumps 2 thermostats new radiator oil cooler no heat bad motor what a piece of shit . Been in and out of jeep dealership countless times .Sue Sue Sue. Called company no help out of warranty.Never ever buy there shit again…..
Disappointed to see this case was settled. I have a 15 JKU with less than 41k miles and have just been told my radiator needs replaced.
Likewise… purchased new 2015 JKU. Currently getting radiator replaced after owning car for <5 years and <26k miles.
Can I join the lawsuit
Same exact problem for my 2013 Jeep Wrangler unlimited – heat from passenger vents was Luke warm and air was cold on drivers side. Dealership charged me $450 to run a diagnostic and perform a radiator flush. Two days later same problem appeared so they told me there’s a stepwise approach to the repairs – radiator, coil. and heater with each costing about $1000. They told me problem was caused by sludge in heater/cooling system. When I asked how sludge gets into a closed system they said it was due to not flushing system. Unfortunately for them, I have followed the recommended service intervals since purchasing vehicle. This was at boardwalk jeep in redwood City ca. Seems a bit unscrupulous especially if repairs are only temporary. I have to assume they know about lawsuit and issue. I will never ahpgan purchase a Chrysler product!
I own a 2013 Jeep Wrangler and experienced the same problems. I have spent a lot of money trying to get heat. Had radiator problems as well. I called Jeep Customer Care to discuss the problems on multiple occasions and they denied there were any problems. Jeeps solution was “to take the Jeep to an authorized shop for repairs.” I have had subpar service from the recommend shops in my area. Still have limited heat. I bought a plug in blanket to stay warm in the vehicle. Back seat area is freezing cold. I am very disappointed in the way this problem was handled by Jeep. Dissatisfied with Jeep.
Where do you live
I’m on heater core #4 and radiator #7, new cylinder head, new water pump, 2 new thermostats, 2 sets of oil cooler gaskets and a new oil cooler, and now the head or head gasket has failed between a cylinder and coolant passage!
Needless to say I have not had a failure as of yet, but vehicle only as 14k on it, and it’s a 2016 Rubicon. Furthermore, I took it to the dealer this past Saturday and request to have a complete cooling system flush.
However, the Service Rep did not do as I had requested and had an engine flush performed on it instead of what I wanted.
He misunderstood what I wanted done as well as to what I had told him and I misunderstood what he was having done. Yesterday (Sunday, Oct 21, 2018) I noticed my coolant reservoir moves side to side and some upward movement as well. I contacted the dealer and spoke with the service rep is when I discovered the coolant system was never flushed.
Therefore, after I returned home from work I called the dealership again to request an email address so I can send them information about this defect and that went nowhere fast. I was told someone would call me so I can send them information, but as I suspect you cannot fix stupid!!!
I would like to know as to how can I jump on this bandwagon of incompetence CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT.
Unfortunately, this particular case was dismissed. You can contact class counsel with your questions. Counsel is listed at the bottom of the article and can be Googled for contact information.
I bought a 2016 Cherokee. The thermostat failed at 39k miles causing the check engine light to
Come on. My dealer first tried to re-set the computer. The light went off, but then came back on within 2 weeks. Then he said I needed a new thermostat. The original one was defective. I was charged $528 for the repair. Not covered! I contacted Jeep but all they did was jerk me around for 2 months. I want my money back!! Ridiculous to have to pay for a defective part on a new car! Will never buy a new Jeep again. Overpriced, cheap parts, and bad service.
Same issue with my 2016 Wrangler :/
My 2015 Jeep Wrangler had a left side cylinder head fail. Dealership says it is due to faulty parts in the engine (valve and cylinder). Earlier models were offered an extended warranty but they didn’t fix the issue until 2016. Chrysler Canada will not pay for the labour for this massive fix which is no longer under warranty.
I have a 2012 Jeep Sahara that has been targeted by Chrysler as having a manufacturing defect of the 3.6 engine. My symptoms don’t seem to to be heating or cooling buy rather I get severe performance issues. I have spoke with Chrysler several times and they want me to pay for all diagnostic fees in the sum of $600 to $800 dollars before they will do anything. Who else is having similar issues and can this class acction lawsuit help me resolve issue with Chrysler?
MY 2008 JEEP JK UNLIMITED ALSO HAS THE SAME ISSUE, HEATER CORE IS CLOGGED DUE TO SAME SEDIMENT, ONLY ONE SIDE OF MY HEATER WORKS.
I’m having the same issue. Is there a recall for this?
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!!!!