Attorneys representing Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator owners in class-action lawsuit allege Fiat Chrysler created risk of injury, death or property damage
Attorneys at leading automotive and consumer rights law firm Hagens Berman filed a new class-action lawsuit against Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) regarding an alleged defect affecting an estimated 781,000 2021-2023 gas and hybrid Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator vehicles. The defect has reportedly led to at least nine spontaneous underhood fires and one injury.
The lawsuit was filed Nov. 7, 2024, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan and alleges that FCA sold vehicles that are susceptible to spontaneous underhood fire due to an alleged defect in the power steering pump electric connector located in the front passenger side of the engine compartment. The lawsuit alleges FCA previously recalled many of the same vehicle models for different fire risks and in some cases instructed owners to park their vehicles away from structures and other vehicles due to the increased risk. Although the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is currently investigating these underhood fires, FCA has not recalled the affected vehicles to address this fire risk, according to the lawsuit.
‘Running Out the Clock’
“Hundreds of thousands of vehicles on the road and parked in or around structures and other vehicles are at risk of catching fire, and their owners are without a safely operable vehicle for an unknown and potentially lengthy period,” the lawsuit alleges. Additionally, it outlines FCA’s previous recalls for the same vehicle models for separate fire risks and highlights first-hand accounts from owners who have experienced the spontaneous events.
“If a friend loaned you their car but instructed you that, due to the risk of spontaneous fires — even when parked and off — you should make sure to keep the car away from your home, property, other buildings or anything else flammable for that matter, you’d be terrified to step foot near it,” Steve Berman, managing partner at Hagens Berman, said. “There are a million ways this scenario could go wrong, and those left with affected Jeeps are potentially running out the clock.”
The lawsuit brings claims of Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act violations, consumer warranty violations and unjust enrichment, and seeks to secure relief on behalf of owners of allegedly affected vehicles.
Hagens Berman has helped secure some of the largest class-action recoveries against automakers in history, including in the case against Volkswagen for its “Dieselgate” emissions scandal. The firm served in leadership positions on two cases against Hyundai/Kia, including the Theta II GDI Engine Fire Hazard Litigation, which resulted in a settlement valued at up to $1.3 billion in benefits, and the HECU Fire Hazard Litigation, resulting in a settlement valued at up to $300 million in benefits. The firm has active litigation for alleged fire-risk defects concerning Chrysler Pacifica hybrid minivans, Dodge RAM EcoDiesel trucks and Ford Escape, Maverick and Lincoln Corsair hybrids.
Reports from Owners
The lawsuit cites NHTSA reports from vehicle owners that experienced underhood fires, including one from the owner of a 2022 Jeep Gladiator in February 2024 from Shasta County, California: “I had my husband, two children and two dogs in the vehicle. Without warning the power steering went out. Within 20 seconds a steering wheel light appeared on the dash. Within approximately 20 more seconds, I was able to pull over into a plowed turnout. As soon as we stopped the vehicle we noticed a fire in the engine compartment.” The vehicle had approximately 15,000 miles on it, according to the lawsuit.
In another from January 2024, an owner of a 2022 Jeep Gladiator in Auburn, Washington, reported “[Our 2022 Gladiator] was last driven about two weeks ago. It burned to the ground while parked next to our house,” as stated in the complaint. “There were no warnings of symptoms and our jeep app showed everything was normal when last driven.”
“Vehicle manufacturers have a reasonable expectation to provide safe, reliable cars to their customers, and it’s clear that FCA has failed to meet the bare minimum of that expectation,” Berman said. “Owners of these vehicles purchased them for everyday use, some of which have parked their vehicles and left them unattended without realizing they could face property-damaging or even life-threatening circumstances at any moment. It’s time to hold FCA accountable for the dangers that could still arise from these defective vehicles.”
Find out more about the lawsuit against FCA for the spontaneous fire risk in Jeep vehicles.
Hagens Berman is a global plaintiffs’ rights complex litigation law firm with a tenacious drive for achieving real results for those harmed by corporate negligence and fraud. Since its founding in 1993, the firm’s determination has earned it numerous national accolades, awards and titles of “Most Feared Plaintiff’s Firm,” MVPs and Trailblazers of class-action law. More about the law firm and its successes can be found at www.hbsslaw.com. Follow the firm for updates and news at @ClassActionLaw.
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