The Jeep has long been one of the most recognized and celebrated motor vehicle brands in the United States. But a critical mechanical defect in certain recent Jeep models led to what many people have called the “death wobble.” Essentially, Jeeps with this defect experienced uncontrollable side-to-side shaking of their vehicle’s front-end steering components, including the steering wheel itself. In turn, this can lead to sudden front-end failure of the jeep.
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA), which manufactured the Jeep before the company merged into Stellantis in 2021, long denied the “death wobble” was a problem. FCA maintained there was no safety issue with the Jeep, and that the shaking described above could happen in any vehicle with a solid front axle, including many other FCA models.
But a class action filed in 2019 by SMB partner Patrick Howard alleged the “death wobble” was the result of a manufacturing defect. Specifically, the complaint alleged that FCA designed the solid front axle of certain Jeep models so they could not absorb bumps and vibrations “as efficiently as a vehicle with a front suspension that allows each wheel to move independently.”
SMB filed the complaint on behalf of Clair Reynolds, a New Jersey resident who owned a 2018 Jeep Wrangler. Reynolds purchased the vehicle in July 2018. Less than six months later, she returned the Wrangler to the dealer after experiencing the “death wobble.” But FCA only offered a “Band-Aid fix” that would replace the steering damper while the Jeep was still under warranty. This proved inadequate, Reynolds alleged, as the wobble returned a few days after her steering damper was replaced. FCA replaced the damper a second time in February 2019, but again the wobble returned shortly thereafter. This led to a third replacement, which again failed to correct the problem.
In her 2019 class action complaint, Reynolds demanded that Jeep buy back any defective vehicles and provide owners with permanent replacement vehicles, as well as compensation for the loss in value of their original Jeeps. The Reynolds case was eventually consolidated with a second class action complaint filed by a California resident, Melinda Martinez, who also owned a 2018 Jeep Wrangler. Like Reynolds, Martinez said she experienced the “death wobble” on multiple occasions, but employees at her local FCA dealership dismissed her concerns as unfounded.
Extended Warranties for Affected Jeep Models
The consolidated class actions–Reynolds, et. al. v. FCA US, LLC–were heard in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. The crux of the class action was that the “death wobble” was the result of a latent, undisclosed defect in the design and manufacture of certain Jeep models. FCA knew about these defects before the sale yet took no corrective action. In doing so, FCA violated multiple express and implied warranties made to consumers and effectively constituted fraud.
Following extensive discovery and negotiations between the parties, a proposed Class Action Settlement Agreement was announced in October 2022. After considering–and rejecting–a number of objections filed with the court, U.S. District Judge Mark A. Goldsmith issued a final order approving the Class Action Settlement in June 2023. The final settlement covers a class including about 1.1 million individuals who purchased or leased in the United States a Jeep Wrangler for the model years 2018 to 2020, or a Jeep Gladiator for the model year 2020.
Under the terms of the final settlement, FCA US, LLC, the Stellantis subsidiary that currently owns the Jeep brand, agreed to provide approximately $30 million in benefits to the affected class members. The main benefit is a warranty extension. FCA agreed to cover the costs of all parts and labor necessary to replace a “failed front end suspension steering damper” for a period of 8 years or 90,000 miles from the date the vehicle was first sold to its original owner or lessee, whichever occurs first. This warranty extension, however, covers the vehicle itself and is not tied to a specific owner or lessee. Nor does the current owner or lessee need to present any specific documentation related to the class action settlement to receive service under this warranty extension. Additionally, any class member who previously paid to have an FCA dealer replace a steering damper in their Jeep is entitled to seek reimbursement. FCA has established a website to file reimbursement claims.
How Do You Know If Your Jeep Is Covered by This Settlement?
As previously noted, the final Class Action Settlement only covers the following Jeep models:
- 2018 Jeep Wrangler
- 2019 Jeep Wrangler
- 2020 Jeep Wrangler
- 2020 Jeep Gladiator
Your vehicle is entitled to a replacement of its front suspension steering damper at FCA’s expense if you have experienced any issues commonly related to the “Death Wobble.” Some common signs include:
- You experience a sudden shaking of your steering wheel, making it more difficult to control the vehicle;
- You have difficulty keeping your vehicle moving in a straight line despite moving the steering wheel slightly to the left or right;
- You notice uneven wear on your tires after driving for extended periods;
- You start to hear loud “clunking” noises coming from your suspension when you drive over bumps or potholes; or
- You notice any loose parts in your Jeep’s suspension.
If you experience any of these issues, you should take your Jeep to the nearest FCA dealer right away.
Contact Our Philadelphia Product Liability Attorneys Today
Saltz Mongeluzzi Bendesky P.C. is a product liability firm with a proven track record of success in complex consumer class action litigation like the Jeep “death wobble” case. We understand how defective and dangerous products put everyone at risk, and our team will make every effort to help consumers affected by such corporate malfeasance. Contact us today to set up your free, no-obligation initial consultation. With offices in Philadelphia, Delaware County, Montgomery County, and New Jersey, we are well-positioned to handle product liability claims and class action lawsuits throughout the region.