In Wake of GM Ignition Switch Recall, Chrysler Faces Scrutiny

By Robert J. Boumis | July 7, 2014

Category: Consumer News

GM ignition switch recall class action lawsuit The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is investigating whether millions of Chrysler vehicles may have similar issues to the ignition switch defect at the core of the General Motors ignition switch recall.

The GM ignition switch recall issues stemmed from an alleged problem with the vehicles’ circuitry. Because of the problem, the ignition switch could flip into the wrong position while driving. Something like a driver’s knee jostling the keys or a particularly bumpy road could reportedly trigger the problem.

As a result of the alleged GM ignition switch defect, the vehicle could turn off while driving, simultaneously deactivating the airbags. Dozens of accidents have allegedly been linked to this problem, as well as a number of deaths, leading to GM ignition switch recall class action lawsuits. The problem also has led to recalls across various GM brands, including millions of Chevrolets, Pontiacs, and Saturns. The NHTSA investigation is checking to see if some Chrysler vehicles may have similar ignition switch problems.

The NHTSA investigations involve more than 1.2 million vehicles manufactured by Chrysler. Like GM, Chrysler sells vehicles under a number of brands, including Dodge and Jeep. The current investigations are looking at Jeep Commanders, Jeep Grand Cherokees, Dodge Grand Caravans, Dodge Journeys, and Chrysler Town and Countries. NHTSA has stressed that these are preliminary investigations, and no recall has been issued. However, one accident has allegedly been linked to ignition switch problems in a Jeep vehicle. No injuries or fatalities have yet been reported. If the NHTSA investigations discover a similar problem to the one found in GM vehicles, there could be a massive recall of Chrysler-made vehicles. This could also expose Chrysler to the risk of an ignition switch class action lawsuit.

Some GM ignition switch lawsuits are taking the form of a class action lawsuit. Class action lawsuits are a type of group lawsuit in which a group of individuals allege that they have suffered similar harm at the hands of the same defendants. Class action lawsuits are designed to streamline the legal process by combining tens, hundreds, or even thousands, of individual lawsuits into a single class action lawsuit. Class action lawsuits of this type typically claim that the manufacturers of these cars were aware — or reasonably should have been aware — of the serious risks linked to alleged problems with their vehicles.

Join a Free GM Recall Injury Class Action Lawsuit Investigation

If you or a loved one were severely injured or died in an automobile accident related to the GM ignition recall, you may be eligible to participate in the class action lawsuit and pursue compensation. The GM recall class action lawsuit will attempt to hold the automaker accountable for manufacturing and selling defective vehicles and failing to address safety flaws that endangered hundreds of thousands of customers. See if you qualify now at the GM Ignition Switch Recall Class Action Lawsuit Investigation. Eligible vehicles include: