A lawsuit against Fiat Chrysler, Ford, and Jeep has recently been filed in connection with a series of rollaway incidents in Jeep vehicles. The recall, which began in May 2016, relates to brake pads and the ZF shift lever, which could cause rollaway. While the company promised that they would look for a permanent solution to the problem, they failed to install a safety override system in all models, which could have prevented the rollaway incidents.
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Fiat Chrysler
Last April, FCA announced a recall for more than 1.1 million Jeep, Dodge, and Chrysler vehicles. The model of Jeep Yelchin owned was among those recalled. Yelchin, 27, received a warning but had not received an official recall notice. Despite the looming recall, Fiat Chrysler hasn’t responded to CNNMoney’s request for comment. Although the firm is familiar with this case, FCA has not yet responded to its request for comment.
The recall affects more than 1.1 million cars and SUVs. The faulty shifters caused the vehicles to roll away, and in some cases, roll away after drivers mistakenly thought they put the vehicle in park. As of July 2016, more than 25 accidents and nine injuries have been reported in connection with the problem. Fiat Chrysler is working to fix the problem, and the NHSTA is monitoring the recall to ensure the safety of its customers.
Jeep
In 2013, Dedra Maneotis’ 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee started rolling backward after she had put it in the park. She held onto the door handle and steering wheel as she exited the car. Even though she was holding onto the car, Maneotis eventually lost her grip and the SUV rolled away. The incident was so tragic, that the family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against FCA.
The suit has now been joined by four other nationwide class-action suits filed against Fiat Chrysler, which manufactures these vehicles. The lawsuit claims that FCA concealed the design defect and failed to properly warn owners of the risks associated with the shifter. However, the automaker denies the suit and states that it has not been served. Nonetheless, the lawsuit does show that Jeeps may have a safety defect that is causing rollaway.
Dodge Durango
The Dodge Durango lawsuit was filed in federal court in Texas and is aimed at the Chrysler Group LLC, the company that produced the SUV. The lawsuit alleges that the Dodge Durango line of SUVs lacks skid plates and other protective measures for the fuel tank. The lawsuit cites the death of Gabriell Kirst, a passenger in a 2005 Dodge Durango, in a March 30, 2012, accident.
The lawsuit claims that the faulty “totally integrated power modules” were to blame for several electrical problems. The Dodge Durango has a tall ride and, therefore, is more susceptible to rollover accidents than other vehicles. The roof of a vehicle should not crush into the passenger or driver compartment, but it does. The roof is designed to prevent rollover, but the Dodge Durango does not have the correct structure. This means that there are numerous structural problems with the SUV.
Ford
It’s no secret that the rollaway issue afflicts the Jeep Grand Cherokee, but a class action lawsuit filed against Chrysler recently brought the issue to the forefront. Among the victims was the actor Anton Yelchin, who died in his Jeep Grand Cherokee after it rolled away on his driveway. According to the lawsuit, the shifting defect was responsible for Yelchin’s death. Ford has recommended a free repair for affected owners. The fix involves replacing the gear shifter cable bushing.
The lawsuit cites the diminished value of Jeep Grand Cherokees because of the accidents and claims that rollaway caused negative publicity for the model. In addition, the lawsuit seeks an injunction against Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV (FCA) to stop deceptive practices. The lawsuit also comes just days after the death of actor Anton Yelchin. His Jeep Grand Cherokee rolled back and crushed him. The accident is still under investigation by Los Angeles police, but it’s likely related to the shifter design.
Range Rover
After several people have been injured in rollaway accidents involving Jaguar Land Rover and Range Rover, the family of one woman is suing the manufacturer. A keyless ignition system puts the vehicle at risk of a rollaway when the driver isn’t inside the car. The cars can be dangerous, injuring and killing anyone in their path. In one case, a 2017 Range Rover HSE was recorded on a home video rolling backward. It crushed the driver, who died. The family of the deceased driver, Yolanda Ross, filed a lawsuit against the manufacturer, citing a defective gear selector.
While the manufacturer of the Land Rover was aware of hundreds of unintended rollaway complaints, the company failed to make the necessary changes to prevent the occurrence of a fatality. The company, which was aware of the complaints, installed 28 shifters in its SUVs. The shifters are not designed to prevent such accidents, and some models feature only one. The fault, in this case, led to Shadi Askari-Farhat’s death. The lawsuit claims that the company is liable for her death under strict product liability, breach of an implied warranty under the Song-Beverly Act, and survival.
