Chrysler Defective Steering Class Action
Our attorneys filed a class action lawsuit on October 3, 2014, against Chrysler, alleging that some 2009-2012 Dodge Ram trucks were sold with a defect that could cause the trucks to experience broken tie rods, which can cause a loss of steering control.
The case proceeded in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California before the Honorable Judge Virginia A. Phillips. On August 16, 2017, Judge Phillips approved a settlement that resolved the litigation, Looper v. FCA US LLC, Case No. 5:14-cv-00700 (C.D. Cal.).
The settlement benefits are listed below.
Who Is Covered by the Settlement
The settlement applies to the following Class Members:
All individuals who purchased a new Class Vehicle in California between July 1, 2009, and November 6, 2013, and who were not eligible for the “Repurchase Program” remedies provided under Paragraph 35 of the Consent Order entered into between FCA US LLC and the NHTSA on July 24, 2015.
Class Vehicles are defined as the following Dodge Ram trucks:
- 2009-2012 Dodge Ram 2500 4×4 trucks manufactured from July 1, 2009, to January 21, 2012.
- 2009-2012 Dodge Ram 3500 4×4 trucks manufactured from July 1, 2009, to December 22, 2012.
- 2009-2012 Dodge Ram 3500 Cab Chassis (4×2 and 4×4) trucks manufactured from July 1, 2009, to December 22, 2012
- 2009-2012 Dodge Ram 4500 trucks manufactured from July 1, 2009, to December 22, 2012.
- 2009-2012 Dodge Ram 5500 trucks manufactured from July 1, 2009, to December 22, 2012.
Settlement Benefits
The settlement provided Class Members with the following benefits:
- Cash Payment.
The settlement required FCA US to mail Class Members a check for $250 for each new 4500 or 5500 Class Vehicle that they purchased in California during the applicable time period, and a check for $195 for each new 2500 or 3500 Class Vehicle that they purchased in California during the applicable time period. Class Members generally did not need to submit a claim or paperwork to receive their check. - Warranty Extension.
As part of recalls 13V-529 and 13V-527 (first announced in late 2013 and early 2014), FCA US provided replacement steering linkage components for Class Vehicles designed to remedy the alleged defect. It is not anticipated that Class Members will experience problems with those replacement parts. However, if necessary, any time before the end of the 2017 calendar year, Class Members could have them repaired or replaced under warranty at an FCA US dealership.
For more information, please review the settlement website.
Past Auto Successes
| General Motors | $800 each for drivers of GM vehicles filled with defective Dexcool coolant |
| Honda | $25 million for Honda and Acura owners with premature brake pad wear |
| Hyundai & Kia | $225 in cash or $325 in dealer credits for owners of Hyundai and Kia cars with falsely advertised horsepower ratings |
| Hyundai | Free engine inspections and repairs, warranty extensions, and reimbursements for past repairs and related costs |
| Mitsubishi & Chrysler | $33 million for cash reimbursements and discount repairs for wheel rim problems |
| Chrysler | Free fuel pump relay repairs, extended warranties, and reimbursements for rental cars and other related costs |
| Mercedes Benz | $650 or up to $1,300 in new vehicle credits for owners of Mercedes vehicles with emergency response systems that would become obsolete without an expensive retrofit |
Our Commitment to Excellence
Gibbs Law Group LLP has earned Tier-1 rankings for Mass Tort and Class Action Litigation and has been named in the U.S. News – Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms” list for four consecutive years since 2013.
We have recovered over a billion dollars for our clients against the world’s largest corporations in cases concerning auto defects, drug and medical device injuries, data breaches, securities fraud, antitrust matters, and employment law violations.
